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HOUSTON, Oct 22, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Citing consumer benefits and strong support from federal, state, local and economic development officials, Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today urged the U.S. Department of Transportation to approve the airline's application for service linking New York/Newark with the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai.

Continental's service will be the only flights operated by a U.S. carrier linking mainland China with New York, the largest origin-and-destination point in the United States for China travel.

"Continental is the only applicant proposing a comprehensive plan to create a significant presence in China, offer the first daily nonstop service for China's two primary cities from the largest U.S. gateway and begin competing effectively with well-entrenched incumbent carriers on U.S.-China routes," said Continental Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gordon Bethune in written testimony.

Bethune thanked his coworkers, elected officials and thousands of concerned citizens and corporations for their incredible show of support for Continental's application. Nearly 13,000 employees have sent letters of support to the Department of Transportation, and thousands more letters have been sent from members of Congress, state and local officials, major U.S. corporations, travel industry partners, chambers of commerce, Chinese-American organizations, and concerned citizens. More letters of support are being sent daily.

If approved, service between New York/Newark and Beijing will begin in March 2005, with Shanghai service beginning in March 2006. Each flight will be linked to dozens of communities via Continental's Global Gateway hub at Newark Liberty International Airport, the only major-airline international hub serving the New York area. In all, Continental anticipates its proposed Beijing and Shanghai services will provide for more public benefits than proposals for new service at Chicago, Atlanta, Honolulu, Oakland and San Francisco.

Continental's proposal to use a new China designation and 14 weekly frequencies will maximize the benefits of these new opportunities:

     --  Only Continental will serve the largest U.S.-China gateway, New
         York/Newark
     --  Only Continental will introduce nonstop U.S.-flag service in the
         largest U.S.-China markets without such service
     --  Only Continental will provide the first U.S.-flag service between a
         primary U.S.-China gateway and Beijing and Shanghai
     --  Only Continental will meet the requirements of the largest
         underserved origin-and-destination markets, as well as providing
         comprehensive network connections.

"In contrast to Continental's bold plan to build on its daily nonstop New York/Newark-Hong Kong and New York/Newark-Tokyo Narita services by adding two China destinations, the other applications for combination service authority would be handicapped by serving smaller U.S. gateways, offering service on only one route, duplicating service already offered by their own codeshare partners or other airlines, or lacking any network to offer comprehensive U.S.-China service," Bethune said in his written testimony.

If approved, Continental will operate each service with Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.

Continental Airlines is the world's sixth-largest airline with more than 3,000 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. Continental serves 151 domestic and 120 international destinations -- more than any other airline in the world -- and nearly 200 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With 41,000 employees, the airline has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and carries approximately 51 million passengers per year. In 2004, Continental has earned awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. FORTUNE ranks Continental one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America, an honor it has earned for six consecutive years, and also ranks Continental as the top airline in its Most Admired Global Companies in 2004. The carrier won major awards at the 2004 OAG Airline of the Year Awards including "Airline of the Year," "Best Airline Based in North America" and "Best Executive/Business Class." For more company information, visit continental.com .

SOURCE Continental Airlines

Corporate Communications of Continental Airlines,
+1-713-324-5080, or corpcomm@coair.com

http://www.continental.com