More Flights to New York

Signaling an upturn in the Aviation business, increased frequency between Heathrow and New York is being scheduled by Continental Airlines.

The carrier is also introducing flat bed seats in its business class cabin.

An early-evening departure from London to New York/Newark will be introduced from March 28th for the first time.

This fourth daily flight will be supplemented by a fifth daily service in October from Heathrow Terminal 4.

This will bring the total number of daily departures from Heathrow to seven, all aircraft from Heathrow will feature new flat bed seats in BusinessFirst from June 2.

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Continental Airlines Gets Top Honours

Continental Airlines announced that it was again rated the top airline on FORTUNE magazine's annual airline industry list of World's Most Admired Companies. This is the sixth consecutive year that Continental has topped that list.

The rankings are determined in a survey of corporate and airline executives, boards of directors and industry analysts. Companies are evaluated according to the following criteria: quality of products/services, global competitiveness, people management, quality of management, social responsibility, innovation, use of corporate assets, financial soundness and long-term investment.

Additionally, Continental was ranked among the top ten companies for management quality across all industries on the Fortune World's Most Admired Companies survey.

The results are from the magazine's March 16th, 2009, issue.

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Continental Airlines First Biofuel Flight

Continental Airlines, way ahead of its domestic and global competitors announced its plans for the first biofuel-powered demonstration flight of a U.S. commercial airliner, to be conducted in Houston on Jan. 7th, 2009.

The demonstration flight, which will be operated with no passengers, will be powered by a special fuel blend including components derived from algae and jatropha plants-- sustainable, second-generation fuel sources that don't impact food crops or water resources, and don't contribute to deforestation.

"This flight represents another step in Continental's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and identifying sustainable, long-term fuel solutions for the aviation industry," said Continental Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Larry Kellner.

As part of a broader industry effort, Boeing and other industry leaders, including airlines and engine manufacturers, are helping to guide the aviation sector toward sustainable biofuels produced through advanced biomass conversion technologies and processes that have the potential to reduce greenhouse gases throughout their lifecycle. Sustainable biofuels for aviation incorporate second-generation methodologies relative to fuel source selection and processing, which are uniquely suited for aerospace use. These biofuels can then be blended with kerosene fuel(Jet-A) to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Continental's participation in this project is part of a company-wide commitment to environmental responsibility.

On average, Continental burns approximately 18 gallons of fuel to fly one mainline revenue passenger 1,000 miles, which represents a 35 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption since 1997. This is due in large part to the efforts of its employees in streamlining operational procedures and to an investment of more than $12 billion to acquire 270 fuel-efficient Boeing aircraft and related equipment. Continental remains committed to further improving fuel efficiency in the decade to come, including investing in its fleet with orders for more than 50 Boeing 737-900 Next Generation aircraft, and 25 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Continental has also reduced, by 75 percent, nitrogen oxide emissions from ground equipment at the carrier's largest hub, in Houston, through switching to electric ground service equipment and other new technology. This technology is now being tested for use in cold climates.

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Lie Flat on Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines has announced that it will start rolling out its new business class lie-flatseat on flights from the UK in summer 2009.

The airline, which now operates three daily flights from London Heathrow to New York and two to Houston, said the installation will start in its Boeing777 aircraft, which fly on the transatlantic routes.

The roll out will then move to its 757 aircraft, used from regional airports,then to its 767-400s, and will be fitted on its 787s, due to be delivered in 2010. All of its fleet will have the new seat by the end of 2012 or early 2013, said senior director UK and Ireland Bob Schumacher at World Travel Market.

Meanwhile, the airline awaits approval from competition authorities in the USand Europe over its planned joint venture with United Airlines, Lufthansa andAir Canada.

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