Continental Airlines to launch daily non-tops flights between New York and Edinburgh

Continental Airlines today announced it will launch daily non-stop flights between New York / Newark and Edinburgh effective June 10, 2004, subject to government approval.

The new service will be the first flight ever between the U.S. and Edinburgh, Europe's sixth largest financial center. Continental has operated daily New York - Glasgow service, Scotland's only year-round transatlantic air link, since 1998.

"We are pleased to provide a new gateway to eastern Scotland, bringing our award-winning service to Edinburgh and doubling our frequency of flights to Scotland next summer," said Jim Summerford, Continental's Vice President, International. "The Edinburgh-New York route will be a huge benefit to our customers."

Continental will operate a 172-seat Boeing 757 aircraft on the route, carrying 16 customers in BusinessFirst and 156 in coach. Flight 36 will depart New York/Newark at 8:25 p.m., arriving at Edinburgh at 8:00 a.m. the next day. The return flight, flight 37, will depart Edinburgh daily at 10:00 a.m., arriving at New York/Newark at 12:30 p.m. the same day. Flying time will be approximately six and a half hours eastbound and seven and a half hours westbound.

The new route connects at New York/Newark with Continental's extensive network of 369 daily flights from Newark Liberty International to 120 destinations throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.

Passengers arriving at Liberty International on Continental flights from Edinburgh will be able to use exclusive immigration and customs facilities in Terminal C3, Continental's Global Gateway.

The new flights will feature Continental's BusinessFirst service, which features extra-wide electronic sleeper seats with 55-inch pitch, adjustable winged headrests and personal video screens.

Edinburgh is Scotland's capital and the seat of the new Scottish Parliament. One of the most culturally rich cities in Europe, its world-famous attractions include historic Edinburgh Castle and the annual Edinburgh Festival. The U.K.'s second-largest financial services center after London, Edinburgh also plays host to the region's other key industries including biotechnology, microelectronics, software, creative industries, government, tourism and education and training.