CONTINENTAL AIRLINES WILL BOOST SEAT CAPACITY IN HAWAII 31% THIS SPRING

Double flights from Houston to bolster Hawaii's economy

Responding to favorable market conditions, Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL and CAL.A) announced today it will increase air service to Hawaii by 31 percent this spring with the addition of five new weekly frequencies and aircraft with more capacity.

Starting May 2, Continental will add a second DC-10 nonstop between Houston and Honolulu that will operate five days a week (except Tuesdays and Thursdays) during the peak travel season. Seasonal service will cease on Sept. 5.

Additionally, Continental will switch from a 242-seat to a 282-seat DC-10 on its Newark-Honolulu route. This will bring the total number of weekly seats in the Honolulu-U.S. mainland market to 7,332.

"This move by Continental Airlines is a show of confidence and another positive sign that Hawaii's economy is strengthening. We are pleased that Continental has found Hawaii a good place for doing business over the years," said Hawaii's Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano.

Continental's second flight from Houston will add another 1,410 weekly seats in the market-seats that will potentially be filled with many new visitors to Hawaii.

For example, the second flight to Hawaii, which is scheduled to depart Houston in the afternoon, has been conveniently timed to provide additional connections for travelers throughout Texas, the Southeast and the Northeast.

"The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is delighted that Continental Airlines has chosen to nearly double its non-stop service from Houston in recognition of the growing demand for Hawaii as a destination from the Southeast and the U.S. East," said HTA Chief Executive Officer Bob Fishman. "Continental should be commended for its vision and leadership in working with Hawaii's visitor industry to promote Hawaii as a premier destination for leisure and business visitors alike."

Continental currently serves Honolulu with three flights a day; one from Houston, Newark and Los Angeles. Each is serviced by a DC-10 aircraft, which can carry between 242 and 282 passengers. Continental also operates daily service between Honolulu and Guam.

Continental's existing flight from Houston departs at 9:40 a.m. and arrives in Honolulu at 12:35 p.m. the same day. The new seasonal flight (CO 73) will depart Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport at 12:20 p.m., arriving in Honolulu at 3:15 p.m. the same day. The return flight will leave Honolulu at 9:20 p.m. and arrive in Houston at 9:45 a.m. (the next day). Flying time from Houston to Honolulu is approximately 8 hours, and 7 ½ hours on the return.

Twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays, starting May 2, flight 73 will continue on to Guam.

Flight Schedule:

Houston - Honolulu Honolulu - Houston

CO 1 9:40 a.m.- 12:35 p.m. CO 2 6:40 p.m. - 7:05 a.m. (next day)

CO 73 12:20 p.m.- 3:15 p.m.* CO 74 9:20 p.m. - 9:45 a.m. (next day)*

*new seasonal service starting 5/2/01

Continental Airlines is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering more than 2,200 departures daily to 136 domestic and 92 international destinations. Operating hubs in Newark, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, Continental serves more international cities than any other U.S. carrier, including extensive service throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Continental is in the top quarter of FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work for in America," and is ranked the nation's No. 1 airline in customersatisfaction for long and short-haul flights by Frequent Flyer Magazine and J.D. Power and Associates. Continental has received numerous awards for its BusinessFirst premium cabin (Condé Nast Traveler, OAG, Entrepreneur and SmartMoney magazines), OnePass frequent flyer program (InsideFlyer's Freddie Awards) and overall operations and management (Air Transport World's 1996 Airline of the Year).