CONTINENTAL AIRLINES IS NAMED OFFICIAL AIRLINE OF THE NEW YORK KNICKS

OnePass frequent flyer program donates one million miles to Widows' & Children's funds

Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) and the New York Knicks today announced that Continental is the new Official Airline of the NBA team.

To introduce the new relationship, Continental's OnePass frequent flyer program is donating a total of one million OnePass miles to the Uniformed Firefighters Association Widows' and Children's Fund, and the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association Widows' and Children's Fund.

OnePass will donate an additional 5,000 miles for every free throw that Knicks' guard Allan Houston hits during the season. If he performs as he did last year, that would result in nearly 1.5 million additional OnePass miles being donated to the funds.

"The importance of the Widows' & Children's funds has never been more evident than it is today," said Mark Bergsrud, vice president of marketing.

"Our donation will help the funds expand their programs and activities by giving them access to resources outside New York City, and we hope the funds' beneficiaries can directly participate in the travel opportunities afforded by OnePass."

The sponsorship agreement gives Continental another avenue for reaching its core market of New York business travelers. Included are signage rights in the Knick's Madison Square Garden, promotional tie-ins, and client entertainment opportunities.

As with its other sponsorships in New York City, Continental's Knicks sponsorship blends support for an organization that is important to New Yorkers while also creating unique opportunities for Continental customers.

Continental sponsors the New York Yankees, Broadway, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The New York Philharmonic, The New York Marathon, The Public Theatre of New York City, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Continental Airlines Arena, The New Jersey Nets, The New Jersey Devils, The New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and the Heisman Trophy.

"The Knicks are proud to have Continental Airlines on board as the official airline for the team," said Anucha Browne-Sanders, New York Knicks VP of Marketing.

"The commitment that they've shown to New York City in these trying times has been inspirational to all New Yorkers."

Continental provides more air service to New Yorkers than any other airline. The airline provides more than 300 daily departures from Newark and LaGuardia. New direct train service began this week from New York Penn Station to Newark International Airport. The trip is less than one-half hour with tickets on NJ Transit only $11.15 each way.