Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced
that the airline will spend approximately $4 million annually to improve
coach class meal service on trans-Atlantic flights beginning July 1.
Continental will upgrade the hot entre offered as part of the main meal,
improve the second meal served prior to arrival, and have a variety of
snacks available to customers throughout the flight. On longer-haul
routes such as Amsterdam to Houston, the airline will also enhance the
salad at the main meal and add a new, mid-flight snack service.
Concurrent with upgrades to its meal service, Continental will standardize
its onboard liquor policy throughout its system worldwide. Beginning July
1, and consistent with its domestic main cabin service, the airline will
implement a $4 charge per alcoholic beverage served in coach class on
international flights. All revenue from the liquor charges will be
reinvested to help offset significantly increased costs of the enhanced
meal service.
"This reallocation of our investment in our inflight product benefits
every customer, rather than the few who enjoy complimentary liquor," said
Eric Kleiman, director of product marketing.
In addition, Continental will expand its inflight entertainment
program with more video games and HBO original programming. The airline
is nearly doubling the number of video games for customers in coach class
offered through its onboard interactive Personal Entertainment System,
increasing the number of game selections from six to 10. The entertainment systems are available at every seat on the Boeing 777 and
767 aircraft flown in international markets. In August, the airline will
also add HBO programming to its personal inflight video entertainment in
the BusinessFirst cabin, allowing customers to choose popular programming
such as The Sopranos and Sex and The City.
Continental's investment in coach service complements its recently
announced enhancements to its BusinessFirst product. The airline is
installing new sleeper seats in its BusinessFirst cabin on Boeing 777
aircraft that serve trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific routes.
Continental Airlines is the fifth largest airline in the U.S.,
offering more than 2,100 departures daily to 120 domestic and 91
international destinations. Operating hubs in Houston, New York,
Cleveland and Guam, Continental serves more international cities
than any other U.S. carrier, including extensive service throughout the Americas,
Europe and Asia. |
