Continental Airlines to launch daily non-stop service between Geneva and New York

Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), the world's sixth largest airline and the airline with the most flights from the New York City area, today announced it will launch daily non-stop flights between Geneva and New York/Newark effective March 6, 2003 (eastbound), subject to government approval.

The new flight will be the only non-stop service between Geneva, headquarters to numerous international agencies and multinational corporations, and Newark International Airport, the leading New York-area airport with 354 daily flights to 120 destinations throughout the Americas and Europe. Continental has operated a daily Zurich-New York/Newark service since June 1999. 

"We have already successfully introduced service to Zurich" said Barry Simon, Continental's senior vice president International. "This is our 17th destination we serve in Europe. Continental already serves more European destinations from New York than any other carrier." 

Continental will operate a 174-seat Boeing 767-200 aircraft on the route, carrying 25 customers in BusinessFirst and 149 in coach. Flight 80 will depart New York daily at 6:55 p.m., arriving in Geneva at 8:25 a.m. the next day. The return flight, flight 81, will depart Geneva at 10:50 a.m., arriving in New York at 1:50 p.m. the same day. Flying time will be approximately seven and a half hours eastbound and nine hours westbound. 

Over the next few months, Continental will hire staff for its ground operations in Geneva. The Company has not finalized the exact number of positions to be filled. 

The new route is conveniently timed to connect at New York/Newark with an extensive network of service throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America.  

Continental is the only major airline to operate a hub in the New York City metropolitan area -- Newark International Airport, which is closer to mid-town Manhattan than John F. Kennedy Airport and is the leading New York-area airport, handles 20 million passengers each year. AirTrain service allows customers to travel between Newark Airport and mid-town Manhattan in approximately 20 minutes. 

The Geneva service will feature Continental's award-winning BusinessFirst service. This premium-class cabin features extra-wide electronic sleeper seats with 55-inch pitch/140-cm pitch, adjustable winged headrests and personal video screens. Other BusinessFirst amenities include gourmet menus and award-winning wines and champagnes.  

In Europe and the Middle East as a whole, Continental currently serves 16 cities in 11 countries, operating up to 161 departures weekly. The airline's alliance carriers in Europe include Air Europa, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

 Continental Airlines is the fifth largest airline in the U.S.,  offering more than 2,100 departures daily to 122 domestic and 90 international destinations. Operating hubs in New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, Continental serves more international cities than any other U.S. carrier, including extensive service throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.