Continental Airlines Praises DOT Secretary Peters and Assistant Secretary Steinberg for Securing New China Route Authority

HOUSTON, May 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today praised U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and Assistant Secretary Andy Steinberg for negotiating an impressive amendment to the U.S. - China aviation agreement. Continental applauds the extraordinary efforts of Secretary Peters and her team, as well as those of the State Department, and commends the Administration for securing this much needed additional service to China.

The additional frequencies provide an opportunity for Continental to serve the largest U.S. to China market that lacks daily U.S. carrier service -- New York/Newark to Shanghai. This new agreement will result in economic opportunities across the United States and provide consumers with significantly greater choices for their U.S. - China travel needs.

"We congratulate Secretary Peters, Assistant Secretary Steinberg and the Administration on their successful efforts to secure additional China routes which is a significant step toward an open skies agreement," said Chairman and CEO, Larry Kellner.

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 3,100 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 144 domestic and 138 international destinations. More than 400 additional points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With more than 44,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with Continental Express, carries approximately 67 million passengers per year. Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture.

In 2006, Continental Airlines won its sixth J.D. Power and Associates award since 1996. The carrier received the highest rank in customer satisfaction among network carriers in North America in the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Airline Satisfaction Index Survey(SM). For the fourth consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1 Most Admired Global Airline on its 2007 list of Most Admired Global Companies. Continental was also named the No. 1 airline on the publication's 2007 America's Most Admired airline industry list. Additionally, Continental again won major awards at the OAG Airline of the Year Awards including "Best Airline Based in North America" for the fourth year in a row, and "Best Executive/Business Class" for the fifth consecutive year. For more company information, visit continental.com.