Continental... Love 'Em!
 

Tried Continental this past weekend as I wanted a long layover in Houston ( flew from LAX to IND on business) and I will just say that I'm a very satisfied customer! :)

All flights were on time, meals were served twice when I didn't expect it... and they were actually edible!

The landing upon arrival at HOuston was so smooth that I didn't really even feel the touchdown.

I will fly them again whenever convenient.

Being a Houstonian, I use CO all the time. It's a well run airline in general, but there are stuff that many passengers may not like:

- 757 across the Atlantic in coach
- dealing with ground staff at Newark
- ultra-longhaul on a regional jet
- the least generous FF program

Well, I also realize that just because things were perfect ONCE that that may not always be the case... but I actually can't remember another time when everything went right... :)

Amen to your first two points rkkwan! They're starting a Cleveland-Paris route in 2008 and my husband mused that it's probably so people can actually <i>get</i> to Europe, rather than getting stuck in Newark.

Well, but CLE-CDG will also be on a 757, just like the seasonal CLE-LGW. I wish they'd do CLE-AMS instead, as I'd prefer KL/AMS than AF/CDG for numerous reasons.

Anyhow, I know MerryTravel's husband was only joking, but CO is an airline that <b>does not cancel many flights</b>. Even when weather is bad at EWR, or unexpected stuff happens, they just delay the flights. They will get the flights out no matter how late. Some people like their policy, some don't. But one should be aware of that.

I was stuck on the runway for 2.5 hours on a Continental flight this weekend, with no AC and they ran out of water. Then when we finally arrived, they couldn't park the plane correctly--kept backing it up over and over for another 40 min. The customer service staff was incredibly rude to everyeone who missed connections.

He was referring to the fact that so many flights into Newark (and the NY area in general) get delayed that a lot of people miss international connections. That's not Continental's fault, but I doubt that comforts the people who get stuck.

MerryTravel - Yes, that makes sense.

gmelle - Yes, I am very aware of CO's attitude of &quot;getting flights out at any cost&quot;. In fact, that's what I'm implying in my earlier post that they will delay but not cancel flights, and not everybody appreciate that.

For example, during recent snow storms and thunderstorms or whatever at EWR, CO continue to send flights there from all around the world. Many flights were diverted to various airports in the US and Canada and passengers were held in the plane for 2-3 hours or more.

To some, that's a lot better than stranded at a foreign airport for one or more days. To others, that's unacceptable torture.

In my opinion, if one doesn't like that policy, they should <b>really avoid flying CO</b>, and I mean it.

Thanks for the fair warning rkkwan! I have to admit I thought of you while I was in Houston... and especially at the airport! :)

As a loyal CO customer I'm glad to hear the good review. And I agree with rkk about coach in that godawful 757. Last week I was in a shuttle with a CO pilot about to fly a 757 and mentioned that I hated it. He responded that it was really efficient and a good plane for routes like the US East coast to Western Europe. If they would just increase the pitch even an inch or so in coach it might be almost tolerable.
As for the ground staff in Newark, to be fair I have run across some pleasant ones, but by and large they reflect the local culture, which can sometimes seem a bit brusque even when there is no intention to be rude.