Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines was a major United States airline that operated from 1934 to 2012, with its headquarters in Houston, Texas. The airline was founded by Luther Burbank, Robert F. Six, and Walter Varney, and initially operated as Varney Speed Lines, with its first flight taking place on July 15, 1934, from Pueblo, Colorado to El Paso, Texas, with stops in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Amarillo, Texas. Continental Airlines played a significant role in the development of the airline industry, with notable collaborations with Boeing, Douglas Aircraft Company, and General Electric. The airline was also a member of the Star Alliance, alongside Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, and Thai Airways International.

● History

The history of Continental Airlines dates back to 1934, when it was founded as Varney Speed Lines by Luther Burbank, Robert F. Six, and Walter Varney. The airline initially operated with a fleet of Stinson Model A aircraft, flying between Pueblo, Colorado and El Paso, Texas, with stops in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Amarillo, Texas. In 1937, the airline was renamed Continental Airlines and began to expand its operations, with the introduction of Douglas DC-3 aircraft, which enabled the airline to offer flights to Denver, Colorado, Kansas City, Missouri, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Continental Airlines also collaborated with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Trans World Airlines to establish the Air Transport Association of America. The airline continued to grow, with the introduction of Boeing 707 aircraft in the 1950s, which enabled the airline to offer transcontinental flights to Los Angeles, California and New York City. Continental Airlines also operated flights to Europe, with destinations including London Heathrow Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, and Frankfurt Airport, in collaboration with British Airways, Air France, and Lufthansa.

● Fleet

The fleet of Continental Airlines consisted of a variety of aircraft, including Boeing 737-500, Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-900, Boeing 757-200, and Boeing 767-200ER. The airline also operated Douglas DC-10 and McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft, which were used for domestic and international flights. Continental Airlines was one of the first airlines to introduce the Boeing 787 Dreamliner into its fleet, with the first delivery taking place in 2011. The airline's fleet was maintained by Boeing, General Electric, and Pratt & Whitney, with maintenance facilities located at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. Continental Airlines also collaborated with Airbus and Embraer to develop new aircraft, including the Airbus A350 XWB and the Embraer ERJ-145.

● Destinations

Continental Airlines operated flights to a wide range of destinations, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. The airline's hub airports were located at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport, with focus cities at Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport. Continental Airlines operated flights to major destinations, including Tokyo Narita International Airport, London Heathrow Airport, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, and Frankfurt Airport, in collaboration with Japan Airlines, British Airways, Air France, and Lufthansa. The airline also operated flights to Latin America, with destinations including Mexico City International Airport, Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport, and Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport, in collaboration with Aeromexico, Aerolineas Argentinas, and TAM Airlines.

● Accidents and Incidents

Continental Airlines was involved in several accidents and incidents throughout its history, including the crash of Continental Airlines Flight 11 on May 22, 1962, which resulted in the loss of 45 lives. The airline was also involved in the crash of Continental Airlines Flight 1713 on November 15, 1987, which resulted in the loss of 28 lives. Continental Airlines was also affected by the September 11 attacks in 2001, with several flights being grounded or diverted. The airline collaborated with Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, and Transportation Security Administration to improve safety and security measures. Continental Airlines also worked with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines to develop new safety protocols and procedures.

● Merger with United Airlines

In 2010, Continental Airlines announced its intention to merge with United Airlines, with the merger being completed in 2012. The merger created one of the largest airlines in the world, with a combined fleet of over 1,200 aircraft and a network of destinations spanning the globe. The merger was approved by the United States Department of Justice and the European Commission, with the new airline being headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The merger also involved the integration of Continental Airlines and United Airlines operations, with the introduction of a new brand identity and a combined frequent flyer program, MileagePlus. The airline collaborated with Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Scandinavian Airlines to develop new routes and services.

● Operations

Continental Airlines operated a wide range of services, including in-flight entertainment, in-flight meals, and check-in facilities. The airline also offered a frequent flyer program, OnePass, which allowed passengers to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by Continental Airlines and its partners, including United Airlines, Lufthansa, and Scandinavian Airlines. Continental Airlines also collaborated with Hertz, Avis, and National Car Rental to offer car rental services to its passengers. The airline's operations were supported by a network of air traffic control centers, including the Federal Aviation Administration and the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation. Continental Airlines also worked with Boeing, Airbus, and General Electric to develop new aircraft and engine technologies. Category:Defunct airlines of the United States