Continental Airlines Announces Changes to Coach Service on International Flights

HOUSTON, May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL - News) 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 entree 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.

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[This message has been edited by EnhancedByCO (edited 05-20-2002).]