News Release (20/05/08)
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES CELEBRATES 250,000TH PASSENGER ON ITS BRISTOL – NEW YORK SERVICE
As the 250,000th passenger on Continental Airlines’ non-stop service from Bristol to New York, lucky Katherine Bronander from New Jersey, was presented today with a complimentary upgrade to the airline’s award-winning BusinessFirst service. The world’s fifth largest airline, which is also celebrating the third anniversary of its Bristol – New York service this week (May 20), presented Katherine with her upgrade at the Continental Airlines check-in desk at Bristol International Airport. Katherine, a director with a major health company based in New Jersey, said: “It was a fantastic surprise to discover that I am Continental’s quarter of a millionth passenger on the Bristol route. My trip will now be even more enjoyable in BusinessFirst.”
Bob Schumacher, Continental Airlines’ Senior Director U.K. & Ireland, commented: “We’re delighted to include Katherine in our celebrations of such a significant milestone. The Bristol-New York route is now well-established as a unique trans-Atlantic gateway for the region, providing business and leisure travellers with quicker and easier access not only to the Big Apple but also, via Continental’s hub at Newark Liberty International Airport, to the Americas as a whole.”
Paul Kehoe, Chief Executive of Bristol International Airport, said: “For three years Continental Airlines has provided a vital connection between the South West and New York, and the North American continent as a whole. Hundreds of thousands of travellers from this region have enjoyed the sights and experiences of the USA, and large and small companies have been better able to trade with the world’s most powerful economy.
“At the same time, American visitors have enjoyed Bristol International’s proximity to some of the UK’s major tourist attractions, and business travellers have been able to avoid the congested London airports, cutting out unnecessary journeys from the capital by road and rail.
“The Bristol-New York route demonstrates the positive benefits improved connectivity can bring, and I encourage business and leisure travellers to continue taking advantage of the South West and Wales’ only transatlantic service”.
The route is operated by a Boeing 757-200 featuring 16 seats in the award-winning BusinessFirst cabin and 159 economy class seats. In BusinessFirst, extra-wide electronic sleeper seats feature a 55-inch/140-cm seat pitch, a 156-degree recline and adjustable winged headrests. An award-winning wine and champagne selection is served to complement excellent cuisine. All BusinessFirst seats feature Audio/Video on Demand (AVOD), allowing customers to choose from up to 25 movies, 25 short-subject programs and 50 compact discs. The AVOD system is currently being installed in the Economy cabins of Boeing 757-200s.
Continental operates the largest major-airline hub in the New York City metropolitan area – Newark Liberty International Airport. From the airport, Continental offers flights to more than 230 destinations throughout the Americas, including more than 120 served non-stop. New York Liberty also offers the fastest transfers to many parts of the city, including the AirTrain service to New York Penn Station in midtown Manhattan with a journey time of less than 30 minutes. A partnership between Continental and US Helicopter Corporation provides helicopter service between New York Liberty’s Terminal C and two Manhattan locations – the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at Wall Street, and the East 34th Street Heliport in Midtown – in each case with a journey time of eight minutes.
Continental operates non-stop flights to the U.S.A from ten airports in the U.K. and Ireland – Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London/Gatwick, London/Heathrow, Manchester, Dublin and Shannon – more than any other airline. Continental's U.K. reservations number is 0845 60 767 60; Customers can also book online at www.continental.com/uk