Continental Airlines Receives Tentative DOT Approval to Join Antitrust Immunized...

Continental Airlines Receives Tentative DOT Approval to Join Antitrust
Immunized Alliance With Star Carriers

WASHINGTON, April 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) today tentatively approved the application for
Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) to join the existing antitrust immunized
alliance between United Airlines and eight other Star Alliance member
carriers, and for Continental to enter into an integrated worldwide alliance.

"Continental's entrance into Star Alliance will provide substantial benefits
for consumers worldwide while preserving domestic competition and jobs." said
Larry Kellner, Continental's chairman and CEO. "In addition, a timely final
approval will allow Continental to provide a seamless transition for its
customers from the SkyTeam alliance to Star Alliance this fall."

The tentative DOT decision not only benefits consumers, but also ensures
global competition with other antitrust immunized alliances and encourages the
retention and growth of open skies between the U.S. and other nations.

Continental expresses its appreciation to the numerous community and civic
parties whose enthusiastic support has been critical to the airline's efforts
to secure this tentative approval. Continental thanks its 42,000 employees,
its millions of customers and the travel, congressional, state and local
government and business partners who urged timely approval of the application.

Continental also expressed its appreciation for the efforts of DOT Secretary
Ray LaHood and his staff who issued the tentative approval of this application
despite the many pressing other issues facing the DOT and the Administration.

In addition to Continental and United, the eight Star Alliance members
receiving tentative DOT approval for antitrust immunity are Air Canada,
Austrian, bmi, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS),
SWISS and TAP Air Portugal.

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental,
together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than
2,800 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 135
domestic and 132 international destinations. More than 650 additional points
are served via current alliance partners. With more than 42,000 employees,
Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and
together with Continental Express, carries approximately 67 million passengers
per year.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Continental consistently earns
awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture.
For the sixth consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1
World's Most Admired Airline on its 2009 list of World's Most Admired
Companies. For more company information, go to continental.com.

SOURCE Continental Airlines

Corporate Communications of Continental Airlines, +1-713-324-5080,
corpcomm@coair.com, News archive, continental.com/company/news/