Continental Airlines Reports May 2009 Operational Performance

HOUSTON, June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL)
today reported a May consolidated (mainline plus regional) load factor of 80.9
percent, 0.3 points below the May 2008 consolidated load factor and a mainline
load factor of 81.3 percent, the same as the May 2008 mainline load factor.
The carrier reported a record domestic mainline May load factor of 84.7
percent, 0.3 points above the May 2008 domestic mainline load factor and an
international mainline load factor of 78.0 percent, 0.3 points below May 2008.

During the month, Continental recorded a U.S. Department of Transportation
(DOT) on-time arrival rate of 83.5 percent and a mainline segment completion
factor of 99.6 percent.

In May 2009, Continental flew 7.5 billion consolidated revenue passenger miles
(RPMs) and 9.3 billion consolidated available seat miles (ASMs), resulting in
a consolidated traffic decrease of 9.0 percent and a capacity decrease of 8.8
percent as compared to May 2008. In May 2009, Continental flew 6.8 billion
mainline RPMs and 8.3 billion mainline ASMs, resulting in a mainline traffic
decrease of 8.1 percent and a mainline capacity decrease of 8.1 percent as
compared to May 2008. Domestic mainline traffic was 3.4 billion RPMs in May
2009, down 9.1 percent from May 2008, and domestic mainline capacity was 4.1
billion ASMs, down 9.5 percent from May 2008.

For May 2009, consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (RASM) is
estimated to have decreased between 19.5 and 20.5 percent compared to May
2008, while mainline passenger RASM is estimated to have decreased between
19.0 and 20.0 percent compared to May 2008. Continental estimates that the
H1N1 flu reduced consolidated passenger revenue by $30 million in May 2009.

For April 2009, consolidated passenger RASM decreased 13.1 percent compared to
April 2008, while mainline passenger RASM decreased 11.3 percent compared to
April 2008.

Continental's regional operations had a May load factor of 78.0 percent, 1.8
points below the May 2008 regional load factor. Regional RPMs were 771.3
million and regional ASMs were 988.8 million in May 2009, resulting in a
traffic decrease of 16.2 percent and a capacity decrease of 14.3 percent
versus May 2008.

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental,
together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than
2,750 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 133
domestic and 132 international destinations. More than 750 additional points
are served via current alliance partners. With more than 43,000 employees,
Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and
together with its regional partners, 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.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are not limited to
historical facts, but reflect the company's current beliefs, expectations or
intentions regarding future events. All forward-looking statements involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those in the forward-looking statements. For examples of such risks and
uncertainties, please see the risk factors set forth in the company's 2008
Form 10-K and its other securities filings, including any amendments thereto,
which identify important matters such as the significant volatility in the
cost of aircraft fuel, its transition to a new global alliance, the
consequences of its high leverage and other significant capital commitments,
its high labor and pension costs, delays in scheduled aircraft deliveries,
service interruptions at one of its hub airports, disruptions to the
operations of its regional operators, disruptions in its computer systems, and
industry conditions, including the recession in the U.S. and global economies,
the airline pricing environment, terrorist attacks, regulatory matters,
excessive taxation, industry consolidation, the availability and cost of
insurance, public health threats and the seasonal nature of the airline
business. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise
any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may
arise after the date of this press release, except as required by applicable
law.

PRELIMINARY TRAFFIC RESULTS
MAY 2009 2008 Change
REVENUE PASSENGER MILES (000)
Domestic 3,446,903 3,792,761 -9.1 Percent

International 3,314,327 3,567,213 -7.1 Percent
Transatlantic 1,871,204 2,000,949 -6.5 Percent
Latin America 817,258 968,837 -15.6 Percent
Pacific 625,865 597,427 4.8 Percent

Mainline 6,761,230 7,359,974 -8.1 Percent
Regional 771,325 920,376 -16.2 Percent
Consolidated 7,532,555 8,280,350 -9.0 Percent

AVAILABLE SEAT MILES (000)
Domestic 4,069,697 4,495,504 -9.5 Percent

International 4,249,984 4,553,042 -6.7 Percent
Transatlantic 2,299,445 2,570,070 -10.5 Percent
Latin America 1,060,212 1,199,265 -11.6 Percent
Pacific 890,327 783,707 13.6 Percent

Mainline 8,319,681 9,048,546 -8.1 Percent
Regional 988,790 1,153,844 -14.3 Percent
Consolidated 9,308,471 10,202,390 -8.8 Percent
PASSENGER LOAD FACTOR
Domestic 84.7 Percent 84.4 Percent 0.3 Points

International 78.0 Percent 78.3 Percent -0.3 Points
Transatlantic 81.4 Percent 77.9 Percent 3.5 Points
Latin America 77.1 Percent 80.8 Percent -3.7 Points
Pacific 70.3 Percent 76.2 Percent -5.9 Points

Mainline 81.3 Percent 81.3 Percent 0.0 Point
Regional 78.0 Percent 79.8 Percent -1.8 Points
Consolidated 80.9 Percent 81.2 Percent -0.3 Points
ONBOARD PASSENGERS
Mainline 3,807,850 4,315,003 -11.8 Percent
Regional 1,455,398 1,679,243 -13.3 Percent
Consolidated 5,263,248 5,994,246 -12.2 Percent

CARGO REVENUE TON MILES (000)
Total 73,436 86,856 -15.5 Percent

PRELIMINARY TRAFFIC RESULTS
YEAR-TO-DATE 2009 2008 Change

REVENUE PASSENGER MILES (000)
Domestic 15,722,177 17,860,011 -12.0 Percent

International 15,518,747 16,372,850 -5.2 Percent
Transatlantic 7,654,042 8,247,066 -7.2 Percent
Latin America 4,974,452 5,168,271 -3.8 Percent
Pacific 2,890,253 2,957,513 -2.3 Percent

Mainline 31,240,924 34,232,861 -8.7 Percent
Regional 3,647,757 4,162,783 -12.4 Percent
Consolidated 34,888,681 38,395,644 -9.1 Percent

AVAILABLE SEAT MILES (000)
Domestic 19,142,629 21,562,135 -11.2 Percent

International 20,701,325 21,489,990 -3.7 Percent
Transatlantic 10,438,638 11,127,672 -6.2 Percent
Latin America 6,299,670 6,362,853 -1.0 Percent
Pacific 3,963,017 3,999,465 -0.9 Percent

Mainline 39,843,954 43,052,125 -7.5 Percent
Regional 4,976,134 5,389,366 -7.7 Percent
Consolidated 44,820,088 48,441,491 -7.5 Percent
PASSENGER LOAD FACTOR
Domestic 82.1 Percent 82.8 Percent -0.7 Points

International 75.0 Percent 76.2 Percent -1.2 Points
Transatlantic 73.3 Percent 74.1 Percent -0.8 Points
Latin America 79.0 Percent 81.2 Percent -2.2 Points
Pacific 72.9 Percent 73.9 Percent -1.0 Points

Mainline 78.4 Percent 79.5 Percent -1.1 Points
Regional 73.3 Percent 77.2 Percent -3.9 Points
Consolidated 77.8 Percent 79.3 Percent -1.5 Points
ONBOARD PASSENGERS
Mainline 18,336,558 20,723,878 -11.5 Percent
Regional 6,744,750 7,531,882 -10.5 Percent
Consolidated 25,081,308 28,255,760 -11.2 Percent
CARGO REVENUE TON MILES (000)
Total 346,457 438,556 -21.0 Percent

PRELIMINARY OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL RESULTS
MAY 2009 2008 Change
On-Time Performance (1) 83.5% 75.4% 8.1 Points
Completion Factor (2) 99.6% 99.7% (0.1) Points
April 2009 year-over-year
consolidated RASM change (13.1) Percent
April 2009 year-over-year
mainline RASM change (11.3) Percent
May 2009 estimated
year-over-year consolidated
RASM change (19.5) - (20.5) Percent
May 2009 estimated
year-over-year mainline
RASM change (19.0) - (20.0) Percent
May 2009 estimated average
price per gallon of fuel,
including fuel taxes 1.99 Dollars
Second Quarter 2009
estimated average price
per gallon of fuel,
including fuel taxes 2.07 Dollars

(1) Department of Transportation Arrivals within 14 minutes
(2) Mainline Segment Completion Percentage

SOURCE Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines Corporate Communications, +1-713-324-5080,
corpcomm@coair.com