Air Canada welcomes Continental Airlines to Star Alliance

Customers will have more route choices to U.S East Coast, Mexico and
Central America

MONTREAL, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Air Canada today welcomed
Continental Airlines as it joins Star Alliance. Air Canada customers will now
enjoy expanded travel options including codeshare flights to new destinations
through Continental's hubs and network.
"Continental, one of the world's top carriers, further strengthens the
customer benefits of Star Alliance, of which Air Canada is a founding member.
Such partnerships offer not only access to a far broader network, but also a
simpler travel experience, lounge access, priority services, and the ability
to collect and redeem Aeroplan Miles, while also earning status miles that
count towards Air Canada Top Tier status," said Calin Rovinescu, President and
Chief Executive of Air Canada, in New York City to welcome Continental as a
Star Alliance partner. "For Air Canada customers, Continental'sNewark and
Cleveland hubs will create more options for travelling to the Eastern U.S.
while its Houston hub will open new routes further south throughout Mexico and
Central America."
"We are pleased to join the Canadian market leader Air Canada in the Star
Alliance network," said Continental Chairman and CEO Larry Kellner. "As a
founding member of Star Alliance and Canada's largest airline, Air Canada will
offer Continental customers greater access to more points in Canada as well as
other destinations around the world."
Effective immediately, the two airlines have a full reciprocal agreement in
place for each other's frequent flyer program. As a result: Aeroplan members
will have the ability to earn and redeem miles on Continental; Continental One
Pass members will be able to earn and redeem miles on Air Canada; Air Canada
Top Tier members will have the ability to access Star Alliance Gold and Silver
benefits through Continental, including lounge and priority services; and
Continental One Pass Elite members will have the ability to access Star
Alliance Gold and Silver benefits through Air Canada, including lounge and
priority services.

About Air Canada
----------------

Montreal-based Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air transportation
for passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five continents.
Canada's flag carrier is the 13th largest commercial airline in the world and
serves 33 million customers annually. Air Canada is a founding member of Star
Alliance, providing the world's most comprehensive air transportation network
for Canadian domestic, transborder and international travel. As well,
customers can collect Aeroplan miles for future awards through Canada's
leading loyalty program.
In 2008, the readers of Business Traveler magazine voted Air Canada "Best
In-Flight Services in North America," "Best Airline for Business Class Service
in North America" and "Best North American Airline for International Travel."

About Continental Airlines
--------------------------

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental,
together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than
2,400 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 130
domestic and 132 international destinations. Continental is a member of Star
Alliance, which provides access to more than 900 additional points in 169
countries via 24 other member airlines. With more than 41,000 employees,
Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and
together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million
passengers per year.

About Star Alliance
-------------------

The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global
airline alliance to offer customers worldwide reach and a smooth travel
experience. Star Alliance received the Air Transport World Market Leadership
Award in 2008 and was voted Best Airline Alliance by Business Traveller
Magazine in 2003, 2006, 2007,2008 and 2009 and by Skytrax in 2003, 2005, 2007
and 2009. The members are Continental Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New
Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, EGYPTAIR, LOT Polish Airlines,
Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South
African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United
and US Airways. Regional member carriers Adria Airways (Slovenia), Blue1
(Finland) and Croatia Airlines enhance the global network. Aegean Airlines,
Air India, Brussels Airlines, and TAM have been announced as future members.
Overall, the Star Alliance network offers 17,000 daily flights to 916
destinations in 160 countries.
SOURCE AIR CANADA

Isabelle Arthur (Montreal), (514) 422-5788; Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto), (416)
263-5576; Angela Mah (Vancouver), (604) 270-5741; aircanada.com