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Platinum Elite members who earn 100,000 qualification miles will receive system-wide upgrades

Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced new OnePass frequent-flyer benefits designed to recognize and reward its top customers.

Beginning January 1, 2010, OnePass Platinum Elite members will be eligible to earn new invitation-only Presidential Platinum Elite status based on their annual spending on travel on Continental, Continental Micronesia, Continental Express and Continental Connection flights.

In addition, Platinum Elite members who earn at least 100,000 Elite qualification miles or 120 Elite qualification points will receive four one-way system-wide upgrade certificates. The certificates may be used to upgrade to domestic first class, international business class or international BusinessFirst in conjunction with any published fare on Continental, Continental Micronesia or Copa Airlines.

"Continental continues to look for ways to recognize our best customers," said Mark Bergsrud, senior vice president marketing programs and distribution. "For the first time we are offering a new OnePass Elite membership tier to reward customers based on their annual spending in addition to mileage earned. The system-wide upgrade benefit for our top mileage earners is also a first for us."

Presidential Platinum Elite benefits include top priority for Elite upgrades and flight standby, an exclusive VIP phone line, and, for members residing in the mainland U.S. and Alaska, annual fee waivers on the Continental Airlines Presidential Plus(SM) World Mastercard® credit card, which also includes Presidents Club membership and other benefits. Members residing in Hawaii, Guam and points outside the U.S. will receive 25,000 OnePass bonus miles.

Platinum Elite status is awarded to members who earn 75,000 Elite qualification miles or 90 Elite qualification points. The initial spending qualification to earn Presidential Platinum Elite status is $30,000.

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.

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

Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) has won top honors in two categories in the 2009 OAG Airline Industry Awards.

BusinessFirst, Continental's renowned international business-class service, was named "Best Executive/Business Class." The airline previously won this award five years in a row between 2003 and 2007. Continental also won "Best Airline Based in North America" for the sixth consecutive year.

Known as the "Oscars of the Airline Industry," the OAG awards are voted for by frequent flyers around the world, based on their personal experiences over the previous 12 months.

Continental recently announced the latest enhancement to BusinessFirst: the introduction of flat-bed seats, reclining 180-degrees and providing 6 ½ feet (2 meters) of sleeping space in the fully extended position. The first aircraft to feature the new seats, a Boeing 777, entered service this month. The airline will install the flat-bed seats on all its Boeing 777, 757-200 and 767-400 aircraft, and on its Boeing 787 fleet as those aircraft are delivered to Continental.

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. For more company information, go to continental.com.

SOURCE Continental Airlines

SmarterTravel®, the largest online travel resource of independent expert advice for the budget-conscious traveler, today announced the results of its annual Readers' Choice Awards, a survey of more than 7,400 travelers, the majority of whom fly four to six times a year. Of no surprise is that value continues to win with travelers and price is deemed the most influential factor in determining airfare purchases.

Southwest swept several major categories including: Best Airfare Prices, Favorite Domestic Airline, and Best on Time Service, among others. JetBlue also got top marks while legacy carriers continue to lose their luster, in most part for adding fees. When asked which airline fees are the greatest gouge, readers responded:

• Fees to check a bag (overwhelming at 62%)
• Ticket changing fees (19.3%)
• Booking online vs. in-person (7%)
• Fees for overweight checked bags (4.4%)
• Fees for snacks (4.3%)
  

"The story this year is really all about the fees and the fact that legacy carriers need to take a lesson from the low cost providers," said Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel. "We have overwhelmingly received input from our readers that fees are driving purchase decisions, so no surprise that Southwest wins favoritism with no checked bag fees. However, Southwest has spent the better part of a year cementing itself in the minds of travelers as the no-fee carrier and repeatedly skewering competitors in the media, but what travelers don't realize is they are quietly adding fees."

Perception vs. Reality

Some of Southwest's latest additional fees include a $75 in-cabin pet fee, $25 (each way) service charge for children ages 5 -11 traveling alone, $50 fee for 3rd checked bag (up from $25) and $10 for "priority boarding. Additionally, the airline is strongly hinting that its Rapid Rewards program will become more fee-based in 2010

http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/up-front-with-tim-winship/southwest-targets-frequent-flyers-wallets.html?id=3711677

Sign of the Times - Freebies Now a Luxury

Yes, that's right, free snacks and no checked bag fees is now a luxury. When asked who has the best prices, Southwest's (35.8%) and Jet Blue's (9.5%) refusal to add on extra fees for a first-checked bag (Southwest also doesn't charge for a second bag) or in-flight snacks, which can pad the cost of an airline ticket, earned them high marks.

Legacy Carriers get an "F"

When it comes to price, customer service, on-time performance, onboard amenities, and baggage service, US Airways earned the honors of being the worst airline, followed by United, American and Delta. What would make them better? Here's our readers advice:

• Mandatory distribution of hotel vouchers for stranded passengers when airline is at fault (34.8%)
• A 3-hour maximum wait on the tarmac (32.5%)
• Universal enforcement of carry-on bags (21%)
• Creation of a kids-only/family-only airplane section (6.1%)
  

Get out your Hazmat Suit

With a potentially nasty flu season ahead, readers overwhelmingly felt that US Airways' cabins were the dirtiest. Others who need a visit from Mr. Clean include United and American. Legacy airlines have a lot of work to do to catch up to the standards set by the low-fare carriers, particularly in regard to in-flight experiences that are clean and neat.

More winners from the 2009 SmarterTravel Readers' Choice Awards include:

• Most Comfortable Standard Economy Class Section
  

Winner: Southwest

Second Place: JetBlue

Honorable Mention: American

• Most Child-Friendly Airline
  

Winner: Southwest

Second Place: JetBlue

Honorable Mention: Continental; interesting in spite of their unaccompanied minor fiasco

• Best Value Frequent Flyer Program
  

Winner: Southwest

Second Place: American

Honorable Mention: Delta

• Best Onboard Entertainment
  

Winner: JetBlue

Second Place: Delta

Honorable Mention: Continental

Full results of the survey here: http://www.smartertravel.com/Readers-Choice-2009

 

SOURCE SmarterTravel

Virgin America, the California-based airline that is reinventing domestic air travel, today took the top honors as "Best Domestic Airline for Food" in the prestigious Travel + Leisure Annual World's Best Awards readers' survey. Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards highlight the results of an annual, impartial survey that allows Travel + Leisure readers to share their opinions of their favorite travel experiences.* For the first time this year, the survey results include reviews of key service categories which will be highlighted in the magazine's September issue. Virgin America's industry-leading in-flight dining experience will be profiled in Travel + Leisure's first annual food and travel issue in September.

"We're honored to receive this feedback from Travel + Leisure readers - those who fly the most and expect the very best," said Virgin America Senior Vice President of People and In-flight Frances Fiorillo. "Virgin America's goal is to bring travelers more choices in-flight. In keeping with our California roots, our fresh, seasonal meal items and snacks offer guests convenient, tasty and reasonably priced options they can order any time right from their seatback - without having to worry about grabbing something ahead of time."

With award-winning service and a host of innovative amenities, Virgin America has captured a list of travel industry best-in-class awards since launching service in August 2007 including, Travel + Leisure's World's Best Domestic Airline Award in 2008 and 2009. Virgin America is also the only airline in the U.S. with a touch-screen seatback menu that allows guests to order what they want, when they want it during a flight. Virgin America offers one of the largest selections of fresh menu items, with a focus on lighter, more health-focused choices.

Virgin America's in-flight dining is featured in Travel + Leisure's first annual food and travel issue in September and is available on newsstands on August 28. The special issue will contain a list of the top five World's Best Airlines for Food, both domestic and international. It will be posted on Travel and Leisure's Web site.

"Our goal as a new carrier is to reinvent the flying experience for the better by listening to what our guests want, so we're constantly seeking real-time feedback, whether through the Red seatback screens or now via in-flight WiFi," added Fiorillo. "We've even implemented suggestions received about our menu from some of our very first guests and their feedback will continue to be an essential ingredient in creating the best customer experience in the U.S. skies."

Virgin America's market research and feedback received from guests via Red(TM), the airline's in-flight entertainment system, has shown that guests want fresh, high-quality food options - and that travelers are seeking out convenient buy onboard options over having to purchase food on the go at the airport that is usually at a higher price.

Main Cabin menu options available for purchase at the touch of a button via Red's on-demand ordering system include (prices range between $7 - $10 for meals in Main Cabin, and options are complimentary in Main Cabin Select):

• Fruit and Cheese: Hand-cut imported brie, pepper Monterey Jack and aged cheddar paired with clusters of sweet red seedless grapes, sun-dried cranberries, pecans and crisp multigrain crackers.
• Hummus and Pita Chips: A healthy selection of Mediterranean hummus and baba ganoush served with crisp fresh carrot batons, broccoli and cauliflower florets, sweet red bell pepper, cucumbers, red radish, sugar snap peas and a stuffed grape leaf, served with Stacy's Pita Chips.
• Wild Berry Parfait: A light yogurt parfait layered with vanilla yogurt, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, served with a crunchy chocolate granola.
• Southwestern Chicken Hand Roll: Zesty roasted red pepper tortilla rolled around strips of grilled chicken, green leaf lettuce, chipotle cream cheese spread, fire roasted corn and black beans, and a colorful trio of red, yellow and green bell peppers. Served with a side salad of orzo pasta with Southwestern vegetables and red pepper pesto and a Toblerone chocolate for dessert.
• Black and Blue Steak Sandwich: Basil and cheese focaccia loaded with blackened flat iron steak, gorgonzola cheese spread, balsamic glazed onions, arugula, sliced Roma tomatoes and fresh red and yellow roasted tomatoes. Served with a Toblerone chocolate for dessert.
• Turkey Florentine Hand Roll: Spinach tortilla wrapped around hand shaved turkey breast, herb cream cheese spread, feta cheese, fresh baby spinach, romaine leaf lettuce, sliced artichoke bottoms, yellow bell pepper strips, Roma tomato, and Belgian endive. Served with a side salad of gemelli pasta with Italian vegetables, sun dried tomatoes and creamy basil pesto, with a Toblerone chocolate for dessert.
• Muffaletta Sandwich: Hearty Focaccia bread stuffed with shaved honey ham, Genoa salami, shaved turkey, Swiss and provolone cheese, spicy olive salad, green leaf lettuce, and sliced tomatoes, paired with Italian dressing on the side, and a Toblerone chocolate for dessert.
• Thai Vegetable Salad: Refreshing Asian-style salad of romaine lettuce, Napa cabbage, julienne carrots, curly daikon radish, sliced cucumber, green onion, julienne tomato, red and yellow bell pepper strips, cilantro, mint, and chopped cashews. Served with sesame ginger vinaigrette dressing on the side and a Toblerone chocolate for dessert.
  

In addition to Virgin America's food menu, beverages and cocktails are also available for purchase. Guests can always order drinks, like Illy iced cappuccinos, eco-friendly cocktails made with VeeV Acai Spirit and Le Tourment Vert "Mile High Cocktails" from their seatback, and watch as they are mixed on-demand.

Virgin America offers over 100 flights a day and flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston and Orange County. The airline offers daily flights from: SFO to LAX, SFO to JFK, SFO to SAN, SFO to IAD, SFO to LAS, LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD, SFO to SEA, SEA to LAX, JFK to LAS, BOS to LAX, BOS to SFO, SFO to SNA and starting November 18, 2009, SFO to FLL and LAX to FLL. Virgin America has flown more than 4.5 million guests since its inaugural flights in August 2007 and now counts over 925,000 Elevate loyalty program members.

EDITORS NOTE: Virgin America is a U.S. controlled and operated airline and an entirely separate company from Virgin Atlantic. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group is a minority share investor in Virgin America.

Source: Virgin America

New Airline Takes Top Honors as Best Domestic Airline for Second Year Running in Annual World's Best Awards

Virgin America, the California-based airline that is reinventing domestic air travel, today took the top honors for the second year running as "Best Domestic Airline" in the prestigious Travel + Leisure Annual World's Best Awards readers' survey. Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards highlight the results of an annual, impartial survey that allows Travel + Leisure readers to share their opinions of their favorite travel experiences.* In the annual survey, airlines are rated independently by Travel + Leisure readers in several categories, including: cabin comfort, food, in-flight service, customer service, and value.

"We're honored to receive the highest marks for the second consecutive year from Travel + Leisure's readers - those who fly the most and expect the very best in service, comfort and design," said Virgin America President and Chief Executive Officer David Cush. "There are many surveys that attempt to rank airline quality that are paid and do not reflect real guest reviews or that exclude smaller carriers. Hearing directly from the readers of a respected travel source that we're not only making the grade - but leading the industry is hugely important for us as a start-up. This is a key milestone in our second year flying and we're grateful for the outstanding contributions of our teammates and for each of the 4.5 million guests who have flown with us to date."

With award-winning service and a host of innovative amenities, Virgin America has captured a list of travel industry best-in-class awards since launching service in August 2007. Virgin America's rigorous in-flight and airport staff training programs include a special focus on delivering concierge-like guest care. The airline offers unrivalled value with low fares and high-tech features like touch-screen seatback entertainment, power outlets near every seat, mood-lighting and custom-designed leather seating with a deeper, more comfortable pitch. In May, Virgin America became the first and only airline to offer guests in-flight internet on every flight. Virgin America is also the only airline in the U.S. with a touch-screen seatback menu that allows guests to order what they want, when they want it during a flight. Virgin America offers one of the largest selections of fresh menu items, with a focus on lighter, more health-focused options in keeping with the airline's California roots.

The complete Travel + Leisure 2009 results, including the Top 100 Hotels Overall and Top 10 Cities Overall, are featured on www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest now and in Travel + Leisure's August issue, available on newsstands July 24. The Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards winners for 2009 will be honored in New York City on July 21 at an awards event at the Cooper Square Hotel.

"Our goal as a new carrier is to reinvent the flying experience for the better by listening to what travelers want, so we're constantly seeking real-time feedback, whether through the Red seatback screens or now via in-flight WiFi," added Cush. "We've even implemented suggestions received from some of our very first guests and their feedback will continue to be an essential ingredient in creating the best customer experience in the U.S. skies."

Virgin America offers over 100 flights a day and flies to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Seattle, Las Vegas, San Diego, Boston and Orange County. The airline offers daily flights from: SFO to LAX, SFO to JFK, SFO to SAN, SFO to IAD, SFO to LAS, LAX to JFK, LAX to IAD, SFO to SEA, SEA to LAX, JFK to LAS, BOS to LAX, BOS to SFO and SFO to SNA. Virgin America has flown more than 4.5 million guests since its inaugural flights in August 2007 and now counts over 925,000 Elevate loyalty program members.

Source: Virgin America

Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced that it received the highest possible "Power Circle Rating" on the annual J.D. Power and Associates 2009 North America Airline Satisfaction Study. This achievement indicates that consumers rate Continental "among the best" of all airlines in the study.

Continental was one of only three airlines, out of a total of 13 in the study, to receive the top rating of 5 Power Circles. Continental ranked higher than any other carrier in several categories measured, including Inflight Service Experience. Additionally, for the fourth consecutive year, Continental was the highest-ranked major global network carrier on the study.

"This achievement underscores the consistent hard work and superior service that my more than 43,000 co-workers provide to our customers every day," said Jim Compton, Continental's executive vice president of marketing. "Despite the difficult industry environment, we remain committed to our corporate culture of teamwork, listening to our customers, and investing in our product."

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.

Source: Continental Airlines

The Express Delivery & Logistics Association (XLA) announced the winners of the 2008 Airline of the Year Awards at the Annual Membership Meeting held during the industry's AirCargo 2009 Conference in Las Vegas on March 9, 2009. The awards are based on an annual survey of its members who use the services of carriers for their express packages around the world. Awards are made to the top three Domestic airline winners, and the top International airline winner. Southwest Airlines Cargo received the Domestic Airline of the Year Award for the fifth consecutive year and Northwest Airlines Cargo took home the 2008 International Airline of the Year Award. American Airlines Cargo and Continental Airlines Cargo tied for the second place Domestic Airline of the Year Award.

The annual survey used to determine the award winners rated airlines in the categories of Communication, Service, Technology and Value, combined with Department of Transportation on-time performance data. Only airlines that were members of XLA in 2008 were included in the survey, which included Alaska Airlines, American Airlines Cargo, Continental Airlines Cargo, Delta Cargo, Continental Airlines Cargo, Northwest Airlines Cargo, United Airlines Cargo and U.S. Airways. XLA has been giving the awards for ten consecutive years.

Matt Groppe, chairman of the XLA Airline Liaison Committee, presented the first place Domestic Airline of the Year Award to Matt Buckley, Senior Director of Cargo, Wally Devereaux, Director of Sales and Marketing, and Jay Hollingsworth, Director of Cargo Operations. "We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our Cargo and Ramp Employees who go above and beyond to meet the needs of our Customers. We owe this award to them," said Matt Buckley.

Accepting the International Airline of the Year Award on behalf of Northwest Airlines Cargo was John Kempe, General Manager, North American Sales for Delta Cargo. John Kempe was the General Manager, North American Sales for Northwest Airlines Cargo prior to the merger of the two airlines.

Traditionally, XLA gives second and third place Domestic Airline of the Year Award, but for the first time since the award inception, two airlines tied for second place: American Airlines Cargo and Continental Airlines Cargo.

American Airlines Cargo representatives Dave Brooks, President/Cargo, Roger Samways, Managing Director Global Accounts & Sales Strategy and Jennifer Pemberton, Manager Advertising/Public Relations accepted the award.

Accepting the award for Continental Airlines Cargo was Jim Bellinder, Director of Sales-The Americas, Lisa Schoppa, Manager-Quickpak Product Development, Tony Randgaard, Manager Cargo Marketing, Kaci Suarez, QUICKPAK Sales Manager, Jim McKeon, Managing Director Global Cargo Sales Marketing and Kevin Adderson, Regional Sales Manager Western USA & Canada Cargo.

SOURCE Express Delivery & Logistics Association

Reflecting its commitment to safety and continuing education, Frontier Airlines Holdings, Inc. (Pink Sheets: FRNTQ) is proud to announce that it is among an elite group of maintenance facilities in America whose maintenance department has been awarded the Federal Aviation Administration's Diamond Award. This is the tenth consecutive year Frontier has received this recognition.

"No other major airline has ever received this prestigious award for 10 consecutive years with 100 percent participation," said Frontier Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering Ron McClellan. "It is a reflection of Frontier's total dedication to safety and to the continuing education of our outstanding maintenance employees."

The Diamond Award is the highest honor given by the FAA and recognizes airlines and other maintenance facilities where 100 percent of its aircraft maintenance technicians complete certified training requirements beyond their initial certification. In 2008, the FAA raised the level or participation for a Diamond Award from 25 percent to 100 percent.

Since 1999, Frontier has far exceeded the FAA's standard with 100 percent participation of its aircraft maintenance technicians, upholding Frontier's status as one of a very small number of air carriers to achieve this distinction. Each of the airline's 303 maintenance and engineering employees participated in the program this year.

SOURCE Frontier Airlines Holdings, Inc.