Continental Airlines' Presidents Club Wins Priority Pass North America Lounge of the Year Award

HOUSTON, March 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced that for the sixth consecutive year, Continental Presidents Clubs have received top honors in the Priority Pass Lounge of the Year awards.  This year's North America Lounge of the Year honor went to the Presidents Club located in Terminal E at Continental's Houston hub at Bush Intercontinental Airport.  This particular club has been recognized all six years that the Priority Pass Lounge of the Year has been awarded, including capturing the highest honor, Global Lounge of the Year, in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

In addition, the Presidents Club lounges located in Terminal C at the carrier's New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport and at Tocumen Panama International Airport in Panama City each received a Highly Commended award.

The award-winning Houston lounge in Terminal E is the largest of Continental's Presidents Clubs, measuring 26,000 square feet and spanning three stories with expansive views of airport operations from floor-to-ceiling windows.  The lounge features free WiFi Internet access, private workstations and five conference rooms for conducting business, and four showers for customers' use.  A premium selection of top-rated wines and spirits are offered for purchase in addition to the complimentary beverages, snacks, and house wines and spirits.  Presidents Club members have at their service dedicated agents who provide personalized reservation and ticketing assistance.

"This award demonstrates that we are accomplishing our goal of providing a better travel experience from start to finish," said Mark Bergsrud, Continental's senior vice president of marketing programs and distribution.  "We strive for Continental's Presidents Club to make traveling more relaxing, productive and enjoyable for our customers."

Each year, Priority Pass asks its members to vote for the Lounge of the Year, rating each airport lounge for its quality of facilities, amenities, welcoming staff and general ambience, among other factors. Continental's Presidents Club competed with more than 600 airport lounges worldwide in the Priority Pass program.  This award is especially meaningful because Priority Pass members are discerning, frequent international travelers.  

The Priority Pass Lounge of the Year Award was launched in 2005 to recognize outstanding service and facilities in this increasingly important area of business travel.

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline.  Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,500 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 133 domestic and 135 international destinations.  Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which overall offers 19,700 daily flights to 1,077 airports in 175 countries through its 26 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.

Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture.  For nine consecutive years, FORTUNE magazine has ranked Continental as the top U.S. airline on its "World's Most Admired Companies" airline industry list. For more company information, go to continental.com.

SOURCE Continental Airlines