Continental and TAM Airlines to Implement Codeshare Flights

HOUSTON, June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced codeshare cooperation with TAM Airlines (Bovespa: TAMM4 andNYSE: TAM) on routes within Brazil and between Brazil and the U.S. beginning July 1, 2010.

This cooperation builds on the reciprocal frequent flyer program agreement signed on April 6 between Continental Airlines and TAM and supports Continental's growth in the Brazilian market.  Both airlines are members of Star Alliance, the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveler.  

"Codesharing between Continental and TAM Airlines improves the link we established between the two airlines before TAM joined Star Alliance," said John Slater, Continental's staff vice president Latin America and the Caribbean.  "We look forward to growing our relationship with TAM in the near future."

"We are expanding our international network through this new stage of our partnership with Continental. Through the agreement, we are able to offer more convenience and better services to our customers," stated TAM Airlines commercial and planning vice president, Paulo Castello Branco.

Codeshare Flights

International TAM flights

Domestic TAM Flights

Continental Airlines flights

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline.  Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,700 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 132 domestic and 137 international destinations.   Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which overall offers more than 21,050 daily flights to 1,167 airports in 181 countries through its 27 member airlines.  With more than 40,000 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.

TAM Airlines (www.tamairlines.com.br), a member of Star Alliance, leads the Brazilian domestic market since July 2003 and has ended the month of May with a 40.9% market share. The company flies to 43 destinations in Brazil. With the business agreements signed with regional companies, it goes to 87 different destinations in national territory. TAM's market share among Brazilian airlines that operate international flights was of 87.9% in May. International flights include direct flights to 18 destinations in the United States, Europe and South America: New York, Miami and Orlando (U.S.A.), Paris (France), London (England), Milan (Italy), Frankfurt (Germany), Madrid (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia), Santiago (Chile), Asuncion and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay), Montevideo (Uruguay), Caracas (Venezuela) and Lima (Peru). Furthermore, it has codeshare agreements that allow sharing seats in flights with international companies, thus allowing passengers to travel to another 78 destinations in the U.S.A., South America, Europe and Asia. The Star Alliance network, in turn, offers flights to 1,167 airports in 181 countries. TAM is a pioneer in launching a loyalty program airline in Brazil. TAM Fidelidade now has 6.9 million members and has already distributed 10.6 million airplane tickets through point redemption.

www.tam.com.br

www.taminforma.com.br

SOURCE Continental Airlines