Continental Airlines to inaugurate flights from Nashville to the West, East and North.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 2, 1995--Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAI) today announced it will inaugurate service at Nashville International Airport on Sept. 7, providing local travelers with increased competition and more flight choices on routes to the West, East and North. A total of seven daily jet departures will be offered, with nonstop service to each of Continental's principal hubs -- Houston, Newark and Cleveland.

SERVICE TO HOUSTON AND BEYOND

Continental will provide three daily 737 jet flights to its hub at Houston Intercontinental Airport, with convenient connections beyond "IAH" to airports throughout the western United States and Latin America.

No other airline provides nonstop service from Nashville to Houston's largest airport. Houston is the fourth most popular destination for Nashville travelers. On an average day, nearly 500 people fly between the two cities.

Fares to Houston are as low as $89 each way, with a 21-day advance purchase. Continental's unrestricted Houston fares are as low as $159 each way.

Connecting service will be provided to more than 60 additional cities beyond Houston, including Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Diego. Within Houston itself, Continental Express provides connecting service from the IAH hub to both Hobby Airport and Ellington Field on the south side of town. Houston is also a major gateway to Mexico, where Continental serves 10 resort destinations and business centers, as well as every country in Central America.

Flights to Houston will leave Nashville each day at 7 a.m., 11:55 a.m. and 5:29 p.m. Return flights will leave Houston at 9:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Flight time is approximately one hour and fifty minutes.

SERVICE TO NEWARK/NEW YORK AND BEYOND

Continental will provide two daily 737 jet flights to its hub at Newark International Airport, which offers easy access to the entire New York City area. Connections beyond the Newark hub include flights throughout the Northeast, plus daily service to destinations throughout Europe.

New York area airports are the second-ranking destination for Nashville travelers, with more than 600 passengers traveling each day between BNA and the Big Apple.

Fares to Newark are as low as $174 each way, with a 14-day advance purchase. Continental's unrestricted Newark fare is $424 each way.

Connecting service will be provided to more than 25 additional cities beyond Newark, including Boston, Buffalo, Hartford and Providence. Connections are also available to European destinations including Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Manchester, Milan, Paris and Rome. Flights to Newark will leave Nashville each day at 11:05 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. Return flights will leave Newark at 9:10 a.m. and 3:50 p.m. Flight time is approximately two hours and ten minutes.

SERVICE TO CLEVELAND AND BEYOND

Continental will provide two daily 737 jet flights to its hub at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, with connecting service provided to destinations throughout the Midwest.

Cleveland ranks as the thirteenth busiest route from Nashville with almost 200 passengers each day traveling between the two cities.

Fares to Cleveland are as low as $69 each way, with a 21-day advance purchase. Continental's unrestricted Cleveland fares are as low as $134 each way.

Connecting service beyond Cleveland includes Baltimore, Boston, New York/LaGuardia, Norfolk, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

Flights to Cleveland will leave Nashville each day at 10:15 a.m. and 4:40 p.m. Return flights will leave Cleveland at 9:20 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Flight time is approximately one hour and twenty-five minutes.

EXISTING SERVICE TO GREENSBORO AND BEYOND

Continental affiliate GP Express Airlines, which operates as Continental Connection, currently provides three daily Beech 1900 turboprop flights to Greensboro, N.C., where transfers are available on both Continental and Continental Connection to cities in the Middle South, Northeast and Midwest. Continental Connection is the only airline flying the Nashville-Greensboro route.

COMMENTS

"Nashville is on the top of our list of new route opportunities," said Staff Vice President Ron Aizer. "As a growing center for business, entertainment and tourism, Central Tennessee will draw increasing numbers of visitors each year, and we want to be a part of that success. By offering service to each of our hubs, Continental can quickly become a major competitor here. No matter in which direction a Nashville traveler wants to go, and no matter where a visitor to Music City is coming from, Continental can be of service."

SERVICES

Nashville travelers will be eligible to enroll in Continental's OnePass frequent flyer program, rated best among all airlines for six consecutive years by the readers of Inside Flyer magazine. OnePass members will earn 657 miles for the flight to Houston, 749 miles to Newark and 500 to Cleveland (actual flight is 449; OnePass offers 500 minimum miles for every flight). Mileage can be redeemed for free upgrades to First Class or free tickets anywhere in the world Continental and its partner airlines fly.

A network of Presidents Club lounges, available at each of the hub destinations served from Nashville, provides members with a quiet place to relax between flights.

Continental is the nation's fifth largest airline, serving 163 cities on five continents. On a typical day, Continental planes take to the skies for 2,114 flights. New route designations such those announced today support Continental's "Fly to Win" strategy for improving its product as part of the company's overall Go Forward Plan. The Houston-based airline celebrated its 60th anniversary in 1994, and employs more than 30,000 people. Last year, Continental flew more than 42 million passengers, or an average of 115,000 per day. The company is #208 on the 1995 Fortune 500 list.

CONTACT: Continental Airlines

Corporate Communications, 713/834-5080