CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  27 February 2009 : by Cristiano Miro   (USA)

EWR to MIA. New B737-900, which was reasonably clean, with decent seat-pitch. The crew was generally professional, serving customers with basic courtesy. CO served a complementary small turkey sandwich with fritos and choice of non-alcoholic beverages (you must pay for alcoholic drinks) on the flight. What bothers me is that strong feeling that one gets from cabin staff doing the very basic in terms of service to their passengers. For instance, for a 2.5 hour- flight, right at dinner time, why do they only do 1 pass for drinks?! Why can't there be a second offering of say, tea or coffee after the lite-dinner? Continental's terminal-C in EWR is very pleasant; with plenty of natural light, clean restrooms and marble-floors along with quality/abundant choices for shopping and dining.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  23 February 2009 : by M Baarle   (USA)

Orlando-Newark-Amsterdam. The flight from Newark to Amsterdam was better because the plane was mostly empty. Seats felt cramped (especially if you're taller like me), but I guess that's what you get for Economy class. There didn't seem to be many options for vegetarians when it came to food. Entertainment was actually pretty good. They had some recent movies as well as new/old tv shows. The headphones are bad though, and always seem to go out in at least on ear.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  19 February 2009 : by Sue Norton   (USA)

One of the worst flying experiences I've ever had. I was travelling from Milwaukee to Newark to Shannon with 2 teenagers. Flight from Milwaukee was delayed by nearly 3 hours, much of which we spent sitting in a hot, stuffy plane on the tarmac. When I asked the FA about the possibility of missing our connecting flight, she immediately said 'if it's air traffic related, it's NOT our problem.' When I asked what would me options be, she said 'you would have to talk to someone from Continental.' We finally got to Newark, landing at 7 pm, then it was another 10 minutes before they could get the metal stairs to the plane and get the door open. Then 2 different buses to get from terminal A to terminal C. I'm dashing through the airport with kids, on the phone with customer service, who just kept saying 'I think you can make it.' We got to the Shannon flight as they were closing the doors, & they rudely told us 'you're late, they left.' So we spent the night in Newark & were rebooked on the next evening's flight, which was delayed for 2+ hours because of mechanical problems. The food was so-so, headphones did not work, and the movie I wanted to watch was not in English, just came with Russian subtitles. FAs ranged from bored and uninterested to rude and surly. There is no way I will ever fly Continental again. Only the fact that the return flights were not as bad (still no working headphones) saved this review from being a zero.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  7 February 2009 : by Bert van Boer   (USA)

Newark-Seattle. The check in was horrible, with the staff doing the best they could with poor computers and no recognition of codeshare itinerary numbers. The $15 per bag checked fee is a rip-off, a cheap way to dun the customer for a few dollars more and resulting in huge crammed overhead racks. The food (and they still serve food of a sort) in economy was minimal, but great staff.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  3 February 2009 : by F Hamilton   (USA)

EZE-IAH-LAS in business-first. Normally hectic Buenos Aires check-in a breeze with the Continental concierge in attendance. The "de las Americas" lounge used by Continental isn't much - 2 toilets and a self-serve bar offering the cheapest of the cheap spirits - room for perhaps 2 dozen anxious passengers. It was onboard the B767 that it was apparent Continental has slipped from the good service offered only 6 months prior on this route: very poor quality food, drinks served in plastic glasses, uncomfortable seats, ery hot cabin for 10 hours, IFE which no one could coax into service throughout the flight. FA's pleasant and tried hard with what they had to work with. In Houston, in order to switch to an earlier flight, I accepted a downgrade to economy onward to Las Vegas - pretty grim is the only word. In the past I've had pleasant flights with Continental business class but if this is the level cost-cutting is taking them, I think I'll opt for another carrier.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  2 February 2009 : by C Gillespie

LHR-IAH-JAX, IAH-LHR. International flights great because plane was fairly empty. Elite card worked well on all but last segment. Confusion on last segment because announcer called rows 1-10 and then forgot to announce Elite. Service was fine. Flights to and from Jacksonville was on tiny plane but gate checked bag on way out and elite status allowed me to check bag for free. Would like free drinks and more snacks during flight (like BA) but all and all I like Continental Airlines.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  27 January 2009 : by J Trevers

Newark-San Salvador Business Class b737 Seats looked a little worn, but comfortable. Breakfast was decent. Overhead screens with two movies. Good music channels. Warm chocolate chip cookies served before landing were a nice surprise. Crew generally very good.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  26 January 2009 : by Aaron Clarke

Newark to Dublin return. Being anxious for making a transatlantic flight in a 757, you could imagine my concern when I found my flight was booked solid in economy and first! Luckily, I was able to snag an exit row seat with recline, and the outbound flight was fairly comfortable. Kosher food was pretty good, and the new AVOD is a nice touch. Returning to Newark from Dublin the flight was maybe 60% full, so plenty of room to stretch and relax. Crew friendly and jovial; overall a pleasant and painless experience.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  16 January 2009 : by Paula Loguda

Transcontinental flight. First class cabin seated 20 in a space designed for 12 - very cramped. Flight purser with a sour expression which is getting to be norm for CO - other FAs simply going through the motions. Meal decent but served with your cocktail and the roll served after dinner. After dinner clean up was quick so FAs could disappear. They did not circulate in the cabin, but did respond to call buttons. Films on drop down screens - no choice. On time arrival and priority luggage first off the belt boosted the rating a point.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  13 January 2009 : by D Kershaw

Honolulu-Newark-Honolulu on a 767-400. Check in at HNL was quick and boarding was on time. The food offered was quite unhealthy (cheeseburger, crisps, soda, chocolate) - at least it was a night flight and lights were thankfully dimmed. Entertainment options limited, a few movies from the 1990s and music channels with headphones costing $1. Arrival into Newark on time. The crew was mostly late 40 somethings and they were quite quick at distributing meals - seemingly keen to disappear behind the curtain for most of the rest of the flight. The return flight was much the same, except in daylight. Again quite unhealthy meals were provided.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  8 January 2009 : by Nigel Chism

LHR-IAH-SAN Economy. Good seating and entertainment on 777. Staff all fairly offhand - particularly on return flight - and one could not help but wonder whether it is a requirement for the job to be grumpy. Food very, very meagre in both directions of international leg. $5 charge for alcohol adds to feeling of neglect. US domestic flights (737) both OK with slightly cheerier staff.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  8 January 2009 : by S Roberts

London Heathrow - Newark (Business), Newark - Orlando (Economy), Orlando - Houston (Business) and Houston - Heathrow (Business) and noticed a severe difference in the standards of service between the two classes. Heathrow to Newark service was excellent and friendly, entertainment very good and food very tasty. The seat was comfortable. Newark to Orlando flight wasn't so good. We were delayed for 4 hours, boarding took an eternity, but the flight crew and attendants were just standing and watching. When we all made it onboard the flight attendants were all standing in a huddle having a great laugh, some of them still eating and drinking their McDonald's meals. The service on return flights was excellent, but the checking in process at Orlando was not as good as Heathrow. Houston - Heathrow, because the seat doesn't go completely flat, I didn't get much sleep.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  31 December 2008 : by Austin Flynn

LAX-IAH/IAH-LAX Economy 737-800 & 737-900. If you are over 6 feet, you must sit in the bulkhead. The seat pitch is tight on these planes and the seats are VERY uncomfortable. I was in pain after a short flight! The crew were very nice and came around multiple times for drinks. The first flight was an AM flight and breakfast was cereal (why bother?) and the flight from IAH was in the afternoon and not a meal flight. You don't really have a choice when flying N/S from LAX to IAH. Try to fly biz/first or first with CO, it seems like that is the only way to be comfortable on the plane.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  24 December 2008 : by Jason Burnie

LHR-EWR return economy, seat configuration 3-3-3, on B777 both ways. Check in at LHR the self- service kiosks did not work at all, but bag-drop staff checked us in smoothly. On board LHR-EWR, cabin was clean and all seats appeared well maintained. Food of very good quality, but the portion is very tiny. Before landing we were served a small pack of snacks. Drinks available during meal and off meal time - very limited choices and have to pay for alcohol. FA's polite and friendly. They were present and attentive to the bell swiftly. Inflight entertainment is AVOD with plenty of channels and decent choices of movies etc. On arrival at EWR, no problem with baggage at all. EWR- LHR, similar to outbound flight but the check-in queue was a bit disorganised and took very long time. Continental is very strict and efficient with priority boarding for 1st, business and elite customers. The price paid is reasonable. My only concern with Continental is seat comfort because seat width is very narrow as you can feel the elbows of the persons next to you all the time.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  24 December 2008 : by Martin Allen

Our flight from Newark to Boston (1120 on Dec 21,2008) was turned around mid air and flown back to Newark, then cancelled. The passengers were told to pick up baggage at claims. There, we were told to wait by a particular carousel for our bags, which never came out for 5 hours. Other cancelled flight-loads of passengers showed up, having been told to do the same, and none of their bags showed up either. We were told to go to the claims office, waiting in line 45 minutes, then told to go to a podium for claims, who told us to go back to the office. When we complained, they told us to speak with a supervisor in a red jacket. These supervisors were everywhere, but none took any personal responsibility for anything, telling us to once again speak to the reps in the claims office. In the end, all I could do was make a report, hope against all evidence to the contrary that Continental would eventually find our bags and send them to us or at least contact us with their location. When attempting to use the online delayed baggage form, it told me that my airline was not supported by the Continental website. (It was a Continental flight...) One would think that the airline never experienced cancelled flights or snow. To make matters worse, there didn't seem to be anybody willing to take responsibility for managing the situation. The extreme mismanagement was shocking. To abandon whole planeloads of passengers in this way is unconscionable. This is easily the very worst flying experience of my life.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  22 December 2008 : by K Pahkim

LHR-IAH-SAN - Business First. Cradle seats comfortable for enjoying the wide selection of movies, games and short programs. Meal service was 5 courses, with 3 appetisers, salad, and choice of entree followed by cheese, fruit tray and sundaes. While not overly friendly, cabin crew was efficient and helpful throughout the flight. About an hour prior to landing, fresh fruit bowl, and sandwich was served. Connection in Houston was quick - cleared immigration and customs and in the President's Club about 15 minutes after arrival (only hand luggage). Shower sparse and cold but adequate for needs. IAH-SAN on a 757-200 with cradle seats. Great service here with a cheeseburger or jambalya as meal choice with salad and corn chowder soup

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  15 December 2008 : by Michal Glowacki

OSL-EWR-SFO in economy on two 757's. A disappointing experience from what I heard was supposed be the best of the American carriers. Sat at exit rows on both flights and had plenty of legroom, but little pitch. Personal IFE monitors on the flight to Newark, but not to San Francisco. On demand screening, but surprisingly poor selection of movies. The food was dreadful. Service was so-so, especially on the flight from Oslo. They just did not seem to care.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  15 December 2008 : by K Taylor

LHR-EWR-IAH-SAT return. Chaos at Terminal 4 when the alloted 777 was replaced by a 767. 60 passengers had to be bumped off with compensation. KLM ground staff did an excellent job with a number of angry customers. The flight left after a delay of 90 mins. Good leg room on the 767 with attentive staff and reasonable food. Four days later flew to San Antonio via Houston. Easy check in and helpful staff. The plane on the first leg was a 737 900. I am over 6 foot and the leg room was very poor on this aircraft. I would not choose a long segment on this type of plane. Connected from Terminal E to C which would have been a long walk had it not been for a ride in an electric cart. Second leg was on a 737 800. More leg room and better seating . SAT to IAH on a 737-500, good leg room and no issues. IAH to LHR. Bumped of the flight due to overbooking . Flew the next day on a 767 to EWR then 777 to LHR. The 777 is cramped compared to the 767 in economy . I last flew CO in 2005 and the food out of Newark to London was as dreadful as it was three years ago. The beef dish was a soggy lasagne and the chicken and rice was very dry. No issues with the staff.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  15 December 2008 : by O Hazan

Newark to Paris and back, in economy. The entertainment on the 777-200 is terrific, food was fine. Excellent on board service, understated at night and more active during the daylight flight. The sound system in the concourses in Newark is always poor: "Which flight did they say? Which row?" Accordingly, once inside the aircraft, the crew repeats the destination again and again, just in case.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  11 December 2008 : by G Thatcher

Heathrow to Newark. The male cabin crew on my flight were shocking. Firstly I was asked if I wanted to read a paper so I said yes please to which the reply was, "well I'm not a mind reader, what paper do you want", this was going to be a long flight! I then asked for white coffee and got black coffee. Did I want chicken or beef so asked for chicken - guess which I got! My wife had booked a vegetarian meal at the travel agent and confirmed it at check-in. She was told on the flight, very abruptly that no vegetarian meal was booked for her. I gave her my salad and cake but then suddenly her meal "which wasn't booked" turned up. The remaining flights I had with Continental were more satisfactory perhaps because the cabin crew were dominated by women. The inflight entertainment was rubbish on all flights and I'm not paying 5 USD for a bonsai sized drink. I'll avoid using Continental again.