CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  26 November 2008 : by Ronald DePass

PTY-LAX via Houston. PTY-IAH in a 737-900 with no inflight entertainment. Breakfast was acceptable and we made it on time. My only complain would be the lack of inflight entertainment. IAH-LAX, departed late and therefore, arrived late to LAX. An almost 4 hours flight and nothing to eat. I would complain in both routes about the FA's. They did not show any enthusiasm nor made me feel good about the trip, especially on the LAX trip. I don't understand how ladies over 50 y/o can still be FA's. In the event some accident happens, I'd like to know how will these ladies help. DEN-PTY via Houston. Did not fly with them from Los Angeles to Denver, but did fly with them on my return home with stop in Houston. DEN-IAH was good, timely departure and arrival, but only a muffin for breakfast. Did have inflight entertainment at least. IAH-PTY, got one of the same flight attendants I got on the flight from PTY-IAH, I wonder if the FA's serve the same routes always. Flight on time, but no inflight entertainment, again. I'd fly them again, because they are better than AA.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  26 November 2008 : by T Cho

LAX to IAH to MSY Economy. LAX to IAH was during lunch, and therefore was offered a hamburger/salad along with a drink at no extra cost. It was a surprise that meal service was offered, but pleasant. The seats are incredibly small, even with two normal sized people next too me. The flight from IAH to MSY was an early morning flight. Luckily, I was awake when they attempted a drink service. Compared to an Asiana domestic flight from Seoul to Busan, Continental's drink service was very slow. I was able to get a drink because I was awake, but they seemed to just pass by a passenger if they did not respond at their first inquiry. Other than that, I was happy I did not have to pay $2 for water on such a short flight.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  24 November 2008 : by Stefan Vetter

ZRH-EWR-ORD return Economy. Nothing special, bad nor extraordinary. All flights within 10 minutes on time. Seats hard but comfortable, decent pitch. Regular drink service in the main cabin during day flight to the US, none during the night. Rather small food portions, especially breakfast looks so small. AVOD with decent choice of movies, series and music. Jack for headphone twice not working in my seat.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  22 November 2008 : by B Knudsen

Geneva to Newark. Plane delayed for two hours (with us in it) due to technical problems. Flight attendants seemed stressed and not very helpful. Breakfast consisted of a quite disgusting bread roll with melted cheese - and since the flight time was extended (due to the delay), we were quite hungry in the morning. No free drinks, no snacks. Forced to watch commercial video with hideous CEO telling us that he wanted to "earn our business". He can forget about that. I wont be flying Continental again if I can help it. You can get much better inflight service for the same price. Return flight was somewhat better with no delay (and something resembling a proper breakfast, but not really satisfying)

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  22 November 2008 : by C Johnson

LAX-IAH-ORD in economy class. Because both flights during mealtime, we were served lunch and dinner at no extra charge, which was a welcome relief. LAX-IAH on a newer 737-900, which was clean and comfortable. My only gripe was there was no inflight entertainment, but the seats did have power outlets for PC's, DVD players, etc. Connected to 737-800, which did have inflight entertainment. Flight attendants on both flights professional and courteous and made three drink runs on both flights. Return CLE-LAX on a newer 737-800. Flight attendants were able to squeeze in two movies, which was nice. Plane was 60% full, so there was plenty of room. Overall, it was a positive experience, especially when compared to most other US carriers. I have found that CLE and IAH-based flight crews are MUCH more pleasant than those based in EWR. That could explain some of the issues international travelers have experienced.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  12 November 2008 : by P Mundy

We flew to Orlando via Newark from Heathrow. Outbound flight was delayed for 3 hours with no reason given other than the plane was late arriving. Consequently missed the connection and ended up at Orlando in the early hours rather than the previous afternoon. Staff at Newark were dismissive and not very helpful. We had to insist on 12 year old children being sat with an adult as they had been sat alone originally. The return flight was a nightmare. Checked with Continental 24 hours prior to departure as instructed and was told that there was not enough time between the connecting flight at Houston for bags to be loaded and we were then changed to a Newark flight to give us plenty of time to change flights. Needless to say the only delayed flight at Orlando was ours (party of 9) and despite assurances we again were late for our connecting flight but told that we would get a seat on a later flight. This turned out to be 0900 the following day and we had to go to a hotel nearly half hour drive away and all we could get to eat at the late hour we arrived was takeaway pizza at midnight. 4 hours sleep then back on the shuttle to Newark where we went to the 'customer service' desk to enquire about the 12 pieces of luggage which contained all our essentials. Our concerns were brushed aside and after checking our baggage tickets we were told they would be on the plane and not to worry. There was every reason to worry as on arrival at Heathrow no bags arrived. We wearily filled in the forms at the desk without a word of apology and finally arrived home without even a toothbrush between us. The staff on the Newark/Heathrow flight were surly and rude but this seemed par for the course. We have travelled to the USA many times but this was the first (and last) time with Continental. Still waiting for the bags!

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  11 November 2008 : by Sue Perrett

Our flight was delayed owing to a faulty generator, after several announcements keeping us informed of progress we boarded the plane about ten hours late. After attempts to fire up the engines they then decided that the aircrew would have exceeded their hours by the time we reached Newark, so we were all taken off, had to re-claim our luggage and were put up in a hotel in Bristol. Woken at 0315 we went back to Bristol, to find the plane delayed yet again because no one had remembered to change the food from the previous day. Although we were kept informed we still lost a whole day of our holiday. We found staff at both airports helpful and cabin crew efficient.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  9 November 2008 : by E Roberts

Bristol to Newark, flight reasonable, cabin crew very unsociable, food fair. Internal flight to Las Vegas cabin crew excellent, all luggage tranfers excellent. Transatlantic flight back to Bristol cabin crew worse - very unsociable. Would not recommend and will not fly Continental transatlantic again.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  9 November 2008 : by C Pittard

OKC-LGW. The flight was so-so, but utterly overshadowed by the incompetence surrounding it. My wife and I were also transporting our cat from the US to the UK; the cargo office opened late and the staff at OKC messed up the papers so badly that they had to be completed again at Gatwick. A six hour delay at Houston meant that we missed our onward travel arrangements. Staff at Houston tried to help and advised us to consult staff at Gatwick; one of the Continental information desk staff at Gatwick was supremely unconcerned ("we got you here and that's it") to the point of offensiveness, which was a huge let down considering the helpfulness of check in staff on the way out. Appalling customer service after the event; letter of complaint was unacknowledged and a response only given after chasing it up two months later. It was frankly difficult to see the evidence for Continental's claim of leading in customer service - the pervading attitude was indifference.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  7 November 2008 : by M Cooper

YVR-IAH-MSY return. Continental standards are slipping, but they are still the best of the US carriers! Do not expect any more then bare minimum standards though on any US airline.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  6 November 2008 : by John Coffin

LHR/EWR return. Outbound flight and food was excellent and service good despite the flight being full. IFE did not bother me, I seldom use it. Return a different story - Newark is a bit of a shambles. Gate changed and then aircraft as well so return on a 767. We had problems due to a passenger having a panic attack but I cannot blame Continental for that, but we still took off 2 hours 20mins late. The food was disgusting - the worst meal I have ever had.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  4 November 2008 : by Eric Bateman

EDI-EWR return Economy class. Both flights were on time, and check-in at both ends a breeze. The same crew on both flights and were pretty friendly, and worked hard. Seatback AVOD on way out, screens on way home. Food truly appalling on way out, just about edible on way home. Baggage delivery was very fast at both ends. Plenty of posters on here moan about 757s being used on transatlantic routes but Edinburgh couldn't sustain a NY service with a bigger aircraft, and for convenience this service is very difficult to beat.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  30 October 2008 : by K Nolan

BRU-EWR / BOS-EWR-BRU. Flew CO for Skyteam mileage. Seat pitch ok, service fine, food edible, generally on-time. I was impressed that, after a 90-minute ATC restriction out of Logan, I was able to make it across Newark in 24 minutes to catch my flight to Brussels - and so did my bag. When I returned I saw that Continental had sent an email after the BOS-EWR flight was delayed letting me know I was confirmed on the flight to Brussels for the next day if I were to miss my original flight. IFE is pretty dismal and there's nothing exciting about being on board, but not having to spend 24 hours in Newark or without my luggage is probably near priceless.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  27 October 2008 : by P Douglass

I have been flying with Continental for more than 20 years, usually between London and Mexico via Houston. I have to agree with earlier reviewers that standards have been dropping. They seem to have adopted a low cost model, while still charging full service prices. The cabin crew rarely manage a smile and charging for drinks on trans Atlantic flights is outrageous, when all their European rivals include these in the fare, this is especially annoying as the web site indicates that drinks are complimentary, failing to explain that this only applies to tea, coffee and soft drinks. The Houston hub also leaves a lot to be desired, requiring long hikes from one terminal to another and very long connection times. Continental needs to understand that the low cost carriers it competes with domestically are not the competition on international routes and their standard of service has left this passenger doubtful whether I would choose to fly with them again unless their service standards are raised significantly or their fares drop to about 50% of their European rivals.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  27 October 2008 : by D Sneed

SDF-IAH-BZE My outgoing flight to Houston was overbooked. I have no idea of what the service is onboard because I was one of the people that was bumped. I checked with the gate agent and evidently the flight I had from Houston to Belize was also overbooked. They did offer to send me on another flight that would have gotten me to Belize city a day later making me miss my flight out of Belize city to Placencia, Which made me miss my hotel reservation, wich made me miss the chartered boat the next day. I tried explaining this to the gate employee as the passengers got on the flight, but she didn't seem to care. My ticket price was refunded minus taxes and service charge. Customer service in Louisville blames Houston, and Houston blames Louisville. I filed a claim with the main office in Houston and a report with BBB. I guess I'll spend my vacation at home minus the thousands I've lost through this experience.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  27 October 2008 : by Sri Narayanan

PHL-EWR-SNA. Return LAX-IAH. All flights were full, did not get complimentary upgrades on any sector, thanks to huge number of platinum flyers in most sectors. PHL-EWR was short early morning flight. No issues. EWR-SNA fine. Good leg room. Offered a sandwich for breakfast (didnt eat being vegetarian). Two beverage rounds. FA's had no smiles. Food/drinks handed without any eye contact whatsoever. LAX-IAH a red-eye, one beverage service. IAH-PHL was the best overall. Passengers given burger (couldnt eat due since I am veggie) and salad. Two beverage rounds. FA's polite and smiling. IAH-PHL had 15 platinum-elites on the same flight (all upgraded to first); additionally had over 30 non-platinum elites (none were upgraded). Checked luggage came through fine in all sectors. Waited most time (15 minutes) at IAH for luggage to come out. I still dont understand why continental baggage delivery is so slow at its hub. Overall good service. Paid 350$ for the whole trip. Good deal!

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  21 October 2008 : by C Lev

TPA to EWR First Class on a 737-800. Service in first has dropped even lower than I thought possible. I've been a Continental One Pass Elite member for the past 10 years and have seen service lower with every flight in the past few. I guess they are getting ready to join United with its deplorable customer service! We were served a "continental breakfast" which was a tiny croissant, a few pieces of fruit and a yogurt which was what they used to serve in coach not too very long ago. The First Class male flight attendant was careless and sloppy with his service. The coach female flight attendants who came either to help him or just passed though where by far more professional and offered courteous service even though it wasn't their cabin! After 10 years of loyal business and an Elite passenger Continental doesn't deserve my business any more. Their International product in economy is also far more inferior than most International SkyTeam partners.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  11 October 2008 : by Sri Narayan

Madrid-EWR Economy B767-200. Checked-in at Businessfirst as Elite access. Check-in took 15 minutes with only one person in front of me.This flight would have got 4 stars, but, when given my special meal (veggie request), I was served Fish. I could not eat the meal. One of the FA's found an extra veggie meal and this ended up being a pretty decent Indian-style lentils/rice/veggies. I didn't get a snack prior to landing because that was a fish-based sandwich too. However, otherwise, the flight was fine. In the 767-200, all seats in the bulkhead row 16 are great for tall people except 16E. Rows 16-18 are on their own just behind business (almost like premium economy). The bulkhead row 19, which is behind the toilets, is not good for tall people, because the wall of the bulkhead will restrict your legroom greatly. Do not choose row 19 if you are over 5ft 10in. Luggage arrived before I got out of passport control in EWR.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES review :  11 October 2008 : by T Johnson

Kansas City - San Diego through Houston, in economy. Flight from Kansas City on a regional jet. Flight attendant made two drink runs on the 1.5 hour flight and was friendly. Connecting flight to San Diego on a Boeing 737-900, appeared to be fairly new, but it did not have inflight entertainment. Otherwise, the most comfortable flight I've had in domestic economy in a long time. All flight attendants provided excellent service with a smile. Dinner (Continental is the only domestic carrier that serves meals inflight) consisted of a fresh salad and hamburger. Additionally, three drink runs were made on this flight, which was about 3 hours.