CONTINENTAL AIRLINES IS NAMED AIRLINE OF THE YEAR BY AIR TRANSPORT WORLD MAGAZINE

Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today was again named "Airline of the Year" by the aviation industry's leading monthly trade publication, Air Transport World. As recipient of the same honor in 1996, Continental is the first airline to receive the coveted "Airline of the Year" distinction twice in five years. The magazine cited Continental's employee-friendly culture and noted that "It is no accident that Continental has the best labor relations of any U.S. Major hub-and-spoke carrier."

"Continental has defied the odds and continues to excel in every aspect of the business," the magazine says in its February issue. "Small wonder that other airlines have had to pull seats out of their planes to compete with Continental, which continues to generate a unit revenue premium versus the industry."

Air Transport World also recognized Continental's "superior passenger service," especially its efforts to accommodate business customers.

"Other airlines infuriate business travelers by limiting carry-on luggage; Continental invests in bigger bins," says the magazine.

The cover story details Continental's "ability to perform at a superior level over an extended period of time." The airline's four-part Go Forward Plan is credited with paving the way for success with numerous achievements including:

* rising profits and steady cash balances

* expanding scope of the route network

* increasing share of business travelers

* providing superior passenger service

* achieving better on-time performance

* capitalizing on technology

* reducing aircraft fleet age and new facilities

* maintaining the best labor relations of any U.S. Major hub-and-spoke carrier

* ranking #18 on Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work for in America"

"Just when you thought things couldn't get any better, they did," said

Gordon Bethune, Continental's chairman and CEO. "This recognition by our peers acknowledges that we have become the best airline anywhere. My hat goes off to the entire Continental team."

Continental Airlines is the fifth largest airline in the U.S., offering more than 2,200 departures daily to 136 domestic and 92 international destinations. Operating hubs in Newark, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, Continental serves more international cities than any other U.S. carrier, including extensive service throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.