RE: KLM – Continetal

Tuesday January 15, 11:00 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Continental Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Continental Airlines and KLM Launch Codeshare Flights
HOUSTON and AMSTELVEEN, Netherlands, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (NYSE: KLM; AEX: KLM) and Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL – news) today implemented further elements of their cooperative marketing agreement, including extensive codesharing on European and U.S. routes and reciprocal airport lounge access. Frequent flyer program reciprocity between the two airlines is already in place.

Starting today, Continental has placed its “CO*” code on selected flights to more than 35 European destinations operated by KLM and KLM Cityhopper beyond its Amsterdam hub which connect with Continental’s flights between New York/Newark and Amsterdam. At the same time, KLM has placed its “KL*” code on selected flights to U.S. destinations operated by Continental beyond its New York/Newark and Houston hubs which connect to KLM’s flights between Amsterdam and these cities. Subject to government approval, Continental and KLM will codeshare on flights beyond Amsterdam to selected Middle Eastern and African destinations at a later date.

Also starting today, KLM’s Business Class passengers and Royal/Silver Wing members have access to Continental’s President Club lounges at New York/Newark, while Continental’s BusinessFirst customers and Presidents Club members have access to KLM’s Business Class lounge at Amsterdam/Schiphol.

Members of the two airlines’ frequent flyer programs, Continental’s OnePass and KLM’s Flying Dutchman, can already earn and redeem points or miles on all flights operated by the other carrier. To celebrate this agreement, between now and March 31, 2002 Flying Dutchman members can earn double points on all Continental flights and OnePass members can earn double miles on all KLM flights.

The two airlines provide business class check-in facilities and priority boarding to all Platinum, Gold and Silver Elite OnePass members and Royal/Silver Wing Flying Dutchman members.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (http://www.klm.com ) and its partners serve over 400 cities in 78 countries on six continents with a fleet of 130 aircraft from its home base Amsterdam Schiphol in the Netherlands, one of the world’s most modern hub airports. KLM is the core airline of the KLM Group, further comprising KLM cityhopper, KLM uk, and Transavia.

KLM and Northwest Airlines operate the world’s fourth largest airline alliance. Through this alliance and close cooperation with a wide range of European and intercontinental network and route partners, KLM offers passengers and shippers more than 130,000 city-pair connections throughout the world via one or more hubs.

KLM, the world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name, has built a solid reputation worldwide as a leading carrier in its core business activities, the transportation of passengers and cargo. In fiscal 2000/2001 KLM carried more than 16.1 million passengers and 502,000 tons of cargo.

Continental Airlines (continental.com), the world’s sixth largest airline, operates more than 1,900 departures daily to 122 U.S. and 89 international destinations — more international cities than any other U.S. carrier. In Europe and the Middle East, Continental serves 16 cities in 11 countries, operating up to 129 departures weekly to its U.S. gateway hubs at New York/Newark and Houston, with onward connections to cities throughout North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. Continental operates a six-times- weekly non-stop service between Amsterdam and New York/Newark.

Continental was named the 2001 Airline of the Year by Air Transport World, making it the only carrier to receive this honor twice in five years. Continental also won five awards, more than any other airline, at the OAG Airline of the Year Awards 2001, including Best Trans-Atlantic Airline and Best Long-Haul Executive/Business Class. Continental’s alliance carriers in Europe include Air Europa, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Virgin Atlantic Airways.

SOURCE: Continental Airlines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020115/datu027_1.html

here we go…….

any comments on this press release,

regards,

jw