Benefit Partner News: Continental Airlines Again Highest-Ranked U.S. Airline on FORTUNE World's Most Admired List

HOUSTON, March 5, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) was rated the most admired U.S. airline on FORTUNE magazine's annual airline-industry list of World's Most Admired Companies. This is the ninth consecutive year that Continental has been the highest-ranking U.S. airline on the list. Of the 14 global carriers ranked, Continental was ranked No. 1 for people management.

"Continental's working together culture helps us deliver our industry-leading service and outstanding product," said Jeff Smisek, Continental's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "I'm proud and honored to see my co-workers' hard work recognized."

The rankings are determined in a survey of corporate and airline executives, boards of directors and industry analysts. Companies are evaluated according to the following criteria: innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment, quality of products/services, and global competitiveness.

The results are published in the magazine's March 22 issue and online at: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/.

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,500 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 133 domestic and 135 international destinations. Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which overall offers 19,700 daily flights to 1,077 airports in 175 countries through its 26 member airlines. With more than 41,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.

Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. For more company information, go to continental.com.

SOURCE: Continental Airlines