|
|
|
|
|
 Hilary Cowley holds her certificate for a million OnePass miles. It was presented to her, her husband Scott (far right), and her Yankee fan sons by Continental’s Sally Lechin (left) and Chase Branch Manager Christopher Richardson (center).
WHEN HILARY COWLEY RECENTLY PULLED OUT her chase debit card to pay for the
family dinner at a Houston-area Mexican restaurant, it
didn’t
seem like a big deal. After all, this is a woman who has used her card to rack
up
300,000
Continental miles. “Any bill I can pay with my Chase debit card, I pay
it,” Cowley says.
But there was something different about this bill. It turned out to be the winning entry for the Chase Million Mile Sweepstakes and Cowley’s ticket for 1 million free airline miles with Continental Airlines.
Cowley is the first of nine winners who will be selected in random drawings between now and the end of the year. She, her husband, and their four boys came to a Chase branch in Sugar Land to receive their prize.
The Cowleys were presented with an oversized check, a large cake, and an array of Chase merchandise. The Chase hats and shirts were a particular hit with the family’s 9-year-old son, who happens to be named Chase.
The Cowleys hope to use their miles to take a family trip to Italy and use their winnings to help out some friends and family. — Greg Hassell
|
|
| |
|
 Executive VP of Operations Mark Moran (right) accepts the Airline Strategy Award from presenter David Herrick, president of Establishment Services Europe, American Express.
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES WAS THE PROUD WINNER of the Operations Award at the Airline Strategy Awards 2006. The awards are given by Airline Business magazine to recognize excellence in the airline boardroom.
Mark Moran, Continental’s executive vice president of operations, accepted the award on behalf of the airline at a ceremony in London.
The judges, comprising leading figures from the aviation industry, selected Continental for a combination of reasons, including the excellent operation it has developed at its two main hubs, Houston and New York/Newark. The judges said they were impressed with the way Continental has organized and managed these hubs in the face of some tough challenges, including the natural disasters that befell the Gulf Coast region in 2005. In addition, the airline had successfully managed the continued strategic development of its well-diversified global route network, a major revamp of its regional operations, and strong growth in traffic.
Moreover, the judges believed the carrier’s strategy in restructuring its technical operations by in-sourcing an increasing amount of maintenance work was a bold move that defied some conventional industry wisdom and deserved recognition.
“I am happy to accept this honor on behalf of the entire operations team and, indeed, all 43,000 Continental co-workers around the world,” says Moran. “It is recognition of how we have worked together successfully to meet the many and varied operational challenges of the past year.” — Nick Britton
|
| |
|
women with wings
 “Aviation’s Global Resurgence — Five Years Later and Climbing” will be the theme of the International Aviation Women’s Association Conference (IAWA) this year. Continental is a major sponsor of the 2006 conference, which is being held in the airline’s global gateway, New York City, October 22–24. Two hundred participants from around the world will be flying in from Continental destinations as far away as Delhi, Berlin, Rome, and Hong Kong.
The IAWA was founded in 1989 and boasts a worldwide membership of women who hold senior positions in the aviation and aerospace industry, including the airport, airline, manufacturing, finance, legal, and government sectors. Through annual conferences, the IAWA provides a forum for women of achievement to share views on matters of importance to the industry and to women in general.
Among the scheduled speakers for this year’s conference are Continental Senior Vice President and General Counsel Jennifer Vogel. Events will include a gala reception and dinner co-sponsored by Boeing. — Mary Clark
|
| |
|
stars in shows
This autumn, lots of stars are set to bow on New York City stages.
Among the big names, Julianne Moore makes her Broadway debut in David Hare’s play The Vertical Hour, and Nathan Lane stars in Butley, Simon Gray’s dark comedy about a literature professor whose world is crumbling around him. Also, Billy Crudup and Ethan Hawke lead the cast of The Coast of Utopia, a major new trilogy by Tom Stoppard.
For information on other Broadway shows in the Big Apple, visit ILoveNYTheater.com. Continental is the official airline of Live Broadway. — Ben Pesner
|
| |
|
hunger to win
 When the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, or Houston Astros board a Continental Airlines charter, they never worry about food.
But Lisa Lockhart does. For more than three years, while holding down her regular position in accounts payable in our Cleveland office, Lockhart has voluntarily supported Food Service Operations in Houston in coordinating the menus for sports charters. Not to be overlooked are the teams’ nutritional and dietary specifications, which must be taken into account when ordering meals.
Working closely with inflight crews and caterers around the country, Lockhart fastidiously handles these and other details. Everything from snacks and beverages to the main course and dessert is carefully selected. And depending on the outcome of a game, Lockhart may have one caterer standing by to board meals in Chicago and another in Cleveland.
This often requires her to work long days and weekends. But her hard work has paid off. Lockhart, who has been with Continental for 10 years, was recently promoted to the human resources department. — Sarah Anthony
|
| |
|
go away
Continental is starting two new routes. Beginning December 16 737s will fly each Saturday from Newark Liberty to Roatán, Honduras, and Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles.
Roatán is located on the northern coast of Honduras and is a favorite among scuba, golf, and sport-fishing enthusiasts. Framed by tranquil bays and mountain forests, Roatán is home to nearly 100 dive sites.
Bonaire, an island located in the southern Caribbean, is known for its pioneering role in nature preservation and for its excellent scuba diving and windsurfing, among other activities.
Continental now serves a total of 77 destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Both Roatán and Bonaire are already served by Continental from its Houston hub. — Lockwood Tallman
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
