HOUSTON, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced that it will launch daily nonstop service between its Houston hub at Bush Intercontinental Airport and Frankfurt effective Nov. 1, 2009 (eastbound), subject to government approval.

"We are pleased to add Frankfurt to the list of international cities we serve from Houston," said Jim Compton, executive vice president of marketing. "In addition to providing a link to the financial center of Germany, the Houston to Frankfurt route will provide convenient onward connections for travelers from throughout the Americas to points in Europe, Asia and Africa."

Flights will depart Houston daily at 6:50 p.m. and arrive in Frankfurt at 11:40 a.m. the next morning. The return flights will depart Frankfurt daily at 1:40 p.m. and arrive in Houston at 5:50 p.m. the same day.

The service will be operated by Boeing 767-200 aircraft, seating 25 passengers in BusinessFirst and 149 passengers in economy.

Frankfurt joins London, Paris and Amsterdam as the fourth European city served by Continental from Houston. The airline currently operates daily flights to Frankfurt from its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport.

The new flights will offer Continental's award-winning BusinessFirst service. BusinessFirst features an extensive gourmet menu served with premium wines and champagnes created by Continental's Congress of Chefs and Sommeliers. International concierge service provides individualized pre- and post-flight services for BusinessFirst customers at 39 airports around the world. Customers traveling in BusinessFirst may also access any of Continental's 26 Presidents Clubs and more than 60 airline affiliated lounges worldwide.

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 134 domestic and 131 international destinations. More than 675 additional points are served via alliance partners. With more than 43,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with Continental Express, carries approximately 69 million passengers per year.

Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. For the fifth consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named Continental the No. 1 World's Most Admired Airline on its 2008 list of World's Most Admired Companies. For more company information, go to continental.com.

SOURCE Continental Airlines