View Full Version : continental airlines
davidrodgie
10-03-2008, 12:22
Just got a great deal with Continental from Gatwick on 18th March £327. For easter thought this was a great price, counting down the days now.[msnsmile2]
CarolAnn
10-03-2008, 12:36
Wow! That does seem to be a good price, assume that isn't a direct flight? Where do you stop?[8D]
CERICROWLEY
10-03-2008, 13:09
Normally Newark, but they have occasionally stopped in Houston as well.
Newark is continental major hub airport, like Heathrow is to BA. They usually have everything done to a fine art, as they have a huge amount of flights a day going in and out of Newark
Yep that is a good deal, We paid £319 via Newark in early Feb, we were luck that Continental put us on the Virgin flight direct on our return journey to Manchester which was an absolute blessing.
Newark seems to be the main hub for Continental
KarenScott
11-03-2008, 09:48
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by becbecs
Yep that is a good deal, We paid £319 via Newark in early Feb, we were luck that Continental put us on the Virgin flight direct on our return journey to Manchester which was an absolute blessing.
Newark seems to be the main hub for Continental
[/quote]
was the plane overbooked then?
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Marthas Harbour
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by becbecs
Yep that is a good deal, We paid £319 via Newark in early Feb, we were luck that Continental put us on the Virgin flight direct on our return journey to Manchester which was an absolute blessing.
Newark seems to be the main hub for Continental
[/quote]
was the plane overbooked then?
[/quote]
Don't think that Continental had scheduled a return flight back. Anybody who booked with them seemed to be palmed off on to Virgin which was great as it was a direct flight into Manchester rather than flying via New York. The Virgin flight was only 1/2 full also.
If I could get this flight arrangement everytime then it would be brilliant.
davidrodgie
12-03-2008, 02:48
Yes the outbound is via Houston and return via Newark, but dont really mind indirect when we were getting it for that price. Have been with Continental via Newark before we found the flights good. Lets hope we are lucky like you Jane & Fraser and get direct [msnsmile2] 6 days to go and counting [msncool]
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by CERICROWLEY
Normally Newark, but they have occasionally stopped in Houston as well.
Newark is continental major hub airport, like Heathrow is to BA. They usually have everything done to a fine art, as they have a huge amount of flights a day going in and out of Newark
[/quote]
That is good to know as we are flying via Newark from Germany on Continental. I am keen they check the bags all the way through, if it is their major hub this should be possible.
Robert5988
08-04-2008, 15:42
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:That is good to know as we are flying via Newark from Germany on Continental. I am keen they check the bags all the way through, if it is their major hub this should be possible.[/quote]
I don't think any indirect flight allows you to check your bags all the way through on the outbound trip. You have to pick them up, clear customs, and then check them in again.
Coming back to Europe they are booked all the way through.
Katys Grandad
08-04-2008, 16:45
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Robert5988
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:That is good to know as we are flying via Newark from Germany on Continental. I am keen they check the bags all the way through, if it is their major hub this should be possible.[/quote]
I don't think any indirect flight allows you to check your bags all the way through on the outbound trip. You have to pick them up, clear customs, and then check them in again.
[/quote]
It would be a bit of a 'loophole' otherwise wouldn't it Robert?[msnwink]
I have just had an E-mail from Continental and you are right. We have to collect them and then re-check them in. Bit worried now as we only have 1hr 40 to catch the next flight!
Hopefully they would be able to check it in via the connections check in desks section and not have to queue up at the main check in desks.
there are plenty of other flights if we miss it, however with Dillon it would add extra time to the journey.
Robert5988
09-04-2008, 12:49
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:I have just had an E-mail from Continental and you are right. We have to collect them and then re-check them in. Bit worried now as we only have 1hr 40 to catch the next flight!
Hopefully they would be able to check it in via the connections check in desks section and not have to queue up at the main check in desks.
there are plenty of other flights if we miss it, however with Dillon it would add extra time to the journey.[/quote]
If it is like other airlines, you don't have to go to the check-in desks. You clear customs and just hand them in to the transit baggage facility that is still in the secure area, takes minutes from when the bags arrive in the hall.
CERICROWLEY
09-04-2008, 12:52
Dom
We normally check in at Bristol and they give us boarding cards for both flights, 1hr 40mins should be ok, I have done it at a running pace with 1hr 20mins and had about 15 mins to spare to catch my breath. I now try and leave at least 2 hours. booked my flights for the summer and my connecting flight this time is land 1.25 and take off 3.55 to given enough time if any mishaps.
You will clear immigration and pick up your cases, do you know which terminal you will be landing in B or C, if you land in B then you will need to go through the exit and take the left hand side towards connecting flights drop your bags off again this will only take approx 5/10mins they are pretty quick. then go round to the airtrain and get on the tram to terminal C again only 5 mins or so. then go upstairs to departures and queue for security, this is the tricky one, like all security it can take sometime, but we were delayed out of Bristol in March and ended up with 1hr and something, had about 20 mins to get through security, but did it fine with time to spare. If you land at Terminal C then the same applies with luggage to transfer etc, but you just need to go through security again no airtrain.
On the way back home your luggage is checked in all the way, you don't see it again until your final destination, and no more security checks apart from Orlando itself. just be aware they can change the gates from your boarding cards, they have did it to us at Christmas on the way home, they altered the flight time as we had 55mins turnaround, but was delayed at Orlando, and the time we landed was the time we should have left for Bristol, had the gate number ran for our lives to find they changed the gate from 93 to 75 and that the Bristol flight was also delayed so just got on with about 10 mins to spare.
So I can now say been there, done that, got the t-shirt with just about all that can happen with delays and connections. Would I still do it with all the hassle that COULD happen. Already booked again for the summer and Christmas. So much better going from a more local airport than the 3hour drive to London, hotel, parking and fuel. Just need to be prepared.
I agree with all that Ceri has said as we do the Newark connection having flown from Bristol. As you take the left-hand side having done customs and leaving your luggage for the second flight make sure they know the time of your flight as they 'fling' it onto a different belt.
The security after this as Ceri says is the tricky bit, there are a lot of people in a small space with a great deal of shouting of jackets, belts, shoes etc.
1 hr 40min should, on a fair weather day, be OK. Ceri's last paragraph says it all, no way am I off to LHR or LGW again - use it or lose it at the local airport 12 miles from home for me!!
mfairhurst
09-04-2008, 16:12
We flew with Continental and they were very good came down at NEWARK and on time all connections .
We collected airmiles as well .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx
Thanks guys for the info. I will print your directions off CERI and read them on the flight over so we can get organised when we get off the flight. I have pre-booked seats near the front of the plane as that is always the first off and will give us a few extra minutes!!!!
I once remember getting off the Virgin flight from the front of the aircraft and was through immigration before some of the back of the plane had got off!! Well that is my top tip anyway.
Wonder how many others book seats as near to the front of the aircraft because of this.
Ssshh, don't tell everyone [msnwink]
Lynne
CERICROWLEY
10-04-2008, 13:41
I am actually an silver elite member of Continental, and on the return of my next flight will be a gold member. So I can book the front of the plane in the premium seats on booking rather than waiting to check in on line and see if they are still available. Booked my summer flights and I have rows 8 brs 7 newark and inbound 9 newark and 7 brs just behind first class. I also have the change of having upgrades to first class on check-in if they are available.
It is a lot easier being at the front of the plane, although it can have its disadvantages, as the crew tend to use the overhead lockers for stuff. It doesn't always work out that you are first of the plane you can get your baggage any quicker, one time we were nearly first off, but then nearly last with the baggage, should be different this time, first flight being elite so I also get priority boarding and luggage
I've always wondered about those blue Premium seats on Continental's website as I was allocated Row 9 on a booking I made before I used a large number of airmiles to obtain a free return flight. Perhaps I had reached silver elite and hadn't realised it. I do remember realising that there were only 6 passengers in the business/first section going over to Newark and wondered if they would have like a little more company.
The free flight I had I sat next to a honeymoon couple who spoke three words to each other the entire flight - often wondered if their life perked up once they got to the Big Apple.
Katys Grandad
10-04-2008, 18:15
The rush to Immigration off the plane is never as bad when travelling on a US carrier because there are always a fair number of US citizens on board who won't be using the same desks. Nothing worse than being 300th off a Virgin flight to Orlando and the 299 people before you all have to go through the 'non US citizens' lines.
It's helped even more for passengers with airline status because most elites are US citzens so a UK elite in the front cabin will be in small minority sitting there. I frequently find that I am the very first person at the desks because all my fellow travellers in the front cabin are US citizens or Federal Air Marshalls.
Whilst in theory I agree with the last posting, Continental from Bristol to Newark only carry a very small handful of US citizens each day.
Katys Grandad
10-04-2008, 18:45
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Clare R
Whilst in theory I agree with the last posting, Continental from Bristol to Newark only carry a very small handful of US citizens each day.
[/quote]
On their 'slaveship' configured 757 there aren't that many citzens at all! [msnwink]
eclipsed
13-04-2008, 13:35
Weve travelled with Continental and didnt think much to the service on board. Perhaps it was just that particular cabin crew having 'a bad day' but they seemed to have the 'can't be bothered' attitude.Much prefer AA
CarolAnn
13-04-2008, 15:54
Our trip in October is with Continental..we have used them before..they were ok..don't love an indirect flight , but then they do vary. Price and being able to get to Florida is what matters the most to us to be honest. We do fly to Newark(done this before too), the time in Newark on our outbound flight is 1 hour and 5 mins...will be interesting[msneek] But just had a call on Friday to say that the schedule had changed for the return flight..we now have almost 3 hours at Newark on the way back so instead of getting in to Gatwick at 5:30 in the morning it will be around 7:30..oh well. STILL going to Florida[clap]