CAL Twice Daily LHR (EWR & IAH)

[catIIIc]

This is very good for us, especially since we will own the slots versus leaseing them which is what DL and NW will be doing.

NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2007 – Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), the world’s fifth largest airline, today announced that it will launch nonstop flights to London/Heathrow from both its New York and Houston hubs on March 29, 2008, subject to government approval and slot approval.
Continental will offer twice-daily nonstop service to Heathrow from both Newark Liberty International Airport and Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The airline will continue to offer nonstop flights to London/Gatwick from both New York (twice daily) and Houston (daily), as well as Cleveland (daily, seasonal).
“At last we will be able to give our customers something they have long requested -- the opportunity to fly to both London’s main airports with their preferred airline,” said Larry Kellner, Continental’s chairman and CEO. “At the same time, we will be able to show transAtlantic travelers already using Heathrow what they have been missing. We look forward to the chance to compete at Europe's most important business airport.”
Effective March 29, 2008, Continental’s London schedule will be as follows (subject to approval). Continental will own each of the Heathrow arrival/departure slots necessary to operate this schedule:

 

[Cardinal]

Good for CAL. I have to wonder though, by the time everybody and their uncle is serving Heathrow, will the revenue premium have evaporated?

Just like everybody flying 757's transatlantic after the example set by CAL. Does Dusseldorf really need nonstop service from 12 US gateways?

 

[COpilot]

Good point Card., hence we are now out of DUS...

 

[Ex737Driver]

Dude, hit the enter key, ONCE!!!

 

[Ex737Driver]

Seriously, the info gleaned from the schoolhouse this week is good. CAL is proactively seeking to acquire 5 777-300's for the Heathrow and Shanghi additions. 3 777's for the Heathrow flying and 2 777's for the Shanghi route. With the 787 being pushed back, the possiblility of more is real possibility now.

Three cities being examined in India for future flying, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Calcutta.

One sour note, pilot hiring is dropping from 16 a week to 12 a week though April 08. I guess the cost of fuel has some management folks second guessing some routes next year and or deliveries.

RNP is coming for all 737's as well as the installation of speed intervention control with VNAV. The 737-900ER's will come standard with it.

 

[Bigoober]

Maybe those 777's coming online would explain the good chance that there may be a few bids to new hires around Feb as given at my interview.

 

[Hutchman]

Maybe those 777's coming online would explain the good chance that there may be a few bids to new hires around Feb as given at my interview.

What 777's would that be?

 

[flygirlqt]

What 777's would that be?

Rumor in the training department that Boeing is offering some very favorable lease rates on 777-300's as a stop gap until the 787's come on line.

 

[Spooky 2]

Rumor in the training department that Boeing is offering some very favorable lease rates on 777-300's as a stop gap until the 787's come on line.

Yea right. As if Boeing just has some 777-300LR's sitting out back behind the shed. Let me see, where did I leave those triple sevens now? I know they were around here someplace.

All kidding aside I hope you do get some Big Boeings in lieu of the 787's.

 

[flygirlqt]

Yea right. As if Boeing just has some 777-300LR's sitting out back behind the shed. Let me see, where did I leave those triple sevens now? I know they were around here someplace.

All kidding aside I hope you do get some Big Boeings in lieu of the 787's.

You mean these things just aren't sitting out back like a used car lot? But thanks for the wishes as I hope so too.

The way in it was explained to me was they are airplanes being turned in early by Emirates (?) (forgot exact airline) or they were canceled orders over an Airbus transaction.

The number being floated around is 3 airframes. But like anything, I will believe it when I see it. It could also being rumors planted by management for the carrot portion of our upcoming contract.

We are very short of wide bodies though especially with all the rumors of new cities

 

[Spooky 2]

Seriously, the info gleaned from the schoolhouse this week is good. CAL is proactively seeking to acquire 5 777-300's for the Heathrow and Shanghi additions. 3 777's for the Heathrow flying and 2 777's for the Shanghi route. With the 787 being pushed back, the possiblility of more is real possibility now.

Three cities being examined in India for future flying, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Calcutta.

One sour note, pilot hiring is dropping from 16 a week to 12 a week though April 08. I guess the cost of fuel has some management folks second guessing some routes next year and or deliveries.

RNP is coming for all 737's as well as the installation of speed intervention control with VNAV. The 737-900ER's will come standard with it.

Not sure what you mean by RNP is coming for all 737s as all B737's are RNP capable down to a point. Some RNAV approaches require GPS, but most do not. Maybe they are just upgrading the nav system with the GPS function?

 

[737Longhorn]

Not sure what you mean by RNP is coming for all 737s as all B737's are RNP capable down to a point. Some RNAV approaches require GPS, but most do not. Maybe they are just upgrading the nav system with the GPS function?

He's talking about the GLS approaches.

 

[Ex737Driver]

Not sure what you mean by RNP is coming for all 737s as all B737's are RNP capable down to a point. Some RNAV approaches require GPS, but most do not. Maybe they are just upgrading the nav system with the GPS function?

Correct. Same thing SWA is doing. It will allow us to perform GPS approaches that have RNP values below .3, which is what we can do now, on some aircraft, using VNAV and LNAV.