I generally prefer to fly European carriers (SAS in the distant past, Lufthansa more recently and now considering Iceland or British), but I am curious as to experience of those flying Continental through Houston. I don't think I have ever flown Continental, even for Domestic flights. Tell me about your experience flying them to Europe through Houston and why you will or won't fly with them again! (I am trying to go from Seattle open-jaw to Paris and back from Frankfurt, so Lufthansa is way too expensive.)
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
I have no experience flying Continental, but I certainly can recommend Icelandair. My Minneapolis-London, Paris-Minneapolis open jaw route five years ago was as smooth as could be and the fare was very good.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10555 posts
I have a lot of experience flying Continental. We have flown with them 3 times to Europe from Sacramento. I have also flown quite a few times domestically. I like Continental and have never had a problem flying through Houston. We are using Continental FF miles to fly to Europe in September and we are actually flying on United and Air Canada since Continental is now part of the Star Alliance. I flew to NYC last month, booking the tickets on Continental, but the flights ended up being on United. I have to say that I like Continental better than United. I have never flown a European airline, so can't compare to that.
Posted by
St Petersburg Florida
951 posts
I remember on a trip to Germany 4 years ago that Continental had the worse in flight entertainment. I am talking about showing Family Ties, Cagney & Lacey, Cheers. The movies were even worse: The Santa Clause, Hairspray. What they showed was not even current. I thought it was weird for a European flight.
Posted by
Corpus Christi, Texas, USA
26 posts
I'm a big fan of Continental, and especially through Houston. In my experience, their flights through Houston have been on time & had good in-flight entertainment. I've joined their frequent flier club just to save up miles for Europe trips :)
Posted by
spring
40 posts
I live in Houston, so I fly Continental frequently, both domestic and international. I prefer them to other airlines. Service, food and entertainment is better than most carriers. Really the service sets them apart. I have flown them both business class and coach and am flying them again in 2 weeks to London. I would recommend flying them, especially if they offer a lower fare.
I just hope the merger with United will not lower their standards.
Good luck
Posted by
OP
Tacoma, WA, USA
671 posts
Thank you! I ended up going with Iceland, because they were cheaper for our dates, but Continental was close.
Posted by
San Francisco, California, USA
446 posts
I have flown Continental to Nicaragua a number of times. It is a better than average airline. I, too, hope that their merger with United does not result in a lowering of their customer service standards, which are very good.
The last time I went to Nicaragua, I flew them Business Class, because they were offering cheap fares -- just a couple of hundred dollars more than Economy. It was worth it -- there is a priority line for check-in, you can use their first class club at IAH, drinks are free, food good, etc.
I wish I could afford their business class to Europe, but it is way out of my budget restraints.