Continental Airlines

[chrisy08]

Hi All,
Flying with Continental Boeing 757 to New York, never flown with them are they comfortable for an 8 hour journey and nice to fly with?
Thanks

[Off Stand]

I have flown with them a number of times, both in coach and businessfirst. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Also, some a/c now have AVOD, but this is slowly being rolled out across the 757 fleet, so not guaranteed that you will have it on your flight. Don't forget that all American carriers charge for drinks in coach now. Enjoy!!!

[chrisy08]

Thank you. What is AVOD?

[andyafc]

if silverjet go bust will continental consider a service to newark possibly from luton? no doubting the demand is there

[intortola]

Flew with them last week, San Juan-Houston-San Juan, both ways in business, service was superb and comfortable.

[chrisy08]

Do the boeing 757 have tvs in the back seats??

[OltonPete]

chrisy08

AVOD = audio-video on demand (AVOD) systems.

In other words seat-back TV.

However if you are in economy you will have at least a one in three
chance of getting AVOD.

Continental are going through their 41 strong 757 fleet fitting AVOD in
economy and I think they have completed at least 14 of them but I
don't know the full schedule re the completion date (I think it is December 2008 but could be wrong).

If you are flying in August it might be as good as a 50/50 chance.

In fact the odds might be even better as it has been suggested that
the AVOD ones usually fly transatlantic. Not all 41 come across
the pond evey day, as some are still on domestic routes.

Pete

[OltonPete]

Always check a.net - never more than a few days go by without a
topic on Continental's 757 AVOD schedule :rolleyes:

Due to be completed by October 2008 and this is the latest quote: -

"19-Ship 137. Completed 17 May.

20-Ship 103. Still in conversion. Due out 24 May"


So 20 out of 41 done!

Sounds as if you will have a good chance of getting AVOD!

Pete

[chrisy08]

Thank you very much for that information. I am flying end of December so the chances of AVOD on my flight is highly likely in economy.

[OltonPete]

I have not flown Conti therefore I can't comment on AVOD but have used
ICE on Emirates which is apparently similar. This was both frustrating as it was fantastic but it does serve a purpose to those who find reading a chore on long-haul flights. However on EK the system crashed and had to be re-booted and then it was switched off in the descent and I missed the last 10 minutes of the film I was watching. On the way back the games did not work at all, much to my children's disgust!

As for 757's across the pond, I have flown BA from BHX many years ago, which had a similar configuration and the seat pitch is manageable on the westbound in the day but I found sleeping on the eastbound at night impossible. However this would be no different to any economy class with a similar seat pitch.


Pete

[chrisy08]

What?
Sorry I dont understand. If im flying in December, will i deffinatly have AVOD on my flight?

[OltonPete]

chrisy08

If the information is correct on airliners.net then you will definitely have
AVOD as it is all due to complete in October for the 757.

What it does not say if they are on target but 20 out of 41 is not bad and
I believe that it takes 14 days, as it is done at the same time as other checks but again I am only repeating information from airliners.net. The guy or gal giving the info claims to be working on the AVOD schedule and it seems fairly accurate info.

Also it will depend on how many 757's are in at one time, as a quick calculation tells you that if it is one at a time it will take 42 weeks for
the remaining 21.

However they seem to be getting two done together or at least with a bit of an overlap.

My guess for December is that you will get an AVOD 757 but as I say it is just a guess. An unforeseen maintenance issue within the fleet elsewhere can alter things pretty quickly especially if one of the aircraft then misses the allocated "slot" in the hangar.

I believe that they are been done in Florida with some help from a Texas
facility but it does appear thus far things have gone relatively to schedule.

Pete

[Eagle402]

As a complete aside to IFE chat I flew Manchester to Vegas via Newark with Continental summer 06 and was very impressed with the cabin service - very friendly without being over-attentive.

Comm's from cockpit impressive too - we were held for app 45 minutes over Newark due electrical storm and were kept informed throughout. Snuck in through a gap in the clag and, as we taxied in, all hell broke loose overhead!

As a result of the storm we were delayed by 3 hours departing for Vegas but some good bars and shops at Newark so was not an issue.

Enjoy your trip.

Eagle402

[chrisy08]

Thank you for your interest Eagle402.

OltonPete, thank you for your information on AVOD. I hope I get AVOD on my flight in December. Please could you keep me updated on developments as im not very good with finding all that information, or if you could give me a link. I have been on Airliners.net, however the news section to me is "blazzay".

Thanks

Chrisy08

[OltonPete]

chrisy08

I will try and keep an eye on the developments but if you want
to check on a.net it is in the Civil Aviation forum where the info
is held and there is a search engine which usually brings up the
desired results.

Search on "Continental AVOD" or something similar and you should get what you want. These guys n gals in the US are fanatics when it comes to IFE, updates are usually weekly or at the very most monthly.

Pete

[chrisy08]

I shall take your word for it!

Chris

[VAFFPAX]

I have to give Continental a good thumbs up for BusinessFirst. Great service.

S.

[gdiphil]

Flew on their 757 LGW to Newark and back service last August. No AVOD. Easy online checkin making LGW very quick for the bag drop. The food was indifferent, we flew Y, the seats were alright, pitch the usual poor space you find across the pond on all carriers in Y. The crew were pleasant but the cockpit crew were trigger happy with the seatbelt sign. The slightest bump and on it went for ages. Passengers ended up ignoring it. I'd use them again if the price was right. Newark was easy as far as immigration and customs were concerned and the CO terminal I thought was excellent for bookshops and catering establishments (we were transiting to go to BNA). As an economy experience goes across the pond it was tolerable.

[NWSRG]

Just back from Orlando, and flew Belfast - Newark, then Newark - Orlando.

757 with AVOD from Belfast out, 738 to Orlando.
757 with AVOD from Orlando to Newark (the aircraft was going on to Bristol), then 757 without AVOD back to Belfast.

All in all, very impressed. The customer service is way above what we get in UK...the pilot actually lets you know what is going on, and numerous weather delays demonstrated to us how helpful the ground staff are...getting info / changing flights / getting around the airport all handled with real customer service.

As for the 757, I'd say we had more legroom and width than on our previous two trips via Virgin on the 747 ex Gatwick. The AVOD is excellent, and you will get it in October. Only downside...food not fabulous...

We also got a free display of hand flying on arrival back in Belfast. As a PPL, I know the approach into Belfast, and at 3-4 miles out, we were high (four whites on the PAPIs), to the left (by about 20 degrees), and a tad quick. This was because we had executed a tight right hand bank at about 6 miles to line-up, dropping gear and lowering flap as we went! Sorted it all out into an excellent landing, and it does confirm my belief, that when it comes to pure aircraft handling, the yanks are good!

[SXB]

I've used Continental a few times in the last couple of years and I'm surprised at the positive comments. I can only speak from experience of J class but generally speaking they are far, far behind some of their European competitors in terms of their product and their service delivery, and I would direct those comments at most American Air companies. I only use American carriers when I need to get to Central or South America and have limited options with European carriers.

[Donkey497]

Regularly fly EDI - US on CO and DL.

Of the two I'd rate Delta slightly better for service and catering across the Atlantic. However they are both superior to BA service - you are treated as a Customer, i.e. someone who ultimately pays the wages by both sets of Cabin Crews.
Having done an indecent number of flights on both in the past couple of years, on 767 & 757 to ATL and EWR I'd happily fly with either at the drop of a hat.

For preference, fly DL on a 767 transatlantic and CO on either in the continental US, but don't have any fears about the standard of flight you'll have on DL:ok::ok::ok: or CO:ok::ok::ok:.

Your only problem is that I'm guessing you're flying via LHR. If so, I'd strongly recommend that you consider re-routing and using another start point. Any trip via LHR tarnishes the soul terribly.:sad:

[chrisy08]

thank you for your insites.

donkey i am not flying from Heathrow, am flying from Bristol via 757.

Thanks all

[Donkey497]

Lucky you for avoiding LHR.

You may find the 75 a little bit bumpier than the 76 for the winter weather, but it's nothing to lose sleep over, and by the time you are flying the full fleet should have AVOD seating so you'll be well entertained.

Last trip back I couldn't sleep, so I learned to play backgammon. Every day's a school day as they say.:)

Enjoy your flights.

[chrisy08]

LOL, I don't mind abit of a ruff flight now and again. Couldn't stand it all the way :hmm:

Hopefully my flight will have AVOD! I here the completion of AVOD in the whole fleet of 757s ranging from September-December. I am flying December, so theres a good chance i'll get AVOD.

Good on you, I have no idea how to play that so I will have to teach myself too :ok:

Thanks

Chris.

[chrisy08]

Hi All,

Is there anymore information regarding AVOD on Continental Airlines.

I have been looking on Airliners.net forums, and I found which 757s (registration number) has completed the installation, is it possible to find out what reg number my airline will be when I fly in December? I don't think it is but might aswell ask :O (Bristol to Newark)

Thanks

:ok:

[TopBunk]

Is there anymore information regarding AVOD on Continental Airlines.

Try googling Continental Airlines and search their website for all you need re film schedules, seating layouts, avod etc

is it possible to find out what reg number my airline will be when I fly in December?

I doubt if they will have a plan as to which aircraft will fly that service until about 2 days out, and even then it could change with unserviceability etc.

[chrisy08]

I have looked on there website, but it always seems to be the same info (nothing recent)

Oh right okay, thank you.

[DTY/LKS]

Just flown LGW-EWR with Continental on a 757 200-series.

Had AVOD and it was great. Choice of about 19 films and about 15 tv progs to watch at your pleasure. Also had about 50cds to listen to & puzzles like sudoku & crosseords etc. A neat bit of kit that kept me amused.
I found the service to be great and even though I am 6'5" i found the economy seat comfortable.
Had a 757-300 from LAS back to EWR and then a 757-200 back from EWR to LGW and neither of them had AVOD which was a huge disappointment after the outbound journey.
Online check-in and printing own boarding cards made the airport a breeze.
I certainly would have no problems with recommening Continental.

[call100]

I'm doing the Birmingham to Newark flight at the end of September. Was not looking forward to the flight much, but, this thread has given a more positive outlook.
Hopefully AVOD will be installed.
Do they have plugs for charging/running Laptops? If so what sort of adaptor is needed? Might take mine just in case AVOD not there.......:8

[chrisy08]

anymore news on AVOD Continental Airlines boeing 757?

[call100]

Birmingham Newark....Just returned...AVOD both ways....Excellent.

[starbuck123]

Good news about the AVOD! Im going to try continental instead of Virgin for the newark flight then on to tampa. Is there more leg room than Virgin and BA?

[PAXboy]

Leg room? As previously advised = Seatguru, whilst bearing in mind that any individual a/c may be differently laid out than others in the fleet.

[chrisy08]

"As of October 2008, 36 planes out of 41 have been fitted with the new seats and seat back televisions in Economy class"

Will all be done by end of December?? So I can be 100% on AVOD as its 8 hour flight, going to be boring!! BRS - EWR

[Confirmed Must Ride]

Yes all planes due to be completed by end Nov. 99.9% you will have full AVOD 757 on flight CO77