Continental Airlines
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Continental Airlines
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
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
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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!!!
Last edited by Off Stand; 27th May 2008 at 00:56.
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757
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
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
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AVOD
Always check a.net - never more than a few days go by without a
topic on Continental's 757 AVOD schedule
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
topic on Continental's 757 AVOD schedule
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
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757/avod
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
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
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AVOD
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
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
Last edited by OltonPete; 27th May 2008 at 22:00. Reason: addition error
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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
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
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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, 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
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CO
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
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
Last edited by OltonPete; 29th May 2008 at 20:01. Reason: spelling
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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.
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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!
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!
Riding the Euro Gravy Plane
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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.