Continental Airlines and Expedia Sign New Five-Year Partnership Agreement
Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL) , the
world's sixth-largest airline and Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPE) , the
world's largest online travel company, today announced a new five-year
strategic partnership under which Continental's full range of products
and services, including all fares and inventory, will be marketed
through Expedia.com (R) and its affiliate sites, available to travelers
anytime, anywhere.
The agreement allows Continental to benefit from Expedia's
online travel expertise, broad reach and targeted merchandising
opportunities, and gives Expedia travelers greater access to Continental
inventory and rates. Continental's market strength in key leisure
destinations such as Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean gives Expedia
customers an even greater range of travel options.
"Customers are flocking to the Internet to buy air travel, and
we're delighted to renew our strategic partnership with Expedia, the
world's leading online travel service. Both Continental and Expedia are
well known in the travel marketplace for delivering superior service and
value to our mutual customers, and we're extremely pleased that Expedia
will continue to be one of our key points of presence on the Web," said
Jeff Smisek, president of Continental Airlines.
"Achieving efficiency in the distribution of our products is
also an important objective for us, and this agreement succeeds in
meeting our goals for getting tickets to our customers at attractive
economics to Continental," Smisek added.
"This agreement furthers Expedia's commitment to work with our
strategic partners to align economic incentives as part of long-term
relationships," said Paul Brown, president of Expedia's Partner Services
Group. "Expedia is increasingly working to ensure that together we can
satisfy the business needs of both parties, while offering our travelers
the broadest range of opportunities at the guaranteed best prices."
About Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines is the world's sixth-largest airline.
Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental
Connection, has more than 3,200 daily departures throughout the
Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 151 domestic and 137 international
destinations. More than 400 additional points are served via SkyTeam
alliance airlines. With more than 42,000 employees, Continental has hubs
serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with
Continental Express, carries approximately 61 million passengers per
year. Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for
both its operation and its corporate culture.
For the third consecutive year, FORTUNE magazine named
Continental the No. 1 Most Admired Global Airline on its 2006 list of
Most Admired Global Companies. For more company information, visit
continental.com.
About Expedia, Inc.
Expedia, Inc. is the world's leading online travel company,
empowering business and leisure travelers with the tools and information
they need to easily research, plan, book, and experience travel.
Expedia, Inc. also provides wholesale travel to offline retail travel
agents. Expedia, Inc.'s portfolio of brands includes: Expedia.com (R),
hotels.com (R), Hotwire (R), Expedia (R) Corporate Travel, TripAdvisor
(TM) and Classic Vacations (R). Expedia, Inc.'s companies also operate
internationally with sites in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany,
France, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, and China, through its
investment in eLong (TM).
Source: Expedia, Inc.
HOUSTON and BELLEVUE, Wash., May 1, 20065 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --