HOUSTON and ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Star Alliance partners Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) and Aegean Airlines today announced plans to start codesharing on Continental's flights between its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport and Athens, as well as on selected flights operated by Aegean Airlines in Europe.

Effective August 23, 2010, Continental will place its "CO" code on selected Aegean Airlines-operated flights between Athens and six leading holiday destinations in Greece (Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, Chania) and between Athens and Larnaca, Cyprus. At a future date to be determined, Continental will also codeshare on Aegean flights between Athens and London/Heathrow, United Kingdom, and Munich and Frankfurt, Germany. Pending government approval, Continental will also codeshare on Aegean flights between Athens and Paris/Charles de Gaulle, France, and Rome/Fiumicino, Italy.

Also effective August 23, 2010, Aegean Airlines will place its "A3" code on Continental's flights between New York/Newark and Athens. Pending government approval, Aegean will also codeshare on Continental flights from New York/Newark to Paris/Charles de Gaulle and to Rome/Fiumicino.

"Aegean Airlines continues to expand its codeshare strategy across the world. Thanks to this new partnership with Continental Airlines we can now offer Greek passengers a great travel solution to New York," said Aegean Airlines' chief executive officer, Dimitris Gerogiannis. "This is another example of the many new advantages our recent Star Alliance membership offers our passengers."

"Continental is delighted to partner with Aegean Airlines," said Jim Compton, Continental's executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "The agreement will offer our US-originating customers seamless access, via Athens, to many of Greece's most popular destinations, as well as increasing travel options for our Greek customers."

Because both Continental and Aegean Airlines are members of Star Alliance, members of Continental's frequent flyer program, OnePass, and Aegean Airlines' frequent flyer program, Miles & Bonus, are able to earn and redeem mileage anywhere on either airline's global route network. Continental BusinessFirst passengers, OnePass Star Alliance Gold members and Presidents Club members traveling on a same-day Star Alliance member flight are able to access Aegean Airlines Lounges at the flight's departure city, while Aegean Airlines Business Class passengers and Miles & Bonus Star Alliance Gold members are able to access Continental's Presidents Club lounges worldwide prior to departure on a same-day Star Alliance member flight.

Continental has been serving Athens since 2007. The airline's flights to New York/Newark are operated with Boeing 767-400ER aircraft with a total of 235 seats – 35 in the award-winning BusinessFirst cabin and 200 in economy.

About Aegean Airlines

Aegean Airlines is the largest Greek carrier, carrying 6.6 million passengers in 2009, an increase of 10% over 2008.  After taking delivery of 22 new Airbus A320/321, the company operates a fleet of 28 aircraft.  Within its ten year scheduled services history AEGEAN has been awarded six times by the European Regions Airline Association (ERA) in recognition of its operating performance, commercial success and commitment to customer comfort and satisfaction. Additionally, AEGEAN has been repeatedly awarded by the Athens International Airport as the single largest contributor to the airport's passenger growth. AEGEAN has also received the Skytrax World Airline award as the best regional airline in Europe for 2009. In February 2010 the shareholders of Aegean and recently privatized and re-fleeted Olympic Air entered into an agreement that, once approved by EC authorities, will eventually lead to the merging of the two companies. More information on www.aegeanair.com

About Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,700 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 132 domestic and 137 international destinations. Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which overall offers more than 21,200 daily flights to 1,172 airports in 181 countries through its 28 member airlines. With more than 40,000 employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and Guam, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.

Continental consistently earns awards and critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. For nine consecutive years, FORTUNE magazine has ranked Continental as the top U.S. airline on its "World's Most Admired Companies" airline industry list. For more company information, go to continental.com.

SOURCE Continental Airlines