Service includes 36 channels of live television programming provided by
DIRECTV(R) and onboard Wi-Fi services including inflight wireless
connectivity for e-mail and instant messaging
HOUSTON, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continental Airlines (NYSE:
CAL) today announced that it has entered into an agreement with LiveTV,
L.L.C. (LiveTV) that will allow Continental to offer 36 channels of live,
inflight satellite-based television programming provided by DIRECTV(R), the
nation's leading satellite television provider, at every seat on
Continental's new generation aircraft. The service is expected to be
available to customers on flights operating within the continental United
States beginning in January 2009.
In addition, Continental will be introducing onboard Wi-Fi services
including e-mail and instant messaging connectivity offered by LiveTV.
"Our customers want more inflight entertainment and communication
options," said Larry Kellner, Continental's chairman and chief executive
officer. "We have been closely watching technology developments and are
delighted to have teamed up with LiveTV to offer live television
programming and communication to our customers."
Customers will be able to choose from a variety of quality programming
from DIRECTV(R) including sports, news, weather, children's programming and
general entertainment. The initial channel programming lineup offered
through the inflight entertainment system is expected to include CBS, NBC,
FOX News, CNN Headline News, ESPN, Animal Planet, The History Channel, Food
Network, Nickelodeon, MTV and other popular channels. The inflight
entertainment system will also offer a moving map and other stored
informational and entertainment content. Continental will offer
complimentary access to the system to all first-class customers.
Economy-class customers will be able to access the system by paying a $6
access fee.
In addition, Continental will offer complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity
services allowing customers to access e-mail and instant messaging subject
to LiveTV being able to offer the service, which is still in the testing
phase. Customers will be able to use the service with Wi-Fi enabled
smartphones, BlackBerries and laptops to connect to work, friends and
family via Yahoo!(R) Mail, Yahoo!(R) Messenger and BlackBerry e-mail and
BlackBerry(R) Messenger services.
The new services will be installed on Continental's fleet of Boeing 737
New Generation aircraft, including the 737-700, -800, -900 and -900ER
aircraft, and the Boeing 757-300.
Continental Airlines is the world's fifth largest airline. Continental,
together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than
2,900 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving
144 domestic and 139 international destinations. More than 580 additional
points are served via SkyTeam alliance airlines. With more than 45,000
employees, Continental has hubs serving New York, Houston, Cleveland and
Guam, and together with Continental Express, carries approximately 69
million passengers per year. Continental consistently earns awards and
critical acclaim for both its operation and its corporate culture. For more
company information, visit continental.com.
LiveTV is the world's leading provider of live inflight entertainment
and connectivity systems for commercial airlines, and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of JetBlue. LiveTV is the provider of JetBlue's inflight
entertainment service - - which was recently recognized by the World
Airline Entertainment Association as the Best Overall inflight
entertainment experience in the Americas. LiveTV's customers also include
some of the most successful low-cost, low-fare airlines in the world
including WestJet, Frontier, Virgin Blue and AirTran. Headquartered in
Florida, LiveTV has installation and maintenance locations around the world
to support the more than 500 aircraft currently equipped with its products.
For a full listing of products, services and partners, or for more
information, please visit http://www.livetv.net.
SOURCE Continental Airlines
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Related links:
http://www.continental.com
http://www.continental.com/company/news
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CONTACT:
Continental Airlines Corporate
Communications, +1-713-324-5080, corpcomm@coair.com
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