Continental

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    United and Continental Offer Rebooking Options to Customers Affected by Winter Weather

    CUSTOMERS TRAVELING TO IMPACTED CITIES MAY RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY on united.com OR continental.com
    CHICAGO, Jan. 10, 2011

    United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for the U.S. Northeast region and Chicago. Weather conditions are expected to lead to the delay or cancellation of certain flights at Continental’s New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport for travel from Jan. 11 through Jan. 13 and United’s hub at Chicago O’Hare International Airport for travel on Jan. 11. Operations at other airports throughout the Northeast may also be affected.

    The travel waiver for the Southeast region continues for customers traveling through Jan. 11.

    Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com

    Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the impacted areas may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com.

    The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com, and customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their ticket was purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1 or Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent.

    Another excellent way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.

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    Continental Flight Diverts to El Paso


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Christopher Weyer

    What: Continental Airlines 737 en route from Santa Ana to Houston
    Where: El Paso International Airport
    When: January 6, 2011
    Who: 127 passengers
    Why: While en route, the Continental flight developed smoke in the cockpit.

    Pilots diverted to El Paso where they made a safe landing. The plane is being examined. Rescue services have not yet found a source.

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    United and Continental Offer Rebooking Options to Customers Affected by Northeast Weather

    CHICAGO, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —

    United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for the Northeast U.S. this weekend. Weather conditions are expected to lead to the cancellation or delay of certain flights at United’s hub at Washington Dulles International Airport and at Continental’s hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. Operations at other airports throughout the Northeast may also be affected.

    Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com

    Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the affected airports Jan. 7 through Jan. 9 may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com. The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com. Customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their tickets were purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1, Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agents. Another way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.

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    Continental Announces New Tentative Agreement With Flight Attendants

    CHICAGO, Jan. 4, 2011

    Continental Airlines today announced that it has reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) representing Continental flight attendants. The IAM is expected to hold a ratification vote in the coming weeks.

    “The negotiation teams were able to reach a fair agreement that is another positive step forward as we work to combine our companies,” said Sam Risoli, vice president of Inflight Service for the combined company.

    The agreement covers approximately 9,300 Continental flight attendants located throughout the United States.

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    Boeing Delivers First 737 Boeing Sky Interior to Continental Airlines


    Passengers now able to enjoy interior in four regions of the world

    SEATTLE, Dec. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Another new Boeing (NYSE: BA) Next-Generation 737-800 with the new Boeing Sky Interior took to the skies over Seattle today, as Continental Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, Inc., became the first U.S.-based carrier to fly with the new interior. Continental’s jet features the new United Airlines livery.
    Wednesday’s flight marks completion of 13 deliveries to the first five launch customers for the innovative 737 Boeing Sky Interior. The airplane also marks a new record for 737 yearly deliveries of 376. The previous record was 372 deliveries in 2009.

    “We are proud to be the first carrier in North America to introduce the brand-new Boeing Sky Interior to our customers,” said Ron Baur, United fleet vice president. “The new lighting and sculpted side panels give the 737 a modern and more spacious look, while providing increased overhead storage space.”

    The 737 Boeing Sky Interior is part of Boeing’s strategy to continuously improve the 737 for both airlines and passengers by making it more efficient and economical to operate and maintain and more comfortable for passengers. Today’s Next-Generation 737 operators fly 737s that are 5 percent more fuel-efficient than the first Next-Generation 737s delivered in 1998, and another 2 percent improvement is on the way.

    In mid-November, another 737-800, also in the new United Airlines livery, successfully completed an early flight test to begin certification of the aerodynamic and engine changes that will result in the 2 percent improvement. Testing and certification will continue through April 2011. Boeing is phasing into production the performance improvement package, beginning in mid-2011 through early 2012.

    One percent of the savings comes from reducing resistance as air flows around the airplane. The upper and lower anti-collision lights change from round to a more aerodynamic, elongated teardrop shape. Wheel-well fairings are re-contoured to smooth the air flow near the main landing gear. A redesign of the environmental control system, exhaust vent and streamlined wing slat and spoiler trailing edges round out the aerodynamic changes.

    CFM is introducing the new CFM56-7BE engine enhancement program to coincide with Boeing’s airframe changes. Low- and high-pressure turbine modifications will result in a 1 percent reduction in fuel consumption. In addition, Boeing is optimizing the engine’s primary nozzle and plug. Together, the changes result in cooler-running engines that may provide up to 4 percent lower maintenance costs.

    The CFM56-7BE engine is currently undergoing a 10,000 cycle endurance test at Snecma facilities in Villaroche, France. The test should be complete in early 2011. These tests simulate conditions far more extreme than would be experienced in commercial service to validate the reliability and durability of the hardware.

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    Severe Winter Weather Continues to Affect United and Continental Flights in the Northeast Region This Week

    CUSTOMERS TRAVELING TO IMPACTED CITIES MAY RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY ON UNITED.COM OR CONTINENTAL.COM

    CHICAGO, Dec. 27, 2010
    United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today extended travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather in the Northeast region. Weather conditions are making air travel difficult, causing delays and cancellations of flights at Continental’s hub at New York / Newark Liberty International Airport and United’s hub at Washington Dulles. Flights at Newark are expected to resume on Monday afternoon, with a limited schedule. Operations at other airports throughout the Northeast region may also be affected.

    Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com

    Customers scheduled on flights, through Dec. 28, to, from or through the impacted areas may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com.

    The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com, and customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their ticket was purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1 or Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent.

    Another excellent way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.

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    Severe Winter Weather Expected to Affect United and Continental Flights in the Northeast Region This Week

    CUSTOMERS TRAVELING TO IMPACTED CITIES MAY RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY ON UNITED.COM OR CONTINENTAL.COM
    CHICAGO, Dec. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for the Northeast region. Weather conditions are expected to make air travel difficult, forcing some delays and cancellations of flights at United’s hub at Washington Dulles and Continental’s hub at New York / Newark Liberty International Airport for travel from Dec. 25 through Dec. 27. Operations at other airports throughout the Northeast region may also be affected.

    Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com

    Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the impacted areas may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at www.united.com and www.continental.com.

    The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com, and customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their ticket was purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1 or Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent.

    Another excellent way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.

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    Severe Winter Weather Expected to Affect United and Continental Flights to and From Europe

    CUSTOMERS TRAVELING TO IMPACTED CITIES MAY RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY on united.com OR continental.com

    CHICAGO, Dec. 20, 2010 / —

    United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today expanded travel options for United and Continental customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather in Europe. Weather conditions are expected to continue to make air travel difficult, forcing some delays and cancellations of flights to and from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Brussels and Amsterdam airports this week.

    Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com

    Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through these airports through Dec. 24 may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com.

    The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com, and customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their ticket was purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1 or Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent.

    Another excellent way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers phone, text or e-mail notifications.

    About United Continental Holdings, Inc.

    United Continental Holdings, Inc. is the holding company for both United Airlines and Continental Airlines. Together with United Express, Continental Express and Continental Connection, these airlines operate a total of approximately 5,800 flights a day to 371 airports on six continents from their hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark Liberty, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. United and Continental are members of Star Alliance, which offers 21,000 daily flights to 1,160 airports in 181 countries. United’s and Continental’s more than 80,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world.

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    Severe Winter Weather Expected to Affect United and Continental Flights in Midwest

    CUSTOMERS TRAVELING TO IMPACTED CITIES MAY RESCHEDULE WITHOUT PENALTY ON UNITED.COM OR CONTINENTAL.COM

    CHICAGO, Dec. 11, 2010

    United Continental Holdings, Inc. ( today announced travel options for United Airlines and Continental Airlines customers whose flight plans may be affected by severe winter weather forecast for the Midwest this weekend. Weather conditions are expected to make air travel difficult, with the likelihood of delays and cancellations of flights at United’s hub at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Continental’s hub at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

    Operations at other airports throughout the Midwest will also be affected by severe weather. Customers should check their flight status on united.com or continental.com before leaving for the airport.

    Change Flights for No Fee at united.com or continental.com

    Customers scheduled on flights to, from or through the region, including Chicago and Cleveland, through Dec. 13 may reschedule their itinerary with a one-time date or time change, and the change fees will be waived. If a flight has been canceled, a refund in the original form of payment may be requested. Complete details and eligible travel dates are available at united.com and continental.com.

    The fastest and most convenient way to change travel plans is via united.com or continental.com, and customers should continue to manage their reservations on the respective company’s website from which their ticket was purchased. Customers may also book a new reservation, change an existing reservation or check flight status by calling United Reservations at 800-UNITED-1 or Continental Reservations at 800-525-0280 or their travel agent. Another excellent way to receive information about flight delays, cancellations and gate changes is with United’s EasyUpdate service or Continental’s TripAlert service, which provide customers notifications via phone, text or e-mail.

    About United Continental Holdings, Inc.

    United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) is the holding company for both United Airlines and Continental Airlines. Together with United Express, Continental Express and Continental Connection, these airlines operate a total of approximately 5,800 flights a day to 371 airports on six continents from their hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark Liberty, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. United and Continental are members of Star Alliance, which offers 21,000 daily flights to 1,160 airports in 181 countries. United’s and Continental’s more than 80,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world.For more information about United Continental Holdings, Inc., go to UnitedContinentalHoldings.com. For more information about the airlines, see united.com and continental.com, and follow each company on Twitter and Facebook.

    SOURCE United Continental Holdings, Inc.

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    Continental Receives Top Honors in Business Travel News’ Annual Airline Survey

    CHICAGO, Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —

    Continental Airlines received top honors in Business Travel News’ (BTN) Annual Airline Survey for the third consecutive year. The recognition marks the sixth time Continental finished first in the 13 years BTN has measured corporate travel buyer perceptions of airline performance in delivering service and maintaining preferred relationships.

    “We are honored to once again receive this recognition, which reflects the hard work of my co-workers over the past year,” said worldwide sales senior vice president Dave Hilfman. “We’re going to look top to bottom in our approach to the market to ensure the new airline continues to do those things that are appreciated and recognized by our key corporate buyers.”

  • Continental Airlines and Its Fleet Service Employees Reach Tentative Agreement on New Labor Contract

    CHICAGO and HOUSTON, Nov. 29, 2010

    United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) today announced that Continental Airlines has reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) representing Continental fleet service employees. The IBT is expected to hold a ratification vote in the coming weeks.

    “This tentative agreement is the product of a lot of hard work by the negotiating committees, and I’m pleased that the Continental ramp, cargo and airport operations agents have the opportunity to ratify an agreement that is fair to our co-workers and fair to the company,” said Scott Dolan, senior vice president of Airport Operations at United. “We look forward to continuing the productive working relationship with the Teamsters.”

    The agreement covers approximately 7,000 Continental fleet service employees located throughout the United States.

    About Continental Airlines

    Continental Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL). Continental, together with Continental Express and Continental Connection, has more than 2,400 daily departures throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, serving 142 domestic and 131 international destinations. Continental is a member of Star Alliance, which overall offers 21,000 daily flights to 1,160 airports in 181 countries. Continental has hubs serving Cleveland, Guam, Houston and New York/Newark Liberty, and together with its regional partners, carries approximately 63 million passengers per year.

    United Continental Holdings, Inc.became the holding company for both United and Continental upon close of the merger transaction.The two airlines will operate separately as they begin to integrate key customer services, marketing activities and airport processes. For more company information, go to continental.com and follow on Twitter and Facebook.

    SOURCE United Continental Holdings, Inc.

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    Continental: Fuel Leak in South Carolina


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer N94504

    What: Continental Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from Newark to Glasgow, SC
    Where: Glasgow
    When: Nov 24th 2010
    Who: 158 passengers, 8 crew
    Why: On approach to Glasgow, a fuel leak was discovered in the right engine. The pilot landed safely in Glasgow, but the return flight was cancelled, and the plane was scheduled for maintenance.

    George’s Point of View

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    Embraer Flaps Failure in Louisville


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Radek Oneksiak

    What: Expressjet/Continental Express Embraer ERJ-145 flight 2496 en route from Houston to Louisville
    Where: Louisville
    When: 7 pm
    Who: 47 aboard
    Why: On landing, the plane developed a problem with one of its flaps (emergency flap failure). The pilot made a safe landing with no injuries.

    The flight was attended by airport emergency crews.

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    Birdstrike at Salt Lake City


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Hongyin Huo

    What: Expressjet Embraer ERJ-145/Continental Airlines en route from Houston,TX to Salt Lake City,UT
    Where: Salt Lake City,UT
    When: Aug 10th 2010
    Who: 46 passengers and 4 crew
    Why: On approach to Salt Lake City, the plane flew through a flock of seagulls. The flight made a safe landing, although there was evidence of at least one bird strike that damaged the skin of the plane which was apparently not a seagull but a pelican.

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    FAA Press Release: Continental Airlines

    FAA Proposes $230,000 Civil Penalty against Continental Airlines

    FORT WORTH, Texas — The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a civil penalty of $230,000 against Continental Airlines Inc., of Houston for allegedly operating a Boeing 767 on 22 revenue flights when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

    The FAA alleges that on Aug. 12, 2008, Continental replaced the nose landing gear wheel and tire assembly on a B-767, but failed to install the required axle washer despite warnings in the maintenance manual and on the tire assembly itself. The warning said failing to install the washer could lead to failure of the wheel bearing.

    FAA inspectors discovered the violation during a records check and noted three identical earlier violations.

    Continental has 30 days from receipt of the civil penalty letter to respond to the agency.

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    Continental Flight Diverts to Guam


    Pictured: A Continental Airlines Boeing 737-724 over Fukuoka Japan
    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer J.Suzuki

    What: Continental Airlines Boeing 737-700 en route from Guam to Hiroshima
    Where: Guam
    When: Jul 22nd 2010
    Who: 95 passengers and 5 crew
    Why: While en route, the pilot noticed irregularities from the control panel altitude and airspeed indicators. The plane turned back for Guam where the problem was repaired and the flight took off again a couple of hours later.

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    Tokyo: Continental Micronesia Emergency Landing


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer J.Suzuki

    What: Continental Airlines Boeing 737-700 on behalf of Continental Micronesia, registration N27734 performing flight CS-916/CO-916 from Fukuoka (Japan) to Guam (Guam)
    Where: near Tokyo
    When: Jun 29 2010
    Who: 40 passengers and 5 crew
    Why: While en route, oil fumes developed in the cabin. The pilot returned to Tokyo where he made a safe landing at 1:41 pm.

    The fumes were determined to be from the right engine generator.

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    Continental Airlines Emergency Landing in San Antonio


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Orlando G. Rivera Rivera – SJU Aviation Photography

    What: Continental Airlines Boeing 737-900 en from Houston,TX to Puerto Vallarta
    Where: San Antonio
    When: Jun 25 2010 6:34 p.m
    Who: 172 people on board
    Why: After experiencing air pressurization problems while en route, the oxygen masks were deployed. Unable to handle the problem, the pilot diverted to San Antonio where it made a safe landing. A replacement jet was provided Saturday which left at 7:45 a.m. Passengers were provided hotel accommodations in the meantime.

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    Continental Airlines Emergency Landing


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Flyoverfred

    What: Continental Airlines Boeing 737-800 en route from Seattle to Newark
    Where: Hector International Airport
    When: June 25, 2010
    Who: 160 passengers
    Why: While en route, a fire in a galley oven forced the pilot to divert to Fargo. Flight attendants put out the fire, but the plane was delayed in Fargo for several hours. The flight reached Newark eight and a half hours late.

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    Greece-bound Boeing Diverts to Boston


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer N94504

    What: Continental Airlines Boeing 767-400 en route from Newark to Athens
    Where: Boston
    When: June 11, 2010
    Who: 233: 220 passengers and 13 crew
    Why: After the pilot had reported smoke in the cockpit, the flight was diverted to Logan International Airport for safety reasons. A replacement jet was provided; and no cause has been released as to the source of the smoke.

    George’s Point of View

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    Continental: Hydraulic Leak over Newark Cancels Japan Flight


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Mark Kwiatkowski

    What: Continental Airlines Boeing 777-200 en route from Newark,NJ to Tokyo Japan
    Where: Newark
    When: May 9th 2010
    Who: 275 passengers and 16 crew
    Why: After take-off, exterior observers saw the gear out and observed a leak which was determined to be the hydraulics. The flight returned to Newark for a safe landing after spending about an hour in the air. They made a safe landing and were towed to the gate. Continental arranged for alternative transportation.

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    Turbulence over Albany


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Juan Carlos Guerra

    What: Continental Airlines/Expressjet Embraer ERJ-145 en route from Cleveland to Albany,NY
    Where: Albany
    When: May 8th 2010
    Who: 6 injured, 2 taken to hospital.
    Why: On approach to Albany, the plane encountered severe turbulence, slamming a flight attendant and passenger from the ceiling to the floor. With Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Department and Town of Colonie Emergency Services on standby, the flight made a normal landing at the Albany airport, where 4 injured were taken care of at the airport and the two most severe cases—a male passenger and female flight attendant— were transported to the hospital.

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    Dublin: Continental Airlines Emergency Landing


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Ben Wang

    What: Continental Airlines Boeing 757-200 en route from Dublin to Newark
    Where: Dublin
    When: Mar 18 2010
    Who: 162 passengers
    Why: After takeoff, the transatlantic flight developed a pressurization problem; and after burning off fuel, on return to Dublin, the flight ran into wind shear (strong crosswinds) resulting in a couple of go-arounds. They were back on the ground about 2 hours after takeoff. The flight was not cancelled until the 19th, and by that time, most passengers had already rebooked. Some passengers aboard that flight have expressed dissatisfaction in their situation, although hotel accommodations were provided.

    The Irish equivalent of the NTSB (AAIU) said the problems were due to a failed Pressure Regulating and Shut Off valve in the right engine’s bleed air system.