Flying with Continental

modo_3

We are flying to Houston via Newark with continental and I have read on another forum that even if you check in online, you are not able to print boarding cards and you have to go through the whole process again at the check in desk. Has anyone flown recently with Continental? How was it? Did you manage to check in onlline before the airport and print boarding cards?

Thanks

Maureen:)

jamesbrownontheroad

Yes, you'll have to check-in at the airport. This is partly because of the extra security checks that airlines are required to conduct on flights into the USA. You'll be asked a few additional questions by an agent at a podium before you get to the check-in desk.

My partner recently flew with Continental from Glasgow to Newark. They have a number of such routes, flying narrow-body Boeing 757 jets (single aisle, no middle block of seats) from the UK regions (Belfast, Glasgow, Newcastle, etc) to Newark. She reported (and she is not the first person to tell me this) that the inflight service was pretty awful. Despite pre-booking one, no vegetarian meal was available and the crew were both dismissive and rude. My understanding (and this is from many trans-Atlantic flights with a number of airlines) is that US airlines are often frustrated in their attempts to refresh and improve cabin service by heavily unionised and well protected cabin crew. It's a job for life, and there is little incentive for well paid cabin crew to improve when they know their union will protect them. My most recent experience was on US Airways flying Dublin - Philadelphia - San Francisco and it was a similar situation.

However - the sheer convenience of a direct flight to Newark outweighs the poor service for many.

PS And don't forget to get your ESTA!

noviceatsaving

I have flown with Continental a few times in the past from Birmingham to Newark and had no problems. Didn't bother with online check-in as we've had to check in at the desk anyway. The line gets long because everyone has to check in, so make sure you get there even earlier than usual. The staff at the airport do not work for Continental and can get very rude if anything does not happen according to plan (hubs had forgotten to fill in his ESTA and we had to do it while waiting in line - they were NOT pleased with us).

Flight itself however has always been fine. I was actually sick on the way out last time in January and the staff were very nice to me, even letting me keep a glass of water and head down while plane was taking off. They then kept checking on me to ensure I was okay for the rest of the flight, which really impressed me, and supplying as many pretzels and bottles of water as I wanted. I don't work for Continental, this really happened - when I have flown with them in the past the service has been generally okay but nothing special.

cactusdust

Enjoy your flight with one of the better US airlines. That's if its possible to put 'enjoy' and 'US airlines' in one sentence.

p4girl

Just been to USA flying Continental (Glasgow - Newark, then Newark to Orlando). It was a 757, I liked the seat back touchscreen televisions, but the food was the worst I think I've ever had on an aeroplane! Despite this, the service overall was good, expecially when our plane developed a fault on the return journey.

We were 'de-planed', stuck in Orlando - and the staff moved heaven and earth to try and get us up to Newark in time for our journey home. (Made it by THREE minutes and were rushed to the gate for the plane!)

I would fly with Continental again, as not so many airlines go across the pond from Scotland - and I just don't see the sense in flying down to London to fly up past Scotland again!

Have also used US Airways a couple of times - older planes, but found the service to be good.