Continental - America As Soon As You Board (Continental Airlines)

Member Name: purplifried

Product:	Continental Airlines
Date:	22/07/08 (885 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Friendly Staff, Great Food

Disadvantages: No Seat Back Screens

As with all airlines and especially in the busy months, check-in was a bit slow. They check-in first and business first classes and then proceed to us economy folks, which didn't bother us in the slightest.

We flew from Belfast to Newark to Orlando International and home again costing around £500 each.

The great thing about Continental is that when you check your bags at belfast they are checked all the way through to your destination, which saves a lot of time and hassle. All you are left to do at the connecting airport then is grab your bag and move it to the correct location for the next flight, no standing waiting in anymore queues.

As soon as we boarded the flight everything was Americanised, the money was in dollars and the staff were all Americans. The welcome on board was very friendly and polite and we were shown to our seats (our first time flying with them).

Once seated we discovered that they provide complimentary blankets, pillows and headphones which was greatly appreciated by all.

Staff then go through the usual safety checks and they provide a film regarding your safety and they show you all the exits, etc as to be expected on any airline.

Another great thing about this airline is that all drinks and meals are included in your ticket price when travelling trans-atlantic, except for alcohol, each alcoholic drink was $5 which really isn't that much for a vodka and coke :) The free drinks were very welcome and the apple juice was so so good (they use minute maid) and you could have a refill whenever you wanted so there was no waiting around for set drinking times. The food was also great not the usual rubbish you normally get on flights. We had yummy chicken with pasta in a tomatoey sauce with vegetables, a side salad, bread roll and some kind of delicious apple and cimmamon bun for desert. Throughout the flight we were provided with all sorts of snacks, including crisps, brownies, m&m's, etc. The only thing we didn't like was the fact that the crisps were always ready salted and since your lips get really dry when flying and no lip balm was allowed on with hand luggage all the salt didn't help matters, but then if you didn't want them you didn't have to eat them.

Our flight was delayed a bit for getting into Newark, which we didn't mind at all because instead of the 2 hour wait we should of had at Newark airport we only had like 15 minutes, which was ample time to go to a proper toilet and board our connecting flight. Even though this was a shorter flight we were still provided with lunch, which consisted of ham and cheese rolls, some snakcs and drinks. I have never been fed so much on any airplane in my life. I felt like I had gained a few pounds inflight alone.

They were great on selections of food also and you got a choice of at least two (eg, chicken or beef). If you were vegeterian, gluten free or otherwise they checked before serving. They got the people to raise their hands and served them first, therefore no one got left out and no one got the wrong food. I found this to be very considerate.

Throughout our flights there were movies available to watch and they were quite up to date. We didn't watch these however as I prefer to read and my other half had his PSP along for the journey. When the films were over they played various sitcoms, I admit I did watch a few of these because they put on King of Queens and I love that show. The only niggle I have with their entertainment is that small TV monitors that pop out and hang off the ceiling and there is one every 3 seats/rows and this can be quite sore on the neck, especially if you are nearly underneath one (thankfully we were far enough back to see one without too much strain).

The great thing about a long haul flight is that you get ample time to take loads of pictures from the sky and I managed ro get loads of New York, I even got one of the Statue of Liberty, allbeit way far in the distance, at least I can say I saw it.

The toilets in the plane are the usual small little boxes that are on most airplanes, they were however extremely clean and tidy. Another thing I liked is that if you needed to go you were asked politely to wait in your seat until they were free and this helped a lot with not crowding up the aisles, especially when the drinks/food trollies were out.

As we flew economy there was not loads of leg room, but of course your seat tips back a bit for more comfort, although I try not to do this because I feel sorry for whoever is behind me, as the person in front of me was quite annoying and was moving hers back and forth a lots, which does not help when you have a tray of food in front of you (the tables are connected to the seat in front), but this was not the airlines fault as they can't control other inconsiderate travellers :)

On board everyone is given their visa form thingies to fill out and as it was high security and no one had any writing utensils onboard the staff provided us all with a pen, and even though we had to share this task was completed quickly. If you had any problems or didn't understand what to fill in the staff were very helpful, although most people didn't require this as they do show a short film on how to fill them in beforehand.

We did pass through first class when going to our seats and I have to say it loooked comfy comfy comfy. They had big leather recliner seats, each with their own TV screen and all their drinks, including alcohol were free. They also appear to of had a lot of other benefits compared to economy, so if you're rich I would recommend flying in first or business first. They only thing is the price (i checked before we booked). It would of cost us around £2500 EACH to go this way, which is why we stayed in economy (maybe I'll win the lottery some day).

Anyway upon landing you are asked to stay in your seat until fully landed and until all doors, etc are opened. To my surprise everyone listened and stayed seated, then all proceeded to take their rows in turn to depart the plane, there wasn't the usual pushing and shoving that you normally get or people screaming let me off, in fact everyone was well mannered and behaved (yes even the small kids).

Once in the airport we got through customs quickly enough and our luggage was ready and waiting on the conveyor belt. I only had one problem, there was a small rip on the back of my suitcase, but I understand that this is due to the way they are thrown about, which would happen with any airline regardless of how much cash you pay to fly. This was easily fixed later though with a good old bit of duct tape - which might I add has still lasted and will do me for my trip this year.

Ohh, one more thing I must add. Continental are great for baggage allowance, not only are you allowed a 10kg hand luggage bag, you are also allowed to check in an amazing 2 pieces of luggage which can both weigh 23kgs, so all in all you can check in 46kgs worth of goodies per person (it is cheap to buy all them goodies in America after all). Upon arrival for our flight home all four of our bags were overweight, but the nice lady let us open them up and swap some bits and pieces around so only one bag was overweight and this only cost us an extra $25, which is not a lot and I thought this was exceptionally nice of her to say the least. What a great service.

I will be returning to Orlando in August of this year and fully plan to use Continental Airlines once again and I would recommend them to anyone who asks. Enjoy your flight if travellig with them.

Summary: Come Fly With Me Lets Fly Lets Fly Away =]