Anyone ever flown Continential???

[canadianjovigirl]

We leave in a couple of weeks and are flying Calgary-Houston-Orlando. Has anyone ever flown with continential?? I do know about the baggage fee but even with that our flights were $150/each cheaper and there are 5 of us so decided it was worth the risk..........

Our first flight leaves Calgary at 7am, we have just over an hour layover in Houston at noonish (hoping to feed kids if we can find our next gate) and then we leave Houston and arrive at Orlando at 4:30. Returning home our flight from Houston to Calgary is right over dinner time and we dont land until 9:30...

Anyone know what kinda snacks they offer, going to have to grab the kids some food after security to cover breakfast going there and supper coming home....

Tell me about your flight with Continential???

 

[Darcy03231]

I flew MCO to BOS on Continental in April 2009. Flight was fine. Left on time, was very smooth and we landed a bit early. I wouldn't hestitate to fly them again.

 

[Canadamom]

We have flown with them a couple of times. Once was Calgary-Houston-Orlando and the other was Calgary-Houston-Tampa. Both flights had very short connection times in Houston (ie. 42 minutes) but there was time to make the connection.

I believe we actually got meals on the longer leg of the flight (Calgary to Houston) both times and then again on our return.

Do be aware that Continental oversells flights (as do a lot of airlines) and that you should definitely check in online at the 24 hour mark and also be at the beginning of the check-in line at the airport to try to prevent yourself from being involuntarily bumped. I'm sure most people have had great experiences, but we were involuntarily bumped when we flew with them the first time and delayed by 16 hours in Calgary. We arrived to check in just under 2 hours prior to the flight. The next time we were there 3 hours early and they were still looking for volunteers to take a bump as they were oversold. (both in Calgary and in Tampa). We did hold out for cash compensation and then were further compensated after the fact due to the circumstances surrounding our involuntary bump so they did make good and we have flown with them since. However, it does happen and our family was unfortunate enough to experience it.

 

[Canadamom]

Oops...I should add that the baggage fee is less by $5 per bag if you pay online when you do your online check-in rather than waiting to pay at the airport.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

Thanks so much for all that information. Where do i pay for the baggage on line?? I can also check in 24 hours ahead on line correct? We do plan on being at the airport a bit before 5 am and our flight is for 7am. Do you think that is early enough as we have an hour drive to the city....

Thanks again

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Continental is one of my favorite airlines. They don't have a lot of flights out of Syracuse, but I often fly them (US Airways is next) even if paying a premium. Most of the reason is because of their first class, but even their coach is nice and I find their service is as good if not better then most airlines.

Thanks so much for all that information. Where do i pay for the baggage on line?? I can also check in 24 hours ahead on line correct?

When you check-in online you'll have the option to pay for your luggage (also purchase upgrades if available).

 

[Canadamom]

It's my understanding that you can pay your checked baggage fee online when you check-in online, which is doable on or after the 24 hour mark prior to your flight time. As for what time to get to the airport, we live out of town 1 3/4 hours and are staying in Calgary the night before. All I know is when we were there 2 hours prior we were bumped, so we've gone 3 hours before the last time and plan to do that again. However, both times we flew were at busy times...Easter and spring break so that might have made a difference. This time we'll still go 3 hours prior again, though, as it's considered an international flight. Have a great trip!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I recently flew Continental - Houston to Orlando. There was an opportunity to pay baggage fees when we checked in online - for both outgoing and return trips. We only paid one way though so we could use the Resort Airline Check In Service at WDW - for that we had to call the day before we left Disney and pay our baggage fee. It was really easy though and took maybe 5 minutes to do - but we had to pay the full $20/bag.

 

[HELPDESKGUY]

I only fly continental! Crew is Great! I'm in th Cleveland area one of their hubs. They serve meals at meal time not just peanuts

 

[ekmom]

I flew them on Labor Day from San Jose to Houston to Detroit. Both legs were on time and I actually got meals on both. A hamburger, small salad, and dessert first leg and a sandwich, carrots, and dessert on 2nd leg. Flight attendants were very nice.

I'm flying them again for Thanksgiving, Detroit to Houston to San Jose and back and we are getting meals on 3 of the 4 legs.

 

[lurkernj]

We only fly continental and have been for 15 years. They have been reliable and customer focused. They even feed you on most flights (nothing spectacular, but it does the trick). We're in NJ, so the availability of flights is great and usually reasonably priced compared to other airlines.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

Thanks everyone, guess the only thing to be concerned about is getting bumped. Hope by checking in on line and being at the airport 2 hours ahead is enough...........

 

[lurkernj]

We've never been bumped, or seen anyone else involuntarily bumped. Occasionally they are overbooked and will offer flight credit/free flight to people to volunteer to give up their seats, but it is a general announcement and they usually get someone to step up. We did that once and got $350 credit EACH for another flight, and only had to wait 2hrs for the next flt. I've seen others get first class, plus credit if they take the next flight.

Choose your seats at booking and do on-line check in just for an extra layer of comfort. Continental is a big carrier and often has multiple flights per day so even if there is a bump, it shouldn't be a long delay. Don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[*~PrincessBelle~*]

We leave in a couple of weeks and are flying Calgary-Houston-Orlando. Has anyone ever flown with continential?? I do know about the baggage fee but even with that our flights were $150/each cheaper and there are 5 of us so decided it was worth the risk..........

Our first flight leaves Calgary at 7am, we have just over an hour layover in Houston at noonish (hoping to feed kids if we can find our next gate) and then we leave Houston and arrive at Orlando at 4:30. Returning home our flight from Houston to Calgary is right over dinner time and we dont land until 9:30...

Anyone know what kinda snacks they offer, going to have to grab the kids some food after security to cover breakfast going there and supper coming home....

Tell me about your flight with Continential???

I did the exact same flight route in April of last year with a friend...Flights were bang on time going there and back and made it to my connections without any problems at all..I would strongly suggest bringing some snacks on the plane with you I don't remember being served much more than small snacks. I actually ended up picking up a wrap from Jugo Juice at YYC before we left and ate that for lunch...Have a great flight!!