CONTINENTALAirlines is to modernise its UK transatlantic fleet following the introduction of Boeing 777s on one of its Gatwick-New York Newark services.
By next year old DC-10s will be mostly replaced by more economical and comfortable Boeing jets.
In March the double-daily Gatwick-Houston flight will also switch to the new long-haul Boeing.
This will be followed by the introduction of B777s on the Manchester-Newark service by November.
General manager UK and Ireland Mike Carter said Continental also intended to give Birmingham and Glasgow greater capacity jets year-round. Currently B757s are used to Newark, with a DC-10 based at Birmingham in the summer.
Carter said the DC-10s will be used year-round from Birmingham. Glasgow will be upgraded to larger Boeings next year. The second daily Gatwick-Newark flight will continue with a DC-10 until 2000 when it is expected to be replaced with new Boeings.
The new Boeings are part of a ú3bn order for 50 new long-haul jets.
B777s are fitted with Continental’s BusinessFirst premium product to give wider seats than on current aircraft, plus telephones, lap-top points and improved entertainmentsystems.
Economy cabins have seat-back videos, telephones, and are configured in a three-three-three formations instead of two-five-two.
The new jets are also expected to be used on Continental’s new daily Gatwick-Cleveland flights this summer, if slots can be found.
Carter said the airline was being frustrated in its attempt to secure operational slots and there was no guarantee the service would start in April.
n Continental and Northwest Airlines have started codesharing on US, Canadian and Japanese routes. The co-operation is expected to extend to European flights as Continental becomes more involved with the KLM/Northwest Wings alliance during 1999.
Continental: Boeings will replace older DC-10s