Continental to launch first daily African service Houston-Lagos flights

Special to USAfrica and CLASSmagazine, Houston

Continental Airlines yesterday said it plans to start daily 787 flights between Houston Intercontinental and Lagos on Nov. 10, 2011, launching what would be its first-ever service to Africa.

The flights, which also would be the first daily scheduled service between Texas and Africa by any carrier, are subject to government approval. CO currently serves 63 international destinations from IAH and recently announced plans to begin service between IAH and Auckland on Nov. 16, 2011.

Chairman, President and CEO Jeff Smisek said the IAH-LOS flights “will link two energy capitals and fill the growing demand for nonstop service between the two cities, a route which is currently not served by any other airline.”

The approximately 6,500-mi. flight will be operated with a 787-8 seating 36 passengers in first/business class and 192 in economy, CO said, noting that flying time will be about 11 hr. eastbound and 12 hr. 30 min. westbound. ref: AWT/AKarp