Item 5. Other Events.

On March 19, 2003, we issued a press release announcing a series of cost-saving and revenue-generating initiatives. We also issued a press release announcing the retirement of certain of our officers. The press releases are filed herewith as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

1. Exhibits

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Continental Airlines, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

EXHIBIT 99.1

Contact: Corporate Communications

Houston: 713.324.5080

Email: corpcomm@coair.com

HOUSTON, March 19, 2003 - Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced it will implement cost-saving measures to improve its current 2004 outlook by $500 million. These measures come as the weak revenue environment and increased taxes, fuel, security and insurance costs continue to burden the U.S. airline industry, which has lost $19 billion and eliminated 100,000 jobs since Sept. 11, 2001.

"We need $500 million in annual cost savings and revenue generation to permit us to be a survivor during the worst financial crisis in aviation history," said Gordon Bethune, chairman and chief executive officer of Continental. "None of the savings will come from employee concessions. We are not now asking for pay cuts. However, if the anticipated war in Iraq is prolonged, or if other events further degrade revenue or increase costs, we will need to find additional savings or ways to generate more revenue in order to compete effectively."

As part of this $500 million initiative, Continental will reduce its workforce by approximately 1,200 employees by year-end. This total includes approximately 125 pilots, 500 reservations agents, 350 airport agents and 225 other employees around the system. The carrier hopes to minimize many of the job cuts through voluntary exit programs, company-offered leaves of absence and attrition. These reductions are in addition to the approximately 4,300 employees currently on furlough or company-offered leaves of absence. The company believes it can avoid further elimination of flight attendant positions as a result of company-offered leaves of absence. Likewise, the company's staffing of maintenance workers has been addressed through a previously implemented hiring freeze.

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CONTINENTAL COST REDUCTIONS/Page 2

Shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, Continental reduced its management and clerical workforce by more than 20 percent. This week, Continental reduced its senior management ranks by more than 25 percent, and reduced its overall officer group by more than 15 percent.

In August 2002, Continental announced an initiative to contribute more than $350 million to pre-tax contribution through revenue generating and cost savings initiatives. The company exceeded its plan by achieving $400 million on an annual run-rate basis.

At the end of February, the company had approximately $1.2 billion in cash and short-term investments.

In addition to the 1,200 job cuts, other initiatives include:

• The elimination by Continental of paper tickets worldwide by June 30, 2004.
• A significant reduction in distribution expenses, by implementing a plan to more than double the utilization rate of continental.com, reduce CRS booking fees and reduce other distribution costs, by the end of 2004.
• The closing of select city ticket offices.
• The renegotiation of contracts with key suppliers.
• The reduction of airport facility costs and landing fees across Continental's system.
• Increased use of technology to reduce required staffing levels.

Separately, Continental said a protracted war with Iraq or continued soft demand could lead to further reductions in service, including to small and medium-sized communities, and further job eliminations.

Since September 2001, Continental has ended service to seven domestic destinations and has announced that service to two additional small communities would end in May. The airline reduced its domestic, mainline jet capacity by 6.8 percent in 2002 compared to 2001, and has grounded more than 20 mainline aircraft since Sept. 11, 2001, net of new aircraft deliveries. In addition, Continental Express has grounded 50 turboprop aircraft since September 2001.

This week, Continental announced temporary schedule reductions in select international markets, the result of decreased demand from postponed travel due to concerns of its customers regarding a potential conflict in the Middle East.

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CONTINENTAL COST REDUCTIONS/Page 3

From its New York hub at Newark Liberty International, Continental will reduce from two daily round trips to one daily round trip on routes to London/Gatwick and Paris/CDG, and will be using smaller aircraft on routes to both Amsterdam and Rome. From Houston/Bush Intercontinental, Continental will reduce from two daily round trips to one on service to London/Gatwick. These reductions are planned to be in effect from April 6 through May 1. Continental will reduce service on the Cleveland-London/Gatwick route from seven times per week to five times per week for the period April 15 through May 1. Additionally, daily service from New York to Tokyo/Narita has been reduced to four times weekly through April 24.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are not limited to historical facts, but reflect the company's current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements. For examples of such risks and uncertainties, please see the risk factors set forth in the company's 2002 10-K and its other securities filings, which identify important matters such as terrorist attacks, domestic and international economic conditions, the significant cost of aircraft fuel, labor costs, competition and industry conditions including the demand for air travel, airline pricing environment and industry capacity decisions, regulatory matters and the seasonal nature of the airline business. In addition to the foregoing risks, there can be no assurance that the company will be able to achieve the targeted pre-tax contributions from the re venue-generating and cost-reducing initiatives discussed in this press release, which will depend, among other matters, on customer acceptance, competitor actions, negotiations with third parties, identification of additional opportunities and other matters outside the company's control. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release.

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03056

EXHIBIT 99.2

Contact: Corporate Communications

Houston: 713.324.5080

Email: corpcomm@coair.com

HOUSTON, March 19, 2003 - Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced the retirement of four senior executive officers: George Mason, senior vice president technical operations; Bonnie Reitz, senior vice president sales and distribution; Barry Simon, senior vice president international; and Kuniaki (Jun) Tsuruta, senior vice president purchasing and material services, effective March 25, 2003.

"These executives have each made significant contributions to Continental Airlines and have played important roles in the success of our company," said Gordon Bethune, chairman and chief executive officer. "With their leadership, we have consistently outperformed our competitors in nearly every measure, delivering superior operating performance and the best product in the airline industry."

With these retirements and the previously announced retirement of its chief operating officer, Continental's executive officer group has been reduced by more than 25 percent. Following the events of Sept. 11, Continental's management and clerical group shrank by 20 percent, a level at which it remains today.

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Continental Airlines' board of directors elected President Larry Kellner as chief operating officer today, replacing C.D. McLean, whose retirement was announced on Tuesday.

Jeff Smisek, previously executive vice president corporate and secretary, has been named executive vice president of Continental, assuming additional responsibilities relating to corporate development and alliances. He continues to report to Chairman and CEO Gordon Bethune.

Jeff Misner, senior vice president and chief financial officer, who previously reported to Kellner, now reports to Bethune.

Jim Compton, formerly senior vice president pricing and revenue management, has been named senior vice president marketing, where he will oversee the company's domestic and international sales, marketing, reservations, network and distribution. He continues to report to Kellner.

Glen Hauenstein, previously senior vice president scheduling, assumes additional responsibilities as senior vice president network, overseeing revenue management, pricing and scheduling, and reports to Compton.

Capt. Deborah McCoy, senior vice president flight operations, assumes additional responsibilities overseeing inflight food services and safety, reporting to Kellner.

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