CO takes delivery of new Boeing 757-300 aircraft
CO on Thursday took delivery of its first Boeing 757-300 aircraft
from The Boeing Company as part of the carrier's ongoing fleet modernization
program. The aircraft is the first of 15 Boeing 757-300 aircraft to be
delivered through 2005.
The aircraft, with 24 seats in first class and 186 seats in economy,
will fly primarily domestic routes. The 757-300, a stretched version of the
757-200, carries 27 more economy customers than the 757-200 and increases
the available cargo volume by nearly 40 percent.
As CO moves toward just three fleet types, the 777, 767/757 and the
737, the carrier increases its efficiency with reduced fuel consumption,
flexibility in scheduling and spare parts inventory commonality. The
financing for this aircraft, along with other aircraft delivered to CO since
Sept. 11, was raised earlier in 2001.
"The new Boeing 757-300 allows Continental to meet increased
capacity demands on certain routes, while maintaining a common and efficient
fleet," said Gordon.
The 757-300 will be powered by Rolls-Royce RB211 engines, which have
demonstrated a high degree of reliability. This order will take CO's 757
fleet to 56 aircraft, including the 41 757-200s the carrier has acquired
beginning in 1994. CO operates a total fleet of 351 jets.