Amtrak and Continental Airlines Announce First Ever Code Share for Domestic Travel Thursday January 17, 9:19 AM EST Partnership Will Create Seamless Journey for Travelers in the Northeast NEWARK, N.J., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Amtrak and Continental Airlines (CAL) announced today that they have partnered to create the country's first domestic air/rail code share. Travelers will be able to transfer easily between Amtrak's northeast rail service in four major cities to air service via Continental Airlines at Newark International Airport under the landmark agreement. Under the nation's first air/rail code share, Continental Airlines will place its designator (CO*) code on Amtrak's Acela Regional and Keystone trains for connecting itineraries between Newark International Airport and four cities in the Northeast served by Amtrak -- Philadelphia Pa., Wilmington, Del., Stamford, Conn., and New Haven, Conn. Also as part of the agreement, members of Continental's OnePass program may earn miles when traveling on Amtrak's premiere Metroliner and Acela Express services between New York and either Boston or Washington, DC. With the code share agreement, Amtrak will provide service to and from the four stations to Continental Airlines connections at Newark International Airport. The airport's new rail terminal provides a seamless travel experience, transporting guests to and from the airline terminals via the airport monorail, the AirTrain. "This ground-breaking code share agreement means even more travel options for Amtrak's as well as Continental's guests," said George D. Warrington, President and CEO of Amtrak. "Travelers will be able to use Amtrak's frequent Northeast Corridor rail service and Continental's coast-to-coast air service to easily reach the destination of their choice." "Travelers in America may now enjoy the benefits of plane-to-train partnerships that those in Europe have realized for years," said Larry Kellner, Continental Airlines President. "This unprecedented partnership between Continental and Amtrak provides a fast and convenient air-rail link for seamless travel along the Northeast Corridor." The code share is scheduled to launch in mid-March and will allow travelers to make one reservation for both air and rail services by simply calling Continental Airlines or logging onto continental.com . Tickets may also be purchased through a travel agent but may not be purchased through Amtrak reservations. The train portion of the ticket will show a designated Continental flight number. Travelers on code share segments who are members of either corporation's loyalty program may earn Continental OnePass miles or Amtrak Guest Rewards points when they travel. While members cannot earn both miles and points for the same trip, they will be able to exchange miles and points between the programs starting in mid-March. In addition, guests traveling on Amtrak's Metroliner and Acela Express services between New York and either Boston or Washington may earn Continental OnePass miles or Amtrak Guest Rewards points. Under the code share agreement, Amtrak and Continental Airlines will be able to provide service to a greater number of markets, such as Philadelphia. Currently seventeen trains travel between Newark International Airport and Philadelphia every weekday, a level of service unmatched by any airline. With the new partnership, guests can easily travel between Philadelphia, Wilmington, Stamford, and New Haven and any number of destinations served by Continental Airlines.