This article from NYTimes.com has been sent to you by psa188@xxxxxxxxx /-------------------- advertisement -----------------------\ Explore more of Starbucks at Starbucks.com. http://www.starbucks.com/default.asp?ci=1015 \----------------------------------------------------------/ Continental to Pamper Premium Fliers September 15, 2003 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 3:37 p.m. ET HOUSTON (AP) -- Continental Airlines unveiled Monday a plan to pamper customers who pay full fares with guarantees of no middle seats, priority boarding and baggage handling and even new carpet in boarding areas designating their higher status. Gordon Bethune, chairman and chief executive of the Houston-based airline, said the move is intended to provide services for customers seeking more than what they get from low-cost carriers and perks that differentiate them from discount-fare economy travelers in the next row. ``There are still people who want creature comforts,'' Bethune said. First class and business class travelers for all the major airlines get the usual perks of boarding first and access to exclusive clubs during layovers. But economy travelers who pay the full ride generally get only the benefit of a refundable ticket, Bethune said. Continental hopes its so-called ``EliteAccess'' program will increase loyalty among and attract more full-fare business travelers. Bethune said about 36 percent of the airline's profits now come from business travel revenues, compared to 45 percent during Continental's ``heyday'' in 2000. ``Anything north of 36 would be good for us,'' he said. The move will allow full-fare customers to obtain boarding passes quicker, obtain upgrades to first class if space is available, get through security checkpoints faster where permitted and board aircraft before boarding is opened up to all those seated in economy class. The preferred customers also can go straight to the head of the line if they arrive after general boarding has commenced. Their luggage will be unloaded first at the destination airport. They will be guaranteed to never be assigned a middle seat, and more than 350 boarding gates will be modified with new blue carpets and gold stanchions marking the path to priority boarding. The new program will be available to first class and business class ticketholders and the approximate 20 percent of economy-class travelers who pay full fares. Bethune said he isn't concerned about alienating discount-fare travelers by giving extras to travelers who pay more. http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-Continental-Premium-Fliers.html?ex=1064656615&ei=1&en=91a3da08620d436a --------------------------------- Get Home Delivery of The New York Times Newspaper. Imagine reading The New York Times any time & anywhere you like! Leisurely catch up on events & expand your horizons. Enjoy now for 50% off Home Delivery! Click here: http://www.nytimes.com/ads/nytcirc/index.html HOW TO ADVERTISE --------------------------------- For information on advertising in e-mail newsletters or other creative advertising opportunities with The New York Times on the Web, please contact onlinesales@xxxxxxxxxxx or visit our online media kit at http://www.nytimes.com/adinfo For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help@xxxxxxxxxxxx Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company