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Continental #1 in Fortune mag
Okay, the competition couldn't have been all that stiff. Continental Airlines was rated the top airline in Fortune magazine's annual list of most admired companies. Its score of 7.71 was not good enough to push the company into the top 50, though. This is the sixth year in a row that Continental has taken the lead spot in the airline category. Somehow, Southwest is listed as #7 on the full list, though it scored behind Continental.
Looks like Fortune is suffering from a case of "journalist's math."
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Larry Kellner said that "Continental's more than 42,000 co-workers are the reason for our success, and I'm proud to see their hard work recognized again this year." Apparently, he has forgotten that the passengers shelling out cash to fly on the airline's 2,800 daily departures might have something to do with that, too.
Air France-KLM followed Continental with a score of 7.15. Southwest Airlines (6.89), Singapore Airlines (6.57) and Delta Airlines (6.18) were also recognized on the Fortune list.
Funny, JetBlue didn't show up.
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Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines, News, Airline Reviews
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bill Mar 3rd 2009 6:23PM
I do not recall flying Continental in all my flying. Hard to imagine they have been able to keep up the score for so many years in a row.
I have not flown on Southwest either but they sure seem like a great airline to fly and work for from what I hear.
I have flown Alaska Airlines a lot and have always found them be a great airline.
I have not enjoyed Delta that much tough but United was my least favorite.
http://www.mycampingsource.com/sleeping-bag-reviews/marmot-hydrogen-sleeping-bag/
Brandon Murphy Mar 3rd 2009 9:28PM
Continental is no doubt a good airline. Check out 22squared's version of the airline story. They rank 5 airlines (not including Continental) by customer advocacy: the number of their passengers who are willing to promote and recommend the airline to others. Jet Blue ranks the highest followed by Southwest. They also dig deeper by characterizing the behaviors that make passengers more loyal and more outspoken about Jet Blue and Southwest.
The study of 1000 customers across 5 airline brands also links advocacy to revenue growth. Download the full study here: http://blog.22squared.com/?q=node/202
Sara Mar 4th 2009 9:25AM
I don't remember flying continental but I just flew Iceland Air and it was fantastic!! I also fly NW frequently and they do alright...although they still haven't fixed my frequent flier miles and that makes me sad...
JACK Mar 4th 2009 3:16PM
CONTINENTAL, HAS ALL NEW LIGHT WEIGHT PLANES, THAT IS WHAT HAS PUT THEM WERE THERE AT, MOST OF THE OTHER CARRIERS HAVE OLD GAS GUSLERS.
Mike Mar 4th 2009 6:58PM
Continental flys the same planes as every other airline. Almost all "old" aircraft have been removed from top airlines, only in service with frieght, and third tier airlines now.
SWA Guy Mar 4th 2009 3:17PM
Where is your information coming from? I went to Fortune's website via your link provided and found the article. The only airline to make it into the top 50 was Southwest Airlines at #7, tied with FedEx. Continental was not the top airline, much less the #1 Most Admired Company in the world.
cal10pilot Mar 4th 2009 3:34PM
what do you expect from a guy named SWA..... if you could read, you could have become a real airline pilot. So, how do you like paying the fines for flying unsafe airplanes? How many millions??? Was it 60,000 illegal flights on mechanically unsound airplanes?
cal10pilot Mar 4th 2009 3:17PM
I JUST HOPE THEY CONTINUE TO PAY ME WHAT THEY OWE ME. ANOTHER 5.8 YEARS. THEN, MAYBE I CAN GET MY FROZEN PENSION. IF ANYONE GROUP OF EMPLOYEES NEEDS A BAILOUT, IT'S AIRLINE PILOTS. IF YOU LIE DOWN AND COWER, YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE.
KG Mar 4th 2009 3:17PM
Crickey!! After all the turmoil in the airline industry it's simply amazing that Continental ("Fly Me" and "Plane with the Golden Tail" controversies many years ago) is still in the skies. I say this because I interviewed them for a job at my school in the 60's. They were considered the premier domestic airline then. Apparently they still are today. Congrats!
Allen Bishop Mar 4th 2009 3:17PM
28 years ago I fly for the first time and it was a Continental flight. I haven't had occasion to fly with them since then. 7 years ago I flew for my second time, this time for a vacation to Hawaii and I was on a Delta flight in which they sent my luggage to Seattle Washington. They gave me a tooth brush and tooth paste and delivered my luggage a couple days later. No other compensation and no apology. Every summer since I have been flying United to Hawaii for vacation and I have been very satisfied!!! My luggage has never been lost and they have always been very friendly.
himi Mar 4th 2009 3:17PM
That certainly does not speak well for the rest of the other carriers. It gives them a new low the can work towards.
Deacon Mar 4th 2009 4:10PM
Maybe, Fortune Magazine should consider the placement of the only major Airline that has not gone belly up....ONCE......TWICE......or TRICE.
Like that of AMR
Indy Mar 4th 2009 4:30PM
Seriously, how wrong can this article be?? I followed the link provided by the author in the text and Southwest is tied for #7 with FedEx. ??? Care to explain???
Scott Carmichael Mar 4th 2009 7:38PM
Nothing to explain. Go to the article, on the right hand column you'll see "Find companies you most admire". Select "airlines" and then click submit.
The information in this article is right there.
Continental is number 1 (also can be found directly here: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/mostadmired/2009/industries/2.html ).
The exact lineup as listed is:
1 Continental Airlines 7.71
2 Air France-KLM Group 7.15
3 Southwest Airlines 6.89
4 Singapore Airlines 6.85
5 Lufthansa Group 6.57
6 Delta Air Lines 6.18
marta Mar 4th 2009 4:30PM
I fly a lot, I have been flying since the Eastern Airlines time. I flew Eastern, American, Continental, Tower, Pan Am, United and Jet Blue. So far Jet Blue is the best! And Jack, for your information Jet Blue is the ONLY airline with all aircraft brand new and since the late 90's when it started to give service It has "0", none, fatal accidents.
A Jet Blue Big Fan
Rick Mar 4th 2009 5:26PM
Yeah but to the "Jet Bue is the best" comment your right they are a young airline with all new aircraft....trust me once those "new" aircraft require routine C checks and full D checks and the cost involved, you will begin to see a different airline.....you can hold your " the best" tag until that airline gets more years under it's belt and can maintain a record such as Southwest. Now saying Continental is a joke....i mean most people know the muliple times they have filed for chapter 11 and your gonna reward them with the "#1" tag? lol boy i guess this mirrors with whats going on in the economy " hey folks if you screw up and we bail you out only to screw up again and again, we'll reward you"
Joe Mar 4th 2009 4:31PM
So who is Tom Johansmeyer, and why does he think he can write about airlines?
I have worked for CO since 1973, and I know why we are rated at the top of Airlines...if you don't know, then come fly us, and then you will.
Rocketman Mar 4th 2009 4:37PM
A friend of mine who is a retired Continental Captain says the airline has "stolen" his retirement and left him with nothing. Nice bunch.
Me Mar 7th 2009 6:02PM
Is your friend cal10pilot? He seems pretty bitter about his retirement. Great airline!?
cal10pilot Apr 14th 2009 6:25PM
why would i be bitter about my retirement? i don't work, but still get paid... the fact that i left CO the day after they froze my pension must mean something.... i don't work for free.... yup, how bitter is that? life on a hawaiian beach is REALLY tough.