Houston, TX 1934-2010

Continental Airlines began service in 1934 as Varney Speed Lines. Following cancellation of all domestic airmail contracts by the U.S. Govenment in 1934, Robert Six learned of an opportunity to buy into the Southwest Division of Varney Speed Lines and did so. The carrier was renamed Continental Air Lines on July 8, 1937. ("Air Lines" was later changed to "Airlines".) Six relocated the airline's headquarters to Denver Union (later Stapleton) Airport in Denver in October 1937. In 1953, Continental achieved its first major expansion by merging with Pioneer Airlines.The airline expanded its domestic U.S. network in the 1960s with jet aircraft. International flights to Southeast Asia and South Pacific destinations began in 1978 following industry deregulation. Continental was embroiled in ownership struggles in the 1980s and entered bankruptcy in 1983 and 1990. The carrier exhibited a financial and operational turnaround after 1996, and embarked on international route expansion in the 2000s. As a result of Continental's experience in Pacific operations, the carrier formed subsidiary Air Micronesia. Air Micronesia operated as subsidiary Continental Micronesia until 2010. In 1981 Texas Air Corporation, an airline holding company controlled by U.S. aviation entrepreneur Frank Lorenzo, acquired Continental after a contentious battle with Continental's management and labor who were determined to resist Lorenzo. In the end, Texas Air Corp. prevailed. Frank Lorenzo became Continental's new Chairman and CEO. On October 31, 1982 Continental merged with Texas International. The merged carrier retained the Continental name, brand, and identity; the TI brand and identity disappeared. The "new Continental" relocated its headquarters to Texas Air's base in Houston, Texas. The Board of Directors at Continental and United airlines approved a stock-swap deal on May 2, 2010. The new airline will take on the United Airlines name and be based in Chicago. On August 27, 2010, US regulators approved the planned merger. On October 1, 2010, UAL Corporation completed its merger with Continental Airlines and changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc. Both carriers began merging its operations in 2011, and the airlines attained a single operating certificate from the FAA on November 30, 2011. Continental's air operator's certificate was retained, while those of United and Continental Micronesia were surrendered. On the other hand, United's maintenance certificate remained while Continental's did not. On December 22, 2010, Continental Airlines merged operating certificates with Continental Micronesia.