Continental Airlines Receive the Boeing 737-800 with Sky Interior

Continental Airlines is the first airline in the USA to receive a new 737-800 with the new Sky Interior from Boeing.

The major makeover means new stowage bins, new sidewalls, a new lighting system, new ceiling panels, new air vents, new passenger service units and new flight attendant panels. For first and business passengers, this means a new level of comfort and style.

The refreshed aircraft features more modern sculpted sidewalls and larger overhead bins that retract into the ceiling, meaning there will be more room for carry-on bags whilst the bins will take up less space in the cabin.

The new LED lighting is more energy efficient and lasts longer, plus the lights are brighter and can portray different colour schemes such as a blue sky or sunset colours.

Passengers should also notice that the cabin is much quieter, the switches and call buttons are more conveniently placed, and the sound quality in the speakers in each passenger row is much clearer.

“When customers first step on the plane, they will immediately notice the fresh cabin architecture,” said Ron Baur, vice president fleet. “This modern interior gives the airplane a more open look and feel while increasing cabin comfort and overhead storage space.”

Continental’s 737-800 has a two class configuration with 14, 16 or 20 First Class seats. Seats have a  pitch of 38”, width of 21” and a recline of 7.5” which doesn’t allow passengers to lie fully flat but does mean they have a bit more room to relax and sleep.

Continental’s First Class on the new next generation 737-800 (the equivalent of Business Class) has spacious leather seats, a 6-way adjustable headrest cover and in-seat power ports. DirectTV individual television screens with live programming are being installed on the aircraft though it is not known whether the new next generation 737-800 has them. Premium passengers also have the benefit of a pre-departure beverage service, complimentary alcoholic beverage service, a selection of premium wines, complimentary blankets, hot towel service, fine dining on flights over 2 hours, complimentary headsets for watching entertainment, plus priority check-in, baggage handling and boarding.

Continental is now a wholly owned subsidiary of United Continental Holdings Inc and the het has the new United Airlines livery. The new Boeing 737-800 will be flown to Continental’s maintenance facility in Orlando, where it will be fitted with fuel-saving winglets, before entering service. Continental will have several more 737s with the new Sky Interior delivered over the course of this year.