e425
Filed by Continental Airlines, Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-6
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: Continental Airlines, Inc.
Commission File No.: 1-10323
Important Information For Investors And Stockholders
In connection with the proposed merger of equals transaction between UAL Corporation (UAL)
and Continental Airlines, Inc. (Continental), UAL filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC), and the SEC declared effective on August 18, 2010, a registration statement on
Form S-4 that includes a joint proxy statement of Continental and UAL that also constitutes a
prospectus of UAL. UAL and Continental have mailed the joint proxy statement/prospectus to their
respective security holders. UAL AND CONTINENTAL URGE INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE
JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND
IN THEIR ENTIRETY, AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors
and security holders may obtain free copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other
documents containing important information about UAL and Continental through the website maintained
by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by UAL are available
free of charge on UALs website at www.united.com under the tab Investor Relations or by
contacting UALs Investor Relations Department at (312) 997-8610. Copies of the documents filed
with the SEC by Continental are available free of charge on Continentals website at
www.continental.com under the tab About Continental and then under the tab Investor
Relations or by contacting Continentals Investor Relations Department at (713) 324-5152.
UAL, Continental and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be
deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed
transaction. Information about the directors and executive officers of Continental is set forth in
its proxy statement for its 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on
April 23, 2010, and the joint proxy statement/prospectus related to the proposed transaction.
Information about the directors and executive officers of UAL is set forth in its proxy statement
for its 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 30, 2010, and
the joint proxy statement/prospectus related to the proposed transaction. These documents can be
obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are not limited to
historical facts, but reflect Continentals and UALs current beliefs, expectations or intentions
regarding future events. Words such as may, will, could, should, expect, plan,
project, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, pursue,
target, continue, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, Continentals and UALs
expectations with respect to the synergies, costs and other anticipated financial impacts of the
proposed transaction; future financial and operating results of the combined company; the combined
companys plans, objectives, expectations and intentions with respect to future operations and
services; approval of the proposed transaction by stockholders and by governmental regulatory
authorities; the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the proposed transaction; and the timing
of the completion of the proposed transaction.
All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, many of which are
generally outside the control of Continental and UAL and are difficult to predict. Examples of
such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (1) the possibility that the proposed
transaction is delayed or does not close, including due to the failure to receive required
stockholder or regulatory approvals, the taking of governmental action (including the passage of
legislation) to block the transaction, or the failure of other closing conditions, and (2) the
possibility that the expected synergies will not be realized, or will not be realized within the
expected time period, because of, among other things, significant volatility in the cost of
aircraft fuel, the high leverage and other significant capital commitments of Continental and UAL,
the ability to obtain financing and to refinance the combined companys debt, the ability of
Continental and UAL to maintain and utilize their respective net operating losses, the impact of
labor relations, global economic conditions, fluctuations in exchange rates, competitive actions
taken by other airlines, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, difficulties in integrating the two
airlines, the willingness of customers to travel by air, actions taken or conditions imposed by the
U.S. and foreign governments or other regulatory matters, excessive taxation, further industry
consolidation and changes in airlines alliances, the availability and cost of insurance and public
health threats.
UAL and Continental caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional
information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in Continentals and UALs most
recently filed Annual Reports on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent
Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other SEC filings. All subsequent written and oral
forward-looking statements concerning Continental, UAL, the proposed transaction or other matters
and attributable to Continental or UAL or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified
in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Neither Continental nor UAL undertakes any
obligation to publicly update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances that may arise after the date hereof.
*****
The following articles will be included in the September edition of the Continental in-flight
magazine, which will be available on Continental flights beginning on or before September 1, 2010:
Welcome aboard, and on behalf of my more than 40,000 co-workers, thank you for choosing Continental
Airlines.
Focusing on the business traveler is our specialty. We improve our product by listening to our
business customers and focusing on the tools and products that can help make their business trips
comfortable and productive.
For example, were installing new flat-bed BusinessFirst seats on all our Boeing 777 and Boeing
757-200 aircraft, as well as on substantially all our Boeing 767-400s, so you can get a good
nights sleep on your international flights. Our 25 Boeing 787 Dreamliners will also be delivered
to us with the new flat-bed seats.
The No. 1 way we contribute to the business travel experience is by providing the best service in
the skies. Our Working Together culture helps us deliver that service, and were proud of it.
This month, Id like to thank one of my co-workers, Houston-based 737 First Officer Wade Overmyer.
You can read more about Wade on page 66.
We expect to merge with United Airlines in the fourth quarter. Ill be the President & CEO of the
new airline, and our commitment to the business traveler will be as strong as ever. We will offer
you a broad, global network and the industrys best frequent flyer program. I look forward to
working with the great co-workers of both companies to create the worlds leading airline.
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/s/ Jeff Smisek
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Jeff Smisek
Chairman, President and CEO
Continental Airlines |
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*****
The United Continental Merger
What Does it Mean For You?
3 Things Frequent Flyers Should Know
Members of Uniteds Mileage Plus program and Continentals OnePass program will continue to have
excellent mileage earning and redemption opportunities, and elite members will enjoy special
recognition as a result of their status.
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At a future date, after the merger closes, the two frequent flyer programs will be
combined into one. Until then, well continue to operate both programs. |
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Members of either program currently have the ability to earn and redeem miles on either
airlines flights. |
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Both airlines are members of Star Alliance, providing further frequent flyer benefits. |
{Our combined airline will bring together the best of both companies.}
Lets Fly Together
Located around the world, the people of the new United Airlines will be focused on delivering the
high-quality service our customers expect. The company will emphasize a Working Together culture
that creates an environment where employees enjoy coming to work, treat each other and customers
with dignity and respect, and deliver great service.
Planned Merger Timeline
Planning for the new United is moving ahead. Watch for merger integration to occur in a series of
steps.
May 3, 2010
Merger agreement announced
September 2010
Shareholders vote on merger proposal*
4th Quarter 2010
Legal merger expected to close
Continental and United begin painting aircraft with new United livery*
2011
Customers travel experience will begin to be streamlined with unified check-in facilities and
airport lounges
First Half 2012
Continental and United operate as one carrier with single FAA certificate*
*expected
A Network Like None Other
The new United will have an unparalleled global route network with comprehensive service to six
continents North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. In total, 10 hubs
will provide travelers with convenient connections wherever they need to go.
Combined Hubs
Chicago Cleveland Denver Guam Houston Los Angeles
New York/Newark San Francisco Tokyo Washington, D.C.
A Place to Relax
Global travelers have special needs, including having a place to work and relax at the airport.
United Red Carpet Club and Continental Presidents Club lounges provide comfort and amenities that
help business travelers be more productive at 69 locations worldwide. The current reciprocal
privileges for members of the two programs will be enhanced in 2011 with the introduction of a
single, unified membership.
For more information, see UnitedContinentalMerger.com