UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 30, 2004

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

DELAWARE

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

1-10323

74-2099724

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1600 Smith Street, Dept. HQSEO, Houston, Texas

77002

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

(713) 324-2950

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

______________________________________

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act

(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act

(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

On November 30, 2004, we announced the election of Jeff Smisek, executive vice president and president-elect of Continental Airlines, Inc., to our board of directors. Smisek will join the board upon the retirement of Gordon Bethune, current chairman and chief executive officer, filling the vacancy on the board created by Bethune's resignation as a board member, expected to occur Dec. 30, 2004. In addition, Smisek will serve on the board's finance committee.

The press release announcing the election of Mr. Smisek to the board of directors is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

    1. Exhibits

 

99.1

Press Release Announcing Election of Jeffery A. Smisek to the Company's Board of Directors

     

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Continental Airlines, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

 

 

November 30, 2004

By   /s/ Jennifer Vogel

 

        Jennifer L. Vogel

 

        Senior Vice President, General Counsel
        and Secretary

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1

Press Release Announcing Election of Jeffery A. Smisek to the Company's Board of Directors