United and Continental Airlines launch service on new international routes

"Since our merger last year, the new United's unmatched global route network and U.S. hub structure have allowed us to offer our customers more flights to more places they want to go," said Jim Compton, executive vice president and chief revenue officer. "By adding these new international routes, we continue to put the right aircraft in the right markets to serve our customers' needs."

Continental will add new daily nonstop flights beginning in May 2012 between Washington/Dulles and Manchester, U.K., and beginning in June 2012 between Washington/Dulles and Dublin, Ireland, subject to government approval. The airline will also add weekly nonstop service between Los Angeles and Durango, Mexico, in March 2012, subject to government approval.

United will add new daily nonstop flights between New York/Newark Liberty and Buenos Aires, Argentina, in April 2012.

In addition, Continental will launch previously announced new daily service between Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport and Lagos, Nigeria, on Nov. 16, 2011, and a second daily flight between New York/Newark Liberty to Frankfurt, Germany, on Jan. 2, 2012.