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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2004</DIV>



<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-____</B></DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


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<P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B></DIV>


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<P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt"><B>CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.</B>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="85%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="31%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="31%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="31%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Delaware<BR>
(State or other jurisdiction<BR>
of incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">1600 Smith Street, Dept. HQSEO<BR>
Houston, Texas 77002<BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)<BR>
(Zip Code)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">74-2099724<BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>
Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.<BR>
2004 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Full title of the
plan)



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">Jennifer L. Vogel, Esq.<BR>
Senior Vice President,<BR>
General Counsel and Secretary<BR>
Continental Airlines, Inc.<BR>
1600 Smith Street, Dept. HQSLG<BR>
Houston, Texas 77002<BR>
(713)&nbsp;324-5207<BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)<BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)



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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="37%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="34%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Amount to be</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of registration</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>securities to be registered</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>registered</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>offering price per share(1)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>aggregate offering price(1)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>fee</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

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<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px">Class&nbsp;B Common Stock, </DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:20px; text-indent:-10px">par value $.01 per share (2)(3)</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">3,000,000 Shares(3)(4)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">$14.09</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD>42,270,000</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD>5,355.61</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt">(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, in
accordance with Rule&nbsp;457(h), using the average of the high and low prices of
the Class&nbsp;B Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on
March&nbsp;8, 2004.


<P align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt">(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This registration statement also relates to rights to purchase shares of
Series&nbsp;A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Registrant. One right is
attached to and trades with each share of the Registrant&#146;s Class&nbsp;B Common
Stock. Until the occurrence of certain events, the rights are not exercisable
and will not be evidenced or transferred apart from the Registrant&#146;s Class&nbsp;B
Common Stock. Any value attributable to such rights is reflected in the market
price of the Registrant&#146;s Class&nbsp;B Common Stock.


<P align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt">(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416(c), this registration statement also
covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to
the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.


<P align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt">(4)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of
additional shares issuable to prevent dilution in the event of stock splits,
stock dividends or similar adjustments of the outstanding Class&nbsp;B Common Stock.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
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	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">Part II<BR> INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#008"> SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h13271exv5.htm">Opinion/Consent of Senior VP, General Counsel</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h13271exv23w1.htm">Consent of Ernst & Young LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h13271exv24.htm">Powers of Attorney</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h13271exv99w1.htm">2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<!-- link1 "Part II<BR> INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Part II<BR>
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>


<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents, which have been filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (&#147;SEC&#148;) by Continental Airlines, Inc. (the
&#147;Registrant&#148; or the &#147;Company&#148;) (Exchange Act File No.&nbsp;0-9781), are
incorporated herein by reference:


<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="right">(i)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2003;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="right">(ii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January&nbsp;6, 2004,
January&nbsp;16, 2004, February&nbsp;3, 2004 and March&nbsp;1, 2004;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="right">(iii)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>the description of the Company&#146;s Class&nbsp;B common stock
contained in the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form
8-A/A, as filed with the SEC on February&nbsp;6, 2001, and any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
description; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="right">(iv)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>the description of the Company&#146;s Series&nbsp;A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock and related rights associated
with the Class&nbsp;B common stock contained in the Company&#146;s
Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A, as filed with the SEC
on January&nbsp;22, 2001, and any amendment or report filed for
the purpose of updating such description.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to
Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered
hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to
be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. Any
statement contained herein or in any document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent
that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this
Registration Statement, except as so modified or superseded.

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.

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<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Certain legal matters with respect to the Class&nbsp;B common stock
offered hereby are being passed upon by Jennifer L. Vogel, Senior Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Registrant. Ms.&nbsp;Vogel,
as an employee of the Registrant, is eligible to participate in the
Continental Airlines, Inc. 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Company&#146;s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the
&#147;Certificate of Incorporation&#148;) and bylaws provide that the Company will
indemnify each of its directors and officers to the full extent
permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware and may indemnify
certain other persons as authorized by the Delaware General Corporation
Law (the &#147;GCL&#148;). Section&nbsp;145 of the GCL provides as follows:



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#148;(a)&nbsp;A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other
than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of
the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee
or agent of the corporation, or


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">1
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines and amounts
paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person
in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person
acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation,
and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe the person&#146;s conduct was unlawful. The
termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of <I>nolo contendere </I>or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the
person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person&#146;s
conduct was unlawful.



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right
of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of
the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee
or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request
of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) actually
and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the
defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted
in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and
except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any
claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been
adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the
extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such
action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that,
despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of
Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) To the extent that a present or former director or
officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to
in subsections (a)&nbsp;and (b)&nbsp;of this section, or in defense of any
claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified
against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a)&nbsp;and (b)&nbsp;of this
section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the
corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a
determination that indemnification of the present or former
director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the
circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard
of conduct set forth in subsections (a)&nbsp;and (b)&nbsp;of this section.
Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is
a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1)&nbsp;by a
majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action,
suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2)&nbsp;by a
committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such
directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3)&nbsp;if there are no
such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent
legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4)&nbsp;by the stockholders.



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) Expenses (including attorney&#146;s fees) incurred by an
officer or director in defending any civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be
paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of
such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by
or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if
it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled
to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this
section. Such expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) incurred by
former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be
so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation
deems appropriate.



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided
by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those
seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled
under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person&#146;s
official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">2
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted
against such person and incurred by such person in any such
capacity, or arising out of such person&#146;s status as such, whether
or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such
person against such liability under this section.



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(h) For purposes of this section, references to &#145;the
corporation&#146; shall include, in addition to the resulting
corporation, any constituent corporation (including any
constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or
merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have
had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and
employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is
or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand
in the same position under this section with respect to the
resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with
respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence
had continued.



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) For purposes of this section, references to &#145;other
enterprises&#146; shall include employee benefit plans; references to
&#145;fines&#146; shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with
respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to &#145;serving
at the request of the corporation&#146; shall include any service as a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which
imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director,
officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit
plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in
good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be
in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an
employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner
&#145;not opposed to the best interests of the corporation&#146; as referred
to in this section.



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided
by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise
provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who
has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall
inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of
such a person.



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive
jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of
expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under
any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily
determine a corporation&#146;s obligation to advance expenses
(including attorneys&#146; fees).&#148;


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws also limit the
personal liability of directors to the Company and its stockholders for
monetary damages resulting from certain breaches of the director&#146;s
fiduciary duties. The bylaws of the Company provide as follows:



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&#147;No Director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to
the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except for liability (i)
for any breach of the Director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its stockholders, (ii)&nbsp;for acts or omissions not in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii)&nbsp;under Section&nbsp;174 of the GCL, or (iv)&nbsp;for
any transaction from which the Director derived any improper
personal benefit. If the GCL is amended to authorize corporate
action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of
Directors, then the liability of Directors of the Corporation
shall be eliminated or limited to the full extent permitted by the
GCL, as so amended.&#148;


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company maintains directors&#146; and officers&#146; liability insurance.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid
by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection
with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">3
</DIV>

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<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Reference is made to the
Exhibit&nbsp;Index which immediately precedes the
exhibits filed with this Registration Statement.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act;



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the
most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually
or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration statement;



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<I>Provided, however</I>, that paragraphs (i)&nbsp;and (ii)&nbsp;do not apply
if the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of
the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
the termination of the offering.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4)&nbsp;That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;See the final paragraph under the heading &#147;Item&nbsp;6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers&#148; for the undertaking pursuant
to Item 512(h) of Regulation&nbsp;S-K.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">4
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 " SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>The Registrant</B>. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that
it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March&nbsp;9,
2004.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="36%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left"><B>CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.</B></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Jennifer L. Vogel</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><HR size="1" noshade width="100%" align="center"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Jennifer L. Vogel</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Senior Vice President, General Counsel</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">and Secretary</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on March&nbsp;9, 2004.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="43%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="52%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Signature </B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title</B></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Gordon M. Bethune</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer<BR>
(Principal Executive Officer) and Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Lawrence W. Kellner</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
President, Chief Operating Officer<BR>
and Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Jeffrey J. Misner<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Jeffrey J. Misner</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer<BR>
(Principal Financial Officer)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">/s/ Chris T. Kenny<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Chris T. Kenny</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Vice President and Controller<BR>
(Principal Accounting Officer)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Thomas J. Barrack, Jr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
David Bonderman</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Kirbyjon H. Caldwell</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Patrick Foley</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="52%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" colspan="2" nowrap valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Douglas H. McCorkindale</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" colspan="2" nowrap valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Henry L. Meyer III</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap colspan="2" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Richard W. Pogue</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap colspan="2" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Ronald B. Woodard</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap colspan="2" valign="top">*<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Charles A. Yamarone</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD nowrap colspan="2" valign="top"><HR align="left" noshade size="1" width="50%"></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="right" nowrap valign="top">*By:</TD>
    <TD align="center">/s/ Jennifer L. Vogel<HR noshade size="1">Jennifer L. Vogel, Attorney-in-Fact</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt"><B>The Plan</B>. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
trustees (or other persons who administer the
employee benefit plan) have duly caused this Registration Statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of Houston, State of Texas, on March&nbsp;9, 2004.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="center"><B>CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.</B><BR></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="center"><B>2004 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN</B><BR></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Jennifer L. Vogel<HR size="1" noshade width="100%" align="center"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Jennifer L. Vogel</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Senior Vice President, General Counsel</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">and Secretary</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="83%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Exhibit No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->


<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>




<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">_
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended
December&nbsp;31, 2000 (the &#147;2000 10-K&#148;)).</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1(a)
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">_
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Certificate of Designation of Series&nbsp;A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, included
as Exhibit&nbsp;A to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>



<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1(b)&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">_
</TD>


    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Designation of Series&nbsp;A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1(b) to the
Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2001).</TD>
</TR>



<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
















<TR valign="bottom">

<TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1(c)&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">_
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Corrected Certificate of Designation of Series&nbsp;B Preferred Stock (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Company&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter
ended March&nbsp;31, 2003 (the &#147;2003 Q1 10-Q&#148;)).</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">_
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">By-Laws, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to the 2003 Q1 10-Q).</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">_
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Specimen Class&nbsp;B Common Stock Certificate of the Company (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;S-1 Registration Statement (No.&nbsp;33-68870)).</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>






<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">_
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Specimen Series&nbsp;B Preferred Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.1(c) to the 2000 10-K).</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>




<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.5&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">_
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of November&nbsp;15, 2000, between the
Company and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
99.11 to the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K dated November&nbsp;15, 2000).</TD>
</TR>




<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>




<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.6
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Form of Right Certificate, included as Exhibit&nbsp;B to Exhibit&nbsp;4.5.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Opinion of Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Consent of Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Powers of Attorney.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">99.1*
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&#151;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Continental Airlines, Inc. 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>




<P>
<HR size="1" width="18%" align="left" noshade>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96%">*Filed herewith.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>




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</HTML>
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sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 10, 2004
Registration No. 333-____
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
1600 Smith Street, Dept. HQSEO
Houston, Texas 77002
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
74-2099724
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.
2004 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(Full title of the
plan)
Jennifer L. Vogel, Esq.
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
Continental Airlines, Inc.
1600 Smith Street, Dept. HQSLG
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 324-5207
(Name and address of agent for service)
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of
Amount to be
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Amount of registration
securities to be registered
registered
offering price per share(1)
aggregate offering price(1)
fee
Class B Common Stock,
par value $.01 per share (2)(3)
3,000,000 Shares(3)(4)
$14.09
$
42,270,000
$
5,355.61
(1)     Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, in
accordance with Rule 457(h), using the average of the high and low prices of
the Class B Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on
March 8, 2004.
(2)     This registration statement also relates to rights to purchase shares of
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Registrant. One right is
attached to and trades with each share of the Registrant's Class B Common
Stock. Until the occurrence of certain events, the rights are not exercisable
and will not be evidenced or transferred apart from the Registrant's Class B
Common Stock. Any value attributable to such rights is reflected in the market
price of the Registrant's Class B Common Stock.
(3)     In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c), this registration statement also
covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to
the 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
(4)     This Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of
additional shares issuable to prevent dilution in the event of stock splits,
stock dividends or similar adjustments of the outstanding Class B Common Stock.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
Item 4. Description of Securities
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed
Item 8. Exhibits
Item 9. Undertakings
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
Opinion/Consent of Senior VP, General Counsel
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
Powers of Attorney
2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Table of Contents
Part II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents, which have been filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") by Continental Airlines, Inc. (the
"Registrant" or the "Company") (Exchange Act File No. 0-9781), are
incorporated herein by reference:
(i)
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2003;
(ii)
Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 6, 2004,
January 16, 2004, February 3, 2004 and March 1, 2004;
(iii)
the description of the Company's Class B common stock
contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form
8-A/A, as filed with the SEC on February 6, 2001, and any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
description; and
(iv)
the description of the Company's Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock and related rights associated
with the Class B common stock contained in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A, as filed with the SEC
on January 22, 2001, and any amendment or report filed for
the purpose of updating such description.
All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered
hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities remaining
unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to
be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. Any
statement contained herein or in any document incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent
that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this
Registration Statement, except as so modified or superseded.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Certain legal matters with respect to the Class B common stock
offered hereby are being passed upon by Jennifer L. Vogel, Senior Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Registrant. Ms. Vogel,
as an employee of the Registrant, is eligible to participate in the
Continental Airlines, Inc. 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The
Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the
"Certificate of Incorporation") and bylaws provide that the Company will
indemnify each of its directors and officers to the full extent
permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware and may indemnify
certain other persons as authorized by the Delaware General Corporation
Law (the "GCL"). Section 145 of the GCL provides as follows:
"(a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other
than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of
the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee
or agent of the corporation, or
1
Table of Contents
is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts
paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person
in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person
acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation,
and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was unlawful. The
termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of
nolo contendere
or its
equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the
person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person's
conduct was unlawful.
(b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right
of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of
the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee
or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request
of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually
and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the
defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted
in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and
except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any
claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been
adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the
extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such
action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that,
despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of
Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that a present or former director or
officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to
in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any
claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this
section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the
corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a
determination that indemnification of the present or former
director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the
circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard
of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is
a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a
majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action,
suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a
committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such
directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no
such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent
legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.
(e) Expenses (including attorney's fees) incurred by an
officer or director in defending any civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be
paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of
such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by
or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if
it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled
to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this
section. Such expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by
former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be
so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation
deems appropriate.
(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided
by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those
seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled
under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person's
official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office.
2
Table of Contents
(g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted
against such person and incurred by such person in any such
capacity, or arising out of such person's status as such, whether
or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such
person against such liability under this section.
(h) For purposes of this section, references to 'the
corporation' shall include, in addition to the resulting
corporation, any constituent corporation (including any
constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or
merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have
had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and
employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is
or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand
in the same position under this section with respect to the
resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with
respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence
had continued.
(i) For purposes of this section, references to 'other
enterprises' shall include employee benefit plans; references to
'fines' shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with
respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to 'serving
at the request of the corporation' shall include any service as a
director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which
imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director,
officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit
plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in
good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be
in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an
employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner
'not opposed to the best interests of the corporation' as referred
to in this section.
(j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided
by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise
provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who
has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall
inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of
such a person.
(k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive
jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of
expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under
any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily
determine a corporation's obligation to advance expenses
(including attorneys' fees)."
The Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws also limit the
personal liability of directors to the Company and its stockholders for
monetary damages resulting from certain breaches of the director's
fiduciary duties. The bylaws of the Company provide as follows:
"No Director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to
the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as a Director, except for liability (i)
for any breach of the Director's duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the GCL, or (iv) for
any transaction from which the Director derived any improper
personal benefit. If the GCL is amended to authorize corporate
action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of
Directors, then the liability of Directors of the Corporation
shall be eliminated or limited to the full extent permitted by the
GCL, as so amended."
The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid
by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection
with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
3
Table of Contents
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Reference is made to the
Exhibit Index which immediately precedes the
exhibits filed with this Registration Statement.
Item 9. Undertakings.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or the
most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually
or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement;
Provided, however
, that paragraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply
if the information required to be included in a post-effective
amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
See the final paragraph under the heading "Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers" for the undertaking pursuant
to Item 512(h) of Regulation S-K.
4
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
The Registrant
. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that
it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 9,
2004.
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.
/s/ Jennifer L. Vogel
By:
Jennifer L. Vogel
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on March 9, 2004.
Signature
Title
*
Gordon M. Bethune
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) and Director
*
Lawrence W. Kellner
President, Chief Operating Officer
and Director
/s/ Jeffrey J. Misner
Jeffrey J. Misner
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Chris T. Kenny
Chris T. Kenny
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
*
Thomas J. Barrack, Jr.
Director
*
David Bonderman
Director
*
Kirbyjon H. Caldwell
Director
*
Patrick Foley
Director
Table of Contents
*
Douglas H. McCorkindale
Director
*
Henry L. Meyer III
Director
*
Richard W. Pogue
Director
*
Ronald B. Woodard
Director
*
Charles A. Yamarone
Director
*By:
/s/ Jennifer L. Vogel
Jennifer L. Vogel, Attorney-in-Fact
The Plan
. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
trustees (or other persons who administer the
employee benefit plan) have duly caused this Registration Statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of Houston, State of Texas, on March 9, 2004.
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.
2004 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
By:
/s/ Jennifer L. Vogel
Jennifer L. Vogel
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and Secretary
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1
_
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2000 (the "2000 10-K")).
4.1(a)
_
Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, included
as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.1.
4.1(b)
_
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(b) to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2001).
4.1(c)
_
Corrected Certificate of Designation of Series B Preferred Stock (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 31, 2003 (the "2003 Q1 10-Q")).
4.2
_
By-Laws, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the 2003 Q1 10-Q).
4.3
_
Specimen Class B Common Stock Certificate of the Company (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form S-1 Registration Statement (No. 33-68870)).
4.4
_
Specimen Series B Preferred Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.1(c) to the 2000 10-K).
4.5
_
Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2000, between the
Company and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
99.11 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 15, 2000).
4.6
—
Form of Right Certificate, included as Exhibit B to Exhibit 4.5.
5*
—
Opinion of Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.
23.1*
—
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
23.2*
—
Consent of Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, included in Exhibit 5.
24*
—
Powers of Attorney.
99.1*
—
Continental Airlines, Inc. 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
*Filed herewith.