Recent polling by Business Traveler Magazine on the best carriers in North America reports that Continental Airlines is on top of the heap.
The newswire report is ambiguous on what criteria the contenders were judged upon, but I’ll bet its got a great deal to do with updated technology, solid accessibility to the North American markets (and Central America for that matter), meals in all classes and their superior first class product.
I flew on Continental a few times over the past year and I mostly agree. While their economy section is on par with other carriers, their first class is pretty excellent. Their pursers bring a miniature table cloth to put on your tray during meals and bring every course (yes, there is more than one course) out with nice table and flatware. Perhaps that’s why it was rated so well by Business Traveler Magazine — they’re the ones that are most often in first.