Continental Airlines has announced that it will double the number of first class seats offered on its Boeing 757-300 aircraft. The initiative is a result of high demand for first-class service as the fleet is expanded.

Larry Kellner, Continental’s chairman and chief executive officer, explained that the carrier is expanding its Boeing 757-300 fleet from nine to seventeen aircraft, and offering a larger first class cabin to accommodate demand created, in part by Continental’s complimentary upgrade program for OnePass Elite members Continental’s Boeing 757-300 aircraft are currently equipped with 12 seats in the first class cabin and 210 in coach. With the seat reconfiguration, the aircraft will have 24 seats in first class and 192 in coach. The first of the reconfigured aircraft is scheduled to be completed this summer, with the remainder to be completed by early 2006.