MONTREAL & CHICAGO—Air Canada and United Continental Holdings, Inc. today announced that     the airlines have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding setting out     the principles for a comprehensive revenue-sharing joint venture that     would provide for an enhanced partnership on United States-Canada     transborder flights, and generate substantial service and pricing     benefits for consumers traveling between the two countries. On October     1, 2010, United Continental Holdings, Inc. announced the closing of the     merger of United Air Lines and Continental Airlines, combining the     carriers’ global networks to create the world’s leading airline which     will operate under the name United Airlines.

“Working cooperatively with our partner Air Canada, we can create a more     streamlined travel experience for customers traveling between the United     States and Canada, providing more travel options and benefits while     reducing travel times,” said Jeff Smisek, United Airlines president and     chief executive officer.

“This joint venture between United Airlines and Air Canada will provide     many benefits and revenue synergies on this important market allowing us     to compete more effectively,” said Calin Rovinescu, Air Canada’s     president and chief executive officer. “As founding members of Star     Alliance, Air Canada and United have benefited from a close     relationship, as have our customers through a simplified travel     experience and loyalty rewards. By managing pricing, scheduling and     sales through a stronger joint venture, the carriers will be better able     to serve customers by offering more travel options.”

The Canada-U.S. market is one of the largest air transportation markets     in the world. Air Canada’s transborder network to 59 U.S. cities will be     strengthened by United’s presence in 210 U.S. airports. Similarly,      United’s transborder network to 16 Canadian cities will be strengthened     by Air Canada’s network serving 59 communities across Canada.

The joint venture is expected to come into effect in early 2011, subject     to Air Canada and United Airlines making the necessary filings,      obtaining regulatory approvals and finalizing documentation. The     carriers already benefit from anti-trust immunity granted by the U.S.      Department of Transportation (DOT).

About United Continental Holdings, Inc.

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) is the holding company for     both United Airlines and Continental Airlines. Together with United     Express, Continental Express and Continental Connection, these airlines     operate a total of approximately 5,800 flights a day to 371 airports     throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia from their hubs in Chicago,      Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco,      Tokyo and Washington, D.C. United and Continental are members of Star     Alliance, which offers more than 21,200 daily flights to 1,172 airports     in 181 countries worldwide through its 28 member airlines. United’s and     Continental’s more than 80,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and     in many countries around the world. For more information about United     Continental Holdings, Inc., go to UnitedContinentalHoldings.com. For     more information about the airlines, see united.com and continental.com,      and follow each company on Twitter and Facebook.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic and international full-service     airline providing scheduled and charter air transportation for     passengers and cargo to more than 170 destinations on five continents.      Canada’s flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the     world and serves 31 million customers annually. Air Canada provides     scheduled passenger service directly to 59 destinations in Canada, 59 in     the United States and 60 in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia,      the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada is a founding member     of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation     network serving 1,172 destinations in 181 countries. Air Canada     customers can collect Aeroplan miles for future rewards through Canada’s     leading loyalty program, and Top Tier members enjoy reciprocal frequent     flyer benefits including lounge and priority services. For more     information on Air Canada visit aircanda.com and follow @AirCanada on     Twitter and Facebook.

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