8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 3, 2004

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

DELAWARE

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

1-10323	74-2099724
(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1600 Smith Street, Dept. HQSEO, Houston, Texas	77002
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

(713) 324-2950

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

______________________________________

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01. Other Events.

On September 3, 2004, we issued a press release announcing that we will use the deficit reduction contribution relief (DRC) provided under the Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004. With DRC relief, we are not required to make any contributions to our pension plan this year and, thus, will not do so. The press release is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

1. Exhibits

99.1 Press Release for Deficit Reduction Contribution Relief

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Continental Airlines, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

September 3, 2004	By   /s/ Jennifer L. Vogel
	Jennifer L. Vogel
	Senior Vice President, General Counsel         and Secretary

EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1 Press Release for Deficit Reduction Contribution Relief

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

News Release

Contact: Corporate Communications

Houston: 713.324.5080

Email: corpcomm@coair.com

News archive: continental.com/news/ Address: P.O. Box 4607, Houston, TX 77210-4607

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES ELECTS

DEFICIT REDUCTION CONTRIBUTION RELIEF

HOUSTON, Sept. 3, 2004 - Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today announced

it will use the deficit reduction contribution relief (DRC) provided under the Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004. This difficult decision was made given the continuing uncertainty of the economic environment for airlines and the record high cost of jet fuel. With DRC relief, the airline is not required to make any contributions to its pension plan this year, and thus will not do so.

The Act was passed by Congress in the spring to help the airline and steel industries in these difficult and turbulent times. Continental remains fully compliant with all federal requirements regarding its pension plans.

"Using the relief afforded by the Pension Funding Equity Act is the prudent course of action," said a Continental spokesperson. "This relief will help us achieve an unrestricted cash balance target of $1.5 billion, which is appropriate in these uncertain times."

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