Continental Virtual is based on the world's sixth largest airline, Continental Airlines, and its regional affiliates, Cape Air, Chautauqua Airlines, Colgan Air, Commutair, ExpressJet Airlines, Gulfstream International Airlines, and RegionsAir, offering their entire worldwide network. Continental offers the most destinations of any airline in the world.

Varney Speed Lines, named after founder Walter T. Varney, began flying on 15 July 1934 from Pueblo, CO to El Paso. Robert F. Six took over the airline in 1936, changed the name to Continental, and moved the company's headquarters to Denver the following October. Six remained head of Continental until 1980. A 1953 merger with Pioneer Airlines expanded the airline's network, and Continental began flying jets in 1958. During the 1960s, Continental pioneered progressive maintenance and quick-turn operations, giving them the best daily utilization of any airline.

Continental relocated its headquarters again in 1963 to Los Angeles, and released a new livery five years later, along with the matching slogan "The Proud Bird with the Golden Tail." The same year, Continental Micronesia began flying through the Central Pacific, based at Guam. Continental was bought in 1982 by Texas International, retaining the Continental name, but moving headquarters again, this time to Houston. The new Continental filed for bankruptcy the following year, and soon closed the Los Angeles hub. Continental purchased People Express in 1987, which had just merged with Frontier Airlines. New York Air also joined Continental at this time.

Shortly after unveiling its current livery, Continental filed for bankruptcy again in 1991 before reemerging in 1993. The long-time Denver hub closed as Continental, under the leadership of Gordon Bethune, began shifting its focus beyond the U.S. towards international markets. Continental joined SkyTeam, the fastest growing airline alliance, in 2004 before leaving in 2009 for Star Alliance. Continental today flies to more destinations in Latin America than any other U.S. airline. In 2005, Continental became the first airline to add winglets to its 757 fleet.

Continental Express flights are operated by Chautauqua Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines, which flies the largest ERJ fleet in the world. Continental Connection is operated by Cape Air, Colgan Air, CommutAir, and Gulfstream International Airlines. Cape Air flies for Continental within Florida and the Marianas. Colgan operates routes within Texas. Commutair flies to smaller communities from Albany, Boston, and Cleveland. Gulfstream flies within Florida and to the Bahamas.

Headquarters: Continental Airlines - Houston, TX, U.S.; Continental Micronesia - Guam; Cape Air - Hyannis, MA, U.S.; Chautauqua - Indianapolis, IN, U.S.; Colgan Air - Manassas, VA, U.S.; CommutAir - Plattsburgh, NY, U.S.; ExpressJet - Houston, TX, U.S.; Gulfstream - Dania, FL, U.S.
Virtual Airline Operating Since: June 2001
Unique Aircraft Types: 737-900ER, 757-300W, Cessna 402C, ERJ-135ER
Number of Destinations: 343
Unique Destinations (49): Aguascalientes, Andros Town, Bimini, Bradford, Bridgeport, Brownsville, Chihuahua, Ciudad del Carmen, College Station, Del Rio, DuBois, Durango (Mexico), Flores, Franklin, Governors Harbour, Groton/New London, Harlingen, Houston Ellington, Huatulco, Hyannis, Jamestown (NY), Johnston Atoll, Koror, Kosrae, Kwajalein, Lake Charles, Laredo, Majuro, Marsh Harbour, Martha's Vineyard, Monclova, Mont Tremblant, Morelia, Morgantown, Oaxaca, Parkersburg, Pohnpei, Port Moresby, Saltillo, San Luis Potosi, Tampico, The Bight, Toluca, Treasure Cay, Truk, Veracruz, Victoria (TX), Villahermosa, Yap