EXHIBIT 23.1



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Continental
Airlines, Inc. (the "Company") for the registration of $500,000,000 of the
Company's Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Stock Purchase
Contracts, Stock Purchase Units, Depositary Shares, Warrants, Junior
Subordinated Trust Debentures and Guarantee of Trust Securities and Trust
Preferred Securities of Continental Airlines Finance Trust III and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated January 16, 2001 (except
Note 16, as to which the date is January 22, 2001) with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedule of the Company included in its
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2000, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                              /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Houston, Texas
October 16, 2001