Originally published October 4, 2011 at 11:20 AM | Page modified October 5, 2011 at 10:57 AM

Ex-Continental CEO Kellner joins Boeing's board

Boeing announced Tuesday that former Continental Airlines Chairman and Chief Executive Larry Kellner has joined its board. The jet-maker always had...

By Seattle Times business staff

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I worked for Kellner as a frontline employee in 2004-2006. He always had the respect of... (October 4, 2011, by liverpool supporter) Read more

Good to have an airline guy in the board. I guess it was needed with Bopeing misreading... (October 5, 2011, by keesje) Read more

Wow, one Airline person on the board of an aircraft manufacturer. Don't know how... (October 4, 2011, by aerospacecadet) Read more

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Boeing announced Tuesday that former Continental Airlines Chairman and Chief Executive Larry Kellner has joined its board.

The jet-maker always had a tight relationship with the airline. Kellner's predecessor as head of Continental, Gordon Bethune, was a former Boeing executive and the airline flew an all-Boeing fleet.

The airline merged with United — when the two still-separate operations are combined it will become the world's largest airline — and is headed by Kellner's successor at Continental, Jeff Smisek.

Boeing and Airbus are currently in discussions with the enlarged United, vying for a huge order for up to 200 single-aisle jets expected to be announced by early next year.

Kellner, 52, is currently president of Emerald Creek Group, a private equity firm based in Houston. He headed Continental from 2004 through 2009.