Milestone In Diversity Continental Airlines Names Jetliner After Trailblazing Pilot

It took Marlon Green more than six years to battle Continental Airlines to become the first black hired as a pilot for a U.S. passenger airline.

And it took Continental nearly 50 years to publicly acknowledge Green's contribution to its success.

On Tuesday, that delayed expression of gratitude came in a Houston hangar during a ceremony to introduce Continental's newest Boeing 737 — emblazoned with Green's name. (See photos from the ceremony.)

“The fact that we did this shows how regretful we are about our history, and we took the opportunity to honor Capt. Green because it's important to us,” Jeff Smisek, Continental's chairman, president and CEO, said in an interview.

Green's brother, Jim Green, flew from his home near Seattle to attend the ceremony. He said the honor would have pleased his brother, who died in July at age 80. 

“He's looking down from heaven and saying well done — a little bit late, but well done,” Jim Green said.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, called Tuesday a day of redemption for the Houston-based airline.

“If we do not remember our history, if we do not understand the pain, then we cannot enjoy the joy,” she said.
Marlon Green and his family suffered a great deal while waging the legal battle that led decades later to the honor Continental bestowed Tuesday at the suggestion of its black pilots.

And it took Continental nearly 50 years to publicly acknowledge Green's contribution to its success.
On Tuesday, that delayed expression of gratitude came in a Houston hangar during a ceremony to introduce Continental's newest Boeing 737 — emblazoned with Green's name. (See photos from the ceremony.)
“The fact that we did this shows how regretful we are about our history, and we took the opportunity to honor Capt. Green because it's important to us,” Jeff Smisek, Continental's chairman, president and CEO, said in an interview.

Green's brother, Jim Green, flew from his home near Seattle to attend the ceremony. He said the honor would have pleased his brother, who died in July at age 80. 

“He's looking down from heaven and saying well done — a little bit late, but well done,” Jim Green said.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, called Tuesday a day of redemption for the Houston-based airline.
“If we do not remember our history, if we do not understand the pain, then we cannot enjoy the joy,” she said.
Marlon Green and his family suffered a great deal while waging the legal battle that led decades later to the honor Continental bestowed Tuesday at the suggestion of its black pilots.

And it took Continental nearly 50 years to publicly acknowledge Green's contribution to its success.

On Tuesday, that delayed expression of gratitude came in a Houston hangar during a ceremony to introduce Continental's newest Boeing 737 — emblazoned with Green's name. (See photos from the ceremony.)

“The fact that we did this shows how regretful we are about our history, and we took the opportunity to honor Capt. Green because it's important to us,” Jeff Smisek, Continental's chairman, president and CEO, said in an interview.

Green's brother, Jim Green, flew from his home near Seattle to attend the ceremony. He said the honor would have pleased his brother, who died in July at age 80. 

“He's looking down from heaven and saying well done — a little bit late, but well done,” Jim Green said.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, called Tuesday a day of redemption for the Houston-based airline.

“If we do not remember our history, if we do not understand the pain, then we cannot enjoy the joy,” she said.

Marlon Green and his family suffered a great deal while waging the legal battle that led decades later to the honor Continental bestowed Tuesday at the suggestion of its black pilots.