Continental Micronesia, formerly known as Air Micronesia, is an airline based in Guam, United States. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Airlines, and operates scheduled flights throughout Micronesia, Japan, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. The airline was founded in 1967 as an air cargo carrier, and became a passenger airline in 1978.

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Air Micronesia began operations in 1967, when it was founded as an air cargo carrier by Japanese businessman Teruo Ikehara. The airline initially operated between Guam and Japan but soon expanded to include other destinations in the Micronesia region. The airline began scheduled passenger service in 1978, with flights from Guam to Kwajalein, Saipan, and Yap.

In 1983, Air Micronesia merged with Continental Airlines, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental. The airline was renamed Continental Micronesia and its fleet was upgraded to include larger aircraft like the Boeing 727. In 1985, the airline began its first international flights, from Guam to Tokyo and Osaka.

In 1995, Continental Micronesia launched its first trans-Pacific route, from Guam to Honolulu. The airline subsequently expanded its network to include other destinations in the Pacific, such as Palau and Wake Island. In addition to expanding its network, the airline also acquired several new aircraft, including the Boeing 767 and 737.

In 2000, Continental Micronesia became the first airline in the world to install satellite-based inflight entertainment systems on its aircraft. The airline also began offering online check-in and e-ticketing services, as well as an in-flight shopping service.

In 2001, the airline launched its first non-stop flight from Guam to Honolulu, which still operates today. This was an important milestone for Continental Micronesia, as it marked the first time the airline had operated a non-stop flight between Guam and Hawaii.

In April 2005, Continental Micronesia experienced one of its most tragic incidents. The airline’s Flight 462, which was en route from Guam to Narita, Japan, crashed into the sea near Okinawa, killing all nine passengers and crew onboard. The cause of the crash was later determined to be pilot error, and the airline was fined $2.5 million by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for safety violations.

In 2006, Continental Micronesia became the first airline in the world to offer in-flight Wi-Fi access. The service was initially only available on flights to and from the United States, but was later expanded to include other destinations in the Pacific region.

Today, Continental Micronesia is a major player in the Pacific aviation market, operating a fleet of more than 40 aircraft. The airline operates scheduled flights to more than 30 destinations in Japan, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. In addition to its regular scheduled services, the airline also provides charter flights and cargo services.