By James M. ThresherÛÓThe Washington Post
Continental Airlines ticket agents hand out free cowboy hats yesterday as the carrier inaugurates service from Dulles International Airport to Houston.</br></br>Continental Airlines ÛÓ ÛÏThe Proud Bird with the Golden Tail,Û as it has in the past billed itself ÛÓyesterday began twice daily nonstop service to Houston from Dulles International Airport.</br></br>While two singers with guitars played and sang ÛÏYellow Rose of TexasÛ and ÛÏHome on the Range,Û the first passengers to board the first flight from Dulles were handed yellow roses and straw cowboy hats by Continental employes.</br></br>ContinentalÛªs new service features its unique ÛÏeconomyÛ fare 20 or 25 percent below the regular coach fare, depending on the day of the week, with no restrictions on each flight. In addition, Continental offers discounts of up to 40 percent on advance purchase fares such as Freedom and Super Saver.</br></br>For instance, while Continental offers a Club Coach fare of $126 one way to HoustonÛÓthe same as other airlinesÛª regular coach fareÛÓContinental also offers the unrestricted Economy fare of $10L weekends and $95 weekdays. The only difference between Club Coach and Economy is that full meal service is not provided on the discount ticket.