Continental to Offer Flight From O.C. to New York Area : Transportation: Daily overnight service from John Wayne Airport to Newark International will start Oct. 30. American Airlines planes also fly the route.

SANTA ANA — In a move that bodes well for Orange County business travelers, Continental Airlines on Friday unveiled plans to become the second airline with a daily, nonstop flight between John Wayne Airport and metropolitan New York.

Continental’s flights between Orange County and Newark International Airport are scheduled to begin Oct. 30, with air fares ranging from $388 for an advance purchase, round-trip ticket to $693 for an unrestricted, one-way ticket.

A red-eye flight will depart from John Wayne Airport at 9:40 p.m. and arrive at Newark at 5:30 a.m. the next day.

A return flight will depart from Newark at 5 p.m. and arrive at John Wayne at 8:04 p.m.

At present, only American Airlines has regularly scheduled, nonstop service to the New York City area from the county airport.

Several other airlines have one-stop service to New York airports.

“We’re in favor of anything that reduces the risk of missing flight connections,” said Pam Marsden, a travel agent with Anytime Anywhere Travel Inc. in Santa Ana.

“It’s especially nice to have nonstop flights in the winter months, when there’s a greater possibility of weather delays and missed connections,” she said.

Continental, which now offers nonstop flights to Houston and Phoenix from John Wayne Airport, expects that demand will be strong for the Newark flights.

“Traditionally, the red eye out of Los Angeles is one of our most popular flights,” said Continental Airlines spokesman Ned Walker.

“We expect this flight to be successful right away.”

Continental also is offering nonstop service to Newark from San Diego. Flights from both airports will utilize new Boeing 757 jets.