Continental Airlines was namedFortune magazine's most admired U.S. airline in the publication's annual breakdown of the world's most admired companies.

Continental is one of 14 global airline carriers ranked on the list and has gotten top U.S. honors for nine consecutive years. It was also ranked first for people management. The rankings are determined in a survey of corporate and airline executives, boards of directors and industry analysts. Companies are evaluated for innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment, quality of products/services, and global competitiveness.

Having had a long and tumultous relationship with Continental (and IAH in general), the people-management coup is a surprise — I was once told that the entire upper management of Continental Airlines was in a lunch meeting together and wouldn't be out until after my (delayed) flight took off, whenever that was.

But a heartfelt congrats to our hub. With the best airport and the best airline, we're flying right in Houston.

Now, if Continental could just find that one lawyer's leather jacket.