2 Airline Mega Mergers Prepare for Takeoff

Delta-Northwest marriage looms; United eyes Continental

By Zach Samalin, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 7, 2008 3:05 AM CST

(Newser) – The airline industry is bracing for what would be a mammoth double wedding, as merger talks between Delta and Northwest airlines shift into second gear, and Continental and United Airlines begin their courtship. Currently on the Delta-Northwest plate is a market price stock-for-stock transaction, with no premium for either company, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Tabled negotiations between the parties resumed this week, after the two sky behemoths reached preliminary resolutions about how the merged airline would be structured. Next on the checklist is passing governmental antitrust review, which both companies are eager to do before President Bush leaves office. United would like to pursue Continental at a similarly fast clip, although Continental officials still claim they want to stay independent.

A Northwest Airlines jet taxis towards a gate at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus, Mich., in this Aug. 10, 2006, file photo. Northwest Airlines Corp. chief Doug Steenland sent an internal memo... (Associated Press)

A United Airlines plane heads away from the gates of the B concourse at Denver International Airport in this Aug. 24, 2006 file photo. United Airlines, the second-largest U.S. carrier, raised domestic... (Associated Press)

A Delta Air Lines jet passes a line of other aircraft waiting to take off on the tarmac at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta in this Nov. 10, 2005 file photo. Delta Air Lines... (Associated Press)

A Continental Airlines jet lands at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in this April 18, 2007 file photo in Houston. Continental Airlines on Thursday, July 19, 2007 said profits rose 15 percent in the... (Associated Press)

A Continental Airlines jet taxis past another plane Thursday, July 19, 2007, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Continental Airlines said Thursday profits rose 15 percent in the second... (Associated Press)

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United and Continental May Be Next to Merge

Delta-Northwest deal likely to spark more consolidation

Delta, Northwest Approve Merger

Execs forging ahead without pilot approval

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Major US carriers downgrade as hard times loom

Continental, United Merging Into World's Biggest Airline

New behemoth hopes to turn around losses

Aging Airlines Can't Catch Up to Younger Rivals

Recent changes haven't helped 'legacy' carriers

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United and Continental May Be Next to Merge

Delta-Northwest deal likely to spark more consolidation

Delta, Northwest Approve Merger

Execs forging ahead without pilot approval

Airlines Fasten Seatbelts for Bumpy Ride

Major US carriers downgrade as hard times loom

Continental, United Merging Into World's Biggest Airline

New behemoth hopes to turn around losses

Aging Airlines Can't Catch Up to Younger Rivals

Recent changes haven't helped 'legacy' carriers

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