Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 6:29:52 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

United and Continental May Be Next to Merge

Posted Apr 15, 08 4:11 AM CDT in Business 

(Newser) – The Delta-Northwest merger will create the world's biggest airline—but that title could fall before the ink is even dry on the deal as industry pressures force other carriers into shotgun weddings, the Houston Chronicle reports. Analysts believe United and Continental would be a good match and a deal between the two is widely expected, possibly in a matter of weeks.

The creation of the merged airline behemoths, triggered by record fuel prices, will change the face of the industry, attracting close attention from antitrust regulators and leaving American Airlines, currently the biggest US carrier, slipping down the rankings. "American is like the last one at the dance," said an industry expert. It "might hook up with a smaller carrier."

Source Houston Chronicle

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • BA, American Hope 3rd Time Is the Charm

    Aug 15, 08 6:48 AM CDT
    BA, American Hope 3rd Time Is the Charm American Airlines and British Airways are making a third stab at a joint business agreement—and this time, reports the New York Times, the deal might actually go through. American, BA, and the Spanish carrier Iberia are applying for antitrust approval to form a global network. The CEO of American's parent company today predicted that the arrangement would win "swift approval" amid loosened regulations in a collapsing industry.
    More »

  • United Adopts $15 Checked-Bag Charge

    Jun 12, 08 11:02 AM CDT
    United Adopts $15 Checked-Bag Charge United Airlines will follow rival American Airlines in charging $15 for a first checked bag. The new fee was announced today, 3 weeks after American set the precedent. United says the fee affects customers who buy tickets beginning tomorrow for domestic flights Aug. 18 or later. More »

  • Continental Hacks 3K Jobs, 16% of Flights

    Jun 5, 08 7:41 AM CDT
    Continental Hacks 3K Jobs, 16% of Flights Continental Airlines today became the latest US carrier to slash its workforce and trim flights in the face of profit-busting fuel costs and an industry-wide slowdown, the Wall Street Journal reports today. The airline will cut its workforce by 3,000 jobs, scale back US departures by 16%, and aggressively trim its fleet of fuel-guzzling 737s. United and American also recently announced cutbacks. More »

  • United Drops US Airways Deal, Woos Continental

    May 30, 08 7:15 AM CDT
    United Drops US Airways Deal, Woos Continental A proposed merger between United Airlines and US Airways is on hold again, the Wall Street Journal reports. United’s CEO told his US Airways counterpart that his airline is close to a deal with Continental, a merger that would be less costly and wouldn’t face as much antitrust scrutiny as a United-US Airways deal, the Journal notes. United’s revelation follows rejection from Continental last month. More »

  • Another United Merger Crashes

    May 28, 08 3:20 AM CDT
    Another United Merger Crashes A proposed merger between United Airlines and rival US Airways has collapsed, just a month after a deal between United and Continental fell apart. Some analysts predicted the rising cost of jet fuel would power merger deals, but the failed negotiations have raised serious questions about the success of future consolidation in the airline industry, reports the New York Times. More »

Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines signs are posted at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, Monday, April 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
A Northwest Airlines plane takes off from Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport in Minneapolis Monday April 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Andy King)
A Continental Airlines plane is refueled at Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport in this Oct. 16, 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, file)
A United Airlines plane heads away from the gates of the B concourse at Denver International Airport in this Aug. 24, 2006 file photo.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, file)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 3)

Tags

airline industry • merger • airline • American Airlines • United Airlines • fuel costs • Northwest Airlines • Continental Airlines • Delta Airlines


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Business Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »