Newsstand - Continental president says airline would consider merger with United

Continental Airlines President Jeff Smisek says the carrier will consider merging with United Airlines if the new combination of Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines becomes a profitable hookup.

Smisek said today in an interview in Germany that Continental's focus for now is on its new membership in the Star Alliance, in which its biggest partners are United and Deutsche Lufthansa.

Continental joined the Star Alliance just last week after quitting the SkyTeam group dominated by the merged Delta/Northwest and Air France/KLM. If the Delta/Northwest combination proves too potent, Smisek said in a Bloomberg Television interview, a Continental merger with United might make sense.

"We are watching Delta to see whether Delta outperforms us financially," Smisek said in Frankfurt, where he was marking Continental's new affiliation with Lufthansa. "They've gotten bigger, they've gotten more complex, but they haven't gotten profitable."
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2009/11/continental_president_says_air.html

well, there you have it. Possibly the beginning of the end to consolidation which has been predicted for over a decade.

Delta merges with Northwest
Continental merges with United Airlines
AA has no choice but to merge with US Airways.

leaving THREE/FOUR LARGE MAJORS.

Oh Lord!!!

A Glenn Tilton wet dream and UA frequent flyer's nightmare - all in one.

AA has no choice but to merge with US Airways.

OMG, NO!

there goes the neighborhood.

Alright CO, start putting ther the economy plus section!

Yes, a great combination: UA's E+ and CO's First. I'm probably just dreaming. The 'child' will be some vile mutant with the worst of both airlines.

hahah, i think it's for the better, consolidate the airline industry.

Alright CO, start putting ther the economy plus section!
More likely, CO will insist on removing E+ and cramming in more E- seats to be more "profitable."

More likely, CO will insist on removing E+ and cramming in more E- seats to be more "profitable."

I agree. CO's domestic seats, especially on a 757, are ridiculous. I stopped flying them because of that.

Yes, a great combination: UA's E+ and CO's First. I'm probably just dreaming. The 'child' will be some vile mutant with the worst of both airlines.

As long as they don't start throwing around the term "Best in Class" you should be alright.

Oh Lord!!!

A Glenn Tilton wet dream and UA frequent flyer's nightmare - all in one.

soo. wrong.

For everyone's sake... hope this does not come to fruition...