To underscore the importance of this partnership between two of the nation’s top-performing airlines, Continental has also joined United-along with Lufthansa and Air Canada- in a separate, transatlantic joint venture, which officially launched on November 1.

This arrangement, known in industry terms as an antitrust immunized “Metal-Neutral” network, calls for members to pool revenues while integrating their scheduling, inventory management, pricing, frequent flyer and sales activities on itineraries that include transatlantic segments. The expected end result for the customer is better service to and from Europe, as well as more competitive pricing.

Previously, a flight across the Atlantic with multiple stops on either side of the ocean was a fairly complicated transaction. But now, thanks to this new joint venture, business and leisure travelers are going to experience everything from better-coordinated baggage handling procedures to seamless transfers among carriers.

“Metal neutrality- pertaining to whichever partners’ physical aircraft you fly on-means we’re going to offer you products that make your experience seamless,” explains Schwab. “The decision you make works equally well [for all of us], no matter which airline seat you actually sit in. As long as you fly on one of us, we’re happy. Customers are going to find it’s a much simpler way to conduct business.”