A vote to recall the head of United Airlines’ pilots union has been postponed until Thursday, sources told the Tribune. Get the full story »
Inside these posts: Jeff Smisek
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United-Continental maps next steps in integration
Passengers of United Continental Holdings Inc. should expect a more seamless flying experience by late spring on the recently merged United and Continental Airlines.
By the end of the second quarter, customers will be able to check in for flights at United or Continental counters, the carrier’s two Web sites will operate and sell tickets as an integrated network and the new branding strategy will be apparent, first at United’s hubs. Get the full story »
United-Continental CEO Smisek to get $975K salary
United-Continental CEO Jeff Smisek, center, talks with two employees on Sept. 23, 2010, in Houston. (Tribune)
Airline company United Continental Holdings Inc., formed Friday in the merger of UAL and Continental Airlines, said Chief Executive Jeff Smisek would receive an annual salary of $975,000.
Smisek, who had been CEO of Continental, may also receive 150 percent of his salary as an annual bonus. Pay details were disclosed by the company in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing Friday.
UAL and Continental merged to create the world’s largest carrier by traffic. Get the full story »
UAL, Continental close deal to form No. 1 airline
Continental Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek walks through Terminal C of Houston Intercontinental Airport to catch a flight to Chicago on Sept. 23, 2010. (Tribune)
United Airlines closed its merger with Continental Airlines Friday to create the world’s largest airline, called United Airlines. The stock begins trading this morning under the symbol UAL. The holding company formed from the all-stock merger will be called United Continental Holdings Inc.
The two airlines will begin marketing as one company in the spring. In the meantime, travelers will see United employees at United kiosks and Continental employees at Continental kiosks, depending on which carrier is handling the flight.
The company is working to combine frequent flyer programs. In a call with reporters, Smisek underscored, “your miles are safe.” Get the full story »
United’s top lawyer resigns ahead of merger
By Ameet Sachdev and Julie Johnsson | The merger between United and Continental airlines is scheduled to become official on Friday, and there is an unexpected hole in the senior management team.
Tom Sabatino, who was supposed to be the top lawyer inside the combined United-Continental airlines, has resigned, the Tribune has confirmed. Get the full story »
United-Continental to keep Cleveland operations
United and Continental Airlines agreed on Monday to maintain a hub in Cleveland for at least five more years, as Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray ended his antitrust investigation of the mega-merger.
The announcement clears one of the last remaining roadblocks to the tie-up, which will create the world’s largest carrier. The Justice Department, which had been expected to provide the closest scrutiny of the deal, concluded its antitrust probe last month.
United and Continental shareholders will vote on Friday to formally approve the financial union of the two airlines. The deal is slated to close on Oct. 1, when Continental CEO Jeff Smisek will become chief executive of the new United. Get the full story »
Aug. 27, 2010 at 6:05 p.m.
Filed under: Airlines, Airplanes, Airports, Labor, Litigation, M&A, Transportation, Travel, Unions, Updated Justice Department OKs United-Continental merger
Passengers at the United and Continental kiosks at O'Hare International Airport, May 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Justice Department approved the proposed merger of United and Continental airlines Friday, closing an unexpectedly speedy four-month investigation that paves the way for the mega-deal to close by Oct. 1.
To win the blessing of federal antitrust regulators, United and Continental agreed to lease slots for 18 round-trip flights to Southwest Airlines at Newark Liberty International Airport, beginning in March 2011.
Justice officials said the slot transfer was struck in “response to the department’s principal concerns” regarding the merger, which critics have warned will speed consolidation and eventually leave the three largest U.S. carriers with a lion’s share of the market. Get the full story »
EU approves United-Continental merger
The proposed merger of United Airlines and Continental Airlines cleared its first regulatory hurdle on Tuesday, as the European Union said it would approve the deal. But the merger, which would create the largest airline in the world, must still pass muster with U.S. antitrust officials. The mega-deal is expected to face far more rigorous scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice, which isn’t expected to wrap up its probe until later this year.
European officials, in a review of the transaction that began on June 21, quickly determined that it wouldn’t adversely affect competition, given the relatively light overlap between United and Continental on trans-Atlantic routes.
However, the EU continues to separately investigate a proposed joint venture that would allow United, Continental, Air Canada and Germany’s Lufthansa AG to closely coordinate north Atlantic flights, as well as share revenues.
United post-merger team named; execs shuffled
United CEO Glenn Tilton, left, with with Continental Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek after a news conference at The Willis Tower in Chicago, May 4, 2010. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
The new United Airlines is starting to take shape — and there are some surprises.
On Tuesday, Continental Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek announced the senior management team who will lead United after its financial merger with Continental closes in two months.
As promised, the executives reporting to Smisek, who will be United’s post-merger CEO, come from both carriers, and include a cadre of veterans who helped turn Continental around during the mid-1990s. Get the full story »
