United Airlines Marries Continental Airlines — For Better or for Worse?

The two CEOs paint a rosy picture of cooperation and mutual benefit, but what do passengers think?

United Airlines CEO Glenn Tilton and Continental Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek smiled and shook hands at press conferences in New York and Chicago as they discussed the $3.2 billion merger that would create the world's largest airline. The merged airline, to be called United, would have 10 hubs in 59 countries serving 370 destinations and 144 million passengers. The merged company, to be based in Chicago, will be called United Continental Holdings, with Smisek as CEO.