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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Will the United-Continental Merger Mean Friendlier Skies?

    Two years ago, Continental Airlines backed away from merging with United. Last month, United began a flirtation with US Airways. Suddenly, Continental had a change of heart, and over the weekend completed what some airline experts are calling a shotgun wedding.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    Two years ago, Continental Airlines backed away from merging with United. Last month, United began a flirtation with US Airways. Suddenly, Continental had a change of heart, and over the weekend completed what some airline experts are calling a shotgun wedding. United and Continental now plan to become the world's largest airline, if they get past anti-trust laws and union contracts. But it's a marriage of convenience, not love. United is known for canceled flights, lost baggage and surly employees. Continental is famous for customer satisfaction. Can those cultures merge? Is consolidation the only way airlines can stop losing money, when Southwest is gaining market share and showing a profit? Since de-regulation, most mergers have not gone smoothly. We hear the pros and cons of the next one.

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Will the Latest Airline Merger Mean Friendlier Skies?
    1. 0:00Suspect Arrested in Attempted Times Square Bombing
    2. 13:38Will the United-Continental Merger Mean Friendlier Skies?You’re reading this
    3. 43:48Supreme Court: Use Side Entrance
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • KCRW placeholder

      Karen Radziner

      Managing Producer, To the Point & Which Way LA?

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jad Mouawad

      Airline Correspondent, New York Times

    • KCRW placeholder

      Loren Steffy

      Houston Chronicle

    • KCRW placeholder

      Severin Borenstein

      faculty director, Haas Energy Institute at UC Berkeley

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Will the Latest Airline Merger Mean Friendlier Skies?
    1. 0:00Suspect Arrested in Attempted Times Square Bombing
    2. 13:38Will the United-Continental Merger Mean Friendlier Skies?You’re reading this
    3. 43:48Supreme Court: Use Side Entrance
    Back to To the Point