Since Aeroplan had their recent unannounced "award sale" I transferred some American Express miles to book an Aeroplan award to visit friends in Paris and Cairo. For the first leg I booked a BusinessFirst seat on Continental's United's 757-200 service from Newark (EWR) to Paris (CDG). After visiting the poorly appointed and spartan United Club near gate C71, I boarded my flight and settled into my seat. The flight was lightly loaded, surprisingly not a nonrev in sight, so I had the seat next ...

In remarks last Friday at the CERA Conference on energy, United CEO Jeff Smisek reiterated the high costs of fuel and government mandated taxes and fees that are a burden on the airline industry. Although the airlines have lost money for several years, which means their corporate tax obligations are negligible, the amount of government fees, taxes and surcharges on airline tickets can average 20% per ticket. Which brought Smisek to speak the title of this ...

It has been widely speculated that United Airlines and Continental Airlines are in merger talks. Many of us on the Upgrd Podcast have speculated for years that the merger is inevitable, although some recent news would leave you to believe that the airline merger could be placed on hold.

Although no official announcement has even been made about merger talks, the Houston Chronicle is reporting that Houston officials are interested in offering incentives to keep the newly merged carrier ...

US Airways has a new press release stating that their talks with United Airlines are off the table. CEO Doug Parker issued a statement:

"We have recently held discussions with United Airlines regarding a possible combination between our two airlines. After an extensive review and careful consideration, our Board of Directors has decided to discontinue those discussions"

Well there is a shocker - US doesn't want UA. Hmmm...I wonder if its the other way around? Does United Airlines lose some of its leverage with Continental Airlines now? Will Glenn's golden merger parachute collapse?

The New York times is reporting that Continental Airlines is reopening merger talks with United. As we know, United has also allegedly been speaking with US Airways. But as we have all commented on our podcast, Continental has long been the favored partner.

Continental Airlines has reopened merger talks with the UAL Corporation, the parent company of United Airlines, people briefed on the matter told DealBook on Thursday.

The talks are in early stages and may ...

The Chicago Tribune reports that United Airlines CEO Glenn Tilton predicted that there will be more airline mergers in the next two years. Shocking I know. Even more shocking is this statement from the article:

Analysts think that is likely.

Those crazy analysts. This must be why they get the big bucks. If there has ever been a merger in the making, unlike US Airways bizarre takeover attempt of Delta a few years ago, it is the United Airlines and Continental Airlines ...