Alex Brownsell
May 5, 2010

Continental and United Airlines to create world's largest airline

GLOBAL - US carriers Continental Airlines and United Airlines are merging to create the world's largest airline.

Continental and United Airlines to create world's largest airline
The two companies have announced plans to come together under a single holding company, United Continental Holding.

United and Continental currently fly to 370 destinations worldwide, flying 144 million passengers a year. The merger will see the combined group leapfrog American Airlines to become the leading global carrier.

It is expected to fly to 370 destinations in 59 countries - 14 more than Delta Air Lines.

The company will be led by Continental chief executive Jeffrey Smisek. New branding will incorporate the Continental logo and colours but feature the United Airlines brand.

A launch campaign based around the strapline ‘Let's Fly Together' is anticipated, and will point consumers towards a new website.

United Airlines' Glenn Tilton, who will become non-executive chairman of the new company, said: "Building on our Star Alliance partnership, we are creating a stronger, more efficient airline, both operationally and financially, better positioned to succeed in a dynamic and highly competitive global aviation industry."

Continental Airlines' £2 million (US$3 million) UK advertising account has been held by Team Saatchi since November 2008, while the carrier has also worked with creative agency Souk for nearly 20 years. Media planning and buying duties are currently handled by Starcom.

United Airlines' global media arrangements are handled by Mediaedge:cia.
Source:
Campaign Asia

Follow us

Top news, insights and analysis every weekday

Sign up for Campaign Bulletins

Related Articles

Just Published

Jan 29, 2026

Gemini 3 becomes the default model for AI Overviews

A pair of updates from Google see the tech giant attempt to gain a further foothold in the battle for AI-powered search supremacy.

Jan 29, 2026

Google criticised after blocking measurement ...

YouTube owner sent a 'cease and desist' letter to Barb and Kantar Media.

Jan 29, 2026

Inside Campaign Connect Indonesia: what matters to ...

Candid conversations on growth, AI and the cultural trade-offs of scaling brands, with more than 100 marketers in the room.

Jan 29, 2026

Meta hits $200 billion revenue milestone on ...

Meta reports double‑digit year-on-year revenue growth, with advertising once again accounting for almost all of the top line.