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PERFECT PARTNERS
The recent merger of Continental Airlines with United Airlines is a fascinating story. Not only did it create the world’s leading airline, but it also produced the airline’s partnership with PGA TOUR® fans alike. By Brendan Connolly
bringing new benefi ts to the PGA TOUR’s players and
The new United makes travel to hundreds of golf destinations around the world seamless.
T e big travel story in 2010 was the merger of Continental Airlines and United Airlines. As it turns out, this has had wide-ranging benefi ts not only for the millions of regular travelers but also for the big league of America’s international golf pros and their fans. But let’s start at the beginning.
UNANIMOUS BACKING It was last September when what was to become the world’s biggest airline took off . Shareholders of Continental Airlines and United Airlines backed a multi-billion dollar merger that created a carrier to dwarf rivals on both sides of the Atlantic. T ere was excited anticipation as investors met to vote on the proposed tie-up at simultaneous meetings at Continental’s headquarters in Houston and at United’s base in Chicago. T e outcome of the vote gave the move unanimous backing, and the support in the Continental camp was as high as 98% in favor of the merger. T ere’s an apt saying from Aesop’s Fables, “in union is strength,” and never was this more true in the case of the
Continental and United merger. Like so many industries, airlines, too, found themselves in turbulent times during the recent economic turndown. For both Continental and United—America’s two blue-chip carriers founded in 1926 and 1934 respectively—it was time to take stock and make a plan. If the economic recession had caused black clouds for
Continental and United, then the silver lining was this inspired merger.
MAGNIFICENT BENEFITS Indeed, the union of these two major airlines promises magnifi cent benefi ts to the millions of loyal travelers, especially because there is relatively little geographical overlap between the two former airlines’ international routes. United is particularly strong in the western U.S. and on fl ights across the Pacifi c to Asia, while Continental has a big presence in southern and eastern states. Continental also boasts a broad network of fl ights to Latin America, and both fl y transatlantic routes to Europe. So, with the merger came an expansion of
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