United and US Airways in Merger Talks
According to a report in the New York Times, United Airlines and US Airways have had serious discussions about merging the two airlines.
"United and US Airways are deep in their merger discussions, though a transaction is not expected to be announced for at least several weeks," the Times said. The article did caution that union opposition could still present a major obstacle to any deal.
There is also speculation that the move is really an effort by United to force Continental's hand. United has been wooing Continental as a potential merger partner for several years now, but Continental has been reluctant to take that big of a step, instead preferring a go slow approach that to this point has meant just a partnership. (Continental joined United's Star Alliance last year.)