Written by What, if any impact the merger of United and Continental Airlines merger will have on cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages remains to be seen.
The two airlines will continue to operate separately until mid 2012.
The following is an update on where things stand since United Continental Holding took over both airlines last October:
- Kiosks at 83 airports started allowing travelers to check in for flights on either airline on May 18th.
- United’s old logo at Chicago O’Hare Airport has been replaced by United’s name with Continental’s globe symbol. This change is progressing at all airports.
- United offers coach seats with extra legroom for which it charges a premium. “Economy Plus” seats are not expected to be sold on Continental planes until early 2012.
- United has announced that it will retain United’s three classes of service for international flights and Continental’s two classes of service for at least the next several years.
- The airline hopes to offer a combined reservations system (based on Continental’s current system) by March 2012.
- Frequent fliers can link their United and Continental accounts and combine miles.
- Travelers can check out flights, receive seat assignments and check flight status on either United or Continental’s website regardless of which airline they are flying.
- Both airlines started offering the same menu for on board food purchases in coach as of May 1st, although the menus for business class remain different.
- Baggage charges, flight changes, standby requests, and the handling of unaccompanied minors are now identical between the two airlines.
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