Continental Airlines seem to be completely fine doing it individually. It is not too keen on following the path of what US Airways and United Airlines did.

Both U. S. Airways and United Airlines have danced around the unification flagstaff for so long, that any talk of uniting with another party generates as much laughter as it does keenness.

Continental Airlines does not need to amalgamate with any other carrier. Staying solo has given them improved access across the North Atlantic, due to the Open Skies treaty and it remains one of the few U. S carriers that have been capable of generating increased passenger proceeds against a softened high yield market.

It does not require merging with anyone as much as United Airlines and US Airways need to, given that the latter two airlines are at weak financial positioning, with inability to compete with more competent low cost and intercontinental rivals, which means, that they are easy pickings for anyone proficient enough, to consume and remove a weaker opponent.

Although the subject of a predominantly Boeing fleet at Continental Airlines vs. a big Airbus fleet at US Airways might present a cost challenge, but Continental Airlines can sit back and carefully pick its next move.

United Chief Executive Officer, Glenn Tilton and Continental CEO, Jeffery Smisek are working on details of an agreement, after reaching a tentative agreement on some points. In the plan that is under discussion, Tilton would likely become chairman of the combined company and Smisek would be the CEO.

United and Continental are the third- and fourth-largest U. S. airlines by traffic, and together they would exceed Delta Air Lines Inc., which took the No. 1 spot by purchasing Northwest Airlines Corp. in 2008. Broader route networks help airlines direct in more passengers, so that it can rake in more income.