STEVE INSKEEP, Host: NPR's business news starts with the world's biggest airline.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, Host: That's what United and Continental would be together if, in fact, they go through with the merger announced today. If regulators and shareholders approve of this $3 billion deal, the resulting airline would be bigger than Delta, and it would control one of every five airline seats in the country. Continental CEO Jeff Smisek said this merger is not about survival.</s>M: It isn't a point of survival. It's what you want to do with your future for your stakeholders, for your co-workers, for your customers. We are creating an airline here today that has a far brighter future than either of us, individually, could have ever created on our own.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, Host: Transportation expert Joe Schwieterman at DePaul University says the combination gives United new global reach..</s>STEVE INSKEEP, Host: United now has finally figured out that its future really rests in being a global powerhouse. And Continental gives them that South American platform for expansion, and strengthens New York.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, Host: And we're told that if this if this merger goes through, the new airline will be called United, but the planes will have Continental's colors.
United Airlines and Continental Airlines say they're joining to form the world's largest airline. The new airline will keep the United name and be based in Chicago. The merger needs approval from shareholders and regulators.