AOL NEWS: …Officials of Continental and United have spun their own tales about the benefits of creating the world’s largest airline. They will fly everywhere a traveler wants to go, creating a seamless network of efficiency. The two airlines say they have few competing routes, which means they will keep most of their networks intact, and travelers won’t experience reduced service or higher fares.
If you believe in fairy tales, the merger will make it a happier flying world for everyone….
Two years ago, there were six network carriers, before the Delta-Northwest merger reduced the number to five. So it’s not hard to imagine the effects of having fewer airlines: We’ve seen them. Airline prices have increased dramatically in the last year alone, surveys show. Fewer airlines have meant fewer seats. And many of the remaining airlines have also intentionally cut their seating capacity in successful efforts to raise prices for travelers… (more)
