Apparently, airline executives anticipated the problems involved in merging two brands, both of which commanded considerable loyalty. A leaked memo reveals an "interim" phase originally planned for the merger that would have "acclimated" customers of both airlines to the merger. It included the following:
- The airline would operate for 18 months as "Continited" and "Unitenental."
- Livery wouldn't be changed, but boarding passes and marketing collateral would include the new names.
- Gate and check-in desks,club rooms and airside customer service positions would be re-flagged to the new names.
- The starboard side of each plane would carry United seats in United's colors and seating pitch. Aft would be Continental. Economy Plus would be found only on the United side. UA PS flights would be 3-class on the starboard side, aft would be CO Business First and coach, only.
- Crew would wear the uniforms of the airline for which they had previously flown pre-merger. Where possible, crew would be requested to "favor" the side of the plane that matched their uniforms.
- Flight numbers would be assigned a UC prefix, base upon resistance from air traffic controllers to using two separate call signs for aircraft operated by a single carrier.
Though the interim plan was never implemented, the memo provides interesting insight into the thinking process of the executives for the new airline. You can see it here: "Secret memo" reveals "interim merger plans
- The airline would operate for 18 months as "Continited" and "Unitenental."
- Livery wouldn't be changed, but boarding passes and marketing collateral would include the new names.
- Gate and check-in desks,club rooms and airside customer service positions would be re-flagged to the new names.
- The starboard side of each plane would carry United seats in United's colors and seating pitch. Aft would be Continental. Economy Plus would be found only on the United side. UA PS flights would be 3-class on the starboard side, aft would be CO Business First and coach, only.
- Crew would wear the uniforms of the airline for which they had previously flown pre-merger. Where possible, crew would be requested to "favor" the side of the plane that matched their uniforms.
- Flight numbers would be assigned a UC prefix, base upon resistance from air traffic controllers to using two separate call signs for aircraft operated by a single carrier.
Though the interim plan was never implemented, the memo provides interesting insight into the thinking process of the executives for the new airline. You can see it here: "Secret memo" reveals "interim merger plans