Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. What do you do if youre running the worst airline in. United is struggling two years after its merger with. Established practices that passengers had come to expect were discarded. Gordon bethune, the ceo of continental airlines, has written from worst to first, an account of how he turned that airline from lackluster to leader, in just ayearand ahalf. Apr 30, 2010 this is not the first time the two airlines have considered merging.
The new united has been established through a financial transaction, but the real merger takes place in the operation. Behind the scenes of continental s remarkable comeback kindle edition by bethune, gordon. From first to worst continental in a post united world, lessons in next gen customer experience r ray wang contributor opinions expressed by. This article lists airline mergers and acquisitions, with a brief history of each. He is not bragging, but rather sharing the secrets of leadership that can transform other companies. The worlds biggest airline got clearance for takeoff today as shareholders of united airlines and continental airlines backed a multibillion dollar merger that will create a carrier dwarfing. Still for many avgeeks and former continental employees, the continental name was a nod to an airline that went from worst to first under famed ceo gordon bethune. Behind the scenes of continental s remarkable comeback new ed by bethune, gordon isbn. May 03, 2010 united and continental airlines to merge. If youre seeing this message, that means javascript has been disabled on your browser, please enable js to make this app work. Fund the future, or if there aint no funds, there aint gonna be no future. At the time, i was a partner specializing in corporate turnarounds in bain. Sep 17, 2010 continental airlines and ual shareholders approved the deal, which will create the worlds biggest airline.
Cal announced today monday that they plan to merge and create the worlds largest airline in a stock swap. The airline was in terrible shape, worst among the u. Continental and united airlines to merge wikinews, the free. Continental was an airline that had grown through mergers. Sep 17, 2010 united and continental merge to create worlds biggest airline.
May 03, 2010 how united continental merger impacts fliers is the union a good or a bad deal for travelers. Continental ceo a risk taker, blunt talker reuters. To ask other readers questions about from worst to first, please sign up. Introduction this past fall, the department of justice doj approved a.
United airlines and continental airlines announced they. This article uses the case of the successful turnaround at continental airlines to. Gordon bethune chronicles his experience coming to work for continental airlines, a major carrier that consistently ranked last in every measurable airline performance metric, and bringing the failing carrier to the top of the airline industry. United continental systems merger makes flight reservations magically disappear. United and continental airlines announced a deal that would merge the two companies together. United and continental airlines announce merger youtube. United to keep continental cfo after airlines merge. The united continental merger isnt due to close until late this year, but continental airlines ceo jeff smisek already has named the roster of senior executives who will lead the new carrier. If you live in houston, new york or cleveland, you should be angry, too. Continental airlines is the first carrier in the world to utilize this technology on their aircraft. The atlanta journalconstitution from worst to first is gordon bethunes story of continental airlines turnaround under his command. Unveiled by new york design firm lippincott in 1991, the globe mark is a reminder to many continental customers of their airline s worst to first resurgence under former ceo gordon bethune and a.
When gordon bethune took over continental airlines in october 1994. Was continental headed for bankruptcy before merging with united. Yeah, the same united that merged with continental airlines. Worst to first is gordon bethunes story of continental airlines turnaround under his command. United airlines and continental merge to create worlds. Bethune born august 29, 1941 is a retired us airline executive. From worst to first outlines gordon bethunes triumphs. The company was set up in 1934 and for decades had been known for quality of its service and the stability and caring of its governance structure. How unitedcontinental merger impacts fliers travel news. Continental and united airlines merge cruise radio. It is a fascinating story about continental airlines written by the ceo gordon. The story is about how bethune revolutionized the company from being the worse airline to fly with in the usa and abroad to being one of the first. Uniteds new management team takes shape chicago tribune. He was the ceo of continental airlines from 1994 until his retirement at the.
In 2007 reports began to surface of a potential merger with united airlines. It filed for bankruptcy for the first time in september 1983 and remained. May 03, 2010 continental and united airlines merge. In his new book from worst to first, continental airlines ceo gordon. Good, bad and ugly the proposed marriage of american airlines and us airways is likely the last in a series of industry mega. Apr 27, 2019 the merger with continental was the beginning of a decline. From worst to first by gordon bethune 1999 the turnaround of continental airlines in the 1980s is one of the most remarkable stories of the corporate world. Behind the scenes of continental s remarkable comeback, in 1999 detailing his time at that carrier. United and continental said to agree to merge the new york. The company traced its history to varney airlines, incorporated by walter t.
I purchased this book because united and continental airlines merged into one company and i wanted. Continental losing houston home in merger with united. The merger with continental was the beginning of a decline. Good, bad and ugly the proposed marriage of american airlines and us airways is likely the last in a series of industry megamergers. From first to worst continental in a post united world, lessons in next gen customer experience r ray wang contributor opinions expressed by forbes contributors are their own. Gordon bethune left his post as an executive in operations at boeing in february 1994 to become the president and chief operating officer of continental airlines. When united merged with continental, continental was known for friendly service and a customer first culture. Continental and united airlines to merge wikinews, the.
United airlines will keep continental airlines inc. How united continental merger impacts fliers is the union a good or a bad deal for travelers. The united continental merger was announced may 3, 2010 and the merger transaction close date was october 1, 2010. At the same time, he has set the standard for corporate turnarounds.
Sep, 2010 was continental headed for bankruptcy before merging with united. Business weekfrom worst to first outlines gordon bethunes. United, continental to merge, forming biggest airline. Ual corporation agreed to change its name to united continental holdings in may 2010, when an agreement was reached between united and continental airlines where united would. Systems merger makes flight reservations magically disappear. During the merger, the new united adopted the continental livery but.
The economic situation forced the merger discussions. Why the united and continental merger and other mergers. Gordon bethune is chairman and ceo of continental airlines. List of airline mergers and acquisitions wikipedia. United and continental airlines designing brand as they. By focusing on its hubbased transportation system, continental has redrawn its method for doing business. Although the two airlines remained separated until the operational integration was completed, as of this day both airlines are corporately controlled by the same. United airlines and continental airlines are moving closer to announcing as early as monday that they will combine to form the worlds largest carrier by passenger traffic, according to people. Jul 22, 2002 five years later, he has transformed continental from the worst of the large carriers to first in its class. May 03, 2010 image caption the new planes will fly under the united airlines name. Airline passengers across the country should brace for higher ticket prices and less flight options thanks to the expected merger of united airlines and continental airlines, according to several. The product, prekote, manufactured by pantheon enterprises, eliminates hazardous chemicals that are usually used in the pretreatment phase before painting an aircraft. Fortune magazine named continental the company that has raised its overall marks more than any other in the 1990s. United and continental merge to create worlds biggest airline.
The book is written more like a training manual rather than a story, some do not. Fly to win, or you can make a pizza so cheap nobody wants to eat it. The seattle postintelligencerall of gordon bethunes proceeds from this book will be donated to the we care trust, a nonprofit organization that assists continental airlines employees and their families in times of need. On october 1, 2010, ual corporation the parent company of united airlines completed its acquisition of continental airlines and changed its name to united continental holdings, inc. Usbased united airlines and continental airlines have agreed a deal to merge, creating the worlds biggest carrier. Continental interested in merger with united airlines. Continental wont try to merge with united business us.
The book is written more like a training manual rather than a story, some do not like this format which is understandable. In his final year with the airline, fortune ranked continental 2004s no. Chief financial officer zane rowe in his post when the two carriers merge, while united cfo kathryn mikells and president john tague will leave. May 03, 2010 united and continental airlines announced a deal that would merge the two companies together. After all, continental was the product of mergers among seven airlines. Behind the scenes of continental s remarkable comeback. It has received numerous awards for its work, including in 2004, the data warehousing institutes best practices and leadership awards. Image caption the new planes will fly under the united airlines name.
Bethune then commissioned a team of employees to create a new manual. Make reliability a reality, or its time to act like a real airline. If you want strategic change, dont forget to change your. May 02, 2010 airlines have struggled financially for years, and houstonbased continental is no exception with two bankruptcies in its history, government help after sept. Five years later, he has transformed continental from the worst of the large carriers to first in its class. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. In 2008, the united and continental were close to a deal but continental pulled out at the last minute, wary of uniteds debt load. Timothy mcmahon i am angry and bewildered about the merger of united and continental airlines.
First off, its no secret, when it comes to customer service, united is commonly regarded as one of the worst airlines in the business. Continental airlines and united airlines merger tony mcdougal december 2, 2012 professor bates abstract this paper explains the challenges faced by two major u. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading from worst to first. During this time continental sold its share in copa airlines, cut 3,000 employees in order to save costs, and reduced their fleet size by 67 aircraft. Mar 23, 2012 may 3 bloomberg united airlines parent ual corp. Why the united and continental merger and other mergers are not going to fly. United airlines, which ranked dead last on the acsi 62 and received the most complaints. They may brag about their most admired status in the industry, but that survey, conducted by fortune magazine, only polled industry insiders, not consumers. Two years after its merger with continental, united airlines has struggled with delays and computer glitches, and it has failed to settle on a contract with employees all while losing money. Prior to joining continental, he was vice president and general manager of. Case study data warehousing continental airlines i.
Passengers have become disillusioned and left united as their carrier. I purchased this book because united and continental airlines merged into. I will never forget my first flight from dallas to houston on continental airlines. The book is written more like a training manual rather than a story, some do not like. More than five years after the everyonebutthemediasawitcoming disaster that is the merger of united and continental airlines, big business media is switching gears. How unitedcontinental merger impacts fliers travel. United and continental merger would create worlds biggest. Gordon bethune emerges as an inspirational leader, by bringing continental airlines back from the brink, in 1994. Executive summary table of contents i ii iii iv v executive summary the decision to invest implementation new business strategies roi 2 4 6 9 19 20 technical appendix a continental s comeback from worst to first is an airline industry legend. Continental airlines and united airlines merger term paper. Continental airlines deal with united marks end of storied. United, continental merge into worlds largest airline. Executive summary table of contents i ii iii iv v executive summary the decision to invest implementation new business strategies roi 2 4 6 9 19 20 technical appendix a continental s comeback from worst to first is an airline. Continental airlines and united airlines officially announced monday their plans to merge after both companies boards of directors approved the plan on sunday afternoon.