United Airlines/Star Alliance Antitrust-Immunized Alliance Gets Tentative DOT Approval...

United Airlines/Star Alliance Antitrust-Immunized Alliance Gets Tentative DOT
Approval to Add Continental Airlines

Antitrust Immunity Will Expand Networks and Provide Benefits to Customers

WASHINGTON, April 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) today informed United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) that it has
tentatively approved Continental Airlines' application to join the
antitrust-immunized alliance of United and eight other Star Alliance member
airlines. The department also tentatively approved United's and Continental's
request to form a trans-Atlantic alliance including Lufthansa and Air Canada.

"The DOT's decision today will enable United, Continental and the other Star
Alliance members to offer travelers greater choice, lower fares and improved
access to more of the world," said Glenn Tilton, chairman, president and chief
executive officer of United Airlines. "Final approval of the application will
also enable the carriers to establish more efficient and comprehensive global
networks, helping to level the competitive playing field in our industry. We
would like to thank DOT Secretary LaHood and his team for their extensive
review and tentative approval."

With antitrust immunity, United and Continental and the other immunized
carriers can work together to deliver competitive flight schedules and fares
in trans-Atlantic markets and improved access to new routes, benefiting
customers and their communities. In addition, this decision will establish a
framework for similar joint ventures in other regions, further encouraging
global airline competition.

"The support we received from members of Congress, community leaders and civic
organizations was instrumental in securing the timely approval of the
application," said Mike Whitaker, United's senior vice president of alliances,
international and regulatory affairs. "We were delighted to work together to
achieve this outcome that is so critical to improving customer choice and
convenience."

In addition to United, the eight other Star Alliance member carriers that have
received DOT approval for antitrust immunity are Air Canada, Austrian, bmi,
Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, Scandinavian airlines (SAS), SWISS and TAP Air
Portugal.

About United
United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA) operates more than 3,000* flights a day on
United and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international
destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and
Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region,
Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers
based in the United States. United also is a founding member of Star
Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 912 destinations in
159 countries worldwide. United's 49,500 employees reside in every U.S. state
and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information
about United can be found at the company's Web site at united.com.

*Based on United's flight schedule between Jan. 1, 2009, and Jan. 1, 2010.

SOURCE United Airlines

Worldwide Press Office of United Airlines, +1-312-997-8640