Worst to first is gordon bethunes story of continental airlines turnaround under his command. During the merger, the new united adopted the continental livery but. How united continental merger impacts fliers is the union a good or a bad deal for travelers. May 03, 2010 image caption the new planes will fly under the united airlines name.
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. Jul 22, 2002 five years later, he has transformed continental from the worst of the large carriers to first in its class. Continental losing houston home in merger with united. First off, its no secret, when it comes to customer service, united is commonly regarded as one of the worst airlines in the business. The airline was in terrible shape, worst among the u. Apr 27, 2019 the merger with continental was the beginning of a decline. 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.
Good, bad and ugly the proposed marriage of american airlines and us airways is likely the last in a series of industry megamergers. 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. Was continental headed for bankruptcy before merging with united. The book is written more like a training manual rather than a story, some do not like this format which is understandable. Systems merger makes flight reservations magically disappear. Bethune born august 29, 1941 is a retired us airline executive. 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.
List of airline mergers and acquisitions wikipedia. By focusing on its hubbased transportation system, continental has redrawn its method for doing business. United and continental airlines designing brand as they. The economic situation forced the merger discussions. Good, bad and ugly the proposed marriage of american airlines and us airways is likely the last in a series of industry mega. United and continental airlines announce merger youtube. At the same time, he has set the standard for corporate turnarounds. Established practices that passengers had come to expect were discarded. I will never forget my first flight from dallas to houston on continental airlines. It filed for bankruptcy for the first time in september 1983 and remained.
The product, prekote, manufactured by pantheon enterprises, eliminates hazardous chemicals that are usually used in the pretreatment phase before painting an aircraft. I purchased this book because united and continental airlines merged into. Continental ceo a risk taker, blunt talker reuters. Continental and united airlines merge cruise radio. Sep 17, 2010 united and continental merge to create worlds biggest airline. More than five years after the everyonebutthemediasawitcoming disaster that is the merger of united and continental airlines, big business media is switching gears. 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. At the time, i was a partner specializing in corporate turnarounds in bain. 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. This article uses the case of the successful turnaround at continental airlines to. Apr 30, 2010 this is not the first time the two airlines have considered merging. May 03, 2010 how united continental merger impacts fliers is the union a good or a bad deal for travelers. When united merged with continental, continental was known for friendly service and a customer first culture. Case study data warehousing continental airlines i.
May 03, 2010 united and continental airlines announced a deal that would merge the two companies together. Continental interested in merger with united airlines. What do you do if youre running the worst airline in. The company traced its history to varney airlines, incorporated by walter t. United and continental airlines announced a deal that would merge the two companies together. How unitedcontinental merger impacts fliers travel news. In his new book from worst to first, continental airlines ceo gordon.
The merger with continental was the beginning of a decline. Image caption the new planes will fly under the united airlines name. 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. Timothy mcmahon i am angry and bewildered about the merger of united and continental airlines. Why the united and continental merger and other mergers are not going to fly. If you live in houston, new york or cleveland, you should be angry, too. Passengers have become disillusioned and left united as their carrier. United, continental merge into worlds largest airline.
The united continental merger was announced may 3, 2010 and the merger transaction close date was october 1, 2010. They may brag about their most admired status in the industry, but that survey, conducted by fortune magazine, only polled industry insiders, not consumers. Uniteds new management team takes shape chicago tribune. Gordon bethune emerges as an inspirational leader, by bringing continental airlines back from the brink, in 1994. Sep 17, 2010 continental airlines and ual shareholders approved the deal, which will create the worlds biggest airline. United and continental said to agree to merge the new york. Bethune then commissioned a team of employees to create a new manual. 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. The book is written more like a training manual rather than a story, some do not. 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. Behind the scenes of continental s remarkable comeback new ed by bethune, gordon isbn. Why the united and continental merger and other mergers. How unitedcontinental merger impacts fliers travel.
Gordon bethune is chairman and ceo of continental airlines. Yeah, the same united that merged with continental airlines. United and continental merge to create worlds biggest airline. After all, continental was the product of mergers among seven airlines. United to keep continental cfo after airlines merge. 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. United airlines will keep continental airlines inc. This article lists airline mergers and acquisitions, with a brief history of each. In 2007 reports began to surface of a potential merger with united airlines.
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. To ask other readers questions about from worst to first, please sign up. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Usbased united airlines and continental airlines have agreed a deal to merge, creating the worlds biggest carrier. From worst to first outlines gordon bethunes triumphs. May 03, 2010 united and continental airlines to merge. United airlines and continental airlines announced they.
Chief financial officer zane rowe in his post when the two carriers merge, while united cfo kathryn mikells and president john tague will leave. United is struggling two years after its merger with. 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. 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. 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. Continental airlines and united airlines merger tony mcdougal december 2, 2012 professor bates abstract this paper explains the challenges faced by two major u. Cal announced today monday that they plan to merge and create the worlds largest airline in a stock swap. Continental was an airline that had grown through mergers. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Behind the scenes of continental s remarkable comeback, in 1999 detailing his time at that carrier.
If you want strategic change, dont forget to change your. From first to worst continental in a post united world, lessons in next gen customer experience r ray wang contributor opinions expressed by. 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. 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. Fortune magazine named continental the company that has raised its overall marks more than any other in the 1990s. He was the ceo of continental airlines from 1994 until his retirement at the. The new united has been established through a financial transaction, but the real merger takes place in the operation. Introduction this past fall, the department of justice doj approved a. When gordon bethune took over continental airlines in october 1994. Continental and united airlines to merge wikinews, the. 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. In his final year with the airline, fortune ranked continental 2004s no. In 2008, the united and continental were close to a deal but continental pulled out at the last minute, wary of uniteds debt load. United airlines and continental merge to create worlds.
The atlanta journalconstitution from worst to first is gordon bethunes story of continental airlines turnaround under his command. 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. Continental wont try to merge with united business us. He is not bragging, but rather sharing the secrets of leadership that can transform other companies. It has received numerous awards for its work, including in 2004, the data warehousing institutes best practices and leadership awards. Behind the scenes of continental s remarkable comeback. I purchased this book because united and continental airlines merged into one company and i wanted.
Fund the future, or if there aint no funds, there aint gonna be no future. Continental and united airlines to merge wikinews, the free. United airlines, which ranked dead last on the acsi 62 and received the most complaints. Behind the scenes of continental s remarkable comeback kindle edition by bethune, gordon.
It is a fascinating story about continental airlines written by the ceo gordon. 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. United and continental merger would create worlds biggest. Fly to win, or you can make a pizza so cheap nobody wants to eat it. Continental airlines and united airlines officially announced monday their plans to merge after both companies boards of directors approved the plan on sunday afternoon. Although the two airlines remained separated until the operational integration was completed, as of this day both airlines are corporately controlled by the same. If youre seeing this message, that means javascript has been disabled on your browser, please enable js to make this app work. Continental airlines and united airlines merger term paper. Sep, 2010 was continental headed for bankruptcy before merging with united. Business weekfrom worst to first outlines gordon bethunes. May 03, 2010 continental and united airlines merge. Mar 23, 2012 may 3 bloomberg united airlines parent ual corp. The book is written more like a training manual rather than a story, some do not like. Five years later, he has transformed continental from the worst of the large carriers to first in its class.
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