CO has to get out of Skyteam, one way or another. AF/KL will definitely route their business to DL/NW over CO.

That's why they definitely need to hook up with Star. But I don't think they need to buy UA. Immediately they will be the top Star Alliance airline in New York, and in the NY-Europe, and NY-London markets.

The question is what LH and UA would ask for CO for them to join. And whether they'll obtain broad anti-trust exemptions like the six Skyteam airlines are doing.

UA has been trying to sell itself since coming out of Ch11 2 years ago, so they may tell CO, "buy me or get lost". In that sense, CO may not have an alternative than to merge with UA.

I was driving down I-85 in Atlanta today and there is already a billboard up for the "premiere global airline" with both Delta's and NWA's logos.

My e-mail this afternoon from Delta says combined airline will be called Delta and they provided a link: http://www.newglobalairline.com/

phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=85779&p=irol-newsArticle_Print&ID=1135281

CO's board has decided not to merge with anybody at this time.

This may mean UA and US will tie up, while CO will form alliance - NOT MERGER - with AA and move to oneworld.