Bankrupt American Airlines and its dogged suitor, US Airways, announced a merger  Thursday that would create the world’s largest air carrier and put 86 percent of domestic air travel in the hands of four big airlines.

The merger was approved by the boards of both airlines, ending months of negotiation that began with American giving a frosty response to the initial overture from US Airways.

Described as the last airline mega-merger in a decade of consolidation, the marriage would see the US Airways brand consigned to the dustbin of aviation history, joining Pan Am, TWA, Eastern Air Lines, Northwest and Continental.

The agreement was first reported by other news organizations; a person familiar with the negotiations confirmed  the deal to The Washington Post on Wednesday, and it was formally announced early Thursday.

 

READ MORE