WHAT'S HAPPENING: United Airlines is combining passenger data with Continental Airlines. The change means Continental is going away as a separate airline.
WHY IT MATTERS: The change should mean that passengers no longer have to worry about which airline issued their ticket when they walk up to a ticket counter or manage their frequent flier miles.
WHAT'S NEXT: Early Saturday morning, United.com will become the airline's only website, the frequent flier accounts will be combined, and its passenger reservations will all be on one computer system.
