Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. ANA's future Boeing 787-881 N787EX (msn 34488) arrives back at a wet Boeing Field (King County) during the first flight.
Continental Airlines, United Airlines and ANA (All Nippon Airways) yesterday (December 23) filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for antitrust immunity to enable the three carriers to create a more efficient and comprehensive trans-Pacific network.
The trans-Pacific joint venture – the first of its kind between the U.S. and Asia – also would enable United, ANA and Continental to compete more effectively with other global alliances, each of which has a significant presence in Tokyo.
Upon DOT approval of the companies’ immunity application, United, ANA and Continental will be able to jointly manage trans-Pacific activities including scheduling, pricing and sales, offering customers a greater selection of routings and a wider range of fare and service options.
Here is the full press release:
finance.yahoo.com/news/United-All-Nippon-Airways-and-prnews-1325552356.html?x=0&.v=1
Related to this, ANA’s future Boeing 787-881 N787EX (msn 34488) developed some landing gear and brake problems on its previously-reported first flight according to this Seattle Times article: