United Airlines and Continental Airlines are now the biggest single airline in the world.

So what does that mean for you?

That depends. If you work for either airline, your job could be on the chopping block, as mergers typically mean consolidation and that means some people have to go. Of course, the merger has more than a few big hurdles to jump before it starts pulling in more than $1 billion a year.

However, that could impact customer service in the coming months. Pilots, flight attendants, baggage handlers and everyone else working at either airline may have a few other things on their minds instead of catering to your every whim.

But what’s more likely is a decline options for people who regularly fly either airline. Consolidation will mean some flights will be canceled — this allows for more efficient flying.

And for those sitting in a row alone, look to your left and look to your right, soon, those seats will be full of screaming babies and extra large adults. Flights will likely filled to the max.

So fewer flights, and more crowded ones. Fun.

Of course, the plus side will be that if you lived near an airport that only had one of those airlines, you may have more route options. If your airport included both airlines, well, now you’ll have fewer options.

And in either case, ticket prices are likely to go up. That’s one of the big reasons, U-Conn expects to bring that billion dollars a year.

Up, up and away.

(If you want to read Continental’s press release, click here.)

(If you want to read United’s press release, click here.)

Tags: Continental Airlines, merger, prices, routes, tickets, travel, United Airlines