After American taxpayers have spend hundreds of billions on airports and airline infrastructure, we get less choice and we WILL get higher prices. But I guess you can't expect much more when Big Oil owns half our politicians and intentionally restricts our transportation choices to those that guzzle the most oil.

This is a sad day for American and people like me who have had a long relationship with this airline. The first time I flew in an airplane was an American DC-9 from LAX to ORD in 1963. I was a young girl then who fell in love with flying. Later, I had the distinct honor of knowing American's chief pilot, who went on to become their V.P. of Flight. He's no longer with us. At least American gets to keep its storied name, a name synonymous with commercial aviation and innovation in the sky. I wish them well.

American needed to go, and I welcome the fact that America West management will be in charge. When I think back to deregulation of the airlines in 1978, it has come full circle. Cost has been pushed out of the system, the strongest have ultimately prevailed, and unlike the '70's, flying is now a way of life. Not just something available to the monied. Alfred Kahn, thank you!

Too big to fail? I guess we haven't learned from history.

Better not EVER try to use the "Too big to fail scam."

No they will not merge. The feds will stop it because of anti-trust concerns.

On one hand I don't like having fewer choices, but on the other hand, I don't want money problems causing a plane to crash - especially one that I'm on.

This might be the time to look at re-regulating the airline industry again.This merger had to happen. The alternative would be American Airlines going out of business.Its creditors would have demanded it in bankruptcy.That would have had a huge impact on the economy.American is a major employer in Dallas.United and Delta would have become the two most powerful airlines in the United States.Dallas Texas would have become a Delta hub that might have have impacted Delta service at MSP.The new American Airlines will still be number 3 behind United and Delta.In 1978 the only airline that served MSP that is still flying under its own name today is United. Braniff and Eastern went out of business.Western and Northwest were both merged into Delta.North Central became Republic then part of Northwest.Ozark became part of TWA.Ask St Louis how they were treated by American when they took over TWA.Ironically,neither American or Delta served MSP in 1978.US Airways was then known as Allegheny Airlines.So much has changed and not for the better.

Less seats, higher costs. Let the free markets prevail!

Monopoly. Everywhere you look, across many industries, monopoly. And nobody cares.