With the filing of papers in Delaware last week, the first major jet-age airline merger became official. Out of the marriage of United and Capital Airlines emerged a beefed-up United, newly established as the world's largest airline.*
United medallions appeared on Capital stewardess uniforms, and Capital planes were repainted United's white with red and blue trim. Capital (and the Civil Aeronautics Board) accepted Capital's disappearance because there was no reasonable alternative; its incautious purchase of 60 turboprop Viscounts seven years ago had helped push Capital to the verge of bankruptcy. But for Hawaiian-born William ("Pat") Patterson, 61, United's president,...
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