Other changes await on the regional front. Three wholly owned regional carriers—AMR Corp.’s American Eagle Airlines and US Airways’ Piedmont Airlines and PSA Airlines—will continue to operate as distinct entities. American Eagle eventually will be the brand for those.

The US Airways-American combination may not look so significant from a global perspective, but there are some important ramifications to keep in mind. There will now be three big airline blocks in each of three major air transport markets: China (Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines), Europe (Lufthansa, Air France-KLM and International Airlines Group) and the U.S. (American, United and Delta).

The merger will lead to one major change in the alliance world, with the Star Alliance losing U.S. partners, as the combined carrier will stay in American’s Oneworld.

With Joseph C. Anselmo in Washington.

For more analysis and data on American Airlines and US Airways fleets, traffic and finances, go to aviationweek.com/NewAmerican