Continental Airlines announced on Monday , May 3 , 2010 , that they were merging with United Airlines . The merger was approved in September 2010 , and the parent company changed its name to United Continental Holdings when United completed its acquisition of Continental . October 2010 â `` On October 1 , 2010 , UAL Corporation ( the parent company of United Airlines ) completed its acquisition of Continental Airlines and changed its name to United Continental Holdings , Inc. .