Continental also looked at an American merger

Continental Airlines, which is in preliminary talks with United Airlines about a possible merger, also discussed a potential tie-up with American Airlines, people familiar with the situation said.

The talks were exploratory, and it isn't clear they will go further, the sources said. They mark the latest exploratory efforts among airlines and their advisers as they gear up for what they anticipate could be an industry merger wave.

The discussions come as Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines are in the final stages of hammering out a merger agreement, people knowledgeable about the matter said. Some issues remain, they said, including reaching an agreement with the pilots of both airlines on a common labor contract and integrating their seniority systems. Delta also had discussed a combination with United in recent weeks, the sources said.

The prospect of a Delta-Northwest marriage recently galvanized United and Continental to renew talks after previous efforts went nowhere, these people said. But one person familiar with the matter said Continental and United aren't in the final stages of negotiations. Continental hasn't signed a confidentiality agreement with United that would precede serious discussions, the person said.

Houston-based Continental has said it prefers to remain independent unless the competitive landscape changes and its rivals pair up.

WALL STREET JOURNAL