Continental Airlines no longer exists as an independent entity; its "new" name is simply United Airlines. The two carriers officially merged in 2010, creating what was at the time the world's largest airline. While the "Continental" name was retired, the brand’s visual identity actually survived in a "hybrid" form. The current United Airlines logo—the distinctive blue and white globe on the tail of the aircraft—was actually the logo of Continental Airlines before the merger. Furthermore, the combined company's headquarters moved to Chicago (United's home), but much of the operational philosophy was influenced by the Houston-based Continental team. By 2026, the integration is total, and most younger travelers are unaware that the "Globe" they see at airports worldwide was once the symbol of a completely different airline. The "Continental" brand is now merely a piece of aviation history, though it continues to live on through the livery and the massive United hub at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).