(Reuters) - Continental Airlines Inc (CAL.N), which United Airlines parent UAL Corp (UAUA.O) is buying, said on Thursday that it reached a tentative agreement on a labor contract with the union that represents its flight attendants.

The airline said the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union was expected to hold a ratification vote in coming weeks on the labor pact, which covers about 9,300 Continental flight attendants.

The United-Continental merger is expected to be completed as early as this week to form the world's largest airline ahead of Delta (DAL.N). The new carrier will carry the United name [ID:nN29240431].

Shares of Continental were up 25 cents, or 1 percent, at $24.78 on Thursday while UAL gained 19 cents to $23.60. (Reporting by Karen Jacobs. Editing by Robert MacMillan)



Hmmmmmm.... Were they not negotiating a joint agreement?