United Airlines' board of directors approved a merger with Continental Airlines and an announcement of a deal worth more than $3 billion was expected early Monday, a source familiar with the situation said on Sunday.

Continental's board was expected to meet Sunday, The Wall Street Journal said on Sunday.

Continental and UAL Corp's United ironed out the last remaining wrinkle in their merger talks, paving the way for a deal that would create the world's largest carrier, sources familiar with the situation previously told Reuters.

(Reporting by Jessica Hall; Editing by Bernard Orr)

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