WING MEN: The board of American Airlines parent AMR Corp. will meet to consider whether the company should merge with US Airways or remain independent, but a decision is unlikely this week.

MOMENTUM TAKING OFF: Analysts say recent events have made a merger more likely. They cite a run-up in US Airways' stock price and a pending agreement on how pilots from the two airlines would be combined into one workforce.

WHO'S NO. 1? If there is a merger, the combined company would rival United Airlines as the world's biggest carrier while leapfrogging over No. 2 Delta Air Lines.