NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Continental Airlines Inc. and UAL Corp.'s United Airlines are nearing a deal to consolidate into the world's largest airline, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

The commercial carriers' boards of directors are expected to discuss the negotiations through the weekend and announce the merger on Monday, said the Journal. The union would allow the company to overtake Delta Air Lines , which merged with Northwest Airlines in 2008, as the world's biggest airline.

The deal could still fall through, as it did when the two airlines discussed combining in 2008 and Houston-based Continental backed out. But despite an earlier dispute on pricing, the Journal said discussions are still on track.