United Airlines Holdings Inc.

10/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/16/2024 14:10

Quarterly Report for Quarter Ending September 30, 2024 (Form 10-Q)

ual-20240930
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission
File Number
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter,
Principal Executive Office Address and Telephone Number
State of
Incorporation 		I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.
001-06033 United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Delaware 36-2675207
233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606
(872) 825-4000
001-10323 United Airlines, Inc. Delaware 74-2099724
233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606
(872) 825-4000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act
Registrant Title of Each Class Trading Symbol Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Common Stock, $0.01 par value UAL The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Preferred Stock Purchase Rights None The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
United Airlines, Inc. None None None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Yes ☒ No ☐ United Airlines, Inc. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this Chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Yes ☒ No ☐ United Airlines, Inc. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐
United Airlines, Inc. Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☒ Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. ☐
United Airlines, Inc. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Yes ☐ No ☒
United Airlines, Inc. Yes ☐ No ☒
The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of October 10, 2024 is shown below:
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. 328,875,900 shares of common stock ($0.01 par value)
United Airlines, Inc. 1,000 shares of common stock ($0.01 par value) (100% owned by United Airlines Holdings, Inc.)
OMISSION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
This combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is separately filed by United Airlines Holdings, Inc. and United Airlines, Inc. United Airlines, Inc. meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format allowed under that General Instruction.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
United Airlines, Inc.
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2024
Table of Contents
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.:
Statements of Consolidated Operations
3
Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)
4
Consolidated Balance Sheets
5
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows
7
Statement of Consolidated Stockholders' Equity
8
United Airlines, Inc.:
Statements of Consolidated Operations
9
Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)
10
Consolidated Balance Sheets
11
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows
13
Statement of Consolidated Stockholder's Equity
14
Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(United Airlines Holdings, Inc. and United Airlines, Inc.)
15
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
25
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
38
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
38
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
38
Item 1A. Risk Factors
38
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
38
Item 5. Other Information
39
Item 6. Exhibits
40
Exhibit Index
40
Signatures
41
Table of Contents
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Operating revenue:
Passenger $ 13,561 $ 13,349 $ 38,554 $ 36,625
Cargo 417 333 1,222 1,093
Other 865 802 2,592 2,373
Total operating revenue 14,843 14,484 42,368 40,091
Operating expense:
Salaries and related costs 4,323 3,914 12,353 10,946
Aircraft fuel 2,993 3,342 9,080 9,336
Landing fees and other rent 866 801 2,536 2,283
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs 765 684 2,254 2,072
Depreciation and amortization 742 663 2,169 1,987
Regional capacity purchase 651 592 1,848 1,806
Distribution expenses 574 516 1,680 1,406
Aircraft rent 65 46 148 151
Special charges (5) 29 44 902
Other 2,304 2,158 6,663 5,989
Total operating expense 13,278 12,745 38,775 36,878
Operating income 1,565 1,739 3,593 3,213
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense (379) (493) (1,260) (1,472)
Interest income 187 234 554 620
Interest capitalized 53 48 174 128
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net (90) (54) (160) 54
Miscellaneous, net (50) 11 (40) 73
Total nonoperating expense, net (279) (254) (732) (597)
Income before income tax expense 1,286 1,485 2,861 2,616
Income tax expense 321 348 697 598
Net income $ 965 $ 1,137 $ 2,164 $ 2,018
Earnings per share, basic $ 2.93 $ 3.47 $ 6.58 $ 6.16
Earnings per share, diluted $ 2.90 $ 3.42 $ 6.49 $ 6.08
The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
3
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UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Net income $ 965 $ 1,137 $ 2,164 $ 2,018
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Employee benefit plans (24) (20) (58) (89)
Investments and other 12 8 11 5
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax (12) (12) (47) (84)
Total comprehensive income, net $ 953 $ 1,125 $ 2,117 $ 1,934
The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(UNAUDITED)
(In millions, except shares)
September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,812 $ 6,058
Short-term investments 5,352 8,330
Restricted cash 36 31
Receivables, less allowance for credit losses (2024 - $21; 2023 - $18)
2,042 1,898
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2024 - $788; 2023 - $689)
1,639 1,561
Prepaid expenses and other 690 609
Total current assets 18,571 18,487
Operating property and equipment:
Flight equipment 50,933 48,448
Other property and equipment 11,865 10,527
Purchase deposits for flight equipment 3,414 3,550
Total operating property and equipment 66,212 62,525
Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization (24,532) (22,710)
Total operating property and equipment, net 41,680 39,815
Operating lease right-of-use assets 3,782 3,914
Other assets:
Goodwill 4,527 4,527
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2024 - $1,355; 2023 - $1,495)
2,691 2,725
Restricted cash 180 245
Investments in affiliates and other, less allowance for credit losses (2024 - $32; 2023 - $38)
1,209 1,391
Total other assets 8,607 8,888
Total assets $ 72,640 $ 71,104
(continued on next page)
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UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(In millions, except shares)
September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 4,008 $ 3,835
Accrued salaries and benefits 2,802 2,940
Advance ticket sales 8,477 6,704
Frequent flyer deferred revenue 3,314 3,095
Current maturities of long-term debt 3,279 4,018
Current maturities of operating leases 491 576
Current maturities of finance leases 87 172
Current maturities of other financial liabilities 69 57
Other 838 806
Total current liabilities 23,365 22,203
Long-term debt 22,207 25,057
Long-term obligations under operating leases 4,432 4,503
Long-term obligations under finance leases 89 91
Other liabilities and deferred credits:
Frequent flyer deferred revenue 4,057 4,048
Pension liability 1,030 968
Postretirement benefit liability 594 637
Deferred income taxes 1,224 594
Other financial liabilities 2,705 2,265
Other 1,500 1,414
Total other liabilities and deferred credits 11,110 9,926
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock - -
Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; outstanding 328,846,178 and 328,018,739 shares at September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively
4 4
Additional capital invested 8,945 8,992
Stock held in treasury, at cost (3,299) (3,441)
Retained earnings 5,896 3,831
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (109) (62)
Total stockholders' equity 11,437 9,324
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 72,640 $ 71,104
The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 7,221 $ 7,821
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures, net of flight equipment purchase deposit returns (3,940) (5,105)
Purchases of short-term and other investments (4,057) (8,875)
Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments 7,206 8,614
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 66 20
Other, net (211) (17)
Net cash used in investing activities (936) (5,363)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt and other financing liabilities, net of discounts and fees 5,302 1,685
Payments of long-term debt, finance leases and other financing liabilities (8,792) (3,423)
Repurchase of common stock (82) -
Other, net (19) (31)
Net cash used in financing activities (3,591) (1,769)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 2,694 689
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period 6,334 7,421
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period (a) $ 9,028 $ 8,110
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt, finance leases and other $ (159) $ 677
Right-of-use assets acquired through operating leases 376 470
Lease modifications and lease conversions 117 438
Investment interests received in exchange for loans, goods and services 18 25
(a) The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to amounts reported within the consolidated balance sheet:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,812 $ 7,478
Restricted cash - Current 36 392
Restricted cash - Non-Current 180 240
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 9,028 $ 8,110
The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(In millions)
Common
Stock 		Additional
Capital Invested 		Treasury Stock Retained Earnings Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 		Total
Shares Amount
Balance at June 30, 2024 328.8 $ 4 $ 9,001 $ (3,368) $ 4,986 $ (97) $ 10,526
Net income - - - - 965 - 965
Other comprehensive loss - - - - - (12) (12)
Stock-settled share-based compensation - - 41 - - - 41
Repurchases of common stock (2.0) - - (82) - - (82)
Share issued for settlement of warrants 2.0 - (96) 150 (54) - -
Stock issued for share-based awards, net of shares withheld for tax - - (1) 1 (1) - (1)
Balance at September 30, 2024 328.8 $ 4 $ 8,945 $ (3,299) $ 5,896 $ (109) $ 11,437
Balance at December 31, 2023 328.0 $ 4 $ 8,992 $ (3,441) $ 3,831 $ (62) $ 9,324
Net income - - - - 2,164 - 2,164
Other comprehensive loss - - - - - (47) (47)
Stock-settled share-based compensation - - 97 - - - 97
Repurchases of common stock (2.0) - - (82) - - (82)
Share issued for settlement of warrants 2.0 - (96) 150 (54) - -
Stock issued for share-based awards, net of shares withheld for tax 0.8 - (48) 74 (45) - (19)
Balance at September 30, 2024 328.8 $ 4 $ 8,945 $ (3,299) $ 5,896 $ (109) $ 11,437
Balance at June 30, 2023 328.0 $ 4 $ 8,945 $ (3,442) $ 2,095 $ 103 $ 7,705
Net income - - - - 1,137 - 1,137
Other comprehensive loss - - - - - (12) (12)
Stock-settled share-based compensation - - 23 - - - 23
Balance at September 30, 2023 328.0 $ 4 $ 8,968 $ (3,442) $ 3,232 $ 91 $ 8,853
Balance at December 31, 2022 326.9 $ 4 $ 8,986 $ (3,534) $ 1,265 $ 175 $ 6,896
Net income - - - - 2,018 - 2,018
Other comprehensive loss - - - - - (84) (84)
Stock-settled share-based compensation - - 55 - - - 55
Stock issued for share-based awards, net of shares withheld for tax 1.1 - (73) 92 (51) - (32)
Balance at September 30, 2023 328.0 $ 4 $ 8,968 $ (3,442) $ 3,232 $ 91 $ 8,853
The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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UNITED AIRLINES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Operating revenue:
Passenger $ 13,561 $ 13,349 $ 38,554 $ 36,625
Cargo 417 333 1,222 1,093
Other 865 802 2,592 2,373
Total operating revenue 14,843 14,484 42,368 40,091
Operating expense:
Salaries and related costs 4,323 3,914 12,353 10,946
Aircraft fuel 2,993 3,342 9,080 9,336
Landing fees and other rent 866 801 2,536 2,283
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs 765 684 2,254 2,072
Depreciation and amortization 742 663 2,169 1,987
Regional capacity purchase 651 592 1,848 1,806
Distribution expenses 574 516 1,680 1,406
Aircraft rent 65 46 148 151
Special charges (5) 29 44 902
Other 2,304 2,158 6,662 5,988
Total operating expense 13,278 12,745 38,774 36,877
Operating income 1,565 1,739 3,594 3,214
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense (379) (493) (1,260) (1,472)
Interest income 187 234 554 620
Interest capitalized 53 48 174 128
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net (90) (54) (160) 54
Miscellaneous, net (50) 12 (40) 74
Total nonoperating expense, net (279) (253) (732) (596)
Income before income tax expense 1,286 1,486 2,862 2,618
Income tax expense 321 348 697 599
Net income $ 965 $ 1,138 $ 2,165 $ 2,019
The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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UNITED AIRLINES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)
(In millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Net income $ 965 $ 1,138 $ 2,165 $ 2,019
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Employee benefit plans (24) (20) (58) (89)
Investments and other 12 8 11 5
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax (12) (12) (47) (84)
Total comprehensive income, net $ 953 $ 1,126 $ 2,118 $ 1,935
The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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UNITED AIRLINES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(In millions, except shares)
September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,812 $ 6,058
Short-term investments 5,352 8,330
Restricted cash 36 31
Receivables, less allowance for credit losses (2024 - $21; 2023 - $18)
2,042 1,898
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2024 - $788; 2023 - $689)
1,639 1,561
Prepaid expenses and other 690 609
Total current assets 18,571 18,487
Operating property and equipment:
Flight equipment 50,933 48,448
Other property and equipment 11,865 10,527
Purchase deposits for flight equipment 3,414 3,550
Total operating property and equipment 66,212 62,525
Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization (24,532) (22,710)
Total operating property and equipment, net 41,680 39,815
Operating lease right-of-use assets 3,782 3,914
Other assets:
Goodwill 4,527 4,527
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2024 - $1,355; 2023 - $1,495)
2,691 2,725
Restricted cash 180 245
Investments in affiliates and other, less allowance for credit losses (2024 - $32; 2023 -$38)
1,209 1,391
Total other assets 8,607 8,888
Total assets $ 72,640 $ 71,104
(continued on next page)
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UNITED AIRLINES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(In millions, except shares)
September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 4,008 $ 3,835
Accrued salaries and benefits 2,802 2,940
Advance ticket sales 8,477 6,704
Frequent flyer deferred revenue 3,314 3,095
Current maturities of long-term debt 3,279 4,018
Current maturities of operating leases 491 576
Current maturities of finance leases 87 172
Current maturities of other financial liabilities 69 57
Other 839 808
Total current liabilities 23,366 22,205
Long-term debt 22,207 25,057
Long-term obligations under operating leases 4,432 4,503
Long-term obligations under finance leases 89 91
Other liabilities and deferred credits:
Frequent flyer deferred revenue 4,057 4,048
Pension liability 1,030 968
Postretirement benefit liability 594 637
Deferred income taxes 1,254 622
Other financial liabilities 2,705 2,265
Other 1,500 1,414
Total other liabilities and deferred credits 11,140 9,954
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholder's equity:
Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,000 shares at both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023
- -
Additional capital invested 579 482
Retained earnings 8,501 6,336
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (109) (62)
Payable to parent 2,435 2,538
Total stockholder's equity 11,406 9,294
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity $ 72,640 $ 71,104
The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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UNITED AIRLINES, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 7,120 $ 7,790
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures, net of flight equipment purchase deposit returns (3,940) (5,105)
Purchases of short-term and other investments (4,057) (8,875)
Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments 7,206 8,614
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 66 20
Other, net (211) (17)
Net cash used in investing activities (936) (5,363)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt and other financing liabilities, net of discounts and fees 5,302 1,685
Payments of long-term debt, finance leases and other financing liabilities (8,792) (3,423)
Net cash used in financing activities (3,490) (1,738)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 2,694 689
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period 6,334 7,421
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period (a) $ 9,028 $ 8,110
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt, finance leases and other $ (159) $ 677
Right-of-use assets acquired through operating leases 376 470
Lease modifications and lease conversions 117 438
Investment interests received in exchange for loans, goods and services 18 25
(a) The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to amounts reported within the consolidated balance sheet:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,812 $ 7,478
Restricted cash - Current 36 392
Restricted cash - Non-Current 180 240
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 9,028 $ 8,110
The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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UNITED AIRLINES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(In millions)
Additional
Capital Invested 		Retained Earnings Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) 		Payable to Parent Total
Balance at June 30, 2024 $ 538 $ 7,536 $ (97) $ 2,518 $ 10,495
Net income - 965 - - 965
Other comprehensive loss - - (12) - (12)
Stock-settled share-based compensation 41 - - - 41
Impact of UAL share repurchase - - - (82) (82)
Other - - - (1) (1)
Balance at September 30, 2024 $ 579 $ 8,501 $ (109) $ 2,435 $ 11,406
Balance at December 31, 2023 $ 482 $ 6,336 $ (62) $ 2,538 $ 9,294
Net income - 2,165 - - 2,165
Other comprehensive loss - - (47) - (47)
Stock-settled share-based compensation 97 - - - 97
Impact of UAL share repurchase - - - (82) (82)
Other - - - (21) (21)
Balance at September 30, 2024 $ 579 $ 8,501 $ (109) $ 2,435 $ 11,406
Balance at June 30, 2023 $ 435 $ 4,597 $ 103 $ 2,539 $ 7,674
Net income - 1,138 - - 1,138
Other comprehensive loss - - (12) - (12)
Stock-settled share-based compensation 23 - - - 23
Balance at September 30, 2023 $ 458 $ 5,735 $ 91 $ 2,539 $ 8,823
Balance at December 31, 2022 $ 403 $ 3,716 $ 175 $ 2,571 $ 6,865
Net income - 2,019 - - 2,019
Other comprehensive loss - - (84) - (84)
Stock-settled share-based compensation 55 - - - 55
Other - - - (32) (32)
Balance at September 30, 2023 $ 458 $ 5,735 $ 91 $ 2,539 $ 8,823
The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
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UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC. AND UNITED AIRLINES, INC.
COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "UAL" or the "Company") is a holding company and its wholly-owned subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "United"). This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL and United, including their respective consolidated financial statements. As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL, unless otherwise noted. United's operating revenues and operating expenses comprise nearly 100% of UAL's revenues and operating expenses. In addition, United comprises approximately the entire balance of UAL's assets, liabilities and operating cash flows. When appropriate, UAL and United are named specifically for their individual contractual obligations and related disclosures, and any significant differences between the operations and results of UAL and United are separately disclosed and explained. We sometimes use the words "we," "our," "us," and the "Company" in this report for disclosures that relate to all of UAL and United.
The UAL and United unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements shown here have been prepared as required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Some information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements that comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted as permitted by the SEC. The financial statements include all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments and other adjustments, which are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's financial position and results of operations for interim periods presented. The UAL and United financial statements should be read together with the information included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the "2023 Form 10-K"). The Company's quarterly financial data is subject to seasonal fluctuations. Historically its second and third quarter financial results have reflected higher travel demand than its first and fourth quarter financial results.
NOTE 1 - REVENUE
Revenue by Geography.The table below presents the Company's operating revenue by principal geographic region (as defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation) (in millions):
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Domestic (U.S. and Canada) $ 8,648 $ 8,379 $ 25,082 $ 23,963
Atlantic 3,432 3,543 8,542 8,604
Latin America 1,232 1,184 4,023 3,773
Pacific 1,531 1,378 4,721 3,751
Total $ 14,843 $ 14,484 $ 42,368 $ 40,091
Advance Ticket Sales.The Company defers amounts related to future travel in its Advance ticket sales liability account. All tickets sold at any given point in time have travel dates through the subsequent 12 months. The Company estimates the value of Advance ticket sales that will expire unused ("breakage") and recognizes revenue and any changes in estimates in proportion to the usage of the related tickets. To determine breakage, the Company uses its historical experience with expired tickets and certificates and other facts, such as recent aging trends, program changes and modifications that could affect the ultimate expiration patterns.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized approximately $5.2 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively, of passenger revenue for tickets that were included in Advance ticket sales at the beginning of those periods.
Ancillary Fees.The Company charges fees, separately from ticket sales, for certain ancillary services that are directly related to passenger travel. This includes fees for baggage, premium seats, inflight amenities and other ticket-related fees. These ancillary fees are part of the travel performance obligation and, as such, are recognized as passenger revenue when the travel occurs. The Company recorded $1.1 billion and $3.3 billion of ancillary fees within passenger revenue in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively. The Company recorded $1.1 billion and $3.0 billion of ancillary fees within passenger revenue in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.
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Frequent Flyer Accounting.The table below presents a roll forward of Frequent flyer deferred revenue (in millions):
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Total Frequent flyer deferred revenue - beginning balance $ 7,353 $ 7,024 $ 7,143 $ 6,675
Total miles awarded 884 816 2,643 2,465
Travel miles redeemed (842) (740) (2,325) (1,983)
Non-travel miles redeemed (24) (24) (90) (81)
Total Frequent flyer deferred revenue - ending balance $ 7,371 $ 7,076 $ 7,371 $ 7,076
In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized, in Other operating revenue, $0.7 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, related to the marketing, advertising, non-travel miles redeemed (net of related costs) and other travel-related benefits of the mileage revenue associated with our various partner agreements including, but not limited to, our JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. MileagePlus co-brand agreement. The Company recognized $0.7 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, related to those agreements. The portion related to the MileagePlus miles awarded of the total amounts received from our various partner agreements is deferred and presented in the table above as an increase to the Frequent flyer deferred revenue. We determine the current portion of that account based on our estimate of expected redemptions in the next 12 months.
NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table shows the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share, the latter of which uses the treasury stock method to calculate the dilutive effect of UAL's potential common stock (in millions, except per share amounts):
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Earnings available to common stockholders $ 965 $ 1,137 $ 2,164 $ 2,018
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 329.0 328.0 328.7 327.8
Dilutive effect of stock Warrants (a) 0.9 2.7 1.8 2.5
Dilutive effect of employee stock awards 2.8 1.7 2.8 1.5
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 332.7 332.4 333.3 331.8
Earnings per share, basic $ 2.93 $ 3.47 $ 6.58 $ 6.16
Earnings per share, diluted $ 2.90 $ 3.42 $ 6.49 $ 6.08
Potentially dilutive securities (b)
Stock Warrants (a) 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
Employee stock awards 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.6
(a) See discussion below for more information about these Warrants.
(b) Weighted-average potentially dilutive securities outstanding are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the securities would have an antidilutive effect.
In 2020 and 2021, the Company issued to the United States Department of the Treasury (the "U.S. Treasury") warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase 9,928,349 shares of UAL common stock in connection with the Payroll Support Program established under Division A, Title IV, Subtitle B of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act, the Payroll Support Program Extension established under Division N, Title IV, Subtitle A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ("PSP2"), the Payroll Support Program 3 established under Title VII, Subtitle C of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ("PSP3"), and the Airline Loan Program established under Division A, Title IV, Subtitle A of the CARES Act. In August 2024, the holder of the Warrants exercised 6,414,635, or 65%, of the Warrants, with an exercise price of $31.50, in a net share settlement for 2,043,906 shares of UAL common stock. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had the below Warrants outstanding:
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Warrant Description
Number of Shares of UAL Common Stock
Exercise Price Expiration Dates
PSP2 Warrants 2,011,924 $ 43.26 1/15/2026 - 4/29/2026
PSP3 Warrants 1,501,790 53.92 4/29/2026 - 6/10/2026
Total 3,513,714
In August 2024, the Company repurchased, through open market repurchases following the exercise of the Warrants described above, 2,043,906 shares of UAL common stock, which was recorded as an approximately $82 million increase to Stock held in treasury, at cost. These share repurchases were executed outside a publicly announced plan or program using cash resources.
On October 15, 2024, the Company announced that its Board of Directors ("Board") authorized a new share repurchase program, allowing for purchases of up to $1.5 billion in the aggregate of outstanding UAL common stock and Warrants, subject to a limit of $500 million in the aggregate through 2024. Unless suspended or terminated earlier by the Board, this program has no set expiration date and will therefore terminate when the Company has completed all purchases authorized under the program. The specific timing and number of shares of UAL common stock or Warrants purchased will be determined by the Company's management at its discretion and will vary based on the capital needs of the business, the market price of UAL common stock, general market conditions, securities law limitations and other factors. The purchases may be effected through a combination of one or more open market and privately negotiated transactions (including under trading plans intended to comply with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) as well as transactions structured through investment banking institutions and other derivative transactions (including through one or more accelerated share repurchase programs).
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NOTE 3 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The table below presents the components of the Company's accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax ("AOCI") (in millions):
Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities Investments and Other Deferred Taxes (a) Total
Balance at June 30, 2024 $ 245 $ (5) $ (337) $ (97)
Changes in value (5) 15 (2) 8
Amounts reclassified to earnings (25) (b) - 5 (20)
Balance at September 30, 2024 $ 215 $ 10 $ (334) $ (109)
Balance at December 31, 2023 $ 289 $ (4) $ (347) $ (62)
Changes in value 1 14 (3) 12
Amounts reclassified to earnings (75) (b) - 16 (59)
Balance at September 30, 2024 $ 215 $ 10 $ (334) $ (109)
Balance at June 30, 2023 $ 539 $ (39) $ (397) $ 103
Changes in value 7 10 (3) 14
Amounts reclassified to earnings (33) (b) - 7 (26)
Balance at September 30, 2023 $ 513 $ (29) $ (393) $ 91
Balance at December 31, 2022 $ 626 $ (35) $ (416) $ 175
Changes in value (10) 6 1 (3)
Amounts reclassified to earnings (103) (b) - 22 (81)
Balance at September 30, 2023 $ 513 $ (29) $ (393) $ 91
(a) Includes approximately $285 million of deferred income tax expense that will not be recognized in net income until the related pension and postretirement benefit obligations are fully extinguished. We consider all income sources, including other comprehensive income, in determining the amount of tax benefit allocated to results from operations.
(b) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs, specifically the following components: amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss, amortization of prior service credit and other (see Note 5 of this report for additional information).
NOTE 4 - INCOME TAXES
The Company's effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 were 25.0% and 24.4%, respectively. The Company's effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were 23.4% and 22.9%, respectively. The provision for income taxes is based on the estimated annual effective tax rate, which represents a blend of federal, state and foreign taxes and includes the impact of certain nondeductible items.
NOTE 5 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans.The Company's net periodic benefit cost includes the following components for the three months ended September 30 (in millions):
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Affected Line Item
in the Statements of
Consolidated Operations
2024 2023 2024 2023
Service cost $ 33 $ 31 $ 1 $ 1 Salaries and related costs
Interest cost 57 53 9 10 Miscellaneous, net
Expected return on plan assets (69) (62) - - Miscellaneous, net
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss 4 2 (7) (9) Miscellaneous, net
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost - 1 (23) (28) Miscellaneous, net
Other 1 1 - - Miscellaneous, net
Total $ 26 $ 26 $ (20) $ (26)
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The Company's net periodic benefit cost includes the following components for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions):
Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Affected Line Item
in the Statements of
Consolidated Operations
2024 2023 2024 2023
Service cost $ 101 $ 93 $ 4 $ 3 Salaries and related costs
Interest cost 172 163 28 31 Miscellaneous, net
Expected return on plan assets (207) (188) (1) (1) Miscellaneous, net
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss 14 6 (20) (28) Miscellaneous, net
Amortization of prior service (credit) cost - 1 (70) (84) Miscellaneous, net
Other 1 2 - - Miscellaneous, net
Total $ 81 $ 77 $ (59) $ (79)
NOTE 6 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, INVESTMENTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE
The table below presents disclosures about the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in UAL's financial statements (in millions):
September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents $ 8,812 $ 8,812 $ - $ - $ 6,058 $ 6,058 $ - $ -
Restricted cash - current 36 36 - - 31 31 - -
Restricted cash - non-current 180 180 - - 245 245 - -
Short-term investments:
U.S. government and agency notes 2,827 - 2,827 - 8,257 - 8,257 -
Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (CDARS) 73 - 73 - 73 - 73 -
Corporate Debt 2,402 - 2,402 - - - - -
Other fixed-income securities 50 - 50 - - - - -
Long-term investments:
Equity securities 67 67 - - 177 177 - -
Investments presented in the table above have the same fair value as their carrying value.
Restricted cash - current - Primarily includes amounts to be used for the payment of fees, principal and interest on senior secured notes and a secured term loan facility (the "MileagePlus Financing") secured by substantially all of the assets of Mileage Plus Holdings, LLC, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of United.
Restricted cash - non-current - Primarily includes collateral associated with the MileagePlus Financing, collateral for letters of credit and collateral associated with facility leases and other insurance-related obligations.
Short-term investments- The short-term investments shown in the table above are classified as available-for-sale and have remaining maturities of less than two years.
Long-term investments: Equity securities- Represents equity and equity-linked securities (such as vested warrants) that make up United's investments in Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S.A., Archer Aviation Inc., Eve Holding, Inc. and Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Other fair value information.The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above (in millions). Carrying amounts include any related discounts, premiums and issuance costs:
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September 30, 2024 December 31, 2023
Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Long-term debt $ 25,486 $ 25,306 $ - $ 18,604 $ 6,702 $ 29,075 $ 28,302 $ - $ 22,543 $ 5,759
Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows:
Description Fair Value Methodology
Cash and cash equivalents and Restricted cash (current and non-current) The carrying amounts of these assets approximate fair value.
Short-term and Long-term investments Fair value is based on (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar instruments or (b) broker quotes obtained by third-party valuation services.
Long-term debt Fair values are based on either market prices or the discounted amount of future cash flows using our current incremental rate of borrowing for similar liabilities.
Equity Method Investments. As of September 30, 2024, United holds investments, accounted for using the equity method, with a combined carrying value of approximately $235 million. Significant equity method investments are described below:
•Republic Airways Holdings Inc. United holds a 19% minority interest in Republic Airways Holdings Inc., which is the parent company of Republic Airways Inc. ("Republic"). Republic currently operates 65 regional aircraft under capacity purchase agreements ("CPAs") with United that have terms through 2036.
•CommuteAir LLC. United owns a 40% minority ownership stake in CommuteAir LLC. CommuteAir currently operates 55 regional aircraft under a CPA with United that has a term through 2026.
•United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund (the "Fund"). United holds, through its corporate venture capital arm, United Airlines Ventures, Ltd., a 33% ownership interest in the Fund. The Fund is an investment vehicle designed to invest in start-ups developing technologies focused on decarbonizing aviation and its associated energy supply chains, including through research and production, and technologies associated with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Other Investments.As of September 30, 2024, United has equity investments in Abra Group Limited, a multinational airline holding company, JetSuiteX, Inc., an independent air carrier doing business as JSX, as well as a number of companies with emerging technologies and sustainable solutions. None of these investments have readily determinable fair values. We account for these investments at cost less impairment, adjusted for observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. As of September 30, 2024, the carrying value of these investments was $344 million.
Notes Receivable.As of September 30, 2024, the Company has $85 million of notes receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, the majority of which is from certain of its regional carriers. The current portions of the notes receivable are recorded in Receivables, less allowance for credit losses. The long-term portion of the notes receivable is recorded in Investments in affiliates and other, less allowance for credit losses on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
NOTE 7 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Commitments. As of September 30, 2024, United had firm commitments to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company ("Boeing") and Airbus S.A.S. ("Airbus") as presented in the table below:
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Contractual Aircraft Deliveries Expected Aircraft Deliveries (b)
Aircraft Type Number of Firm
Commitments (a) 		Last Three Months
of 2024 		2025 After 2025 Last Three Months
of 2024 		2025 After 2025
787 150 8 18 124 3 11 136
737 MAX 8 18 18 - - 2 16 -
737 MAX 9 141 31 40 70 3 28 110
737 MAX 10 167 - - 167 - - 167
A321neo 115 14 23 78 14 23 78
A321XLR 50 - - 50 - - 50
A350 45 - - 45 - - 45
(a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft.
(b) Expected aircraft deliveries reflect adjustments to contractual delivery schedules as communicated by Boeing and Airbus, as otherwise agreed between the relevant parties, or as estimated by United. However, aircraft deliveries are subject to a number of variables, as further described in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of the 2023 Form 10-K, and we cannot guarantee delivery of any particular aircraft at any specific time notwithstanding firm purchase commitments.
The aircraft listed in the table above are scheduled for delivery through 2033. The amount and timing of the Company's future capital commitments could change to the extent that: (i) the Company and the aircraft manufacturers, with whom the Company has existing orders for new aircraft, agree to modify (or further modify) the contracts governing those orders; (ii) rights are exercised pursuant to the relevant agreements to cancel deliveries or modify the timing of deliveries; or (iii) the aircraft manufacturers are unable to deliver in accordance with the terms of those orders.
On April 14, 2024, the Company entered into confidential arrangements with Boeing with respect to compensation for financial damages incurred in the first quarter of 2024 due to the Federal Aviation Administration grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, and a confidential agreement to accommodate certification delays for the Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft. The compensation provided by Boeing for the grounding damages and in connection with rescheduling deliveries was in the form of credit memos for use on future purchases from Boeing. The Company is accounting for these arrangements as a reduction to the cost basis of the previously-delivered Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and future deliveries of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 and Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, which will reduce future depreciation expense associated with these aircraft.
The table below summarizes United's firm commitments as of September 30, 2024, which include aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and non-aircraft capital commitments. Aircraft commitments are based on contractual scheduled aircraft deliveries.
(in billions)
Last three months of 2024 $ 4.1
2025 7.2
2026 5.6
2027 4.8
2028 7.3
After 2028 27.8
$ 56.8
In the third quarter of 2024, the Company entered into definitive agreements with major aircraft leasing companies to lease 40 Airbus A321neo aircraft with expected deliveries in 2026 and 2027. As of September 30, 2024, we had entered into leases with rental obligations of approximately $4.0 billion for several mainline aircraft, regional aircraft under CPAs, airport facilities and office space, none of which had commenced as of such date. These leases will commence between 2024 and 2027 with lease terms of up to 12 years.
Regional CPAs. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, United amended several of its CPAs with certain of its regional carriers to increase the contractually agreed fees (carrier costs) paid to those carriers, modify the terms for certain aircraft, and modify service entry dates for certain previously grounded aircraft.Our future commitments under our CPAs are dependent on numerous variables, and are, therefore, difficult to predict. The most important of these variables is the number of scheduled block hours. Although we are not required to purchase a minimum number of block hours under certain of our CPAs, we have set forth below estimates of our future payments under the CPAs based on our assumptions. The actual amounts we pay to our regional operators under CPAs could differ materially from these estimates. United's estimates of its future payments under all of the CPAs do not include the portion of the underlying obligation for any aircraft leased to a regional carrier, or
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deemed to be leased from other regional carriers, and facility rent. For purposes of calculating these estimates, we have assumed (1) the number of block hours flown is based on our anticipated level of flight activity or at any contractual minimum utilization levels if applicable, whichever is higher, (2) that we will reduce the fleet as rapidly as contractually allowed under each CPA, (3) that aircraft utilization, stage length and load factors will remain constant, (4) that each carrier's operational performance will remain at recent historic levels and (5) an annual projected inflation rate. Based on these assumptions as of September 30, 2024, our estimated future payments through the end of the terms of our CPAs are presented in the table below:
(in billions)
Last three months of 2024 $ 0.7
2025 2.7
2026 2.5
2027 1.9
2028 1.6
After 2028 4.7
$ 14.1
Guarantees.As of September 30, 2024, United is the guarantor of approximately $1.8 billion in aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds and interest thereon. These bonds, issued by various airport municipalities, are payable solely from rentals paid under long-term agreements with the respective governing bodies. The leasing arrangements associated with these obligations are accounted for as operating leases recognized on the Company's consolidated balance sheet with the associated expense recorded on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. All of these bonds are due between 2027 and 2041.
As of September 30, 2024, United is the guarantor of $66 million of aircraft mortgage debt issued by one of United's regional carriers. The aircraft mortgage debt is subject to similar increased cost provisions as described below for the Company's debt, and the Company would potentially be responsible for those costs under the guarantees.
Increased Cost Provisions. In United's financing transactions that include loans in which United is the borrower, United typically agrees to reimburse lenders for any reduced returns with respect to the loans due to any change in capital requirements and, in the case of loans with respect to which the interest rate is based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), for certain other increased costs that the lenders incur in carrying these loans as a result of any change in law, subject, in most cases, to obligations of the lenders to take certain limited steps to mitigate the requirement for, or the amount of, such increased costs. At September 30, 2024, the Company had $8.5 billion of floating rate debt with remaining terms of up to approximately 12 years that are subject to these increased cost provisions. In several financing transactions involving loans or leases from non-U.S. entities, with remaining terms of up to approximately 12 years and an aggregate balance of $5.4 billion, the Company bears the risk of any change in tax laws that would subject loan or lease payments thereunder to non-U.S. entities to withholding taxes, subject to customary exclusions.
Labor.As of September 30, 2024, the Company had approximately 106,500 employees, of whom approximately 82% were represented by various U.S. labor organizations.
On February 23, 2024, United's International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers ("IAM"), which represents security guards in California and central load planners, ratified new collective bargaining agreements. The ratified agreements are effective through 2025.
On February 28, 2024, United and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) reached a tentative agreement for an extension to their labor contract, which covers United's technicians and related employees. On April 17, 2024, the United technicians declined the proposed four-year contract extension and will continue to work under their current agreement, which becomes amendable in December 2024.
NOTE 8 - DEBT
On February 15, 2024, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the "Revolving Credit Facility"), increasing the borrowing capacity by $1.115 billion, which may be drawn upon until February 15, 2029, in the case of any Revolving Loans (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) made by the Extending Lenders (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility), and April 21, 2025, in the case of any Revolving Loans made by the 2024 Non-Extending Lenders (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility). On April 16, 2024, the Company further increased the revolving loan commitments of the Extending Lenders by $100 million. Following such increase, the revolving loan
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commitments of the Extending Lenders equal $2.8 billion and the revolving loan commitments of the 2024 Non-Extending Lenders equal $165 million. As of September 30, 2024, we had $2.965 billion undrawn and available under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Loans, if any, bear interest at a variable rate equal to Term SOFR (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility), generally subject to a floor, plus a credit adjustment spread described in the Revolving Credit Facility, or, at United's election, another rate based on certain market interest rates, also generally subject to a floor, in each case plus a variable margin ranging from 3.00% to 3.50%, in the case of Term SOFR loans, and 2.00% to 2.50%, in the case of loans at other market rates.
On February 22, 2024, the Company also entered into Amendment No. 2 to Term Loan Credit and Guaranty Agreement (as amended, the "Term Loan Facility" and, together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the "Loan Facilities") and (i) used available cash in an amount equal to $1.37 billion to partially prepay the term loans under the 2021 term loans and (ii) borrowed the entire term loan commitment available under the Term Loan Facility in an amount equal to $2.5 billion and used the proceeds of such terms loans (the "Term Loans") to prepay in full the remaining outstanding principal balance under the existing term loan facility. The Term Loans bear interest at a variable rate equal to Term SOFR (subject to a floor of 0.0%); or, at United's election, another rate based on certain market interest rates (subject to a floor of 1.0%), in each case plus a margin of 2.75%, in the case of Term SOFR loans, and 1.75%, in the case of loans at other market rates. The remaining balance of the Term Loans will mature and be due and payable on February 22, 2031.
On July 2, 2024, the Company voluntarily prepaid in full the outstanding principal balance of the term loan facility of the MileagePlus Financing, which was $1.8 billion, in addition to all accrued and unpaid interest and fees under the term loan facility and terminated all commitments thereunder.
Equipment Notes. On August 5, 2024, the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as subordination agent and pass through trustee (the "Trustee") under certain pass through trusts newly formed by the Company, entered into the Note Purchase Agreement (the "Note Purchase Agreement"). The Note Purchase Agreement provides for the issuance by the Company of equipment notes (the "Equipment Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $1.4 billionsecured by 48 Boeing aircraft delivered new from the manufacturer from October 2010 to December 2023 (collectively, the "Aircraft"). Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, on August 5, 2024, the Trustee purchased Equipment Notes issued under a trust indenture and mortgage (each, an "Indenture" and, collectively, the "Indentures") with respect to each Aircraft entered into by the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as mortgagee. Each Indenture provides for the issuance of Equipment Notes in two series: Series AA, bearing interest at the rate of 5.450% per annum, and Series A, bearing interest at the rate of 5.875% per annum, in aggregate principal amounts equal to $969 millionand $385 million, respectively. The Equipment Notes were purchased by the Trustee, using the proceeds from the sale of Pass Through Certificates, Series 2024-1AA, and Pass Through Certificates, Series 2024-1A, issued by two pass through trusts newly-formed by the Company. The interest on the Equipment Notes is payable semi-annually on each February 15 and August 15, beginning on February 15, 2025. The principal payments on the Equipment Notes are scheduled on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2025 for certain Equipment Notes and August 15, 2025 for the remaining Equipment Notes. The final payments on the Equipment Notes will be due on or prior to February 15, 2037.
The table below presents the Company's contractual principal payments (not including $212 million of unamortized debt discount, premiums and debt issuance costs) as of September 30, 2024 under then-outstanding long-term debt agreements (in millions):
Last three months of 2024 $ 900
2025 2,952
2026 4,770
2027 2,301
2028 1,764
After 2028 13,011
$ 25,698
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, United borrowed $995 million aggregate principal amount from financial institutions to finance the purchase of aircraft. The notes evidencing these borrowings, which are secured by the related aircraft, mature between 2034 and 2036 and bear interest at variable rates equal to Term SOFR plus a margin of up to 2.00%.
Our debt agreements contain customary terms and conditions as well as various affirmative, negative and financial covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness and pay dividends or repurchase stock. As of September 30, 2024, UAL and United were in compliance with their respective debt covenants.
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NOTE 9 - SPECIAL CHARGES
For the three and nine months ended September 30, operating and nonoperating special charges and unrealized (gains) losses on investments in the statements of consolidated operations consisted of the following (in millions):
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024 2023 2024 2023
Operating:
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges $ (5) $ 28 $ 44 $ 88
Labor contract ratification bonuses - 1 - 814
Total operating special charges (5) 29 44 902
Nonoperating:
Nonoperating unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net 90 54 160 (54)
Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees 75 - 110 11
Total nonoperating special charges and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net 165 54 270 (43)
Total operating and nonoperating special charges and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net 160 83 314 859
Income tax benefit, net of valuation allowance (15) (7) (34) (204)
Total operating and nonoperating special charges and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net of income taxes $ 145 $ 76 $ 280 $ 655
2024
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded $5 million of gains and $44 million of charges, respectively. The charges included a write down to fair market value for assets held for sale, losses on the disposal of assets, a settlement related to a certain pilot long term disability plan, accelerated depreciation on assets with shortened lives and write-off of certain international slots no longer in use, which were partially offset by a gain from a favorable outcome related to a certain contract dispute as well as gains on sales of assets.
Nonoperating unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net.During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded losses of $90 million and $160 million, respectively, primarily related to the change in the market value of its investments in equity securities.
Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded $75 million of charges related to the prepayment in full of the outstanding principal balance of the term loan facility of the MileagePlus Financing in July 2024. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company also recorded charges of $35 million relating to the refinancing of its 2021 term loans in February 2024.
2023
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges.During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded $28 million and $88 million, respectively, of net charges primarily comprised of reserves for various legal matters, accelerated depreciation related to certain of the Company's assets that were retired early, an impairment of flight training equipment that was sold and other gains and losses on the sale of assets.
Labor contract ratification bonuses. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded $814 million of expense related to agreements with its employees represented by the Air Line Pilots Association and IAM and other work groups.
Nonoperating unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net.During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded losses of $54 million and gains of $54 million, respectively, primarily related to the change in the market value of its investments in equity securities.
Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded $11 million of charges primarily related to the prepayment of $1.0 billion of the outstanding principal amount under a 2021 term loan facility.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is provided as a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to enhance the understanding of our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Overview
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "UAL" or the "Company") is a holding company and its wholly-owned subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "United").
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL and United, including their respective consolidated financial statements. As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL, unless otherwise noted. United's operating revenues and operating expenses comprise nearly 100% of UAL's revenues and operating expenses. In addition, United comprises approximately the entire balance of UAL's assets, liabilities and operating cash flows. When appropriate, UAL and United are named specifically for their individual contractual obligations and related disclosures, and any significant differences between the operations and results of UAL and United are separately disclosed and explained. We sometimes use the words "we," "our," "us," and the "Company" in this report for disclosures that relate to all of UAL and United.
Our shared purpose is "Connecting People. Uniting the World." We have the most comprehensive route network among North American carriers, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The Company transports people and cargo through its mainline operations, which utilize jet aircraft with at least 126 seats, and regional operations, which utilize smaller aircraft that are operated under contract by United's regional carriers. The Company serves virtually every major market around the world, either directly or through participation in Star Alliance®, the world's largest airline alliance.
Our current expectations described below are forward-looking statements and our actual results and timing may vary materially based on various factors that include, but are not limited to, those discussed below under "Economic and Market Factors", "Governmental Actions" and "Forward-Looking Information" and in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the "2023 Form 10-K"). The results presented in this report are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.
Economic and Market Factors
The airline industry is highly competitive, marked by significant competition with respect to routes, fares, schedules (both timing and frequency), services, products, customer service and frequent flyer programs. We, like other companies in our industry, have been subject to these and other industry-specific competitive dynamics. In addition, our operations, supply chain, partners and suppliers have been subject to various global macroeconomic factors. We expect to continue to remain vulnerable to a number of industry-specific and global macroeconomic factors that may cause our actual results of operations to differ from our historical results of operations or current expectations. The economic and market factors and trends that we currently believe are or will be most impactful to our results of operations and financial condition include the following: the execution risks associated with our United Next plan, especially relating to the growth in the scale of our operations as a result of the plan; the impact on the Company of significant operational challenges by third parties on which we rely; rising inflationary pressures; labor market and supply chain constraints and related costs affecting us and our partners; volatile fuel prices; aircraft delivery delays; increasing maintenance expenses; changes in interest rates; and changes in general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates, including an economic downturn leading to a decrease in demand for air travel or fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that may impact international travel demand. We continue to monitor the potential favorable or unfavorable impacts of these and other factors on our business, operations, financial condition, future results of operations, liquidity and financial flexibility, which are dependent on future developments, including as a result of those factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, of the 2023 Form 10-K. Our future results of operations may be subject to volatility and our growth plans may be delayed, particularly in the short term, due to the impact of the above factors and trends.
Governmental Actions
We operate in complex, highly regulated environments in the U.S., the European Union, the United Kingdom and other regions around the world. Compliance with laws, regulations, administrative practices and other restrictions or legal requirements in the countries in which we do business is onerous and expensive. In addition, changes to existing legal requirements or the
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implementation of new legal requirements and any failure to comply with such legal requirements could negatively impact our business, operations, financial condition, future results of operations, liquidity and financial flexibility by increasing the Company's costs, limiting the Company's ability to offer a product, service or feature to customers, impacting customer demand for the Company's products and services and requiring changes to the Company's supply chain and its business. Legal requirements that we currently believe are or will be most impactful to our results of operations and financial condition include the following: the closure of our flying airspace and termination of other operations due to regional conflicts, including the suspension of our overflying in Russian airspace as a result of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict and interruptions of our flying as a result of the military conflict in the Middle East, as well as any escalation of the broader economic consequences of these conflicts beyond their current scope; delays in aircraft certification (especially relating to the 737 MAX 10 aircraft); increased Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") oversight of the aircraft production process; and any legal requirement that would result in a reshaping of the benefits that we provide to our consumers through our loyalty program or the co-branded credit cards issued by our partner. Changes in existing applicable legal requirements or new applicable legal requirements as well as the related interpretations and enforcement practices regarding them, create uncertainty about how such laws and regulations will be understood and applied. As a result, the impact of changing and new legal requirements generally cannot be reasonably predicted and those requirements may ultimately require extensive system and operational changes, be difficult to implement, increase our operating costs and require significant capital expenditures.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion provides an analysis of our results of operations and reasons for material changes therein for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the corresponding period in 2023.
Third Quarter 2024 Compared to Third Quarter 2023
The Company recorded net income of $1.0 billion for the third quarter of 2024 as compared to net income of $1.1 billion for the third quarter of 2023. Significant components of the Company's operating results for the three months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):
2024 2023 Increase (Decrease) % Change
Operating revenue $ 14,843 $ 14,484 $ 359 2.5
Operating expense 13,278 12,745 533 4.2
Operating income 1,565 1,739 (174) (10.0)
Nonoperating expense, net (279) (254) 25 9.8
Income before income taxes 1,286 1,485 (199) (13.4)
Income tax expense 321 348 (27) (7.8)
Net income $ 965 $ 1,137 $ (172) (15.1)
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Certain consolidated statistical information for the Company's operations for the three months ended September 30 is as follows:
2024 2023 Increase (Decrease) % Change
Passengers (thousands) (a) 45,559 44,381 1,178 2.7
Revenue passenger miles ("RPMs" or "traffic") (millions) (b) 69,549 67,691 1,858 2.7
Available seat miles ("ASMs" or "capacity") (millions) (c) 81,541 78,348 3,193 4.1
Passenger load factor (d) 85.3 % 86.4 % (1.1) pts. N/A
Passenger revenue per available seat mile ("PRASM") (cents) 16.63 17.04 (0.41) (2.4)
Total revenue per ASM ("TRASM") (cents) 18.20 18.49 (0.29) (1.6)
Average yield per revenue passenger mile ("Yield") (cents) (e) 19.50 19.72 (0.22) (1.1)
Cargo revenue ton miles ("CTM") (millions) (f) 881 766 115 15.0
Cost per ASM ("CASM") (cents) 16.28 16.27 0.01 0.1
Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes $ 2.56 $ 2.95 $ (0.39) (13.2)
Fuel gallons consumed (millions) 1,170 1,132 38 3.4
Employee headcount, as of September 30
106,500 102,000 4,500 4.4
(a) The number of revenue passengers measured by each flight segment flown.
(b) The number of scheduled miles flown by revenue passengers.
(c) The number of seats available for passengers multiplied by the number of scheduled miles those seats are flown.
(d) Revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles.
(e) The average passenger revenue received for each revenue passenger mile flown.
(f) The number of cargo revenue tons transported multiplied by the number of miles flown.
Operating Revenue. The table below shows year-over-year comparisons by type of operating revenue for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):
2024 2023 Increase (Decrease) % Change
Passenger $ 13,561 $ 13,349 $ 212 1.6
Cargo 417 333 84 25.2
Other 865 802 63 7.9
Total operating revenue $ 14,843 $ 14,484 $ 359 2.5
The table below presents selected third quarter passenger revenue and operating data, broken out by geographic region, expressed as year-over-year changes:
Increase (decrease) from 2023:
Domestic Atlantic Pacific Latin Total
Passenger revenue (in millions) $ 187 $ (106) $ 90 $ 41 $ 212
Passenger revenue 2.4 % (3.2) % 7.2 % 3.8 % 1.6 %
Average fare per passenger - % 0.3 % (8.5) % (2.4) % (1.0) %
Yield (0.4) % 1.4 % (9.9) % (0.9) % (1.1) %
PRASM (0.8) % 0.6 % (15.7) % (0.8) % (2.4) %
Passengers 2.4 % (3.4) % 17.2 % 6.3 % 2.7 %
RPMs 2.9 % (4.5) % 19.1 % 4.7 % 2.7 %
ASMs 3.3 % (3.8) % 27.2 % 4.6 % 4.1 %
Passenger load factor (points) (0.3) (0.6) (5.3) 0.1 (1.1)
Passenger revenue increased $212 million, or 1.6%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to a 4.1% increase in capacity, partially offset by lower yields in all geographic regions except Atlantic.
Cargo revenue increased $84 million, or 25.2%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to higher tonnage.
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Other operating revenue increased $63 million, or 7.9%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to an increase in mileage revenue from non-airline partners, including credit card spending with our co-branded credit card partner, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as well as increases in the purchases of United Club memberships, visitor volume and purchases of one-time United Club passes.
Operating Expenses. The table below includes data related to the Company's operating expenses for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):
2024 2023 Increase (Decrease) % Change (a)
Salaries and related costs $ 4,323 $ 3,914 $ 409 10.4
Aircraft fuel 2,993 3,342 (349) (10.4)
Landing fees and other rent 866 801 65 8.1
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs 765 684 81 11.8
Depreciation and amortization 742 663 79 11.9
Regional capacity purchase 651 592 59 10.0
Distribution expenses 574 516 58 11.2
Aircraft rent 65 46 19 41.3
Special charges (5) 29 (34) NM
Other 2,304 2,158 146 6.8
Total operating expenses $ 13,278 $ 12,745 $ 533 4.2
(a) NM - Greater than 100% change or otherwise not meaningful.
Salaries and related costs increased $409 million, or 10.4%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to annual wage rate increases across certain employee groups and a 4.4% increase in headcount largely due to increased flight activity.
Aircraft fuel expense decreased by $349 million, or 10.4%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, due to a lower average price per gallon of fuel, partially offset by increased consumption from higher flight activity. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon in the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except percentage change and per gallon data):
2024 2023 Increase (Decrease) % Change
Fuel expense $ 2,993 $ 3,342 $ (349) (10.4) %
Fuel consumption (gallons) 1,170 1,132 38 3.4 %
Average price per gallon $ 2.56 $ 2.95 $ (0.39) (13.2) %
Landing fees and other rent increased $65 million, or 8.1%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to rate increases at various airports, terminal expansions and other increases in the number of airport gates and higher landed weight volume due to increased flight activity.
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs increased $81 million, or 11.8%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to increased volumes of engine overhauls and component repair costs.
Depreciation expense increased $79 million, or 11.9%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to the induction of new aircraft and related spare parts, as well as certain aircraft improvements.
Regional capacity purchase expense increased $59 million, or 10.0%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to an increase in regional capacity.
Distribution expenses increased $58 million, or 11.2%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to $68 million of commissions that were recorded as contra-revenue in 2023.
Details of the Company's special charges include the following for the three months ended September 30 (in millions):
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2024 2023
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges $ (5) $ 28
Labor contract ratification bonuses - 1
Special charges $ (5) $ 29
See Note 9 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on the Company's special charges.
Other operating expenses increased $146 million, or 6.8%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year ago period, primarily due to increased flight activity and onboard passengers as well as the impacts of inflationary pressures. Other operating expenses include expenditures related to information technology projects and services, food and beverage offerings, passenger services, personnel-related costs and ground handling.
Nonoperating Income (Expense). The table below shows year-over-year comparisons of the Company's nonoperating income (expense) for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):
2024 2023 Increase (Decrease) % Change
Interest expense $ (379) $ (493) $ (114) (23.1)
Interest income 187 234 (47) (20.1)
Interest capitalized 53 48 5 10.4
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net (90) (54) 36 NM
Miscellaneous, net (50) 11 (61) NM
Total nonoperating income (expense) $ (279) $ (254) $ 25 9.8
Interest expense decreased $114 million, or 23.1%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to lower debt balances as a result of various debt prepayments and scheduled amortization combined with lower interest rates on refinanced debt.
Interest income decreased $47 million, or 20.1%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to lower balances in our short-term investment portfolio, which was partially offset by higher interest rates.
Unrealized losses on investments, net, was $90 million in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to $54 million in the year-ago period, primarily due to the change in the market value of the Company's investments in equity securities. See Note 6 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for information related to these equity investments.
Miscellaneous, net changed by $61 million in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to $75 million of charges related to the prepayment in full of the outstanding principal balance of its MileagePlus term loan in July 2024.
Income Taxes. See Note 4 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for information related to income taxes.
First Nine Months 2024 Compared to First Nine Months 2023
The Company recorded net income of $2.2 billion in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to net income of $2.0 billion in the first nine months of 2023. Significant components of the Company's operating results for the nine months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):
2024 2023 Increase (Decrease) % Change
Operating revenue $ 42,368 $ 40,091 $ 2,277 5.7
Operating expense 38,775 36,878 1,897 5.1
Operating income 3,593 3,213 380 11.8
Nonoperating expense, net (732) (597) 135 22.6
Income before income taxes 2,861 2,616 245 9.4
Income tax expense 697 598 99 16.6
Net income $ 2,164 $ 2,018 $ 146 7.2
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Certain consolidated statistical information for the Company's operations for the nine months ended September 30 is as follows:
2024 2023 Increase (Decrease) % Change
Passengers (thousands) 129,259 123,148 6,111 5.0
RPMs (millions) 194,040 183,764 10,276 5.6
ASMs (millions) 232,887 217,606 15,281 7.0
Passenger load factor 83.3 % 84.4 % (1.1) pts. N/A
PRASM (cents) 16.55 16.83 (0.28) (1.7)
TRASM (cents) 18.19 18.42 (0.23) (1.2)
Yield (cents) 19.87 19.93 (0.06) (0.3)
CTM (millions) 2,623 2,265 358 15.8
CASM (cents) 16.65 16.95 (0.30) (1.8)
Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes $ 2.73 $ 2.97 $ (0.24) (8.1)
Fuel gallons consumed (millions) 3,329 3,146 183 5.8
Employee headcount, as of September 30
106,500 102,000 4,500 4.4
Operating Revenue. The table below shows year-over-year comparisons by type of operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):
2024 2023 Increase (Decrease) % Change
Passenger $ 38,554 $ 36,625 $ 1,929 5.3
Cargo 1,222 1,093 129 11.8
Other 2,592 2,373 219 9.2
Total operating revenue $ 42,368 $ 40,091 $ 2,277 5.7
The table below presents selected passenger revenue and operating data, broken out by geographic region, expressed as year-over-year changes for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023:
Increase (decrease) from 2023:
Domestic Atlantic Pacific Latin Total
Passenger revenue (in millions) $ 874 $ 47 $ 787 $ 221 $ 1,929
Passenger revenue 4.0 % 0.6 % 23.7 % 6.4 % 5.3 %
Average fare per passenger 0.1 % 3.7 % (4.8) % (6.3) % 0.3 %
Yield 0.2 % 5.3 % (5.6) % (6.0) % (0.3) %
PRASM 0.9 % 3.6 % (13.2) % (7.6) % (1.7) %
Passengers 3.9 % (3.0) % 29.9 % 13.5 % 5.0 %
RPMs 3.8 % (4.4) % 31.0 % 13.1 % 5.6 %
ASMs 3.1 % (2.9) % 42.5 % 15.1 % 7.0 %
Passenger load factor (points) 0.5 (1.3) (6.6) (1.5) (1.1)
Passenger revenue increased $1.9 billion, or 5.3%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to a 7.0% increase in capacity as well as a 5.0% increase in passengers.
Cargo revenue increased $129 million, or 11.8%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to higher tonnage, partially offset by lower yields.
Other operating revenue increased $219 million, or 9.2%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to an increase in mileage revenue from non-airline partners, including credit card spending with our co-branded credit card partner, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as well as increases in the purchases of United Club memberships, visitor volume and purchases of one-time United Club passes.
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Operating Expenses. The table below includes data related to the Company's operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):
2024 2023 Increase (Decrease) % Change
Salaries and related costs $ 12,353 $ 10,946 $ 1,407 12.9
Aircraft fuel 9,080 9,336 (256) (2.7)
Landing fees and other rent 2,536 2,283 253 11.1
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs 2,254 2,072 182 8.8
Depreciation and amortization 2,169 1,987 182 9.2
Regional capacity purchase 1,848 1,806 42 2.3
Distribution expenses 1,680 1,406 274 19.5
Aircraft rent 148 151 (3) (2.0)
Special charges 44 902 (858) NM
Other operating expenses 6,663 5,989 674 11.3
Total operating expenses $ 38,775 $ 36,878 $ 1,897 5.1
Salaries and related costs increased $1.4 billion, or 12.9%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to annual wage rate increases across certain employee groups and a 4.4% increase in headcount largely due to increased flight activity.
Aircraft fuel expense decreased $256 million, or 2.7%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to a lower average price per gallon of fuel, partially offset by increased consumption from higher flight activity. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon in the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except percentage change and per gallon data):
2024 2023 Increase (Decrease) % Change
Fuel expense $ 9,080 $ 9,336 $ (256) (2.7) %
Fuel consumption (gallons) 3,329 3,146 183 5.8 %
Average price per gallon $ 2.73 $ 2.97 $ (0.24) (8.1) %
Landing fees and other rent increased $253 million, or 11.1%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to rate increases at various airports, terminal expansions and other increases in the number of airport gates and higher landed weight volume due to increased flight activity.
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs increased $182 million, or 8.8%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to increased flight activity and increased volumes of engine overhauls, materials use and component repair costs.
Depreciation expense increased $182 million, or 9.2%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to the induction of new aircraft and related spare parts, as well as certain aircraft improvements.
Distribution expenses increased $274 million, or 19.5%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to higher credit card fees, travel agency commissions and global distribution fees driven by the overall increase in passenger revenue and $187 million of commissions that were recorded as contra-revenue in 2023.
Details of the Company's special charges include the following for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions):
2024 2023
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges $ 44 $ 88
Labor contract ratification bonuses - 814
Special charges $ 44 $ 902
See Note 9 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on the Company's special charges.
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Other operating expenses increased $674 million, or 11.3%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to increased flight activity and onboard passengers, as well as the impacts of inflationary pressures. Other operating expenses include expenditures related to information technology projects and services, food and beverage offerings, passenger services, personnel-related costs and ground handling.
Nonoperating Income (Expense). The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in the Company's nonoperating income (expense) for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):
2024 2023 Increase (Decrease) % Change
Interest expense $ (1,260) $ (1,472) $ (212) (14.4)
Interest income 554 620 (66) (10.6)
Interest capitalized 174 128 46 35.9
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net (160) 54 (214) NM
Miscellaneous, net (40) 73 (113) NM
Total nonoperating income (expense) $ (732) $ (597) $ 135 22.6
Interest expense decreased $212 million, or 14.4%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to lower debt balances as a result of various debt prepayments and scheduled amortization combined with lower interest rates on refinanced debt.
Interest income decreased $66 million, or 10.6%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to lower balances in our short-term investment portfolio, which were partially offset by higher interest rates.
Interest capitalized increased $46 million, or 35.9%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to an increase in accumulated spend on capital projects and an increase in aircraft purchase deposit balances.
Unrealized losses on investments, net, was $160 million in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to $54 million in unrealized gains in the year-ago period, primarily due to the change in the market value of the Company's investments in equity securities. See Note 6 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for information related to these equity investments.
Miscellaneous, net changed by $113 million in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to debt extinguishment and modification fees related to the prepayment of the outstanding principal balance of its MileagePlus term loan and the refinancing of the Company's 2021 term loans, higher foreign exchange losses and a decrease in the benefit from the Company's net periodic benefit cost of its pension and postretirement benefit plans.
Income Taxes. See Note 4 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for information related to income taxes.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Current Liquidity
We deploy a disciplined and balanced approach to capital allocation, including returns to shareholders through potential share repurchases. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $14.2 billion in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as compared to $14.4 billion at December 31, 2023. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, together with cash generated from operations, will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated liquidity needs for the next twelve months, and we expect to meet our long-term liquidity needs with our anticipated access to the capital markets and projected cash from operations. We regularly assess our anticipated working capital needs, debt and leverage levels, debt maturities, capital expenditure requirements (including in connection with our capital commitments for our firm order aircraft and any changes to such commitments), planned UAL common stock or Warrant purchases under our share repurchase program and future investments or acquisitions in order to maximize shareholder return, efficiently finance our ongoing operations and maintain flexibility for future strategic transactions. We also regularly evaluate our liquidity and capital structure to efficiently manage financial risks, liquidity access and cost of capital.
On April 16, 2024, the Company increased its revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility") loan commitments by $100 million for a total amount of $2.965 billion as of September 30, 2024, of which $2.8 billion expires February 15, 2029 and $165 million expires April 21, 2025. The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by certain route authorities and airport slots and gates. No borrowings were outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2024.
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We have a significant amount of fixed obligations, including debt, leases of aircraft, airport and other facilities, and pension funding obligations. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had approximately $33.4 billion of debt, finance lease, operating lease and other financial liabilities, including $3.9 billion that will become due in the next 12 months. In addition, we have substantial noncancelable commitments for capital expenditures, including the acquisition of certain new aircraft and related spare engines. Our debt agreements contain customary terms and conditions as well as various affirmative, negative and financial covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness and pay dividends or repurchase stock. As of September 30, 2024, UAL and United were in compliance with their respective debt covenants. As of September 30, 2024, a substantial portion of the Company's assets, principally aircraft and certain related assets, its loyalty program, certain route authorities and airport slots and gates, was pledged under various loan and other agreements. See Note 8 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on aircraft financing and other debt instruments.
The Company has backstop financing commitments available from certain of its aircraft manufacturers for a limited number of its future aircraft deliveries, subject to certain customary conditions. See Note 7 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on commitments.
As of September 30, 2024, United had firm commitments to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company ("Boeing") and Airbus S.A.S. ("Airbus") as presented in the table below:
Contractual Aircraft Deliveries Expected Aircraft Deliveries (b)
Aircraft Type Number of Firm
Commitments (a) 		Last Three Months
of 2024 		2025 After 2025 Last Three Months
of 2024 		2025 After 2025
787 150 8 18 124 3 11 136
737 MAX 8 18 18 - - 2 16 -
737 MAX 9 141 31 40 70 3 28 110
737 MAX 10 167 - - 167 - - 167
A321neo 115 14 23 78 14 23 78
A321XLR 50 - - 50 - - 50
A350 45 - - 45 - - 45
(a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft.
(b) Expected aircraft deliveries reflect adjustments to contractual delivery schedules as communicated by Boeing and Airbus, as otherwise agreed between the relevant parties, or as estimated by United. However, aircraft deliveries are subject to a number of variables, as further described in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of the 2023 Form 10-K, and we cannot guarantee delivery of any particular aircraft at any specific time notwithstanding firm purchase commitments.
The aircraft listed in the table above are scheduled for delivery through 2033. The amount and timing of the Company's future capital commitments could change to the extent that: (i) the Company and the aircraft manufacturers, with whom the Company has existing orders for new aircraft, agree to modify (or further modify) the contracts governing those orders; (ii) rights are exercised pursuant to the relevant agreements to cancel deliveries or modify the timing of deliveries; or (iii) the aircraft manufacturers are unable to deliver in accordance with the terms of those orders.
On April 14, 2024, the Company entered into confidential arrangements with Boeing with respect to compensation for financial damages incurred in the first quarter of 2024 due to the FAA grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, and a confidential agreement to accommodate certification delays for the Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft. The compensation provided by Boeing for the grounding damages and in connection with rescheduling deliveries was in the form of credit memos for use on future purchases from Boeing. The Company is accounting for these arrangements as a reduction to the cost basis of the previously-delivered Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and future deliveries of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 and Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, which will reduce future depreciation expense associated with these aircraft.
The table below summarizes United's firm commitments as of September 30, 2024, which include aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and non-aircraft capital commitments. Aircraft commitments are based on contractual scheduled aircraft deliveries.
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(in billions)
Last three months of 2024 $ 4.1
2025 7.2
2026 5.6
2027 4.8
2028 7.3
After 2028 27.8
$ 56.8
In the third quarter of 2024, the Company entered into definitive agreements with major aircraft leasing companies to lease 40 Airbus A321neo aircraft with expected deliveries in 2026 and 2027. As of September 30, 2024, we had entered into leases with rental obligations of approximately $4.0 billion for several mainline aircraft, regional aircraft under CPAs, airport facilities and office space, none of which had commenced as of such date. These leases will commence between 2024 and 2027 with lease terms of up to 12 years.
Share Repurchase Program
As part of our capital deployment program, the Company announced on October 15, 2024 that its Board of Directors ("Board") authorized a new share repurchase program, allowing for purchases of up to $1.5 billion in the aggregate of outstanding UAL common stock and Warrants, subject to a limit of $500 million in the aggregate through 2024. Unless suspended or terminated earlier by the Board, this program has no set expiration date and will therefore terminate when the Company has completed all purchases authorized under the program, which it expects to complete by the end of 2025.
See Note 2 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.
Sources and Uses of Cash
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions):
2024 2023 Increase (Decrease)
Total cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities $ 7,221 $ 7,821 $ (600)
Investing activities (936) (5,363) (4,427)
Financing activities (3,591) (1,769) 1,822
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 2,694 $ 689 $ 2,005
Operating Activities. Cash flows provided by operating activities decreased $0.6 billion in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to changes in various working capital items, including higher payments for employee wages and incentives in 2024 as compared to 2023.
Investing Activities. Cash flows used in investing activities decreased $4.4 billion in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to a decrease in the purchase of short-term and other investments.
Financing Activities.Significant financing events in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were as follows:
Debt, Finance Lease and Other Financing Liability Principal Payments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company made payments for debt, finance leases, and other financing liabilities of $8.8 billion, including the $3.9 billion prepayment of its 2021 term loan and the $1.8 billion prepayment of the outstanding principal balance of its MileagePlus term loan.
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Debt and Other Financing Liabilities Issuances. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company raised:
•$2.5 billion under the new term loan facility;
•$1.4 billion in equipment notes: On August 5, 2024, the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as subordination agent and pass through trustee (the "Trustee") under certain pass through trusts newly formed by the Company, entered into the Note Purchase Agreement (the "Note Purchase Agreement"). The Note Purchase Agreement provides for the issuance by the Company of equipment notes (the "Equipment Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $1.4 billionsecured by 48 Boeing aircraft delivered new from the manufacturer from October 2010 to December 2023 (collectively, the "Aircraft"). Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, on August 5, 2024, the Trustee purchased Equipment Notes issued under a trust indenture and mortgage (each, an "Indenture" and, collectively, the "Indentures") with respect to each Aircraft entered into by the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as mortgagee. Each Indenture provides for the issuance of Equipment Notes in two series: Series AA, bearing interest at the rate of 5.450% per annum, and Series A, bearing interest at the rate of 5.875% per annum, in aggregate principal amounts equal to $969 millionand $385 million, respectively. The Equipment Notes were purchased by the Trustee, using the proceeds from the sale of Pass Through Certificates, Series 2024-1AA, and Pass Through Certificates, Series 2024-1A, issued by two pass through trusts newly-formed by the Company. The interest on the Equipment Notes is payable semi-annually on each February 15 and August 15, beginning on February 15, 2025. The principal payments on the Equipment Notes are scheduled on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2025 for certain Equipment Notes and August 15, 2025 for the remaining Equipment Notes. The final payments on the Equipment Notes will be due on or prior to February 15, 2037; and
•$1.5 billion through the issuance of debt, not including the equipment notes, and other financial liabilities on aircraft.
See Note 8 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on these financing activities.
Credit Ratings.As of the filing date of this report, UAL and United had the following corporate credit ratings:
S&P Moody's Fitch
UAL BB- Ba2 BB-
United BB- * BB-
*The credit agency does not issue corporate credit ratings for subsidiary entities.
These credit ratings are below investment grade levels; however, the Company has been able to secure financing with investment grade credit ratings for certain enhanced equipment trust certificates, term loans and secured bond financings. Downgrades from these rating levels, among other things, could restrict the availability, or increase the cost, of future financing for the Company as well as affect the fair market value of existing debt. A rating reflects only the view of a rating agency and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. Ratings can be revised upward or downward at any time by a rating agency if such rating agency decides that circumstances warrant such a change.
Commitments, Contingencies and Liquidity Matters. As described in the 2023 Form 10-K, the Company's liquidity may be adversely impacted by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, pension funding obligations, reserve requirements associated with credit card processing agreements, guarantees, commitments and contingencies.
See the 2023 Form 10-K and Notes 6, 7 and 8 to the financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
See "Critical Accounting Policies" in Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the 2023 Form 10-K.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This report contains certain "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including in Part I, Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere, relating to, among other things, goals, plans and projections regarding the Company's financial position, results of operations, market position,
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capacity, fleet plan strategy, product development, ESG-related strategy initiatives and business strategy. Such forward-looking statements are based on historical performance and current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the Company's future financial results, goals, plans, commitments, strategies and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, known or unknown, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond the Company's control and could cause the Company's future financial results, goals, plans, commitments, strategies and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. Words such as "should," "could," "would," "will," "may," "expects," "plans," "intends," "anticipates," "indicates," "remains," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook," "goals," "targets," "pledge," "confident," "optimistic," "dedicated," "positioned," "on track" and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. All statements, other than those that relate solely to historical facts, are forward-looking statements.
Additionally, forward-looking statements include conditional statements and statements that identify uncertainties or trends, discuss the possible future effects of known trends or uncertainties, or that indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed or assured. All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information available to us on the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable law or regulation.
Our actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the following: execution risks associated with our strategic operating plan; changes in our fleet and network strategy or other factors outside our control resulting in less economic aircraft orders, costs related to modification or termination of aircraft orders or entry into aircraft orders on less favorable terms, as well as any inability to accept or integrate new aircraft into our fleet as planned, including as a result of any mandatory groundings of aircraft; any failure to effectively manage, and receive anticipated benefits and returns from, acquisitions, divestitures, investments, joint ventures and other portfolio actions, or related exposures to unknown liabilities or other issues or underperformance as compared to our expectations; adverse publicity, harm to our brand, reduced travel demand, potential tort liability and operational restrictions as a result of an accident, catastrophe or incident involving us, our regional carriers, our codeshare partners or another airline; the highly competitive nature of the global airline industry and susceptibility of the industry to price discounting and changes in capacity, including as a result of alliances, joint business arrangements or other consolidations; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers to source a majority of our aircraft, engines and certain parts, and the impact of any failure to obtain timely deliveries, additional equipment or support from any of these suppliers; disruptions to our regional network and United Express flights provided by third-party regional carriers; unfavorable economic and political conditions in the United States and globally; reliance on third-party service providers and the impact of any significant failure of these parties to perform as expected, or interruptions in our relationships with these providers or their provision of services; extended interruptions or disruptions in service at major airports where we operate and space, facility and infrastructure constraints at our hubs or other airports; geopolitical conflict, terrorist attacks or security events (including the suspension of our overflying in Russian airspace as a result of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict and interruptions of our flying as a result of the military conflict in the Middle East, as well as any escalation of the broader economic consequences of these conflicts beyond their current scope); any damage to our reputation or brand image; our reliance on technology and automated systems to operate our business and the impact of any significant failure or disruption of, or failure to effectively integrate and implement, these technologies or systems; increasing privacy, data security and cybersecurity obligations or a significant data breach; increased use of social media platforms by us, our employees and others; the impacts of union disputes, employee strikes or slowdowns, and other labor-related disruptions or regulatory compliance costs on our operations or financial performance; any failure to attract, train or retain skilled personnel, including our senior management team or other key employees; the monetary and operational costs of compliance with extensive government regulation of the airline industry; current or future litigation and regulatory actions, or failure to comply with the terms of any settlement, order or agreement relating to these actions; costs, liabilities and risks associated with environmental regulation and climate change, and any failure to achieve or demonstrate progress towards our climate goals; high and/or volatile fuel prices or significant disruptions in the supply of aircraft fuel; the impacts of our significant amount of financial leverage from fixed obligations and the impacts of insufficient liquidity on our financial condition and business; failure to comply with financial and other covenants governing our debt, including our MileagePlus® financing agreements; limitations on our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes to offset future taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes; our failure to realize the full value of our intangible assets or our long-lived assets, causing us to record impairments; fluctuations in the price of our common stock; the impacts of seasonality and other factors associated with the airline industry; increases in insurance costs or inadequate insurance coverage; risks relating to our repurchase program for UAL common stock and Warrants; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, of the 2023 Form 10-K, and under "Economic and Market Factors" and "Governmental Actions" in Part I, Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of this report, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports we file with the SEC.
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The foregoing list sets forth many, but not all, of the factors that could impact our ability to achieve results described in any forward-looking statements. Investors should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider this list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. It is routine for our internal projections and expectations to change as the year or each quarter in the year progresses, and therefore it should be clearly understood that the internal projections, beliefs and assumptions upon which we base our expectations may change. For instance, we regularly monitor future demand and booking trends and adjust capacity, as needed. As such, our actual flown capacity may differ materially from currently published flight schedules or current estimations.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in Part II, Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, in our 2023 Form 10-K.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of Disclosure Control and Procedures
UAL and United each maintains controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted by UAL and United to the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified by the SEC's rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The management of UAL and United, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation to conclude with reasonable assurance that UAL's and United's disclosure controls and procedures were designed and operating effectively to report the information each company is required to disclose in the reports it files with the SEC on a timely basis. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of UAL and United have concluded that as of September 30, 2024, disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting during the Quarter Ended September 30, 2024
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, there were no changes in UAL's or United's internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, their internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act).
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Part I, Item 3, Legal Proceedings, of the 2023 Form 10-K for a description of legal proceedings.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of the 2023 Form 10-K except for the following risk factor related to the Company's share repurchase program.
We cannot guarantee that our share repurchase program will enhance long-term stockholder value.
As part of our capital deployment program, the Board has authorized a share repurchase program. The Company believes the price of its stock should reflect expectations that the share repurchase program will be fully consummated. However, the program does not obligate us to purchase any specific dollar amount or to acquire any specific number of shares of UAL common stock or Warrants. The specific timing and amount of any share or Warrant purchases will depend on the capital needs of the business, the market price of UAL common stock, general market conditions, securities law limitations and other factors. Our future repurchases of UAL common stock and Warrants, if any, may be limited, suspended or discontinued at any time at our discretion and without prior notice, which could adversely affect our stock price. We, therefore, cannot guarantee that the share repurchase program will enhance long-term stockholder value.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
(a) None
(b) None
(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table presents information with respect to the Company's repurchases of its UAL common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
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Period (a)
Total number of shares (or units) purchased 		(b)
Average price paid per share (or unit)
Total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
(c)
Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares (or units) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
July 1 - 31 - $ - - $ -
August 1 - 31 2,043,906 39.99 - -
September 1 - 30 - - - -
Total 2,043,906 -
(a) These UAL common stock repurchases were executed outside a publicly announced plan or program through open market purchases to offset the Company's issuance of UAL common stock in a net share settlement of certain of the Warrants issued to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and subsequently assigned to a holder unaffiliated with the Company.
(b) Average price paid per share is calculated on a settlement basis and excludes commission.
(c) On October 15, 2024, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program, allowing for purchases of up to $1.5 billion in the aggregate of outstanding UAL common stock and Warrants, subject to a limit of $500 million in the aggregate through 2024. See Note 2 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on the share repurchase program.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
(a) A putative stockholder class action complaint, styled as Colleen Witmer v. J. Scott Kirby, et al., C.A. No. 2024-0375-PAF was filed on April 10, 2024 in the Delaware Court of Chancery (the "Action"). The plaintiff alleged, among other things, that the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") breached its fiduciary duties by adopting Amendment No. 2 to the Company's Tax Benefits Preservation Plan (the "Plan"). The Company believes that the plaintiff's claims were not meritorious when filed because the Plan was a reasonable response to the threat that the Company's net operating loss carryforwards could be permanently limited or lost under Section 1.382-3(a)(1) of the Treasury Regulations. On May 8, 2024, the parties stipulated to dismissal, which the court so ordered, based on their agreement that the Board would approve and disclose an amendment to the Plan. On April 23, 2024, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing Amendment No. 3 to the Plan, which revised the definitions of "Beneficial Owner," "Beneficially Own" and "Beneficial Ownership" under the Plan (and made other conforming changes). The Company disputes that these changes caused any benefit to the Company or its stockholders. On May 8, 2024, the court dismissed the action as moot and retained jurisdiction solely for the purpose of deciding any application by the plaintiff's counsel for an award of attorneys' fees and expenses. To avoid the cost, burden, and uncertainty inherent in litigation, the Company has agreed to pay $600,000 in fees and expenses to the plaintiff's counsel. On October 14, 2024, the court entered a stipulation and order providing that the Action will be dismissed with prejudice and the case will be closed, subject to the Company filing an affidavit with the court confirming that this notice has been disclosed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In entering the order, the court was not asked to review, and did not pass judgment on, the amount or reasonableness of the attorneys' fees and expenses. The plaintiff's counsel is Christoper J. Orrico of Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP, (212) 544-1400, and the Company's counsel is Rudolf Koch of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., (302) 651-7700.
(b) None.
(c) During the three months ended September 30, 2024, no director or "officer" (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) of the Company or United informed the Company or United of the adoption, modification or termination of a "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" or a "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement," as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Registrant Exhibit
^10.1 UAL
United
Amendment No. 6 to the A320 Family Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 16, 2024, between Airbus S.A.S. and United Airlines, Inc.
31.1 UAL
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer of United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
31.2 UAL
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer of United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
31.3 United
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer of United Airlines, Inc. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
31.4 United
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer of United Airlines, Inc. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
32.1 UAL
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of United Airlines Holdings, Inc. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
32.2 United
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of United Airlines, Inc. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
101 UAL
United
The following financial statements from the combined Quarterly Report of UAL and United on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Statements of Consolidated Operations, (ii) Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows, (v) Statements of Consolidated Stockholders' Equity and (vi) Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags.
104 UAL
United 		Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
^ Portions of the referenced exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b) of Regulation S-K
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
United Airlines Holdings, Inc.
(Registrant)
Date: October 16, 2024 By: /s/ Brigitte Bokemeier
Brigitte Bokemeier
Vice President and Controller
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
United Airlines, Inc.
(Registrant)
Date: October 16, 2024 By: /s/ Brigitte Bokemeier
Brigitte Bokemeier
Vice President and Controller
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
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