body.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
   
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007
OR
o
 
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 Office Address and
Telephone Number
State of
Incorporation
I.R.S. Employer
Identification No
 
 
001-06033
UAL Corporation
Delaware
36-2675207
 
 
001-11355
United Air Lines, Inc.
77 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 997-8000
Delaware
36-2675206
 

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.
 
UAL Corporation                                                          Yes x No o
United Air Lines, Inc.                                                   Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
UAL Corporation                                                Large accelerated filer x        Accelerated filer o         Non-accelerated filer o
United Air Lines, Inc.                                         Large accelerated filer ¨         Accelerated filer o         Non-accelerated filer x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
UAL Corporation                                                          Yes ¨ No x
United Air Lines, Inc.                                                   Yes ¨ No x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
 
UAL Corporation                                                          Yes x No o
United Air Lines, Inc.                                                   Yes x No o
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of October 26, 2007.
 
UAL Corporation                                             116,278,809 shares of common stock ($0.01 par value)
    United Air Lines, Inc.
205 (100% owned by UAL Corporation)
There is no market for United Air Lines, Inc. common stock.
 




 
UAL Corporation and Subsidiary Companies and
United Air Lines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
Report on Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2007

 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Page
Financial Statements
   
       
 
UAL Corporation:
   
 
  Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited)
   
3
 
 
  Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position (Unaudited)
   
5
 
 
  Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)
   
7
 
       
 
United Air Lines, Inc.:
   
 
  Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited)
   
8
 
 
  Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position (Unaudited)
   
10
 
 
  Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)
   
12
 
       
 
Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (UAL Corporation and United Air Lines, Inc.)
   
13
 
       
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
   
29
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
   
44
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
   
44
 
           
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
       
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
   
45
 
Item1A.
Risk Factors
   
46
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
   
47
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
   
47
 
Signatures 
   
 
 
Exhibit Index 
   
 
 

 

2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
UAL Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
 
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited)
 
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 
   
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
Operating revenues:
           
Passenger - United Airlines
  $
4,225
    $
3,916
 
Passenger - Regional Affiliates
   
819
     
773
 
Cargo
   
198
     
183
 
     Special operating items (Note 2)     45         
Other operating revenues
   
240
     
304
 
 
   
5,527
     
5,176
 
Operating expenses:
               
Aircraft fuel
   
1,324
     
1,368
 
Salaries and related costs
   
1,062
     
1,060
 
Regional affiliates
   
751
     
713
 
Purchased services
   
344
     
302
 
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs
   
295
     
252
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
245
     
226
 
Distribution expenses (Note 1)
   
211
     
215
 
Landing fees and other rent
   
201
     
199
 
Aircraft rent
   
102
     
104
 
Cost of third party sales
   
68
     
153
 
Special operating items (Note 2)
    (22 )     (30 )
Other operating expenses
   
290
     
279
 
     
4,871
     
4,841
 
                 
Earnings from operations
   
656
     
335
 
                 
Other income (expense):
               
Interest expense
    (161 )     (164 )
Interest income
   
71
     
72
 
Interest capitalized
   
5
     
3
 
Miscellaneous, net
    (6 )    
3
 
      (91 )     (86 )
                 
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings
               
of affiliates
   
565
     
249
 
Income tax expense
   
232
     
60
 
                 
Earnings before equity in earnings of affiliates
   
333
     
189
 
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax
   
1
     
1
 
Net income
  $
334
    $
190
 
                 
Earnings per share, basic
  $
2.82
    $
1.62
 
Earnings per share, diluted
  $
2.21
    $
1.30
 

 
See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).
 

3



UAL Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
       
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited)
       
(In millions, except per share amounts)
       
   
Successor
   
Successor
   
Predecessor
 
   
Nine Months
   
Period from
   
Period from
 
   
Ended
   
February 1
   
January 1
 
   
September 30,
   
to September 30,
   
to January 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2006
 
Operating revenues:
                 
 Passenger - United Airlines
  $
11,457
    $
9,904
    $
1,074
 
 Passenger - Regional Affiliates
   
2,298
     
1,999
     
204
 
 Cargo
   
547
     
501
     
56
 
 Special operating items (Note 2)
   
45
     
-
     
-
 
     Other operating revenues     766       892       124  
     
15,113
     
13,296
     
1,458
 
 Operating expenses:
                       
 Aircraft fuel
   
3,571
     
3,323
     
362
 
 Salaries and related costs
   
3,149
     
2,857
     
358
 
 Regional affiliates
   
2,176
     
1,896
     
228
 
 Purchased services
   
980
     
829
     
98
 
 Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs
   
860
     
688
     
80
 
 Depreciation and amortization
   
694
     
592
     
68
 
 Landing fees and other rent
   
654
     
569
     
75
 
 Distribution expenses (Note 1)
   
596
     
564
     
60
 
 Aircraft rent
   
307
     
288
     
30
 
 Cost of third party sales
   
238
     
471
     
65
 
 Special operating items (Note 2)
    (44 )     (30 )    
-
 
 Other operating expenses
   
831
     
773
     
86
 
     
14,012
     
12,820
     
1,510
 
                         
Earnings (loss) from operations
   
1,101
     
476
      (52 )
                         
Other income (expense):
                       
Interest expense (Note 11)
    (506 )     (516 )     (42 )
Interest income
   
191
     
167
     
6
 
Interest capitalized
   
14
     
10
     
-
 
Miscellaneous, net
    (7 )    
5
     
-
 
      (308 )     (334 )     (36 )
                         
Earnings (loss) before reorganization items, income
                       
taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates
   
793
     
142
      (88 )
Reorganization items, net
   
-
     
-
     
22,934
 
                         
Earnings before income taxes and equity in
                       
earnings of affiliates
   
793
     
142
     
22,846
 
Income tax expense
   
340
     
60
     
-
 
                         
Earnings before equity in earnings of affiliates
   
453
     
82
     
22,846
 
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax
   
3
     
4
     
5
 
Net income
  $
456
    $
86
    $
22,851
 
                         
Earnings per share, basic
  $
3.82
    $
0.69
    $
196.61
 
Earnings per share, diluted
  $
3.10
    $
0.68
    $
196.61
 
                         
 
See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).
 

4


UAL Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position (Unaudited)
(In millions, except shares)
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
Assets
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $
1,263
    $
3,832
 
Short-term investments
   
2,899
     
312
 
Restricted cash
   
341
     
341
 
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2007—$29; 2006—$27)
   
1,095
     
820
 
Prepaid fuel
   
418
     
283
 
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less
               
obsolescence allowance (2007—$22; 2006—$6)
   
230
     
218
 
Deferred income taxes
   
77
     
122
 
Prepaid expenses and other
   
643
     
345
 
     
6,966
     
6,273
 
Operating property and equipment:
               
Owned—
               
Flight equipment
   
9,212
     
8,958
 
Advances on flight equipment
   
103
     
103
 
Other property and equipment
   
1,536
     
1,441
 
     
10,851
     
10,502
 
Less—accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (918 )     (503 )
     
9,933
     
9,999
 
Capital leases:
               
Flight equipment
   
1,512
     
1,511
 
Other property and equipment
   
34
     
34
 
     
1,546
     
1,545
 
Less—accumulated amortization
    (151 )     (81 )
     
1,395
     
1,464
 
     
11,328
     
11,463
 
Other assets:
               
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2007—$285; 2006—$169)
   
2,912
     
3,028
 
Goodwill
   
2,695
     
2,703
 
Restricted cash
   
447
     
506
 
Aircraft lease deposits
   
327
     
539
 
Investments
   
194
     
113
 
Other, net
   
739
     
744
 
     
7,314
     
7,633
 
    $
25,608
    $
25,369
 

 
See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).
 

5


UAL Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position (Unaudited)
(In millions, except shares)
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
           
Current liabilities:
           
Advance ticket sales
  $
2,246
    $
1,669
 
Mileage Plus deferred revenue
   
1,201
     
1,111
 
Accounts payable
   
830
     
667
 
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits
   
823
     
795
 
Advanced purchase of miles
   
708
     
681
 
Long-term debt maturing within one year (Note 11)
   
654
     
1,687
 
Fuel purchase commitments
   
418
     
283
 
Current obligations under capital leases
   
319
     
110
 
Accrued interest
   
162
     
241
 
Other
   
498
     
701
 
     
7,859
     
7,945
 
                 
Long-term debt (Note 11)
   
7,027
     
7,453
 
Long-term obligations under capital leases
   
1,129
     
1,350
 
Other liabilities and deferred credits:
               
Mileage Plus deferred revenue
   
2,666
     
2,569
 
Postretirement benefit liability
   
1,934
     
1,955
 
Deferred income taxes
   
1,048
     
688
 
Deferred pension liability
   
137
     
130
 
Other
   
802
     
770
 
     
6,587
     
6,112
 
Mandatorily convertible preferred securities
   
366
     
361
 
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 13)
               
                 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock
   
     
 
Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; outstanding 116,035,322 and 112,280,629 shares at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively
   
1
     
1
 
Additional capital invested
   
2,122
     
2,053
 
Retained earnings
   
467
     
16
 
Stock held in treasury, at cost (Note 4)
    (15 )     (4 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
65
     
82
 
     
2,640
     
2,148
 
    $
25,608
    $
25,369
 

 
See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).
 

6


UAL Corporation and Subsidiary Companies
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(In millions)
 
   
Successor
   
Predecessor
 
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
   
Period from
February 1 to
September 30,
   
Period from
January 1 to
January 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2006
 
Cash flows provided (used) by operating activities:
                 
Net income (loss) before reorganization items
  $
456
    $
86
    $ (83 )
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided (used) by operating activities—
                       
Increase in advance ticket sales
   
577
     
339
     
109
 
Increase in deferred income taxes
   
364
     
60
     
-
 
Increase in receivables
    (269 )     (95 )     (88 )
Depreciation and amortization
   
694
     
592
     
68
 
Mileage Plus deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles
   
214
     
153
     
14
 
Other, net
    (34 )     (27 )    
141
 
     
2,002
     
1,108
     
161
 
Cash flows provided (used) by reorganization activities:
                       
Reorganization items, net
   
     
     
22,934
 
Increase in other liabilities
   
     
     
37
 
Increase in non-aircraft claims accrual
   
     
     
429
 
Discharge of claims and liabilities
   
     
      (24,628 )
Revaluation of Mileage Plus frequent flyer deferred revenue
   
     
     
2,399
 
Revaluation of other assets and liabilities
   
     
      (2,106 )
Pension curtailment, settlement and employee claims
   
     
     
912
 
     
     
      (23 )
Cash flows provided (used) by investing activities:
                       
Net (purchases) sales of short-term investments
    (2,587 )    
72
     
2
 
Purchases of EETC securities (Notes 1 and 11)
    (76 )    
     
 
Additions to property and equipment
    (428 )     (222 )     (30 )
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash
   
59
     
300
      (203 )
Decrease in segregated funds
   
     
200
     
 
Other, net
    (25 )    
39
      (7 )
      (3,057 )    
389
      (238 )
Cash flows provided (used) by financing activities:
                       
Proceeds from secured notes
   
694
     
     
 
Proceeds from Credit Facility
   
     
2,961
     
 
Repayment of Credit Facility
    (995 )     (175 )    
 
Repayment of DIP Financing
   
      (1,157 )    
 
Repayment of other long-term debt
    (1,149 )     (545 )     (24 )
Principal payments under capital leases
    (60 )     (66 )     (5 )
Other, net
    (4 )     (65 )     (1 )
      (1,514 )    
953
      (30 )
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period
    (2,569 )    
2,450
      (130 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
   
3,832
     
1,631
     
1,761
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
  $
1,263
    $
4,081
    $
1,631
 

 
See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).
 

7



United Air Lines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
 
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited)
 
(In millions)
 
             
       
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
Operating revenues:
           
Passenger - United Airlines
  $
4,225
    $
3,916
 
Passenger - Regional Affiliates
   
819
     
773
 
Cargo
   
198
     
183
 
Special operating items (Note 2)
   
45
     
-
 
     Other operating revenues      243       304  
     
5,530
     
5,176
 
Operating expenses:
               
Aircraft fuel
   
1,324
     
1,368
 
Salaries and related costs
   
1,059
     
1,059
 
Regional affiliates
   
751
     
713
 
Purchased services
   
344
     
301
 
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs
   
295
     
252
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
245
     
225
 
Distribution expenses (Note 1)
   
211
     
215
 
Landing fees and other rent
   
201
     
199
 
Aircraft rent
   
102
     
104
 
Cost of third party sales
   
67
     
150
 
Special operating items (Note 2)
    (22 )     (30 )
Other operating expenses
   
291
     
281
 
     
4,868
     
4,837
 
                 
Earnings from operations
   
662
     
339
 
                 
Other income (expense):
               
Interest expense
    (161 )     (165 )
Interest income
   
70
     
79
 
Interest capitalized
   
5
     
3
 
Miscellaneous, net
    (6 )    
3
 
      (92 )     (80 )
                 
Earnings before income taxes and equity in earnings
               
of affiliates
   
570
     
259
 
Income tax expense
   
234
     
65
 
                 
Earnings before equity in earnings of affiliates
   
336
     
194
 
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax
   
1
     
1
 
Net income
  $
337
    $
195
 
                 

See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

8


United Air Lines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited)
(In millions)

   
Successor
   
Successor
   
Predecessor
 
   
Nine Months
   
Period from
   
Period from
 
   
Ended
   
February 1
   
January 1
 
   
September 30,
   
to September 30,
   
to January 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2006
 
Operating revenues:
                 
Passenger - United Airlines
  $
11,457
    $
9,904
    $
1,074
 
Passenger - Regional Affiliates
   
2,298
     
1,999
     
204
 
Cargo
   
547
     
501
     
56
 
Special operating items (Note 2)
   
45
     
-
     
-
 
    Other operating revenues      776       889       120  
     
15,123
     
13,293
     
1,454
 
Operating expenses:
                       
Aircraft fuel
   
3,571
     
3,323
     
362
 
Salaries and related costs
   
3,145
     
2,854
     
358
 
Regional affiliates
   
2,176
     
1,896
     
228
 
Purchased services
   
980
     
828
     
97
 
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs
   
860
     
688
     
80
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
694
     
591
     
68
 
Landing fees and other rent
   
654
     
569
     
75
 
Distribution expenses (Note 1)
   
596
     
564
     
60
 
Aircraft rent
   
308
     
289
     
30
 
Cost of third party sales
   
235
     
464
     
63
 
Special operating items (Note 2)
    (44 )     (30 )    
-
 
Other operating expenses
   
831
     
771
     
85
 
     
14,006
     
12,807
     
1,506
 
                         
Earnings (loss) from operations
   
1,117
     
486
      (52 )
                         
Other income (expense):
                       
Interest expense (Note 11)
    (506 )     (518 )     (42 )
Interest income
   
194
     
172
     
6
 
Interest capitalized
   
14
     
10
     
-
 
Miscellaneous, net
    (7 )    
2
     
-
 
      (305 )     (334 )     (36 )
                         
Earnings (loss) before reorganization items, income
                       
taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates
   
812
     
152
      (88 )
Reorganization items, net
   
-
     
-
     
22,709
 
                         
Earnings before income taxes and equity in
                       
earnings of affiliates
   
812
     
152
     
22,621
 
Income tax expense
   
348
     
65
     
-
 
                         
Earnings before equity in earnings of affiliates
   
464
     
87
     
22,621
 
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax
   
3
     
4
     
5
 
Net income
  $
467
    $
91
    $
22,626
 

See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).


9


United Air Lines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position (Unaudited)
(In millions, except shares)
               
     
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
     
2007
   
2006
 
Assets
             
Current assets:
             
Cash and cash equivalents
    $
1,246
    $
3,779
 
Short-term investments
     
2,860
     
308
 
Restricted cash
     
308
     
303
 
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful
                 
accounts (2007 - $29; 2006 - $27)
     
1,087
     
814
 
Prepaid fuel
     
418
     
283
 
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less
                 
obsolescence allowance (2007 - $22; 2006 - $6)
     
230
     
218
 
Receivables from related parties
     
168
     
154
 
Deferred income taxes
     
70
     
114
 
Prepaid expenses and other
     
639
     
348
 
       
7,026
     
6,321
 
Operating property and equipment:
                 
Owned -
                 
Flight equipment
     
9,206
     
8,952
 
Advances on flight equipment
     
91
     
91
 
Other property and equipment
     
1,536
     
1,441
 
       
10,833
     
10,484
 
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization
      (917 )     (502 )
       
9,916
     
9,982
 
Capital leases:
                 
Flight equipment
     
1,512
     
1,511
 
Other property and equipment
     
34
     
34
 
       
1,546
     
1,545
 
Less - accumulated amortization
      (151 )     (81 )
       
1,395
     
1,464
 
       
11,311
     
11,446
 
Other assets:
                 
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization
                 
 
(2007- $285; 2006-$169)
     
2,912
     
3,028
 
Goodwill
     
2,695
     
2,703
 
Restricted cash
     
447
     
506
 
Aircraft lease deposits
     
327
     
539
 
Investments
     
194
     
113
 
Note receivable from affiliate
     
-
     
201
 
Other, net
     
726
     
724
 
         
7,301
     
7,814
 
        $
25,638
    $
25,581
 

See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

10


United Air Lines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position (Unaudited)
(In millions, except shares)
             
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity
           
Current liabilities:
           
   Advance ticket sales
  $
2,246
    $
1,669
 
   Mileage Plus deferred revenue
   
1,201
     
1,111
 
   Accounts payable
   
832
     
671
 
   Accrued salaries, wages and benefits
   
823
     
795
 
   Advanced purchase of miles
   
708
     
681
 
   Long-term debt maturing within one year (Note 11)
   
654
     
1,687
 
   Fuel purchase commitments
   
418
     
283
 
   Current obligations under capital leases
   
319
     
110
 
   Accrued interest
   
163
     
241
 
   Accounts payable to affiliates
   
6
     
2
 
   Other
   
710
     
920
 
     
8,080
     
8,170
 
                 
Long-term debt (Note 11)
   
7,026
     
7,449
 
Long-term obligations under capital leases
   
1,129
     
1,350
 
                 
Other liabilities and deferred credits:
               
   Mileage Plus deferred revenue
   
2,666
     
2,569
 
   Postretirement benefit liability
   
1,934
     
1,955
 
   Deferred income taxes
   
966
     
596
 
   Deferred pension liability
   
137
     
130
 
   Other
   
801
     
769
 
     
6,504
     
6,019
 
                 
Parent company mandatorily convertible
    preferred securities
   
366
     
361
 
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 13)
               
                 
Stockholder’s equity:
               
   Common stock at par, $5 par value; authorized 1,000 shares; outstanding 205 at both September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006
   
-
     
-
 
   Additional capital invested
   
1,981
     
2,127
 
   Retained earnings
   
487
     
23
 
   Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
65
     
82
 
     
2,533
     
2,232
 
    $
25,638
    $
25,581
 

See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

11


 United Air Lines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(In millions)

   
Successor
   
Predecessor
 
   
Nine Months
 Ended
September 30,
   
Period from February 1 to September 30,
   
Period from
January 1 to
 January 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2006
 
Cash flows provided (used) by operating activities:
                 
   Net income (loss) before reorganization items
  $
467
    $
91
    $ (83 )
   Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided (used) by operating
                       
     activities -
                       
       Increase in advance ticket sales
   
577
     
339
     
109
 
       Increase in deferred income taxes
   
372
     
65
     
-
 
       Increase in receivables
    (271 )     (91 )     (98 )
       Depreciation and amortization
   
694
     
592
     
68
 
       Mileage Plus deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles
   
214
     
153
     
14
 
       Other, net
    (65 )     (25 )    
153
 
     
1,988
     
1,124
     
163
 
Cash flows provided (used) by reorganization activities:
                       
      Reorganization items, net
   
-
     
-
     
22,709
 
      Increase in other liabilities
   
-
     
-
     
38
 
      Increase in non-aircraft claims accrual
   
-
     
-
     
421
 
      Discharge of claims and liabilities
   
-
     
-
      (24,389 )
      Revaluation of Mileage Plus frequent flyer deferred revenue
   
-
     
-
     
2,399
 
      Revaluation of other assets and liabilities
   
-
     
-
      (2,111 )
      Pension curtailment, settlement and employee claims
   
-
     
-
     
912
 
     
-
     
-
      (21 )
Cash flows provided (used) by investing activities:
                       
      Net (purchases) sales of short-term investments
    (2,552 )    
72
     
2
 
      Purchases of EETC securities (Notes 1 and 11)
    (76 )    
-
     
-
 
      Additions to property and equipment
    (428 )     (222 )     (30 )
      (Increase) decrease in restricted cash
   
54
     
303
      (203 )
      Decrease in segregated funds
   
-
     
200
     
-
 
      Other, net
    (26 )     (15 )     (7 )
      (3,028 )    
338
      (238 )
Cash flows provided (used) by financing activities:
                       
      Proceeds from secured notes
   
694
     
-
     
-
 
      Proceeds from Credit Facility
   
-
     
2,961
     
-
 
      Repayment of Credit Facility
    (995 )     (175 )    
-
 
      Repayment of DIP Financing
   
-
      (1,157 )    
-
 
      Repayment of other long-term debt
    (1,148 )     (544 )     (24 )
      Principal payments under capital leases
    (60 )     (66 )     (5 )
      Other, net
   
16
      (65 )     (1 )
      (1,493 )    
954
      (30 )
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period
    (2,533 )    
2,416
      (126 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
   
3,779
     
1,596
     
1,722
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
  $
1,246
    $
4,012
    $
1,596
 

See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

 

12


UAL Corporation and Subsidiary Companies and
 United Air Lines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies
Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 
(1) Basis of Presentation
 
UAL Corporation (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UAL”), is a holding company and its principal, wholly-owned subsidiary is United Air Lines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “United”). We sometimes use the words “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” in this Form 10-Q for disclosures that relate to both UAL and United.
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL and United. Therefore, these Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) apply to both UAL and United, unless otherwise noted. As UAL consolidates United, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL.
 
Interim Financial Statements.The UAL and United unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements shown here have been prepared as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Some information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements that meet generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted as permitted by the SEC. UAL and United believe that the disclosures presented here are not misleading. The financial statements include all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments and adjustments required by fresh-start reporting and reorganization items as described below, that are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations of UAL and United. These financial statements should be read together with the information included in UAL’s and United’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (the “2006 Annual Reports”).
 
Investments.The Company’s cash equivalents and short-term investments are classified as held-to-maturity. In addition, the Company has $76 million of debt securities that are reported as non-current investments, which are classified as available-for-sale. The non-current debt investments are certain of the Company’s previously issued debt instruments that were acquired in open market transactions during the third quarter of 2007.  See Note 11, "Debt Obligations," for further information related to the $76 million of non-current debt securities.
 
Mileage Plus Accounting.The following is an update to the accounting policy disclosures in the 2006 Annual Reports. For further information related to Mileage Plus accounting, refer to the 2006 Annual Reports and Critical Accounting Policies in this Form 10-Q.
 
United recognizes revenue for customer accounts that are cancelled after a period of inactivity as defined by the Mileage Plus program. United estimates the number of accounts that it expects to deactivate and ratably recognizes revenue for these accounts over the expiration period. In early 2007, United announced a reduction in the expiration period from 36 months to 18 months. Based on this program change, United reduced the period over which it recognizes revenue for deactivated accounts from 36 months to 18 months. This change provided a benefit to United’s operating revenues of approximately $50 million and $125 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and United estimates that it will provide a total benefit of approximately $180 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The pre-tax diluted per share benefit to UAL was approximately $0.32 and $0.81 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.
 
Reclassifications.In the first quarter of 2007, United and UAL changed their classification of certain distribution-related costs, previously included in purchased services and commissions, to classify these costs as distribution expenses in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited). The distribution expenses previously reported for 2006 were reclassified to provide a comparable presentation in each of the 2007 quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Amounts previously reported as commissions and purchased services in the UAL and United 2006 quarterly reports on Form 10-Q are shown below:
 

13



 
   
Predecessor
 
Successor
 
      2006
(In millions)
     
January 1 to
January 31,
 
Period from
February 1 to
March 31,
 
Three Months
Ended
June 30,
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Three Months
Ended
December 31,
 
Commissions (historical) (a)
  $
24
    $
51
    $
82
    $
91
    $
67
   
Purchased services (historical) (b)
   
36
     
90
     
126
     
124
     
107
   
Distribution expenses (revised)
  $
60
    $
141
    $
208
    $
215
    $
174
   
____________________ 
(a)
Commissions were previously reported as a separate expense item in the UAL and United 2006 quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the 2006 Annual Reports.
 
(b)
Consists of credit card transaction fees and global distribution systems (“GDS”) transaction expenses that were classified as components of purchased services in the UAL and United quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the 2006 Annual Reports. For 2007 Form 10-Q reporting purposes, the revised purchased services amounts for the 2006 periods are the result of decreasing the amounts previously reported in the UAL and United 2006 quarterly reports on Form 10-Q by these same adjustments.
 
Fresh-Start Reporting.As a result of the adoption of fresh-start reporting in accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statement of Position 90-7 “Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code” (“SOP 90-7”), the financial statements prior to February 1, 2006 are not comparable with the financial statements for periods on or after February 1, 2006. SOP 90-7 requires that the financial statements for periods after a Chapter 11 filing separate transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Bankruptcy reorganization items are classified as reorganization items, net in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited). UAL common and preferred securities outstanding at January 31, 2006 were cancelled and new securities were issued to unsecured creditors and employees. In addition, fresh-start reporting required that most of the Company’s’ tangible and intangible assets and liabilities be recorded at fair value upon its emergence from bankruptcy. References to “Successor ” refer to UAL or United on or after February 1, 2006, after giving effect to the adoption of fresh-start reporting. References to “Predecessor” refer to UAL or United prior to February 1, 2006.
 
(2) Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11
 
Bankruptcy Considerations. The following discussion provides general background information regarding UAL and United pending litigation related to their bankruptcy reorganization, and is not intended to be an exhaustive summary. Detailed information pertaining to the bankruptcy filings may be obtained at www.pd-ual.com and in the 2006 Annual Reports.
 
On December 9, 2002 (the “Petition Date”), UAL Corporation, United Air Lines, Inc. and 26 direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions to reorganize their businesses under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division (the “Bankruptcy Court”). On January 20, 2006, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Plan of Reorganization, which became effective February 1, 2006 (the “Effective Date”). On the Effective Date, UAL and United emerged from bankruptcy protection and implemented fresh-start reporting.
 
The Plan of Reorganization generally provided for the full payment or reinstatement of allowed administrative claims, priority claims and secured claims, and the distribution of new UAL equity and UAL and United debt securities to the Debtors’ creditors and employees in satisfaction of allowed unsecured and deemed claims. UAL common and preferred securities outstanding at January 31, 2006 were cancelled. The Plan of Reorganization contemplated UAL issuing up to 125 million shares of new UAL common stock consisting of 115 million shares to be issued to unsecured creditors and employees and 10 million shares to be issued pursuant to UAL’s share-based management and director compensation plans. The new UAL common stock was listed on a NASDAQ market and began trading under the symbol “UAUA” on February 2, 2006.
 
Significant Matters Resolved in Chapter 11 Cases Since Filing the UAL and United Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2006.The following material matters have been resolved in the Bankruptcy Court since the filing of the 2006 Annual Reports:
 
 
(a)
Pilot Plan Termination Order. In December 2004, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) filed an involuntary termination proceeding against United, as plan administrator for the United Airlines Pilot Defined Benefit Pension Plan (the “Pilot Plan”), in the District Court.
 

14


 
In January 2005, the District Court granted a motion filed by United and referred the involuntary termination proceeding to the Bankruptcy Court. Air Line Pilots Association (“ALPA”) and United Retired Pilots Benefit Protection Association and seven retired pilots (collectively, “URPBPA”) were later granted leave to intervene in the involuntary termination proceeding.
      
After several months, the Bankruptcy Court conducted a trial and determined that the Pilot Plan should be involuntarily terminated under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) Section 4042 with a termination date of December 30, 2004. Subsequently, on October 28, 2005 the Bankruptcy Court entered an order authorizing termination of the Pilot Plan.
 
The PBGC, ALPA and URPBPA filed notices of appeal with the District Court. In February 2006, the District Court reversed and remanded the Bankruptcy Court’s termination order on the grounds that the matter was not a core proceeding in which it could issue a final order, but rather, could only issue proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law for consideration by the District Court. Upon remand and after the Bankruptcy Court made proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, in June 2006 the District Court entered an order approving the termination of the Pilot Plan. ALPA, URPBPA and PBGC each filed an appeal with the Court of Appeals. On October 25, 2006, the Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s order approving the termination of the Pilot Plan effective December 30, 2004. On November 6, 2006, ALPA filed a petition for rehearing in the Court of Appeals which motion has been denied. ALPA and URPBPA filed petitions for writ of certiorari from the United States Supreme Court on the plan termination. On April 2, 2007, the Supreme Court denied such petitions, effectively terminating these proceedings.
 
(b)
Pilot Plan Non-Qualified Pension Benefits—October 2005 Order. After the PBGC commenced its involuntary termination proceeding and sought a December 30, 2004 termination date, United suspended payment of non-qualified pension benefits under the Pilot Plan pending the setting of such a termination date. In the first quarter of 2005, the Bankruptcy Court required United to continue paying non-qualified pension benefits to retired pilots pending the outcome of the involuntary termination proceeding, notwithstanding the possibility that the Pilot Plan might be terminated retroactively to December 30, 2004. Then, on October 6, 2005, despite its oral ruling terminating the Pilot Plan, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order requiring United to continue paying non-qualified pension benefits until entry of a written order. However, United appealed that order and placed approximately $6 million necessary to pay non-qualified benefits for the month of October 2005 in a segregated account.
 
Following the entry of the Bankruptcy Court’s termination order on October 28, 2005, United once again ceased paying non-qualified benefits. Subsequently, during the first quarter of 2006, the District Court dismissed United’s appeal of the Bankruptcy Court’s October 6, 2005 order in light of its earlier decision reversing the Bankruptcy Court’s termination order. United filed a notice of appeal of the District Court’s ruling regarding the October 6, 2005 order to the Court of Appeals. On October 25, 2006, the Court of Appeals reversed the District Court’s order dismissing for lack of ripeness the Company’s appeal of the Bankruptcy Court’s October 6, 2005 order and remanded the case with instructions to reverse the Bankruptcy Court’s order compelling payment of non-qualified benefits for October 2005 or later months. On November 6, 2006, ALPA filed a petition for rehearing on the Court of Appeals reversal of the October 6, 2005 order, which motion has been denied. ALPA and URPBPA filed petitions for writ of certiorari from the Supreme Court. On April 2, 2007, the Supreme Court denied such petitions, effectively terminating these proceedings. The $6 million deposit was released from the segregated account in June 2007.
 
 
(c)
Pilot Plan Non-Qualified Pension Benefits—March 2006 Order. In March 2006, in a separate proceeding related to the matter described in item (b) above, the Bankruptcy Court ruled that United was obligated to make payment of all non-qualified pension benefits for the months of November and December 2005 and January 2006. The Bankruptcy Court also ruled that United’s obligation to pay non-qualified pension benefits ceased as of January 31, 2006. United filed a notice of appeal of the Bankruptcy Court’s ruling to the District Court. URPBPA and ALPA also filed notices of appeal with respect to the Bankruptcy Court’s order, which were subsequently consolidated with United’s appeal. United agreed with URPBPA and ALPA to pay, into an escrow account, the disputed non-qualified pension benefits for the months of November and December 2005 and January 2006, an aggregate amount totaling approximately $17 million. The District Court affirmed the Bankruptcy Court’s ruling in September 2006. United filed a notice of appeal of the District Court’s ruling to the Court of Appeals. URPBPA and ALPA also appealed the District Court’s decision. The Company subsequently filed a motion to consolidate its appeal from the Bankruptcy Court’s October 2005 non-qualified benefits order with
 

15


 
the three appeals from the Bankruptcy Court’s March 2006 non-qualified benefits order. The Court of Appeals denied the Company’s motion, but issued an order staying briefing on the March 2006 non-qualified benefits order until further order of the Court of Appeals. On April 19, 2007, the Court of Appeals reversed the March 2006 order and remanded the case with instructions to the District Court to enter judgment for entry of an order in United’s favor. The deadline for filing a petition for a writ of certiorari, July 19, 2007, has passed without such a petition being filed, which effectively brings this matter to conclusion. The $17 million deposit was released from the escrow account in July 2007.
 
Significant Matters Remaining to be Resolved in Chapter 11 Cases. The following material matters remain to be resolved in the Bankruptcy Court or another court:
 
 
(a)
SFO Municipal Bond Secured Interest. HSBC Bank Inc. (“HSBC”), as trustee for the 1997 municipal bonds related to San Francisco International Airport (“SFO”), filed a complaint against United asserting a security interest in United’s leasehold for portions of its maintenance base at SFO. Pursuant to Section 506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, HSBC alleges that it is entitled to be paid the value of that security interest, which HSBC had claimed was as much as $257 million. HSBC and United went to trial in April 2006 and the Bankruptcy Court rejected as a matter of law HSBC’s $257 million claim. HSBC subsequently alleged that it was entitled to $154 million, or at a minimum, approximately $93 million. The parties tried the case and filed post-trial briefs which were heard by the Bankruptcy Court. In the third quarter of 2006, the Company recorded a special item of $30 million as a benefit to income from continuing operations to reduce the Company’s recorded obligation for the SFO municipal bonds to a revised estimate of a probable amount to be allowed by the Bankruptcy Court, in accordance with AICPA Practice Bulletin 11, “Accounting for Preconfirmation Contingencies in Fresh-Start Reporting” (“Practice Bulletin 11”). In October 2006, the Bankruptcy Court issued its written opinion holding that the value of the security interest is approximately $27 million. United has accrued this amount as its estimated obligation as of September 30, 2007. After the Bankruptcy Court denied various post-trial motions, both parties have appealed to the District Court and those appeals are pending.
 
(b)
LAX Municipal Bond Secured Interest. There is pending litigation before the Bankruptcy Court regarding the extent to which the Los Angeles International Airport (“LAX”) municipal bond debt is entitled to secured status under Section 506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code. At December 31, 2006, United had accrued $60 million for this matter. Trial on this matter occurred during April 2007 and the two parties filed post-trial briefs in the second quarter of 2007. During the first quarter of 2007 the Company reduced its accrual for this matter by $19 million. In August 2007, the Bankruptcy Court issued its written opinion holding that the value of the security interest is approximately $33 million. During the third quarter of 2007, United adjusted the accrual for this matter to $33 million resulting in a favorable adjustment of $8 million that is classified as part of special items in the Company’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited).
 
Claims Resolution Process.As permitted under the bankruptcy process, the Debtors’ creditors filed proofs of claim with the Bankruptcy Court. Through the claims resolution process, the Company identified many claims which were disallowed by the Bankruptcy Court for a number of reasons, such as claims that were duplicative, amended or superseded by later filed claims, were without merit, or were otherwise overstated. Throughout the Chapter 11 proceedings, the Company resolved many claims through settlement or objections ordered by the Bankruptcy Court. The Company will continue to settle claims and file additional objections with the Bankruptcy Court.
 
With respect to unsecured claims, once a claim is deemed to be valid, either through the Bankruptcy Court process or through other means, the claimant is entitled to a distribution of new UAL common stock. Pursuant to the terms of the Plan of Reorganization, 115 million shares of new UAL common stock have been authorized to satisfy valid unsecured claims. The Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Plan of Reorganization and established January 20, 2006 as the record date for purposes of establishing the persons that are claimholders of record to receive distributions. Approximately 111.4 million shares of UAL common stock have been issued and distributed to holders of valid unsecured claims between February 2, 2006, the first distribution date established in the Plan of Reorganization, and September 30, 2007. As of September 30, 2007, approximately 46,000 valid unsecured claims aggregating to approximately $29.1 billion in claim value had received those shares to partially satisfy those claims. As of September 30, 2007, there are 3,560,374 remaining shares of UAL common stock being held in reserve to satisfy all of the remaining disputed and undisputed unsecured claim values, once the remaining claim disputes are resolved. In November 2007, approximately 1 million additional UAL common shares are expected to be distributed. The final distributions of shares will not occur until 2008 or later, pending resolution of bankruptcy matters such as those discussed above.
 
 
 

16

    UAL and United currently estimate that the probable range of unsecured claims to be ultimately allowed by the Bankruptcy Court will be between $29.3 billion and $29.6 billion. Differences between claim amounts filed and
management’s estimates are being investigated and will be resolved in connection with the claims resolution process. However, there will be no further financial impact to the Company associated with the settlement of such unsecured claims, as the holders of all allowed unsecured claims will receive under the Plan of Reorganization only their pro rata share of the distribution of the 115 million shares of new UAL common stock, together with the previously-agreed issuance of certain other securities.
 
With respect to valid administrative and priority claims, pursuant to the terms of the Plan of Reorganization these claims will be satisfied with cash. Many asserted administrative and priority claims still remain unpaid, and the Company will continue to settle claims and file objections with the Bankruptcy Court to eliminate or reduce such claims. In addition, certain disputes, the most significant of which are discussed in “Significant Matters Remaining to be Resolved in Chapter 11 Cases,” above, still remain with respect to the valuation of certain claims. The Company accrued an obligation for claims it believed were reasonably estimable and probable at the Effective Date. However, the claims resolution process is uncertain and adjustments to claims estimates could result in material adjustments to the Successor Company’s financial statements in future periods as a result of court rulings, the receipt of new or revised information or the finalization of these matters.
 
The table below includes activity related to the administrative and priority claims and other bankruptcy-related claim reserves including reserves related to legal, professional and tax matters, among others, for the Successor Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007. These reserves are primarily classified in other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position (Unaudited) based on the expected timing of resolution of these matters.  Certain of the accrual adjustments identified below are a direct result of the Company's ongoing efforts to resolve certain bankruptcy pre-confirmation contingencies and do not relate directly to the Company's ongoing performance; therefore, the Company considers these adjustments to be special.
 
   
Three months
   
Nine months
   
   
Ended
   
Ended
   
(in millions)
 
September 30, 2007
   
Balance at beginning of period
  $
213
    $
325
   
Payments
   
-
      (76 )  
Accruals reclassified
    (31 )     (31 )
(a)
Adjustments impacting income:
                 
   Accrual adjustments classified as special revenue credits
    (45 )     (45 )
(b)
   Other changes in contingent liabilities classified as revenues
    (26 )     (26 )
(c)
   Accrual adjustments classified as special expense credits
    (8 )     (30 )
(d)
   Accrual adjustments classified as other operating expense credits
   
2
      (12 )
(e)
      Total adjustments impacting income
    (77 )     (113 )  
Balance at September 30, 2007
  $
105
    $
105
   
                   
Total credit to operating income during period from above items
  $ (77 )   $ (113 )  
Additional special operating expense credit
    (14 )     (14 )
(f)
Total operating income benefit
  $ (91 )   $ (127 )  
______________________ 
 
(a)
This amount relates to accruals that are still recognized in the Company’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position (Unaudited); however, these accruals are now deemed to be no longer directly related to bankruptcy proceedings; therefore, the accruals are no longer classified as part of bankruptcy administrative and priority claims.
 
 
(b)
In the third quarter of 2007, the Company recorded a change in estimate for certain liabilities relating to bankruptcy administrative claims. This adjustment resulted directly from the progression of the Company’s ongoing efforts to resolve certain bankruptcy pre-confirmation contingencies; therefore, it was classified as a special operating revenue credit of $45 million that relates to both Mainline passenger revenues ($37 million) and United Express revenues ($8 million).
 
 
(c)
The Company separately recorded a $26 million benefit from a change in estimate to certain other contingent liabilities based largely on changes in underlying facts and circumstances occurring during the third quarter. This benefit was recorded as a credit to mainline passenger revenues of $22 million, and to regional affiliate revenues of $4 million.
 
 
(d)
Amount relates to special operating expense credits of $8 million and $30 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, relating to ongoing litigation for San Francisco and Los Angeles facility lease secured interests as discussed above. A benefit of $30 million was recorded in the three and eight month periods ended September 30, 2006, as a result of changes in estimate regarding these litigation matters.
 

17


 
(e)
This amount relates to accrual adjustments impacting various operating expense line items that the Company recorded due to a change in estimate for certain liabilities relating to bankruptcy administrative claims. These adjustments resulted directly from the progression of the Company’s ongoing efforts to resolve certain bankruptcy pre-confirmation contingencies.
 
 
(f)
This amount relates to an accrual adjustment that the Company recorded due to a change in estimate for certain liabilities relating to bankruptcy administrative claims. This adjustment, which was recorded as a credit to other operating expense, resulted directly from the progression of the Company’s ongoing efforts to resolve certain bankruptcy pre-confirmation contingencies.
 
Reorganization items, net.SOP 90-7 requires that the financial statements for periods after a Chapter 11 filing separate transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Accordingly, all transactions (including, but not limited to, all professional fees, realized gains and losses and provisions for losses) directly associated with the reorganization and restructuring of the business are reported separately in the financial statements as reorganization items, net. For the month ended January 31, 2006, Predecessor UAL and United recognized the following primarily non-cash reorganization income (expense):
 
   
Predecessor
     
(In millions)
 
UAL
   
United
     
Discharge of claims and liabilities
  $
24,628
    $
24,389
 
(a)
 
Revaluation of frequent flyer obligations
    (2,399 )    
(2,399
) (b)  
Revaluation of other assets and liabilities
   
2,106
     
2,111
 
(c)
 
Employee-related charges
    (898 )    
(898
) (d)  
Contract rejection charges
    (429 )    
(421
) (e)  
Professional fees
    (47 )    
(47
)  
 
 
Pension-related charges
    (14 )    
(14
)  
 
 
Other
    (13 )    
(12
)  
 
 
    $
22,934
    $
22,709
       
______________________
 
(a)
The discharge of claims and liabilities primarily relates to those unsecured claims arising during the bankruptcy process, such as those arising from the termination and settlement of United’s U.S. defined benefit pension plans and other employee claims; aircraft-related claims, such as those arising as a result of aircraft rejections; other unsecured claims due to the rejection or modification of executory contracts, unexpired leases and regional carrier contracts; and claims associated with certain municipal bond obligations based upon their rejection, settlement or the estimated impact of the outcome of pending litigation. In accordance with the Plan of Reorganization, UAL and United discharged certain obligations to unsecured creditors in exchange for the distribution of 115 million shares of new UAL common stock and the issuance of certain other UAL securities.
 
(b)
United revalued its Mileage Plus frequent flyer obligations at fair value as a result of fresh-start reporting, which resulted in a $2.4 billion non-cash reorganization charge.
 
(c)
In accordance with fresh-start reporting, UAL and United recorded their assets at estimated fair value and liabilities at estimated fair value or the present value of amounts to be paid. This resulted in a non-cash reorganization gain of $2.1 billion, primarily as a result of newly recognized intangible assets, offset partly by reductions in the fair value of tangible property and equipment.
 
 (d)
In January 2006, UAL and United recorded the value of the deemed claim that the salaried and management group received upon confirmation of the Plan of Reorganization. The deemed claim was based upon the cost savings provided by this employee group during the bankruptcy process.
 
 
(e)
Contract rejection charges are non-cash costs that include estimated claim values resulting from the Company’s rejection or negotiated modification of certain contractual obligations such as executory contracts, unexpired leases and regional carrier contracts.
 
(3) New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”), which modifies the accounting and disclosure associated with certain aspects of recognition and measurement related to accounting for income taxes. UAL and United adopted the provisions of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007. See Note 7, “Income Taxes” for disclosures related to the adoption of FIN 48.
 

18


In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements; rather it specifies valuation methods and disclosures to be applied when fair value measurements are required under existing or future accounting pronouncements. SFAS 157 is effective for UAL and United for their fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008, and interim periods within 2008. UAL and United have not determined the impact, if any, that adoption of this statement will have on their consolidated financial statements.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS 159”). This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. The objective of SFAS 159 is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. SFAS 159 also established presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. This statement does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value. This statement is effective for UAL and United as of January 1, 2008. UAL and United have not determined the impact, if any, that adoption of this statement will have on their consolidated financial statements.
 
(4) Common Stockholders’ Equity (UAL Only)
 
Changes in the number of shares of UAL common stock outstanding and held in treasury during the nine month period ended September 30, 2007 were as follows:
 
     
Nine Months
 
     
Ended
 
 
UAL
 
September 30, 2007
 
 
UAL common stock outstanding at beginning of period
   
112,280,629
 
 
Issuance of UAL common stock to creditors
   
3,091,812
 
 
Issuance of UAL common stock to employees
   
989,033
 
 
Forfeiture of non-vested UAL restricted stock
    (67,226 )
 
Treasury shares acquired
    (258,926 )
 
UAL common stock outstanding at end of period
   
116,035,322
 
           
 
Treasury shares at beginning of period
   
136,777
 
 
Shares acquired for treasury
   
258,926
 
 
Treasury shares at end of period
   
395,703
 

 
See Note 2, “Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11—Claims Resolution Process” and Note 5, “Per Share Amounts” for information regarding shares of UAL common stock distributed in 2007 and an additional 3,560,374 shares that are reserved as of September 30, 2007 and will be distributed periodically to employees and holders of previously allowed claims and disputed claims that are pending final resolution. All treasury shares acquired during the nine month period were shares acquired for tax withholding obligations under UAL’s share-based compensation plans.
 
(5) Per Share Amounts (UAL Only)
 
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (“SFAS 128”), UAL basic per share amounts were computed by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Approximately 3.6 million shares of UAL common stock remaining to be issued to unsecured creditors and employees under the Plan of Reorganization are included in UAL outstanding basic shares as the necessary conditions for issuance have been satisfied. UAL’s $500 million of 6% senior notes are callable at any time at 100% of par value, and can be redeemed with either cash or UAL common stock at UAL’s option. These notes are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation as it is UAL’s intent to redeem these notes with cash. The table below represents the computation of UAL basic and diluted earnings per share and the number of securities which have been excluded from the computation of diluted per share amounts as they have an anti-dilutive effect.
 
19

 
             
   
Successor
   
Predecessor
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   
Period from February 1 to
 September 30,
   
One Month
Ended
 January 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
   
2006
 
Basic earnings per share:
                             
  Net income
  $
334
    $
190
    $
456
    $
86
    $
22,851
 
  Preferred stock dividend requirements
    (3 )     (3 )     (8 )     (7 )     (1 )
  Earnings available to common stockholders
  $
331
    $
187
    $
448
    $
79
    $
22,850
 
                                         
  Basic weighted average shares outstanding
   
117.5
     
115.6
     
117.3
     
115.3
     
116.2
 
                                         
  Earnings per share, basic
  $
2.82
    $
1.62
    $
3.82
    $
0.69
    $
196.61
 
                                         
Diluted earnings per share:
                                       
  Earnings available to common stockholders
  $
331
    $
187
    $
448
    $
79
    $
22,850
 
  Effect of 2% preferred securities
   
3
     
3
     
8
     
7
     
-
 
  Effect of 4.5% senior limited-subordination convertible notes
   
5
     
5
     
15
     
-
     
-
 
  Effect of 5% convertible notes
   
2
     
1
     
4
     
-
     
-
 
  Earnings available to common stockholders
                                       
     including the effect of dilutive securities
  $
341
    $
196
    $
475
    $
86
    $
22,850
 
                                         
  Basic weighted average shares outstanding
   
117.5
     
115.6
     
117.3
     
115.3
     
116.2
 
  Effect of non-vested stock options
   
0.4
     
-
     
0.1
     
-
     
-
 
  Effect of non-vested restricted shares
   
1.2
     
0.7
     
1.1
     
0.5
     
-
 
  Effect of 2% preferred securities
   
11.0
     
10.8
     
11.0
     
10.8
     
-
 
  Effect of 4.5% senior limited-subordination convertible notes
   
20.8
     
20.8
     
20.8
     
-
     
-
 
  Effect of 5% convertible notes
   
3.2
     
3.2
     
3.2
     
-
     
-
 
  Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
   
154.1
     
151.1
     
153.5
     
126.6
     
116.2
 
                                         
  Earnings per share, diluted
  $
2.21
    $
1.30
    $
3.10
    $
0.68
    $
196.61
 
                                         
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts:
                                       
Stock options
   
3.9
     
5.3
     
4.2
     
5.3
     
9.0
 
Restricted shares
   
0.8
     
2.0
     
0.9
     
2.2
     
-
 
4.5% senior limited-subordination convertible notes
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
20.9
     
-
 
5% convertible notes
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
3.2
     
-
 
     
4.7
     
7.3
     
5.1
     
31.6
     
9.0
 
 
 
(6) Share-Based Compensation Plans
 
Compensation expense associated with the UAL share-based compensation plans has been pushed down to United.
 
Predecessor—As of January 31, 2006, a total of 9 million UAL stock options were outstanding. Under the Plan of Reorganization, these stock options were canceled upon the Effective Date. No material share-based compensation expense was incurred as a result of these outstanding options for the month of January 2006.
 
Successor—As part of the Plan of Reorganization the Bankruptcy Court approved UAL’s share-based compensation plans known as the Director Equity Incentive Plan (“DEIP”) and the Management Equity Incentive Plan (“MEIP”) which became effective on February 1, 2006. A total of 856,852 and 996,536 awards were available for grant as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, under the MEIP and DEIP. UAL and United recognized share-based compensation expense of $11 million and $37 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and $28 million and $137 million during the three and eight months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. The Company’s unrecognized share-based compensation expense was $51 million and $80 million as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
 

20


The table below summarizes stock option activity pursuant to UAL’s MEIP stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2007:
 
   
Options
 
Outstanding at beginning of period
   
5,064,672
 
Granted
   
199,366
 
Exercised
    (857,799 )
Canceled
    (124,574 )
Outstanding at end of period
   
4,281,665
 
         
Exercisable at end of period
   
1,077,377
 

 
The table below summarizes UAL’s restricted stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2007:
 
   
Restricted Stock
 
Nonvested at beginning of period
   
2,712,787
 
Granted
   
131,234
 
Vested
    (753,167 )
Terminated
    (67,226 )
Nonvested at end of period
   
2,023,628
 

 
(7) Income Taxes
 
UAL and United had effective tax rates of 41% and 43% in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and 24% and 41% percent for the three and eight months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. The effective tax rates were based upon forecasted annual income for each respective period. The most significant items causing the difference between UAL’s and United’s effective tax rates and the federal statutory rate of 35% were non-deductible meals and entertainment expense and nondeductible interest on certain of UAL’s notes. These increases to the effective tax rate were partially offset by a favorable impact from the non-taxable Medicare Part D subsidy. Predecessor UAL and United both had an effective tax rate of zero percent for the month ended January 31, 2006. As of September 30, 2007, UAL and United had a federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forward of $6.4 billion.
 
The Company’s management assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets, and records a valuation allowance for the deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income (including the reversals of deferred tax liabilities) during the periods in which those temporary differences will become deductible. As such, UAL had a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets of $2,248 million at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, to reflect management’s assessment regarding the realizability of the deferred tax assets. United had a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets of $2,190 million at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006. The Company expects to continue to maintain a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets until other positive evidence is sufficient to justify realization. Future reductions in the valuation allowance will be allocated to reduce goodwill and then other intangible assets.
 
The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 and recorded a $16 million decrease in the liability for uncertain income tax matters recorded under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies (“SFAS 5”). In addition, UAL and United adjusted deferred tax assets for net operating loss carry forwards and deferred taxes for certain other temporary differences; these entries were offset by a net adjustment to goodwill. As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, the Company generated an unrecognized tax benefit of $49 million. Unrecognized tax benefits of $6 million will impact the Company’s effective tax rate, if recognized. Goodwill changed by $6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 resulting from the adoption of FIN 48.
 
The amount of unrecognized tax benefits did not materially change from January 1, 2007 to September 30, 2007. Any change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months is not expected to result in a significant impact on the results of operations or the financial position of the Company.
 
UAL and United record interest expense associated with income taxes as interest expense and penalties as other operating expense in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited). As of January 1, 2007, the Company had accrued interest of $1 million and had accrued no penalties. These amounts did not materially change as of September 30, 2007.
 
UAL’s income tax returns for tax years after 2002 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state taxing jurisdictions. United is included in UAL’s consolidated income tax returns.
 

21


As a result of the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy, the Company has an unrealized tax benefit of $794 million and $782 million at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, resulting from an excess tax deduction of $2,154 million and $2,121 million, respectively. The excess tax deduction represents the difference between the total tax deduction available, which is equal to the fair value of the UAL common stock issued to certain unsecured creditors and employees pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, and the amount of the deduction attributable to the amount expensed, which is the value of the stock determined in the Plan of Reorganization. The Company has accounted for the excess tax deduction by analogy to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, and will recognize this deduction when it is realized as a reduction of taxes payable.
 
The Company has an NOL carry forward tax benefit of approximately $2.5 billion for federal and state income tax purposes that primarily originated before the Company emerged from bankruptcy and will expire over a five to twenty year period. The Company’s ability to utilize these benefits may be impaired if the Company were to have a change of ownership within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. To avoid a potential adverse effect on the Company’s ability to utilize its NOL carry forward for federal income tax purposes, the Company’s certificate of incorporation contains a “5% Ownership Limitation,” applicable to all stockholders except the PBGC. The 5% Ownership Limitation remains effective until February 1, 2011. Generally, the 5% limitation prohibits (i) the acquisition by a single stockholder of shares representing 5% or more of the common stock of UAL and (ii) any acquisition or disposition of common stock by a stockholder that already owns 5% or more of UAL’s common stock, unless prior written approval is granted by the UAL Board of Directors.
 
 (8) Retirement and Postretirement Plans
 
UAL and United contribute to defined contribution plans on behalf of most of their employees, particularly within the US. Internationally, the Company maintains a number of small pension plans covering much of its local, non-US workforce. The Company also provides certain health care benefits, primarily in the U.S., to retirees and eligible dependents, as well as certain life insurance benefits to certain retirees, which are reflected as “Other Benefits” in the tables below. The Company has reserved the right, subject to collective bargaining agreements, to modify or terminate the health care and life insurance benefits for both current and future retirees.
 
The UAL and United net periodic benefit cost included the following components:
 
   
Pension Benefits
   
Other Benefits
 
             
   
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
   
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
(In millions)
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
Service cost
  $
2
    $
3
    $
11
    $
9
 
Interest cost
   
2
     
2
     
29
     
31
 
Expected return on plan assets
    (2 )     (2 )     (1 )     (1 )
Amortization of unrecognized gain
   
1
     
      (4 )    
 
Net periodic benefit costs
  $
3
    $
3
    $
35
    $
39
 

 
   
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
   
Successor
 
Predecessor
 
Successor
 
Predecessor
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Period from
February 1
to
September 30,
 
Period from
January 1 to
 January 31,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Period from
February 1
to
September 30,
 
Period from
January 1 to
 January 31,
(In millions)
     
2007
 
2006
 
2006
 
2007
 
2006
 
2006
Service cost
  $
7
    $
7
    $
1
    $
29
    $
24
    $
3
 
Interest cost
   
7
     
6
     
1
     
91
     
84
     
11
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(7
)
   
(6
)
   
(1
)
   
(3
)
   
(4
)
   
(1
)
Amortization of prior service credit including transition obligation
   
     
     
     
     
     
(13
)
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss
   
     
     
     
(8
)
   
     
8
 
Net periodic benefit costs
  $
7
    $
7
    $
1
    $
109
    $
104
    $
8
 

 
(9) Segment Information
 
We manage our business by two reportable segments: Mainline and United Express, which were reported as segments in the 2006 Annual Reports. In 2006, in light of the Company’s bankruptcy-related restructuring and organizational changes, management reevaluated the Company’s segment reporting. As a result, management determined that the geographic regions and UAL Loyalty Services, LLC, which were previously reported as segments, are no longer reportable segments requiring disclosure under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.”
 

22


The table below includes segment information for UAL and United for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, the eight month period ended September 30, 2006 and the one month period ended January 31, 2006. Amounts for the 2006 periods have been retrospectively changed from prior period presentation to conform to the new Mainline and United Express segments. See Note 2, “Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11,” for discussion of the special items presented in the table below.
 

   
Successor
   
Predecessor
 
 
(In millions)
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months
Ended
   
Period from
February 1 to
   
Period from
January 1 to
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
January 31,
 
UAL segment information:
 
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
   
2006
 
Revenue:
                             
  Mainline
  $
4,663
    $
4,403
    $
12,770
    $
11,297
    $
1,254
 
  United Express
   
819
     
773
     
2,298
     
1,999
     
204
 
  Special revenue items
   
45
     
-
     
45
     
-
     
-
 
    Total
  $
5,527
    $
5,176
    $
15,113
    $
13,296
    $
1,458
 
                                         
Segment earnings (loss):
                                       
  Mainline
  $
431
    $
160
    $
585
    $
13
    $ (59 )
  United Express
   
68
     
60
     
122
     
103
      (24 )
  Reorganization items, net
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
22,934
 
  Special revenue items
   
45
     
-
     
45
     
-
     
-
 
  Special expense items
   
22
     
30
     
44
     
30
     
-
 
  Less: equity earnings (a)
    (1 )     (1 )     (3 )     (4 )     (5 )
     Consolidated earnings before
                                       
     income taxes and equity in earnings
                                       
     of affiliates
  $
565
    $
249
    $
793
    $
142
    $
22,846
 
                                         
                                         
United segment information:
                                       
Revenue:
                                       
  Mainline
  $
4,666
    $
4,403
    $
12,780
    $
11,294
    $
1,250
 
  United Express
   
819
     
773
     
2,298
     
1,999
     
204
 
  Special revenue items
   
45
     
-
     
45
     
-
     
-
 
    Total
  $
5,530
    $
5,176
    $
15,123
    $
13,293
    $
1,454
 
                                         
Segment earnings (loss):
                                       
  Mainline
  $
436
    $
170
    $
604
    $
23
    $ (59 )
  United Express
   
68
     
60
     
122
     
103
      (24 )
  Reorganization items, net
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
22,709
 
  Special revenue items
   
45
     
-
     
45
     
-
     
-
 
  Special expense items
   
22
     
30
     
44
     
30
     
-
 
  Less:  equity earnings (a)
    (1 )     (1 )     (3 )     (4 )     (5 )
     Consolidated earnings before
                                       
     income taxes and equity in earnings
                                       
     of affiliates
  $
570
    $
259
    $
812
    $
152
    $
22,621
 
____________________
 
(a)
Equity earnings are part of the Mainline segment.

(10) Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the three month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, UAL’s total comprehensive income was $352 million and $133 million, respectively. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, the eight month period ended September 30, 2006, and the one month period ended January 31, 2006, UAL’s total comprehensive income was $479 million, $71 million and $22.9 billion, respectively. For the three month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, United’s total comprehensive income was $355 million and $144 million, respectively. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, the eight month period ended September 30, 2006, and the one month period ended January 31, 2006, United’s total comprehensive income was $490 million, $82 million and $22.6 billion, respectively.
 
23


The differences between net income and total comprehensive income are due to changes in the fair value of an interest rate swap that was accounted for a cash flow hedge as discussed in Note 12, “Financial Instruments and Risk Management.”  In addition, comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, includes recognition and subsequent amortization of deferred net periodic pension costs that were recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 158, Employers’ Accounting for Pensions and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132R, for the year ended December 31, 2006.
 
(11) Debt Obligations
 
See the UAL and United 2006 Annual Reports on Form 10-K for a detailed discussion of their respective debt obligations. The following includes a discussion of United’s prepayment and amendment, in February 2007, of its $3.0 billion revolving credit, term loan and guarantee agreement dated February 1, 2006 (the “Credit Facility”). In addition, United issued and repaid various debt instruments during the first nine months of 2007, as discussed below.
 
Amended Credit Facility
 
On February 2, 2007, United prepaid $972 million of its Credit Facility debt and UAL and United entered into an amended and restated revolving credit, term loan and guaranty agreement (the “Amended Credit Facility”) that, among other things, reduced the size of the facility from $3.0 billion to $2.055 billion, reduced the applicable interest rates, and provided for a more limited collateral package and a relaxation of certain restrictive covenants. There were no prepayment penalties associated with this debt retirement. In the first quarter of 2007, United expensed $17 million of deferred financing costs which were related to the portion of the Credit Facility prepaid in 2007 and were included in other assets in the December 31, 2006 Statements of Consolidated Financial Position. In connection with the amendment of the Credit Facility in 2007, United incurred financing costs of $10 million, of which $6 million was expensed and $4 million was capitalized. The financing costs associated with the Credit Facility prepayment and amendment, which were expensed in the first quarter of 2007, are classified as a component of interest expense in our Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited).
 
The Amended Credit Facility was provided by a syndicate of banks and other financial institutions led by J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and Citicorp Global Markets, Inc. (“CITI”), as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMCB”) and CITI, as co-administrative agents and co-collateral agents, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, as syndication agent, and JPMCB, as paying agent. The Amended Credit Facility provides for a total commitment of up to $2.055 billion, comprised of two separate tranches: (i) a Tranche A consisting of $255 million revolving commitment available for Tranche A loans and standby letters of credit and (ii) a Tranche B consisting of a term loan commitment of $1.8 billion. The Tranche A loans mature on February 1, 2012, and the Tranche B loans mature on February 1, 2014.
 
Borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility bear interest at a floating rate, which, at United’s option, can be either a base rate or LIBOR, plus an applicable margin of 1.0% in the case of base rate loans, and 2.0% in the case of LIBOR loans. The Tranche B term loan requires regularly scheduled semi-annual payments of principal equal to $9 million. Interest is payable at least every three months. United may prepay some or all of the Tranche B loans from time to time, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount prepaid plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of prepayment, but without penalty or premium.
 
United’s obligations under the Amended Credit Facility are unconditionally guaranteed by UAL and certain of its direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, other than certain immaterial subsidiaries (“Guarantors”). On the closing date for the Amended Credit Facility, the obligations were secured by a security interest in the following tangible and intangible assets of United and the Guarantors: (i) the Pacific (Narita, China and Hong Kong) and Atlantic (Heathrow) routes (the “Primary Routes”) existing as of the closing date of the Amended Credit Facility (February 2, 2007), (ii) primary foreign slots, primary domestic slots, certain gate interests in domestic airport terminals and certain supporting route facilities, (iii) certain spare engines, (iv) certain quick engine change kits, (v) certain owned real property and related fixtures, and (vi) certain flight simulators (the “Collateral”). After the closing date, and subject to certain conditions, United and the Guarantors may grant a security interest in the following assets, in substitution for certain Collateral (which may be released from the lien in support of the Amended Credit Facility upon the satisfaction of certain conditions): (a) certain aircraft, (b) certain spare parts, (c) certain ground handling equipment, (d) accounts receivable, and (e) such other assets which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the collateral agents.
 
 
24


The Amended Credit Facility contains covenants that will limit the ability of United and the Guarantors to, among other things, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, create liens, pay dividends on or repurchase stock, make certain types of investments, enter into transactions with affiliates, sell assets or merge with other companies, modify corporate documents or change lines of business. The Amended Credit Facility also requires compliance with the following financial covenants: (i) a minimum ratio of EBITDAR to the sum of cash interest expense, aircraft rent and scheduled debt payments, (ii) a minimum unrestricted cash balance of $750 million, and (iii) a minimum ratio of market value of collateral to the sum of (a) the aggregate outstanding amount of the loans plus (b) the undrawn amount of outstanding letters of credit, plus (c) the unreimbursed amount of drawings under such letters of credit and (d) the termination value of certain interest rate protection and hedging agreements with the Amended Credit Facility lenders and their affiliates, of 150% at any time, or 200% at any time following the release of Primary Routes having an appraised value in excess of $1 billion (unless the Primary Routes are the only collateral then pledged). Failure to comply with the Amended Credit Facility covenants could result in a default under the Amended Credit Facility unless United were to obtain a waiver of, or otherwise mitigate or cure, the default. Additionally, the Amended Credit Facility contains a cross-default provision with respect to any other agreement for indebtedness that exceeds $50 million. A default under such other indebtedness arrangement could result in a termination of the Amended Credit Facility and a requirement to accelerate repayment of all outstanding facility borrowings.
 
EETC Pass Through Certificates, Series 2007-1
 
On June 26, 2007, United and Wilmington Trust Company, as subordination agent and pass through trustee under three pass through trusts newly formed by United (the “Trustee”) entered into a note purchase agreement, dated as of June 26, 2007 (the “Note Purchase Agreement”). The Note Purchase Agreement provides for the issuance by United of equipment notes (the “Equipment Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $694 million to finance 13 aircraft owned by United. Ten of these owned aircraft had been financed by pre-existing aircraft mortgages which United repaid in full (approximately $590 million principal amount) with most of the proceeds of the Equipment Notes. The mortgages related to these ten aircraft had been adjusted to fair market value at the adoption of fresh-start reporting on February 1, 2006. The extinguishment of the aircraft mortgages resulted in the recognition of a $22 million gain for the unamortized premium, which was accounted for as a reduction in interest expense in the second quarter of 2007. The remaining three owned aircraft were unencumbered prior to the closing of the Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (“EETC”) transaction. This transaction combined with the July 2007 acquisition of three 747-400 aircraft, as described in Note 14, “Lease Obligations,” did not change the total number of encumbered aircraft.
 
The payment obligations of United under the Equipment Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by UAL. The Class B and Class C certificates are subject to transfer restrictions. They may be sold only to qualified institutional buyers, as defined by Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for so long as they are outstanding. Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, the Trustee for each pass through trust agreed to purchase Equipment Notes issued under a Trust Indenture and Mortgage (each, an “Indenture” and, collectively, the “Indentures”) with respect to each aircraft financing entered into by United and Wilmington Trust Company, as Mortgagee.
 
Each Indenture contemplated the issuance of Equipment Notes in three series: Series A, bearing interest at the rate of 6.636% per annum, Series B, bearing interest at the rate of 7.336% per annum, and Series C, bearing interest at the rate of six-month LIBOR plus 2.25% per annum, in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $694 million divided between the three series as follows:  $485 million in the case of Series A Equipment Notes, $107 million in the case of Series B Equipment Notes, and $102 million in the case of Series C Equipment Notes. The Equipment Notes were purchased by the Trustee for each pass through trust using the proceeds from the sale of Pass Through Certificates, Series 2007-1A, Pass Through Certificates, Series 2007-1B, and Pass Through Certificates, Series 2007-1C (collectively, the “Certificates”).
 
Interest on the Equipment Notes is payable semiannually on each January 2 and July 2, beginning on January 2, 2008. Principal payments are scheduled on January 2 and July 2 in scheduled years, beginning on January 2, 2008. The final payments will be due on July 2, 2022, in the case of the Series A Equipment Notes, July 2, 2019, in the case of the Series B Equipment Notes, and July 2, 2014, in the case of the Series C Equipment Notes. Maturity of the Equipment Notes may be accelerated upon the occurrence of certain events of default, including failure by United to make payments under the applicable Indenture when due or to comply with certain covenants, as well as certain bankruptcy events involving United. The Equipment Notes issued with respect to each of the 13 aircraft are secured by a lien on each such aircraft and are cross-collateralized by the rest of the 13 aircraft financed pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement.
 
Distributions on the Certificates are subject to certain subordination provisions whereby Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. provided a liquidity facility for each of the Class A and Class B certificates. The liquidity facilities are expected to provide an amount sufficient to pay up to three semiannual interest payments on the certificates of the related pass through trust. The Class C certificates do not have the benefit of a liquidity facility.

 
 
25

Denver Special Facilities Airport Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2007A
 
    On June 28, 2007, the City and County of Denver issued approximately $270 million of Denver airport refunding bonds (“Series 2007A Bonds”). The Series 2007A Bonds are unconditionally guaranteed by United. The Series 2007 A Bonds were issued in two tranches – approximately $170 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% discount bonds and $100 million aggregate principal amount of 5.75% premium bonds. The weighted average yield to the 2032 maturity is approximately 5.47%.
 
The Series 2007A Bonds were issued to refinance United’s guaranteed principal of $261 million, plus accrued interest and new issuance costs relating to the City and County of Denver, Colorado Special Facilities Airport Revenue Bonds (United Air Lines Project) Series 1992A (the “1992 Bonds”) that were issued in 1992 to finance certain facilities at the Denver International Airport. The 1992 Bonds were due in 2032 unless United elected not to extend its airport facility lease, in which case they were due in 2023. The Series 2007A Bonds similarly are due in 2032 unless United makes a similar election not to extend its lease. The outstanding bonds and related guarantee are not recorded in the Company’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position at September 30, 2007 or December 31, 2006.
 
Purchases of EETC Securities
 
As discussed in Note 1, “Basis of Presentation,” the Company purchased certain of its previously issued and outstanding EETC securities in open market transactions during the third quarter of 2007. The EETC securities purchased by the Company, totaling $76 million, were issued by third-party pass-through trusts that are not consolidated by the Company.  The pass-through trusts' only investments are equipment notes issued by United.  The acquisition of the EETC securities does not legally extinguish the corresponding equipment notes; therefore, the certificates are classified as a non-current investment.

(12) Financial Instruments and Risk Management
 
Instruments designated as cash flow hedges receive favorable accounting treatment under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 133”), as long as the hedge is highly effective and the underlying transaction is probable. If both factors are present, the effective portion of the changes in fair value of these contracts is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until earnings are affected by the cash flows being hedged. Instruments classified as economic hedges do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS 133. Under this classification all changes in the fair value of these contracts are recorded currently in operating income, with the offset to either current assets or liabilities each reporting period.
 
Aircraft Fuel Hedges. We have a risk management strategy to hedge a portion of our price risk related to projected jet fuel requirements primarily through collar options. The collars involve the simultaneous purchase and sale of call and put options with identical expiration dates.
 
For the one month period ended January 31, 2006, the Predecessor Company had no fuel hedges in place. In the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 and the eight month period ended September 30, 2006, the Successor Company entered into and settled various derivative positions that were classified as economic hedges.
 
In the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized a net hedge gain (loss) of $18 million and $(18) million, respectively, on economic hedges that were classified as Mainline fuel expense in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited). In the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and the eight months ended September 30, 2006, the Company’s Mainline fuel expense included income (loss) of $57 million and $(11) million, respectively, from net gains (losses) on economic hedges. The net hedge gains recorded in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 included $10 million and $13 million, respectively, of unrealized mark-to-market gains for contracts settling after September 30, 2007.
 
As of September 30, 2007, the Company had hedged 18% of forecasted fourth quarter 2007 fuel consumption primarily through heating oil three-way collars. On a weighted-average basis, hedge protection begins if heating oil exceeds $2.04 per gallon and is capped at $2.22 per gallon. Conversely, payment obligations begin if heating oil, on a weighted-average basis, drops below $1.86 per gallon.
 
Foreign Exchange. During the second quarter of 2007, the Company began hedging a portion of its remaining 2007 foreign currency risk exposure using foreign currency forward contracts. As of September 30, 2007, the Company hedged a portion of its expected foreign currency cash flows in the Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, British pound, European Euro and Japanese yen. As of September 30, 2007, the notional amount of these foreign currencies hedged with the forward contracts in U.S. dollars terms was approximately $135 million. These contracts expire at various dates from October 2007 to March 2008. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, there were no material gains or losses from these derivative positions. As of September 30, 2007, the fair value of these contracts was a loss of $3 million.
 

26


(13) Commitments, Contingent Liabilities and Uncertainties
 
General Guarantees and Indemnifications.In the normal course of business, UAL and United enter into numerous real estate leasing and aircraft financing arrangements that have various guarantees included in the contracts. These guarantees are primarily in the form of indemnities. In both leasing and financing transactions, the Company typically indemnifies the lessors, and any financing parties, against tort liabilities that arise out of the use, occupancy, operation or maintenance of the leased premises or financed aircraft. Currently, management believes that any future payments required under these guarantees or indemnities would be immaterial, as most tort liabilities and related indemnities are covered by insurance (subject to deductibles). Additionally, certain leased premises such as fueling stations or storage facilities include indemnities of such parties for any environmental liability that may arise out of or relate to the use of the leased premises.
 
Bankruptcy Matters.See Note 2, “Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11—Significant Matters Remaining to be Resolved in Chapter 11 Cases,” for a discussion of contingencies associated with UAL’s and United’s bankruptcy proceedings.
 
Legal and Environmental Contingencies.UAL and United have certain contingencies resulting from litigation and claims (including environmental issues) incident to the ordinary course of business. Management believes, after considering a number of factors, including (but not limited to) the views of legal counsel, the nature of the contingencies and prior experience, that the ultimate resolution of these contingencies will not materially affect UAL’s or United’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. UAL and United record liabilities for legal and environmental claims when a loss is probable and reasonably estimable. These amounts are recorded based on management’s assessments of the likelihood of their eventual disposition. The amounts of these liabilities could increase or decrease in the near term, based on revisions to estimates relating to the various contingencies.
 
We anticipate that if ultimately found liable, our damages from claims arising from the events of September 11, 2001 could be significant; however, we believe that, under the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act of 2001, United’s liability will be limited to its insurance coverage.
 
Commitments.At September 30, 2007, future commitments for the purchase of property and equipment, principally aircraft, approximated $3.0 billion, after deducting advance payments. The Company’s current commitments are primarily for the purchase of, in the aggregate, 42 A319 and A320 aircraft. However, United has the right to cancel these orders. Such action could cause the forfeiture of $91 million of advance payments if United does not take delivery of these aircraft. The Company’s current commitments would require the payment of an estimated $0.4 billion in 2007, $0.3 billion for the combined years of 2008 and 2009, $0.7 billion for the combined years of 2010 and 2011 and $1.6 billion thereafter.
 
Municipal Bond Guarantees.UAL and United have entered into long-term agreements to lease certain airport and maintenance facilities that are financed through tax-exempt municipal bonds. These bonds were issued by various local municipalities to build or improve airport and maintenance facilities. Under these lease agreements, United is required to make rental payments in amounts sufficient to pay the maturing principal and interest payments on the bonds. As a result of the bankruptcy proceedings, many of the agreements were considered unsecured pre-petition debt. In 2006, as a result of final Bankruptcy Court decisions, certain leases were considered to be financings resulting in United’s guarantees being discharged in bankruptcy. United’s lease of certain facilities at the Denver International Airport was not rejected in bankruptcy; therefore, United continued to have a guarantee under this lease. In June 2007, United refinanced the Denver Bonds under favorable market conditions as discussed in Note 11, “Debt Obligations.”
 
Tax Contingencies.UAL and United have recorded reserves for taxes and associated interest that may become payable in future years as a result of audits by tax authorities. Certain of these reserves are for uncertain income tax positions taken on income tax returns which are accounted for in accordance with FIN 48, effective January 1, 2007. Contingencies for taxes that are not based on income (e.g., gross receipts taxes, excise taxes and sales and use taxes) are accounted for in accordance with SFAS 5. Although management believes that the positions taken on previously filed tax returns are reasonable, UAL and United nevertheless have established tax and interest reserves in recognition that various taxing authorities may challenge certain of the positions taken by the Company, potentially resulting in additional liabilities for taxes and interest. The Company’s tax contingency reserves are reviewed periodically and are adjusted as events occur that affect its estimates, such as the availability of new information, the lapsing of applicable statutes of limitations, the conclusion of tax audits, the measurement of additional estimated liability based on current calculations, the identification of new tax contingencies, the release of administrative tax guidance affecting its estimates of tax liabilities, or the rendering of relevant court decisions. See Note 7, “Income Taxes,” for further information related to uncertain income tax positions and the adoption of FIN 48.
 

27


(14) Lease Obligations
 
In July 2007, United purchased three 747-400 aircraft that had previously been financed by United through operating leases. The lease agreements were simultaneously terminated upon the closing of the acquisition. United used existing cash to acquire these aircraft. This transaction combined with the June 2007 EETC transaction, as described in Note 11, “Debt Obligations,” did not change the total number of encumbered aircraft.

 
(15) Open Skies Agreement
 
On April 30, 2007, the U.S. government and the European Union (“EU”) signed a transatlantic aviation agreement to replace the existing bilateral arrangements between the U.S. Government and the 27 EU member states. The agreement is expected to become effective at the end of March 2008.
 
The agreement is based on the U.S. open skies model and authorizes U.S. airlines to operate between the United States and any point in the EU and beyond, free from government restrictions on capacity, frequencies and scheduling and provides EU carriers with reciprocal rights in these U.S./EU markets. The agreement also authorizes all U.S. and EU carriers to operate services between the United States and London Heathrow, thereby potentially adding new competition to United’s Heathrow operation, although Heathrow is currently subject to both slot and facility constraints which may practically limit the extent of new competition in the near term. This agreement does not provide for a reallocation of existing slots among carriers.
 
As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, United has recorded an indefinite-lived intangible asset of $255 million for its Heathrow slots, based upon its estimation of the fair value for those slots as of the adoption of fresh-start reporting on February 1, 2006. United, however, determined at fresh-start that its rights relating to its actual route authorities to Heathrow had a fair value of zero. The EU/U.S. open skies agreement is expected to directly impact the future value and expected lives of route authorities to Heathrow; however, there is no direct impact from the open skies agreement on airport slot rights, including those at Heathrow. The open skies agreement is also expected to provide United an opportunity to secure antitrust immunity for certain of its Star Alliance® carrier relationships, and to provide United and other carriers with access to new markets in EU countries. In September 2007, the U.S. Department of Transportation granted United antitrust immunity with bmi. The immunity goes into effect at the same time as the Open Skies treaty between the U.S. and EU in 2008. Because of the diverse nature of these potential impacts on United’s business, the overall future impact of the agreement on United’s business in the EU region cannot be predicted with certainty.

During the second quarter of 2007, United performed an impairment review of the Heathrow slots intangible asset using the guidance in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” and concluded that no impairment was currently indicated and that, furthermore, no change was currently required to the fresh-start assignment of an indefinite life to this intangible asset. United’s initial annual impairment test for its Heathrow slots was performed as of October 1, 2006 and no impairment was indicated at that time.

The implementation of the EU/U.S. open skies agreement, however, may result in a future determination that the Heathrow slots are impaired in whole or in part, or in a future determination that they should be reclassified as definite-lived intangible assets with amortization expense recognized thereon. Such future determination could result in material charges to earnings in those future periods.

 
(16) Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows—Supplemental Disclosures
 
UAL and United supplemental cash flow disclosures are as follows:
 
   
Successor
 
Predecessor
 
   
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Period from
February 1 to
September 30,
 
Period from
January 1 to 31,
 
(In millions)
 
2007
 
2006
 
2006
 
Cash paid during the period for:
                         
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)
  $
487
    $
496
    $
35
   
Income taxes
   
     
     
   
                           
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
                         
Long-term debt incurred for additions to other assets
  $
    $
242
    $
   
Capital lease obligations incurred to acquire assets
   
     
155
     
   

 
(17) Related Party Transactions
 
In the second quarter of 2007, UAL, United and Mileage Plus, Inc. (“MPI,” a wholly owned subsidiary of United), executed a note payment agreement to pay and thereby cancel a $200 million note payable (plus $14 million of accrued interest) between UAL and MPI. This transaction had no effect in the UAL consolidated financial statements and was treated as a forgiveness of debt in United’s financial statements, resulting in a decrease in paid in capital equal to the total decrease in notes and interest receivable.

(18) Subsequent Event
 
On July 3, 2007, United, along with certain other major air carriers, entered into a stock purchase agreement related to the sale of their interests in the equity investment, Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (“ARINC”), to Radio Acquisition Corp., an affiliate of The Carlyle Group. ARINC is a provider of transportation communications and systems engineering. The transaction closed on October 25, 2007 and generated proceeds of $128 million and a pre-tax net gain of $41 million.

 
28


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Overview
 
UAL Corporation (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UAL”), is a holding company and its principal, wholly-owned subsidiary is United Air Lines, Inc., (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “United”). We sometimes use the words “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” in this Form 10-Q for disclosures that relate to both UAL and United. United’s operations consist primarily of the transportation of persons, property, and mail throughout the U.S. and abroad. United provides these services through full-sized jet aircraft (which we refer to as its “Mainline” operations), as well as smaller aircraft in its regional operations conducted under contract by “United Express®” carriers.
 
United is one of the largest passenger airlines in the world with more than 3,300 flights a day to more than 200 destinations through its Mainline and United Express services. United offers more than 1,500 average daily Mainline (including Ted(SM)) departures to more than 120 destinations in 27 countries and two U.S. territories. United provides regional service, connecting primarily via United’s domestic hubs, through marketing relationships with United Express carriers, which provide more than 1,800 average daily departures to more than 145 destinations. United serves virtually every major market around the world, either directly or through its participation in the Star Alliance®, the world’s largest airline network.
 
Bankruptcy Matters.On December 9, 2002 (the “Petition Date”), UAL, United and 26 direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions to reorganize their businesses under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division (the “Bankruptcy Court”). On January 20, 2006, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Debtors’ Second Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Plan of Reorganization”). The Plan of Reorganization became effective and the Debtors emerged from bankruptcy protection on February 1, 2006 (the “Effective Date”). On the Effective Date, UAL and United implemented fresh-start reporting, which resulted in significant changes as compared to the historical financial statements. See Note 2, “Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for further information regarding bankruptcy matters.
 
Recent Developments.We believe our restructuring has made United competitive with its network airline peers. However, we seek to continuously improve the delivery of our products and services to our customers, reduce our costs, and increase our revenues. Some of these initiatives and other 2007 developments include the following:
 
 
·
In September 2007, UAL’s management and its Board of Directors completed a strategic planning session to discuss the future of United. The Company has developed a five-year plan, the ambition of which is to position United as the global airline of choice for premium customers, employees and investors, while maintaining our fundamental commitment to safety and balancing the needs of all of our stakeholders. The Company’s main focus continues to be strengthening our core business, including a detailed roadmap of more than 250 initiatives and significant capital investment over the next five years. These investments will be targeted to support improvements for customers and employees, and drive revenue and efficiency improvements. In addition to strengthening the performance of the airline, our plan also includes unlocking the value of business units such as United Services and Mileage Plus. Our goal is to generate returns to shareholders and stakeholders that are competitive with American industry in general.  
 
 
·
In 2006, United announced a program to reduce projected 2007 expenses by $400 million. We are on track to achieve these savings in 2007.
 
 
·
In July 2007, United entered into an agreement to sell its interest in Aeronautical Radio, Inc. (“ARINC”), to Radio Acquisition Corp., an affiliate of The Carlyle Group. ARINC is a provider of transportation communications and systems engineering. The transaction closed on October 25, 2007 and generated proceeds of $128 million and a pre-tax net gain of $41 million.
 
 
·
In July 2007, in order to refinance certain aircraft at a lower cost United purchased three 747-400 aircraft that had previously been financed by United through operating leases. The lease agreements were simultaneously terminated upon the closing of the acquisition.  The Company purchased these aircraft at a total price in excess of $150 million, largely with the proceeds of the EETC transaction executed by the Company in the second quarter of 2007. These two transactions combined did not change the total number of encumbered aircraft.
 

29


 
·
In 2007, UAL’s operating cash flow improved by 58% as compared to the prior periods, increasing to $2.0 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The improvement in cash flows was primarily due to improved results of operations and certain working capital changes, as discussed below.
 
 
·
United will strengthen its passenger and cargo service to the Middle East, one of the world’s most rapidly growing business regions, by adding more flights between Washington, D.C. and Kuwait City and by signing a code sharing agreement with Qatar Airways. Customer response to United’s thrice-weekly Kuwait service has been strong, and the Company recently announced an increase of this service to daily frequency, effective December 16, 2007.
 
 
·
United also recently announced that it was further strengthening its international network by launching two new non-stop flights from the U.S. to Asia and South America. Daily, non-stop passenger and cargo service between Los Angeles and Hong Kong and between Washington, D.C. and Rio de Janeiro began on October 28, 2007.
 
 
·
The Company will soon showcase the first of 97 international aircraft to be refitted with new premium seats, entertainment systems and other product enhancements with an inaugural flight from Washington Dulles to Frankfurt. With this flight, United earns the distinction of becoming the first U.S. carrier to offer 180-degree, lie-flat beds in business class on overseas flights.
 
 
·
United and Aloha Airlines (“Aloha”) expanded their existing cooperation agreement and strengthened their partnership in the Hawaii and Transpacific markets, effective July 3, 2007. This agreement capitalizes on both Aloha’s and United’s 60 years of experience in serving Hawaii and expands marketing, operational and financial opportunities for both carriers. Under the agreement, United received a minority equity stake in Aloha that could expand over time and a seat on Aloha’s board of directors.
 
 
·
In September 2007, the Company announced it received U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) approval to become the first U.S. carrier to begin daily nonstop service to Guangzhou, China. The service from San Francisco will commence in June 2008.
 
 
·
In September 2007, United announced that new daily passenger and cargo service between Los Angeles and Frankfurt, Germany will commence on December 15, 2007. In response to increased customer demand for more frequent flights to Europe this addition represents United’s eighth daily flight to Frankfurt and with the new service from Los Angeles, United now serves Frankfurt from all four of its international gateways.
 
 
·
The U.S. government and the European Union (“EU”) recently signed a transatlantic aviation agreement to replace the existing bilateral arrangements between the U.S. Government and the 27 EU member states. The agreement will become effective at the end of March 2008. The future benefits of this agreement cannot be predicted due to potential increased competition; however, we have already taken actions to capitalize on opportunities under the new agreement, including United’s recent application to complete its antitrust immunity with bmi that would allow the two airlines to integrate their operations at London’s Heathrow airport. In September 2007, the DOT granted authority to effectuate antitrust immunity between United and bmi, and to include bmi in the multilateral group of Star Alliance carriers that had already been granted antitrust immunity by the DOT. The immunity goes into effect at the same time as the Open Skies treaty between the U.S. and the EU in March 2008.
 
Financial Results. UAL and United adopted fresh-start reporting in accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Statement of Position 90-7, Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code (“SOP 90-7”), upon emerging from bankruptcy. Thus, the consolidated financial statements before February 1, 2006 reflect results based upon the historical cost basis of UAL and United while the post-emergence consolidated financial statements reflect the new basis of accounting, which incorporates fair value adjustments recorded from the application of SOP 90-7. Therefore, financial statements for the post-emergence periods are not comparable to the pre-emergence period financial statements. References to “Successor” refer to UAL or United on or after February 1, 2006, after giving effect to the adoption of fresh-start reporting. References to “Predecessor” refer to UAL or United before exiting bankruptcy on February 1, 2006.
 
For purposes of preparing year-over-year discussions of the results of operations, management has compared the Successor results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, to the combined results for the same three and nine month periods of 2006. The 2006 combined nine month period includes Predecessor results for the one month period ended January 31, 2006. The presentation of results for the combined nine month period of 2006 are non-GAAP measures. However, management believes that analysis and explanation of the combined nine month period of 2006 provides management and other users a useful basis of comparison to the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  The discussion of financial results below includes a discussion of certain bankruptcy related matters that the Company has classified as special items in its Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited).  These items have been classified as special because they are directly related to the resolution of bankruptcy administrative claims and are not indicative of the Company's ongoing financial performance.

30


The air travel business is subject to seasonal fluctuations and, historically, the Company’s results of operations are better in the second and third quarters as compared to the first and fourth quarters of each year, since our first and fourth quarter results normally reflect weaker travel demand. The Company’s results of operations can be impacted by adverse weather, air traffic control delays and other factors in any period.
 
The table below presents certain financial statement items to provide an overview of UAL’s and United’s financial performance in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the same periods in 2006:
 
   
Successor
   
Combined
   
Successor
   
Predecessor
 
         
Nine Months
   
Nine Months
   
Period from
   
Period from
 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Ended
   
Ended
   
February 1 to
   
January 1 to
 
 (In millions)
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
January 31,
 
UAL   
2007
   
 2006
   
 2007
   
 2006 (a)
   
 2006
   
 2006
 
Earnings (loss) before reorganization
                                   
items, income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates
  $
565
    $
249
    $
793
    $
54
    $
142
    $ (88 )
Reorganization income
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
22,934
     
-
     
22,934
 
Income tax expense
    (232 )     (60 )     (340 )     (60 )     (60 )    
-
 
Equity in earnings of affiliates
   
1
     
1
     
3
     
9
     
4
     
5
 
UAL net income
  $
334
    $
190
    $
456
    $
22,937
    $
86
    $
22,851
 
United net income
  $
337
    $
195
    $
467
    $
22,717
    $
91
    $
22,626
 
__________________________
(a)
The combined period includes the results for the one month period ended January 31, 2006 (Predecessor) and the eight month period ended September 30, 2006 (Successor).
 
UAL
 
In the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, UAL’s income before reorganization items, income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates improved by $316 million and $739 million, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2006. The following items highlight some of the more significant variances in the 2007 period as compared to the 2006 period. For a more detailed discussion of these items and additional factors impacting our financial performance see Results of Operations, below.
 
 
·
Including special items, passenger revenues increased by $400 million and $619 million in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, respectively, as compared to the prior periods due to increases, in yield for the third quarter and in both traffic and yield for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The special revenue items of $45 million were recognized in the three and nine month periods of 2007 due to an accounting accrual adjustment made as a result of ongoing resolution of certain bankruptcy pre-confirmation contingencies. Additional accrual adjustments of $26 million were recorded as a credit to Mainline and United Express passenger revenues in the third quarter of 2007 due to a change in estimate to certain other contingent liabilities. See Note 2, “Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for a further discussion of these adjustments.
 
 
·
During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company reduced its accrual for bankruptcy litigation associated with potential security interests in its San Francisco International Airport (“SFO”) and Los Angeles International Airport (“LAX”) facility leases by a total of $30 million based on an updated analysis of its potential obligations. A $22 million benefit was recorded in the first quarter of 2007 with an additional benefit of $8 million in the third quarter of 2007. Both items are classified as special items in the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited). The Company also recorded an additional special credit to expense of $14 million in the third quarter of 2007 due to accrual adjustments related to ongoing resolution of certain bankruptcy pre-confirmation contingencies.
 
 
·
In the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007, UAL recognized income tax expense of $232 million and $340 million, respectively. Income tax expense of $60 million was recorded in both of the prior year periods.
 
 
·
UAL interest expense, net of interest income, decreased by $2 million and $70 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the year-ago periods primarily due to the prepayment and amendment of the Credit Facility in February 2007 as discussed below. The 2006 quarterly net interest included a $30 million benefit due to the Company’s discontinuance of the accrual of imputed interest expense associated with its advanced purchase of miles. 
 

31

 
United
 
The improvement in United’s results was largely consistent with that of UAL. The primary difference between United’s and UAL’s net income for the combined nine months of 2006 was a $225 million variance in reorganization income that was primarily due to $239 million of additional UAL income from the discharge of certain bankruptcy claims and liabilities that existed at UAL, but not at United.
 
Liquidity.Despite the $972 million debt prepayment of the Credit Facility in the first quarter of 2007, as of September 30, 2007, UAL had total cash, including restricted cash and short-term investments, of $5.0 billion, of which $4.9 billion was held by United. This strong cash position resulted from the Company’s recapitalization upon emerging from bankruptcy and strong operating cash flows since emerging from bankruptcy. UAL and United both generated cash flow from operations of $2.0 billion during the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, as compared to operating cash flow of $1.3 billion in the combined nine month period of 2006. See Liquidity and Capital Resources below for further information.
 
Capital Commitments.As of September 30, 2007, the Company’s future commitments for the purchase of property and equipment, principally aircraft, approximated $3.0 billion, after deducting advance payments. Our current commitments are primarily for the purchase of A319 and A320 aircraft. United has the right to cancel these orders. Such action could cause the forfeiture of $91 million of advance payments if United does not take future delivery of these aircraft. For further details, see Note 13, “Commitments, Contingent Liabilities and Uncertainties” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).
 
Contingencies.During the course of the Company’s Chapter 11 proceedings, we successfully reached settlements with most of our creditors and resolved most pending claims against the Debtors. The following discussion provides an overview of the status of unresolved bankruptcy matters as well as other contingencies. For further details on these matters, see Note 2, “Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11—Bankruptcy Considerations” and Note 13, “Commitments, Contingent Liabilities and Uncertainties” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).
 
Municipal Bond Obligations & Off-Balance Sheet Financing. We are a party to numerous long-term agreements to lease certain airport and maintenance facilities that are financed through tax-exempt municipal bonds issued by various local municipalities to build or improve airport and maintenance facilities. United had been advised that these municipal bonds may have been unsecured (or in certain instances, partially secured) pre-petition debt. In 2006, certain of United’s municipal bond obligations relating to LAX and SFO were conclusively adjudicated through the Bankruptcy Court as financings and not true leases; however, there remains pending litigation to determine the value of the security interests, if any, that the bondholders at LAX and SFO have in our underlying leaseholds.
 
United has guaranteed $270 million of the City and County of Denver, Colorado Special Facilities Airport Revenue Bonds (United Air Lines Project) Series 2007A (the “Denver Bonds”). This guarantee replaces our prior guarantee of $261 million of bonds issued by the City and County of Denver, Colorado in 1992. These bonds are callable by United. The outstanding bonds and related guarantee are not recorded in the Company’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position (Unaudited).
 
Legal and Environmental.The Company has certain contingencies resulting from litigation and claims (including environmental issues) incident to the ordinary course of business. Management believes, after considering a number of factors, including (but not limited to) the views of legal counsel, the nature of contingencies to which UAL and United are subject and prior experience, that the ultimate disposition of these contingencies will not materially affect UAL’s or United’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. When appropriate, United accrues for these matters based on its assessments of the likely outcomes of their eventual disposition. The amounts of these liabilities could increase or decrease in the near term, based on revisions to estimates relating to the various claims.
 
New regulations surrounding the emission of greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide) are being considered for promulgation both internationally and within the United States. We will be carefully evaluating the potential impact of such proposed regulations.
 
We anticipate that if ultimately found liable, our damages from claims arising from the events of September 11, 2001, could be significant; however, we believe that, under the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act of 2001, our liability will be limited to its insurance coverage.
 

32

 
Results of Operations
 
Third Quarter 2007 Compared to Third Quarter 2006
 
United’s operating revenues and operating expenses comprise nearly 100% of UAL’s revenues and operating expenses. Therefore, the following qualitative discussion is applicable to both UAL and United, unless otherwise noted. Any significant differences between UAL and United results are separately disclosed and explained.
 
UAL’s income from operations of $656 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007 improved by $321 million as compared to the operating income of $335 million in the year-ago period. UAL’s net income improved by $144 million to $334 million in the three month period ended September 30, 2007 as compared to net income of $190 million in the year-ago period. United had similar improvements in its results of operations with operating income and net income improving by $323 million and $142 million, respectively, in these same periods. The improvement in our results of operations was due to improved revenue performance, cost control initiatives, debt repayment and restructuring, special items and other factors discussed below. Income tax expense was significantly higher in the 2007 period as compared to the 2006 period due to higher pre-tax income in the 2007 period and a lower effective tax rate in the 2006 period, as income tax expense was not recorded by the Company until the third quarter of 2006 as discussed below.
 
Operating Revenues. The following table illustrates the year-over-year percentage change in UAL and United operating revenues:
 
   
Three Months Ended
             
 (In millions)
 
September 30,
   
     
%
 
 UAL   
2007
   
 2006
   
 Change
   
 Change
 
Passenger - United Airlines
  $
4,225
    $
3,916
    $
309
     
7.9
 
Passenger - Regional Affiliates
   
819
     
773
     
46
     
6.0
 
Cargo
   
198
     
183
     
15
     
8.2
 
Special operating items
   
45
     
-
      45       -  
    Other operating revenues     240       304       (64     (21.1
    $
5,527
    $
5,176
    $
351
     
6.8
 
                                 
United
                               
Passenger - United Airlines
  $
4,225
    $
3,916
    $
309
     
7.9
 
Passenger - Regional Affiliates
   
819
     
773
     
46
     
6.0
 
Cargo
   
198
     
183
     
15
     
8.2
 
Special operating items
   
45
     
-
      45       -  
    Other operating revenues     243       304       (61     (20.1
    $
5,530
    $
5,176
    $
354
     
6.8
 

 
The table below presents selected UAL and United passenger revenues and operating data from our Mainline segment, broken out by geographic region, and from our United Express segment, expressed as third quarter period-to-period changes. Passenger revenues presented below include the effects of the $45 million special revenue items on Mainline ($37 million) and United Express ($8 million) revenue. The special revenue items resulted directly from the Company’s ongoing efforts to resolve certain bankruptcy pre-confirmation contingencies.
 
 
 
2007
 
North America
   
Pacific
   
Atlantic
   
Latin
   
Mainline
   
United Express
   
Consolidated
 
Increase (decrease) from 2006:
                                         
Passenger revenues (in millions)
  $
119
    $
125
    $
104
    $ (2 )   $
346
    $
54
    $
400
 
Passenger revenues
    4.9 %     15.8 %     18.4 %     (2.3 )%     8.8 %     7.0 %     8.5 %
Available seat miles (ASMs)
    (4.6 )%     5.1 %     4.6 %     (13.5 )%     (1.5 )%     1.3 %     (1.3 )%
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs)
    (1.8 )%     3.4 %     4.2 %     (15.3 )%     (0.3 )%     1.1 %     (0.1 )%
Load factor (points)
 
2.4
 pts.  
(1.4
)pts. 
(0.3
)pts. 
(1.8
)pts. 
1.1
 pts.  
(0.2
)pts. 
0.9
 pts.
Yield (a)
    7.0 %     12.0 %     14.9 %     15.8 %     9.1 %     5.8 %     8.7 %
__________________
(a)  Yield is a measure of average price paid per passenger mile, which is calculated by dividing passenger revenues by RPMs. Yields for geographic regions exclude charter revenue and RPMs.


33


    Including the special items related to Mainline ($37 million) and United Express ($8 million), Mainline and United Express passenger revenues increased $346 million and $54 million, respectively, in the 2007 period as compared to the same period in 2006. In the third quarter of 2007, Mainline revenues benefited from a 1.1 point increase in load factor and a 9.1% increase in yield as compared to the third quarter of 2006. In the same periods, United Express load factor remained relatively flat while yield increased 5.8% resulting in increased revenue. Revenues for both segments benefited from increased Mileage Plus revenue of approximately $45 million and $10 million for Mainline and United Express, respectively, in the 2007 period as compared to 2006. A change in the Mileage Plus expiration period policy from 36 months to 18 months provided a benefit of $50 million in the third quarter of 2007, as discussed in Critical Accounting Policies, below. Mileage Plus customer accounts are deactivated after 18 months of inactivity, effective December 31, 2007. We estimate the number of accounts that will eventually become deactivated and ratably reduce the deferred revenue balance for estimated deactivated accounts over the expiration period consistent with our breakage policy.
 
UAL cargo revenues increased by $15 million, or 8%, in the three month period ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006, reflecting increased freight volume in both Domestic and Atlantic regions.
 
UAL other operating revenues decreased by $64 million, or 21%, in the three month period ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006. Lower jet fuel sales to third parties by our subsidiary, United Aviation Fuel Corporation (“UAFC”) accounted for $85 million of the other revenue decrease. This decrease in jet fuel sales was due to several factors, including decreased UAFC sales to our regional affiliates, our decision not to renew various low margin supply agreements to other carriers and, decreased sales of excess inventory. The decrease in UAFC revenue had no impact on our operating margin because UAFC cost of sales simultaneously decreased by $85 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the year-ago period.
 
Operating Expenses. The table below includes the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in UAL and United operating expenses. Significant fluctuations are discussed below.
 
   
Three Months Ended
             
(In millions)
 
September 30,
   
$
   
%
 
UAL
 
2007
   
2006
   
Change
   
Change
 
Aircraft fuel
  $
1,324
    $
1,368
    $ (44 )     (3.2 )
Salaries and related costs
   
1,062
     
1,060
     
2
     
0.2
 
Regional affiliates
   
751
     
713
     
38
     
5.3
 
Purchased services
   
344
     
302
     
42
     
13.9
 
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs
   
295
     
252
     
43
     
17.1
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
245
     
226
     
19
     
8.4
 
Distribution expenses
   
211
     
215
      (4 )     (1.9 )
Landing fees and other rent
   
201
     
199
     
2
     
1.0
 
Aircraft rent
   
102
     
104
      (2 )     (1.9 )
Cost of third party sales
   
68
     
153
      (85 )     (55.6 )
Special operating items
    (22 )     (30 )    
8
     
26.7
 
Other operating expenses
   
290
     
279
     
11
     
3.9
 
    $
4,871
    $
4,841
    $
30
     
0.6
 
                                 

 
34


 
 
   
Three Months Ended
             
   
September 30,
   
$
   
%
 
(In millions)
 
2007
   
2006
   
Change
   
Change
 
United
                         
Aircraft fuel
  $
1,324
    $
1,368
    $ (44 )     (3.2 )
Salaries and related costs
   
1,059
     
1,059
     
-
     
-
 
Regional affiliates
   
751
     
713
     
38
     
5.3
 
Purchased services
   
344
     
301
     
43
     
14.3
 
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs
   
295
     
252
     
43
     
17.1
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
245
     
225
     
20
     
8.9
 
Distribution expenses
   
211
     
215
      (4 )     (1.9 )
Landing fees and other rent
   
201
     
199
     
2
     
1.0
 
Aircraft rent
   
102
     
104
      (2 )     (1.9 )
Cost of third party sales
   
67
     
150
      (83 )     (55.3 )
Special operating items
    (22 )     (30 )    
8
     
26.7
 
Other operating expenses
   
291
     
281
     
10
     
3.6
 
    $
4,868
    $
4,837
    $
31
     
0.6
 

 
As discussed in Note 1, “Basis of Presentation” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), distribution expenses include commissions, global distribution systems (“GDS”) and credit card transaction fees. Prior period information has been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Previously, GDS and credit card transaction fees were classified as components of purchased services and commissions were reported as a separate expense item in the UAL and United quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006.
 
Aircraft fuel decreased $44 million, or 3%, in the three month period ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006. This net fuel variance was due to a 3% decrease in the average price per gallon of jet fuel from $2.30 per gallon in the third quarter of 2006 to $2.22 per gallon in the third quarter of 2007. This decrease resulted from favorable market conditions. Also benefiting aircraft fuel was a $36 million increase in net hedge gains that were $18 million in the 2007 period, as compared to a net hedge loss of $18 million in the 2006 period.
 
UAL salaries and related costs were flat in the third quarter of 2007 as compared to the year-ago period. The negative impact of certain wage increases was offset by lower share-based compensation expense, which was $28 million in the 2006 period, but only $11 million in the 2007 period. Share-based compensation expense was lower in the third quarter of 2007 as compared to the third quarter of 2006 due to the large number of grants made in early 2006 in connection with the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy.
 
Regional affiliate expense increased $38 million, or 5%, during the third quarter of 2007 as compared to the same period last year. Regional affiliate expense increased primarily due to an increase in capacity, which increased 1.3% in the third quarter of 2007 as compared to the prior period. Including the $8 million special revenue item, our regional affiliate operating earnings was $16 million higher in the 2007 period as compared to the 2006 period. This increase is primarily due to the $8 million special revenue item and improved yield due to a better industry revenue environment in the 2007 period as compared to the 2006 period. The average price of regional affiliates fuel increased by 5% while consumption increased 1%, resulting in a $11 million increase in fuel costs during the 2007 period as compared to the 2006 period; such fuel costs are classified as part of Regional affiliate expense.
 
Purchased services were up 14% in the third quarter of 2007, as compared to the year ago period, primarily due to increased information technology being deployed in support of our customer and employee initiatives. Information technology expenses increased due to an increase in non-capitalizable information technology related expenditures, generally occurring during the planning and scoping phases, for new applications in 2007. In addition, we increased outsourcing initiatives versus the prior year and also had a small negative impact from the weakening dollar.
 

35


For the three months ended September 30, 2007, aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs expense increased $43 million, or 17%, year-over-year primarily due to a combination of higher maintenance volumes, higher power-by-the- hour engine maintenance rates and increased volume of engine work.
 
UAL depreciation and amortization increased $19 million, or 8%, over the third quarter of 2006 primarily due to a non-cash charge of $18 million to recognize surplus and obsolete maintenance inventory.
 
UAL landing fees and other rent remained relatively flat in the third quarter of 2007 as compared to the year-ago period due to a reduction in the amount of facilities rented based upon our ongoing efforts to optimize our rented facilities consistent with our operational needs.
 
UAL distribution expenses, which include commissions, GDS fees and credit card fees decreased 2% from the 2006 period to $211 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. This decrease was due to cost savings realized as the Company continues to drive reductions across the full spectrum of costs of sale. Impact areas included renegotiation of contracts with various channel providers, rationalization of commission plans and programs, and continued emphasis on movement of volumes toward lower cost distribution channels including online channels.
 
The decrease in UAL cost of sales of $85 million in the 2007 period as compared to the 2006 period was primarily due to lower UAFC third party fuel sales as discussed above.
 
Special items of $22 million in the 2007 period include the benefit of a reduction in recorded accruals for pending bankruptcy litigation related to our LAX municipal bond obligations of $8 million and a $14 million benefit due to the Company’s ongoing efforts to resolve certain other bankruptcy pre-confirmation contingencies. In the third quarter of 2006, UAL and United recorded a special item of $30 million as a benefit to income from continuing operations to reduce the Company’s recorded obligation for the SFO municipal bonds to a revised estimate of a probable amount to be allowed by the Bankruptcy Court, in accordance with Practice Bulletin 11. See Note 2, “Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for further information on these pending matters.
 
Other income (expense). The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in UAL and United other income (expense).

   
Three Months Ended
           
   
September 30,
   
Favorable/
   
%
UAL
 
2007
 
  2006
 
  (Unfavorable)
  
       Change           
 
Interest expense
  $ (161 )   $ (164 )   $
3
   
1.8
 
Interest income
   
71
     
72
      (1 )  
 (1.4
)
Interest capitalized
   
5
     
3
     
2
   
 66.7
 
Miscellaneous, net
    (6 )    
3
      (9 )  
-
 
    $ (91 )   $ (86 )   $ (5 )  
 (5.8
)
                               
United
                             
Interest expense
  $ (161 )   $ (165 )   $
4
   
 2.4
 
Interest income
   
70
     
79
      (9 )  
 (11.4
)
Interest capitalized
   
5
     
3
     
2
   
 66.7
 
Miscellaneous, net
    (6 )    
3
      (9 )  
 -
 
    $ (92 )   $ (80 )   $ (12 )  
 (15.0
)

UAL interest expense decreased $3 million, or 2%, in the quarter ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the year-ago period. The 2007 period was favorably impacted by the prepayment and amendment of the Credit Facility, which lowered United’s interest rate on these obligations and decreased outstanding debt by $972 million. Repayments of scheduled debt obligations in the last quarter of 2006 and in 2007 also reduced interest expense in the 2007 period as compared to the 2006 period. The year-over-year interest expense was significantly improved as the 2006 period also included a $30 million non-cash benefit resulting from our discontinuation of the accrual of imputed interest expense associated with the advanced purchase of miles recorded in the Company’s Condensed Statements of Consolidated Financial Position (Unaudited). See Liquidity and Capital Resources below, for further details related to financing activities.
 

36


Income Taxes.UAL and United recorded income tax expense of $232 million and $234 million, respectively, for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007 based on an estimated effective tax rate of 41%. Income tax expense for UAL and United was recorded at $60 million and $65 million, respectively, in the same period of 2006 based on the year-to-date effective tax rate of 41%. See Note 7, “Income Taxes” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), for factors impacting the effective tax rates recorded in these periods.
 
First Nine Months of 2007 Compared to First Nine Months of 2006
 
UAL’s earnings from operations of $1.1 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 improved by $677 million as compared to earnings from operations of $424 million in the combined nine months ended September 30, 2006. The increase of more than 100% in operating earnings was due to increased revenues, lower costs and special items as discussed in the third quarter Results of Operations, above, and as further discussed below. UAL’s net income was $456 million in the nine month period ended September 30, 2007 as compared to net income of $22.9 billion in the combined nine month period ended September 30, 2006. The most significant variance is reorganization income of $22.9 billion that was recorded in the 2006 period.
 
United’s improvement in earnings from operations of $683 million was consistent with UAL’s results. United’s net income was $467 million in the nine month period ended September 30, 2007 as compared to net income of $22.7 billion in the combined nine month period ended September 30, 2006, with the difference in net income primarily due to reorganization income that was recorded in the 2006 period.
 
See Note 2, “Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11—Reorganization items” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for further information on reorganization items.
 
Operating Revenues. The following table illustrates the year-over-year percentage change in UAL and United operating revenues:
 
   
Successor
   
Combined
   
Successor
   
Predecessor
             
   
Nine
   
Nine
                         
   
Months
   
Months
   
Period from
   
Period from
             
   
Ended
   
Ended
   
February 1 to
   
January 1 to
             
(In millions)
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
January 31,
   
 $
                  %  
UAL
 
2007
   
2006 (a)
   
2006
   
2006
   
Change
   
Change
 
Passenger - United Airlines
  $
11,457
    $
10,978
    $
9,904
    $
1,074
    $
479
     
4.4
 
Passenger - Regional Affiliates
   
2,298
     
2,203
     
1,999
     
204
     
95
     
4.3
 
Cargo
   
547
     
557
     
501
     
56
      (10 )     (1.8 )
Special operating items
   
45
     
-
     
-
     
-
      45       -  
   Other operating revenues     766       1,016       892       124       (250 )     (24.6 )
    $
15,113
    $
14,754
    $
13,296
    $
1,458
    $
359
     
2.4
 
                                                 
United
                                               
Passenger - United Airlines
  $
11,457
    $
10,978
    $
9,904
    $
1,074
    $
479
     
4.4
 
Passenger - Regional Affiliates
   
2,298
     
2,203
     
1,999
     
204
     
95
     
4.3
 
Cargo
   
547
     
557
     
501
     
56
      (10 )     (1.8 )
Special operating items
   
45
     
-
     
-
     
-
      45       -  
   Other operating revenues     776       1,009       889       120       (233 )     (23.1 )
    $
15,123
    $
14,747
    $
13,293
    $
1,454
    $
376
     
2.5
 
_______________________                                                 
(a)
The combined period includes the results for the one month period ended January 31, 2006 (Predecessor) and the eight month period ended September 30, 2006 (Successor).
 
 
37

 
The table below presents selected UAL and United passenger revenues and operating data from our Mainline segment, broken out by geographic region, and from our United Express segment, expressed as period-to-period changes. Passenger revenues include the impact of the $45 million special revenue items that resulted from the Company’s ongoing efforts to resolve certain bankruptcy pre-confirmation contingencies, which relates to both Mainline ($37 million) and UAX ($8 million).
 
 
2007
 
North America
   
Pacific
   
Atlantic
   
Latin
   
Mainline
   
United Express
   
Consolidated
 
Increase (decrease) from 2006 (a):
                                         
Passenger revenues (in millions)
  $ (18 )   $
246
    $
296
    $ (8 )   $
516
    $
103
    $
619
 
Passenger revenues
    (0.3 )%     11.3 %     20.2 %     (2.2 )%     4.7 %     4.7 %     4.7 %
Available seat miles (ASMs)
    (2.7 )%     2.3 %     6.7 %     (12.8 )%     (0.8 )%     4.5 %     (0.3 )%
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs)
    (0.5 )%     1.1 %     6.8 %     (13.4 )%     0.3 %     4.5 %     0.7 %
Load factor (points)
 
1.9
 pts.  
(0.9
)pts. 
-
 pts.  
(0.5
)pts.  
0.9
 pts.  
(0.1
)pts. 
0.7
 pts.
Yield (b)
    0.3 %     10.0 %     13.2 %     13.1 %     4.4 %     (0.1 )%     4.0 %
____________________
(a)
Variances are from the combined 2006 period that includes the results for the one month period ended January 31, 2006 (Predecessor) and the eight month period ended September 30, 2006 (Successor).
 
(b)
Yield is a measure of average price paid per passenger mile, which is calculated by dividing passenger revenues by RPMs. Yields for geographic regions exclude charter revenue and RPMs.
 
Including the $45 million special revenue items, Mainline and United Express passenger revenues increased by $516 million and $103 million, respectively, in the 2007 period as compared to the same period in 2006. In the first nine months of 2007, Mainline revenues benefited from a 0.9 point increase in load factor and a 4.4% increase in yield as compared to the first nine months of 2006. In the same periods, United Express load factor and yield were both relatively flat. United Express traffic increased 4.5%, which contributed to the increase in revenue. Overall, passenger revenues increased due to a better revenue environment for the industry which was partly due to industry-wide capacity constraint. In addition, the change in the Mileage Plus breakage policy also contributed to the increase in revenues in the 2007 period. Partially offsetting the improved passenger revenues were the negative effects of the accounting for deferred revenue under our Mileage Plus program and severe storms in first quarter of 2007 that decreased total passenger revenue by an estimated $32 million. Mileage Plus revenue was approximately $6 million lower in the 2007 period due to an increase in outstanding mileage credits due to various promotional programs and other activity contributing to an increase in outstanding miles and one additional month of the application of the deferred revenue model of accounting for Mileage Plus in 2007, as this accounting policy was initially applied as of February 1, 2006. The change in the Mileage Plus expiration period policy from 36 months to 18 months is discussed in Critical Accounting Policies, below. Mileage Plus customer accounts are deactivated after 18 months of inactivity, effective December 31, 2007. We estimate the number of accounts that will eventually become deactivated and ratably reduce the deferred revenue balance for estimated deactivated accounts over the expiration period consistent with the Company’s breakage policy.
 
 

38

 
Cargo revenues decreased by $10 million, or 2%, in the nine month period ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006. Decreased traffic and yield for the Pacific region due to increased competition contributed to the decrease in cargo revenues.  In addition, cargo revenues from the new domestic U.S. Postal Service (“USPS”) contract, which commenced in April 2007, were lower than the revenue generated in 2006 from the former USPS contract that terminated on June 30, 2006.  These negative impacts were partially offset by increased freight volumes experienced in Domestic and Atlantic regions in the third quarter of 2007.
 
UAL other operating revenues decreased by $250 million, or 25%, in the nine month period ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006. Lower jet fuel sales to third parties by UAFC accounted for $257 million of the other revenue decrease, which was due to the factors described in the third quarter Results of Operations above, and had no material impact on the Company’s operating margin, because UAFC cost of sales decreased by $257 million in the first nine months of 2007 as compared to the year-ago period.
 
Operating Expenses. The table below includes the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in UAL and United operating expenses. Significant fluctuations are discussed below.
 
   
Successor
   
Combined
   
Successor
   
Predecessor
             
   
Nine Months
   
Nine Months
   
Period from
   
Period from
             
   
Ended
   
Ended
   
February 1 to
   
January 1 to
             
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
January 31,
   
 $
   
  %
 
(In millions)
 
2007
   
2006 (a)
   
2006
   
2006
   
Change
   
Change
 
UAL
                                     
Aircraft fuel
  $
3,571
    $
3,685
    $
3,323
    $
362
    $ (114 )     (3.1 )
Salaries and related costs
   
3,149
     
3,215
     
2,857
     
358
      (66 )     (2.1 )
Regional affiliates
   
2,176
     
2,124
     
1,896
     
228
     
52
     
2.4
 
Purchased services
   
980
     
927
     
829
     
98
     
53
     
5.7
 
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs
   
860
     
768
     
688
     
80
     
92
     
12.0
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
694
     
660
     
592
     
68
     
34
     
5.2
 
Landing fees and other rent
   
654
     
644
     
569
     
75
     
10
     
1.6
 
Distribution expenses
   
596
     
624
     
564
     
60
      (28 )     (4.5 )
Aircraft rent
   
307
     
318
     
288
     
30
      (11 )     (3.5 )
Cost of third party sales
   
238
     
536
     
471
     
65
      (298 )     (55.6 )
Special operating items
    (44 )     (30 )     (30 )    
-
      (14 )     (46.7 )
Other operating expenses
   
831
     
859
     
773
     
86
      (28 )     (3.3 )
    $
14,012
    $
14,330
    $
12,820
    $
1,510
    $ (318 )     (2.2 )
                                                 
United
                                               
Aircraft fuel
  $
3,571
    $
3,685
    $
3,323
    $
362
    $ (114 )     (3.1 )
Salaries and related costs
   
3,145
     
3,212
     
2,854
     
358
      (67 )     (2.1 )
Regional affiliates
   
2,176
     
2,124
     
1,896
     
228
     
52
     
2.4
 
Purchased services
   
980
     
925
     
828
     
97
     
55
     
5.9
 
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs
   
860
     
768
     
688
     
80
     
92
     
12.0
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
694
     
659
     
591
     
68
     
35
     
5.3
 
Landing fees and other rent
   
654
     
644
     
569
     
75
     
10
     
1.6
 
Distribution expenses
   
596
     
624
     
564
     
60
      (28 )     (4.5 )
Aircraft rent
   
308
     
319
     
289
     
30
      (11 )     (3.4 )
Cost of third party sales
   
235
     
527
     
464
     
63
      (292 )     (55.4 )
Special operating items
    (44 )     (30 )     (30 )    
-
      (14 )     (46.7 )
Other operating expenses
   
831
     
856
     
771
     
85
      (25 )     (2.9 )
    $
14,006
    $
14,313
    $
12,807
    $
1,506
    $ (307 )     (2.1 )
_____________________
(a)
The combined period includes the results for the one month ended January 31, 2006 (Predecessor) and the eight months ended September 30, 2006 (Successor).
 
Aircraft fuel decreased $114 million, or 3%, in the nine month period ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006. This net fuel variance was due to a 3% decrease in the average price per gallon of jet fuel from $2.14 per gallon in the first nine months of 2006 to $2.07 per gallon in the first nine months of 2007, resulting from favorable market conditions, and a $68 million increase in net hedge gains that were $57 million in the 2007 period as compared to net hedge losses of $11 million in the 2006 period.
 
UAL salaries and related costs decreased $66 million, or 2%, in the first nine months of 2007 as compared to the year-ago period. This benefit was largely due to a reduction in share-based compensation expense which was $137 million in the 2006 period, but only $37 million in the 2007 period. Less compensation expense was recognized in the 2007 period as compared to the 2006 period for awards that were granted in 2006. Immediate recognition of 100% of the cost of awards granted to retirement-eligible employees, on the grant date, accounts for a significant amount of this decrease. There were no significant grants in the 2007 period as compared to the 2006 period, which included a large number of grants associated with our emergence from bankruptcy. Also benefiting the 2007 period was the absence of the $22 million severance charge incurred in 2006. Partially offsetting the benefit of decreased share-based compensation expense was a slight increase in salaries and health care benefits as a result of certain wage increases.
 

39

 
Regional affiliate expense increased $52 million, or 2%, during the first nine months of 2007 as compared to the same period last year. Regional affiliate capacity increased 5% for the same periods, which was a major contributor to the increase in expense. Including the special revenue item of $8 million, our regional affiliate operating income was $51 million higher in the 2007 period as compared to the 2006 period. The margin improvement was due to improved revenue performance, which was primarily due to increased traffic, and cost control which resulted in increased costs of only 2%. Factors impacting regional affiliate margin include the restructuring of lower-cost regional carrier capacity agreements, the replacement of some 50-seat regional jets with 70-seat regional jets and regional carrier network optimization. All of these improvements were put in place throughout 2006; however, we are still realizing some year-over-year benefits in 2007. The average price of regional affiliates fuel increased by 0.7% and consumption increased 1.8%. The net impact of these changes was a $15 million increase in fuel cost in the 2007 period as compared to the 2006 period.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs expense increased $92 million, or 12%, year-over-year primarily due to inflationary increases related to our V2500 engine maintenance contract and the cost of component parts, as well as the impact of changes in airframe and engine volumes.
 
A non-cash charge of $18 million for surplus and obsolete maintenance inventory contributed to the 5% increase in depreciation and amortization.
 
Landing fees and other rent increased $10 million, or 2%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the year-ago period. Landing fees and other rent were relatively flat in the 2007 period due to our ongoing efforts to optimize our rented facilities with our operational needs.
 
Distribution expenses, which include commissions, GDS fees and credit card fees decreased 4.5% from $624 million in the 2006 period to $596 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. This decrease was due to cost savings realized as the Company continues to drive reductions across the full spectrum of costs of sale. Impact areas included renegotiation of contracts with various channel providers, rationalization of commission plans and programs, and continued emphasis on movement of volumes toward lower cost channels including online channels.
 
The decrease in UAL cost of sales of $298 million in the 2007 period as compared to the 2006 period was primarily due to lower UAFC third party fuel sales of $257 million as described in the discussion of revenue variances above.
 
UAL and United special items of $44 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 include the benefit of a reduction in recorded accruals for pending bankruptcy litigation related to our SFO and LAX municipal bond obligations of $30 million and a $14 million benefit due to the Company’s ongoing efforts to resolve certain other bankruptcy pre-confirmation contingencies. In the third quarter of 2006, UAL and United recorded a special item of $30 million as a benefit to income from continuing operations to reduce the Company’s recorded obligation for the SFO municipal bonds to a revised estimate of a probable amount to be allowed by the Bankruptcy Court, in accordance with Practice Bulletin 11. See Note 2, “Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for further information on these pending matters.
 
Other income (expense).The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in UAL and United other income (expense).
 
   
Successor
   
Combined
   
Successor
   
Predecessor
             
   
Nine Months
   
Nine Months
   
Period from
   
Period from
             
   
Ended
   
Ended
   
February 1 to
   
January 1 to
             
 (In millions)
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
January 31,
   
Favorable/
   
%
 
UAL
 
 2007
   
 2006 (a)
   
 2006
   
 2006
   
 (Unfavorable)
   
 Change
 
Interest expense
  $ (506 )   $ (558 )   $ (516 )   $ (42 )   $
52
      9.3  
Interest income
   
191
     
173
     
167
     
6
     
18
     
10.4
 
Interest capitalized
   
14
     
10
     
10
     
-
     
4
     
40.0
 
Miscellaneous, net
    (7 )    
5
     
5
     
-
      (12 )    
-
 
    $ (308 )   $ (370 )   $ (334 )   $ (36 )   $
62
      16.8  
                                                 
United
                                               
Interest expense
  $ (506 )   $ (560 )   $ (518 )   $ (42 )   $
54
      9.6  
Interest income
   
194
     
178
     
172
     
6
     
16
     
9.0
 
Interest capitalized
   
14
     
10
     
10
     
-
     
4
     
40.0
 
Miscellaneous, net
    (7 )    
2
     
2
     
-
      (9 )    
-
 
    $ (305 )   $ (370 )   $ (334 )   $ (36 )   $
65
      17.6  
___________________
(a)        The combined period includes the results for the one month period ended January 31, 2006 (Predecessor) and the eight month period ended September 30, 2006 (Successor).
 
UAL interest expense decreased $52 million, or 9%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the year-ago period. The 2007 period was favorably impacted by the amendment and prepayment of the Credit Facility, which lowered United’s interest rate on these obligations and reduced the total obligations outstanding by $972 million. Repayments of scheduled maturities of debt obligations also reduced interest expense. The 2007 period also included a $22 million reduction in interest expense due to the recognition of a gain on debt extinguishment. These benefits were offset by interest expense of $17 million for previously capitalized debt issuance costs that were associated with the prepaid portion of the Credit Facility, and $6 million for financing costs in connection with the February amendment of the Credit Facility.
 
UAL interest income increased $18 million year-over-year reflecting a higher average cash balance in 2007, as well as higher rates of return on certain investments; interest income also increased due to the classification of $6 million of interest income as reorganization items in the January 2006 predecessor period in accordance with SOP 90-7.
 
Income Taxes.UAL and United recorded income tax expense of $340 million and $348 million (an effective tax rate of 43%), respectively, for the nine month period ended September 30, 2007. UAL and United recorded income taxes of $60 million and $65 million (an effective tax rate of 41%), respectively, in the same period of 2006. See Note 7, “Income Taxes” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for further discussion of permanent items impacting the effective tax rates.
 
40

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
The following table provides a summary of UAL’s and United’s cash position at December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007, and net cash provided (used) by operating, financing and investing activities for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.
 
   
UAL
   
UNITED
 
(In millions)
 
As of September 30, 2007
   
As of
December 31, 2006
   
As of September 30, 2007
   
As of December 31, 2006
 
Cash, short-term investments & restricted cash
  $
4,950
    $
4,991
    $
4,861
    $
4,896
 
Restricted cash included in total cash
   
788
     
847
     
755
     
809
 
                                 
   
Successor
   
Combined
   
Successor
   
Predecessor
 
   
 Nine Months
   
 Nine Months
   
 Period from
   
 Period from
 
   
 Ended 
   
 Ended
   
 February 1 to
   
 January 1 to
 
   
 September 30,
   
 September 30, 
   
 September 30, 
   
 January 31,
 
UAL
 
 2007
   
2006 (a)
   
 2006
   
 2006
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $
2,002
    $
1,269
    $
1,108
    $
161
 
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
    (3,057 )    
151
     
389
      (238 )
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
    (1,514 )    
923
     
953
      (30 )
                                 
United
                               
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $
1,988
    $
1,287
    $
1,124
    $
163
 
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
    (3,028 )    
100
     
338
      (238 )
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
    (1,493 )    
924
     
954
      (30 )
______________________
(a) The combined period includes the results for the one month period ended January 31, 2006 (Predecessor) and the eight month period ended September 30, 2006 (Successor).

    The Company’s significant cash and short-term investment position represents a source of liquidity. The change in cash from December 31, 2006 to September 30, 2007 is explained below. Restricted cash primarily represents cash collateral to secure workers’ compensation obligations, security deposits for airport leases and reserves with institutions that process our credit card ticket sales. We may be required to post significant additional cash collateral to meet such obligations in the future.
 
Operating Activities. UAL’s and United’s net income before reorganization items improved by $453 million and $459 million, respectively, in the first nine months of 2007, as compared to the first nine months of 2006. These amounts include the impact of a change in non-cash income tax expense of $280 million and $283 million for UAL and United, respectively, in 2007 over the prior period. Cash from operations improved due to the Company’s improved performance in 2007, as discussed above in Results of Operations. In addition, cash generated from operations increased due to changes in working capital.
 
Investing Activities. UAL and United’s cash released from restricted funds was $59 million and $54 million, respectively, in the 2007 period as compared to $297 million and $300 million that was provided by a decrease in the segregated and restricted funds for UAL and United, respectively, in the year ago period. The significant cash generated from restricted accounts in the 2006 period was due to our improved financial position upon our emergence from bankruptcy. Net purchases of short-term investments used cash of $2.6 billion for both UAL and United in the 2007 period as compared to cash provided from net sales of short-term investments of less than $100 million for both UAL and United in the year-ago period. This change was due to normal cash management activities as our short-term investments are part of our overall cash management policy. Investing activities also includes the Company’s use of $76 million of cash to acquire certain of the Company’s previously issued and outstanding debt instruments. The debt instruments repurchased by the Company remain outstanding.  See Note 11, "Debt Obligations," for further information related to the $76 million of purchased debt securities.
 
Capital expenditures for both UAL and United were $428 million and $252 million in the 2007 and 2006 periods, respectively. During the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, the Company purchased three 747-400 aircraft, using existing cash, that had previously been financed by United through operating leases which were terminated at closing. In addition, three owned and unencumbered aircraft were financed as part of the secured Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (“EETC”) financing described below. The Company did not sell or acquire any aircraft in the nine month period ended September 30, 2006.
 
41

In 2006, UAL generated $51 million more cash from investing activities as compared to United primarily due to $56 million of proceeds from the sale of MyPoints, a direct subsidiary of UAL.
 
Financing Activities. Cash used by financing activities for both UAL and United was $1.5 billion in the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, as compared to $0.9 billion of cash provided by financing activities during the first nine months of 2006. In 2007, cash of approximately $2.2 billion was used to prepay approximately $1.0 billion of Credit Facility obligations, refinance certain aircraft as discussed below and to make other debt and capital lease payments.
 
In June 2007, the Company completed financing transactions totaling approximately $964 million which included the $694 million EETC secured financing and the $270 million Denver Airport financing. A portion of the proceeds of the $694 million EETC transaction was used to payoff $590 million of debt obligations that were secured by ten previously mortgaged, owned aircraft and to finance three previously unencumbered owned aircraft. The proceeds of  the Denver Airport bonds were used to refinance the existing $261 million of Denver Series 1992A bonds. See Note 11, “Debt Obligations” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for further details regarding these transactions.
 
In February 2007 United amended certain terms of its Credit Facility, resulting in a reduction in the amount of the Amended Credit Facility from $3.0 billion to $2.055 billion, consisting of a $1.8 billion term loan commitment and a $255 million revolving commitment. At United’s option, interest payments are based on either a base rate, as defined in the Amended Credit Facility, or LIBOR plus 2%. This applicable margin on LIBOR rate loans is a significant reduction of 1.75% from the original terms of the Credit Facility. The Amended Credit Facility also unencumbers a significant amount of assets that had been pledged as collateral under the original Credit Facility. At September 30, 2007, $154 million was available for loans or standby letters of credit under the Amended Credit Facility. See Note 11, “Debt Obligations” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for further information related to the Amended Credit Facility.
 
In January 2007, United paid $4 million to terminate the interest rate swap that had been used to hedge a portion of the future interest payments under the original Credit Facility term loan of $2.45 billion.
 
During the combined nine months of 2006, we generated proceeds of $3.0 billion from United’s new credit facility but used approximately $1.9 billion of these proceeds to repay the $1.2 billion debtor-in-possession credit facility and make other scheduled and revolving payments under long-term debt and capital lease agreements.
 
Other Investing and Financing Matters. The Company may, from time to time, make open market purchases of certain of its debt securities or other financing instruments depending on, among other factors, favorable market conditions and the Company’s liquidity position.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
For complete information regarding UAL’s and United’s critical accounting policies, see “Critical Accounting Policies” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the 2006 Annual Reports.
 
Frequent Flyer Accounting. Management’s estimate of the expected breakage of miles as of the fresh-start date, and the recognition of breakage post-emergence, requires significant management judgment. In 2006, United’s policy for the cancellation of miles was to deactivate Mileage Plus customer accounts for which there was no activity for 36 months. Accordingly, United recognized revenue from breakage of miles by amortizing such estimated breakage over the 36 month expiration period. In early 2007, United announced a reduction in the expiration period from 36 months to 18 months effective December 31, 2007. Accordingly, in 2007 United began to recognize revenue from breakage of miles by amortizing such estimated breakage over the 18 month expiration period. Management considers historical patterns of account breakage to be a useful indicator when estimating future breakage. Future program redemption opportunities can significantly alter customer behavior from historical patterns with respect to inactive accounts. Such changes may result in material changes to the deferred revenue balance, as well as recognized revenues from the program. A hypothetical 1% change in United’s breakage rate, estimated to be approximately 15% annually as of September 30, 2007, has an effect of approximately $19 million on the liability. At December 31, 2006, a hypothetical 1% change in United’s breakage rate, which was estimated at 14% annually, would have had an impact of approximately $18 million on the liability. The change in the expiration policy for inactive customer accounts provided a revenue benefit of approximately $50 million and $125 million in the three and nine months periods ended September 30, 2007, respectively, and is expected to provide a benefit of approximately $180 million for the full year 2007.
 
At September 30, 2007, the outstanding number of miles in the Mileage Plus liability was approximately 527 billion. United currently estimates that approximately 450 billion of these miles will ultimately be redeemed and, accordingly, has recorded deferred revenue of $3.9 billion. A hypothetical 1% change in the weighted-average ticket value or the outstanding number of miles would have approximately a $45 million impact on the liability.
 
Goodwill and Intangible Assets.In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS 142”), UAL and United apply a fair value-based impairment test to the book value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis and, if events or circumstances indicate that an impairment loss may have been incurred, on an interim basis. An impairment charge could have a material adverse effect on UAL’s or United’s financial position and results of operations in the period of recognition.
 
As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, United has recorded an indefinite-lived intangible asset of $255 million for its Heathrow slots, based upon its estimation of the fair value for those slots as of the adoption of fresh-start reporting on February 1, 2006. United, however, determined at fresh-start that its rights relating to its actual route authorities to Heathrow had a fair value of zero. The EU/U.S. open skies agreement is expected to directly impact the future value and expected lives of route authorities to Heathrow; however, there is no direct impact from the open skies agreement on airport slot rights, including those at Heathrow. The open skies agreement is also expected to provide United an opportunity to secure antitrust immunity for certain of its Star Alliance carrier relationships, and to provide United and other carriers with access to new markets in EU countries. In September 2007, the DOT granted United and bmi antitrust immunity. The immunity goes into effect at the same time as the Open Skies treaty between the U.S. and the EU in 2008. Because of the diverse nature of these potential impacts on United’s business, the overall future impact of the agreement on United’s business in the EU region cannot be predicted with certainty. United has concluded that, in certain circumstances, the open skies agreement could indirectly and adversely affect the fair value of its slot rights at Heathrow, and therefore has further concluded that the signing of the open skies agreement on April 30, 2007 constituted an indicator of impairment with respect to United’s Heathrow slots intangible asset.
 
42

 
During the second quarter of 2007, United performed an impairment review of the Heathrow slots intangible asset using the guidance in SFAS 142 and concluded that no impairment was currently indicated and that, furthermore, no change was currently required to the fresh-start assignment of an indefinite life to this intangible asset. The methodology used to estimate fair value is described in the UAL and United 2006 Annual Reports. United’s initial annual impairment test for its Heathrow slots was performed as of October 1, 2006 and no impairment was indicated at that time.
 
The implementation of the EU/U.S. open skies agreement, however, may result in a future determination that the Heathrow slots are impaired in whole or in part, or in a future determination that they should be reclassified as definite-lived intangible assets with amortization expense recognized thereon. Such future determination could result in material charges to earnings in those future periods.

Forward-Looking Information
 
Certain statements throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this report are forward-looking and thus reflect our current expectations and beliefs with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be subject to many risks and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “will,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “believes,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
 
Additionally, forward-looking statements include statements which do not relate solely to historical facts, such as statements which identify uncertainties or trends, discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties, or which 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.
 
Our actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the following: our ability to comply with the terms of our Amended Credit Facility and other financing arrangements; the costs and availability of financing; our ability to execute our business plan; our ability to realize benefits from our resource optimization efforts and cost reduction initiative programs; our ability to utilize our net operating losses; our ability to attract, motivate and/or retain key employees; our ability to attract and retain customers; demand for transportation in the markets in which we operate; general economic conditions (including interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, crude oil prices, costs of aviation fuel and refining capacity in relevant markets); our ability to cost-effectively hedge against increases in the price of aviation fuel; the effects of any hostilities, act of war or terrorist attack; the ability of other air carriers with whom we have alliances or partnerships to provide the services contemplated by the respective arrangements with such carriers; the costs and availability of aircraft insurance; the costs associated with security measures and practices; labor costs; competitive pressures on pricing and on demand; capacity decisions of United and/or our competitors; U.S. or foreign governmental legislation, regulation and other actions (including open skies agreements); our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations; any disruptions to operations due to any potential actions by our labor groups; weather conditions; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A. of the UAL and United Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports we file with United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Consequently, forward-looking statements should not be regarded as representations or warranties by UAL or United that such matters will be realized.
 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
The discussion below describes changes in our market risks since December 31, 2006. For additional information regarding our exposure to certain market risks, see Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in the 2006 Annual Reports.
 
Interest Rate Risk—In the first quarter of 2006, United entered into an interest rate swap whereby it fixed the rate of interest on $2.45 billion notional value of floating-rate debt at 5.14% plus a fixed credit margin. The swap had a fair value of negative $12 million at December 31, 2006. In January 2007, United terminated the swap. The termination value of the swap was negative $4 million. As discussed in Note 11, “Debt Obligations” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), United prepaid $972 million of its debt obligations in February 2007, which reduced the amount of United’s debt obligations that are sensitive to interest rate fluctuations.
 
Commodity Price Risk (Jet Fuel)—When market conditions indicate risk reduction is achievable, United may use commodity option contracts or other derivative instruments to reduce its price risk exposure to jet fuel. The derivative instruments are designed to provide protection against increases in the price of aircraft fuel. United may change its hedging program based on changes in market conditions. At September 30, 2007, the fair value of United’s fuel-related derivatives was a positive $13 million, as compared to a negative $2 million at December 31, 2006.
 
Foreign Exchange RiskThe Company previously disclosed in its 2006 Annual Reports it has exposure to changes in certain foreign currency exchange rates and as of December 31, 2006, the Company did not have any foreign currency derivative instruments. The following is an update to that disclosure as during the second quarter of 2007 the Company began using foreign currency forward contracts to hedge a portion of its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. As of September 30, 2007, the Company hedged a portion of its expected foreign currency cash flows in the Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, British pound, European Euro and Japanese yen. As of September 30, 2007, the notional amount of these foreign currencies hedged with the forward contracts in U.S. dollars terms was approximately $135 million. These contracts expire at various dates from October 2007 to March 2008. Subsequent to September 30, 2007, the Company has entered into and plans to continue entering into additional forward contracts for the 2008 period.
 
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
This section should be read in conjunction with Item 9A., “Controls and Procedures” included the respective UAL and United Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
 
UAL and United each maintain controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports UAL and United each file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“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 each company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation to conclude with reasonable assurance that its disclosure controls and procedures were designed and operating effectively to report the information each company is required to disclose in the reports they file with the SEC on a timely basis. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of both UAL and United have concluded that as of September 30, 2007, the  disclosure controls and procedures of both UAL and United were not effective due to a material weakness related to the operation of each company’s internal control over financial reporting with respect to the accounting and disclosure for income taxes, as previously disclosed in Item 9A, Controls and Procedures in the 2006 Annual Reports. Additional review, evaluation and oversight have been undertaken to ensure both UAL’s and United’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and, as a result, both UAL and United have concluded that their consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q fairly present, in all material respects, their financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.
 
There were no changes to either UAL’s or United’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2007 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect either company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).
 
 
Internal Controls Surrounding Accounting for Income Taxes
 
As discussed in the 2006 Annual Reports, the management of UAL and United concluded that while each company had appropriately designed control procedures for income tax accounting and disclosures, high staff turnover caused UAL and United to poorly execute the controls for evaluating and recording current and deferred income tax provision and related deferred tax balances. In response to the material weakness, the management of UAL and United is implementing a remediation plan that includes enhancing staff resources and skill sets, upgrading the tax technology infrastructure and optimizing workflow and processes. During the first nine months of 2007, the Company hired a significant number of experienced tax professionals and implemented plans designed to materially reduce staff turnover.
 

44

 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
 
In addition to the legal proceedings described below, UAL and United are parties to other legal proceedings as described in their respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (the “2006 Annual Reports”).
 
In re: UAL Corporation, et. al.
 
As discussed above, on the Petition Date the Debtors filed voluntary petitions to reorganize their businesses under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. On October 20, 2005, the Debtors filed the Debtor’s First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and the Disclosure Statement. The Bankruptcy Court approved the Disclosure Statement on October 21, 2005.
 
Commencing on October 27, 2005, the Disclosure Statement, ballots for voting to accept or reject the proposed plan of reorganization and other solicitation documents were distributed to all classes of creditors eligible to vote on the proposed plan of reorganization. After a hearing on confirmation, on January 20, 2006, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Plan of Reorganization. The Plan of Reorganization became effective and the Debtors emerged from bankruptcy protection on the Effective Date.
 
Numerous pre-petition claims still await resolution in the Bankruptcy Court due to the Company’s objections to either the existence of liability or the amount of the claim. The process of determining whether liability exists and liquidating the amounts due continued through the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and is likely to continue through the remainder of 2007, and possibly longer. Additionally, certain significant matters remain to be resolved in the Bankruptcy Court. For details see Note 2, “Voluntary Reorganization Under Chapter 11,” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).
 
Air Cargo/Passenger Surcharge Investigations
 
In February 2006, the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice commenced an international investigation into what government officials describe as a possible price fixing conspiracy relating to certain surcharges included in tariffs for carrying air cargo. In June 2006, United received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice requesting information related to certain passenger pricing practices and surcharges applicable to international passenger routes. We are cooperating fully. United is considered a source of information for the investigations, not a target. Separately, United received additional information requests regarding cargo pricing matters from the competition authorities of Brazil in March 2007, the European Union in April and June 2007, and from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in June 2007.
 
 In addition to the government investigations, United and other air cargo carriers were named as defendants in over ninety class action lawsuits alleging civil damages as a result of the purported air cargo pricing conspiracy. Those lawsuits were consolidated for pretrial activities in the United States Federal Court for the Eastern District of New York. United entered into an agreement with the majority of the private plaintiffs to dismiss United from the class action lawsuits in return for an agreement to cooperate with the plaintiffs’ factual investigation and United is no longer named as a defendant in the civil lawsuit.
 
More than fifty additional putative class actions have also been filed alleging violations of the antitrust laws with respect to passenger pricing practices. Those lawsuits have been consolidated for pretrial activities in the United States Federal Court for the Northern District of California (“Federal Court”). United has entered into a settlement agreement with a number of the plaintiffs in the passenger pricing cases to dismiss United from the class action lawsuits in return for an agreement to cooperate with the plaintiffs’ factual investigation. The settlement agreement is subject to review and approval by the Federal Court.
 
Penalties for violating competition laws can be severe, involving both criminal and civil liability. We are cooperating with the grand jury investigations while carrying out our own internal review of our pricing practices, and are not in a position to evaluate the potential financial impact of this litigation at this time. However, a finding that we violated either U.S. antitrust laws or the competition laws of some other jurisdiction could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations or financial condition.
 
45


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
 
See Part I, Item 1A., “Risk Factors,” of the 2006 Annual Reports for a detailed discussion of the risk factors affecting UAL and United. The information below provides updates to the previously disclosed risk factors and should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and information disclosed in the 2006 Annual Reports.
 
Extensive government regulation could increase the Company’s operating costs and restrict its ability to conduct its business.
 
Airlines are subject to extensive regulatory and legal compliance requirements that result in significant costs. In addition to the enactment of the Aviation Security Act, laws, regulations, taxes and airport rates and charges have been proposed from time to time that could significantly increase the cost of airline operations or reduce airline revenue. The Federal Aviation Authority (“FAA”) from time to time also issues directives and other regulations relating to the maintenance and operation of aircraft that require significant expenditures by United. The Company expects to continue incurring material expenses to comply with the regulations of the FAA and other agencies.
 
United operates under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the DOT. If the DOT altered, amended, modified, suspended or revoked our certificate, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. The FAA can also limit United’s airport access by limiting the number of departure and arrival slots at “high density traffic airports” and local airport authorities may have the ability to control access to certain facilities or the cost of access to such facilities, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business.
 
Many aspects of United’s operations are also subject to increasingly stringent federal, state and local laws protecting the environment. Future regulatory developments in the U.S. and abroad could adversely affect operations and increase operating costs in the airline industry. For example, potential future actions that may be taken by the U.S. government, foreign governments, or the International Civil Aviation Organization to limit the emission of greenhouse gases by the aviation industry are uncertain at this time, but the impact to the Company and its industry would likely be adverse and could be significant.
 
The ability of United States carriers to operate international routes is subject to change because the applicable arrangements between the United States and foreign governments may be amended from time to time, or because appropriate slots or facilities may not be made available. United currently operates on a number of international routes under government arrangements that limit the number of carriers, capacity, or the number of carriers allowed access to particular airports. If an open skies policy were to be adopted for any of these routes, such an event could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations and could result in the impairment of material amounts of related intangible assets. Recently, the United States and the European Union entered into an “open skies” agreement that will become effective at the end of March 2008. See Note 15, “Open Skies Agreement,” in Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).
 
Further, the Company’s operations in foreign countries are subject to various laws and regulations in those countries. The Company cannot provide any assurance that current laws and regulations, or laws or regulations enacted in the future, will not adversely affect its financial condition or results of operations.
 
The Company’s certificate of incorporation limits voting rights of certain foreign persons.
 
The Company’s restated certificate of incorporation limits the voting rights of persons holding any of the Company's equity securities who are not "citizens of the United States" as defined in Section 40102(a)(15) of Title 49 United States Code to 24.9% of the aggregate votes of all equity securities outstanding. This restriction is applied pro rata among all holders of equity securities who fail to qualify as "citizens of the United States," based on the number of votes the underlying securities are entitled to.
 
The Company’s net operating loss carry forward may be limited.
 
The Company has a net operating loss (“NOL”) carry forward tax benefit of approximately $2.5 billion for federal and state income tax purposes that primarily originated before UAL’s emergence from bankruptcy and will expire over a five to twenty year period. This tax benefit is mostly attributable to federal NOL carry forwards of $6.4 billion. If the Company were to have a change of ownership within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, under current conditions, its annual federal NOL utilization could be limited to an amount equal to its market capitalization at the time of the ownership change multiplied by the federal long-term tax exempt rate. A change of ownership under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code is defined as a cumulative change of 50 percentage points or more in the ownership positions of certain stockholders owning 5% or more of the Company’s common stock over a three year rolling period.
 

46


To avoid a potential adverse effect on the Company’s ability to utilize its NOL carry forward for federal income tax purposes, UAL’s certificate of incorporation contains a “5% Ownership Limitation,” applicable to all stockholders except the PBGC. The 5% Ownership Limitation remains effective until February 1, 2011. The 5% Ownership Limitation prohibits (i) the acquisition by a single stockholder of shares representing 5% or more of the common stock of UAL Corporation and (ii) any acquisition or disposition of common stock by a stockholder that already owns 5% or more of UAL Corporation’s common stock, unless prior written approval is granted by the UAL Board of Directors. The percentage ownership of a single stockholder can be computed by dividing the number of shares of common stock held by the stockholder by the sum of the shares of common stock issued and outstanding plus the number of shares of common stock still held in reserve for payment to unsecured creditors under the Plan of Reorganization. For additional information regarding the 5% Ownership Limitation, please refer to the Restated Certificate of UAL Corporation available on the Company’s website.
 
While the purpose of these transfer restrictions is to prevent a change of ownership from occurring within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (which ownership change might materially and adversely affect the Company’s ability to utilize its NOL carry forward or other tax attributes), no assurance can be given that such an ownership change will not occur, in which case the availability of the Company’s substantial NOL carry forward and other federal income tax attributes might be significantly limited or possibly eliminated.
 
ITEM 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
The following table presents repurchases of UAL common stock made in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007:
 
Period
 
Total number
of shares
purchased(a)
   
Average price
paid
per share
   
Total number of
shares purchased as
part of publicly
announced
plans
or programs
 
Maximum number of
shares (or approximate
dollar value) of shares
that may yet be
purchased under the
plans or programs
07/01/07 - 07/31/07
   
634
    $
45.60
   
 
 
(b)
08/01/07 - 08/31/07
   
1,089
     
42.45
   
 
 
(b)
09/01/07 - 09/30/07
   
3,917
     
46.11
   
 
 
(b)
Total
   
5,640
     
45.34
   
 
 
(b)
_______________________
(a)
Shares withheld from employees to satisfy certain tax obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock.
 
(b)
The MEIP provides for the withholding of shares to satisfy tax obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock. The MEIP does not specify a maximum number of shares that may be repurchased.
 
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.
 
A list of exhibits included as part of this Form 10-Q is set forth in an Exhibit Index that immediately precedes the exhibits.
 

47


 
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. The signature for each undersigned company shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to such company or its subsidiaries.

 
 
UAL CORPORATION
 
(Registrant)
   
Date:  October 31, 2007
By:  /s/ Frederic F. Brace
 
        Frederic F. Brace
 
        Executive Vice President and
 
        Chief Financial Officer
 
        (principal financial and
 
        accounting officer)
   
   
   
   
 
UNITED AIR LINES, INC.
 
(Registrant)
   
Date:  October 31, 2007
By:  /s/ Frederic F. Brace
 
        Frederic F. Brace
 
    Executive Vice President and
 
    Chief Financial Officer
 
    (principal financial officer)
   
Date:  October 31, 2007
By:  /s/ David M. Wing
 
        David M. Wing
 
    Vice President and Controller
 
    (principal accounting officer)
   

 



EXHIBIT INDEX
 
The documents listed below are being filed on behalf of UAL and United as indicated.
 
 
Registrant
 
     
12.1
UAL
UAL’s Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements
     
12.2
United
United’s Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements
     
31.1
UAL
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) of UAL
     
31.2
UAL
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) of UAL
     
31.3
United
Certification of the Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) of United
     
31.4
United
Certification of the Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) of United
     
32.1
UAL
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer 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 Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)