10-Q
Table of Contents

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, 2014

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                    to                     

 

 

 

Commission

File Number

 

Exact Name of Registrant as

Specified in its Charter, Principal

Executive Office Address and

Telephone Number

 

State of

Incorporation

 

I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.

001-06033

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

233 South Wacker Drive,

Chicago, Illinois 60606

(872) 825-4000

  Delaware   36-2675207

001-10323

 

United Airlines, Inc.

233 South Wacker Drive,

Chicago, Illinois 60606

(872) 825-4000

  Delaware   74-2099724

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

  United Continental Holdings, Inc.   Yes  x    No  ¨   
  United Airlines, Inc.   Yes  x    No  ¨   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this Chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

  United Continental Holdings, Inc.   Yes  x    No  ¨   
  United Airlines, Inc.   Yes  x    No  ¨   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

United Continental

Holdings, Inc.

  Large accelerated filer  x   Accelerated filer  ¨   Non-accelerated filer  ¨   Smaller reporting company  ¨

United Airlines, Inc.

  Large accelerated filer  ¨   Accelerated filer  ¨   Non-accelerated filer  x   Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

  Yes  ¨    No  x   
 

United Airlines, Inc.

  Yes  ¨    No  x   

The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of October 15, 2014 is shown below:

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

   369,070,761 shares of common stock ($0.01 par value)

United Airlines, Inc.

  

1,000 (100% owned by United Continental Holdings, Inc.)

There is no market for United Airlines, Inc. common stock.

OMISSION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION

This combined Form 10-Q is separately filed by United Continental Holdings, Inc. and United Airlines, Inc.

United Airlines, Inc. meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format allowed under that General Instruction.


Table of Contents

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

United Airlines, Inc.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2014

 

                 Page          
  PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

  
 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.:

  
 

Statements of Consolidated Operations

     3   
 

Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     4   
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     5   
 

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows

     7   
  United Airlines, Inc.:   
 

Statements of Consolidated Operations

     8   
 

Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     9   
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     10   
 

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows

     12   
  Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(United Continental Holdings, Inc. and United Airlines, Inc.)
     13   

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     30   

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     44   

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

     45   
  PART II. OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

     46   

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

     46   

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     47   

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

     47   

Signatures

     48   

Exhibit Index

     49   


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Nine Months Ended September 30,  
           2014                  2013                  2014                  2013        

Operating revenue:

           

Passenger—Mainline

    $ 7,414         $ 7,025         $ 20,410         $ 19,792    

Passenger—Regional

     1,900          1,893          5,269          5,353    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total passenger revenue

     9,314          8,918          25,679          25,145    

Cargo

     237          199          678          662    

Other operating revenue

     1,012          1,111          3,231          3,143    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     10,563          10,228          29,588          28,950    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating expense:

           

Aircraft fuel

     3,127          3,262          9,145          9,380    

Salaries and related costs

     2,344          2,209          6,684          6,511    

Regional capacity purchase

     597          621          1,747          1,837    

Landing fees and other rent

     567          540          1,706          1,544    

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

     435          472          1,364          1,390    

Depreciation and amortization

     422          435          1,248          1,268    

Distribution expenses

     375          377          1,039          1,052    

Aircraft rent

     222          231          668          706    

Special charges (Note 10)

     43          211          264          355    

Other operating expenses

     1,240          1,362          3,975          3,893    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     9,372          9,720          27,840          27,936    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,191          508          1,748          1,014    
           

Nonoperating income (expense):

           

Interest expense

     (186)         (195)         (559)         (590)   

Interest capitalized

     13          12          40          35    

Interest income

                     17          16    

Miscellaneous, net

     (106)         52          (141)         (48)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (271)         (126)         (643)         (587)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     920          382          1,105          427    

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (4)                         (4)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

    $ 924         $ 379         $ 1,104         $ 431    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per share, basic

    $ 2.49         $ 1.06         $ 2.97         $ 1.25    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per share, diluted

    $ 2.37         $ 0.98         $ 2.84         $ 1.15    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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Table of Contents

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

                                                                                   
     Three Months Ended September 30,      Nine Months Ended September 30,  
           2014                  2013                  2014                  2013        

Net income

    $ 924         $ 379         $ 1,104         $ 431    
           

Other comprehensive income (loss), net change related to:

           

Fuel derivative financial instruments

     (120)         30          (95)         20    

Employee benefit plans

     (82)         51          (121)         531    

Investments and other

             (5)         (4)           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (201)         76          (220)         553    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income, net

    $ 723         $ 455         $ 884         $ 984    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

 

     (Unaudited)
September 30,  2014
     December 31, 2013  

ASSETS

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

    $ 3,117         $ 3,220    

Short-term investments

     2,397          1,901    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

     5,514          5,121    

Restricted cash

     32          31    

Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2014—$24; 2013—$13)

     1,559          1,503    

Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2014—$161; 2013—$162)

     700          667    

Deferred income taxes

     582          676    

Prepaid expenses and other

     838          704    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     9,225          8,702    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating property and equipment:

     

Owned—

     

Flight equipment

     20,367          18,786    

Other property and equipment

     3,934          3,687    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     24,301          22,473    

Less—Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (6,894)         (6,080)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     17,407          16,393    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     

Purchase deposits for flight equipment

     734          706    
     

Capital leases—

     

Flight equipment

     1,343          1,490    

Other property and equipment

     321          307    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,664          1,797    

Less—Accumulated amortization

     (862)         (849)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     802          948    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     18,943          18,047    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other assets:

     

Goodwill

     4,523          4,523    

Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2014—$1,019; 2013—$933)

     4,330          4,436    

Restricted cash

     284          364    

Other, net

     706          740    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     9,843          10,063    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
    $ 38,011         $ 36,812    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(continued on next page)

 

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Table of Contents

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

 

     (Unaudited)
September 30,  2014
     December 31, 2013  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Current liabilities:

     

Advance ticket sales

    $ 4,514         $ 3,405    

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

     2,090          2,369    

Accounts payable

     2,085          2,087    

Accrued salaries and benefits

     1,651          1,696    

Current maturities of long-term debt

     1,340          1,368    

Current maturities of capital leases

     99          117    

Other

     1,085          1,065    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     12,864          12,107    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     

Long-term debt

     9,988          10,171    

Long-term obligations under capital leases

     667          753    
     

Other liabilities and deferred credits:

     

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

     2,820          2,535    

Postretirement benefit liability

     1,684          1,703    

Pension liability

     1,517          1,650    

Advanced purchase of miles

     1,170          1,338    

Deferred income taxes

     1,570          1,662    

Lease fair value adjustment, net

     496          626    

Other

     1,371          1,283    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     10,628          10,797    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     

Stockholders’ equity:

     

Preferred stock

     —          —    

Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; outstanding 369,728,970 and 362,283,555 shares at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

               

Additional capital invested

     7,620          7,425    

Accumulated deficit

     (3,911)         (5,015)   

Stock held in treasury, at cost

     (237)         (38)   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     388          608    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     3,864          2,984    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
    $ 38,011         $ 36,812    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014      2013  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

     

Net cash provided by operating activities

    $ 2,732         $ 1,778    

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

     

Capital expenditures

     (1,345)         (1,399)   

Increase in short-term and other investments, net

     (471)         (22)   

Decrease in restricted cash, net

     79          35    

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     73          65    

Other, net

     34          22    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,630)         (1,299)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

     

Payments of long-term debt

     (2,001)         (1,965)   

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     1,177          819    

Repurchases of common stock

     (220)         —    

Principal payments under capital leases

     (81)         (98)   

Other, net

     (80)         (70)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (1,205)         (1,314)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (103)         (835)   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

     3,220          4,770    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

    $ 3,117         $ 3,935    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:

     

Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt and capital leases

    $ 765         $ 239    

Exchanges of certain convertible notes for common stock

     202          240    

Airport construction financing

     14          35    

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2014      2013      2014      2013  

Operating revenue:

           

Passenger—Mainline

    $ 7,414         $ 7,025         $ 20,410         $ 19,792    

Passenger—Regional

     1,900          1,893          5,269          5,353    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total passenger revenue

     9,314          8,918          25,679          25,145    

Cargo

     237          199          678          662    

Other operating revenue

     1,012          1,113          3,231          3,149    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     10,563          10,230          29,588          28,956    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating expense:

           

Aircraft fuel

     3,127          3,262          9,145          9,380    

Salaries and related costs

     2,344          2,209          6,684          6,511    

Regional capacity purchase

     597          621          1,747          1,837    

Landing fees and other rent

     567          540          1,706          1,544    

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

     435          472          1,364          1,390    

Depreciation and amortization

     422          435          1,248          1,268    

Distribution expenses

     375          377          1,039          1,052    

Aircraft rent

     222          231          668          706    

Special charges (Note 10)

     43          211          264          355    

Other operating expenses

     1,245          1,362          3,972          3,892    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     9,377          9,720          27,837          27,935    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,186          510          1,751          1,021    
           

Nonoperating income (expense):

           

Interest expense

     (187)         (195)         (564)         (586)   

Interest capitalized

     13          12          40          35    

Interest income

                     17          16    

Miscellaneous, net

     (91)         50          (121)         18    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (257)         (128)         (628)         (517)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     929          382          1,123          504    

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (4)                           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

    $ 933         $ 378         $ 1,122         $ 500    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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Table of Contents

UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2014      2013      2014      2013  

Net income

    $ 933         $ 378         $ 1,122         $ 500    
           

Other comprehensive income (loss), net change related to:

           

Fuel derivative financial instruments

     (120)         30          (95)         20    

Employee benefit plans

     (82)         51          (121)         531    

Investments and other

             (5)         (4)           

Other

     —          —          —            
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (201)         76          (220)         560    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income, net

    $ 732         $ 454         $ 902         $ 1,060    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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Table of Contents

UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

 

     (Unaudited)         
     September 30, 2014      December 31, 2013  

ASSETS

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

    $ 3,111         $ 3,214    

Short-term investments

     2,397          1,901    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

     5,508          5,115    

Restricted cash

     32          31    

Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2014—$24;
2013—$13)

     1,559          1,503    

Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance
(2014—$161; 2013—$162)

     700          667    

Deferred income taxes

     582          674    

Prepaid expenses and other

     887          705    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     9,268          8,695    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating property and equipment:

     

Owned—

     

Flight equipment

     20,367          18,786    

Other property and equipment

     3,934          3,687    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     24,301          22,473    

Less—Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (6,894)         (6,080)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     17,407          16,393    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     

Purchase deposits for flight equipment

     734          706    
     

Capital leases—

     

Flight equipment

     1,343          1,490    

Other property and equipment

     321          307    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,664          1,797    

Less—Accumulated amortization

     (862)         (849)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     802          948    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     18,943          18,047    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other assets:

     

Goodwill

     4,523          4,523    

Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2014—$1,019;
2013—$933)

     4,330          4,436    

Restricted cash

     284          364    

Other, net

     1,204          1,221    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     10,341          10,544    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
    $ 38,552         $ 37,286    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(continued on next page)

 

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UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

 

     (Unaudited)         
     September 30, 2014      December 31, 2013  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY              

Current liabilities:

     

Advance ticket sales

    $ 4,514         $ 3,405    

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

     2,090          2,369    

Accounts payable

     2,089          2,092    

Accrued salaries and benefits

     1,651          1,696    

Current maturities of long-term debt

     1,340          1,368    

Current maturities of capital leases

     99          117    

Payables to related parties

     —          114    

Other

     1,086          1,064    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     12,869          12,225    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     

Long-term debt

     9,892          10,020    

Long-term obligations under capital leases

     667          753    
     

Other liabilities and deferred credits:

     

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

     2,820          2,535    

Postretirement benefit liability

     1,684          1,703    

Pension liability

     1,517          1,650    

Advanced purchase of miles

     1,170          1,338    

Deferred income taxes

     1,571          1,661    

Lease fair value adjustment

     496          626    

Other

     1,667          1,552    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     10,925          11,065    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     

Stockholder’s equity:

     

Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,000 shares at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

     —          —    

Additional capital invested

     7,433          7,590    

Accumulated deficit

     (3,619)         (4,743)   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     388          608    

Receivable from related parties

     (3)         (232)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,199          3,223    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
    $ 38,552         $ 37,286    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2014      2013  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

     

Net cash provided by operating activities

    $ 2,623         $ 1,774    

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

     

Capital expenditures

     (1,345)         (1,399)   

Increase in short-term and other investments, net

     (471)         (22)   

Decrease in restricted cash, net

     79          36    

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     73          65    

Other, net

     34          20    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,630)         (1,300)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

     

Payments of long-term debt

     (2,001)         (1,965)   

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     1,177          819    

Principal payments under capital leases

     (81)         (98)   

Dividend to UAL

     (120)         —    

Other, net

     (71)         (67)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (1,096)         (1,311)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (103)         (837)   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

     3,214          4,765    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

    $ 3,111         $ 3,928    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:

     

Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt and capital leases

    $ 765         $ 239    

Transfer of UAL subsidiaries to United

     186          —    

Contribution of capital associated with conversion of convertible notes

     156          —    

Airport construction financing

     14          35    

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 

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UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UAL” or the “Company”) is a holding company and its principal, wholly-owned subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “United”). This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL and United including their respective consolidated financial statements. As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL, unless otherwise noted. United’s operating revenues and operating expenses comprise nearly 100% of UAL’s revenues and operating expenses. In addition, United comprises approximately the entire balance of UAL’s assets, liabilities and operating cash flows. When appropriate, UAL and United are named specifically for their individual contractual obligations and related disclosures and any significant differences between the operations and results of UAL and United are separately disclosed and explained. We sometimes use the words “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” in this report for disclosures that relate to all of UAL and United.

The UAL and United unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements shown here have been prepared as required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Some information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements that comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted as permitted by the SEC. The financial statements include all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments and other adjustments, which are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The UAL and United financial statements should be read together with the information included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (the “2013 Annual Report”). The Company’s quarterly financial data is subject to seasonal fluctuations and historically its second and third quarter financial results, which reflect higher travel demand, are better than its first and fourth quarter financial results.

NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Frequent Flyer Accounting. On March 30, 2014, US Airways exited Star Alliance. Effective with the exit date, the Company updated its estimated selling price for miles to a value based on the equivalent ticket value less fulfillment discount, which incorporates the expected redemption of miles. The equivalent ticket value used as the basis for the estimated selling price of miles is based on the prior 12 months’ weighted average equivalent ticket value of similar fares as those used to settle award redemptions while taking into consideration such factors as redemption pattern, cabin class, loyalty status and geographic region. The estimated selling price of miles is adjusted by a fulfillment discount that considers a number of factors, including redemption patterns of various customer groups. This change in estimate was applied on a prospective basis beginning April 1, 2014. The estimated impact of this change on consolidated revenue is expected to be an increase of approximately $75 million in 2014.

During the third quarter of 2014, the Company refined its estimate of the number of miles that have been redeemed for award travel, but for which travel has not occurred, to a computation that uses actual miles open versus a historical average. Although this change is not expected to significantly impact the reported amount of passenger revenue recognized in 2014 or in any future years, the new estimate will likely result in more seasonality in the results between quarters. The Company expects that based on historical redemption and travel patterns, using the revised method will result in lower revenue from frequent flyer awards redeemed during the first quarter and higher revenue during the third quarter in future periods than historical amounts, with minimal differences during the second and fourth quarters.

Related Party Receivables. At December 31, 2013, United had receivables from two affiliates, which were wholly-owned subsidiaries of UAL, of $232 million that were classified against stockholder’s equity. UAL transferred all of its equity interest in each of the two subsidiaries to United in the first quarter of 2014, and the transfers have been reflected as reductions in paid in capital.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This amendment prescribes that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendment supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. The amendments will become effective for the Company’s annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact on its financial statements.

 

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NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The table below represents the computation of UAL’s basic and diluted earnings per share amounts and the number of securities that have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share amounts because they were antidilutive (in millions, except per share amounts):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2014      2013      2014      2013  

Basic earnings per share:

           

Net income

    $ 924         $ 379         $ 1,104         $ 431    

Less: Income allocable to participating securities

     (1)         (1)         (2)         (1)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings available to common stockholders

    $ 923         $ 378         $ 1,102         $ 430    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

     370          357          370          343    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per share, basic

    $ 2.49         $ 1.06         $ 2.97         $ 1.25    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share:

           

Earnings available to common stockholders

    $ 923         $ 378         $ 1,102         $ 430    

Effect of convertible notes

                     20          20    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings available to common stockholders including the effect of dilutive securities

    $ 929         $ 387         $ 1,122         $ 450    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted shares outstanding:

           

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

     370          357          370          343    

Effect of convertible notes

     22          37          24          46    

Effect of employee stock options

     —                            
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

     392          395          395          390    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per share, diluted

    $ 2.37         $ 0.98         $ 2.84         $ 1.15    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts:

           

Restricted stock and stock options

                               

Convertible notes

     —          —          —            

During the second quarter of 2014, UAL used cash to purchase and retire $28 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.5% Convertible Notes due 2015 (the “4.5% Convertible Notes”) in market transactions. The corresponding equivalent amount of shares of UAL common stock are excluded from the determination of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 from the date the debt was purchased.

In the first quarter of 2014, UAL issued approximately five million shares of UAL common stock in exchange for, or upon conversion of, $46 million in aggregate principal amount of UAL’s outstanding 6% convertible senior notes due 2029 held by holders of these notes. The newly issued shares of UAL common stock are included in the determination of basic weighted-average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 from the date the shares were issued. The Company retired the 6% convertible senior notes acquired in the exchange. In October 2014, UAL notified holders of these notes of its intention to redeem the $58 million of notes outstanding with the redemption scheduled to occur in late November 2014. The holders of these notes have the right to convert their notes into shares of UAL common stock prior to redemption at a conversion rate of 115.1013 per $1,000 principal amount of notes. If all of the holders of these notes exercise their conversion right, UAL would issue approximately 6.7 million shares of UAL common stock upon conversion.

Also on January 10, 2014, UAL called the 4.5% Senior Limited-Subordination Convertible Notes due 2021 (the “4.5% Notes”) that remained outstanding for redemption on February 10, 2014. In the first quarter of 2014, holders of substantially all of the remaining $156 million outstanding principal amount of the 4.5% Notes exercised their right to convert such notes into

 

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approximately five million shares of UAL common stock at a conversion rate of 30.6419 shares of UAL common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 4.5% Notes. The newly issued shares of UAL common stock are included in the determination of basic weighted-average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 from the date the shares were issued. See Note 9 for additional information related to exercises of rights under the 4.5% Notes.

UAL’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to acquire up to $1 billion of UAL’s common stock. UAL may repurchase shares through the open market, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, or accelerated share repurchase transactions from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws. UAL will repurchase shares of common stock subject to prevailing market conditions, and may discontinue such repurchases at any time.

On July 24, 2014, pursuant to the $1.0 billion share repurchase program, UAL entered into two separate agreements to repurchase an aggregate of $200 million of shares of UAL common stock through an accelerated share repurchase program (the “ASR Program”). UAL paid $200 million and received approximately 4.4 million shares. In addition to shares purchased under the ASR Program, UAL spent $20 million on open market repurchases of 0.4 million shares of UAL common stock in September 2014. See Part II, Item 2., “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” of this report for additional information.

NOTE 3 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The tables below present the components of the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (“AOCI”) (in millions):

 

UAL (a)    Pension and
Other
Postretirement
Liabilities
     Derivative
Contracts
     Investments
and Other
     Total  

Balance at June 30, 2014

    $ 545         $ 36         $        $ 589    

Changes in value

     (66)         (120)                 (183)   

Amounts reclassified to earnings

     (16)         —          (2)         (18)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change

     (82)         (120)                 (201)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2014

    $ 463         $ (84)        $        $ 388    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

    $ 584         $ 11         $ 13         $ 608    

Changes in value

     (71)         (99)                 (166)   

Amounts reclassified to earnings

     (50)                 (8)         (54)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change

     (121)         (95)         (4)         (220)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2014

    $ 463         $ (84)        $        $ 388    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
UAL (a)    Pension and
Other
Postretirement
Liabilities
     Derivative
Contracts
     Investments
and Other
     Total  

Balance at June 30, 2013

    $ (562)        $ (20)        $ 13         $ (569)   

Changes in value

     41          44          (5)         80    

Amounts reclassified to earnings

     10          (14)         —          (4)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change

     51          30          (5)         76    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2013

    $ (511)        $ 10         $        $ (493)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

    $ (1,042)        $ (10)        $        $     (1,046)   

Changes in value

     483          16                  501    

Amounts reclassified to earnings

     48                  —          52    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change

     531          20                  553    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2013

    $ (511)        $ 10         $        $ (493)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Details about AOCI
Components

  Amount Reclassified from AOCI to
Income
    

Affected Line Item in
the Statements of
Consolidated Operations

    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,       
    2014     2013     2014     2013       
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges           

Fuel contracts-reclassifications of (gains) losses into earnings (b)

   $ —        $ (14    $       $       Aircraft fuel
Amortization of pension and post-retirement items           

Amortization of unrecognized (gains) losses and prior service cost (credit) (b) (c)

   $ (16)       $ 10        $ (50    $ 48        Salaries and related costs
Investments and other           

Available for sale securities-reclassifications of gains into earnings (b)

   $ (2)       $ —        $ (8    $ —        Miscellaneous, net

 

 

(a) UAL and United amounts are substantially the same except for an additional $6 million of income tax benefit at United and additional gains related to investments and other of $1 million at United in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

(b) Income tax expense for these items was offset by the Company’s valuation allowance.

(c) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs (see Note 5 of this report for additional information).

 

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NOTE 4 - INCOME TAXES

Our effective tax rates are lower than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily because of the impact of changes to existing valuation allowances. We continue to provide a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets in excess of deferred tax liabilities because we have concluded that it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will ultimately 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 deferred tax assets will become deductible. The Company’s management assesses available positive and negative evidence regarding the realizability of its deferred tax assets and records a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized. To form a conclusion, management considers positive evidence in the form of reversing temporary differences, projections of future taxable income and tax planning strategies and negative evidence such as historical losses. Although the Company was not in a three-year cumulative loss position at the end of 2013, management determined that the modest level of cumulative pretax income supports the conclusion that the valuation allowance is still necessary. Management will continue to evaluate future financial performance to determine whether such performance is both sustained and significant enough to provide sufficient evidence to support reversal of the valuation allowance.

NOTE 5 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. The Company’s net periodic benefit cost includes the following components (in millions):

 

     Pension Benefits      Other Postretirement Benefits  
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014      2013      2014      2013  
Service cost     $ 24         $ 29         $        $ 14    
Interest cost      50          48          22          29    
Expected return on plan assets      (45)         (41)         (1)         (1)   
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)                      (19)           
Settlement gain      (1)         (1)         —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

    $ 31         $ 43         $        $ 44    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Pension Benefits      Other Postretirement Benefits  
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2014      2013      2014      2013  
Service cost     $ 73         $ 94         $ 14         $ 42    
Interest cost      151          142          66          85    
Expected return on plan assets      (134)         (121)         (2)         (2)   
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)              41          (58)           
Curtailment loss      —                  —          —    

Settlement gain

     (1)         (2)         —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

    $ 97         $ 156         $ 20         $ 132    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company contributed $160 million and $278 million, respectively, to its tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans.

Settlement and Plan Remeasurement. During September 2014, the Company recognized a settlement gain of $1 million in earnings resulting from certain lump-sum payments under a separate defined benefit pension plan. Application of settlement accounting required the Company to remeasure the assets and liabilities of this plan in the third quarter of 2014. The Company

 

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remeasured the pension plan’s liabilities using an average weighted discount rate of 4.28% compared to the year-end 2013 discount rate of 5.09%. As a result of the settlement, the projected benefit obligation of the plan increased by $53 million and Other comprehensive gain decreased by an actuarial loss of $67 million. These items will also result in an increase of approximately $1 million in the expected net periodic benefit cost for the remainder of 2014. The Company recognizes the earnings impacts of its pension plans in Salaries and related costs in the statements of consolidated operations.

Share-Based Compensation. In February 2014, UAL granted share-based compensation awards pursuant to the United Continental Holdings, Inc. 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan. These share-based compensation awards include approximately 0.3 million shares of restricted stock and 0.5 million restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that vest pro-rata over three years on the anniversary of the grant date. The time-vested RSUs are cash-settled based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date. In addition, the Company granted 0.6 million performance-based RSUs that will vest based on the Company’s return on invested capital for the three years ending December 31, 2016. If this performance condition is achieved, cash payments will be made after the end of the performance period based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date. The Company accounts for the RSUs as liability awards. The table below presents information related to share-based compensation (in millions):

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2014      2013      2014      2013  

Share-based compensation expense (a)

    $ 23         $ 32         $ 69         $ 72    
     September 30, 2014      December 31, 2013                

Unrecognized share-based compensation

    $ 62         $ 44          
             

(a) Includes $3 million of expense recognized in merger integration-related costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Includes $(2) million and $9 million of (benefit) expense recognized in merger integration-related costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

Profit Sharing Plans. Substantially all employees participated in profit sharing plans, which depending on the work group, pay from 5% to 20% of total pre-tax earnings, excluding special items and share-based compensation expense, to eligible employees when pre-tax profit, excluding special items, profit sharing expense and share-based compensation program expense, exceeds $10 million. Eligible U.S. co-workers in each participating work group received a profit sharing payout using a formula based on the ratio of each qualified co-worker’s annual eligible earnings to the eligible earnings of all qualified co-workers in all domestic work groups. The international profit sharing plan paid eligible non-U.S. co-workers the same percentage of eligible pay that is calculated under the U.S. profit sharing plan for management and administrative employees. Profit sharing expense is recorded as a component of Salaries and related costs in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

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NOTE 6 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The table below presents disclosures about the financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s financial statements (in millions):

 

     September 30, 2014      December 31, 2013  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  
     UAL  

Cash and cash equivalents

    $ 3,117         $ 3,117         $ —         $ —         $ 3,220         $ 3,220         $ —         $ —    

Short-term investments:

                       

Asset-backed securities

     908          —          908          —          694          —          694          —    

Corporate debt

     853          —          853          —          685          —          685          —    

Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (“CDARS”)

     305          —          305          —          301          —          301          —    

Auction rate securities

     26          —          —          26          105          —          —          105    

U.S. government and agency notes

     41          —          41          —          38          —          38          —    

Other fixed income securities

     264          —          264          —          78          —          78          —    

Fuel derivatives, net

     (114)         —          (114)         —          104          —          104          —    

Enhanced equipment trust certificates (“EETC”)

     28          —          —          28          61          —          —          61    

Foreign currency derivative asset (liability), net

             —                  —                  —                  —    

Restricted cash

     316          316          —          —          395          395          —          —    
     United  

Cash and cash equivalents

    $     3,111         $     3,111         $ —         $ —         $     3,214         $     3,214         $ —         $ —    

Short-term investments:

                       

Asset-backed securities

     908          —          908          —          694          —          694          —    

Corporate debt

     853          —          853          —          685          —          685          —    

CDARS

     305          —          305          —          301          —          301          —    

Auction rate securities

     26          —          —          26          105          —          —          105    

U.S. government and agency notes

     41          —          41          —          38          —          38          —    

Other fixed income securities

     264          —          264          —          78          —          78          —    

Fuel derivatives, net

     (114)         —          (114)         —          104          —          104          —    

EETC

     28          —          —          28          61          —          —          61    

Foreign currency derivative asset (liability), net

             —                  —                  —                  —    

Restricted cash

     316          316          —          —          395          395          —          —    

Convertible debt derivative asset

     498          —          —          498          480          —          —          480    

Convertible debt option liability

     (297)         —          —          (297)         (270)         —          —          (270)   

Available-for-sale investment maturities - The short-term investments and EETC securities shown in the table above are classified as available-for-sale. As of September 30, 2014, asset-backed securities have remaining maturities of less than one year to approximately 40 years, corporate debt securities have remaining maturities of less than one year to approximately seven years, CDARS have maturities of less than one year, and auction rate securities have remaining maturities of approximately 24 to 32 years. U.S. government and other securities have maturities of less than one year to approximately four years. The EETC securities mature in 2019.

 

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The table below presents disclosures about the activity for “Level 3” financial assets and financial liabilities (in millions):

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,  
    2014     2013  
    UAL and United     United     UAL and United     United  
    Student
Loan-Related
Auction Rate
Securities
    EETC     Convertible
Debt
Supplemental
Derivative
Asset
    Convertible
Debt
Conversion
Option
Liability
    Student
Loan-Related
Auction Rate
Securities
    EETC     Convertible
Debt
Supplemental
Derivative
Asset
    Convertible
Debt
Conversion
Option
Liability
 

Balance at June 30

   $ 26        $   59        $ 449        $ (263)       $ 115        $ 62        $ 395        $ (199)   
Purchases, (sales), issuances and (settlements) (net)     —         (30)        —         —         (9)        (2)        —         —    

Gains and (losses):

               

Reported in earnings:

               

Realized

    —                —         —                —         —         —    

Unrealized

    —         —         49         (34)        —         —         (19)        14    

Reported in other comprehensive income (loss)

    —         (2)        —         —         (3)        (1)        —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30

   $ 26       $ 28        $ 498        $ (297)       $ 104        $ 59        $ 376        $ (185)   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2014     2013  
    UAL and United     United     UAL and United     United  
    Student
Loan-Related
Auction Rate
Securities
    EETC     Convertible
Debt
Supplemental
Derivative
Asset
    Convertible
Debt
Conversion
Option
Liability
    Student
Loan-Related
Auction Rate
Securities
    EETC     Convertible
Debt
Supplemental
Derivative
Asset
    Convertible
Debt
Conversion
Option
Liability
 

Balance at January 1

   $ 105        $   61        $ 480        $ (270)       $ 116        $ 63        $ 268        $ (128)   
Purchases, (sales), issuances and settlements (net)     (84)        (33)        (62)        34         (19)        (4)        —         —    

Gains and (losses):

               

Reported in earnings:

               

Realized

    10                (5)                      —         —         —    

Unrealized

    —         —         85         (66)               —         108         (57)   

Reported in other comprehensive income (loss)

    (5)        (1)        —         —                —         —         —    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30

   $ 26        $ 28        $ 498        $ (297)       $ 104        $ 59        $ 376        $ (185)   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

United’s debt-related derivatives presented in the tables above relate to (a) supplemental indenture agreements that provide that United’s convertible debt is convertible into shares of UAL common stock upon the terms and conditions specified in the indentures, and (b) the embedded conversion options in United’s convertible debt that are required to be separated and accounted for as though they are free-standing derivatives as a result of the United debt becoming convertible into the common stock of a different reporting entity. The derivatives described above relate to the 6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2030 and the 4.5% Convertible Notes. Gains (losses) on these derivatives are recorded in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in United’s Statements of Consolidated Operations. These derivatives along with their gains (losses) are reported in United’s separate financial statements and are eliminated in consolidation for UAL.

 

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Derivative instruments and investments presented in the tables above have the same fair value as their carrying value. The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above (in millions):

 

    Fair Value of Debt by Fair Value Hierarchy Level  
    September 30, 2014     December 31, 2013  
    Carrying
Amount
    Fair Value     Carrying
Amount
    Fair Value  
          Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3           Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  

UAL debt

   $   11,328        $   12,386        $   —        $   8,290        $   4,096        $   11,539        $   12,695        $   —        $   8,829        $   3,866    

United debt

    11,232         12,122         —         8,026         4,096         11,388         12,249         —         8,383         3,866    

 

Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (in millions)

 

Item

       Fair Value at
September 30, 2014
        

Valuation Technique

      

Unobservable Input

      

Weighted Average

Auction rate securities

     $ 26         Valuation Service / Broker Quotes      Broker quotes (a)      NA

EETC

       28         Discounted Cash Flows      Structure credit risk (b)      4%

Convertible debt

derivative asset

       498         Binomial Lattice Model     

Expected volatility (c)

Own credit risk (d)

    

40%

5%

Convertible debt

option liability

       (297      Binomial Lattice Model     

Expected volatility (c)

Own credit risk (d)

    

40%

5%

 

(a) Broker quotes obtained by a third-party valuation service.

(b) Represents the credit risk premium of the EETC structure above the risk-free rate that the Company has determined market participants would use when pricing the instruments.

(c) Represents the volatility estimate that the Company has determined market participants would use when pricing the instruments.

(d) Represents the Company-specific risk adjustment that the Company has determined market participants would use as a model input.

Valuation Processes - Level 3 Measurements - Depending on the instrument, the Company utilizes broker quotes obtained from third-party valuation services, discounted cash flow methods, or option pricing methods, as indicated above. Valuations using discounted cash flow methods are generally conducted by the Company. Valuations using option pricing models are generally provided to the Company by third-party valuation experts. Each reporting period, the Company reviews the unobservable inputs used by third-party valuation experts for reasonableness utilizing relevant information available to the Company from other sources.

The Company uses broker quotes obtained from a valuation service (in replacement of a discounted cash flows method) for valuing auction rate securities. This approach provides the best available information.

Sensitivity Analysis - Level 3 Measurements - Changes in the structure credit risk would be unlikely to cause material changes in the fair value of the EETCs.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the United convertible debt derivative assets and liabilities are the expected volatility in UAL common stock and the Company’s own credit risk. Significant increases (decreases) in expected stock volatility would result in a higher (lower) fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in the Company’s own credit risk would result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement. A change in one of the inputs would not necessarily result in a directionally similar change in the other.

 

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Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows:

 

Description

    

Fair Value Methodology

Cash and cash equivalents      The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these assets.

Short-term investments and

Restricted cash

     Fair value is based on (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar instruments, (b) an income approach, which uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts into a single present amount based on current market expectations about those future amounts when observable trading prices are not available, (c) internally-developed models of the expected future cash flows related to the securities, or (d) broker quotes obtained by third-party valuation services.

Fuel derivatives

     Derivative contracts are privately negotiated contracts and are not exchange traded. Fair value measurements are estimated with option pricing models that employ observable inputs. Inputs to the valuation models include contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, fuel price curves and measures of volatility, among others.
Foreign currency derivatives      Fair value is determined with a formula utilizing observable inputs. Significant inputs to the valuation models include contractual terms, risk-free interest rates and forward exchange rates.

Debt

     Fair values were based on either market prices or the discounted amount of future cash flows using our current incremental rate of borrowing for similar liabilities.
Convertible debt derivative asset and option liability      United used a binomial lattice model to value the conversion options and the supplemental derivative assets. Significant binomial model inputs that are not objectively determinable include volatility and the Company’s credit risk component of the discount rate.

NOTE 7 - HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Fuel Derivatives

The Company routinely hedges a portion of its expected aircraft fuel requirements to protect against increases in the price of fuel. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had hedged approximately 39%, 24% and less than 1% of its projected fuel requirements (372 million gallons, 925 million gallons and 35 million gallons, respectively) for the remainder of 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively, with commonly used financial hedge instruments based on aircraft fuel or crude oil. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had fuel hedges expiring through March 2016. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for non-risk management purposes.

Upon proper qualification, the Company accounts for certain fuel derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. All derivatives designated as hedges that meet certain requirements are granted hedge accounting treatment. Instruments that qualify for special hedge accounting treatment typically include swaps, call options, collars (which consist of a purchased call option and a sold put option) and four-way collars (a collar with a higher strike sold call option and a lower strike purchased put option). Generally, utilizing hedge accounting, all periodic changes in fair value of the derivatives designated as hedges that are considered to be effective are recorded in AOCI until the underlying fuel is consumed and recorded in fuel expense. The Company is exposed to the risk that its hedges may not be effective in offsetting changes in the cost of fuel and that its hedges may not continue to qualify for hedge accounting. Hedge ineffectiveness results when the change in the fair value of the cash flow hedge exceeds the change in the value of the Company’s expected future cash outlay to purchase fuel. To the extent that the periodic changes in the fair value of the derivatives are not effective, that ineffectiveness is classified as Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations.

The Company also utilizes certain derivative instruments that are economic hedges but do not qualify for hedge accounting under U.S. GAAP. As with derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting, the purpose of these economic hedges is to mitigate the adverse financial impact of potential increases in the price of fuel. Currently, the only such economic hedges in the Company’s hedging portfolio are three-way collars (a collar with a higher strike sold call option). The Company records changes in the fair value of three-way collars to Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations.

 

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If the Company settles a derivative prior to its contractual settlement date, then the cumulative gain or loss recognized in AOCI at the termination date remains in AOCI until the forecasted transaction occurs. In a situation where it becomes probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, any gains and/or losses that have been recorded to AOCI would be required to be immediately reclassified into earnings. All cash flows associated with purchasing and settling derivatives are classified as operating cash flows in the condensed statements of consolidated cash flows.

The Company records each derivative instrument as a derivative asset or liability (on a gross basis) in its consolidated balance sheets, and, accordingly, records any related collateral on a gross basis. The table below presents the fair value amounts of fuel derivative assets and liabilities and the location of amounts recognized in the Company’s financial statements.

The Company’s derivatives were reported in its consolidated balance sheets as follows (in millions):

 

Classification

   Balance Sheet Location    September 30,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

        

Assets:

        

Fuel contracts due within one year

   Receivables     $ —         $ 19    

Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year

   Other assets: Other, net      —            
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

       $ —         $ 25    
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

        

Fuel contracts due within one year

   Current liabilities: Other     $ 66         $ —    

Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year

   Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other      16          —    
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       $ 82         $ —    
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting

        

Assets:

        

Fuel contracts due within one year

   Receivables     $ —         $ 70    

Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year

   Other assets: Other, net                
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

       $        $ 79    
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

        

Fuel contracts due within one year

   Current liabilities: Other     $ 27         $ —    

Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year

   Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other              —    
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       $ 33         $ —    
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivatives

        

Assets:

        

Fuel contracts due within one year

   Receivables     $ —         $ 89    

Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year

   Other assets: Other, net              15    
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

       $        $ 104    
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

        

Fuel contracts due within one year

   Current liabilities: Other     $ 93         $ —    

Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year

   Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other      22          —    
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       $ 115         $ —    
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Credit Risk and Fair Value

The Company is exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to its derivative instruments. While the Company records derivative instruments on a gross basis, the Company monitors its net derivative position with each counterparty to monitor credit risk. Based on the fair value of our fuel derivative instruments, our counterparties may require us to post collateral when the price of the underlying commodity decreases, and we may require our counterparties to provide us with collateral when the price of the underlying commodity increases. The Company did not post or hold collateral as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

 

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We have master trading agreements with all of our fuel hedging counterparties that allow us to net our fuel hedge derivative positions. We have elected not to net the fair value positions recorded on our consolidated balance sheets. The following table shows the potential net fair value positions (including fuel derivatives and related collateral) had we elected to offset. The table reflects offset at the counterparty level (in millions):

 

     September 30,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

Receivables

   $      $ 89   

Other assets: Other, net

            15   

Current liabilities: Other

     (93       

Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other

     (21       
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Hedge derivatives assets (liabilities), net

   $ (114   $ 104   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following tables present the impact of derivative instruments and their location within the Company’s unaudited statements of consolidated operations (in millions):

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

 

     Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized

in AOCI on Derivatives
(Effective Portion)
     Gain
Reclassified from
AOCI into
Fuel Expense
     Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in
Nonoperating income
(expense): Miscellaneous, net
(Ineffective Portion)
 
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
             2014                     2013                      2014                      2013                      2014                     2013          

Fuel contracts

    $ (120    $ 44         $ —         $ 14         $ (8    $   

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

     Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized

in AOCI on Derivatives
(Effective Portion)
     Loss
Reclassified from
AOCI into
Fuel Expense
    Amount of Loss
Recognized in
Nonoperating income
(expense): Miscellaneous, net
(Ineffective Portion)
 
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
             2014                     2013                      2014                     2013                     2014                     2013          

Fuel contracts

    $ (99    $ 16         $ (4    $ (4    $ (4    $ —    

Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting

 

Fuel contracts            
     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     
             2014                     2013                      2014                     2013              

Amount of gain (loss) recognized
in Nonoperating income
(expense): Miscellaneous, net

    $ (102    $ 61         $ (103    $ 30      

 

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Table of Contents

NOTE 8 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments. As of September 30, 2014, United had firm commitments to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), Embraer S.A. (“Embraer”) and Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”) presented in the table below:

 

Aircraft Type

   Number of Firm
         Commitments (a)        
 

Airbus A350-1000

     35    

Boeing 737-900ER

     39    

Boeing 737 MAX 9

     100    

Boeing 787-8/-9/-10

     53    

Embraer 175

     22    
(a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft.   

The aircraft listed in the table above are scheduled for delivery for the remainder of 2014 through 2025. In the remainder of 2014, United expects to take delivery of five Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, one Boeing 787-8 aircraft, one Boeing 787-9 aircraft and 11 Embraer 175 aircraft.

The table below summarizes United’s commitments as of September 30, 2014, which primarily relate to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and include other commitments primarily to acquire information technology services and assets.

 

     (in billions)  

Last three months of 2014

    $                     1.1    

2015

     3.0    

2016

     1.7    

2017

     1.2    

2018

     2.1    

After 2018

     13.5    
  

 

 

 
    $ 22.6    
  

 

 

 

Any incremental firm aircraft orders, including through the exercise of purchase options and purchase rights, will increase the total future capital commitments of the Company.

As of September 2014, United has arranged for EETC and bank debt financing for all 2014 aircraft deliveries and 20 of our 2015 aircraft deliveries, including 11 Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, four Boeing 787-9 aircraft and five Embraer 175 aircraft. In addition, United has secured backstop financing commitments from certain of its aircraft manufacturers for a limited number of its future aircraft deliveries, subject to certain customary conditions. Financing will be necessary to satisfy the Company’s capital commitments for its firm order aircraft and other related capital expenditures. The Company can provide no assurance that any financing not already in place for aircraft and spare engine deliveries will be available to the Company on acceptable terms when necessary or at all. See Note 9 of this report for additional information on aircraft financing.

Aircraft Operating Leases and Capacity Purchase Agreements

In September 2014, United entered into an amendment to a contract with Shuttle America Corporation (“Shuttle America”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, for Shuttle America to operate 50 new Embraer 175 aircraft under the United Express brand and extend the term of 38 existing Embraer 170 aircraft operating under the United Express brand. Shuttle America will acquire fifty 76-seat Embraer 175 aircraft with deliveries from 2015 through 2017, although United has the right to acquire the aircraft under certain circumstances and lease the aircraft to Shuttle America. These 50 aircraft are in addition to United’s other 70 Embraer 175 aircraft that are currently being operated or will in the future be operated by different United Express carriers under capacity purchase agreements (“CPAs”). In a separate but related amendment with Republic Airways Holdings Inc. and its subsidiary, Republic Airline Inc. (“Republic”), United and Republic agreed to remove 31 Q400 aircraft from United Express service in 2015 and 2016.

 

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The table below summarizes the Company’s future payments through the end of the terms of our CPAs, excluding variable pass-through costs such as fuel and landing fees, among others. In addition, the table below summarizes the Company’s scheduled future minimum lease payments under aircraft operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms of more than one year and includes aircraft rent or ownership costs under CPAs, including estimated commitments under the Shuttle America contract for the Embraer 175 aircraft which will be delivered starting in 2015.

 

(In millions)    Capacity
Purchase
Agreements
     Aircraft
Operating
Leases
 

Last three months of 2014

    $ 460         $ 296    

2015

     1,665          1,442    

2016

     1,531          1,265    

2017

     1,479          1,190    

2018

     1,416          960    

After 2018

     5,054          3,194    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
    $ 11,605         $ 8,347    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Facility and Other Operating Leases

In September 2014, United entered into a 10-year lease extension through 2035 with the City and County of Denver to continue its use of the airport terminal space at Denver International Airport. This extension is expected to result in annual cost savings for the Company through the original lease term end date of 2025. The table below summarizes the Company’s scheduled future minimum lease payments under facility operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms of more than one year.

 

(In millions)    Facility and Other
Operating Leases
 

Last three months of 2014

    $ 284    

2015

     953    

2016

     828    

2017

     793    

2018

     671    

After 2018

     7,458    
  

 

 

 
    $ 10,987    
  

 

 

 

Guarantees and Off-Balance Sheet Financing

Guarantees. United is the guarantor of approximately $1.9 billion in aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds and interest thereon. These bonds, issued by various airport municipalities, are payable solely from rentals paid under long-term agreements with the respective governing bodies. The leasing arrangements associated with $1.6 billion of these obligations are accounted for as operating leases with the associated expense recorded on a straight-line basis resulting in ratable accrual of the lease obligation over the expected lease term. The leasing arrangements associated with $280 million of these obligations are accounted for as capital leases. All of these bonds are due between 2015 and 2038.

In the Company’s financing transactions that include loans, the Company typically agrees to reimburse lenders for any reduced returns with respect to the loans due to any change in capital requirements and, in the case of loans in which the interest rate is based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), for certain other increased costs that the lenders incur in carrying these loans as a result of any change in law, subject in most cases to obligations of the lenders to take certain limited steps to mitigate the requirement for, or the amount of, such increased costs. At September 30, 2014, the Company had $2.5 billion of floating rate debt and $168 million of fixed rate debt, with remaining terms of up to twelve years, that are subject to these increased cost provisions. In several financing transactions involving loans or leases from non-U.S. entities, with remaining terms of up to twelve years and an aggregate balance of $2.6 billion, the Company bears the risk of any change in tax laws that would subject loan or lease payments thereunder to non-U.S. entities to withholding taxes, subject to customary exclusions.

 

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Credit Facilities. As of September 30, 2014, United had its entire capacity of $1.35 billion available under the revolving credit facility of the Company’s Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). See Note 9 of this report for additional information.

Labor Negotiations. As of September 30, 2014, United had approximately 85,000 active employees, of whom approximately 80% were represented by various labor organizations. We are currently in the process of negotiating amended collective bargaining agreements with our employee groups without joint collective bargaining agreements, including our technicians and flight attendants.

NOTE 9 - DEBT

As of September 30, 2014, a substantial portion of our assets is pledged as collateral for our debt. These assets principally consist of aircraft, route authorities and loyalty program intangible assets. As of September 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants.

4.5% Convertible Notes. During the second quarter of 2014, UAL used cash to purchase and retire $28 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.5% Convertible Notes in market transactions. As of September 30, 2014, the outstanding balance is $202 million.

6% Convertible Senior Notes. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, UAL issued approximately five million shares of UAL common stock in exchange for, or upon conversion of, $46 million in aggregate principal amount of UAL’s outstanding 6% convertible senior notes due 2029 held by the holders of these notes. As of September 30, 2014, the outstanding balance is $58 million. In October 2014, UAL notified holders of these notes of its intention to redeem the remaining notes outstanding with the redemption scheduled to occur in late November 2014. The holders of these notes have the right to convert their notes into shares of UAL common stock prior to redemption at a conversion rate of 115.1013 per $1,000 principal amount of notes. If all of the holders of these notes exercise their conversion right, UAL would issue approximately 6.7 million shares of UAL common stock upon conversion.

8% Notes Due 2024. UAL redeemed in cash at par value all $400 million aggregate principal amount of its 8% Notes due 2024 on January 17, 2014.

4.5% Senior Limited-Subordination Convertible Notes. On January 10, 2014, UAL called the 4.5% Notes that remained outstanding for redemption on February 10, 2014. In the first quarter of 2014, holders of substantially all of the remaining $156 million outstanding principal amount of the 4.5% Notes exercised their right to convert such notes into approximately five million shares of UAL common stock at a conversion rate of 30.6419 shares of UAL common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 4.5% Notes.

2013 Credit and Guaranty Agreement. In September 2014, United borrowed a $500 million term loan under the Credit Agreement. The loan is due September 2021 and bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.0% per annum. The $500 million term loan ranks pari passu with the $900 million term loan that United originally borrowed under the Credit Agreement, of which $887 million is outstanding. Also in September 2014, UAL amended its revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement increasing the capacity from $1.0 billion to $1.35 billion and establishing the maturity date for $1.315 billion in lender commitments as January 2, 2019.

As of September 30, 2014, United had its entire capacity of $1.35 billion available under the revolving credit facility of the Company’s Credit Agreement. See Note 11 in the 2013 Annual Report for additional information on the terms of the Credit Agreement.

6.75% Senior Secured Notes. In September 2014, United retired, at par, the entire $800 million principal balance of the 6.75% Senior Secured Notes.

6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures. On October 10, 2014, United used cash to retire, at par, the entire $248 million principal balance of the 6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures and the 6% Convertible Preferred Securities, Term Income Deferrable Equity Securities (TIDES). United will account for this debt extinguishment as a component of Special charges in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net for approximately $65 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

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EETCs. In August 2014, April 2014 and August 2013, United created separate EETC pass-through trusts, each of which issued pass-through certificates. The proceeds of the issuance of the pass-through certificates are used to purchase equipment notes issued by United and secured by its aircraft. The Company records the debt obligation upon issuance of the equipment notes rather than upon the initial issuance of the pass-through certificates. The pass-through certificates represent fractional undivided interests in the respective pass-through trusts and are not obligations of United. The payment obligations under the equipment notes are those of United. Proceeds received from the sale of pass-through certificates are initially held by a depositary in escrow for the benefit of the certificate holders until United issues equipment notes to the trust, which purchases such notes with a portion of the escrowed funds. These escrowed funds are not guaranteed by United and are not reported as debt on our consolidated balance sheet because the proceeds held by the depositary are not United’s assets. United expects to receive all proceeds from these pass-through trusts by the end of 2015. Certain details of the pass-through trusts are as follows (in millions, except stated interest rate):

 

EETC Date

   Class    Principal      Final
expected
distribution
date
   Stated
interest
rate
     Total debt
recorded as of
September 30,
2014
     Proceeds
received from
issuance of

debt in the
nine months
ended
September 30,

2014
     Remaining
proceeds from
issuance of debt
to be received
in future

periods
 

August 2014

   A     $ 823        September 2026      3.75%        $ —         $ —         $ 823    

August 2014

   B      238        September 2022      4.625%         —          —          238    

April 2014

   A      736        April 2026      4.0%         427          427          309    

April 2014

   B      213        April 2022      4.75%         123          123          90    

August 2013

   A      720        August 2025      4.3%         720          567          —    

August 2013

   B      209        August 2021      5.375%         209          165          —    
     

 

 

          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       $ 2,939               $ 1,479         $ 1,282         $ 1,460    
     

 

 

          

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The table below presents contractual principal payments at September 30, 2014 under then-outstanding long-term debt agreements in each of the next five calendar years (in millions):

 

     UAL      United  

Last three months of 2014

    $ 485         $ 485    

2015

     1,301          1,301    

2016

     1,156          1,156    

2017

     716          716    

2018

     1,231          1,231    

After 2018

     6,603          6,545    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
    $     11,492         $     11,434    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 10 - SPECIAL CHARGES

For the three and nine months ended September 30, special charges consisted of the following (in millions):

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
 
Operating:    2014      2013      2014      2013  

Integration-related costs

    $ 28         $ 50         $ 79        $ 165    

Severance and benefits

             —          58          14    

Labor agreement costs

     —          127          —          127    

Costs associated with permanently grounding Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft

     —          —          66          —    

Impairment of assets held for disposal

     —          —          33          —    

Additional costs associated with the temporarily grounded Boeing 787 aircraft

     —          —          —          18    

Losses on sale of assets and other special (gains) losses, net

             34          28          31    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Special charges

     43          211          264          355    

Nonoperating:

           

Venezuela currency loss

     —          —          21          —    

Income tax benefit

     (3)          —          (4)          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating and nonoperating special charges, net of income taxes

    $ 40         $ 211         $ 281         $ 355    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

2014

Integration-related costs include compensation costs related to systems integration, training, severance and relocation for employees.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $58 million of severance and benefits primarily related to reductions of management and front-line employees, including from Hopkins International Airport (“Cleveland”), as part of its cost savings initiatives. The Company reduced its average daily departures from Cleveland by over 60 percent during the second quarter of 2014. The Company is currently evaluating its options regarding its long-term contractual commitments at Cleveland. The capacity reductions at Cleveland may result in further special charges, which could be significant, related to our contractual commitments.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $66 million for the permanent grounding of 21 of the Company’s Embraer ERJ 135 regional aircraft under lease through 2018, which includes an accrual for remaining lease payments and an amount for maintenance return conditions. As a result of the current fuel prices, new Embraer 175 regional jet deliveries and impact of pilot shortages at regional carriers, the Company decided to permanently ground these 21 Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft. The Company continues to operate nine Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft and will assess the possibility of grounding those aircraft when the term of the current capacity purchase contract ends.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $33 million for charges related primarily to impairment of its flight equipment held for disposal associated with its Boeing 737-300 and 737-500 fleets.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $21 million of losses as part of Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net due to ongoing negotiations applicable to funds held in local Venezuelan currency. Approximately $100 million of the Company’s unrestricted cash balance was held as Venezuelan bolivars as of September 30, 2014.

In the third quarter of 2014, United and the Association of Flight Attendants announced that United will offer certain of its flight attendants an enhanced early out program, which allows eligible participants a one-time opportunity to voluntarily separate from the Company and receive a severance payment, with a maximum value of $100,000 per participant. The Company is targeting approximately 2,100 participants, although the actual number of participants is unknown at this time, and may be more or fewer than 2,100. United also announced that it is recalling all flight attendants who are on voluntary and involuntary furlough.

 

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2013

Integration-related costs included compensation costs related to systems integration and training, branding activities, new uniforms, write-off or acceleration of depreciation on systems and facilities that were no longer used or planned to be used for significantly shorter periods, relocation for employees and severance primarily associated with administrative headcount reductions.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded $14 million associated with a voluntary program offered by United in which certain flight attendants took an unpaid 13-month leave of absence. The flight attendants continue to receive medical benefits and other Company benefits while on leave under this program. Approximately 1,300 flight attendants opted to participate in the program.

In October 2013, fleet service, passenger service and storekeeper employees represented by the International Association of Machinists ratified a joint collective bargaining agreement with the Company. The Company recorded a $127 million special charge for lump sum payments made in conjunction with the ratification. The lump sum payments were not in lieu of future pay increases. The Company completed substantially all cash payments in 2013.

During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company adjusted its reserves for certain legal matters by $34 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company also recorded a $5 million gain related to a contract termination and $2 million in losses on the sale of assets.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded $18 million associated with the temporary grounding of its Boeing 787 aircraft. The charges were comprised of aircraft depreciation expense and dedicated personnel costs that the Company incurred while the aircraft were grounded. The aircraft returned to service in May 2013.

Accruals

The accrual for severance and medical costs was $70 million as of September 30, 2014, compared to $29 million as of September 30, 2013. The severance-related accrual as of September 30, 2014 is expected to be paid through 2015.

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

Overview

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UAL” or the “Company”) is a holding company and its principal, wholly-owned subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “United”). This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL and United including their respective consolidated financial statements. As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL, unless otherwise noted. United’s operating revenues and operating expenses comprise nearly 100% of UAL’s revenues and operating expenses. In addition, United comprises approximately the entire balance of UAL’s assets, liabilities and operating cash flows. When appropriate, UAL and United are named specifically for their individual contractual obligations and related disclosures and any significant differences between the operations and results of UAL and United are separately disclosed and explained. We sometimes use the words “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” in this report for disclosures that relate to all of UAL and United.

The Company transports people and cargo through its mainline operations, which utilize jet aircraft with at least 118 seats, and regional operations, which utilize smaller aircraft that are operated under contract by United Express carriers. The Company serves virtually every major market around the world, either directly or through participation in Star Alliance®, the world’s largest airline alliance. The Company operates an average of 5,100 flights a day to 374 airports across six continents.

 

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Table of Contents

Third Quarter Financial Highlights

 

   

Third quarter 2014 net income was $1.1 billion, or $2.75 diluted earnings per share, excluding $40 million of special charges and $111 million of Economic Hedge Adjustments, consisting of $95 million of mark-to-market losses recorded in Nonoperating expense from fuel hedges settling in future periods and $16 million of prior period gains recorded in Nonoperating expense on fuel contracts settled in the current period. Unadjusted third quarter 2014 net income was $924 million, or $2.37 diluted earnings per share.

 

   

Passenger revenue increased 4.4% to $9.3 billion during the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the third quarter of 2013.

 

   

Third quarter 2014 aircraft fuel cost decreased 4.1% year-over-year due mainly to a 3.2% decrease in fuel prices, combined with a 0.9% decrease in fuel consumption.

 

   

Unrestricted liquidity was $6.9 billion, including $1.35 billion of undrawn commitments under the revolving credit facility of the Company’s Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”).

 

   

On July 24, 2014, UAL announced a $1.0 billion share repurchase program, which was authorized by UAL’s Board of Directors. UAL may repurchase shares through the open market, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, or accelerated share repurchase transactions from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws. UAL will repurchase shares of common stock subject to prevailing market conditions, and may discontinue such repurchases at any time.

On July 24, 2014, pursuant to the $1.0 billion share repurchase program, UAL entered into two separate agreements to repurchase an aggregate of $200 million of shares of UAL common stock through an accelerated share repurchase program (the “ASR Program”). UAL paid $200 million and received approximately 4.4 million shares. In addition to shares purchased under the ASR Program, UAL spent $20 million on open market repurchases of 0.4 million shares of UAL common stock in September 2014. See Part II, Item 2. “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” of this report for additional information.

Third Quarter Operational Highlights

 

   

For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, United recorded a U.S. Department of Transportation on-time arrival rate of 77.4% and a system completion factor of 98.8%.

 

   

Consolidated traffic increased 0.4% and consolidated capacity increased 0.5% during the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the third quarter of 2013. The Company’s load factor for the third quarter of 2014 was 85.8%.

 

   

The Company took delivery of four Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, one Boeing 787-9 aircraft and four Embraer 175 aircraft during the third quarter of 2014.

Outlook

The Company expects full-year 2014 consolidated capacity to increase between 0.2% and 0.4% year-over-year. The Company expects full year 2014 cost per available seat mile (“CASM”) excluding profit sharing, third-party business expense, fuel and special charges to increase 1.2% to 1.6% year-over-year. We are unable to project CASM on a GAAP basis, as defined below, as the nature and amount of special charges are not determinable at this time.

United announced five new international routes including Guam to Seoul, Korea and Shanghai; Houston to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and Newark to London, Ontario, Canada. Should fuel prices increase significantly or should the U.S. or global economic growth outlook decline substantially, we would likely adjust our capacity plans to reflect the different operating environment.

Effective March 1, 2015, the Company will modify its MileagePlus program for most tickets from the current model in which members earn redeemable miles based on distance traveled to one based on ticket price (including base fare and carrier imposed surcharges). Members will be able to earn between five and eleven miles per dollar spent based on their MileagePlus status. The updated program will enhance the rewards for customers who spend more with United and give them improved mileage-earning opportunities.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion provides an analysis of results of operations and reasons for material changes therein for the three months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the corresponding period in 2013.

Third Quarter 2014 Compared to Third Quarter 2013

The Company recorded net income of $924 million in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to net income of $379 million in the third quarter of 2013. Excluding special charges and with Economic Hedge Adjustments, the Company had net income of $1.1 billion in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to net income of $541 million in the third quarter of 2013. See “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this item for additional information related to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) to Non-GAAP financial measures. We consider a key measure of our performance to be operating income, which was $1.2 billion for the third quarter of 2014, as compared to $508 million for the third quarter of 2013. Significant components of our operating results for the three months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):

 

     2014     2013     Increase
(Decrease)
    % Increase
(Decrease)
 

Operating revenue

    $ 10,563       $ 10,228       $ 335        3.3   

Operating expense

     9,372        9,720        (348     (3.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,191        508        683        134.4   

Nonoperating expense

     (271     (126     145        115.1   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (4     3        (7     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    $ 924       $ 379       $ 545        143.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

NM - Not meaningful

Certain consolidated statistical information for the Company’s operations for the three months ended September 30 is as follows:

 

     2014      2013      Increase
(Decrease)
    %  Increase
(Decrease)
 

Passengers (thousands) (a)

     36,735              36,795              (60     (0.2

Revenue passenger miles (“RPMs”) (millions) (b)

     56,065              55,863              202        0.4   

Available seat miles (“ASMs”) (millions) (c)

     65,378              65,040              338        0.5   

Passenger load factor (d)

     85.8 %         85.9 %         (0.1) pts.        N/A   

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (“PRASM”) (cents)

     14.25              13.71              0.54        3.9   

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents) (e)

     16.61              15.96              0.65        4.1   

CASM (cents)

     14.34              14.94              (0.60     (4.0

Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes

    $ 3.02             $ 3.12             $ (0.10     (3.2

Fuel gallons consumed (millions)

     1,037              1,046              (9     (0.9

Average full-time equivalent employees

     81,900              84,500              (2,600     (3.1

 

(a) The number of revenue passengers measured by each flight segment flown.

(b) The number of scheduled miles flown by revenue passengers.

(c) The number of seats available for passengers multiplied by the number of scheduled miles those seats are flown.

(d) Revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles.

(e) The average passenger revenue received for each revenue passenger mile flown.

 

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Operating Revenue

The table below shows year-over-year comparisons by type of operating revenue for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

 

      2014      2013      Increase
(Decrease)
    % Change  

Passenger—Mainline

    $ 7,414        $ 7,025        $ 389        5.5   

Passenger—Regional

     1,900         1,893         7        0.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total passenger revenue

     9,314         8,918         396        4.4   

Cargo

     237         199         38        19.1   

Other operating revenue

     1,012         1,111         (99     (8.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   
    $ 10,563        $ 10,228        $ 335        3.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

The table below presents selected passenger revenue and operating data, broken out by geographic region, expressed as third quarter year-over-year changes:

 

        Domestic           Pacific           Atlantic           Latin             Total
  Mainline     
      Regional         Consolidated    
Increase (decrease) from 2013 (a):              

Passenger revenue (in millions)

  $ 216          $ 37          $ 87          $ 49          $ 389          $ 7          $ 396       
Passenger revenue     6.5 %        2.9 %        4.9 %        7.8 %        5.5 %        0.4 %        4.4 %   

Average fare per passenger

    6.6 %        6.5 %        5.5 %        (5.8) %        4.7 %        2.5 %        4.6 %   

Yield

    7.6 %        1.8 %        5.4 %        (2.1) %        5.1 %        0.1 %        4.1 %   

PRASM

    7.9 %        0.2 %        3.6 %        0.9 %        4.8 %        1.2 %        3.9 %   

Average stage length

    0.2 %        5.3 %        0.7 %        (3.0)%        1.0 %        3.5 %        2.2 %   

Passengers

    (0.1)%        (3.4)%        (0.6)%        14.4 %        0.8 %        (2.1)%        (0.2)%   

RPMs (traffic)

    (1.1)%        1.1 %        (0.5)%        10.1 %        0.4 %        0.2 %        0.4 %   
ASMs (capacity)     (1.3)%        2.7 %        1.3 %        6.8 %        0.7 %        (0.9)%        0.5 %   

Passenger load factor (points)

    0.2            (1.3)            (1.5)            2.5            (0.3)           0.9 %        (0.1)       

(a) See Item 6 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 for the definition of these statistics.

Consolidated passenger revenue in the third quarter of 2014 increased 4.4% as compared to the year-ago period due to an increase in consolidated yield of 4.1% year-over-year and year-over-year increases in traffic and capacity of 0.4% and 0.5%, respectively.

Cargo revenue increased $38 million, or 19.1%, in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the year-ago period due to higher volumes year-over-year, as cargo traffic returned following lower bookings during the implementation of the Company’s new cargo system in the third quarter of 2013.

Other operating revenue in the third quarter of 2014 decreased $99 million, or 8.9%, as compared to the year-ago period due to the Company’s decision to discontinue sales of aircraft fuel to a third party, partially offset by an increase in ancillary revenue.

 

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Operating Expenses

The table below includes data related to the Company’s operating expenses for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

 

      2014      2013      Increase
(Decrease)
     % Change  

Aircraft fuel

    $ 3,127         $ 3,262         $ (135)         (4.1)   

Salaries and related costs

     2,344          2,209          135          6.1    

Regional capacity purchase

     597          621          (24)         (3.9)   

Landing fees and other rent

     567          540          27          5.0    

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

     435          472          (37)         (7.8)   

Depreciation and amortization

     422          435          (13)         (3.0)   

Distribution expenses

     375          377          (2)         (0.5)   

Aircraft rent

     222          231          (9)         (3.9)   

Special charges

     43          211          (168)         NM    

Other operating expenses

     1,240          1,362          (122)         (9.0)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
    $ 9,372         $ 9,720         $ (348)         (3.6)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Aircraft fuel expense decreased $135 million, or 4.1%, year-over-year primarily due to a 3.2% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel, combined with a 0.9% decrease in fuel consumption in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the year-ago period. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon in the three month period ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the year-ago period:

 

     (In millions)             Average price per gallon  
      2014      2013      %
Change
     2014      2013      %
Change
 
Total aircraft fuel purchase cost excluding fuel hedge impacts     $ 3,127         $ 3,276          (4.5)        $ 3.02         $ 3.13          (3.5)   
Hedge gains reported in fuel expense      —          14          NM          —          0.01          NM    
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

Fuel expense as reported

     3,127          3,262          (4.1)         3.02          3.12       

 

 

 

(3.2)

 

  

Cash received on settled hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting (a)              13          NM          0.01          0.01          NM    
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    
Fuel expense including all gains (losses) from settled hedges     $ 3,126         $ 3,249          (3.8)        $ 3.01         $ 3.11          (3.2)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total fuel consumption (gallons)

     1,037          1,046          (0.9)            

 

(a) Includes ineffectiveness gains (losses) on settled hedges and gains (losses) on settled hedges that were not designated for hedge accounting. Ineffectiveness gains (losses) and gains (losses) on hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net.

Salaries and related costs increased $135 million, or 6.1%, in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to higher pay rates driven by new collective bargaining agreements and higher payments under employee incentive plans due to improvements in operational performance and customer satisfaction.

Regional capacity purchase expense decreased $24 million, or 3.9%, in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to a transition from paying regional carriers for landing fees to paying airports directly. Landing fees paid directly to airports are charged to Landing fees and other rent while payments to regional carriers are recorded to Regional capacity purchase. As a result of this change, there has been a shift of expense out of Regional capacity purchase into Landing fees and other rent in the third quarter of 2014 versus the year-ago period.

Landing fees and other rent increased $27 million, or 5.0%, in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to a transition from paying regional carriers for landing fees to paying airports directly.

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs decreased $37 million, or 7.8%, in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to improved terms related to outsourced maintenance, a reduction in the volume of aircraft interior upgrades and improvements in the efficiency of the Company’s maintenance programs.

 

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Details of the Company’s special charges include the following for the three months ended September 30 (in millions):

 

     2014      2013  

Integration-related costs

    $ 28         $ 50    

Severance and benefits

             —    

Labor agreement costs

     —          127    

Losses on sale of assets and other special (gains) losses, net

             34    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Special charges

    $ 43         $ 211    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

Other operating expenses decreased $122 million, or 9.0%, in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to the Company’s decision to discontinue sales of aircraft fuel to a third party, partially offset by increases in other personnel-related expenses and purchased services.

Nonoperating Income (Expense). The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in the Company’s nonoperating income (expense) for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

 

     2014      2013      Increase
(Decrease)
     %
Change
 

Interest expense

    $ (186)        $ (195)        $ (9)         (4.6)   

Interest capitalized

     13          12                  8.3    

Interest income

                             60.0    

Miscellaneous, net

     (106)         52          (158)         NM    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

    $ (271)        $ (126)        $ 145          115.1    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

During the third quarter of 2014, Miscellaneous, net included unrealized losses of $102 million from derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting as compared to gains of $61 million in the year-ago period.

Income Taxes. Our effective tax rates are lower than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily because of the impact of changes to existing valuation allowances. We continue to provide a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets in excess of deferred tax liabilities because management has concluded that it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will ultimately not be realized. See Note 4 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

 

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First Nine Months 2014 Compared to First Nine Months 2013

UAL recorded net income of $1.1 billion in the first nine months of 2014 as compared to net income of $431 million in the first nine months of 2013. Excluding operating and nonoperating special charges and with Economic Hedge Adjustments, UAL had net income of $1.5 billion in the first nine months of 2014 as compared to net income of $791 million in the first nine months of 2013. See “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this item for additional information related to GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures. We consider a key measure of our performance to be operating income, which was $1.7 billion for the first nine months of 2014, as compared to $1.0 billion for the first nine months of 2013. Significant components of our operating results for the first nine months of 2014 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):

 

     2014     2013     Increase
(Decrease)
    % Increase
(Decrease)
 

Operating Revenue

    $ 29,588       $ 28,950       $ 638        2.2   

Operating Expense

     27,840        27,936        (96     (0.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Income

     1,748        1,014        734        72.4   

Nonoperating Expense

     (643     (587     56        9.5   

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

     1        (4     5        NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

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