Cover Page
Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Billions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Feb. 22, 2024 | Jun. 30, 2023 | |
Document Information [Line Items] | |||
Document Type | 10-K | ||
Document Annual Report | true | ||
Document Period End Date | Dec. 31, 2023 | ||
Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 | ||
Document Transition Report | false | ||
Entity File Number | 001-06033 | ||
Entity Registrant Name | United Airlines Holdings, Inc. | ||
Entity Address, Address Line One | 233 South Wacker Drive, | ||
Entity Address, City or Town | Chicago, | ||
Entity Address, State or Province | IL | ||
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 60606 | ||
City Area Code | (872) | ||
Local Phone Number | 825-4000 | ||
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE | ||
Entity Tax Identification Number | 36-2675207 | ||
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer | Yes | ||
Entity Voluntary Filers | No | ||
Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes | ||
Entity Interactive Data Current | Yes | ||
Entity Filer Category | Large Accelerated Filer | ||
Entity Small Business | false | ||
Entity Emerging Growth Company | false | ||
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag | true | ||
Document Financial Statement Error Correction [Flag] | false | ||
Entity Shell Company | false | ||
Entity Public Float | $ 17.9 | ||
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 328,025,881 | ||
Documents Incorporated by Reference | Certain information required by Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 of Part III of this Form 10-K is incorporated by reference for United Airlines Holdings, Inc. from its definitive proxy statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. | ||
Document Fiscal Period Focus | FY | ||
Amendment Flag | false | ||
Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2023 | ||
Entity Central Index Key | 0000100517 | ||
Common Stock | |||
Document Information [Line Items] | |||
Title of 12(b) Security | Common Stock, $0.01 par value | ||
Trading Symbol | UAL | ||
Security Exchange Name | NASDAQ | ||
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights | |||
Document Information [Line Items] | |||
Title of 12(b) Security | Preferred Stock Purchase Rights | ||
United Airlines, Inc. | |||
Document Information [Line Items] | |||
Entity File Number | 001-10323 | ||
Entity Registrant Name | United Airlines, Inc. | ||
Entity Address, Address Line One | 233 South Wacker Drive, | ||
Entity Address, City or Town | Chicago, | ||
Entity Address, State or Province | IL | ||
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 60606 | ||
City Area Code | (872) | ||
Local Phone Number | 825-4000 | ||
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | DE | ||
Entity Tax Identification Number | 74-2099724 | ||
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer | Yes | ||
Entity Voluntary Filers | No | ||
Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes | ||
Entity Interactive Data Current | Yes | ||
Entity Filer Category | Non-accelerated Filer | ||
Entity Small Business | false | ||
Entity Emerging Growth Company | false | ||
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag | false | ||
Document Financial Statement Error Correction [Flag] | false | ||
Entity Shell Company | false | ||
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 1,000 | ||
Entity Central Index Key | 0000319687 |
Audit Information
Audit Information | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Audit Information [Abstract] | |
Auditor Name | Ernst & Young LLP |
Auditor Location | Chicago, Illinois |
Auditor Firm ID | 42 |
Statements of Consolidated Oper
Statements of Consolidated Operations (UAH) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Operating revenue: | |||
Total operating revenue | $ 53,717 | $ 44,955 | $ 24,634 |
Operating expense: | |||
Salaries and related costs | 14,787 | 11,466 | 9,566 |
Aircraft fuel | 12,651 | 13,113 | 5,755 |
Landing fees and other rent | 3,076 | 2,576 | 2,416 |
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs | 2,736 | 2,153 | 1,316 |
Depreciation and amortization | 2,671 | 2,456 | 2,485 |
Regional capacity purchase | 2,400 | 2,299 | 2,147 |
Distribution expenses | 1,977 | 1,535 | 677 |
Aircraft rent | 197 | 252 | 228 |
Special charges | 949 | 140 | (3,367) |
Other operating expenses | 8,062 | 6,628 | 4,433 |
Total operating expense | 49,506 | 42,618 | 25,656 |
Operating income (loss) | 4,211 | 2,337 | (1,022) |
Nonoperating income (expense): | |||
Interest expense | (1,956) | (1,778) | (1,657) |
Interest income | 827 | 298 | 36 |
Interest capitalized | 182 | 105 | 80 |
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net | 27 | 20 | (34) |
Miscellaneous, net | 96 | 8 | 40 |
Total nonoperating expense, net | (824) | (1,347) | (1,535) |
Income (loss) before income taxes | 3,387 | 990 | (2,557) |
Income tax expense (benefit) | 769 | 253 | (593) |
Net income (loss) | $ 2,618 | $ 737 | $ (1,964) |
Earnings (loss) per share, basic (in dollars per share) | $ 7.98 | $ 2.26 | $ (6.10) |
Earnings (loss) per share, diluted (in dollars per share) | $ 7.89 | $ 2.23 | $ (6.10) |
Passenger revenue | |||
Operating revenue: | |||
Total operating revenue | $ 49,046 | $ 40,032 | $ 20,197 |
Cargo | |||
Operating revenue: | |||
Total operating revenue | 1,495 | 2,171 | 2,349 |
Other operating revenue | |||
Operating revenue: | |||
Total operating revenue | $ 3,176 | $ 2,752 | $ 2,088 |
Statements of Consolidated Comp
Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) (UAH) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] | |||
Net income (loss) | $ 2,618 | $ 737 | $ (1,964) |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | |||
Employee benefit plans | (261) | 1,145 | 199 |
Investments and other | 24 | (28) | (2) |
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (237) | 1,117 | 197 |
Total comprehensive income (loss), net | $ 2,381 | $ 1,854 | $ (1,767) |
Consolidated Balance Sheets (UA
Consolidated Balance Sheets (UAH) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Current assets: | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 6,058 | $ 7,166 |
Short-term investments | 8,330 | 9,248 |
Restricted cash | 31 | 45 |
Receivables, less allowance for credit losses (2023—$18; 2022—$11) | 1,898 | 1,801 |
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2023—$689; 2022—$610) | 1,561 | 1,109 |
Prepaid expenses and other | 609 | 689 |
Total current assets | 18,487 | 20,058 |
Operating property and equipment: | ||
Flight equipment | 48,448 | 42,775 |
Other property and equipment | 10,527 | 9,334 |
Purchase deposits for flight equipment | 3,550 | 2,820 |
Total operating property and equipment | 62,525 | 54,929 |
Less—Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (22,710) | (20,481) |
Total operating property and equipment, net | 39,815 | 34,448 |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 3,914 | 3,889 |
Other assets: | ||
Goodwill | 4,527 | 4,527 |
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2023—$1,495; 2022—$1,472) | 2,725 | 2,762 |
Restricted cash | 245 | 210 |
Deferred income taxes | 0 | 91 |
Investments in affiliates and other, less allowance for credit losses (2023—$38; 2022—$21) | 1,391 | 1,373 |
Total other assets | 8,888 | 8,963 |
Total assets | 71,104 | 67,358 |
Current liabilities: | ||
Accounts payable | 3,835 | 3,395 |
Accrued salaries and benefits | 2,940 | 1,971 |
Advance ticket sales | 6,704 | 7,555 |
Frequent flyer deferred revenue | 3,095 | 2,693 |
Current maturities of long-term debt | 4,018 | 2,911 |
Current maturities of other financial liabilities | 57 | 23 |
Current maturities of operating leases | 576 | 561 |
Current maturities of finance leases | 172 | 104 |
Other | 806 | 779 |
Total current liabilities | 22,203 | 19,992 |
Long-term debt | 25,057 | 28,283 |
Long-term obligations under operating leases | 4,503 | 4,459 |
Long-term obligations under finance leases | 91 | 115 |
Other liabilities and deferred credits: | ||
Frequent flyer deferred revenue | 4,048 | 3,982 |
Pension liability | 968 | 747 |
Postretirement benefit liability | 637 | 671 |
Deferred income taxes | 594 | 0 |
Other financial liabilities | 2,265 | 844 |
Other | 1,414 | 1,369 |
Total other liabilities and deferred credits | 9,926 | 7,613 |
Commitments and contingencies | ||
Stockholders' equity: | ||
Preferred stock | 0 | 0 |
Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; outstanding 328,018,739 and 326,930,321 shares at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively | 4 | 4 |
Additional capital invested | 8,992 | 8,986 |
Stock held in treasury, at cost | (3,441) | (3,534) |
Retained earnings | 3,831 | 1,265 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | (62) | 175 |
Total stockholders' equity | 9,324 | 6,896 |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 71,104 | $ 67,358 |
Consolidated Balance Sheets (_2
Consolidated Balance Sheets (UAH) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] | ||
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts | $ 18 | $ 11 |
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, obsolescence allowance | 689 | 610 |
Intangibles, accumulated amortization | 1,495 | 1,472 |
Allowance for credit losses on notes receivable | $ 38 | $ 21 |
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |
Common shares, authorized (in shares) | 1,000,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 |
Common shares, outstanding (in shares) | 328,018,739 | 326,930,321 |
Statements of Consolidated Cash
Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (UAH) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Operating Activities: | |||
Net income (loss) | $ 2,618 | $ 737 | $ (1,964) |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - | |||
Deferred income tax (benefit) | 756 | 248 | (583) |
Depreciation and amortization | 2,671 | 2,456 | 2,485 |
Operating and non-operating special charges, non-cash portion | 84 | 16 | 32 |
Unrealized (gains) losses on investments | (27) | (20) | 34 |
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs | 139 | 156 | 171 |
Other operating activities | 6 | 218 | 222 |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities - | |||
Increase in receivables | (100) | (158) | (448) |
Increase in prepaids and other assets | (463) | (86) | (292) |
Increase (decrease) in advance ticket sales | (851) | 1,200 | 1,521 |
Increase in frequent flyer deferred revenue | 468 | 393 | 307 |
Increase in accounts payable | 572 | 796 | 985 |
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities | 1,038 | 110 | (403) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 6,911 | 6,066 | 2,067 |
Investing Activities: | |||
Capital expenditures, net of flight equipment purchase deposit returns | (7,171) | (4,819) | (2,107) |
Purchases of short-term and other investments | (9,470) | (11,232) | (68) |
Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments | 10,519 | 2,084 | 397 |
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 39 | 207 | 107 |
Other, net | (23) | (69) | (1) |
Net cash used in investing activities | (6,106) | (13,829) | (1,672) |
Financing Activities: | |||
Proceeds from issuance of debt and other financial liabilities, net of discounts and fees | 2,388 | 736 | 11,096 |
Payments of long-term debt, finance leases and other financial liabilities | (4,248) | (4,011) | (5,205) |
Proceeds from equity issuance | 0 | 0 | 532 |
Other, net | (32) | (74) | (27) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (1,892) | (3,349) | 6,396 |
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (1,087) | (11,112) | 6,791 |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year | 7,421 | 18,533 | 11,742 |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year | 6,334 | 7,421 | 18,533 |
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash: | |||
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt, finance leases and other | 777 | 19 | 814 |
Right-of-use assets acquired through operating leases | 552 | 137 | 771 |
Lease modifications and lease conversions | 546 | (84) | 123 |
Investment interests received in exchange for goods and services | 33 | 103 | 295 |
Cash Paid During the Period for: | |||
Interest | 1,848 | 1,573 | 1,424 |
Income taxes | $ 7 | $ 8 | $ 0 |
Statements of Consolidated Stoc
Statements of Consolidated Stockholders' Equity (UAH) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Total | Common Stock | Additional Capital Invested | Treasury Stock | Retained Earnings | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020 | 311,800,000 | |||||
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020 | $ 5,960 | $ 4 | $ 8,366 | $ (3,897) | $ 2,626 | $ (1,139) |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | ||||||
Net income (loss) | (1,964) | (1,964) | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 197 | 197 | ||||
Stock-settled share-based compensation | 232 | 232 | ||||
Warrants issued | 99 | 99 | ||||
Issuance of common stock (in shares) | 11,000,000 | |||||
Issuance of common stock | 532 | 532 | ||||
Stock issued for share-based awards, net of shares withheld for tax (in shares) | 1,000,000 | |||||
Stock issued for share-based awards, net of shares withheld for tax | (27) | (73) | 83 | (37) | ||
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021 | 323,800,000 | |||||
Balance at Dec. 31, 2021 | 5,029 | $ 4 | 9,156 | (3,814) | 625 | (942) |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | ||||||
Net income (loss) | 737 | 737 | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 1,117 | 1,117 | ||||
Stock-settled share-based compensation | 86 | 86 | ||||
Stock issued for share-based awards, net of shares withheld for tax (in shares) | 3,100,000 | |||||
Stock issued for share-based awards, net of shares withheld for tax | $ (73) | (256) | 280 | (97) | ||
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2022 | 326,930,321 | 326,900,000 | ||||
Balance at Dec. 31, 2022 | $ 6,896 | $ 4 | 8,986 | (3,534) | 1,265 | 175 |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | ||||||
Net income (loss) | 2,618 | 2,618 | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (237) | (237) | ||||
Stock-settled share-based compensation | 77 | 77 | ||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 1 | 1 | ||||
Stock issued for share-based awards, net of shares withheld for tax (in shares) | 1,100,000 | |||||
Stock issued for share-based awards, net of shares withheld for tax | $ (31) | (72) | 93 | (52) | ||
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2023 | 328,018,739 | 328,000,000 | ||||
Balance at Dec. 31, 2023 | $ 9,324 | $ 4 | $ 8,992 | $ (3,441) | $ 3,831 | $ (62) |
Statements of Consolidated Op_2
Statements of Consolidated Operations (UA) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Operating revenue: | |||
Total operating revenue | $ 53,717 | $ 44,955 | $ 24,634 |
Operating expense: | |||
Salaries and related costs | 14,787 | 11,466 | 9,566 |
Aircraft fuel | 12,651 | 13,113 | 5,755 |
Landing fees and other rent | 3,076 | 2,576 | 2,416 |
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs | 2,736 | 2,153 | 1,316 |
Depreciation and amortization | 2,671 | 2,456 | 2,485 |
Regional capacity purchase | 2,400 | 2,299 | 2,147 |
Distribution expenses | 1,977 | 1,535 | 677 |
Aircraft rent | 197 | 252 | 228 |
Special charges | 949 | 140 | (3,367) |
Other operating expenses | 8,062 | 6,628 | 4,433 |
Total operating expense | 49,506 | 42,618 | 25,656 |
Operating income (loss) | 4,211 | 2,337 | (1,022) |
Nonoperating income (expense): | |||
Interest expense | (1,956) | (1,778) | (1,657) |
Interest income | 827 | 298 | 36 |
Interest capitalized | 182 | 105 | 80 |
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net | 27 | 20 | (34) |
Miscellaneous, net | 96 | 8 | 40 |
Total nonoperating expense, net | (824) | (1,347) | (1,535) |
Income (loss) before income taxes | 3,387 | 990 | (2,557) |
Income tax expense (benefit) | 769 | 253 | (593) |
Net income (loss) | 2,618 | 737 | (1,964) |
United Airlines, Inc. | |||
Operating revenue: | |||
Total operating revenue | 53,717 | 44,955 | 24,634 |
Operating expense: | |||
Salaries and related costs | 14,787 | 11,466 | 9,566 |
Aircraft fuel | 12,651 | 13,113 | 5,755 |
Landing fees and other rent | 3,076 | 2,576 | 2,416 |
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs | 2,736 | 2,153 | 1,316 |
Depreciation and amortization | 2,671 | 2,456 | 2,485 |
Regional capacity purchase | 2,400 | 2,299 | 2,147 |
Distribution expenses | 1,977 | 1,535 | 677 |
Aircraft rent | 197 | 252 | 228 |
Special charges | 949 | 140 | (3,367) |
Other operating expenses | 8,059 | 6,626 | 4,431 |
Total operating expense | 49,503 | 42,616 | 25,654 |
Operating income (loss) | 4,214 | 2,339 | (1,020) |
Nonoperating income (expense): | |||
Interest expense | (1,956) | (1,778) | (1,657) |
Interest income | 827 | 298 | 36 |
Interest capitalized | 182 | 105 | 80 |
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net | 27 | 20 | (34) |
Miscellaneous, net | 96 | 8 | 40 |
Total nonoperating expense, net | (824) | (1,347) | (1,535) |
Income (loss) before income taxes | 3,390 | 992 | (2,555) |
Income tax expense (benefit) | 770 | 253 | (593) |
Net income (loss) | 2,620 | 739 | (1,962) |
Passenger revenue | |||
Operating revenue: | |||
Total operating revenue | 49,046 | 40,032 | 20,197 |
Passenger revenue | United Airlines, Inc. | |||
Operating revenue: | |||
Total operating revenue | 49,046 | 40,032 | 20,197 |
Cargo | |||
Operating revenue: | |||
Total operating revenue | 1,495 | 2,171 | 2,349 |
Cargo | United Airlines, Inc. | |||
Operating revenue: | |||
Total operating revenue | 1,495 | 2,171 | 2,349 |
Other operating revenue | |||
Operating revenue: | |||
Total operating revenue | 3,176 | 2,752 | 2,088 |
Other operating revenue | United Airlines, Inc. | |||
Operating revenue: | |||
Total operating revenue | $ 3,176 | $ 2,752 | $ 2,088 |
Statements of Consolidated Co_2
Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) (UA) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Net income (loss) | $ 2,618 | $ 737 | $ (1,964) |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | |||
Employee benefit plans | (261) | 1,145 | 199 |
Investments and other | 24 | (28) | (2) |
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (237) | 1,117 | 197 |
Total comprehensive income (loss), net | 2,381 | 1,854 | (1,767) |
United Airlines, Inc. | |||
Net income (loss) | 2,620 | 739 | (1,962) |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | |||
Employee benefit plans | (261) | 1,145 | 199 |
Investments and other | 24 | (28) | (2) |
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | (237) | 1,117 | 197 |
Total comprehensive income (loss), net | $ 2,383 | $ 1,856 | $ (1,765) |
Consolidated Balance Sheets (_3
Consolidated Balance Sheets (UA) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Current assets: | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 6,058 | $ 7,166 |
Short-term investments | 8,330 | 9,248 |
Restricted cash | 31 | 45 |
Receivables, less allowance for credit losses (2023—$18; 2022—$11) | 1,898 | 1,801 |
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2023—$689; 2022—$610) | 1,561 | 1,109 |
Prepaid expenses and other | 609 | 689 |
Total current assets | 18,487 | 20,058 |
Operating property and equipment: | ||
Flight equipment | 48,448 | 42,775 |
Other property and equipment | 10,527 | 9,334 |
Purchase deposits for flight equipment | 3,550 | 2,820 |
Total operating property and equipment | 62,525 | 54,929 |
Less—Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (22,710) | (20,481) |
Total operating property and equipment, net | 39,815 | 34,448 |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 3,914 | 3,889 |
Other assets: | ||
Goodwill | 4,527 | 4,527 |
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2023—$1,495; 2022—$1,472) | 2,725 | 2,762 |
Restricted cash | 245 | 210 |
Deferred income taxes | 0 | 91 |
Investments in affiliates and other, less allowance for credit losses (2023—$38; 2022—$21) | 1,391 | 1,373 |
Total other assets | 8,888 | 8,963 |
Total assets | 71,104 | 67,358 |
Current liabilities: | ||
Accounts payable | 3,835 | 3,395 |
Accrued salaries and benefits | 2,940 | 1,971 |
Advance ticket sales | 6,704 | 7,555 |
Frequent flyer deferred revenue | 3,095 | 2,693 |
Current maturities of long-term debt | 4,018 | 2,911 |
Current maturities of other financial liabilities | 57 | 23 |
Current maturities of operating leases | 576 | 561 |
Current maturities of finance leases | 172 | 104 |
Other | 806 | 779 |
Total current liabilities | 22,203 | 19,992 |
Long-term debt | 25,057 | 28,283 |
Long-term obligations under operating leases | 4,503 | 4,459 |
Long-term obligations under finance leases | 91 | 115 |
Other liabilities and deferred credits: | ||
Frequent flyer deferred revenue | 4,048 | 3,982 |
Pension liability | 968 | 747 |
Postretirement benefit liability | 637 | 671 |
Deferred income taxes | 594 | 0 |
Other financial liabilities | 2,265 | 844 |
Other | 1,414 | 1,369 |
Total other liabilities and deferred credits | 9,926 | 7,613 |
Commitments and contingencies | ||
Stockholders' equity: | ||
Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,000 shares at December 31, 2023 and 2022 | 4 | 4 |
Additional capital invested | 8,992 | 8,986 |
Retained earnings | 3,831 | 1,265 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | (62) | 175 |
Total stockholders' equity | 9,324 | 6,896 |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | 71,104 | 67,358 |
United Airlines, Inc. | ||
Current assets: | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 6,058 | 7,166 |
Short-term investments | 8,330 | 9,248 |
Restricted cash | 31 | 45 |
Receivables, less allowance for credit losses (2023—$18; 2022—$11) | 1,898 | 1,801 |
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2023—$689; 2022—$610) | 1,561 | 1,109 |
Prepaid expenses and other | 609 | 689 |
Total current assets | 18,487 | 20,058 |
Operating property and equipment: | ||
Flight equipment | 48,448 | 42,775 |
Other property and equipment | 10,527 | 9,334 |
Purchase deposits for flight equipment | 3,550 | 2,820 |
Total operating property and equipment | 62,525 | 54,929 |
Less—Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (22,710) | (20,481) |
Total operating property and equipment, net | 39,815 | 34,448 |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 3,914 | 3,889 |
Other assets: | ||
Goodwill | 4,527 | 4,527 |
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2023—$1,495; 2022—$1,472) | 2,725 | 2,762 |
Restricted cash | 245 | 210 |
Deferred income taxes | 0 | 62 |
Investments in affiliates and other, less allowance for credit losses (2023—$38; 2022—$21) | 1,391 | 1,373 |
Total other assets | 8,888 | 8,934 |
Total assets | 71,104 | 67,329 |
Current liabilities: | ||
Accounts payable | 3,835 | 3,395 |
Accrued salaries and benefits | 2,940 | 1,971 |
Advance ticket sales | 6,704 | 7,555 |
Frequent flyer deferred revenue | 3,095 | 2,693 |
Current maturities of long-term debt | 4,018 | 2,911 |
Current maturities of other financial liabilities | 57 | 23 |
Current maturities of operating leases | 576 | 561 |
Current maturities of finance leases | 172 | 104 |
Other | 808 | 781 |
Total current liabilities | 22,205 | 19,994 |
Long-term debt | 25,057 | 28,283 |
Long-term obligations under operating leases | 4,503 | 4,459 |
Long-term obligations under finance leases | 91 | 115 |
Other liabilities and deferred credits: | ||
Frequent flyer deferred revenue | 4,048 | 3,982 |
Pension liability | 968 | 747 |
Postretirement benefit liability | 637 | 671 |
Deferred income taxes | 622 | 0 |
Other financial liabilities | 2,265 | 844 |
Other | 1,414 | 1,369 |
Total other liabilities and deferred credits | 9,954 | 7,613 |
Commitments and contingencies | ||
Stockholders' equity: | ||
Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,000 shares at December 31, 2023 and 2022 | 0 | 0 |
Additional capital invested | 482 | 403 |
Retained earnings | 6,336 | 3,716 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | (62) | 175 |
Payable to parent | 2,538 | 2,571 |
Total stockholders' equity | 9,294 | 6,865 |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ 71,104 | $ 67,329 |
Consolidated Balance Sheets (_4
Consolidated Balance Sheets (UA) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts | $ 18 | $ 11 |
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, obsolescence allowance | 689 | 610 |
Intangibles, accumulated amortization | 1,495 | 1,472 |
Allowance for credit losses on notes receivable | $ 38 | $ 21 |
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |
Common shares, authorized (in shares) | 1,000,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 |
Common shares, outstanding (in shares) | 328,018,739 | 326,930,321 |
United Airlines, Inc. | ||
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts | $ 18 | $ 11 |
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, obsolescence allowance | 689 | 610 |
Intangibles, accumulated amortization | 1,495 | 1,472 |
Allowance for credit losses on notes receivable | $ 38 | $ 21 |
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |
Common shares, authorized (in shares) | 1,000 | 1,000 |
Common shares, issued (in shares) | 1,000 | 1,000 |
Common shares, outstanding (in shares) | 1,000 | 1,000 |
Statements of Consolidated Ca_2
Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (UA) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Operating Activities: | |||
Net income (loss) | $ 2,618 | $ 737 | $ (1,964) |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - | |||
Deferred income tax (benefit) | 756 | 248 | (583) |
Depreciation and amortization | 2,671 | 2,456 | 2,485 |
Operating and non-operating special charges, non-cash portion | 84 | 16 | 32 |
Unrealized (gains) losses on investments | (27) | (20) | 34 |
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs | 139 | 156 | 171 |
Other operating activities | 6 | 218 | 222 |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities - | |||
Increase in receivables | (100) | (158) | (448) |
Increase in prepaids and other assets | (463) | (86) | (292) |
Increase (decrease) in advance ticket sales | (851) | 1,200 | 1,521 |
Increase in frequent flyer deferred revenue | 468 | 393 | 307 |
Increase in accounts payable | 572 | 796 | 985 |
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities | 1,038 | 110 | (403) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 6,911 | 6,066 | 2,067 |
Investing Activities: | |||
Capital expenditures, net of flight equipment purchase deposit returns | (7,171) | (4,819) | (2,107) |
Purchases of short-term and other investments | (9,470) | (11,232) | (68) |
Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments | 10,519 | 2,084 | 397 |
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 39 | 207 | 107 |
Other, net | (23) | (69) | (1) |
Net cash used in investing activities | (6,106) | (13,829) | (1,672) |
Financing Activities: | |||
Proceeds from issuance of debt and other financial liabilities, net of discounts and fees | 2,388 | 736 | 11,096 |
Payments of long-term debt, finance leases and other financial liabilities | (4,248) | (4,011) | (5,205) |
Proceeds from issuance of parent company stock | 0 | 0 | 532 |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (1,892) | (3,349) | 6,396 |
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (1,087) | (11,112) | 6,791 |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year | 7,421 | 18,533 | 11,742 |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year | 6,334 | 7,421 | 18,533 |
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash: | |||
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt, finance leases and other | 777 | 19 | 814 |
Right-of-use assets acquired through operating leases | 552 | 137 | 771 |
Lease modifications and lease conversions | 546 | (84) | 123 |
Investment interests received in exchange for goods and services | 33 | 103 | 295 |
Cash Paid During the Period for: | |||
Interest | 1,848 | 1,573 | 1,424 |
Income taxes | 7 | 8 | 0 |
United Airlines, Inc. | |||
Operating Activities: | |||
Net income (loss) | 2,620 | 739 | (1,962) |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - | |||
Deferred income tax (benefit) | 757 | 248 | (583) |
Depreciation and amortization | 2,671 | 2,456 | 2,485 |
Operating and non-operating special charges, non-cash portion | 84 | 16 | 32 |
Unrealized (gains) losses on investments | (27) | (20) | 34 |
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs | 139 | 156 | 171 |
Other operating activities | 7 | 218 | 222 |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities - | |||
Increase in receivables | (100) | (158) | (448) |
Increase in intercompany receivables | (33) | (76) | (28) |
Increase in prepaids and other assets | (463) | (86) | (293) |
Increase (decrease) in advance ticket sales | (851) | 1,200 | 1,521 |
Increase in frequent flyer deferred revenue | 468 | 393 | 307 |
Increase in accounts payable | 572 | 796 | 985 |
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities | 1,035 | 110 | (403) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 6,879 | 5,992 | 2,040 |
Investing Activities: | |||
Capital expenditures, net of flight equipment purchase deposit returns | (7,171) | (4,819) | (2,107) |
Purchases of short-term and other investments | (9,470) | (11,232) | (68) |
Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments | 10,519 | 2,084 | 397 |
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 39 | 207 | 107 |
Other, net | (23) | (69) | (1) |
Net cash used in investing activities | (6,106) | (13,829) | (1,672) |
Financing Activities: | |||
Proceeds from issuance of debt and other financial liabilities, net of discounts and fees | 2,388 | 736 | 11,096 |
Payments of long-term debt, finance leases and other financial liabilities | (4,248) | (4,011) | (5,205) |
Proceeds from issuance of parent company stock | 0 | 0 | 532 |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (1,860) | (3,275) | 6,423 |
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (1,087) | (11,112) | 6,791 |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year | 7,421 | 18,533 | 11,742 |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year | 6,334 | 7,421 | 18,533 |
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash: | |||
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt, finance leases and other | 777 | 19 | 814 |
Right-of-use assets acquired through operating leases | 552 | 137 | 771 |
Lease modifications and lease conversions | 546 | (84) | 123 |
Investment interests received in exchange for goods and services | 33 | 103 | 295 |
Cash Paid During the Period for: | |||
Interest | 1,848 | 1,573 | 1,424 |
Income taxes | $ 7 | $ 8 | $ 0 |
Statements of Consolidated St_2
Statements of Consolidated Stockholders' Equity (UA) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Total | United Airlines, Inc. | Additional Capital Invested | Additional Capital Invested United Airlines, Inc. | Retained Earnings | Retained Earnings United Airlines, Inc. | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) United Airlines, Inc. | (Receivable from) Payable to Related Parties, Net United Airlines, Inc. |
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020 | $ 5,960 | $ 5,928 | $ 8,366 | $ 85 | $ 2,626 | $ 4,939 | $ (1,139) | $ (1,139) | $ 2,043 |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | |||||||||
Net income (loss) | (1,964) | (1,962) | (1,964) | (1,962) | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 197 | 197 | 197 | 197 | |||||
Stock-settled share-based compensation | 232 | 232 | 232 | 232 | |||||
Impact of UAL common stock issuance | 532 | 532 | 532 | 532 | |||||
Other | 71 | 71 | |||||||
Balance at Dec. 31, 2021 | 5,029 | 4,998 | 9,156 | 317 | 625 | 2,977 | (942) | (942) | 2,646 |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | |||||||||
Net income (loss) | 737 | 739 | 737 | 739 | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 1,117 | 1,117 | 1,117 | 1,117 | |||||
Stock-settled share-based compensation | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | |||||
Other | (75) | (75) | |||||||
Balance at Dec. 31, 2022 | 6,896 | 6,865 | 8,986 | 403 | 1,265 | 3,716 | 175 | 175 | 2,571 |
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] | |||||||||
Net income (loss) | 2,618 | 2,620 | 2,618 | 2,620 | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (237) | (237) | (237) | (237) | |||||
Stock-settled share-based compensation | 77 | 77 | 77 | 77 | |||||
Other | (31) | 2 | (33) | ||||||
Balance at Dec. 31, 2023 | $ 9,324 | $ 9,294 | $ 8,992 | $ 482 | $ 3,831 | $ 6,336 | $ (62) | $ (62) | $ 2,538 |
Overview
Overview | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both [Abstract] | |
Overview | Overview United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "UAL" or the "Company") is a holding company and its wholly-owned subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "United"). 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. |
Significant Accounting Policies
Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (a) Use of Estimates— The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. (b) Revenue Recognitio n— Passenger revenue is recognized when transportation is provided and Cargo revenue is recognized when shipments arrive at their destination. Other operating revenue is recognized as the related performance obligations are satisfied. Passenger tickets and related ancillary services sold by the Company for flights are purchased primarily via credit card transactions, with payments collected by the Company in advance of the performance of related services. The Company initially records ticket sales in its Advance ticket sales liability, deferring revenue recognition until the travel occurs. For travel that has more than one flight segment, the Company deems each segment as a separate performance obligation and recognizes revenue for each segment as travel occurs. Tickets sold by other airlines where the Company provides the transportation are recognized as passenger revenue at the estimated value to be billed to the other airline when travel is provided. Differences between amounts billed and the actual amounts may be rejected and rebilled or written off if the amount recorded was different from the original estimate. When necessary, the Company records a reserve against its billings and payables with other airlines based on historical experience. The Company sells certain tickets with connecting flights with one or more segments operated by its other airline partners. For segments operated by its other airline partners, the Company has determined that it is acting as an agent on behalf of the other airlines as they are responsible for their portion of the contract (i.e. transportation of the passenger). The Company, as the agent, recognizes revenue within Other operating revenue at the time of the travel for the net amount representing commission to be retained by the Company for any segments flown by other airlines. Refundable tickets expire after one year from the date of issuance. Non-refundable tickets generally expire on the date of the intended travel, unless the date is extended by notification from the customer on or before the intended travel date. United initially capitalizes the costs of selling airline travel tickets and then recognizes those costs as Distribution expense at the time of travel. Costs to sell a ticket include credit card fees, travel agency and other commissions paid, as well as global distribution systems booking fees. Advance Ticket Sales. Advance ticket sales represent the Company's liability to provide air transportation in the future. All tickets sold at any given point in time have travel dates through the next 12 months. The Company defers amounts related to future travel in its Advance ticket sales liability account. The Company estimates the value of Advance ticket sales that will expire unused ("breakage") and recognizes revenue and any changes in estimates in proportion to the usage of the related tickets. To determine breakage, the Company uses its historical experience with expired tickets and certificates and other facts, such as recent aging trends, program changes and modifications that could affect the ultimate expiration patterns. In the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized approximately $5.7 billion, $3.3 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively, of passenger revenue for tickets that were included in Advance ticket sales at the beginning of those periods. Revenue by Geography. The Company further disaggregates revenue by geographic regions. The Company deploys its aircraft across its route network through a single route scheduling system to maximize its value. When making resource allocation decisions, the Company's chief operating decision maker evaluates flight profitability data, which considers aircraft type and route economics. The Company's chief operating decision maker makes resource allocation decisions to maximize the Company's consolidated financial results. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise with separate financial information, which are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker and are used in resource allocation and performance assessments. Managing the Company as one segment allows management the opportunity to maximize the value of its route network. The Company's operating revenue by principal geographic region (as defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation) for the years ended December 31 is presented in the table below (in millions): 2023 2022 2021 Domestic (U.S. and Canada) $ 32,400 $ 28,474 $ 16,845 Atlantic 10,982 9,072 3,414 Pacific 5,267 2,927 1,507 Latin America 5,068 4,482 2,868 Total $ 53,717 $ 44,955 $ 24,634 The Company attributes revenue among the geographic areas based upon the origin and destination of each flight segment. The Company's operations involve an insignificant level of revenue-producing assets in geographic regions as the overwhelming majority of the Company's revenue-producing assets (primarily U.S. registered aircraft) can be deployed in any of its geographic regions. Ancillary Fees. The Company charges fees, separately from ticket sales, for certain ancillary services that are directly related to passengers' travel, such as baggage fees, premium seat fees, inflight amenity fees, and other ticket-related fees. These ancillary fees are part of the travel performance obligation and, as such, are recognized as passenger revenue when the travel occurs. The Company recorded $4.1 billion, $3.4 billion and $2.2 billion of ancillary fees within passenger revenue in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. (c) Ticket Taxes— Certain governmental taxes are imposed on the Company's ticket sales through a fee included in ticket prices. The Company collects these fees and remits them to the appropriate government agency. These fees are recorded on a net basis and, as a result, are excluded from revenue. (d) Frequent Flyer Accounting— United's MileagePlus loyalty program builds customer loyalty by offering awards, benefits and services to program participants. Members in this program earn miles for travel on United, United Express, Star Alliance members and certain other airlines that participate in the program. Members can also earn miles by purchasing goods and services from our network of non-airline partners. We have contracts to sell miles to these partners with the terms extending from one Miles Earned in Conjunction with Travel. When frequent flyers earn miles for flights, the Company recognizes a portion of the ticket sales as revenue when the travel occurs and defers a portion of the ticket sale representing the value of the related miles as a separate performance obligation. The Company determines the estimated selling price of travel and miles as if each element is sold on a separate basis. The total consideration from each ticket sale is then allocated to each of these elements, individually, on a pro-rata basis. At the time of travel, the Company records the portion allocated to the miles to Frequent flyer deferred revenue on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and subsequently recognizes it into revenue when miles are redeemed for air travel and non-air travel awards. Estimated Selling Price of Miles . The Company's estimated selling price of miles is based on an equivalent ticket value, which incorporates the expected redemption of miles, as the best estimate of selling price for these miles. The equivalent ticket value 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 breakage that considers a number of factors, including redemption patterns of various customer groups. Estimate of Miles Not Expected to be Redeemed ("Breakage") . The Company's breakage model is based on the assumption that the likelihood that an account will redeem its miles can be estimated based on a consideration of the account's historical behavior. The Company uses a logit regression model to estimate the probability that an account will redeem its current miles balance. The Company reviews its breakage estimates annually based upon the latest available information. The Company's estimate of the expected breakage of miles requires management judgment and current and future changes to breakage assumptions, or to program rules and program redemption opportunities, may result in material changes to the deferred revenue balance as well as recognized revenues from the program. For the portion of the outstanding miles that we estimate will not be redeemed, we recognize the associated value proportionally as the remaining miles are redeemed. Co-Brand Agreement . United has a contract (the "Co-Brand Agreement") to sell MileagePlus miles to its co-branded credit card partner JPMorgan Chase Bank USA, N.A. ("Chase"). Chase awards miles to MileagePlus members based on their credit card activity. United identified the following significant separately identifiable performance obligations in the Co-Brand Agreement: • MileagePlus miles awarded – United has a performance obligation to provide MileagePlus cardholders with miles to be used for air travel and non-travel award redemptions. The Company records Passenger revenue related to the travel awards when the transportation is provided and records Other revenue related to the non-travel awards when the goods or services are delivered. The Company records the cost associated with non-travel awards in Other operating revenue, as an agent. • Marketing – United has a performance obligation to provide Chase access to United's customer list and the use of United's brand. Marketing revenue is recorded to Other operating revenue as miles are delivered to Chase. • Advertising – United has a performance obligation to provide advertising in support of the MileagePlus card in various customer contact points such as United's website, email promotions, direct mail campaigns, airport advertising and in-flight advertising. Advertising revenue is recorded to Other operating revenue as miles are delivered to Chase. • Other travel-related benefits – United's performance obligations are comprised of various items such as waived bag fees, seat upgrades and lounge passes. Lounge passes are recorded to Other operating revenue as customers use the lounge passes. Bag fees and seat upgrades are recorded to Passenger revenue at the time of the associated travel. We account for all the payments received under the Co-Brand Agreement by allocating them to the separately identifiable performance obligations. The fair value of the separately identifiable performance obligations is determined using management's estimated selling price of each component. The objective of using the estimated selling price based methodology is to determine the price at which we would transact a sale if the product or service were sold on a stand-alone basis. Accordingly, we determine our best estimate of selling price by considering multiple inputs and methods including, but not limited to, discounted cash flows, brand value, volume discounts, published selling prices, number of miles awarded and number of miles redeemed. The Company estimated the selling prices and volumes over the term of the Co-Brand Agreement, at the inception of the contract, in order to determine the allocation of proceeds to each of the components to be delivered. We also evaluate volumes on an annual basis, which may result in a change in the allocation of the estimated consideration from the Co-Brand Agreement on a prospective basis. Frequent Flyer Deferred Revenue. Miles in MileagePlus members' accounts are combined into one homogeneous pool and are thus not separately identifiable, for award redemption purposes, between miles earned in the current period and those in their beginning balance. Of the miles expected to be redeemed, the Company expects the majority of these miles to be redeemed within two years. The current portion of the Frequent flyer deferred revenue is based on expected redemptions in the next 12 months. The table below presents a roll forward of Frequent flyer deferred revenue (in millions): Year Ended 2023 2022 Total Frequent flyer deferred revenue - beginning balance $ 6,675 $ 6,282 Total miles awarded 3,297 2,558 Travel miles redeemed (2,723) (2,079) Non-travel miles redeemed (106) (86) Total Frequent flyer deferred revenue - ending balance $ 7,143 $ 6,675 In the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized, in Other operating revenue, $2.7 billion, $2.4 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively, related to the marketing, advertising, non-travel miles redeemed (net of related costs) and other travel-related benefits of the mileage revenue associated with our various partner agreements including, but not limited to, our Co-Brand Agreement. The portion related to the MileagePlus miles awarded of the total amounts received from our various partner agreements is deferred and presented in the table above as an increase to Total Frequent flyer deferred revenue. (e) Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash— Highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less on their acquisition date are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash is classified as short-term or long-term in the consolidated balance sheets based on the expected timing of return of the assets to the Company or payment to an outside party. Restricted cash-current— The December 31, 2023 balance includes amounts to be used for the payment of principal, interest and fees on the $4.8 billion of senior secured notes and a secured term loan facility (the "MileagePlus Financing") secured by substantially all of the assets of Mileage Plus Holdings, LLC ("MPH"), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of United. Restricted cash-non-current— The December 31, 2023 balance primarily includes collateral associated with the MileagePlus Financing, collateral for letters of credit and collateral associated with facility leases and other insurance-related obligations. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statements of consolidated cash flows (in millions): At December 31, 2023 2022 2021 Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,058 $ 7,166 $ 18,283 Restricted cash 31 45 37 Other assets: Restricted cash 245 210 213 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of consolidated cash flows $ 6,334 $ 7,421 $ 18,533 (f) Investments— Highly liquid investments with maturities of greater than three months to a year, at the time of purchase, are classified as short-term investments and are stated at fair value. Investments with maturities beyond one year when purchased are classified as short-term investments if they are expected to be available to support our short-term liquidity needs. Our short-term investments in debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are stated at fair value. Realized gains and losses on sales of these investments are reflected in Miscellaneous, net in the consolidated statements of operations. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities are reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Equity investments are accounted for under the equity method if we are able to exercise significant influence over an investee. Equity investments for which we do not have significant influence are recorded at fair value or at cost, if fair value is not readily determinable, with adjustments for observable changes in price or impairments (referred to as the measurement alternative). Changes in fair value are recorded in Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 8 of this report for additional information related to investments. (g) Compensation received in connection with purchase agreements— The Company accounts for compensation received from vendors as deferred credits that will generally be recognized as a reduction to the cost of the asset received in future periods. (h) Accounts Receivable— Accounts receivable primarily consist of amounts due from credit card companies, non-airline partners, and cargo customers. We provide an allowance for credit losses expected to be incurred. We base our allowance on various factors including, but not limited to, aging, payment history, write-offs, macro-economic indicators and other credit monitoring indicators. Credit loss expense and write-offs related to trade receivables were not material for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. (i) Aircraft Fuel, Spare Parts and Supplies— The Company accounts for aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies at average cost and provides an obsolescence allowance for aircraft spare parts with an assumed residual value of 10% of original cost. (j) Property and Equipment— The Company records additions to owned operating property and equipment at cost when acquired. Property under finance leases and the related obligation for future lease payments are recorded at an amount equal to the initial present value of those lease payments. Modifications that enhance the operating performance or extend the useful lives of airframes or engines are capitalized as property and equipment. We periodically receive credits in connection with the acquisition of aircraft and engines including those related to contractual damages related to delays in delivery. These credits are deferred until the aircraft and engines are delivered and then applied as a reduction to the cost of the related equipment. Depreciation and amortization of owned depreciable assets is based on the straight-line method over the assets' estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the remaining term of the lease, including estimated facility renewal options when renewal is reasonably certain at key airports, or the estimated useful life of the related asset, whichever is less. Properties under finance leases are amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the lease or, in the case of certain aircraft, over their estimated useful lives, whichever is shorter. Amortization of finance lease assets is included in depreciation and amortization expense. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows: Estimated Useful Life (in years) Aircraft, spare engines and related rotable parts 25 to 30 Aircraft seats 10 to 15 Buildings 25 to 45 Other property and equipment 3 to 15 Computer software 5 to 15 Building improvements 1 to 40 As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had a carrying value of computer software of $453 million and $471 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company's amortization expense related to computer software was $168 million, $166 million and $182 million, respectively. Aircraft, spare engines and related rotable parts were assumed to have residual values of approximately 10% of original cost, and other categories of property and equipment were assumed to have no residual value. (k) Long-Lived Asset Impairments— The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets subject to amortization whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may exist. For purposes of this testing, the Company has generally identified the aircraft fleet type as the lowest level of identifiable cash flows for its mainline fleet and the contract level for its regional fleet under capacity purchase agreements ("CPAs"). An impairment charge is recognized when the asset's carrying value exceeds its net undiscounted future cash flows. The amount of the charge is the difference between the asset's carrying value and fair market value. The Company recorded impairment charges related to certain of its aircraft of $97 million for the year ended December 31, 2021. See Note 13 of this report for additional information related to impairments (l) Intangibles— The Company has finite-lived and indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. When there is a triggering event, the Company typically determines fair value using either market or a variation of the income approach valuation techniques. These measurements include the following key assumptions: (1) forecasted revenues, expenses, margin and cash flows, (2) terminal period growth rate, (3) an estimated weighted average cost of capital, (4) asset-specific risk factor and (5) a tax rate. These assumptions are consistent with those that hypothetical market participants would use. Because we are required to make estimates and assumptions when evaluating goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, actual results may differ materially from these estimates. We recognize an impairment when the fair value of an intangible asset is less than its carrying value. Every year, the Company evaluates its intangible assets for possible impairments. For the Company's China route authority, the Company performed a quantitative assessment which involved determining the fair value of the asset and comparing that amount to the asset's carrying value. For all other intangible assets, the Company performed a qualitative assessment of whether it was more likely than not that an impairment had occurred. To determine fair value of the China route authority, the Company used a discounted cash flow method. Key inputs into the models included forecasted revenues, fuel costs, other operating costs, margin and an overall discount rate. These assumptions are inherently uncertain as they relate to future events and circumstances. The following table presents information about the Company's goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31 (in millions): 2023 2022 Gross Accumulated Gross Accumulated Goodwill $ 4,527 $ 4,527 Indefinite-lived intangible assets China route authority $ 1,020 $ 1,020 Airport slots 574 574 Tradenames and logos 593 593 Alliances 404 404 Total $ 2,591 $ 2,591 Finite-lived intangible assets Frequent flyer database $ 1,177 $ 1,068 $ 1,177 $ 1,040 Hubs 145 131 145 124 Contracts — — 7 7 Other 307 296 314 301 Total $ 1,629 $ 1,495 $ 1,643 $ 1,472 Amortization expense in 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $37 million, $41 million and $49 million, respectively. Projected amortization expense in 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 is $32 million, $28 million, $18 million, $11 million and $10 million, respectively. (m) Labor Costs— The Company records expenses associated with new or amendable labor agreements when the amounts are probable and estimable. These could include costs associated with retro-active lump sum cash payments made in conjunction with the ratification of labor agreements. To the extent these upfront costs are in lieu of future pay increases, they would be capitalized and amortized over the term of the labor agreements. If not, these amounts would be expensed. (n) Share-Based Compensation— The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. The resulting cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, usually the vesting period. Obligations for cash-settled restricted stock units ("RSUs") are remeasured at fair value throughout the requisite service period at the close of the reporting period based upon UAL's stock price. In addition to the service requirement, certain RSUs have performance metrics that must be achieved prior to vesting. These awards are accrued based on the expected level of achievement at each reporting period. An adjustment is recorded each reporting period to adjust compensation expense based on the then current level of expected performance achievement for the performance-based awards. See Note 4 of this report for additional information on UAL's share-based compensation plans. (o) Maintenance and Repairs— The cost of maintenance and repairs, including the cost of minor replacements, is charged to expense as incurred, except for costs incurred under our power-by-the-hour ("PBTH") engine maintenance agreements. PBTH contracts transfer certain risk to third-party service providers and fix the amount we pay per flight hour or per cycle to the service provider in exchange for maintenance and repairs under a predefined maintenance program. Under PBTH agreements, the Company recognizes expense at a level rate per engine hour, unless the level of service effort and the related payments during the period are substantially consistent, in which case the Company recognizes expense based on the amounts paid. (p) Advertising— Advertising costs, which are included in Other operating expenses, are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses were $221 million, $165 million and $99 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. (q) Third-Party Business— The Company has third-party business activity that includes ground handling, maintenance services, flight academy and frequent flyer award non-travel redemptions. Third-party business revenue is recorded in Other operating revenue. Expenses associated with these third-party business activities are recorded in Other operating expenses, except for non-travel mileage redemption. Non-travel mileage redemption expenses are recorded to Other operating revenue. (r) Uncertain Income Tax Positions— The Company has recorded reserves for income taxes and associated interest that may become payable in future years. Although management believes that its positions taken on income tax matters are reasonable, the Company nevertheless established tax and interest reserves in recognition that various taxing authorities may challenge certain of the positions taken by the Company, potentially resulting in additional liabilities for taxes and interest. The Company's uncertain tax position reserves are reviewed periodically and are adjusted as events occur that affect its estimates, such as the availability of new information, the lapsing of applicable statutes of limitation, the conclusion of tax audits, the measurement of additional estimated liability, the identification of new tax matters, the release of administrative tax guidance affecting its estimates of tax liabilities, or the rendering of relevant court decisions. The Company records penalties and interest relating to uncertain tax positions as part of income tax expense in its consolidated statements of operations. See Note 6 of this report for additional information on UAL's uncertain tax positions. (s) Recently Issued Accounting Standards— In June 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. Under this standard, a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered in measuring the security's fair value. The standard also requires certain disclosures for equity securities that are subject to contractual sale restrictions. The ASU became effective January 1, 2024. We do not expect this ASU to have a material impact on the valuation of our equity investments; however, we may be required to include additional disclosures to the extent we have material equity investments subject to contractual sale restrictions. |
Common Stockholders' Equity and
Common Stockholders' Equity and Preferred Securities | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Equity [Abstract] | |
COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND PREFERRED SECURITIES | COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND PREFERRED SECURITIES The Company issued warrants to the U.S. Treasury Department ("Treasury") pursuant to the payroll support program ("PSP"), including extensions, and the loan program established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act"). See Note 9 of this report for additional information about the unsecured promissory notes issued by the Company to Treasury under the PSP and related extensions. As of December 31, 2023 , the Company had the following warrants outstanding: Warrant Description Number of Shares of UAL Common Stock (in millions) Exercise Price Expiration Dates PSP1 Warrants 4.8 $ 31.50 4/20/2025 — 9/30/2025 CARES Act Warrants 1.7 31.50 9/28/2025 PSP2 Warrants 2.0 43.26 1/15/2026 — 4/29/2026 PSP3 Warrants 1.5 53.92 4/29/2026 — 6/10/2026 Total 10.0 As of December 31, 2023, approximately 4.8 million shares of UAL's common stock were reserved for future issuance related to the issuance of equity-based awards under the Company's incentive compensation plans. As of December 31, 2023, UAL had two shares of junior preferred stock (par value $0.01 per share) outstanding. In addition, UAL is authorized to issue 250 million shares of preferred stock (without par value) under UAL's amended and restated certificate of incorporation. On March 3, 2021, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") with several financial institutions (collectively, the "Managers"), relating to the issuance and sale from time to time by UAL (the "2021 ATM Offering"), through the Managers, of up to 37 million shares of UAL common stock (the "2021 ATM Shares"). Sales of the 2021 ATM Shares under the Distribution Agreement were allowed to be made in any transactions that were deemed to be "at the market offerings" as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. During 2021, approximately 4 million shares were sold in the 2021 ATM Offering at an average price of $57.50 per share, with net proceeds to the Company totaling approximately $250 million. No shares were sold in 2022 or 2023 under the 2021 ATM Offering, which expired in March 2023. |
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Earnings (Loss) Per Share | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | |
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE | EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE The computations of UAL's basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are set forth below for the years ended December 31 (in millions, except per share amounts): 2023 2022 2021 Earnings (loss) available to common stockholders $ 2,618 $ 737 $ (1,964) Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 327.8 326.4 321.9 Dilutive effect of stock warrants (a) 2.2 1.5 — Dilutive effect of employee stock awards 1.9 2.2 — Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 331.9 330.1 321.9 Earnings (loss) per share, basic $ 7.98 $ 2.26 $ (6.10) Earnings (loss) per share, diluted $ 7.89 $ 2.23 $ (6.10) Potentially dilutive securities (b) Stock warrants (a) 1.5 3.5 0.9 Employee stock awards 0.6 0.7 0.7 (a) Represent warrants issued to Treasury pursuant to the payroll support program, including extensions, and the loan program established under the CARES Act. See Note 2 of this report for additional information about these warrants. (b) Weighted-average potentially dilutive securities outstanding excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the securities would have had an antidilutive effect. |
Share-Based Compensation Plans
Share-Based Compensation Plans | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] | |
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS | SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS UAL maintains share-based compensation plans for our management employees and our non-employee directors. These plans provide for grants of nonqualified stock options; incentive stock options (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986); stock appreciation rights ("SARs"); restricted stock; RSUs; performance units; cash incentive awards and other equity-based and equity-related awards. An award (other than an option, SAR or cash incentive award) may provide the holder with dividends or dividend equivalents. All awards are recorded as either equity or a liability in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The share-based compensation expense is recorded in salaries and related costs. During 2023, UAL granted share-based compensation awards pursuant to the United Airlines Holdings, Inc. 2021 Incentive Compensation Plan. These share-based compensation awards included approximately 2.6 million RSUs consisting of approximately 2.0 million time-vested RSUs and approximately 0.6 million performance-based RSUs. The time-vested RSUs vest pro-rata, a majority of which vest on February 28th of each year, over a three-year period from the date of grant. The performance-based RSUs vest upon continuous employment with the Company through December 31, 2025 and the achievement of certain financial, operational and diversity goals. RSUs are generally equity awards settled in stock for domestic employees and liability awards settled in cash for international employees. The cash payments are based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date. The following table provides information related to UAL's share-based compensation plan cost for the years ended December 31 (in millions): 2023 2022 2021 Compensation cost: RSUs $ 78 $ 87 $ 236 Stock options 2 2 2 Total $ 80 $ 89 $ 238 The table below summarizes UAL's unearned compensation and weighted-average remaining period to recognize costs for all outstanding share-based awards that are probable of being achieved as of December 31, 2023 (in millions, except as noted): Unearned Compensation Weighted-Average RSUs $ 78 1.4 Stock options 3 2.7 Total $ 81 RSUs. The table below summarizes UAL's RSU activity for the years ended December 31 (shares in millions): Liability Awards Equity Awards RSUs RSUs Weighted- Outstanding at December 31, 2020 0.4 3.2 $ 53.41 Granted 0.4 2.9 52.18 Vested (0.6) (1.5) 51.35 Forfeited — (0.2) 46.77 Outstanding at December 31, 2021 0.2 4.4 53.63 Granted 0.1 2.3 31.96 Additional issuance due to achievement of performance metrics — 1.6 58.17 Vested (0.2) (4.8) 56.00 Forfeited — (0.2) 53.03 Outstanding at December 31, 2022 0.1 3.3 37.88 Granted 0.1 2.5 43.42 Vested (0.1) (1.6) 44.03 Forfeited — (0.1) 36.90 Outstanding at December 31, 2023 0.1 4.1 38.86 The fair value of RSUs that vested in 2023, 2022 and 2021 was approximately $76 million, $274 million and $104 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, UAL had recorded a liability of approximately $3 million related to its cash-settled RSUs. UAL paid approximately $3 million, $7 million and $29 million related to its cash-settled RSUs during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Equity [Abstract] | |
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ("AOCI") | ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ("AOCI") The tables below present the components of the Company's AOCI, net of tax (in millions): Pension and Investments and Other Deferred Taxes (a) Total Balance at December 31, 2020 $ (1,102) $ 2 $ (39) $ (1,139) Change in value 239 (2) (53) 184 Amounts reclassified to earnings 16 (b) — (3) 13 Balance at December 31, 2021 (847) — (95) (942) Change in value 1,474 (35) (321) 1,118 Amounts reclassified to earnings (1) (b) — — (1) Balance at December 31, 2022 626 (35) (416) 175 Change in value (199) 31 38 (130) Amounts reclassified to earnings (138) (b) — 31 (107) Balance at December 31, 2023 $ 289 $ (4) $ (347) $ (62) (a) Includes approximately $285 million of deferred income tax expense that will not be recognized in net income until the related pension and postretirement benefit obligations are fully extinguished. We consider all income sources, including other comprehensive income, in determining the amount of tax benefit allocated to results from operations. (b) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs, specifically the following components: amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss, amortization of prior service credit and other. See Note 7 of this report for additional information on pensions and other postretirement liabilities. |
Income Taxes
Income Taxes | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
INCOME TAXES | INCOME TAXES The income tax provision (benefit) differed from amounts computed at the statutory federal income tax rate and consisted of the following significant components (in millions) : 2023 2022 2021 Income tax provision (benefit) at statutory rate $ 711 $ 208 $ (537) State income tax provision (benefit), net of federal income tax benefit 46 13 (34) Nondeductible employee meals 15 12 7 Nondeductible transportation fringe benefit 13 10 8 Valuation allowance (21) (10) (38) Other, net 5 20 1 Income tax expense (benefit) $ 769 $ 253 $ (593) Current $ 13 $ 5 $ (10) Deferred 756 248 (583) Income tax expense (benefit) $ 769 $ 253 $ (593) Temporary differences and carryforwards that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in millions): UAL United 2023 2022 2023 2022 Deferred income tax asset (liability): Federal and state net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards $ 2,644 $ 2,932 $ 2,616 $ 2,903 Deferred revenue 1,845 1,783 1,845 1,783 Employee benefits, including pension, postretirement and medical 695 606 695 606 Operating lease liabilities 1,134 1,118 1,134 1,118 Other financial liabilities 414 141 414 141 Interest expense carryforward 579 510 579 510 Other 575 576 575 576 Less: Valuation allowance (179) (199) (179) (199) Total deferred tax assets $ 7,707 $ 7,467 $ 7,679 $ 7,438 Depreciation $ (6,782) $ (5,844) $ (6,782) $ (5,844) Operating lease right-of-use asset (887) (881) (887) (881) Intangibles (632) (651) (632) (651) Total deferred tax liabilities $ (8,301) $ (7,376) $ (8,301) $ (7,376) Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ (594) $ 91 $ (622) $ 62 United and its domestic consolidated subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return with UAL. Under an intercompany tax allocation policy, United and its subsidiaries compute, record and pay UAL for their own tax liabilities as if they were separate companies filing separate returns. In determining their own tax liabilities, United and each of its subsidiaries take into account all tax credits or benefits generated and utilized as separate companies and they are each compensated for the aforementioned tax benefits on an annual basis. The Company's federal and state NOL and tax credit carryforwards relate to current and prior years' NOLs and credits, which may be used to reduce tax liabilities in future years. These tax benefits are mostly attributable to federal pre-tax NOL carryforwards of $12.0 billion ($2.5 billion tax effected) for UAL. If not utilized these federal pre-tax NOLs will expire as follows (in billions): $0.2 in 2029 and $0.2 in 2033. The remaining $11.6 billion of NOLs has no expiration date. State pre-tax NOLs of $3.4 billion ($0.2 billion tax effected) expire over a 1 to 20-year period. Federal tax credits of $50 million will expire over a 1 to 20-year period and state tax credits of $56 million will expire over a 1 to 15-year period. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has recorded $150 million of valuation allowance against its capital loss deferred tax assets. Capital losses have a limited carryforward period of five years, and they can be utilized only to the extent of capital gains. The Company does not anticipate generating sufficient capital gains to utilize the losses before they expire, therefore, a valuation allowance is necessary as of December 31, 2023. Additionally, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $29 million on certain state deferred tax assets primarily due to state NOLs that have short expiration periods. The Company's unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions were $66 million, $58 million and $55 million at December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. All of the uncertain tax positions would affect the Company's effective tax rate if recognized. The changes in unrecognized tax benefits relating to settlements with taxing authorities, unrecognized tax benefits as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period and unrecognized tax benefits relating from a lapse of the statute of limitations were immaterial during 2023, 2022 and 2021. The Company does not expect significant increases or decreases in their unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months. There are no material amounts included in the balance at December 31, 2023 for tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility. The Company's federal income tax returns for tax years after 2002 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") and state taxing jurisdictions. |
Pension, Postretirement And Oth
Pension, Postretirement And Other Employee Benefit Plans | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Retirement Benefits [Abstract] | |
PENSION, POSTRETIREMENT AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS | PENSION, POSTRETIREMENT AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS The following summarizes the significant pension and other postretirement plans of United: Pension Plans. United maintains two primary defined benefit pension plans, one covering certain pilot employees and another covering certain U.S. non-pilot employees. Each of these plans provide benefits based on a combination of years of benefit accruals service and an employee's final average compensation. Additional benefit accruals are frozen under the plan covering certain pilot employees and for management and administrative employees covered under the non-pilot plan. Benefit accruals for certain non-pilot employees continue. United maintains additional defined benefit pension plans, which cover certain international employees. Other Postretirement Plans. United maintains postretirement medical programs which provide medical benefits to certain retirees and eligible dependents, as well as life insurance benefits to certain retirees participating in the plan. Benefits provided are subject to applicable contributions, co-payments, deductibles and other limits as described in the specific plan documentation. In 2021, the Company offered several voluntary leave programs and voluntary separation programs ("Voluntary Programs") to certain eligible employees, which in some cases included a partially-paid leave of absence with active health benefits and travel privileges. Under these Voluntary Programs, employees generally separated from employment with certain post-employment health benefits and travel privileges. Included in the Voluntary Programs offered during the first quarter of 2021, the Company offered special separation benefits in the form of additional subsidies for retiree medical costs for certain U.S.-based front-line employees. The subsidies were in the form of a one-time contribution to a notional retiree health account of $125,000 for full-time employees and $75,000 for part-time employees. As a result, the Company recorded $31 million for those additional benefits in 2021. Actuarial assumption changes are reflected as a component of the net actuarial (gain) loss. The 2023 actuarial losses were mainly related to a decrease in the discount rate applied at December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022. Actuarial (gains) losses will be amortized over the average remaining service life of the covered active employees. The following tables set forth the reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the benefit obligation and plan assets, the funded status and the amounts recognized in these financial statements for the defined benefit and other postretirement plans (in millions): Pension Benefits Year Ended December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2022 Accumulated benefit obligation: $ 3,910 $ 3,596 Change in projected benefit obligation: Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 4,181 $ 6,473 Service cost 124 204 Interest cost 217 188 Actuarial (gain) loss 204 (2,186) Benefits paid (177) (464) Other 1 (34) Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 4,550 $ 4,181 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 3,467 $ 4,626 Actual income (loss) on plan assets 281 (678) Employer contributions 22 8 Benefits paid (177) (464) Other 6 (25) Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 3,599 $ 3,467 Funded status—Net amount recognized $ (951) $ (714) Pension Benefits December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of: Noncurrent asset $ 21 $ 44 Current liability (4) (11) Noncurrent liability (968) (747) Total liability $ (951) $ (714) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consist of: Net actuarial loss $ (242) $ (77) Prior service cost — (1) Total accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (242) $ (78) Other Postretirement Benefits Year Ended December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2022 Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 788 $ 1,129 Service cost 4 9 Interest cost 42 30 Plan participants' contributions 67 69 Benefits paid (177) (179) Actuarial (gain) loss 22 (270) Benefit obligation at end of year $ 746 $ 788 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 48 $ 49 Actual return on plan assets 1 1 Employer contributions 107 108 Plan participants' contributions 67 69 Benefits paid (177) (179) Fair value of plan assets at end of year 46 48 Funded status—Net amount recognized $ (700) $ (740) Other Postretirement Benefits December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of: Current liability $ (63) $ (69) Noncurrent liability (637) (671) Total liability $ (700) $ (740) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consist of: Net actuarial gain $ 309 $ 369 Prior service credit 222 335 Total accumulated other comprehensive income $ 531 $ 704 The following information relates to all pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation and a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31 (in millions): 2023 2022 Projected benefit obligation $ 4,407 $ 4,045 Accumulated benefit obligation 3,767 3,461 Fair value of plan assets 3,435 3,287 Net periodic benefit cost (credit) for the years ended December 31 included the following components (in millions): 2023 2022 2021 Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Service cost $ 124 $ 4 $ 204 $ 9 $ 239 $ 10 Interest cost 217 42 188 30 184 25 Expected return on plan assets (251) (1) (306) (1) (283) (1) Amortization of unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss 8 (38) 120 (14) 170 (28) Amortization of prior service credits 1 (112) — (112) — (123) Special termination benefits - Voluntary Programs — — — — — 31 Curtailment — — — — (8) — Other 3 — 5 — 5 — Net periodic benefit cost (credit) $ 102 $ (105) $ 211 $ (88) $ 307 $ (86) Service cost is recorded in Salaries and related costs on the statement of consolidated operations. All other components of net periodic benefit costs are recorded in Miscellaneous, net on the statement of consolidated operations. The Company's expected Net periodic benefit cost (credit) for 2024 is as follows (in millions): Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Net periodic benefit cost (credit) $ 108 $ (78) The assumptions used for the benefit plans were as follows: Pension Benefits Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations 2023 2022 Discount rate 5.04 % 5.20 % Rate of compensation increase 3.84 % 3.83 % Assumptions used to determine net expense Discount rate 5.20 % 2.90 % Expected return on plan assets 7.53 % 7.16 % Rate of compensation increase 3.83 % 3.83 % Other Postretirement Benefits Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations 2023 2022 Discount rate 5.43 % 5.66 % Assumptions used to determine net expense Discount rate 5.66 % 2.82 % Expected return on plan assets 3.00 % 3.00 % Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year 7.00 % 5.60 % Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate in 2033) 4.50 % 4.50 % The Company used the Society of Actuaries' PRI-2012 Private Retirement Plans Mortality Tables projected generationally using the Society of Actuaries' MP-2021 projection scale. The Company selected the 2023 discount rate for substantially all of its plans by using a hypothetical portfolio of high-quality bonds at December 31, 2023 that would provide the necessary cash flows to match projected benefit payments. We develop our expected long-term rate of return assumption for our defined benefit plans based on historical experience and by evaluating input from the trustee managing the plans' assets. Our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for these plans is based on a target allocation of assets, which is based on our goal of earning the highest rate of return while maintaining risk at acceptable levels. The plans strive to have assets sufficiently diversified so that adverse or unexpected results from one security class will not have an unduly detrimental impact on the entire portfolio. Plan fiduciaries regularly review our actual asset allocation and the pension plans' investments are periodically rebalanced to our targeted allocation when considered appropriate. United's plan assets are allocated within the following guidelines: Percent of Total Expected Long-Term Equity securities 25-73 % 9 % Fixed-income securities 14-53 8 Alternatives 3-27 8 The table below shows the impacts of a change in certain assumptions on the 2024 net periodic benefit cost and the benefit obligations at December 31, 2023 (in millions): Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Impact on Benefit Obligation at December 31, 2023 100 basis points decrease in the weighted average discount rate $ 858 $ 48 Impact on 2024 Net Periodic Benefit Cost 100 basis points decrease in the weighted average discount rate (a) $ 96 $ — 100 basis points decrease in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 35 — (a) In general, as discount rates increase, the impact of changes in discount rates decreases. Therefore, these sensitivities cannot be extrapolated for larger increases or decreases in the discount rate. In addition, benefit cost is affected by other factors including, but not limited to, investment performance, contributions, demographic experience and other assumption changes. Fair Value Information. Accounting standards require us to use valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized as follows: Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for assets or liabilities identical to those to be reported at fair value Level 2 Other inputs that are observable directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or market-corroborated inputs Level 3 Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which require us to develop our own assumptions about how market participants would price the assets or liabilities Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on the valuation techniques identified in the tables below. The valuation techniques are as follows: (a) Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities; and (b) Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single current value based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models). The following tables present information about United's pension and other postretirement plan assets at December 31 (in millions): 2023 2022 Pension Plan Assets: Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Measured at NAV(a) Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Measured at NAV(a) Equity securities funds $ 1,265 $ 74 $ 3 $ 134 $ 1,054 $ 1,183 $ 58 $ 26 $ 114 $ 985 Fixed-income securities 1,325 — 411 3 911 1,316 — 527 5 784 Alternatives 779 — — 136 643 887 — — 161 726 Other investments 230 13 87 3 127 81 6 16 5 54 Total $ 3,599 $ 87 $ 501 $ 276 $ 2,735 $ 3,467 $ 64 $ 569 $ 285 $ 2,549 Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets: Deposit administration fund $ 46 $ — $ — $ 46 $ — $ 48 $ — $ — $ 48 $ — (a) In accordance with the relevant accounting standards, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value ("NAV") per share (or its equivalent) have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. These investments are commingled funds that invest in equity securities and fixed-income instruments including bonds, debt securities, and other similar instruments issued by various U.S. and non-U.S. public- or private-sector entities. Redemption periods for these investments range from daily to semiannually. Equity and Fixed-Income. Equities include investments in both developed market and emerging market equity securities. Fixed-income includes primarily U.S. and non-U.S. government fixed-income securities and non-U.S. corporate fixed-income securities, as well as securitized debt securities. Deposit Administration Fund. This investment is a stable value investment product structured to provide investment income. Alternatives. Alternative investments consist primarily of investments in hedge funds, real estate and private equity interests. Other investments. Other investments consist of primarily cash equivalents, as well as insurance contracts. The following table presents reconciliation of United's benefit plan assets measured at fair value using unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in millions): 2023 2022 Balance at beginning of year $ 333 $ 435 Actual income (loss) on plan assets: Sold during the year (50) 34 Held at year end 55 (39) Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements (net) (16) (97) Balance at end of year $ 322 $ 333 Funding requirements for tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans are determined by government regulations. The Company does not expect any minimum required contributions for 2024 for its tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans. The Company expects to make approximately $104 million in contributions to its other postretirement benefit plans in 2024. The estimated future benefit payments, net of expected participant contributions, in United's pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans for the next ten years, as of December 31, 2023, are as follows (in millions): Pension Other Postretirement 2024 $ 268 $ 112 2025 301 100 2026 323 88 2027 348 80 2028 373 74 Years 2029 – 2033 1,896 274 Defined Contribution Plans. United offers several defined contribution plans to its employees. Depending upon the employee group, employer contributions consist of matching contributions and/or non-elective employer contributions. United's employer contribution percentages to its primary 401(k) defined contribution plans vary from 1% to 16% of eligible earnings depending on the terms of each plan. United recorded expenses for its primary 401(k) defined contribution plans of $960 million, $756 million and $651 million in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Multi-Employer Plans. United's participation in the IAM National Pension Plan ("IAM Plan") for the annual period ended December 31, 2023 is outlined in the table below. The risks of participating in these multi-employer plans are different from single-employer plans, as United may be subject to additional risks that others do not meet their obligations, which in certain circumstances could revert to United. The IAM Plan reported $533 million in employers' contributions for the year ended December 31, 2022. For 2022, the Company's contributions to the IAM Plan represented more than 5% of total contributions to the IAM Plan. The 2023 information is not available as the applicable Form 5500 is not final for the plan year. Pension Fund IAM National Pension Fund ("IAM Fund") EIN/ Pension Plan Number 51-6031295 — 002 Pension Protection Act Zone Status (2023 and 2022) Critical (2023 and 2022). A plan is in "critical" status if the funded percentage is less than 65 percent. On April 17, 2019, the IAM National Pension Fund Board of Trustees voluntarily elected for the IAM Fund to be in critical status effective for the plan year beginning January 1, 2019 to strengthen the IAM Fund's financial health. The IAM Fund's funded percentage was 87.1% as of January 1, 2022. FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented A 10-year Rehabilitation Plan effective, January 1, 2022, was adopted on April 17, 2019 that requires the Company to make an additional contribution of 2.5% of the hourly contribution rate, compounded annually for the length of the Rehabilitation Plan, effective June 1, 2019. United's Contributions $87 million, $75 million and $58 million in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Surcharge Imposed No Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement N/A Profit Sharing. Substantially all employees participate in profit sharing based on a percentage of pre-tax earnings, excluding special or non-recurring charges, profit sharing expense and share-based compensation. Profit sharing percentages range from 5% to 20% depending on the work group, and in some cases profit sharing percentages vary above and below certain pre-tax margin thresholds. As part of the new collective bargaining agreement with the Air Line Pilots Association ("ALPA"), the thresholds were lowered retroactive to January 1, 2023 for the pilot work group. Eligible U.S. co-workers in each participating work group receive 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. Eligible non-U.S. co-workers receive profit sharing based on the calculation under the U.S. profit sharing plan for management and administrative employees. The Company recorded profit sharing and related payroll tax expense of $681 million and $133 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. As a result of the pre-tax loss in 2021, no profit sharing was recorded. Profit sharing expense is recorded as a component of Salaries and related costs in the Company's statements of consolidated operations. |
Fair Value Measurements, Invest
Fair Value Measurements, Investments and Notes Receivable | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] | |
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, INVESTMENTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, INVESTMENTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE Fair Value Information. Accounting standards require us to use valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are described in Note 7 of this report. The table below presents disclosures about the fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company's financial statements as of December 31 (in millions): 2023 2022 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,058 $ 6,058 $ — $ — $ 7,166 $ 7,166 $ — $ — Restricted cash - current (Note 1) 31 31 — — 45 45 — — Restricted cash - non-current (Note 1) 245 245 — — 210 210 — — Short-term investments: U.S. government and agency notes 8,257 — 8,257 — 8,914 — 8,914 — Asset-backed securities — — — — 325 — 325 — Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service ("CDARS") 73 — 73 — — — — — Corporate debt — — — — 9 — 9 — Long-term investments: Equity securities 177 177 — — 189 189 — — Investments presented in the table above have the same fair value as their carrying value. Short-term investments — T he short-term investments shown in the table above are classified as available-for-sale and have remaining maturities of approximately 15 months or less. Long-term investments: Equity securities — Represents equity and equity-linked securities (such as vested warrants) that make up United's investments in Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S.A., Archer Aviation Inc., Eve Holding, Inc., Mesa Air Group, Inc. ("Mesa") and Clear Secure, Inc. Other fair value information - The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above as of December 31 (in millions). Carrying amounts include any related discounts, premiums and issuance costs: 2023 2022 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Long-term debt $ 29,075 $ 28,302 $ — $ 22,543 $ 5,759 $ 31,194 $ 29,371 $ — $ 23,990 $ 5,381 Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows: Description Fair Value Methodology Cash and cash equivalents and The carrying amounts of these assets approximate fair value. Short-term and Long-term investments Fair value is based on (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar Long-term 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 or assets. Equity Method Investments. As of December 31, 2023, United holds investments, accounted for using the equity method, with a combined carrying value of approximately $230 million. Significant equity method investments are described below: • CommuteAir LLC. United owns a 40% minority ownership stake in CommuteAir LLC. CommuteAir currently operates 53 regional aircraft under a CPA that has a term through 2026. • Republic Airways Holdings Inc. United holds a 19% minority interest in Republic Airways Holdings Inc., which is the parent company of Republic Airways Inc. ("Republic"). Republic currently operates 66 regional aircraft under CPAs that have terms through 2035. • United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund (the "Fund"). During the first quarter of 2023, United launched, through its corporate venture capital arm, United Airlines Ventures, the Fund, an investment vehicle designed to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel by accelerating the research, production and technologies associated with sustainable aviation fuel. As of December 31, 2023, the Company indirectly holds a 38% ownership interest in the Fund. Other Investments. United has equity investments in Abra Group Limited, a multinational airline holding company, JetSuiteX, Inc., an independent air carrier doing business as JSX, as well as a number of companies with emerging technologies and sustainable solutions. None of these investments have readily determinable fair values. We account for these investments at cost less impairment, adjusted for observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. As of December 31, 2023, the carrying value of these investments was $401 million. Notes Receivable. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has $103 million of notes receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, the majority of which is from certain of its regional carriers. The current portions of the notes receivable are recorded in Receivables, less allowance for credit losses and the long-term portions are recorded in Investments in affiliates and other, less allowance for credit losses on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. |
Debt
Debt | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | |
DEBT | DEBT (In millions) Maturity Dates Interest Rate(s) at December 31, 2023 At December 31, 2023 2022 Aircraft notes (a) 2024 — 2036 2.70 % — 7.35 % $ 12,508 $ 12,262 MileagePlus Senior Secured Notes 2027 6.50 % 2,660 3,420 MileagePlus Term Loan Faci lity (b) 2027 10.77 % 2,100 2,700 2026 and 2029 Notes 2026 — 2029 4.38 % — 4.63 % 4,000 4,000 2021 Term Loan s (b) 2028 9.22 % 3,870 4,913 Unsecured Notes 2024 — 2025 4.88 % — 5.00 % 596 596 PSP Notes (c) 2030 — 2031 1.00 % 3,181 3,181 Other unsecured debt 2024 — 2029 0.00 % — 5.75 % 437 508 29,352 31,580 Less: unamortized debt discount, premiums and debt issuance costs (277) (386) Less: current portion of long-term debt (4,018) (2,911) Long-term debt, net $ 25,057 $ 28,283 (a) Financing includes variable rate debt based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") (or another index rate), generally subject to a floor, plus a specified margin of 0.49% to 2.25% . (b) Financing includes variable rate debt based on SOFR (or another index rate), subject to a floor, plus a specified margin of 3.75% to 5.25%. (c) The PSP Notes include $1.5 billion of indebtedness evidenced by a 10-year senior unsecured promissory note with Treasury provided under the PSP of the CARES Act ("PSP1"), $0.9 billion of indebtedness evidenced by a 10-year senior unsecured promissory note issued to Treasury pursuant to Payroll Support Program Extension Agreements under the CARES Act ("PSP2") and $0.8 billion of indebtedness evidenced by a 10-year senior unsecured promissory note issued to Treasury pursuant to the Payroll Support Program established under Section 7301 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ("PSP3"). These PSP Notes have a rate of 1.00% in years 1 through 5, and a rate of the SOFR plus 2.00% in years 6 through 10. The table below presents the Company's contractual principal payments (not including debt discount or debt issuance costs) at December 31, 2023 under then-outstanding long-term debt agreements in each of the next five calendar years (in millions): 2024 $ 4,018 2025 3,452 2026 5,245 2027 2,475 2028 5,306 After 2028 8,856 $ 29,352 Equipment Notes . On June 20, 2023, the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as subordination agent and pass through trustee (the "Trustee") under a certain pass through trust newly formed by the Company, entered into the Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2023 (the "Note Purchase Agreement"). The Note Purchase Agreement provides for the issuance by the Company of equipment notes (the "Equipment Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of $1.3 billion to finance 39 Boeing aircraft delivered new to the Company from August 2022 to May 2023. Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, the Trustee purchased Equipment Notes issued under a trust indenture and mortgage (each, an "Indenture" and, collectively, the "Indentures") with respect to each aircraft entered into by the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as mortgagee. Each Indenture provides for the issuance of Equipment Notes in a single series, Series A, bearing interest at the rate of 5.80% per annum. The Equipment Notes were purchased by the Trustee, using the proceeds from the sale of Pass Through Certificates, Series 2023-1A, issued by a pass through trust newly-formed by the Company to facilitate the financing of the aircraft. The interest on the Equipment Notes is payable semi-annually on each January 15 and July 15, beginning on January 15, 2024. The principal payments on the Equipment Notes are scheduled on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on July 15, 2024. The final payments on the Equipment Notes will be due on January 15, 2036. These Equipment Notes are reflected as part of Aircraft notes in the table above. In addition to the Equipment Notes described above, United borrowed $0.4 billion aggregate principal amounts from various financial institutions to finance the purchase of aircraft. The notes evidencing these borrowings, which are secured by the related aircraft, mature in 2035 and have variable interest rates ranging from 7.31% to 7.35% at December 31, 2023. In 2023, United prepaid $1.0 billion of the outstanding principal amount under the 2021 Term Loan Facility (as defined below). See Note 13 for information related to charges recorded as a result of this prepayment. In 2021, United entered into a new Term Loan Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the "2021 Term Loan Facility") initially providing term loans (the "2021 Term Loans") up to an aggregate amount of $5.0 billion and a new Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the "2021 Revolving Credit Facility" and, together with the 2021 Term Loan Facility, the "2021 Loan Facilities") initially providing revolving loan commitments of up to $1.75 billion. As of December 31, 2023, we had $1.75 billion undrawn and available under our revolving credit facility. On February 15, 2024, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the "Revolving Credit Facility") amending its 2021 Revolving Credit Facility increasing the borrowing capacity by $1.115 billion, which may be drawn upon until February 15, 2029, in the case of any Revolving Loans (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility) made by the Extending Lenders (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility), and April 21, 2025, in the case of any Revolving Loans made by the 2024 Non-Extending Lenders (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility). The revolving loan commitments of the Extending Lenders equal $2.7 billion and the revolving loan commitments of the 2024 Non-Extending Lenders equal $165 million. The Revolving Loans, if any, will bear interest at a variable rate equal to Term SOFR (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility), generally subject to a floor, plus a credit adjustment spread described in the Revolving Credit Facility, or, at United's election, another rate based on certain market interest rates, also generally subject to a floor, in each case plus a variable margin ranging from 3.00% to 3.50%, in the case of Term SOFR loans, and 2.00% to 2.50%, in the case of loans at other market rates. On February 22, 2024, the Company also entered into Amendment No. 2 to Term Loan Credit and Guaranty Agreement (as amended, the "Term Loan Facility" and, together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the "Loan Facilities") and (i) used available cash in an amount equal to $1.37 billion to partially prepay the term loans under the 2021 Term Loans and (ii) borrowed the entire term loan commitment available under the Term Loan Facility in an amount equal to $2.5 billion and used the proceeds of such terms loans (the "Term Loans") to prepay in full the remaining outstanding principal balance under the Existing Term Loan Facility. The Term Loans will bear interest at a variable rate equal to Term SOFR (subject to a floor of 0.0%); or, at United's election, another rate based on certain market interest rates (subject to a floor of 1.0%), in each case plus a margin of 2.75%, in the case of Term SOFR loans, and 1.75%, in the case of loans at other market rates. The remaining balance of the Term Loans will be due and payable on its maturity date on February 22, 2031. The Loan Facilities are secured on a senior basis by continuing security interests granted by United to the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the lenders under the Loan Facilities, among other parties, on the following (the "Collateral"), subject to certain exclusions: (i) all of United's route authorities granted by the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate scheduled service between any international airport located in the United States and any international airport located in any country other than the United States (except Cuba), (ii) United's rights to substantially all of its landing and take-off slots at foreign and domestic airports, including at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and (iii) United's rights to use or occupy space at airport terminals, each to the extent necessary at the relevant time for servicing scheduled air carrier service authorized by an applicable route authority. The Collateral securing the Loan Facilities also presently secures on a senior basis the 2026 and 2029 Notes. Our debt agreements contain customary terms and conditions as well as various affirmative, negative and financial covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness and pay dividends or repurchase stock. As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants. The collateral, covenants and cross default provisions of the Company's principal debt instruments that contain such provisions are summarized in the table below: Debt Instrument Collateral, Covenants and Cross Default Provisions Aircraft notes and other notes payable Secured by certain aircraft, spare engines and spare parts. The indentures contain events of default that are customary for aircraft financings, including in certain cases cross default to other related aircraft. 2021 Loan Facilities Secured on a senior basis by security interests granted by the Company to the collateral trustee for the benefit of the lenders under the 2021 Loan Facilities, among other parties, on the following: (i) all of the Company's route authorities granted by the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate scheduled service between any international airport located in the United States and any international airport located in any country other than the United States (except Cuba), (ii) the Company's rights to substantially all of its landing and take-off slots at foreign and domestic airports, including at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (subject to certain exclusions), and (iii) the Company's rights to use or occupy space at airport terminals, each to the extent necessary at the relevant time for servicing scheduled air carrier service authorized by an applicable route authority. The 2021 Loan Facilities contain negative covenants that, among other things, limit our ability under certain circumstances to create liens on the collateral, make certain dividends, conduct stock repurchases, make certain restricted investments and other restricted payments, and consolidate, merge, sell, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. The 2021 Loan Facilities also contain financial covenants that require the Company to maintain at least $2.0 billion of unrestricted liquidity at all times, which includes unrestricted cash, short-term investments and any undrawn amounts under any revolving credit facility, and to maintain a minimum ratio of appraised value of collateral to the outstanding debt secured by such collateral (including under the 2021 Loan Facilities) of 1.6 to 1.0, tested semi-annually. The 2021 Loan Facilities contain events of default customary for similar financings, including a cross-payment default and cross-acceleration to other material indebtedness. 2026 and 2029 Notes The 2026 and 2029 Notes are secured on a senior basis by security interests granted by the Company to the collateral trustee for the benefit of the holders of the 2026 and 2029 Notes, among other parties, on the following: (i) all of the Company's route authorities granted by the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate scheduled service between any international airport located in the United States and any international airport located in any country other than the United States (except Cuba), (ii) the Company's rights to substantially all of its landing and take-off slots at foreign and domestic airports, including at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (subject to certain exclusions), and (iii) the Company's rights to use or occupy space at airport terminals, each to the extent necessary at the relevant time for servicing scheduled air carrier service authorized by an applicable route authority. The indenture for these 2026 and 2029 Notes contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability under certain circumstances to create liens on the collateral, make certain dividends, stock repurchases, restricted investments and other restricted payments, and consolidate, merge, sell, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. The indenture also contains a financial covenant that requires UAL to pay special interest in an additional amount equal to 2.0% per year of the principal amount of the 2026 and 2029 Notes for so long as it is unable to demonstrate that it maintains a minimum ratio of appraised value of collateral to the outstanding debt secured by such collateral (including the 2026 and 2029 Notes) of 1.6 to 1.0, tested semi-annually. The indenture contains events of default customary for similar financings, including a cross-payment default and cross-acceleration to other material indebtedness. MileagePlus Senior Secured Notes and MileagePlus Term Loan Facility Secured by first-priority security interests in substantially all of the assets of the Issuers, other than excluded property and subject to certain permitted liens, including security interests in specified cash accounts that include the accounts into which MileagePlus revenues are or will be paid by the Company's marketing partners and by the Company. PSP Notes The PSP Notes represent senior unsecured indebtedness of UAL. The PSP Notes are guaranteed by United. If any subsidiary of UAL (other than United) becomes, or is required to become, an obligor on unsecured indebtedness of UAL or any of its subsidiaries with a principal balance in excess of a specified amount, then such subsidiary shall be required to guarantee the obligations of the Company under the PSP Notes. Pursuant to the PSP Agreements, the Company and its affiliates will be required to comply with certain provisions including, among others, audit and reporting requirements and provisions restricting the payment of certain executive compensation until April 1, 2023. Unsecured notes The indentures for these notes contain covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the indentures) to incur additional indebtedness and make certain dividends, stock repurchases, restricted investments and other restricted payments. |
Leases and Capacity Purchase Ag
Leases and Capacity Purchase Agreements | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Leases [Abstract] | |
LEASES AND CAPACITY PURCHASE AGREEMENTS | LEASES AND CAPACITY PURCHASE AGREEMENTS United leases aircraft, airport passenger terminal space, aircraft hangars and related maintenance facilities, cargo terminals, other airport facilities, other commercial real estate, office and computer equipment and vehicles, among other items. Certain of these leases include provisions for variable lease payments which are based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relative leased square footage, available seat miles, enplaned passengers, passenger facility charges, terminal equipment usage fees, departures, and airports' annual operating budgets. Due to the variable nature of the rates, these leases are not recorded on our balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and lease liability. For leases with terms greater than 12 months, we record the related right-of-use asset and lease liability at the present value of fixed lease payments over the lease term. To the extent a lease agreement includes an extension option that is reasonably certain to be exercised, we have recognized those amounts as part of our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less with purchase options or extension options that are not reasonably certain to be exercised are not recorded on the balance sheet; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. We combine lease and non-lease components, such as common area maintenance costs, in calculating the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all asset groups except for our CPAs, which contain embedded leases for regional aircraft. In addition to the lease component cost for regional aircraft, our CPAs also include non-lease components primarily related to the regional carriers' operating costs incurred in providing regional aircraft services. We allocate consideration for the lease components and non-lease components of each CPA based on their relative standalone values. Lease Cost . The Company's lease cost for the years ended December 31 included the following components (in millions): 2023 2022 2021 Operating lease cost $ 925 $ 941 $ 958 Variable and short-term lease cost 3,028 2,603 2,291 Amortization of finance lease assets 52 72 89 Interest on finance lease liabilities 20 13 16 Sublease income (39) (33) (26) Total lease cost $ 3,986 $ 3,596 $ 3,328 Lease terms and commitments . United's leases include aircraft leases for aircraft that are directly leased by United and aircraft that are operated by regional carriers on United's behalf under CPAs (but excluding aircraft owned by United) and non-aircraft leases. Aircraft operating leases relate to leases of 70 mainline and 275 regional aircraft while finance leases relate to leases of 22 mainline and 13 regional aircraft. United's aircraft leases have remaining lease terms of 1 month to 12 years with expiration dates ranging from 2024 through 2035. Under the terms of most aircraft leases, United has the right to purchase the aircraft at the end of the lease term, in some cases at fair market value, and in others, at a percentage of cost. In addition, United also has 42 leases of Boeing 737 MAX and Boeing 787 aircraft under various sale-leaseback transactions. These transactions did not qualify as a sale under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC Topic 606"), and, as such, the associated aircraft remain on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as part of Flight equipment. The related obligations are recorded in Current maturities of other financial liabilities and Other financial liabilities. Non-aircraft leases have remaining lease terms of 1 month to 29 years. The table below summarizes the Company's scheduled future minimum lease payments under operating and finance leases, recorded on the balance sheet, as of December 31, 2023 (in millions): Operating Leases Finance Leases 2024 $ 813 $ 183 2025 726 60 2026 706 19 2027 885 9 2028 685 8 After 2028 2,942 5 Minimum lease payments 6,757 284 Imputed interest (1,678) (21) Present value of minimum lease payments 5,079 263 Less: current maturities of lease obligations (576) (172) Long-term lease obligations $ 4,503 $ 91 As of December 31, 2023, we have additional leases of approximately $1.6 billion for several regional aircraft under CPAs, mainline aircraft, airport facility and office space leases, none of which had commenced as of such date. These leases will commence between 2024 and 2026 with lease terms of up to 12 years. The table below presents the Company's contractual payments at December 31, 2023 under then-outstanding sale and leaseback agreements, for transactions that did not qualify as a sale under ASC Topic 606, in each of the next five calendar years (in millions): Other Financial Liabilities 2024 $ 178 2025 178 2026 178 2027 472 2028 147 After 2028 2,090 3,243 Imputed interest (921) Current maturities of other financial liabilities (57) Other financial liabilities $ 2,265 Our lease agreements do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate nor is it available to us from our lessors. Instead, we estimate United's incremental borrowing rate based on information available at lease commencement in order to discount lease payments to present value. The table below presents additional information related to our leases as of December 31: 2023 2022 Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases 10 years 10 years Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases 2 years 3 years Weighted-average remaining lease term - other financial liabilities 10 years 9 years Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases 5.8 % 5.5 % Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases 6.3 % 6.4 % Weighted-average interest rate - other financial liabilities 5.3 % 6.0 % The table below presents supplemental cash flow information related to leases during the year ended December 31 (in millions): 2023 2022 2021 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows for operating leases $ 874 $ 919 $ 977 Operating cash flows for finance leases 21 13 18 Financing cash flows for finance leases 311 124 216 Regional CPAs. United has contractual relationships with various regional carriers to provide regional aircraft service branded as United Express. Under these CPAs, the Company pays the regional carriers contractually agreed fees (carrier costs) for operating these flights plus a variable rate adjustment based on agreed performance metrics, subject to annual adjustments. The fees are based on specific rates multiplied by specific operating statistics (e.g., block hours, departures), as well as fixed monthly amounts. Under these CPAs, the Company is also responsible for all fuel costs incurred, as well as landing fees and other costs, which are either passed through by the regional carrier to the Company without any markup or directly incurred by the Company. In some cases, the Company owns some or all of the aircraft subject to the CPA and leases such aircraft to the regional carrier. United's CPAs are for 413 regional aircraft as of December 31, 2023, and the CPAs have terms expiring through 2035. Aircraft operated under CPAs include aircraft leased directly from the regional carriers and those owned by United and operated by the regional carriers. See Part I, Item 2. Properties, of this report for additional information. United recorded approximately $1.1 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.6 billion in expenses related to its CPAs with its regional carriers in which United is a minority shareholder, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. United had prepaid balances and notes receivables with combined carrying values of $84 million and $62 million with these companies, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. There were $122 million and $118 million of liabilities due to these companies as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The CPAs with these related parties were executed in the ordinary course of business. In 2023, United amended several of its CPAs with certain of its regional carriers to increase the contractually agreed fees (carrier costs) paid to those carriers and to add additional aircraft that will replace existing aircraft near the end of their contractual terms. Separately, the Company terminated its CPA and related regional flight operations with Air Wisconsin in June 2023. Our future commitments under our CPAs are dependent on numerous variables, and are, therefore, difficult to predict. The most important of these variables is the number of scheduled block hours. Although we are not required to purchase a minimum number of block hours under certain of our CPAs, we have set forth below estimates of our future payments under the CPAs based on our assumptions. The actual amounts we pay to our regional operators under CPAs could differ materially from these estimates. United's estimates of its future payments under all of the CPAs do not include the portion of the underlying obligation for any aircraft leased to a regional carrier or deemed to be leased from other regional carriers and facility rent that are disclosed as part of operating leases above. For purposes of calculating these estimates, we have assumed (1) the number of block hours flown is based on our anticipated level of flight activity or at any contractual minimum utilization levels if applicable, whichever is higher, (2) that we will reduce the fleet as rapidly as contractually allowed under each CPA, (3) that aircraft utilization, stage length and load factors will remain constant, (4) that each carrier's operational performance will remain at recent historic levels and (5) an annual projected inflation rate. These amounts exclude variable pass-through costs such as fuel and landing fees, among others. Based on these assumptions as of December 31, 2023, our estimated future payments through the end of the terms of our CPAs are presented in the table below (in billions): 2024 $ 2.4 2025 2.1 2026 2.1 2027 1.6 2028 1.3 After 2028 4.1 $ 13.6 In January 2024, United amended several of its CPAs with certain of its regional carriers. These amendments will result in an increase to its future commitments under its CPAs by approximately $0.6 billion. |
LEASES AND CAPACITY PURCHASE AGREEMENTS | LEASES AND CAPACITY PURCHASE AGREEMENTS United leases aircraft, airport passenger terminal space, aircraft hangars and related maintenance facilities, cargo terminals, other airport facilities, other commercial real estate, office and computer equipment and vehicles, among other items. Certain of these leases include provisions for variable lease payments which are based on several factors, including, but not limited to, relative leased square footage, available seat miles, enplaned passengers, passenger facility charges, terminal equipment usage fees, departures, and airports' annual operating budgets. Due to the variable nature of the rates, these leases are not recorded on our balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and lease liability. For leases with terms greater than 12 months, we record the related right-of-use asset and lease liability at the present value of fixed lease payments over the lease term. To the extent a lease agreement includes an extension option that is reasonably certain to be exercised, we have recognized those amounts as part of our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less with purchase options or extension options that are not reasonably certain to be exercised are not recorded on the balance sheet; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. We combine lease and non-lease components, such as common area maintenance costs, in calculating the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all asset groups except for our CPAs, which contain embedded leases for regional aircraft. In addition to the lease component cost for regional aircraft, our CPAs also include non-lease components primarily related to the regional carriers' operating costs incurred in providing regional aircraft services. We allocate consideration for the lease components and non-lease components of each CPA based on their relative standalone values. Lease Cost . The Company's lease cost for the years ended December 31 included the following components (in millions): 2023 2022 2021 Operating lease cost $ 925 $ 941 $ 958 Variable and short-term lease cost 3,028 2,603 2,291 Amortization of finance lease assets 52 72 89 Interest on finance lease liabilities 20 13 16 Sublease income (39) (33) (26) Total lease cost $ 3,986 $ 3,596 $ 3,328 Lease terms and commitments . United's leases include aircraft leases for aircraft that are directly leased by United and aircraft that are operated by regional carriers on United's behalf under CPAs (but excluding aircraft owned by United) and non-aircraft leases. Aircraft operating leases relate to leases of 70 mainline and 275 regional aircraft while finance leases relate to leases of 22 mainline and 13 regional aircraft. United's aircraft leases have remaining lease terms of 1 month to 12 years with expiration dates ranging from 2024 through 2035. Under the terms of most aircraft leases, United has the right to purchase the aircraft at the end of the lease term, in some cases at fair market value, and in others, at a percentage of cost. In addition, United also has 42 leases of Boeing 737 MAX and Boeing 787 aircraft under various sale-leaseback transactions. These transactions did not qualify as a sale under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC Topic 606"), and, as such, the associated aircraft remain on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as part of Flight equipment. The related obligations are recorded in Current maturities of other financial liabilities and Other financial liabilities. Non-aircraft leases have remaining lease terms of 1 month to 29 years. The table below summarizes the Company's scheduled future minimum lease payments under operating and finance leases, recorded on the balance sheet, as of December 31, 2023 (in millions): Operating Leases Finance Leases 2024 $ 813 $ 183 2025 726 60 2026 706 19 2027 885 9 2028 685 8 After 2028 2,942 5 Minimum lease payments 6,757 284 Imputed interest (1,678) (21) Present value of minimum lease payments 5,079 263 Less: current maturities of lease obligations (576) (172) Long-term lease obligations $ 4,503 $ 91 As of December 31, 2023, we have additional leases of approximately $1.6 billion for several regional aircraft under CPAs, mainline aircraft, airport facility and office space leases, none of which had commenced as of such date. These leases will commence between 2024 and 2026 with lease terms of up to 12 years. The table below presents the Company's contractual payments at December 31, 2023 under then-outstanding sale and leaseback agreements, for transactions that did not qualify as a sale under ASC Topic 606, in each of the next five calendar years (in millions): Other Financial Liabilities 2024 $ 178 2025 178 2026 178 2027 472 2028 147 After 2028 2,090 3,243 Imputed interest (921) Current maturities of other financial liabilities (57) Other financial liabilities $ 2,265 Our lease agreements do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate nor is it available to us from our lessors. Instead, we estimate United's incremental borrowing rate based on information available at lease commencement in order to discount lease payments to present value. The table below presents additional information related to our leases as of December 31: 2023 2022 Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases 10 years 10 years Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases 2 years 3 years Weighted-average remaining lease term - other financial liabilities 10 years 9 years Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases 5.8 % 5.5 % Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases 6.3 % 6.4 % Weighted-average interest rate - other financial liabilities 5.3 % 6.0 % The table below presents supplemental cash flow information related to leases during the year ended December 31 (in millions): 2023 2022 2021 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows for operating leases $ 874 $ 919 $ 977 Operating cash flows for finance leases 21 13 18 Financing cash flows for finance leases 311 124 216 Regional CPAs. United has contractual relationships with various regional carriers to provide regional aircraft service branded as United Express. Under these CPAs, the Company pays the regional carriers contractually agreed fees (carrier costs) for operating these flights plus a variable rate adjustment based on agreed performance metrics, subject to annual adjustments. The fees are based on specific rates multiplied by specific operating statistics (e.g., block hours, departures), as well as fixed monthly amounts. Under these CPAs, the Company is also responsible for all fuel costs incurred, as well as landing fees and other costs, which are either passed through by the regional carrier to the Company without any markup or directly incurred by the Company. In some cases, the Company owns some or all of the aircraft subject to the CPA and leases such aircraft to the regional carrier. United's CPAs are for 413 regional aircraft as of December 31, 2023, and the CPAs have terms expiring through 2035. Aircraft operated under CPAs include aircraft leased directly from the regional carriers and those owned by United and operated by the regional carriers. See Part I, Item 2. Properties, of this report for additional information. United recorded approximately $1.1 billion, $0.9 billion and $0.6 billion in expenses related to its CPAs with its regional carriers in which United is a minority shareholder, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. United had prepaid balances and notes receivables with combined carrying values of $84 million and $62 million with these companies, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. There were $122 million and $118 million of liabilities due to these companies as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The CPAs with these related parties were executed in the ordinary course of business. In 2023, United amended several of its CPAs with certain of its regional carriers to increase the contractually agreed fees (carrier costs) paid to those carriers and to add additional aircraft that will replace existing aircraft near the end of their contractual terms. Separately, the Company terminated its CPA and related regional flight operations with Air Wisconsin in June 2023. Our future commitments under our CPAs are dependent on numerous variables, and are, therefore, difficult to predict. The most important of these variables is the number of scheduled block hours. Although we are not required to purchase a minimum number of block hours under certain of our CPAs, we have set forth below estimates of our future payments under the CPAs based on our assumptions. The actual amounts we pay to our regional operators under CPAs could differ materially from these estimates. United's estimates of its future payments under all of the CPAs do not include the portion of the underlying obligation for any aircraft leased to a regional carrier or deemed to be leased from other regional carriers and facility rent that are disclosed as part of operating leases above. For purposes of calculating these estimates, we have assumed (1) the number of block hours flown is based on our anticipated level of flight activity or at any contractual minimum utilization levels if applicable, whichever is higher, (2) that we will reduce the fleet as rapidly as contractually allowed under each CPA, (3) that aircraft utilization, stage length and load factors will remain constant, (4) that each carrier's operational performance will remain at recent historic levels and (5) an annual projected inflation rate. These amounts exclude variable pass-through costs such as fuel and landing fees, among others. Based on these assumptions as of December 31, 2023, our estimated future payments through the end of the terms of our CPAs are presented in the table below (in billions): 2024 $ 2.4 2025 2.1 2026 2.1 2027 1.6 2028 1.3 After 2028 4.1 $ 13.6 In January 2024, United amended several of its CPAs with certain of its regional carriers. These amendments will result in an increase to its future commitments under its CPAs by approximately $0.6 billion. |
Variable Interest Entities ("VI
Variable Interest Entities ("VIE") | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES ("VIE") | VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES ("VIE") Variable interests are contractual, ownership or other monetary interests in an entity that change with fluctuations in the fair value of the entity's net assets exclusive of variable interests. A VIE can arise from items such as lease agreements, loan arrangements, guarantees or service contracts. An entity is a VIE if (a) the entity lacks sufficient equity or (b) the entity's equity holders lack power or the obligation and right as equity holders to absorb the entity's expected losses or to receive its expected residual returns. If an entity is determined to be a VIE, the entity must be consolidated by the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the holder of the variable interests that has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that (i) most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and (ii) has the obligation to absorb losses of or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Therefore, the Company must identify which activities most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and determine whether it, or another party, has the power to direct those activities. Airport Leases . United is the lessee of real property under long-term operating leases at a number of airports where we are also the guarantor of approximately $1.9 billion of tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds and interest thereon as of December 31, 2023. These leases are typically with municipalities or other governmental entities, which are excluded from the consolidation requirements concerning a VIE. To the extent United's leases and related guarantees are with a separate legal entity other than a governmental entity, United is not the primary beneficiary because the lease terms are consistent with market terms at the inception of the lease and the lease does not include a residual value guarantee, fixed-price purchase option, or similar feature. See Note 12 of this report for more information regarding United's guarantee of the tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds. EETCs. United evaluated whether the pass-through trusts formed for its EETC financings, treated as either debt or aircraft operating leases, are VIEs required to be consolidated by United under applicable accounting guidance, and determined that the pass-through trusts are VIEs. Based on United's analysis as described below, United determined that it does not have a variable interest in the pass-through trusts. The primary risk of the pass-through trusts is credit risk (i.e. the risk that United, the issuer of the equipment notes, may be unable to make its principal and interest payments). The primary purpose of the pass-through trust structure is to enhance the credit worthiness of United's debt obligation through certain bankruptcy protection provisions, a liquidity facility (in certain of the EETC structures) and improved loan-to-value ratios for more senior debt classes. These credit enhancements lower United's total borrowing cost. Pass-through trusts are established to receive principal and interest payments on the equipment notes purchased by the pass-through trusts from United and remit these proceeds to the pass-through trusts' certificate holders. United does not invest in or obtain a financial interest in the pass-through trusts. Rather, United has an obligation to make interest and principal payments on its equipment notes held by the pass-through trusts. United does not intend to have any voting or non-voting equity interest in the pass-through trusts or to absorb variability from the pass-through trusts. Based on this analysis, the Company determined that it is not required to consolidate the pass-through trusts. Mesa . United concluded that Mesa is a VIE as of December 31, 2023. United holds a variable interest in Mesa in the form of an approximately 10% equity interest and several loans to Mesa, but United is not the primary beneficiary because it does not have power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Mesa's economic performance. |
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments. As of December 31, 2023, United had firm commitments to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company ("Boeing") and Airbus S.A.S. ("Airbus") presented in the table below: Contractual Aircraft Deliveries Expected Aircraft Deliveries (b) Aircraft Type Number of Firm 2024 2025 After 2025 2024 2025 After 2025 787 150 8 18 124 7 18 125 737 MAX 8 43 43 — — 37 6 — 737 MAX 9 34 34 — — 19 15 — 737 MAX 10 277 80 71 126 — (c) (c) A321neo 126 26 38 62 25 24 77 A321XLR 50 — 8 42 — 1 49 A350 45 — — 45 — — 45 (a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft. (b) Expected aircraft deliveries reflect adjustments communicated by Boeing and Airbus or estimated by United. (c) Due to the delay in the certification of the 737 MAX 10 aircraft, we are unable to accurately forecast the expected delivery period. The aircraft listed in the table above are scheduled for delivery through 2033. The amount and timing of the Company's future capital commitments could change to the extent that: (i) the Company and the aircraft manufacturers, with whom the Company has existing orders for new aircraft, agree to modify the contracts governing those orders; (ii) rights are exercised pursuant to the relevant agreements to cancel deliveries or modify the timing of deliveries; or (iii) the aircraft manufacturers are unable to deliver in accordance with the terms of those orders. The table below summarizes United's firm commitments as of December 31, 2023, which include aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and non-aircraft capital commitments. Aircraft commitments are based on contractual scheduled aircraft deliveries without any adjustments communicated by Boeing and Airbus or estimated by United. (in billions) 2024 $ 12.1 2025 7.9 2026 6.0 2027 4.5 2028 6.1 After 2028 23.5 $ 60.1 Legal and Environmental. The Company has certain contingencies resulting from litigation and claims incident to the ordinary course of business. As of December 31, 2023, management believes, after considering a number of factors, including (but not limited to) the information currently available, the views of legal counsel, the nature of contingencies to which the Company is subject and prior experience, that its defenses and assertions in pending legal proceedings have merit and t he ultimate disposition of any pending matter will not materially affect the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company records liabilities for legal and environmental claims when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. These amounts are recorded based on the Company's assessments of the likelihood of their eventual disposition. During 2022, the Company recorded charges of $94 million as a result of a number of recent decisions that appear to impact the Company's ability to successfully assert, in certain cases, that federal law preempts state and local laws that conflict with union contracts and/or federal requirements. Guarantees and Indemnifications. In the normal course of business, the Company enters into numerous real estate leasing and aircraft financing arrangements that have various guarantees included in the contracts. These guarantees are primarily in the form of indemnities under which the Company typically indemnifies the lessors and any tax/financing parties against liabilities that arise out of or relate to the use, operation or maintenance of the leased premises or financed aircraft. Currently, the Company believes that any future payments required under these guarantees or indemnities would be immaterial, as most liabilities and related indemnities are covered by insurance (subject to deductibles). Additionally, certain real estate leases include indemnities for any environmental liability that may arise out of or relate to the use of the leased premises. As of December 31, 2023, 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 these obligations are accounted for as operating leases recognized on the Company's consolidated balance sheet with the associated expense recorded on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. The obligations associated with these tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds are included in our lease commitments disclosed in Note 10 of this report. All of these bonds are due between 2024 and 2041. As of December 31, 2023, United is the guarantor of $77 million of aircraft mortgage debt issued by one of United's regional carriers. The aircraft mortgage debt is subject to similar increased cost provisions as described below for the Company's debt, and the Company would potentially be responsible for those costs under the guarantees. As of December 31, 2023, United had $429 million of surety bonds securing various insurance related obligations with expiration dates through 2027. Increased Cost Provisions. In United's financing transactions that include loans in which United is the borrower, United typically agrees to reimburse lenders for any reduced returns with respect to the loans due to any change in capital requirements and, in the case of loans with respect to which the interest rate is based on SOFR, for certain other increased costs that the lenders incur in carrying these loans as a result of any change in law, subject, in most cases, to obligations of the lenders to take certain limited steps to mitigate the requirement for, or the amount of, such increased costs. The Company elected to apply the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification 848, Reference Rate Reform , to contracts and transactions that transitioned from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) to SOFR. The application of this guidance did not have any material impact on the Company's financial statements. At December 31, 2023, the Company had $11.3 billion of floating rate debt with remaining terms of up to approximately 12 years that are subject to these increased cost provisions. In several financing transactions involving loans or leases from non-U.S. entities, with remaining terms of up to approximately 12 years and an aggregate balance of $8.1 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. Fuel Consortia. United participates in numerous fuel consortia with other air carriers at major airports to reduce the costs of fuel distribution and storage. Interline agreements govern the rights and responsibilities of the consortia members and provide for the allocation of the overall costs to operate the consortia based on usage. The consortia (and in limited cases, the participating carriers) have entered into long-term agreements to lease certain airport fuel storage and distribution facilities that are typically financed through various debt obligations. In general, each consortium lease agreement requires the consortium to make lease payments in amounts sufficient to pay the maturing principal and interest payments on these debt obligations. As of December 31, 2023, approximately $2.5 billion principal amount of such loans was secured by significant fuel facility leases in which United participates, as to which United and each of the signatory airlines has provided indirect guarantees of the debt. As of December 31, 2023, the Company's contingent exposure was approximately $447 million principal amount of such obligations based on its recent consortia participation. The Company's contingent exposure could increase if the participation of other air carriers decreases. The guarantees will expire when these obligations are paid in full, which ranges from 2027 to 2056. The Company concluded it was not necessary to record a liability for these indirect guarantees. Regional Capacity Purchase. As of December 31, 2023, United had 252 call options to purchase regional jet aircraft being operated by certain of its regional carriers with contract dates extending until 2037. These call options are exercisable upon wrongful termination or breach of contract, among other conditions. Credit Card Processing Agreements. The Company has agreements with financial institutions that process customer credit card transactions for the sale of air travel and other services. Under certain of the Company's credit card processing agreements, the financial institutions in certain circumstances have the right to require that the Company maintain a reserve equal to a portion of advance ticket sales that has been processed by that financial institution, but for which the Company has not yet provided the air transportation. Such financial institutions may require additional cash or other collateral reserves to be established or additional withholding of payments related to receivables collected if the Company does not maintain certain minimum levels of unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments (collectively, "Unrestricted Liquidity"). The Company's current level of Unrestricted Liquidity is substantially in excess of these minimum levels. Labor Negotiations. As of December 31, 2023, United, including its subsidiaries, had approximately 103,300 employees. Approximately 83% of United's employees were represented by various U.S. labor organizations. In January 2023, the Company's more than 8,000 technicians and related employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters ratified an extension to their labor contract with United. The agreement becomes amendable in December 2024. On February 28, 2024, United and the IBT reached a tentative agreement for an extension to their labor contract. The agreement, if ratified, becomes amendable in December 2028. The tentative agreement provides competitive pay increases and improved several work rules. In May 2023, nearly 30,000 fleet service, passenger service, storekeepers, maintenance instructors and fleet technical instructors and related employees represented by the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers ("IAM") ratified five agreements with United. The ratified agreements are effective through 2025. The Company recorded a one-time $48 million expense in conjunction with the ratification. On February 23, 2024, United and the IAM ratified agreements covering the security guards in California and central load planners. The ratified agreements are effective through 2025. In September 2023, the Company's pilots represented by ALPA ratified an agreement with United. The agreement includes numerous work rule changes and pay rate increases during the four-year term. The agreement also included a provision for a one-time $765 million payment upon ratification which was paid by December 31, 2023. |
Special Charges (Credits)
Special Charges (Credits) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] | |
SPECIAL CHARGES (CREDITS) | SPECIAL CHARGES (CREDITS) For the years ended December 31, operating and nonoperating special charges (credits) and unrealized (gains) losses on investments in the statements of consolidated operations consisted of the following (in millions): Operating: 2023 2022 2021 Labor contract ratification bonuses $ 814 $ — $ — CARES Act grant — — (4,021) Severance and benefit costs — — 438 Impairment of assets — — 97 (Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges 135 140 119 Total operating special charges (credits) 949 140 (3,367) Nonoperating unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net (27) (20) 34 Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees 11 7 50 Nonoperating special termination benefits and settlement losses — — 31 Total nonoperating special charges and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net (16) (13) 115 Total operating and nonoperating special charges (credits) and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net 933 127 (3,252) Income tax expense (benefit), net of valuation allowance (214) (33) 728 Total operating and nonoperating special charges (credits) and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net of income taxes $ 719 $ 94 $ (2,524) 2023 Labor contract ratification bonuses. During 2023, the Company recorded $814 million of expense associated with the agreements with ALPA, IAM and other work groups. See Note 12 for additional information. (Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges. During 2023, the Company recorded $135 million of net charges primarily comprised of accelerated depreciation related to certain of the Company's assets that will be retired early, reserves for various legal matters, a write-down of flight training equipment that is being sold and other gains and losses on the sale of assets. Nonoperating unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net. During 2023, the Company recorded gains of $27 million, primarily for the change in the market value of its investments in equity securities. Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees . During 2023, the Company recorded $11 million of charges primarily related to the prepayment of $1.0 billion of the outstanding principal amount under a 2021 term loan facility. 2022 (Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges. During 2022, the Company recorded $140 million of net charges primarily comprised of $94 million for various legal matters and $23 million related to certain contract disputes. Nonoperating unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net. During 2022, the Company recorded gains of $20 million primarily related to the change in the market value of its investments in equity securities. Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees . During 2022, the Company recorded $7 million of charges primarily related to the early redemption of $400 million of the outstanding principal amount of its 4.25% senior notes due 2022. 2021 CARES Act grant. During 2021, the Company received approximately $5.8 billion in funding pursuant to the Payroll Support Program agreements under the CARES Act (the "PSP2 and PSP3 Agreements"), which included approximately $1.7 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured promissory notes . The Company recorded $4.0 billion as grant income in Special charges (credits). The Company also recorded $99 million for the PSP2 Warrants and PSP3 Warrants issued to Treasury as part of the PSP2 and PSP3 Agreements, within stockholders' equity, as an offset to the grant income. Severance and benefit costs . During 2021, the Company recorded $438 million of charges related to pay continuation and benefits-related costs provided to employees who chose to voluntarily separate from the Company. The Company offered, based on employee group, age and completed years of service, pay continuation, health care coverage, and travel privileges. Approximately 4,500 employees elected to voluntarily separate from the Company. Impairment of assets . During 2021, the Company recorded the following impairment charges: • $61 million, primarily comprised of impairment charges for 13 Airbus A319 aircraft and 13 Boeing 737-700 airframes as a result of the then-current market conditions for used aircraft, along with charges for cancelled induction projects related to these aircraft. • $36 million of impairments related to 64 Embraer EMB 145LR aircraft and related spare engines that United retired from its regional fleet. The decision to retire these aircraft was triggered by the United Next aircraft order. (Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges. During 2021, the Company recorded net charges of $119 million primarily related to a one-time bonus paid to employees for their continued efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, incentives for its employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and the termination of the lease associated with three floors of its headquarters at the Willis Tower in Chicago, partially offset by gains primarily related to the sale of its former headquarters in suburban Chicago, aircraft sale-leaseback transactions and aircraft component manufacturer credits. Nonoperating unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net . During 2021, the Company recorded losses of $34 million primarily for the change in the market value of its investments in equity securities. Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees. During 2021, the Company recorded $50 million of charges for fees and discounts related to the issuance of a new term loan and revolving credit facility and the prepayment of a CARES Act loan and a 2017 term loan and revolving credit facility. Nonoperating special termination benefits and settlement losses. During 2021, as part of the first quarter voluntary leave programs, the Company recorded $31 million of special termination benefits in the form of additional subsidies for retiree medical costs for certain U.S.-based front-line employees. The subsidies were in the form of a one-time contribution to a notional retiree health account of $125,000 for full-time employees and $75,000 for part-time employees. See Note 7 of this report for additional information. |
Schedule II - Valuation and Qua
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract] | |
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts | Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts For the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 (In millions) Description Balance at Additions Deductions Other Balance at Allowance for credit losses - receivables: 2023 $ 11 $ 27 $ 23 $ 3 $ 18 2022 28 22 39 — 11 2021 78 3 53 — 28 Obsolescence allowance—spare parts: 2023 $ 610 $ 102 $ 23 $ — $ 689 2022 546 73 9 — 610 2021 478 79 11 — 546 Allowance for credit losses - investments in affiliates and other: 2023 $ 21 $ 20 $ — $ (3) $ 38 2022 622 20 539 (82) 21 2021 522 1 — 99 622 Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets: 2023 $ 199 $ (21) $ — $ 1 $ 179 2022 210 (10) — (1) 199 2021 247 (38) — 1 210 |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure
Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Pay vs Performance Disclosure | |||
Net income (loss) | $ 2,618 | $ 737 | $ (1,964) |
Insider Trading Arrangements
Insider Trading Arrangements | 3 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Trading Arrangements, by Individual | |
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted | false |
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted | false |
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated | false |
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated | false |
Significant Accounting Polici_2
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates— The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognitio n— Passenger revenue is recognized when transportation is provided and Cargo revenue is recognized when shipments arrive at their destination. Other operating revenue is recognized as the related performance obligations are satisfied. Passenger tickets and related ancillary services sold by the Company for flights are purchased primarily via credit card transactions, with payments collected by the Company in advance of the performance of related services. The Company initially records ticket sales in its Advance ticket sales liability, deferring revenue recognition until the travel occurs. For travel that has more than one flight segment, the Company deems each segment as a separate performance obligation and recognizes revenue for each segment as travel occurs. Tickets sold by other airlines where the Company provides the transportation are recognized as passenger revenue at the estimated value to be billed to the other airline when travel is provided. Differences between amounts billed and the actual amounts may be rejected and rebilled or written off if the amount recorded was different from the original estimate. When necessary, the Company records a reserve against its billings and payables with other airlines based on historical experience. The Company sells certain tickets with connecting flights with one or more segments operated by its other airline partners. For segments operated by its other airline partners, the Company has determined that it is acting as an agent on behalf of the other airlines as they are responsible for their portion of the contract (i.e. transportation of the passenger). The Company, as the agent, recognizes revenue within Other operating revenue at the time of the travel for the net amount representing commission to be retained by the Company for any segments flown by other airlines. Refundable tickets expire after one year from the date of issuance. Non-refundable tickets generally expire on the date of the intended travel, unless the date is extended by notification from the customer on or before the intended travel date. United initially capitalizes the costs of selling airline travel tickets and then recognizes those costs as Distribution expense at the time of travel. Costs to sell a ticket include credit card fees, travel agency and other commissions paid, as well as global distribution systems booking fees. Advance Ticket Sales. Advance ticket sales represent the Company's liability to provide air transportation in the future. All tickets sold at any given point in time have travel dates through the next 12 months. The Company defers amounts related to future travel in its Advance ticket sales liability account. The Company estimates the value of Advance ticket sales that will expire unused ("breakage") and recognizes revenue and any changes in estimates in proportion to the usage of the related tickets. To determine breakage, the Company uses its historical experience with expired tickets and certificates and other facts, such as recent aging trends, program changes and modifications that could affect the ultimate expiration patterns. In the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized approximately $5.7 billion, $3.3 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively, of passenger revenue for tickets that were included in Advance ticket sales at the beginning of those periods. Revenue by Geography. The Company further disaggregates revenue by geographic regions. The Company deploys its aircraft across its route network through a single route scheduling system to maximize its value. When making resource allocation decisions, the Company's chief operating decision maker evaluates flight profitability data, which considers aircraft type and route economics. The Company's chief operating decision maker makes resource allocation decisions to maximize the Company's consolidated financial results. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise with separate financial information, which are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker and are used in resource allocation and performance assessments. Managing the Company as one segment allows management the opportunity to maximize the value of its route network. The Company attributes revenue among the geographic areas based upon the origin and destination of each flight segment. The Company's operations involve an insignificant level of revenue-producing assets in geographic regions as the overwhelming majority of the Company's revenue-producing assets (primarily U.S. registered aircraft) can be deployed in any of its geographic regions. Ancillary Fees. |
Ticket Taxes | Ticket Taxes— Certain governmental taxes are imposed on the Company's ticket sales through a fee included in ticket prices. The Company collects these fees and remits them to the appropriate government agency. These fees are recorded on a net basis and, as a result, are excluded from revenue. |
Frequent Flyer Accounting | Frequent Flyer Accounting— United's MileagePlus loyalty program builds customer loyalty by offering awards, benefits and services to program participants. Members in this program earn miles for travel on United, United Express, Star Alliance members and certain other airlines that participate in the program. Members can also earn miles by purchasing goods and services from our network of non-airline partners. We have contracts to sell miles to these partners with the terms extending from one Miles Earned in Conjunction with Travel. When frequent flyers earn miles for flights, the Company recognizes a portion of the ticket sales as revenue when the travel occurs and defers a portion of the ticket sale representing the value of the related miles as a separate performance obligation. The Company determines the estimated selling price of travel and miles as if each element is sold on a separate basis. The total consideration from each ticket sale is then allocated to each of these elements, individually, on a pro-rata basis. At the time of travel, the Company records the portion allocated to the miles to Frequent flyer deferred revenue on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and subsequently recognizes it into revenue when miles are redeemed for air travel and non-air travel awards. Estimated Selling Price of Miles . The Company's estimated selling price of miles is based on an equivalent ticket value, which incorporates the expected redemption of miles, as the best estimate of selling price for these miles. The equivalent ticket value 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 breakage that considers a number of factors, including redemption patterns of various customer groups. Estimate of Miles Not Expected to be Redeemed ("Breakage") . The Company's breakage model is based on the assumption that the likelihood that an account will redeem its miles can be estimated based on a consideration of the account's historical behavior. The Company uses a logit regression model to estimate the probability that an account will redeem its current miles balance. The Company reviews its breakage estimates annually based upon the latest available information. The Company's estimate of the expected breakage of miles requires management judgment and current and future changes to breakage assumptions, or to program rules and program redemption opportunities, may result in material changes to the deferred revenue balance as well as recognized revenues from the program. For the portion of the outstanding miles that we estimate will not be redeemed, we recognize the associated value proportionally as the remaining miles are redeemed. Co-Brand Agreement . United has a contract (the "Co-Brand Agreement") to sell MileagePlus miles to its co-branded credit card partner JPMorgan Chase Bank USA, N.A. ("Chase"). Chase awards miles to MileagePlus members based on their credit card activity. United identified the following significant separately identifiable performance obligations in the Co-Brand Agreement: • MileagePlus miles awarded – United has a performance obligation to provide MileagePlus cardholders with miles to be used for air travel and non-travel award redemptions. The Company records Passenger revenue related to the travel awards when the transportation is provided and records Other revenue related to the non-travel awards when the goods or services are delivered. The Company records the cost associated with non-travel awards in Other operating revenue, as an agent. • Marketing – United has a performance obligation to provide Chase access to United's customer list and the use of United's brand. Marketing revenue is recorded to Other operating revenue as miles are delivered to Chase. • Advertising – United has a performance obligation to provide advertising in support of the MileagePlus card in various customer contact points such as United's website, email promotions, direct mail campaigns, airport advertising and in-flight advertising. Advertising revenue is recorded to Other operating revenue as miles are delivered to Chase. • Other travel-related benefits – United's performance obligations are comprised of various items such as waived bag fees, seat upgrades and lounge passes. Lounge passes are recorded to Other operating revenue as customers use the lounge passes. Bag fees and seat upgrades are recorded to Passenger revenue at the time of the associated travel. We account for all the payments received under the Co-Brand Agreement by allocating them to the separately identifiable performance obligations. The fair value of the separately identifiable performance obligations is determined using management's estimated selling price of each component. The objective of using the estimated selling price based methodology is to determine the price at which we would transact a sale if the product or service were sold on a stand-alone basis. Accordingly, we determine our best estimate of selling price by considering multiple inputs and methods including, but not limited to, discounted cash flows, brand value, volume discounts, published selling prices, number of miles awarded and number of miles redeemed. The Company estimated the selling prices and volumes over the term of the Co-Brand Agreement, at the inception of the contract, in order to determine the allocation of proceeds to each of the components to be delivered. We also evaluate volumes on an annual basis, which may result in a change in the allocation of the estimated consideration from the Co-Brand Agreement on a prospective basis. Frequent Flyer Deferred Revenue. |
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash | Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash— Highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less on their acquisition date are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash is classified as short-term or long-term in the consolidated balance sheets based on the expected timing of return of the assets to the Company or payment to an outside party. Restricted cash-current— The December 31, 2023 balance includes amounts to be used for the payment of principal, interest and fees on the $4.8 billion of senior secured notes and a secured term loan facility (the "MileagePlus Financing") secured by substantially all of the assets of Mileage Plus Holdings, LLC ("MPH"), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of United. Restricted cash-non-current— The December 31, 2023 balance primarily includes collateral associated with the MileagePlus Financing, collateral for letters of credit and collateral associated with facility leases and other insurance-related obligations. |
Investments | Investments— Highly liquid investments with maturities of greater than three months to a year, at the time of purchase, are classified as short-term investments and are stated at fair value. Investments with maturities beyond one year when purchased are classified as short-term investments if they are expected to be available to support our short-term liquidity needs. Our short-term investments in debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are stated at fair value. Realized gains and losses on sales of these investments are reflected in Miscellaneous, net in the consolidated statements of operations. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities are reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Equity investments are accounted for under the equity method if we are able to exercise significant influence over an investee. Equity investments for which we do not have significant influence are recorded at fair value or at cost, if fair value is not readily determinable, with adjustments for observable changes in price or impairments (referred to as the measurement alternative). Changes in fair value are recorded in Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 8 of this report for additional information related to investments. |
Compensation received in connection with purchase agreements | Compensation received in connection with purchase agreements— The Company accounts for compensation received from vendors as deferred credits that will generally be recognized as a reduction to the cost of the asset received in future periods. |
Accounts Receivable | Accounts Receivable— |
Aircraft Fuel, Spare Parts and Supplies | Aircraft Fuel, Spare Parts and Supplies— The Company accounts for aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies at average cost and provides an obsolescence allowance for aircraft spare parts with an assumed residual value of 10% of original cost. |
Property and Equipment | Property and Equipment— The Company records additions to owned operating property and equipment at cost when acquired. Property under finance leases and the related obligation for future lease payments are recorded at an amount equal to the initial present value of those lease payments. Modifications that enhance the operating performance or extend the useful lives of airframes or engines are capitalized as property and equipment. We periodically receive credits in connection with the acquisition of aircraft and engines including those related to contractual damages related to delays in delivery. These credits are deferred until the aircraft and engines are delivered and then applied as a reduction to the cost of the related equipment. |
Long-Lived Asset Impairments | Long-Lived Asset Impairments— The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets subject to amortization whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may exist. For purposes of this testing, the Company has generally identified the aircraft fleet type as the lowest level of identifiable cash flows for its mainline fleet and the contract level for its regional fleet under capacity purchase agreements ("CPAs"). An impairment charge is recognized when the asset's carrying value exceeds its net undiscounted future cash flows. The amount of the charge is the difference between the asset's carrying value and fair market value. |
Intangibles | Intangibles— The Company has finite-lived and indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. When there is a triggering event, the Company typically determines fair value using either market or a variation of the income approach valuation techniques. These measurements include the following key assumptions: (1) forecasted revenues, expenses, margin and cash flows, (2) terminal period growth rate, (3) an estimated weighted average cost of capital, (4) asset-specific risk factor and (5) a tax rate. These assumptions are consistent with those that hypothetical market participants would use. Because we are required to make estimates and assumptions when evaluating goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, actual results may differ materially from these estimates. We recognize an impairment when the fair value of an intangible asset is less than its carrying value. Every year, the Company evaluates its intangible assets for possible impairments. For the Company's China route authority, the Company performed a quantitative assessment which involved determining the fair value of the asset and comparing that amount to the asset's carrying value. For all other intangible assets, the Company performed a qualitative assessment of whether it was more likely than not that an impairment had occurred. To determine fair value of the China route authority, the Company used a discounted cash flow method. Key inputs into the models included forecasted revenues, fuel costs, other operating costs, margin and an overall discount rate. These assumptions are inherently uncertain as they relate to future events and circumstances. |
Labor Costs | Labor Costs— The Company records expenses associated with new or amendable labor agreements when the amounts are probable and estimable. These could include costs associated with retro-active lump sum cash payments made in conjunction with the ratification of labor agreements. To the extent these upfront costs are in lieu of future pay increases, they would be capitalized and amortized over the term of the labor agreements. If not, these amounts would be expensed. |
Share-Based Compensation | Share-Based Compensation— The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. The resulting cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, usually the vesting period. Obligations for cash-settled restricted stock units ("RSUs") are remeasured at fair value throughout the requisite service period at the close of the reporting period based upon UAL's stock price. In addition to the service requirement, certain RSUs have performance metrics that must be achieved prior to vesting. These awards are accrued based on the expected level of achievement at each reporting period. An adjustment is recorded each reporting period to adjust compensation expense based on the then current level of expected performance achievement for the performance-based awards. See Note 4 of this report for additional information on UAL's share-based compensation plans. |
Maintenance and Repairs | Maintenance and Repairs— The cost of maintenance and repairs, including the cost of minor replacements, is charged to expense as incurred, except for costs incurred under our power-by-the-hour ("PBTH") engine maintenance agreements. PBTH contracts transfer certain risk to third-party service providers and fix the amount we pay per flight hour or per cycle to the service provider in exchange for maintenance and repairs under a predefined maintenance program. Under PBTH agreements, the Company recognizes expense at a level rate per engine hour, unless the level of service effort and the related payments during the period are substantially consistent, in which case the Company recognizes expense based on the amounts paid. |
Advertising | Advertising— |
Third-Party Business | Third-Party Business— The Company has third-party business activity that includes ground handling, maintenance services, flight academy and frequent flyer award non-travel redemptions. Third-party business revenue is recorded in Other operating revenue. Expenses associated with these third-party business activities are recorded in Other operating expenses, except for non-travel mileage redemption. Non-travel mileage redemption expenses are recorded to Other operating revenue. |
Uncertain Income Tax Positions | Uncertain Income Tax Positions— |
Recently Issued Accounting Standards | Recently Issued Accounting Standards— In June 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. Under this standard, a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered in measuring the security's fair value. The standard also requires certain disclosures for equity securities that are subject to contractual sale restrictions. The ASU became effective January 1, 2024. We do not expect this ASU to have a material impact on the valuation of our equity investments; however, we may be required to include additional disclosures to the extent we have material equity investments subject to contractual sale restrictions. |
Fair Value Information | Accounting standards require us to use valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized as follows: Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for assets or liabilities identical to those to be reported at fair value Level 2 Other inputs that are observable directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or market-corroborated inputs Level 3 Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which require us to develop our own assumptions about how market participants would price the assets or liabilities Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on the valuation techniques identified in the tables below. The valuation techniques are as follows: (a) Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities; and (b) Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single current value based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models). |
Significant Accounting Polici_3
Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Operating Revenue by Principal Geographic Region | The Company's operating revenue by principal geographic region (as defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation) for the years ended December 31 is presented in the table below (in millions): 2023 2022 2021 Domestic (U.S. and Canada) $ 32,400 $ 28,474 $ 16,845 Atlantic 10,982 9,072 3,414 Pacific 5,267 2,927 1,507 Latin America 5,068 4,482 2,868 Total $ 53,717 $ 44,955 $ 24,634 |
Roll Forward of Frequent Flyer Deferred Revenue | The table below presents a roll forward of Frequent flyer deferred revenue (in millions): Year Ended 2023 2022 Total Frequent flyer deferred revenue - beginning balance $ 6,675 $ 6,282 Total miles awarded 3,297 2,558 Travel miles redeemed (2,723) (2,079) Non-travel miles redeemed (106) (86) Total Frequent flyer deferred revenue - ending balance $ 7,143 $ 6,675 |
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash | The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statements of consolidated cash flows (in millions): At December 31, 2023 2022 2021 Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,058 $ 7,166 $ 18,283 Restricted cash 31 45 37 Other assets: Restricted cash 245 210 213 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of consolidated cash flows $ 6,334 $ 7,421 $ 18,533 |
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash | The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statements of consolidated cash flows (in millions): At December 31, 2023 2022 2021 Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,058 $ 7,166 $ 18,283 Restricted cash 31 45 37 Other assets: Restricted cash 245 210 213 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of consolidated cash flows $ 6,334 $ 7,421 $ 18,533 |
Estimated Useful Lives of Property and Equipment | The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows: Estimated Useful Life (in years) Aircraft, spare engines and related rotable parts 25 to 30 Aircraft seats 10 to 15 Buildings 25 to 45 Other property and equipment 3 to 15 Computer software 5 to 15 Building improvements 1 to 40 |
Information about Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets | The following table presents information about the Company's goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31 (in millions): 2023 2022 Gross Accumulated Gross Accumulated Goodwill $ 4,527 $ 4,527 Indefinite-lived intangible assets China route authority $ 1,020 $ 1,020 Airport slots 574 574 Tradenames and logos 593 593 Alliances 404 404 Total $ 2,591 $ 2,591 Finite-lived intangible assets Frequent flyer database $ 1,177 $ 1,068 $ 1,177 $ 1,040 Hubs 145 131 145 124 Contracts — — 7 7 Other 307 296 314 301 Total $ 1,629 $ 1,495 $ 1,643 $ 1,472 |
Common Stockholders' Equity a_2
Common Stockholders' Equity and Preferred Securities (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Equity [Abstract] | |
Summary of Warrants Outstanding | The Company issued warrants to the U.S. Treasury Department ("Treasury") pursuant to the payroll support program ("PSP"), including extensions, and the loan program established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act"). See Note 9 of this report for additional information about the unsecured promissory notes issued by the Company to Treasury under the PSP and related extensions. As of December 31, 2023 , the Company had the following warrants outstanding: Warrant Description Number of Shares of UAL Common Stock (in millions) Exercise Price Expiration Dates PSP1 Warrants 4.8 $ 31.50 4/20/2025 — 9/30/2025 CARES Act Warrants 1.7 31.50 9/28/2025 PSP2 Warrants 2.0 43.26 1/15/2026 — 4/29/2026 PSP3 Warrants 1.5 53.92 4/29/2026 — 6/10/2026 Total 10.0 |
Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tabl
Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | |
Computation of Earnings Per Share | The computations of UAL's basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are set forth below for the years ended December 31 (in millions, except per share amounts): 2023 2022 2021 Earnings (loss) available to common stockholders $ 2,618 $ 737 $ (1,964) Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 327.8 326.4 321.9 Dilutive effect of stock warrants (a) 2.2 1.5 — Dilutive effect of employee stock awards 1.9 2.2 — Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 331.9 330.1 321.9 Earnings (loss) per share, basic $ 7.98 $ 2.26 $ (6.10) Earnings (loss) per share, diluted $ 7.89 $ 2.23 $ (6.10) Potentially dilutive securities (b) Stock warrants (a) 1.5 3.5 0.9 Employee stock awards 0.6 0.7 0.7 (a) Represent warrants issued to Treasury pursuant to the payroll support program, including extensions, and the loan program established under the CARES Act. See Note 2 of this report for additional information about these warrants. (b) Weighted-average potentially dilutive securities outstanding excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the securities would have had an antidilutive effect. |
Share-Based Compensation Plans
Share-Based Compensation Plans (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] | |
Information Related to Share-Based Compensation Plan Cost | The following table provides information related to UAL's share-based compensation plan cost for the years ended December 31 (in millions): 2023 2022 2021 Compensation cost: RSUs $ 78 $ 87 $ 236 Stock options 2 2 2 Total $ 80 $ 89 $ 238 |
Summary of Unearned Compensation and Weighted-Average Remaining Period to Recognize Costs | The table below summarizes UAL's unearned compensation and weighted-average remaining period to recognize costs for all outstanding share-based awards that are probable of being achieved as of December 31, 2023 (in millions, except as noted): Unearned Compensation Weighted-Average RSUs $ 78 1.4 Stock options 3 2.7 Total $ 81 |
Summary of RSU and Restricted Stock Activity | The table below summarizes UAL's RSU activity for the years ended December 31 (shares in millions): Liability Awards Equity Awards RSUs RSUs Weighted- Outstanding at December 31, 2020 0.4 3.2 $ 53.41 Granted 0.4 2.9 52.18 Vested (0.6) (1.5) 51.35 Forfeited — (0.2) 46.77 Outstanding at December 31, 2021 0.2 4.4 53.63 Granted 0.1 2.3 31.96 Additional issuance due to achievement of performance metrics — 1.6 58.17 Vested (0.2) (4.8) 56.00 Forfeited — (0.2) 53.03 Outstanding at December 31, 2022 0.1 3.3 37.88 Granted 0.1 2.5 43.42 Vested (0.1) (1.6) 44.03 Forfeited — (0.1) 36.90 Outstanding at December 31, 2023 0.1 4.1 38.86 |
Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Equity [Abstract] | |
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax | The tables below present the components of the Company's AOCI, net of tax (in millions): Pension and Investments and Other Deferred Taxes (a) Total Balance at December 31, 2020 $ (1,102) $ 2 $ (39) $ (1,139) Change in value 239 (2) (53) 184 Amounts reclassified to earnings 16 (b) — (3) 13 Balance at December 31, 2021 (847) — (95) (942) Change in value 1,474 (35) (321) 1,118 Amounts reclassified to earnings (1) (b) — — (1) Balance at December 31, 2022 626 (35) (416) 175 Change in value (199) 31 38 (130) Amounts reclassified to earnings (138) (b) — 31 (107) Balance at December 31, 2023 $ 289 $ (4) $ (347) $ (62) (a) Includes approximately $285 million of deferred income tax expense that will not be recognized in net income until the related pension and postretirement benefit obligations are fully extinguished. We consider all income sources, including other comprehensive income, in determining the amount of tax benefit allocated to results from operations. (b) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs, specifically the following components: amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss, amortization of prior service credit and other. See Note 7 of this report for additional information on pensions and other postretirement liabilities. |
Income Taxes (Tables)
Income Taxes (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Income Tax Provision (Benefit) Differed from Amounts Computed at the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate and Significant Components | The income tax provision (benefit) differed from amounts computed at the statutory federal income tax rate and consisted of the following significant components (in millions) : 2023 2022 2021 Income tax provision (benefit) at statutory rate $ 711 $ 208 $ (537) State income tax provision (benefit), net of federal income tax benefit 46 13 (34) Nondeductible employee meals 15 12 7 Nondeductible transportation fringe benefit 13 10 8 Valuation allowance (21) (10) (38) Other, net 5 20 1 Income tax expense (benefit) $ 769 $ 253 $ (593) Current $ 13 $ 5 $ (10) Deferred 756 248 (583) Income tax expense (benefit) $ 769 $ 253 $ (593) |
Temporary Differences and Carryforwards Giving Rise to Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities | Temporary differences and carryforwards that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in millions): UAL United 2023 2022 2023 2022 Deferred income tax asset (liability): Federal and state net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards $ 2,644 $ 2,932 $ 2,616 $ 2,903 Deferred revenue 1,845 1,783 1,845 1,783 Employee benefits, including pension, postretirement and medical 695 606 695 606 Operating lease liabilities 1,134 1,118 1,134 1,118 Other financial liabilities 414 141 414 141 Interest expense carryforward 579 510 579 510 Other 575 576 575 576 Less: Valuation allowance (179) (199) (179) (199) Total deferred tax assets $ 7,707 $ 7,467 $ 7,679 $ 7,438 Depreciation $ (6,782) $ (5,844) $ (6,782) $ (5,844) Operating lease right-of-use asset (887) (881) (887) (881) Intangibles (632) (651) (632) (651) Total deferred tax liabilities $ (8,301) $ (7,376) $ (8,301) $ (7,376) Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ (594) $ 91 $ (622) $ 62 |
Pension, Postretirement And O_2
Pension, Postretirement And Other Employee Benefit Plans (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Retirement Benefits [Abstract] | |
Reconciliation of the Change in Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets and Funded Status | The following tables set forth the reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the benefit obligation and plan assets, the funded status and the amounts recognized in these financial statements for the defined benefit and other postretirement plans (in millions): Pension Benefits Year Ended December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2022 Accumulated benefit obligation: $ 3,910 $ 3,596 Change in projected benefit obligation: Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 4,181 $ 6,473 Service cost 124 204 Interest cost 217 188 Actuarial (gain) loss 204 (2,186) Benefits paid (177) (464) Other 1 (34) Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 4,550 $ 4,181 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 3,467 $ 4,626 Actual income (loss) on plan assets 281 (678) Employer contributions 22 8 Benefits paid (177) (464) Other 6 (25) Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 3,599 $ 3,467 Funded status—Net amount recognized $ (951) $ (714) Pension Benefits December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of: Noncurrent asset $ 21 $ 44 Current liability (4) (11) Noncurrent liability (968) (747) Total liability $ (951) $ (714) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consist of: Net actuarial loss $ (242) $ (77) Prior service cost — (1) Total accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (242) $ (78) Other Postretirement Benefits Year Ended December 31, 2023 Year Ended December 31, 2022 Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 788 $ 1,129 Service cost 4 9 Interest cost 42 30 Plan participants' contributions 67 69 Benefits paid (177) (179) Actuarial (gain) loss 22 (270) Benefit obligation at end of year $ 746 $ 788 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 48 $ 49 Actual return on plan assets 1 1 Employer contributions 107 108 Plan participants' contributions 67 69 Benefits paid (177) (179) Fair value of plan assets at end of year 46 48 Funded status—Net amount recognized $ (700) $ (740) |
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Other Postretirement Benefits December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of: Current liability $ (63) $ (69) Noncurrent liability (637) (671) Total liability $ (700) $ (740) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consist of: Net actuarial gain $ 309 $ 369 Prior service credit 222 335 Total accumulated other comprehensive income $ 531 $ 704 |
Accumulated Benefit Obligation and Projected Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets | The following information relates to all pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation and a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets at December 31 (in millions): 2023 2022 Projected benefit obligation $ 4,407 $ 4,045 Accumulated benefit obligation 3,767 3,461 Fair value of plan assets 3,435 3,287 |
Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost | Net periodic benefit cost (credit) for the years ended December 31 included the following components (in millions): 2023 2022 2021 Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Service cost $ 124 $ 4 $ 204 $ 9 $ 239 $ 10 Interest cost 217 42 188 30 184 25 Expected return on plan assets (251) (1) (306) (1) (283) (1) Amortization of unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss 8 (38) 120 (14) 170 (28) Amortization of prior service credits 1 (112) — (112) — (123) Special termination benefits - Voluntary Programs — — — — — 31 Curtailment — — — — (8) — Other 3 — 5 — 5 — Net periodic benefit cost (credit) $ 102 $ (105) $ 211 $ (88) $ 307 $ (86) The Company's expected Net periodic benefit cost (credit) for 2024 is as follows (in millions): Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Net periodic benefit cost (credit) $ 108 $ (78) |
Assumptions Used for Benefit Plans | The assumptions used for the benefit plans were as follows: Pension Benefits Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations 2023 2022 Discount rate 5.04 % 5.20 % Rate of compensation increase 3.84 % 3.83 % Assumptions used to determine net expense Discount rate 5.20 % 2.90 % Expected return on plan assets 7.53 % 7.16 % Rate of compensation increase 3.83 % 3.83 % Other Postretirement Benefits Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations 2023 2022 Discount rate 5.43 % 5.66 % Assumptions used to determine net expense Discount rate 5.66 % 2.82 % Expected return on plan assets 3.00 % 3.00 % Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year 7.00 % 5.60 % Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate in 2033) 4.50 % 4.50 % |
Allocation of Plan Assets | Plan fiduciaries regularly review our actual asset allocation and the pension plans' investments are periodically rebalanced to our targeted allocation when considered appropriate. United's plan assets are allocated within the following guidelines: Percent of Total Expected Long-Term Equity securities 25-73 % 9 % Fixed-income securities 14-53 8 Alternatives 3-27 8 |
Schedule of Change in Assumptions on Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Benefit Obligations | The table below shows the impacts of a change in certain assumptions on the 2024 net periodic benefit cost and the benefit obligations at December 31, 2023 (in millions): Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Impact on Benefit Obligation at December 31, 2023 100 basis points decrease in the weighted average discount rate $ 858 $ 48 Impact on 2024 Net Periodic Benefit Cost 100 basis points decrease in the weighted average discount rate (a) $ 96 $ — 100 basis points decrease in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 35 — (a) In general, as discount rates increase, the impact of changes in discount rates decreases. Therefore, these sensitivities cannot be extrapolated for larger increases or decreases in the discount rate. In addition, benefit cost is affected by other factors including, but not limited to, investment performance, contributions, demographic experience and other assumption changes. |
Pension and Other Postretirement Plan Assets | The following tables present information about United's pension and other postretirement plan assets at December 31 (in millions): 2023 2022 Pension Plan Assets: Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Measured at NAV(a) Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Measured at NAV(a) Equity securities funds $ 1,265 $ 74 $ 3 $ 134 $ 1,054 $ 1,183 $ 58 $ 26 $ 114 $ 985 Fixed-income securities 1,325 — 411 3 911 1,316 — 527 5 784 Alternatives 779 — — 136 643 887 — — 161 726 Other investments 230 13 87 3 127 81 6 16 5 54 Total $ 3,599 $ 87 $ 501 $ 276 $ 2,735 $ 3,467 $ 64 $ 569 $ 285 $ 2,549 Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets: Deposit administration fund $ 46 $ — $ — $ 46 $ — $ 48 $ — $ — $ 48 $ — (a) In accordance with the relevant accounting standards, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the net asset value ("NAV") per share (or its equivalent) have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. These investments are commingled funds that invest in equity securities and fixed-income instruments including bonds, debt securities, and other similar instruments issued by various U.S. and non-U.S. public- or private-sector entities. Redemption periods for these investments range from daily to semiannually. |
Defined Benefit Plan Assets Measured at Fair Value Using Unobservable Inputs | The following table presents reconciliation of United's benefit plan assets measured at fair value using unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in millions): 2023 2022 Balance at beginning of year $ 333 $ 435 Actual income (loss) on plan assets: Sold during the year (50) 34 Held at year end 55 (39) Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements (net) (16) (97) Balance at end of year $ 322 $ 333 |
Estimated Future Benefit Payments | The estimated future benefit payments, net of expected participant contributions, in United's pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans for the next ten years, as of December 31, 2023, are as follows (in millions): Pension Other Postretirement 2024 $ 268 $ 112 2025 301 100 2026 323 88 2027 348 80 2028 373 74 Years 2029 – 2033 1,896 274 |
Participation in the IAM National Pension Plan | United's participation in the IAM National Pension Plan ("IAM Plan") for the annual period ended December 31, 2023 is outlined in the table below. The risks of participating in these multi-employer plans are different from single-employer plans, as United may be subject to additional risks that others do not meet their obligations, which in certain circumstances could revert to United. The IAM Plan reported $533 million in employers' contributions for the year ended December 31, 2022. For 2022, the Company's contributions to the IAM Plan represented more than 5% of total contributions to the IAM Plan. The 2023 information is not available as the applicable Form 5500 is not final for the plan year. Pension Fund IAM National Pension Fund ("IAM Fund") EIN/ Pension Plan Number 51-6031295 — 002 Pension Protection Act Zone Status (2023 and 2022) Critical (2023 and 2022). A plan is in "critical" status if the funded percentage is less than 65 percent. On April 17, 2019, the IAM National Pension Fund Board of Trustees voluntarily elected for the IAM Fund to be in critical status effective for the plan year beginning January 1, 2019 to strengthen the IAM Fund's financial health. The IAM Fund's funded percentage was 87.1% as of January 1, 2022. FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented A 10-year Rehabilitation Plan effective, January 1, 2022, was adopted on April 17, 2019 that requires the Company to make an additional contribution of 2.5% of the hourly contribution rate, compounded annually for the length of the Rehabilitation Plan, effective June 1, 2019. United's Contributions $87 million, $75 million and $58 million in the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Surcharge Imposed No Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement N/A |
Fair Value Measurements, Inve_2
Fair Value Measurements, Investments and Notes Receivable (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] | |
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis | The table below presents disclosures about the fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company's financial statements as of December 31 (in millions): 2023 2022 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,058 $ 6,058 $ — $ — $ 7,166 $ 7,166 $ — $ — Restricted cash - current (Note 1) 31 31 — — 45 45 — — Restricted cash - non-current (Note 1) 245 245 — — 210 210 — — Short-term investments: U.S. government and agency notes 8,257 — 8,257 — 8,914 — 8,914 — Asset-backed securities — — — — 325 — 325 — Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service ("CDARS") 73 — 73 — — — — — Corporate debt — — — — 9 — 9 — Long-term investments: Equity securities 177 177 — — 189 189 — — |
Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments | The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above as of December 31 (in millions). Carrying amounts include any related discounts, premiums and issuance costs: 2023 2022 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Long-term debt $ 29,075 $ 28,302 $ — $ 22,543 $ 5,759 $ 31,194 $ 29,371 $ — $ 23,990 $ 5,381 |
Description of Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value Methodology | Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows: Description Fair Value Methodology Cash and cash equivalents and The carrying amounts of these assets approximate fair value. Short-term and Long-term investments Fair value is based on (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar Long-term 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 or assets. |
Debt (Tables)
Debt (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Summary of Long-Term Debt | (In millions) Maturity Dates Interest Rate(s) at December 31, 2023 At December 31, 2023 2022 Aircraft notes (a) 2024 — 2036 2.70 % — 7.35 % $ 12,508 $ 12,262 MileagePlus Senior Secured Notes 2027 6.50 % 2,660 3,420 MileagePlus Term Loan Faci lity (b) 2027 10.77 % 2,100 2,700 2026 and 2029 Notes 2026 — 2029 4.38 % — 4.63 % 4,000 4,000 2021 Term Loan s (b) 2028 9.22 % 3,870 4,913 Unsecured Notes 2024 — 2025 4.88 % — 5.00 % 596 596 PSP Notes (c) 2030 — 2031 1.00 % 3,181 3,181 Other unsecured debt 2024 — 2029 0.00 % — 5.75 % 437 508 29,352 31,580 Less: unamortized debt discount, premiums and debt issuance costs (277) (386) Less: current portion of long-term debt (4,018) (2,911) Long-term debt, net $ 25,057 $ 28,283 (a) Financing includes variable rate debt based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") (or another index rate), generally subject to a floor, plus a specified margin of 0.49% to 2.25% . (b) Financing includes variable rate debt based on SOFR (or another index rate), subject to a floor, plus a specified margin of 3.75% to 5.25%. (c) The PSP Notes include $1.5 billion of indebtedness evidenced by a 10-year senior unsecured promissory note with Treasury provided under the PSP of the CARES Act ("PSP1"), $0.9 billion of indebtedness evidenced by a 10-year senior unsecured promissory note issued to Treasury pursuant to Payroll Support Program Extension Agreements under the CARES Act ("PSP2") and $0.8 billion of indebtedness evidenced by a 10-year senior unsecured promissory note issued to Treasury pursuant to the Payroll Support Program established under Section 7301 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ("PSP3"). These PSP Notes have a rate of 1.00% in years 1 through 5, and a rate of the SOFR plus 2.00% in years 6 through 10. |
Contractual Principal Payments under Outstanding Long-Term Debt Agreements | The table below presents the Company's contractual principal payments (not including debt discount or debt issuance costs) at December 31, 2023 under then-outstanding long-term debt agreements in each of the next five calendar years (in millions): 2024 $ 4,018 2025 3,452 2026 5,245 2027 2,475 2028 5,306 After 2028 8,856 $ 29,352 |
Summary of Collateral Covenants and Cross Default Provisions | The collateral, covenants and cross default provisions of the Company's principal debt instruments that contain such provisions are summarized in the table below: Debt Instrument Collateral, Covenants and Cross Default Provisions Aircraft notes and other notes payable Secured by certain aircraft, spare engines and spare parts. The indentures contain events of default that are customary for aircraft financings, including in certain cases cross default to other related aircraft. 2021 Loan Facilities Secured on a senior basis by security interests granted by the Company to the collateral trustee for the benefit of the lenders under the 2021 Loan Facilities, among other parties, on the following: (i) all of the Company's route authorities granted by the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate scheduled service between any international airport located in the United States and any international airport located in any country other than the United States (except Cuba), (ii) the Company's rights to substantially all of its landing and take-off slots at foreign and domestic airports, including at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (subject to certain exclusions), and (iii) the Company's rights to use or occupy space at airport terminals, each to the extent necessary at the relevant time for servicing scheduled air carrier service authorized by an applicable route authority. The 2021 Loan Facilities contain negative covenants that, among other things, limit our ability under certain circumstances to create liens on the collateral, make certain dividends, conduct stock repurchases, make certain restricted investments and other restricted payments, and consolidate, merge, sell, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. The 2021 Loan Facilities also contain financial covenants that require the Company to maintain at least $2.0 billion of unrestricted liquidity at all times, which includes unrestricted cash, short-term investments and any undrawn amounts under any revolving credit facility, and to maintain a minimum ratio of appraised value of collateral to the outstanding debt secured by such collateral (including under the 2021 Loan Facilities) of 1.6 to 1.0, tested semi-annually. The 2021 Loan Facilities contain events of default customary for similar financings, including a cross-payment default and cross-acceleration to other material indebtedness. 2026 and 2029 Notes The 2026 and 2029 Notes are secured on a senior basis by security interests granted by the Company to the collateral trustee for the benefit of the holders of the 2026 and 2029 Notes, among other parties, on the following: (i) all of the Company's route authorities granted by the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate scheduled service between any international airport located in the United States and any international airport located in any country other than the United States (except Cuba), (ii) the Company's rights to substantially all of its landing and take-off slots at foreign and domestic airports, including at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (subject to certain exclusions), and (iii) the Company's rights to use or occupy space at airport terminals, each to the extent necessary at the relevant time for servicing scheduled air carrier service authorized by an applicable route authority. The indenture for these 2026 and 2029 Notes contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability under certain circumstances to create liens on the collateral, make certain dividends, stock repurchases, restricted investments and other restricted payments, and consolidate, merge, sell, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. The indenture also contains a financial covenant that requires UAL to pay special interest in an additional amount equal to 2.0% per year of the principal amount of the 2026 and 2029 Notes for so long as it is unable to demonstrate that it maintains a minimum ratio of appraised value of collateral to the outstanding debt secured by such collateral (including the 2026 and 2029 Notes) of 1.6 to 1.0, tested semi-annually. The indenture contains events of default customary for similar financings, including a cross-payment default and cross-acceleration to other material indebtedness. MileagePlus Senior Secured Notes and MileagePlus Term Loan Facility Secured by first-priority security interests in substantially all of the assets of the Issuers, other than excluded property and subject to certain permitted liens, including security interests in specified cash accounts that include the accounts into which MileagePlus revenues are or will be paid by the Company's marketing partners and by the Company. PSP Notes The PSP Notes represent senior unsecured indebtedness of UAL. The PSP Notes are guaranteed by United. If any subsidiary of UAL (other than United) becomes, or is required to become, an obligor on unsecured indebtedness of UAL or any of its subsidiaries with a principal balance in excess of a specified amount, then such subsidiary shall be required to guarantee the obligations of the Company under the PSP Notes. Pursuant to the PSP Agreements, the Company and its affiliates will be required to comply with certain provisions including, among others, audit and reporting requirements and provisions restricting the payment of certain executive compensation until April 1, 2023. Unsecured notes The indentures for these notes contain covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the indentures) to incur additional indebtedness and make certain dividends, stock repurchases, restricted investments and other restricted payments. |
Leases and Capacity Purchase _2
Leases and Capacity Purchase Agreements (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Leases [Abstract] | |
Components of Lease Cost | The Company's lease cost for the years ended December 31 included the following components (in millions): 2023 2022 2021 Operating lease cost $ 925 $ 941 $ 958 Variable and short-term lease cost 3,028 2,603 2,291 Amortization of finance lease assets 52 72 89 Interest on finance lease liabilities 20 13 16 Sublease income (39) (33) (26) Total lease cost $ 3,986 $ 3,596 $ 3,328 |
Summary of Scheduled Future Minimum Lease Payments under Operating Leases | The table below summarizes the Company's scheduled future minimum lease payments under operating and finance leases, recorded on the balance sheet, as of December 31, 2023 (in millions): Operating Leases Finance Leases 2024 $ 813 $ 183 2025 726 60 2026 706 19 2027 885 9 2028 685 8 After 2028 2,942 5 Minimum lease payments 6,757 284 Imputed interest (1,678) (21) Present value of minimum lease payments 5,079 263 Less: current maturities of lease obligations (576) (172) Long-term lease obligations $ 4,503 $ 91 |
Summary of Scheduled Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Finance Leases | The table below summarizes the Company's scheduled future minimum lease payments under operating and finance leases, recorded on the balance sheet, as of December 31, 2023 (in millions): Operating Leases Finance Leases 2024 $ 813 $ 183 2025 726 60 2026 706 19 2027 885 9 2028 685 8 After 2028 2,942 5 Minimum lease payments 6,757 284 Imputed interest (1,678) (21) Present value of minimum lease payments 5,079 263 Less: current maturities of lease obligations (576) (172) Long-term lease obligations $ 4,503 $ 91 |
Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity | The table below presents the Company's contractual payments at December 31, 2023 under then-outstanding sale and leaseback agreements, for transactions that did not qualify as a sale under ASC Topic 606, in each of the next five calendar years (in millions): Other Financial Liabilities 2024 $ 178 2025 178 2026 178 2027 472 2028 147 After 2028 2,090 3,243 Imputed interest (921) Current maturities of other financial liabilities (57) Other financial liabilities $ 2,265 |
Additional Information Related to Leases | The table below presents additional information related to our leases as of December 31: 2023 2022 Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases 10 years 10 years Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases 2 years 3 years Weighted-average remaining lease term - other financial liabilities 10 years 9 years Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases 5.8 % 5.5 % Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases 6.3 % 6.4 % Weighted-average interest rate - other financial liabilities 5.3 % 6.0 % |
Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases | The table below presents supplemental cash flow information related to leases during the year ended December 31 (in millions): 2023 2022 2021 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows for operating leases $ 874 $ 919 $ 977 Operating cash flows for finance leases 21 13 18 Financing cash flows for finance leases 311 124 216 |
Future Lease Payment Under Terms of Capacity Purchase Agreement | Based on these assumptions as of December 31, 2023, our estimated future payments through the end of the terms of our CPAs are presented in the table below (in billions): 2024 $ 2.4 2025 2.1 2026 2.1 2027 1.6 2028 1.3 After 2028 4.1 $ 13.6 |
Commitments and Contingencies (
Commitments and Contingencies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
Firm Commitments and Options to Purchase Aircraft and Summary of Commitments | As of December 31, 2023, United had firm commitments to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company ("Boeing") and Airbus S.A.S. ("Airbus") presented in the table below: Contractual Aircraft Deliveries Expected Aircraft Deliveries (b) Aircraft Type Number of Firm 2024 2025 After 2025 2024 2025 After 2025 787 150 8 18 124 7 18 125 737 MAX 8 43 43 — — 37 6 — 737 MAX 9 34 34 — — 19 15 — 737 MAX 10 277 80 71 126 — (c) (c) A321neo 126 26 38 62 25 24 77 A321XLR 50 — 8 42 — 1 49 A350 45 — — 45 — — 45 (a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft. (b) Expected aircraft deliveries reflect adjustments communicated by Boeing and Airbus or estimated by United. (c) Due to the delay in the certification of the 737 MAX 10 aircraft, we are unable to accurately forecast the expected delivery period. |
Summary of Commitments | The table below summarizes United's firm commitments as of December 31, 2023, which include aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and non-aircraft capital commitments. Aircraft commitments are based on contractual scheduled aircraft deliveries without any adjustments communicated by Boeing and Airbus or estimated by United. (in billions) 2024 $ 12.1 2025 7.9 2026 6.0 2027 4.5 2028 6.1 After 2028 23.5 $ 60.1 |
Special Charges (Credits) (Tabl
Special Charges (Credits) (Tables) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] | |
Components of Special Charges | For the years ended December 31, operating and nonoperating special charges (credits) and unrealized (gains) losses on investments in the statements of consolidated operations consisted of the following (in millions): Operating: 2023 2022 2021 Labor contract ratification bonuses $ 814 $ — $ — CARES Act grant — — (4,021) Severance and benefit costs — — 438 Impairment of assets — — 97 (Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges 135 140 119 Total operating special charges (credits) 949 140 (3,367) Nonoperating unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net (27) (20) 34 Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees 11 7 50 Nonoperating special termination benefits and settlement losses — — 31 Total nonoperating special charges and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net (16) (13) 115 Total operating and nonoperating special charges (credits) and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net 933 127 (3,252) Income tax expense (benefit), net of valuation allowance (214) (33) 728 Total operating and nonoperating special charges (credits) and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net of income taxes $ 719 $ 94 $ (2,524) |
Significant Accounting Polici_4
Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) segment | Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) | |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||
Expiration period for refundable tickets | 1 year | ||
Expiration period for advance ticket sales | 12 months | ||
Number of operating segments | segment | 1 | ||
Revenue | $ 53,717 | $ 44,955 | $ 24,634 |
Period over which miles are expected to be redeemed | two years | ||
Senior secured notes | $ 4,800 | ||
Carrying value of computer software | 453 | 471 | |
Impairment, long-lived asset | $ 97 | ||
Impairment, Long-Lived Asset, Held-for-Use, Statement of Income or Comprehensive Income [Extensible Enumeration] | Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions | ||
Amortization expense | 37 | 41 | $ 49 |
Projected amortization expense in 2024 | 32 | ||
Projected amortization expense in 2025 | 28 | ||
Projected amortization expense in 2026 | 18 | ||
Projected amortization expense in 2027 | 11 | ||
Projected amortization expense in 2028 | 10 | ||
Advertising expense | $ 221 | 165 | 99 |
Minimum | |||
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||
Term for frequent flyer mileage sales to partners | 1 year | ||
Maximum | |||
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||
Term for frequent flyer mileage sales to partners | 6 years | ||
Computer software | |||
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||
Depreciation expense | $ 168 | 166 | 182 |
Advance Ticket Sales | |||
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||
Revenue recognized | 5,700 | 3,300 | 1,800 |
Ancillary Fees Recorded within Passenger Revenues | |||
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||
Revenue | 4,100 | 3,400 | 2,200 |
Other Operating Revenue | |||
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||
Revenue | 3,176 | 2,752 | 2,088 |
Other Operating Revenue | Chase and Other Partner Agreements | |||
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | |||
Revenue | $ 2,700 | $ 2,400 | $ 1,800 |
Significant Accounting Polici_5
Significant Accounting Policies - Operating Revenue by Principal Geographic Region (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | |||
Total operating revenue | $ 53,717 | $ 44,955 | $ 24,634 |
Domestic (U.S. and Canada) | |||
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | |||
Total operating revenue | 32,400 | 28,474 | 16,845 |
Atlantic | |||
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | |||
Total operating revenue | 10,982 | 9,072 | 3,414 |
Pacific | |||
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | |||
Total operating revenue | 5,267 | 2,927 | 1,507 |
Latin America | |||
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] | |||
Total operating revenue | $ 5,068 | $ 4,482 | $ 2,868 |
Significant Accounting Polici_6
Significant Accounting Policies - Roll Forward of Frequent Flier Deferred Revenue (Details) - Frequent Flyer - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |
Movement in Deferred Revenue [Roll Forward] | ||
Total Frequent flyer deferred revenue - beginning balance | $ 6,675 | $ 6,282 |
Total miles awarded | 3,297 | 2,558 |
Travel miles redeemed | (2,723) | (2,079) |
Non-travel miles redeemed | (106) | (86) |
Total Frequent flyer deferred revenue - ending balance | $ 7,143 | $ 6,675 |
Significant Accounting Polici_7
Significant Accounting Policies - Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Dec. 31, 2020 |
Current assets: | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 6,058 | $ 7,166 | $ 18,283 | |
Restricted cash | 31 | 45 | 37 | |
Other assets: | ||||
Restricted cash | 245 | 210 | 213 | |
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of consolidated cash flows | $ 6,334 | $ 7,421 | $ 18,533 | $ 11,742 |
Significant Accounting Polici_8
Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of Property and Equipment (Details) | Dec. 31, 2023 |
Aircraft, spare engines and related rotable parts | Minimum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful life | 25 years |
Aircraft, spare engines and related rotable parts | Maximum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful life | 30 years |
Aircraft seats | Minimum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful life | 10 years |
Aircraft seats | Maximum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful life | 15 years |
Buildings | Minimum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful life | 25 years |
Buildings | Maximum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful life | 45 years |
Other property and equipment | Minimum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful life | 3 years |
Other property and equipment | Maximum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful life | 15 years |
Computer software | Minimum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful life | 5 years |
Computer software | Maximum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful life | 15 years |
Building improvements | Minimum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful life | 1 year |
Building improvements | Maximum | |
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] | |
Estimated useful life | 40 years |
Significant Accounting Polici_9
Significant Accounting Policies - Information about Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ||
Goodwill | $ 4,527 | $ 4,527 |
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 2,591 | 2,591 |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 1,629 | 1,643 |
Accumulated Amortization | 1,495 | 1,472 |
China route authority | ||
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 1,020 | 1,020 |
Airport slots | ||
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 574 | 574 |
Tradenames and logos | ||
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 593 | 593 |
Alliances | ||
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 404 | 404 |
Frequent flyer database | ||
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 1,177 | 1,177 |
Accumulated Amortization | 1,068 | 1,040 |
Hubs | ||
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 145 | 145 |
Accumulated Amortization | 131 | 124 |
Contracts | ||
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 0 | 7 |
Accumulated Amortization | 0 | 7 |
Other | ||
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] | ||
Gross Carrying Amount | 307 | 314 |
Accumulated Amortization | $ 296 | $ 301 |
Common Stockholders' Equity a_3
Common Stockholders' Equity and Preferred Securities - Summary of Warrants Outstanding (Details) shares in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 $ / shares shares |
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items] | |
Number of Shares of UAL Common Stock (in shares) | 10 |
PSP1 Warrants | |
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items] | |
Number of Shares of UAL Common Stock (in shares) | 4.8 |
Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares | $ 31.50 |
CARES Act Warrants | |
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items] | |
Number of Shares of UAL Common Stock (in shares) | 1.7 |
Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares | $ 31.50 |
PSP2 Warrants | |
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items] | |
Number of Shares of UAL Common Stock (in shares) | 2 |
Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares | $ 43.26 |
PSP3 Warrants | |
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items] | |
Number of Shares of UAL Common Stock (in shares) | 1.5 |
Exercise Price (in dollars per share) | $ / shares | $ 53.92 |
Common Stockholders' Equity a_4
Common Stockholders' Equity and Preferred Securities - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Mar. 03, 2021 | |
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items] | ||||
Common stock reserved for future issuance (in shares) | 4,800,000 | |||
Junior preferred stock outstanding (in shares) | 2 | |||
Junior preferred stock par value per share (in dollars per share) | $ 0.01 | |||
Preferred stock authorized to issue (in shares) | 250,000,000 | |||
2021 ATM Offering | ||||
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items] | ||||
Number of shares issuable under Equity Distribution Agreement (up to) (in shares) | 37,000,000 | |||
Sale of common stock (in shares) | 0 | 0 | 4,000,000 | |
Share price (in dollars per share) | $ 57.50 | |||
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock | $ 250 |
Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Deta
Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | |||
Earnings (loss) available to common stockholders | $ 2,618 | $ 737 | $ (1,964) |
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares) | 327.8 | 326.4 | 321.9 |
Dilutive effect of stock warrants (in shares) | 2.2 | 1.5 | 0 |
Dilutive effect of employee stock awards (in shares) | 1.9 | 2.2 | 0 |
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding (in shares) | 331.9 | 330.1 | 321.9 |
Earnings (loss) per share, basic (in dollars per share) | $ 7.98 | $ 2.26 | $ (6.10) |
Earnings (loss) per share, diluted (in dollars per share) | $ 7.89 | $ 2.23 | $ (6.10) |
Stock warrants | |||
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] | |||
Potentially dilutive securities (in shares) | 1.5 | 3.5 | 0.9 |
Employee stock awards | |||
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] | |||
Potentially dilutive securities (in shares) | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.7 |
Share-Based Compensation Plan_2
Share-Based Compensation Plans - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of RSUs and restricted stock vested in period | $ 76 | $ 274 | $ 104 |
RSUs | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Awards granted (in shares) | 2.6 | ||
Number of days used to compute performance period average closing price of restricted stock units | 20 days | ||
Liabilities related to share based payments | $ 3 | ||
Payment related to share-based liabilities | $ 3 | $ 7 | $ 29 |
Time-Vested RSUs | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Awards granted (in shares) | 2 | ||
Performance-Based RSUs | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Awards granted (in shares) | 0.6 | ||
Award vesting period | 3 years |
Share-Based Compensation Plan_3
Share-Based Compensation Plans - Information Related to Share-Based Compensation Plan Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Compensation cost | $ 80 | $ 89 | $ 238 |
RSUs | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Compensation cost | 78 | 87 | 236 |
Stock options | |||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |||
Compensation cost | $ 2 | $ 2 | $ 2 |
Share-Based Compensation Plan_4
Share-Based Compensation Plans - Summary of Unearned Compensation and Weighted-Average Remaining Period to Recognize Costs (Details) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |
Unearned Compensation | $ 81 |
RSUs | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |
Unearned Compensation | $ 78 |
Weighted-Average Remaining Period (in years) | 1 year 4 months 24 days |
Stock options | |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | |
Unearned Compensation | $ 3 |
Weighted-Average Remaining Period (in years) | 2 years 8 months 12 days |
Share-Based Compensation Plan_5
Share-Based Compensation Plans - Summary of RSU and Restricted Stock Activity (Details) - $ / shares shares in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Liability Awards - RSUs | |||
Awards | |||
Outstanding (in shares) | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.4 |
Granted (in shares) | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.4 |
Additional issuance due to achievement of performance metrics | 0 | ||
Vested (in shares) | (0.1) | (0.2) | (0.6) |
Forfeited (in shares) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Outstanding (in shares) | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
Equity Awards - RSUs | |||
Awards | |||
Outstanding (in shares) | 3.3 | 4.4 | 3.2 |
Granted (in shares) | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.9 |
Additional issuance due to achievement of performance metrics | 1.6 | ||
Vested (in shares) | (1.6) | (4.8) | (1.5) |
Forfeited (in shares) | (0.1) | (0.2) | (0.2) |
Outstanding (in shares) | 4.1 | 3.3 | 4.4 |
Weighted- Average Grant Price | |||
Outstanding (in dollars per share) | $ 37.88 | $ 53.63 | $ 53.41 |
Granted (in dollars per share) | 43.42 | 31.96 | 52.18 |
Additional issuance due to achievement of performance metrics (in dollars per share) | 58.17 | ||
Vested (in dollars per share) | 44.03 | 56 | 51.35 |
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | 36.90 | 53.03 | 46.77 |
Outstanding (in dollars per share) | $ 38.86 | $ 37.88 | $ 53.63 |
Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Components of the Company's AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] | |||
Balance, deferred taxes | $ (416) | $ (95) | $ (39) |
Balance | 6,896 | 5,029 | 5,960 |
Change in value, deferred tax | 38 | (321) | (53) |
Change in value | (130) | 1,118 | 184 |
Amounts reclassified to earnings, deferred taxes | 31 | 0 | (3) |
Amounts reclassified to earnings | (107) | (1) | 13 |
Balance, deferred taxes | (347) | (416) | (95) |
Balance | 9,324 | 6,896 | 5,029 |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | |||
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] | |||
Balance | 175 | (942) | (1,139) |
Balance | (62) | 175 | (942) |
Deferred income taxes | 285 | ||
Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities | |||
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] | |||
Balance, before tax | 626 | (847) | (1,102) |
Change in value, before tax | (199) | 1,474 | 239 |
Amounts reclassified to earnings, before tax | (138) | (1) | 16 |
Balance, before tax | 289 | 626 | (847) |
Investments and Other | |||
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] | |||
Balance, before tax | (35) | 0 | 2 |
Change in value, before tax | 31 | (35) | (2) |
Amounts reclassified to earnings, before tax | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Balance, before tax | $ (4) | $ (35) | $ 0 |
Income Taxes - Income Tax Provi
Income Taxes - Income Tax Provision (Benefit) Differed from Amounts Computed at the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate and Significant Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |||
Income tax provision (benefit) at statutory rate | $ 711 | $ 208 | $ (537) |
State income tax provision (benefit), net of federal income tax benefit | 46 | 13 | (34) |
Nondeductible employee meals | 15 | 12 | 7 |
Nondeductible transportation fringe benefit | 13 | 10 | 8 |
Valuation allowance | (21) | (10) | (38) |
Other, net | 5 | 20 | 1 |
Income tax expense (benefit) | 769 | 253 | (593) |
Current | 13 | 5 | (10) |
Deferred | $ 756 | $ 248 | $ (583) |
Income Taxes - Temporary Differ
Income Taxes - Temporary Differences and Carryforwards Giving Rise to Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Deferred income tax asset (liability): | ||
Federal and state net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards | $ 2,644 | $ 2,932 |
Deferred revenue | 1,845 | 1,783 |
Employee benefits, including pension, postretirement and medical | 695 | 606 |
Operating lease liabilities | 1,134 | 1,118 |
Other financial liabilities | 414 | 141 |
Interest expense carryforward | 579 | 510 |
Other | 575 | 576 |
Less: Valuation allowance | (179) | (199) |
Total deferred tax assets | 7,707 | 7,467 |
Depreciation | (6,782) | (5,844) |
Operating lease right-of-use asset | (887) | (881) |
Intangibles | (632) | (651) |
Total deferred tax liabilities | (8,301) | (7,376) |
Net deferred tax liability | (594) | |
Net deferred tax asset | 91 | |
United Airlines, Inc. | ||
Deferred income tax asset (liability): | ||
Federal and state net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards | 2,616 | 2,903 |
Deferred revenue | 1,845 | 1,783 |
Employee benefits, including pension, postretirement and medical | 695 | 606 |
Operating lease liabilities | 1,134 | 1,118 |
Other financial liabilities | 414 | 141 |
Interest expense carryforward | 579 | 510 |
Other | 575 | 576 |
Less: Valuation allowance | (179) | (199) |
Total deferred tax assets | 7,679 | 7,438 |
Depreciation | (6,782) | (5,844) |
Operating lease right-of-use asset | (887) | (881) |
Intangibles | (632) | (651) |
Total deferred tax liabilities | (8,301) | (7,376) |
Net deferred tax liability | $ (622) | |
Net deferred tax asset | $ 62 |
Income Taxes - Narrative (Detai
Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||
Capital loss carryforwards, valuation allowance | $ 150 | ||
Unrecognized tax benefits | 66 | $ 58 | $ 55 |
Federal | |||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||
Tax credits | 50 | ||
Federal | United Airlines, Inc. | |||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||
NOL carryforwards | 12,000 | ||
Tax effected amount of NOLs | 2,500 | ||
NOLs without an expiration date | $ 11,600 | ||
Federal | Minimum | |||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||
Tax credit expiration period | 1 year | ||
Federal | Maximum | |||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||
Tax credit expiration period | 20 years | ||
Federal | 2029 | United Airlines, Inc. | |||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||
NOL carryforwards | $ 200 | ||
Federal | 2033 | United Airlines, Inc. | |||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||
NOL carryforwards | 200 | ||
State | |||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||
Tax credits | 56 | ||
NOL and tax credit carryforwards, valuation allowance | 29 | ||
State | United Airlines, Inc. | |||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||
NOL carryforwards | 3,400 | ||
Tax effected amount of NOLs | $ 200 | ||
State | Minimum | |||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||
Tax credit expiration period | 1 year | ||
State | Minimum | United Airlines, Inc. | |||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||
NOL expiration period | 1 year | ||
State | Maximum | |||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||
Tax credit expiration period | 15 years | ||
State | Maximum | United Airlines, Inc. | |||
Income Taxes [Line Items] | |||
NOL expiration period | 20 years |
Pension, Postretirement And O_3
Pension, Postretirement And Other Employee Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||
Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) plan | Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) | |
Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans And Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items] | ||||
Number of defined benefit pension plans | plan | 2 | |||
Profit sharing and payroll tax expense | $ 681,000,000 | $ 133,000,000 | $ 0 | |
IAM National Pension Plan | ||||
Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans And Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items] | ||||
Multi-employer plan contributions | 533,000,000 | |||
United Airlines, Inc. | ||||
Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans And Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items] | ||||
Expense for defined contribution plans | $ 960,000,000 | 756,000,000 | 651,000,000 | |
Minimum | ||||
Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans And Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items] | ||||
Percentage of pre-tax earnings paid for profit sharing plan | 5% | |||
Minimum | United Airlines, Inc. | ||||
Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans And Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items] | ||||
Employer contribution percentage | 1% | |||
Maximum | ||||
Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans And Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items] | ||||
Percentage of pre-tax earnings paid for profit sharing plan | 20% | |||
Maximum | United Airlines, Inc. | ||||
Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans And Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items] | ||||
Employer contribution percentage | 16% | |||
Other Postretirement Benefits | ||||
Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans And Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items] | ||||
Special termination benefits | $ 0 | $ 0 | (31,000,000) | |
Defined benefit plan, expected future employer contributions, next fiscal year | $ 104,000,000 | |||
Employee Separation | Voluntary Separation Leave Programs | ||||
Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans And Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items] | ||||
Special termination benefits | 31,000,000 | |||
Employee Separation | Voluntary Separation Leave Programs | Full-Time Employees | ||||
Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans And Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items] | ||||
Restructuring programs, one-time contribution per employee | $ 125,000 | 125,000 | ||
Employee Separation | Voluntary Separation Leave Programs | Part-Time Employees | ||||
Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans And Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items] | ||||
Restructuring programs, one-time contribution per employee | $ 75,000 | $ 75,000 |
Pension, Postretirement And O_4
Pension, Postretirement And Other Employee Benefit Plans - Reconciliation of the Change in Benefit Obligation and Plan Asset, Funded Status and Amounts Recognized in the Financial Statements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Pension Benefits | |||
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |||
Accumulated benefit obligation | $ 3,910 | $ 3,596 | |
Change in projected benefit obligation: | |||
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year | 4,181 | 6,473 | |
Service cost | 124 | 204 | $ 239 |
Interest cost | 217 | 188 | 184 |
Actuarial (gain) loss | 204 | (2,186) | |
Benefits paid | (177) | (464) | |
Other | 1 | (34) | |
Projected benefit obligation at end of year | 4,550 | 4,181 | 6,473 |
Change in plan assets: | |||
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | 3,467 | 4,626 | |
Actual income (loss) on plan assets | 281 | (678) | |
Employer contributions | 22 | 8 | |
Benefits paid | (177) | (464) | |
Other | 6 | (25) | |
Fair value of plan assets at end of year | 3,599 | 3,467 | 4,626 |
Funded status—Net amount recognized | (951) | (714) | |
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of: | |||
Noncurrent asset | 21 | 44 | |
Current liability | (4) | (11) | |
Noncurrent liability | (968) | (747) | |
Total liability | (951) | (714) | |
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consist of: | |||
Net actuarial loss | (242) | (77) | |
Prior service cost | 0 | (1) | |
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss | (242) | (78) | |
Other Postretirement Benefits | |||
Change in projected benefit obligation: | |||
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year | 788 | 1,129 | |
Service cost | 4 | 9 | 10 |
Interest cost | 42 | 30 | 25 |
Plan participants' contributions | 67 | 69 | |
Actuarial (gain) loss | 22 | (270) | |
Benefits paid | (177) | (179) | |
Projected benefit obligation at end of year | 746 | 788 | 1,129 |
Change in plan assets: | |||
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | 48 | 49 | |
Actual income (loss) on plan assets | 1 | 1 | |
Employer contributions | 107 | 108 | |
Plan participants' contributions | 67 | 69 | |
Benefits paid | (177) | (179) | |
Fair value of plan assets at end of year | 46 | 48 | $ 49 |
Funded status—Net amount recognized | (700) | (740) | |
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of: | |||
Current liability | (63) | (69) | |
Noncurrent liability | (637) | (671) | |
Total liability | (700) | (740) | |
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consist of: | |||
Net actuarial loss | 309 | 369 | |
Prior service cost | 222 | 335 | |
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss | $ 531 | $ 704 |
Pension, Postretirement And O_5
Pension, Postretirement And Other Employee Benefit Plans - Accumulated Benefit Obligation and Projected Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Retirement Benefits [Abstract] | ||
Projected benefit obligation | $ 4,407 | $ 4,045 |
Accumulated benefit obligation | 3,767 | 3,461 |
Fair value of plan assets | $ 3,435 | $ 3,287 |
Pension, Postretirement And O_6
Pension, Postretirement And Other Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2024 | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Pension Benefits | ||||
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] | ||||
Service cost | $ 124 | $ 204 | $ 239 | |
Interest cost | 217 | 188 | 184 | |
Expected return on plan assets | (251) | (306) | (283) | |
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss | 8 | 120 | 170 | |
Amortization of prior service credits | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
Special termination benefits - Voluntary Programs | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Curtailment | 0 | 0 | (8) | |
Other | 3 | 5 | 5 | |
Net periodic benefit cost (credit) | 102 | 211 | 307 | |
Pension Benefits | Forecast | ||||
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] | ||||
Net periodic benefit cost (credit) | $ 108 | |||
Other Postretirement Benefits | ||||
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] | ||||
Service cost | 4 | 9 | 10 | |
Interest cost | 42 | 30 | 25 | |
Expected return on plan assets | (1) | (1) | (1) | |
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss | (38) | (14) | (28) | |
Amortization of prior service credits | (112) | (112) | (123) | |
Special termination benefits - Voluntary Programs | 0 | 0 | 31 | |
Curtailment | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Net periodic benefit cost (credit) | $ (105) | $ (88) | $ (86) | |
Other Postretirement Benefits | Forecast | ||||
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items] | ||||
Net periodic benefit cost (credit) | $ (78) |
Pension, Postretirement And O_7
Pension, Postretirement And Other Employee Benefit Plans - Assumptions Used for Benefit Plans (Details) | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |
Pension Benefits | ||
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations | ||
Discount rate | 5.04% | 5.20% |
Rate of compensation increase | 3.84% | 3.83% |
Assumptions used to determine net expense | ||
Discount rate | 5.20% | 2.90% |
Expected return on plan assets | 7.53% | 7.16% |
Rate of compensation increase | 3.83% | 3.83% |
Other Postretirement Benefits | ||
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations | ||
Discount rate | 5.43% | 5.66% |
Assumptions used to determine net expense | ||
Discount rate | 5.66% | 2.82% |
Expected return on plan assets | 3% | 3% |
Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year | 7% | 5.60% |
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate in 2033) | 4.50% | 4.50% |
Pension, Postretirement And O_8
Pension, Postretirement And Other Employee Benefit Plans - Allocation of Plan Assets (Details) - United Airlines, Inc. | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 | |
Equity securities | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return | 9% |
Equity securities | Minimum | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |
Percent of Total | 25% |
Equity securities | Maximum | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |
Percent of Total | 73% |
Fixed-income securities | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return | 8% |
Fixed-income securities | Minimum | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |
Percent of Total | 14% |
Fixed-income securities | Maximum | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |
Percent of Total | 53% |
Alternatives | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return | 8% |
Alternatives | Minimum | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |
Percent of Total | 3% |
Alternatives | Maximum | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | |
Percent of Total | 27% |
Pension, Postretirement And O_9
Pension, Postretirement And Other Employee Benefit Plans - Change in Assumption of Benefit Obligation (Details) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) | |
Pension Benefits | |
Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans And Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items] | |
100 basis points decrease in the weighted average discount rate | $ 858 |
100 basis points decrease in the weighted average discount rate | 96 |
100 basis points decrease in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets | 35 |
Other Postretirement Benefits | |
Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans And Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Line Items] | |
100 basis points decrease in the weighted average discount rate | 48 |
100 basis points decrease in the weighted average discount rate | 0 |
100 basis points decrease in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets | $ 0 |
Pension, Postretirement And _10
Pension, Postretirement And Other Employee Benefit Plans - Pension and Other Postretirement Plan Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 |
Level 3 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | $ 322 | $ 333 | $ 435 |
Pension Benefits | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 3,599 | 3,467 | 4,626 |
Pension Benefits | Level 1 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 87 | 64 | |
Pension Benefits | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 501 | 569 | |
Pension Benefits | Level 3 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 276 | 285 | |
Pension Benefits | Assets Measured at NAV | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 2,735 | 2,549 | |
Pension Benefits | Equity securities funds | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 1,265 | 1,183 | |
Pension Benefits | Equity securities funds | Level 1 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 74 | 58 | |
Pension Benefits | Equity securities funds | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 3 | 26 | |
Pension Benefits | Equity securities funds | Level 3 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 134 | 114 | |
Pension Benefits | Equity securities funds | Assets Measured at NAV | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 1,054 | 985 | |
Pension Benefits | Fixed-income securities | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 1,325 | 1,316 | |
Pension Benefits | Fixed-income securities | Level 1 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Pension Benefits | Fixed-income securities | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 411 | 527 | |
Pension Benefits | Fixed-income securities | Level 3 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 3 | 5 | |
Pension Benefits | Fixed-income securities | Assets Measured at NAV | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 911 | 784 | |
Pension Benefits | Alternatives | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 779 | 887 | |
Pension Benefits | Alternatives | Level 1 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Pension Benefits | Alternatives | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Pension Benefits | Alternatives | Level 3 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 136 | 161 | |
Pension Benefits | Alternatives | Assets Measured at NAV | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 643 | 726 | |
Pension Benefits | Other investments | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 230 | 81 | |
Pension Benefits | Other investments | Level 1 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 13 | 6 | |
Pension Benefits | Other investments | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 87 | 16 | |
Pension Benefits | Other investments | Level 3 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 3 | 5 | |
Pension Benefits | Other investments | Assets Measured at NAV | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 127 | 54 | |
Other Postretirement Benefits | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 46 | 48 | $ 49 |
Other Postretirement Benefits | Deposit administration fund | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 46 | 48 | |
Other Postretirement Benefits | Deposit administration fund | Level 1 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Other Postretirement Benefits | Deposit administration fund | Level 2 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 0 | 0 | |
Other Postretirement Benefits | Deposit administration fund | Level 3 | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | 46 | 48 | |
Other Postretirement Benefits | Deposit administration fund | Assets Measured at NAV | |||
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Category [Line Items] | |||
Fair value of plan assets | $ 0 | $ 0 |
Pension, Postretirement And _11
Pension, Postretirement And Other Employee Benefit Plans - Defined Benefit Plan Assets Measured at Fair Value Using Unobservable Inputs (Details) - Level 3 - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | |
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets, Level 3 Reconciliation [Roll Forward] | ||
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | $ 333 | $ 435 |
Actual income (loss) on plan assets: | ||
Sold during the year | (50) | 34 |
Held at year end | 55 | (39) |
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements (net) | (16) | (97) |
Fair value of plan assets at end of year | $ 322 | $ 333 |
Pension, Postretirement And _12
Pension, Postretirement And Other Employee Benefit Plans - Estimated Future Benefit Payments (Details) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) |
Pension | |
Pension and Other Postretirement | |
2024 | $ 268 |
2025 | 301 |
2026 | 323 |
2027 | 348 |
2028 | 373 |
Years 2029 – 2033 | 1,896 |
Other Postretirement | |
Pension and Other Postretirement | |
2024 | 112 |
2025 | 100 |
2026 | 88 |
2027 | 80 |
2028 | 74 |
Years 2029 – 2033 | $ 274 |
Pension, Postretirement And _13
Pension, Postretirement And Other Employee Benefit Plans - Participation in the IAM National Pension Plan (Details) - IAM National Pension Plan - Pension Benefits - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | Jan. 01, 2021 | |
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items] | ||||
Plan length | 10 years | |||
Additional contribution as a percentage of the hourly contribution rate | 2.50% | |||
Surcharge imposed | No | |||
United Airlines, Inc. | ||||
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items] | ||||
Funded percentage | 87.10% | |||
Contributions | $ 87 | $ 75 | $ 58 |
Fair Value Measurements, Inve_3
Fair Value Measurements, Investments and Notes Receivable - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Measured on a Recurring Basis - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 6,058 | $ 7,166 |
Restricted cash - current | 31 | 45 |
Restricted cash - non-current | 245 | 210 |
Equity securities | 177 | 189 |
U.S. government and agency notes | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 8,257 | 8,914 |
Asset-backed securities | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 0 | 325 |
Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service ("CDARS") | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 73 | 0 |
Corporate debt | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 0 | 9 |
Level 1 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 6,058 | 7,166 |
Restricted cash - current | 31 | 45 |
Restricted cash - non-current | 245 | 210 |
Equity securities | 177 | 189 |
Level 1 | U.S. government and agency notes | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 0 | 0 |
Level 1 | Asset-backed securities | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 0 | 0 |
Level 1 | Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service ("CDARS") | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 0 | 0 |
Level 1 | Corporate debt | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 0 | 0 |
Level 2 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 0 | 0 |
Restricted cash - current | 0 | 0 |
Restricted cash - non-current | 0 | 0 |
Equity securities | 0 | 0 |
Level 2 | U.S. government and agency notes | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 8,257 | 8,914 |
Level 2 | Asset-backed securities | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 0 | 325 |
Level 2 | Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service ("CDARS") | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 73 | 0 |
Level 2 | Corporate debt | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 0 | 9 |
Level 3 | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 0 | 0 |
Restricted cash - current | 0 | 0 |
Restricted cash - non-current | 0 | 0 |
Equity securities | 0 | 0 |
Level 3 | U.S. government and agency notes | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 0 | 0 |
Level 3 | Asset-backed securities | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 0 | 0 |
Level 3 | Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service ("CDARS") | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | 0 | 0 |
Level 3 | Corporate debt | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ||
Short-term investments | $ 0 | $ 0 |
Fair Value Measurements, Inve_4
Fair Value Measurements, Investments and Notes Receivable - Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Carrying Amount | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Long-term debt, carrying amount | $ 29,075 | $ 31,194 |
Fair Value | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Long-term debt, fair value | 28,302 | 29,371 |
Fair Value | Level 1 | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Long-term debt, fair value | 0 | 0 |
Fair Value | Level 2 | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Long-term debt, fair value | 22,543 | 23,990 |
Fair Value | Level 3 | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
Long-term debt, fair value | $ 5,759 | $ 5,381 |
Fair Value Measurements, Inve_5
Fair Value Measurements, Investments and Notes Receivable - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) aircraft | |
Fair Value [Line Items] | |
Investments in securities accounted for under the equity method | $ 230 |
Carrying amount of loan receivable | $ 103 |
Maximum | Corporate Debt | |
Fair Value [Line Items] | |
Available for sale investment maturity term | 15 months |
Champlain | |
Fair Value [Line Items] | |
Number of regional aircraft | aircraft | 53 |
Republic | |
Fair Value [Line Items] | |
Number of regional aircraft | aircraft | 66 |
Champlain | |
Fair Value [Line Items] | |
Ownership stake | 40% |
Republic | |
Fair Value [Line Items] | |
Ownership stake | 19% |
UAV Fund | |
Fair Value [Line Items] | |
Ownership stake | 38% |
Fulcrum BioEnergy, Inc., Boom, Alder Fuels LLC, Heart Aerospace Incorporated and ZeroAvia, Inc. | |
Fair Value [Line Items] | |
Carrying value of other investment | $ 401 |
Debt - Summary of Long-Term Deb
Debt - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Apr. 21, 2021 | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Long term debt | $ 29,352,000,000 | $ 31,580,000,000 | |
Less: unamortized debt discount, premiums and debt issuance costs | (277,000,000) | (386,000,000) | |
Less: current portion of long-term debt | (4,018,000,000) | (2,911,000,000) | |
Long-term debt, net | $ 25,057,000,000 | 28,283,000,000 | |
Secured Debt | Minimum | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 7.31% | ||
Secured Debt | Maximum | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 7.35% | ||
Secured Debt | Aircraft notes | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Long term debt | $ 12,508,000,000 | 12,262,000,000 | |
Secured Debt | Aircraft notes | Minimum | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 2.70% | ||
Secured Debt | Aircraft notes | Maximum | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 7.35% | ||
Secured Debt | Aircraft notes | SOFR | Minimum | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Basis spread on variable rate | 0.49% | ||
Secured Debt | Aircraft notes | SOFR | Maximum | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Basis spread on variable rate | 2.25% | ||
Secured Debt | MileagePlus Senior Secured Notes | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 6.50% | ||
Long term debt | $ 2,660,000,000 | 3,420,000,000 | |
Secured Debt | MileagePlus Term Loan Facility | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 10.77% | ||
Long term debt | $ 2,100,000,000 | $ 2,700,000,000 | |
Secured Debt | MileagePlus Term Loan Facility | SOFR | Maximum | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Basis spread on variable rate | 5.25% | 5.25% | |
Secured Debt | 2026 and 2029 Notes | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Long term debt | $ 4,000,000,000 | $ 4,000,000,000 | |
Secured Debt | 2026 and 2029 Notes | Minimum | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 4.38% | ||
Secured Debt | 2026 and 2029 Notes | Maximum | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 4.63% | ||
Secured Debt | 2021 Term Loans | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 9.22% | ||
Long term debt | $ 3,870,000,000 | $ 4,913,000,000 | |
Aggregate principal amount | $ 5,000,000,000 | ||
Secured Debt | 2021 Term Loans | SOFR | Minimum | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Basis spread on variable rate | 3.75% | 3.75% | |
Unsecured | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 4.25% | ||
Unsecured | Notes | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Long term debt | $ 596,000,000 | $ 596,000,000 | |
Unsecured | Notes | Minimum | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 4.88% | ||
Unsecured | Notes | Maximum | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 5% | ||
Unsecured | Other unsecured debt | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Long term debt | $ 437,000,000 | 508,000,000 | |
Unsecured | Other unsecured debt | Minimum | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 0% | ||
Unsecured | Other unsecured debt | Maximum | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 5.75% | ||
Unsecured | PSP Notes | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Fixed interest rate | 1% | ||
Long term debt | $ 3,181,000,000 | $ 3,181,000,000 | |
Unsecured | PSP Notes | SOFR | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Basis spread on variable rate | 2% | ||
Unsecured | PSP1 Note | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Term of debt | 10 years | ||
Aggregate principal amount | $ 1,500,000,000 | ||
Unsecured | PSP2 Note | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Term of debt | 10 years | ||
Aggregate principal amount | $ 900,000,000 | ||
Unsecured | PSP3 Note | |||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||
Term of debt | 10 years | ||
Aggregate principal amount | $ 800,000,000 |
Debt - Contractual Principal Pa
Debt - Contractual Principal Payments under Outstanding Long-Term Debt Agreements (Details) - UAL and United $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |
2024 | $ 4,018 |
2025 | 3,452 |
2026 | 5,245 |
2027 | 2,475 |
2028 | 5,306 |
After 2028 | 8,856 |
Long-term debt | $ 29,352 |
Debt - Narrative (Details)
Debt - Narrative (Details) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||
Feb. 22, 2024 USD ($) | Feb. 15, 2024 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) | Jun. 20, 2023 USD ($) aircraft | Apr. 21, 2021 USD ($) | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Debt prepayment | $ 4,248,000,000 | $ 4,011,000,000 | $ 5,205,000,000 | ||||
Secured Debt | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Borrowing amount | 400,000,000 | ||||||
Secured Debt | Revolving Credit Facility | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Available under revolving credit facility | $ 1,750,000,000 | ||||||
Secured Debt | Revolving Credit Facility | Subsequent Event | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Change in borrowing capacity | $ 1,115,000,000 | ||||||
Secured Debt | Revolving Credit Facility | Subsequent Event | Extending Lenders | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Revolving loan commitment | 2,700,000,000 | ||||||
Secured Debt | Revolving Credit Facility | Subsequent Event | Non-Extending Lenders | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Revolving loan commitment | $ 165,000,000 | ||||||
Secured Debt | Minimum | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Stated interest rate | 7.31% | ||||||
Secured Debt | Minimum | Revolving Credit Facility | Subsequent Event | Non-Extending Lenders | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Basis spread on variable rate | 3% | ||||||
Secured Debt | Minimum | Revolving Credit Facility | Subsequent Event | Non-Extending Lenders | Other Market Rates | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Basis spread on variable rate | 2% | ||||||
Secured Debt | Maximum | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Stated interest rate | 7.35% | ||||||
Secured Debt | Maximum | Revolving Credit Facility | Subsequent Event | Non-Extending Lenders | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Basis spread on variable rate | 3.50% | ||||||
Secured Debt | Maximum | Revolving Credit Facility | Subsequent Event | Non-Extending Lenders | Other Market Rates | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Basis spread on variable rate | 2.50% | ||||||
Secured Debt | Borrowings Financing Aircraft Purchases | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Aggregate principal amount | $ 1,300,000,000 | ||||||
Number of aircrafts financed | aircraft | 39 | ||||||
Stated interest rate | 5.80% | ||||||
Secured Debt | Term Loan Facility | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Prepayment of term loan facility | $ 1,000,000,000 | ||||||
Secured Debt | Term Loan Facility | Subsequent Event | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Borrowing amount | $ 2,500,000,000 | ||||||
Secured Debt | Term Loan Facility | Subsequent Event | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Basis spread on variable rate | 2.75% | ||||||
Interest rate floor | 0% | ||||||
Secured Debt | Term Loan Facility | Subsequent Event | Other Market Rates | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Basis spread on variable rate | 1.75% | ||||||
Interest rate floor | 1% | ||||||
Secured Debt | 2021 Term Loans | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Aggregate principal amount | $ 5,000,000,000 | ||||||
Stated interest rate | 9.22% | ||||||
Secured Debt | 2021 Term Loans | Subsequent Event | |||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||
Debt prepayment | $ 1,370,000,000 |
Debt - Summary of Collateral Co
Debt - Summary of Collateral Covenants and Cross Default Provisions (Details) - Line of Credit $ in Billions | Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) |
Credit Agreement | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |
Unrestricted liquidity required for credit agreement | $ 2 |
Minimum ratio of appraised value of collateral for Credit Agreement | 1.6 |
2026 Notes and 2029 Notes | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |
Minimum ratio of appraised value of collateral for Credit Agreement | 1.6 |
Additional interest required if minimum ratio is not met, percent | 2% |
Leases and Capacity Purchase _3
Leases and Capacity Purchase Agreements - Components of Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Leases [Abstract] | |||
Operating lease cost | $ 925 | $ 941 | $ 958 |
Variable and short-term lease cost | 3,028 | 2,603 | 2,291 |
Amortization of finance lease assets | 52 | 72 | 89 |
Interest on finance lease liabilities | 20 | 13 | 16 |
Sublease income | (39) | (33) | (26) |
Total lease cost | $ 3,986 | $ 3,596 | $ 3,328 |
Leases and Capacity Purchase _4
Leases and Capacity Purchase Agreements - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||
Jan. 31, 2024 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) aircraft lease | Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) | |
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Number of aircraft leases under various sale-leaseback transactions | lease | 42 | |||
Additional leases that have not yet commenced | $ 1,600 | |||
Lease terms of additional leases that have not yet commenced (up to) | 12 years | |||
Notes receivable | $ 103 | |||
Liabilities due | 3,835 | $ 3,395 | ||
Capacity Purchase Agreements | Subsequent Event | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Change in CPA future commitments | $ 600 | |||
United Airlines, Inc. | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Liabilities due | $ 3,835 | 3,395 | ||
Cash Collateralized Letters of Credit | United Airlines, Inc. | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Number of regional aircraft | aircraft | 413 | |||
Mainline Aircraft | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Number of aircraft subject to operating leases | aircraft | 70 | |||
Number of aircraft subject to finance leases | aircraft | 22 | |||
Mainline Aircraft | Minimum | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Initial term of operating leases | 1 month | |||
Mainline Aircraft | Maximum | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Initial term of operating leases | 12 years | |||
Regional Aircraft | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Number of aircraft subject to operating leases | aircraft | 275 | |||
Number of aircraft subject to finance leases | aircraft | 13 | |||
Regional Aircraft | United Airlines, Inc. | Capacity Purchase Agreements | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Expenses | $ 1,100 | 900 | $ 600 | |
Regional Aircraft | United Airlines, Inc. | Capacity Purchase Agreements | Related Party | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Notes receivable | 84 | 62 | ||
Liabilities due | $ 122 | $ 118 | ||
Non-Aircraft | Minimum | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Initial term of operating leases | 1 month | |||
Non-Aircraft | Maximum | ||||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||||
Initial term of operating leases | 29 years |
Leases and Capacity Purchase _5
Leases and Capacity Purchase Agreements - Summary of Scheduled Future Minimum Lease Payments under Operating and Finance Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Operating Leases | ||
2024 | $ 813 | |
2025 | 726 | |
2026 | 706 | |
2027 | 885 | |
2028 | 685 | |
After 2028 | 2,942 | |
Minimum lease payments | 6,757 | |
Imputed interest | (1,678) | |
Present value of minimum lease payments | 5,079 | |
Less: current maturities of lease obligations | (576) | $ (561) |
Long-term lease obligations | 4,503 | 4,459 |
Finance Leases | ||
2024 | 183 | |
2025 | 60 | |
2026 | 19 | |
2027 | 9 | |
2028 | 8 | |
After 2028 | 5 | |
Minimum lease payments | 284 | |
Imputed interest | (21) | |
Present value of minimum lease payments | 263 | |
Less: current maturities of lease obligations | (172) | (104) |
Long-term lease obligations | $ 91 | $ 115 |
Leases and Capacity Purchase _6
Leases and Capacity Purchase Agreements - Future Lease Payment under Terms of Capacity Purchase Agreement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||
2024 | $ 178 | |
2025 | 178 | |
2026 | 178 | |
2027 | 472 | |
2028 | 147 | |
After 2028 | 2,090 | |
Total | 3,243 | |
Imputed interest | (921) | |
Less: current maturities of lease obligations | (57) | $ (23) |
Other financial liabilities | 2,265 | $ 844 |
Capacity Purchase Agreements | ||
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] | ||
2024 | 2,400 | |
2025 | 2,100 | |
2026 | 2,100 | |
2027 | 1,600 | |
2028 | 1,300 | |
After 2028 | 4,100 | |
Total | $ 13,600 |
Leases and Capacity Purchase _7
Leases and Capacity Purchase Agreements - Additional Information Related to Leases (Details) | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
Leases [Abstract] | ||
Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases | 10 years | 10 years |
Weighted-average remaining lease term - finance leases | 2 years | 3 years |
Weighted-average remaining lease term - other financial liabilities | 10 years | 9 years |
Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases | 5.80% | 5.50% |
Weighted-average discount rate - finance leases | 6.30% | 6.40% |
Weighted-average interest rate - other financial liabilities | 5.30% | 6% |
Leases and Capacity Purchase _8
Leases and Capacity Purchase Agreements - Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | |||
Operating cash flows for operating leases | $ 874 | $ 919 | $ 977 |
Operating cash flows for finance leases | 21 | 13 | 18 |
Financing cash flows for finance leases | $ 311 | $ 124 | $ 216 |
Variable Interest Entities ("_2
Variable Interest Entities ("VIE") (Details) $ in Billions | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) | |
Mesa | |
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] | |
Ownership stake | 10% |
Tax-Exempt Special Facilities Revenue Bonds | |
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] | |
Underlying debt and interest | $ 1.9 |
Commitments and Contingencies -
Commitments and Contingencies - Firm Commitments and Options to Purchase Aircraft (Details) | Dec. 31, 2023 aircraft_commitment aircraft |
787 | |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] | |
Number of Firm Commitments | aircraft_commitment | 150 |
Number Of Aircrafts Expected To Take Delivery [Abstract] | |
2024 | 8 |
2025 | 18 |
After 2025 | 124 |
2024 | 7 |
2025 | 18 |
After 2025 | 125 |
737 MAX 8 | |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] | |
Number of Firm Commitments | aircraft_commitment | 43 |
Number Of Aircrafts Expected To Take Delivery [Abstract] | |
2024 | 43 |
2025 | 0 |
After 2025 | 0 |
2024 | 37 |
2025 | 6 |
After 2025 | 0 |
737 MAX 9 | |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] | |
Number of Firm Commitments | aircraft_commitment | 34 |
Number Of Aircrafts Expected To Take Delivery [Abstract] | |
2024 | 34 |
2025 | 0 |
After 2025 | 0 |
2024 | 19 |
2025 | 15 |
After 2025 | 0 |
737 MAX 10 | |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] | |
Number of Firm Commitments | aircraft_commitment | 277 |
Number Of Aircrafts Expected To Take Delivery [Abstract] | |
2024 | 80 |
2025 | 71 |
After 2025 | 126 |
2024 | 0 |
A321neo | |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] | |
Number of Firm Commitments | aircraft_commitment | 126 |
Number Of Aircrafts Expected To Take Delivery [Abstract] | |
2024 | 26 |
2025 | 38 |
After 2025 | 62 |
2024 | 25 |
2025 | 24 |
After 2025 | 77 |
A321XLR | |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] | |
Number of Firm Commitments | aircraft_commitment | 50 |
Number Of Aircrafts Expected To Take Delivery [Abstract] | |
2024 | 0 |
2025 | 8 |
After 2025 | 42 |
2024 | 0 |
2025 | 1 |
After 2025 | 49 |
A350 | |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] | |
Number of Firm Commitments | aircraft_commitment | 45 |
Number Of Aircrafts Expected To Take Delivery [Abstract] | |
2024 | 0 |
2025 | 0 |
After 2025 | 45 |
2024 | 0 |
2025 | 0 |
After 2025 | 45 |
Commitments and Contingencies_2
Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) technician in Thousands | 1 Months Ended | 4 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||
May 01, 2023 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) employee | Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) employee option | Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) | May 31, 2023 contract employee | Jan. 31, 2023 technician | |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||||||
Gross capital expenditures | $ 7,171,000,000 | $ 4,819,000,000 | $ 2,107,000,000 | |||||
Loss contingency, loss in period | 94,000,000 | |||||||
Aggregate balance | $ 3,243,000,000 | $ 3,243,000,000 | ||||||
Number of call options to purchase regional jet aircraft | option | 252 | |||||||
IAM National Pension Plan | ||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||||||
Number of employees | employee | 30,000 | |||||||
Number of contracts ratified | contract | 5 | |||||||
Payment for ratification of contracts and taxes | $ 48,000,000 | |||||||
Air Line Pilots Association | ||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||||||
Agreement in principle pay rate increase period | 4 years | |||||||
Expenses associated with AIP | $ 765,000,000 | |||||||
United Airlines, Inc. | ||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||||||
Gross capital expenditures | $ 7,171,000,000 | $ 4,819,000,000 | $ 2,107,000,000 | |||||
Number of employees | employee | 103,300 | 103,300 | ||||||
Percentage of employees represented by various U.S. labor organizations | 83% | |||||||
Number of technicians | technician | 8 | |||||||
Surety Bonds | United Airlines, Inc. | ||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||||||
Contingent liabilities based on participation | $ 429,000,000 | $ 429,000,000 | ||||||
Tax-Exempt Special Facilities Revenue Bonds | ||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||||||
Underlying debt and interest | 1,900,000,000 | 1,900,000,000 | ||||||
Tax-Exempt Special Facilities Revenue Bonds | Indirect Guarantee of Indebtedness | ||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||||||
Underlying debt and interest | 447,000,000 | 447,000,000 | ||||||
Contingent liabilities based on participation | 2,500,000,000 | 2,500,000,000 | ||||||
Aircraft Mortgage Debt | ||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||||||
Underlying debt and interest | 77,000,000 | 77,000,000 | ||||||
Floating Rate Debt | ||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||||||
Long term debt | 11,300,000,000 | $ 11,300,000,000 | ||||||
Debt instrument, remaining terms | 12 years | |||||||
Loans And Leases From Non U S Entities | ||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ||||||||
Debt instrument, remaining terms | 12 years | |||||||
Aggregate balance | $ 8,100,000,000 | $ 8,100,000,000 |
Commitments and Contingencies_3
Commitments and Contingencies - Summary of Commitments Related to the Acquisition of Aircraft (Details) $ in Billions | Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
2024 | $ 12.1 |
2025 | 7.9 |
2026 | 6 |
2027 | 4.5 |
2028 | 6.1 |
After 2028 | 23.5 |
Total | $ 60.1 |
Special Charges (Credits) - Com
Special Charges (Credits) - Components of Special Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Operating: | |||
Labor contract ratification bonuses | $ 814 | $ 0 | $ 0 |
CARES Act grant | 0 | 0 | (4,021) |
Severance and benefit costs | 0 | 0 | 438 |
Impairment of assets | 0 | 0 | 97 |
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges | 135 | 140 | 119 |
Total operating special charges (credits) | 949 | 140 | (3,367) |
Nonoperating unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net | (27) | (20) | 34 |
Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees | 11 | 7 | 50 |
Nonoperating special termination benefits and settlement losses | 0 | 0 | 31 |
Total nonoperating special charges and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net | (16) | (13) | 115 |
Total operating and nonoperating special charges (credits) and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net | 933 | 127 | (3,252) |
Income tax expense (benefit), net of valuation allowance | (214) | (33) | 728 |
Total operating and nonoperating special charges (credits) and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net of income taxes | $ 719 | $ 94 | $ (2,524) |
Special Charges (Credits) - Nar
Special Charges (Credits) - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | ||
Mar. 31, 2021 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2023 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) aircraft employee | |
Special Charges [Line Items] | ||||
Labor contract ratification bonuses | $ 814,000 | $ 0 | $ 0 | |
Gain on sale of assets and other special charges | (135,000) | (140,000) | (119,000) | |
Nonoperating unrealized gains (losses) | 27,000 | 20,000 | (34,000) | |
Deferred Debt Issuance Cost, Writeoff | 11,000 | |||
Loss contingency, loss in period | 94,000 | |||
Loss contingency contract disputes | 23,000 | |||
Extinguishment of debt, amount | 7,000 | 50,000 | ||
Cash received under the payroll support program | 5,800,000 | |||
Proceeds from the issuance of an unsecured loan | 1,700,000 | |||
Severance and benefit costs | 0 | 0 | 438,000 | |
Impairment of assets | 0 | 0 | $ 97,000 | |
Number of aircraft and spare engines retired | aircraft | 64 | |||
Gain (loss) on net charges | $ (119,000) | |||
Airbus A319 & Boeing 737-700 | ||||
Special Charges [Line Items] | ||||
Impairment of assets | $ 61,000 | |||
Airbus A319 | ||||
Special Charges [Line Items] | ||||
Number of aircraft held for sale | aircraft | 13 | |||
Boeing 737-700 | ||||
Special Charges [Line Items] | ||||
Number of aircraft held for sale | aircraft | 13 | |||
Embraer EMB 145LR | ||||
Special Charges [Line Items] | ||||
Impairment of assets | $ 36,000 | |||
Employee Separation | Voluntary Separation Leave Programs | ||||
Special Charges [Line Items] | ||||
Number of employees electing to voluntarily separate from the company | employee | 4,500 | |||
Special termination benefits | $ 31,000 | |||
Employee Separation | Voluntary Separation Leave Programs | Full-Time Employees | ||||
Special Charges [Line Items] | ||||
Restructuring programs, one-time contribution per employee | $ 125 | 125 | ||
Employee Separation | Voluntary Separation Leave Programs | Part-Time Employees | ||||
Special Charges [Line Items] | ||||
Restructuring programs, one-time contribution per employee | $ 75 | 75 | ||
Payroll Support Program 2 & 3 (PSP 2 & 3) Warrants | ||||
Special Charges [Line Items] | ||||
Proceeds from issuance of warrants | 99,000 | |||
Payroll Support Program 2 and 3 (PSP 2 & 3) Note | ||||
Special Charges [Line Items] | ||||
Grant income | $ 4,000,000 | |||
Unsecured Debt | ||||
Special Charges [Line Items] | ||||
Prepayment of term loan facility | $ 1,000,000 | |||
Long term debt | $ 400,000 | |||
Fixed interest rate | 4.25% |
Schedule II - Valuation and Q_2
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021 | |
Allowance for credit losses - receivables: | |||
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] | |||
Balance at Beginning of Period | $ 11 | $ 28 | $ 78 |
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses | 27 | 22 | 3 |
Deductions | 23 | 39 | 53 |
Other | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Balance at End of Period | 18 | 11 | 28 |
Allowance for credit losses - receivables: | United Airlines, Inc. | |||
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] | |||
Balance at Beginning of Period | 11 | 28 | 78 |
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses | 27 | 22 | 3 |
Deductions | 23 | 39 | 53 |
Other | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Balance at End of Period | 18 | 11 | 28 |
Obsolescence allowance—spare parts: | |||
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] | |||
Balance at Beginning of Period | 610 | 546 | 478 |
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses | 102 | 73 | 79 |
Deductions | 23 | 9 | 11 |
Other | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Balance at End of Period | 689 | 610 | 546 |
Obsolescence allowance—spare parts: | United Airlines, Inc. | |||
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] | |||
Balance at Beginning of Period | 610 | 546 | 478 |
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses | 102 | 73 | 79 |
Deductions | 23 | 9 | 11 |
Other | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Balance at End of Period | 689 | 610 | 546 |
Allowance for credit losses - investments in affiliates and other: | |||
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] | |||
Balance at Beginning of Period | 21 | 622 | 522 |
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses | 20 | 20 | 1 |
Deductions | 0 | 539 | 0 |
Other | (3) | (82) | 99 |
Balance at End of Period | 38 | 21 | 622 |
Allowance for credit losses - investments in affiliates and other: | United Airlines, Inc. | |||
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] | |||
Balance at Beginning of Period | 21 | 622 | 522 |
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses | 20 | 20 | 1 |
Deductions | 0 | 539 | 0 |
Other | (3) | (82) | 99 |
Balance at End of Period | 38 | 21 | 622 |
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets: | |||
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] | |||
Balance at Beginning of Period | 199 | 210 | 247 |
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses | (21) | (10) | (38) |
Deductions | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Other | 1 | (1) | 1 |
Balance at End of Period | 179 | 199 | 210 |
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets: | United Airlines, Inc. | |||
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] | |||
Balance at Beginning of Period | 199 | 210 | 247 |
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses | (21) | (10) | (38) |
Deductions | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Other | 1 | (1) | 1 |
Balance at End of Period | $ 179 | $ 199 | $ 210 |