UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
     For the quarterly period ended March 31,June 30, 2021
 or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the transition period from ________ to ________
Commission File No. 1-7259
luv-20210630_g1.jpg

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Texas74-1563240
(State or other jurisdiction of(IRS Employer
incorporation or organization)Identification No.)
P.O. Box 36611
Dallas,Texas75235-1611
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (214) 792-4000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock ($1.00 par value)LUVNew York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes x  No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerxAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes  No x
    Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the close of business on AprilJuly 23, 2021: 591,376,576591,644,557



TABLE OF CONTENTS TO FORM 10-Q

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31,June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity as of March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits
SIGNATURES

2


SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
FORM 10-Q
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
Southwest Airlines Co.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(in millions)
(unaudited)
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
ASSETSASSETS  ASSETS  
Current assets:Current assets: Current assets: 
Cash and cash equivalentsCash and cash equivalents$11,971 $11,063 Cash and cash equivalents$14,124 $11,063 
Short-term investmentsShort-term investments2,377 2,271 Short-term investments2,751 2,271 
Accounts and other receivablesAccounts and other receivables937 1,130 Accounts and other receivables1,328 1,130 
Inventories of parts and supplies, at costInventories of parts and supplies, at cost448 414 Inventories of parts and supplies, at cost464 414 
Prepaid expenses and other current assetsPrepaid expenses and other current assets367 295 Prepaid expenses and other current assets521 295 
Total current assetsTotal current assets16,100 15,173 Total current assets19,188 15,173 
Property and equipment, at cost:Property and equipment, at cost:Property and equipment, at cost:
Flight equipmentFlight equipment20,876 20,877 Flight equipment21,258 20,877 
Ground property and equipmentGround property and equipment6,111 6,083 Ground property and equipment6,183 6,083 
Deposits on flight equipment purchase contractsDeposits on flight equipment purchase contracts53 305 Deposits on flight equipment purchase contracts305 
Assets constructed for othersAssets constructed for others341 309 Assets constructed for others309 
27,381 27,574 27,441 27,574 
Less allowance for depreciation and amortizationLess allowance for depreciation and amortization11,733 11,743 Less allowance for depreciation and amortization12,199 11,743 
15,648 15,831  15,242 15,831 
GoodwillGoodwill970 970 Goodwill970 970 
Operating lease right-of-use assetsOperating lease right-of-use assets2,032 1,892 Operating lease right-of-use assets1,969 1,892 
Other assetsOther assets743 722 Other assets837 722 
$35,493 $34,588  $38,206 $34,588 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITYLIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  
Current liabilities:Current liabilities:  Current liabilities:  
Accounts payableAccounts payable$1,094 $931 Accounts payable$1,378 $931 
Accrued liabilitiesAccrued liabilities1,665 2,259 Accrued liabilities2,353 2,259 
Current operating lease liabilitiesCurrent operating lease liabilities292 306 Current operating lease liabilities267 306 
Air traffic liabilityAir traffic liability4,906 3,790 Air traffic liability6,312 3,790 
Current maturities of long-term debtCurrent maturities of long-term debt225 220 Current maturities of long-term debt2,166 220 
Total current liabilitiesTotal current liabilities8,182 7,506 Total current liabilities12,476 7,506 
Long-term debt less current maturitiesLong-term debt less current maturities10,546 10,111 Long-term debt less current maturities9,188 10,111 
Air traffic liability - noncurrentAir traffic liability - noncurrent2,826 3,343 Air traffic liability - noncurrent2,367 3,343 
Deferred income taxesDeferred income taxes1,660 1,634 Deferred income taxes1,688 1,634 
Construction obligationConstruction obligation341 309 Construction obligation309 
Noncurrent operating lease liabilitiesNoncurrent operating lease liabilities1,722 1,562 Noncurrent operating lease liabilities1,679 1,562 
Other noncurrent liabilitiesOther noncurrent liabilities1,123 1,247 Other noncurrent liabilities1,120 1,247 
Stockholders' equity:Stockholders' equity:  Stockholders' equity:  
Common stockCommon stock888 888 Common stock888 888 
Capital in excess of par valueCapital in excess of par value4,220 4,191 Capital in excess of par value4,269 4,191 
Retained earningsRetained earnings14,912 14,777 Retained earnings15,260 14,777 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(60)(105)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)136 (105)
Treasury stock, at costTreasury stock, at cost(10,867)(10,875)Treasury stock, at cost(10,865)(10,875)
Total stockholders' equityTotal stockholders' equity9,093 8,876 Total stockholders' equity9,688 8,876 
$35,493 $34,588  $38,206 $34,588 
See accompanying notes.
3


Southwest Airlines Co.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(in millions, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 Three months ended March 31,
 20212020
OPERATING REVENUES:  
Passenger$1,712 $3,845 
Freight43 39 
Other297 350 
Total operating revenues2,052 4,234 
OPERATING EXPENSES, NET:  
Salaries, wages, and benefits1,571 1,854 
Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net(1,448)
Fuel and oil469 870 
Maintenance materials and repairs173 272 
Landing fees and airport rentals313 339 
Depreciation and amortization312 311 
Other operating expenses463 698 
Total operating expenses, net1,853 4,344 
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)199 (110)
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
Interest expense114 28 
Capitalized interest(11)(5)
Interest income(2)(17)
Other (gains) losses, net(48)28 
Total other expenses (income)53 34 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES146 (144)
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES30 (50)
NET INCOME (LOSS)$116 $(94)
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE, BASIC$0.20 $(0.18)
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE, DILUTED$0.19 $(0.18)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)$180 $(219)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING 
Basic591 515 
Diluted609 515 

 Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
 2021202020212020
OPERATING REVENUES:    
Passenger$3,569 $704 $5,282 $4,549 
Freight50 38 92 77 
Other389 266 686 616 
Total operating revenues4,008 1,008 6,060 5,242 
OPERATING EXPENSES, NET:    
Salaries, wages, and benefits1,825 1,714 3,395 3,568 
Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net(740)(784)(2,187)(784)
Fuel and oil803 257 1,272 1,128 
Maintenance materials and repairs222 140 395 412 
Landing fees and airport rentals403 275 716 614 
Depreciation and amortization315 313 627 624 
Other operating expenses586 220 1,049 917 
Total operating expenses, net3,414 2,135 5,267 6,479 
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)594 (1,127)793 (1,237)
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):  
Interest expense116 96 229 124 
Capitalized interest(8)(7)(19)(12)
Interest income(2)(9)(4)(26)
Other (gains) losses, net(14)32 (61)60 
Total other expenses (income)92 112 145 146 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES502 (1,239)648 (1,383)
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES154 (324)185 (374)
NET INCOME (LOSS)$348 $(915)$463 $(1,009)
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE, BASIC$0.59 $(1.63)$0.78 $(1.87)
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE, DILUTED$0.57 $(1.63)$0.76 $(1.87)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)$544 $(859)$723 $(1,078)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING   
Basic591 563 591 539 
Diluted615 563 612 539 
See accompanying notes.
4


Southwest Airlines Co.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity
(in millions, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Common StockCapital in excess of par valueRetained earningsAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss)Treasury stockTotal
Common StockCapital in excess of par valueRetained earningsAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss)Treasury stockTotal
Balance at December 31, 2020Balance at December 31, 2020$888 $4,191 $14,777 $(105)$(10,875)$8,876 Balance at December 31, 2020$888 $4,191 $14,777 $(105)$(10,875)$8,876 
Cumulative effect of adopting Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments (See Note 1)Cumulative effect of adopting Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments (See Note 1)19 (19)Cumulative effect of adopting Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments (See Note 1)— — 19 (19)— 
Issuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plansIssuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plans(8)Issuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plans— (8)— — 
Share-based compensationShare-based compensation14 14 Share-based compensation— 14 — — — 14 
Stock warrantsStock warrants23 23 Stock warrants— 23 — — — 23 
Comprehensive incomeComprehensive income116 64 180 Comprehensive income— — 116 64 — 180 
Balance at March 31, 2021Balance at March 31, 2021$888 $4,220 $14,912 $(60)$(10,867)$9,093 Balance at March 31, 2021$888 $4,220 $14,912 $(60)$(10,867)$9,093 
Issuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plansIssuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plans— 11 — — 13 
Share-based compensationShare-based compensation— 16 — — — 16 
Stock warrantsStock warrants— 22 — — — 22 
Comprehensive incomeComprehensive income— — 348 196 — 544 
Balance at June 30, 2021Balance at June 30, 2021$888 $4,269 $15,260 $136 $(10,865)$9,688 


Common StockCapital in excess of par valueRetained earningsAccumulated other comprehensive lossTreasury stockTotal
Common StockCapital in excess of par valueRetained earningsAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss)Treasury stockTotal
Balance at December 31, 2019Balance at December 31, 2019$808 $1,581 $17,945 $(61)$(10,441)$9,832 Balance at December 31, 2019$808 $1,581 $17,945 $(61)$(10,441)$9,832 
Repurchase of common stockRepurchase of common stock(451)(451)Repurchase of common stock— — — — (451)(451)
Issuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plansIssuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plans(8)(2)Issuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plans— (8)— — (2)
Share-based compensationShare-based compensationShare-based compensation— — — — 
Cash dividends, $0.180 per shareCash dividends, $0.180 per share(94)(94)Cash dividends, $0.180 per share— — (94)— — (94)
Comprehensive lossComprehensive loss(94)(125)(219)Comprehensive loss— — (94)(125)— (219)
Balance at March 31, 2020Balance at March 31, 2020$808 $1,582 $17,757 $(186)$(10,886)$9,075 Balance at March 31, 2020$808 $1,582 $17,757 $(186)$(10,886)$9,075 
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costsIssuance of common stock, net of issuance costs80 2,144 — — — 2,224 
Issuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plansIssuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plans— — 13 
Share-based compensationShare-based compensation— (2)— — — (2)
Stock warrantsStock warrants— 35 — — — 35 
Equity feature of convertible notes, net of issuance costsEquity feature of convertible notes, net of issuance costs— 392 — — — 392 
Comprehensive income (loss)Comprehensive income (loss)— — (915)56 — (859)
Balance at June 30, 2020Balance at June 30, 2020$888 $4,159 $16,842 $(130)$(10,881)$10,878 
    See accompanying notes.
5


Southwest Airlines Co.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(in millions) (unaudited)
(unaudited)
Three months endedSix months ended
June 30,June 30,
 2021202020212020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
Net income (loss)$348 $(915)$463 $(1,009)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization315 313 627 624 
Unrealized/realized (gain) loss on fuel derivative instruments(17)(23)
Deferred income taxes(30)(181)(26)(230)
Gain on sale-leaseback transactions(222)(222)
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:    
Accounts and other receivables(563)(119)(797)64 
Other assets16 224 282 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities989 1,200 923 (90)
Air traffic liability946 667 1,546 1,368 
Other liabilities(64)(74)(186)(206)
Cash collateral received from derivative counterparties48 12 86 
Other, net17 (14)32 (76)
Net cash provided by operating activities2,005 897 2,650 520 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:    
Capital expenditures(95)(113)(190)(336)
Supplier proceeds128 428 
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions815 815 
Purchases of short-term investments(1,651)(1,316)(2,975)(2,345)
Proceeds from sales of short-term and other investments1,277 818 2,495 1,765 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(469)332 (670)327 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:    
Issuance of common stock2,294 2,294 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt3,997 4,497 
Proceeds from term loan credit facility2,683 3,683 
Proceeds from revolving credit facility1,000 
Proceeds from convertible notes2,300 2,300 
Proceeds from Payroll Support Program loan and warrants625 885 1,136 885 
Proceeds from Employee stock plans13 13 26 24 
Repurchase of common stock(451)
Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations(43)(159)(109)(237)
Payments of term loan credit facility(3,683)(3,683)
Payments of revolving credit facility(1,000)(1,000)
Payments of cash dividends(188)
Capitalized financing items(171)(176)
Other, net22 23 28 
Net cash provided by financing activities617 7,182 1,081 8,956 
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS2,153 8,411 3,061 9,803 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD11,971 3,940 11,063 2,548 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD$14,124 $12,351 $14,124 $12,351 
6


Three months ended
March 31,
 20212020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:  
Net income (loss)$116 $(94)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash used in operating activities:  
Depreciation and amortization312 311 
Unrealized/realized (gain) loss on fuel derivative instruments(7)
Deferred income taxes(49)
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:  
Accounts and other receivables(234)183 
Other assets(11)58 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(66)(1,291)
Air traffic liability599 701 
Other liabilities(122)(132)
Cash collateral received from (provided to) derivative counterparties38 (5)
Other, net15 (61)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities645 (377)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:  
Capital expenditures(95)(224)
Supplier proceeds300 
Purchases of short-term investments(1,324)(1,029)
Proceeds from sales of short-term and other investments1,218 948 
Net cash used in investing activities(201)(5)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:  
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt500 
Proceeds from term loan credit facility1,000 
Proceeds from revolving credit facility1,000 
Proceeds from Payroll Support Program loan and warrants511 
Proceeds from Employee stock plans13 11 
Repurchase of common stock(451)
Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations(67)(78)
Payments of cash dividends(188)
Other, net(20)
Net cash provided by financing activities464 1,774 
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS908 1,392 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD11,063 2,548 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD$11,971 $3,940 
CASH PAYMENTS FOR:
Interest, net of amount capitalized$17 $14 
Income taxes$$
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH TRANSACTIONS:
Right-of-use assets acquired under operating leases$218 $25 
Assets constructed for others$32 $34 
Three months endedSix months ended
June 30,June 30,
 2021202020212020
CASH PAYMENTS FOR:
Interest, net of amount capitalized$150 $40 $167 $54 
Income taxes$176 $$177 $10 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH TRANSACTIONS:
Right-of-use assets acquired under operating leases$12 $661 $230 $686 
Flight equipment acquired against supplier credit memo$207 $$512 $
Assets constructed for others$(341)$41 $(309)$75 
See accompanying notes.
67


Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
1.    BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Southwest Airlines Co. (the "Company" or "Southwest") operates Southwest Airlines, a major passenger airline that provides scheduled air transportation in the United States and near-international markets. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") for complete financial statements. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the interim periods ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020 include all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. This includes all normal and recurring adjustments and elimination of significant intercompany transactions. Financial results for the Company and airlines in general can be seasonal in nature. In many years, the Company's revenues, as well as its Operating income and Net income, have been better in its second and third fiscal quarters than in its first and fourth fiscal quarters. However, beginning in early 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company's results have not always been in line with such historical trends. See Note 2 for further information. Air travel is also significantly impacted by general economic conditions, the amount of disposable income available to consumers and changes in consumer behavior, unemployment levels, corporate travel budgets, global pandemics such as COVID-19, extreme or severe weather and natural disasters, fears of terrorism or war, governmental actions, and other factors beyond the Company's control. These and other factors, such as the price of jet fuel in some periods, the nature of the Company's fuel hedging program, and the periodic volatility of commodities used by the Company for hedging jet fuel, have created, and may continue to create, significant volatility in the Company's financial results. See Note 4 for further information on fuel and the Company's hedging program. Operating results for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future quarters or for the year ended December 31, 2021. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

In the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss), for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net, includes the correction of previously underaccrued payroll tax credits, related to fourth quarter 2020, of $88 million, pre-tax. Other gains and losses, net, includes gains of $60 million, pre-tax, to correct investment gains related to prior periods previously recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI").

In the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity, for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, the Company recorded a decrease of $19 million, net of tax, in AOCI and a corresponding increase in Retained earnings to correct the amount of the impact of the cumulative effect of adopting Accounting StandardStandards Update ("ASU") 2016-01, Financial Instruments in 2018.

These corrections are not considered material to prior period financial statements and are not expected to be material to the full year 2021 financial statements.

78

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

2.    WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC

As a result of the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, throughout the world, including into the United States, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization classified the virus as a pandemic. The speed with which the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic changed the U.S. economic landscape, outlook, and in particular the travel industry, was swift and unexpected. The Company saw a negative impact on bookings for future travel throughout 2020. The Company proactively canceled a significant portion of its scheduled flights in March 2020 and continued adjusting capacity throughout 2020, as the Company grounded a significant portion of its fleet and operated a significantly reduced portion of its previously scheduled capacity. The Company continued to experience significant negative impacts to passenger demand and bookings through first quarterearly in 2021 due to the pandemic.pandemic, in particular with respect to business travel, although as a result of declining reported COVID-19 cases throughout the United States, easing travel restrictions, lifting of business restrictions, and an increase in the number of individuals vaccinated, domestic leisure travel demand and bookings improved during second quarter 2021.

In April 2020,Since the start of the pandemic, the Company entered into definitive documentation with the United States Department of Treasury ("Treasury") with respect to payroll funding support pursuant to the Payroll Support Program ("Payroll Support") pursuant to three separate Payroll Support programs as described below.

In April 2020, the Company entered into definitive documentation (the "PSP1 Payroll Support Program") with Treasury with respect to Payroll Support under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act"). During 2020, the Company received a total of $3.4 billion of relief funds under the CARES Act. As consideration for thethis Payroll Support, the Company issued a promissory note in favor of Treasury and entered into a warrant agreement with Treasury, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue warrants to purchase common stock of the Company to Treasury. During 2020, the Company provided the promissory note in the aggregate amount of $976 million and issued warrants valued at a total of $40 million to purchase up to an aggregate of 2.7 million shares of the Company's common stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the warrants. Payroll Support funds were used solely to pay qualifying employee salaries, wages, and benefits.

OnIn January 15, 2021, the Company entered into definitive documentation (the "PSP2 Payroll Support Program") with Treasury with respect to funding supportPayroll Support under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the "Payroll Support Program Extension"("Consolidated Appropriations Act"). Payroll Support Program Extension funds were used solely to pay qualifying employee wages and benefits. AsDuring the first six months of March 31, 2021, the Company had received $1.7a total of $2.0 billion associated withof relief funds under the Payroll Support Program Extension.Consolidated Appropriations Act. As consideration for thethis Payroll Support, Program Extension, the Company issued a promissory note (the "PSP2("PSP2 Note") in favor of Treasury and entered into a warrant agreement (the "PSP2 Warrant Agreement") with Treasury, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue warrants (each, a "PSP2 Warrant"("PSP2 Warrants") to purchase common stock of the Company to Treasury. AsEach PSP2 Warrant is exercisable at a strike price of March 31,$46.28 per share of common stock and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the issue date of such PSP2 Warrant. During 2021, the Company had provided a PSP2 Notethe promissory note in the aggregate amount of $488$566 million and issued PSP2 Warrantswarrants valued at a total of $23$27 million to purchase up to an aggregate of 1.11.2 million shares of the Company's common stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the PSP2 Warrants. Pursuant to the terms of the Payroll Support Program Extension, the payroll support funds could only be utilized to pay qualifying salaries, wages, and benefits, as defined. As of March 31, 2021, excluding the $488 million PSP2 Note and value allocated to the PSP2 Warrants, all Payroll Support Program Extension funds received had been allocated to reduce eligible costs in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

On April 23, 2021, the Company received an additional $259 million related to the Payroll Support Program Extension, for which the Company provided Treasury consideration in the form of an increase of the PSP2 Note in an amount of $78 million and a PSP2 Warrant to purchase up to 168 thousand shares of the Company's common stock under the PSP2 Warrant Agreement. The grant portion of the payroll support funds will be allocated to reduce qualifying employee salaries, wages, and benefits during second quarter 2021. After taking into account the additional support under the Payroll Support Program Extension, the Company has received $2.0 billion of payroll support under the Payroll Support Program Extension, for which the Company has provided Treasury with a PSP2 Note in the aggregate amount of $566 million and PSP2 Warrants to purchase up to 1.2 million shares of the Company's common stock.warrants.

The PSP2 Note matures in full on January 15, 2031, and is subject to mandatory prepayment requirements in connection with certain change of control triggering events that may occur prior to its maturity. The Company has an option to prepay the PSP2 Note at any time without premium or penalty. Amounts outstanding under the PSP2 Note bear interest at a rate of 1.00 percent before January 15, 2026, and, afterwards, at a rate equal to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or other benchmark replacement rate consistent with customary market conventions plus a margin of 2.00 percent. The PSP2 Note contains customary representations and warranties and events of default.

In April 2021, the Company entered into definitive documentation (the "PSP3 Payroll Support Program") with Treasury with respect to Payroll Support under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ("American Rescue Act"). During second quarter 2021, the Company received a total of $1.9 billion of relief funds under the American Rescue Act. As consideration for this Payroll Support, the Company issued a promissory note ("PSP3 Note") in favor of Treasury and entered into a warrant agreement with Treasury, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue warrants ("PSP3 Warrants") to purchase common stock of the Company to Treasury. Each PSP3 Warrant is
8
9

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

Also underexercisable at a strike price of $58.51 per share of common stock and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the issue date of such PSP3 Warrant. During second quarter 2021, the Company provided the promissory note in the aggregate amount of $526 million and issued warrants valued at a total of $18 million to purchase up to an aggregate of 899 thousand shares of the Company's common stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the Payroll Support (discussed above) and Payroll Support Program Extension, the Company is prohibited from repurchasing its common stock and from paying dividends with respect to its common stock through March 31, 2022.warrants.

The PSP2 Warrant Agreement sets out the Company’s obligationsPSP3 Note matures in full on April 23, 2031, and is subject to issue PSP2 Warrantsmandatory prepayment requirements in connection with disbursementscertain change of funding support pursuantcontrol triggering events that may occur prior to its maturity. Amounts outstanding under the PSP3 Note bear interest at a rate of 1.00 percent before April 23, 2026, and, afterwards, at a rate equal to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or other benchmark replacement rate consistent with customary market conventions plus a margin of 2.00 percent. The PSP3 Note contains customary representations and warranties and events of default.

Pursuant to the PSP3 Payroll Support Program, in connection with the receipt of Payroll Support, the Company is subject to certain restrictions, including prohibitions against involuntary furloughs and reductions in employee pay rates and benefits through the later of September 30, 2021, and the date the Company has expended all of the Payroll Support Program Extensionunder the PSP3 Payroll Support Program; the elimination of share repurchases and dividends through September 30, 2022; and limits on executive compensation until April 1, 2023.

Under each of the three Payroll Support programs, funds were received in multiple disbursements. Upon each initial disbursement of Payroll Support under each of the three Payroll Support programs, the Company provided a promissory note and issued warrants to fileTreasury. Upon each subsequent disbursement of Payroll Support under each of the three Payroll Support programs, (i) the principal amount of the applicable promissory note was increased and (ii) the Company issued additional warrants to Treasury.

Under each of the 3 Payroll Support programs, funds received were used solely to pay qualifying employee salaries, wages, and benefits. The allocated to date grant portions of the Payroll Support received have been classified as a contra-expense line item in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss). The Company currently expects the remaining unallocated grant portion of Payroll Support of $763 million will be classified as a contra-expense line item in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) in third quarter 2021. The Company has an option to prepay the promissory notes at any time without premium or designate a resale shelf registration statement forpenalty. Warrants will be settled through net share settlement or net cash settlement, at the PSP2 Warrants and the underlying shares of common stock.Company’s option. The Company has also granted Treasury certain demand underwritten offering and piggyback registration rights with respect to the PSP2 Warrantswarrants and the underlying common stock. Each PSP2 Warrant is exercisable at a strike price of $46.28 per share of common stockThe warrants do not have voting rights and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the issue date of such PSP2 Warrant. The PSP2 Warrants will be settled through net share settlement or net cash settlement, at the Company’s option. The PSP2 Warrants include adjustments for below market issuances, payment of dividends, and other customary anti-dilution provisions. The PSP2 Warrants do not have voting rights.Refer to the table below for more detail.

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which includes provisions for an expected $14 billion of further payroll support ("PSP3 Payroll Support") for eligible U.S. airlines (the "PSP3 Payroll Support Program"). On April 23, 2021, the Company finalized an agreement with Treasury in which the Company is expected
10

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to receive an aggregate of approximately $1.9 billion in PSP3 Payroll Support funds that will be used to pay qualifying employee salaries, wages, and benefits through at least September 30, 2021. The Company received an initial installment of $926 million on April 23, 2021, and expects to receive the remainder of PSP3 Payroll Support funds during second quarter 2021.Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

As consideration for the PSP3 Payroll Support, on April 23, 2021, the Company issued a promissory note (the "PSP3 Note") in favor of Treasury and entered into a warrant agreement with Treasury (the "PSP3 Warrant Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue warrants (each, a "PSP3 Warrant") to purchase common stock of the Company to Treasury. The PSP3 Note was issued for $248 million and the Company issued a PSP3 Warrant valued at a total of $9 million to purchase up to an aggregate of 424 thousand shares of the Company's common stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the PSP3 Warrant. Upon each subsequent disbursement of PSP3 Payroll Support to the Company after April 23, 2021, (i) the principal amount of the PSP3 Note will automatically be increased in an amount equal to 30 percent of any such disbursement and (ii) the Company will issue an additional PSP3 Warrant to Treasury in an amount equal to 10 percent of the principal amount of the increase to the PSP3 Note in connection with such disbursement of PSP3 Payroll Support, divided by the strike price of $58.51 (which was the closing price of the Company's common stock on March 10, 2021). The PSP3 Payroll Support funds received can only be utilized to pay qualifying salaries, wages, and benefits, as defined. Excluding the amounts allocated to the PSP3 Note and value allocated to the PSP3 Warrants, all PSP3 Payroll Support funds received are expected to be allocated to reduce eligible costs in the year ended December 31, 2021. The Company currently expects the grant portion of the direct payroll support of $1.3 billion will be classified as a contra-expense line item in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
(in millions, except shares in thousands)GrantPromissory NoteWarrants ($)Total Payroll Support ProceedsWarrants (shares)
PSP1 Payroll Support Program
April 21, 2020$1,152 $459 $18 $1,630 1,258 
May 29, 2020448 196 652 536 
June 30, 2020448 196 652 536 
July 30, 2020225 97 326 268 
September 30, 202064 28 94 78 
$2,337 $976 $40 $3,354 2,676 
PSP2 Payroll Support Program
January 15, 2021$625 $229 $$864 495 
March 5, 2021591 259 14 864 560 
April 23, 2021177 78 259 168 
$1,393 $566 $27 $1,987 1,223 
PSP3 Payroll Support Program
April 23, 2021$670 $248 $$926 424 
June 3, 2021640 278 926 475 
$1,310 $526 $18 $1,852 899 
Total$5,040 $2,068 $85 $7,193 4,798 

On June 1, 2020, the Company announced Voluntary Separation Program 2020 ("Voluntary Separation Program"), a voluntary separation program that allowed eligible Employees the opportunity to voluntarily separate from the Company in exchange for severance, medical/dental coverage for a specified period of time, and travel privileges based on years of service. Virtually all of the Company’s Employees hired before June 1, 2020 were eligible to participate in Voluntary Separation Program 2020.Program. A total of over 4,200 Employees initially elected to participate in Voluntary Separation Program.

In conjunction with Voluntary Separation Program, 2020, the Company also offered certain contract Employees the option to take voluntary Extended Emergency Time Off ("Extended ETO"), for periods between six and 18 months, with the exception of Pilots, who could elect to take Extended ETO for periods up to five years.years, all subject to early recalls. Approximately 11,000 Employees participated in the Extended ETO program. During second quarter 2021, approximately 7,000 Employees returned from the Extended ETO program and 8,1641,466 Employees remained on Extended ETO leave as of March 31,June 30, 2021. Employees taking Extended ETO do not perform any work for the Company and are considered inactive while on leave, but do get paid a portion of their wages and continue to receive all associated benefits, as well as accrue service credit for all benefits. Contract employees who elected to take Extended ETO for periods between 12 and 18 months and had 10 or more years of service were given the opportunity to convert to the
9

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

Voluntary Separation Program 2020 beginning on September 1, 2020, until up to 90 days before the end of their respective Extended ETO term. Approximately 300 Employees elected this conversion option during the first six months of 2021.

The purpose of Voluntary Separation Program 2020 and Extended ETO iswas to maintain a reduced workforce to operate at reduced capacity relative to the Company's operations prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In accordance with the accounting guidance in ASC Topic 712 (Compensation — Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits), the Company accrued charges related to the special termination benefits described above upon Employees accepting Voluntary Separation Program 2020 or Extended ETO offers,offers. The Company accrued expenses totaling $1.4 billion for its Voluntary Separation Program and Extended ETO program in 2020, which have beenare being reduced as program benefits are paid. DuringFor both the Voluntary Separation Program and Extended ETO programs combined, approximately $348 million of the liability balances were relieved during first and second quarter 2021 the Company determined that it was no longer probable thatthrough payments to Employees, leaving a portion of the Employees remaining on Extended ETO would remain on such leave for their entire elected term. Therefore, a portion of the accruals previously recorded were reversed, resulting in a $141 million credit
11

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to expense. In addition, the Company continues to be subject to overstaffing levels in certain workgroups and locations, and offered some of the Employees on Extended ETO the opportunity to extend their leave periods by one, two, or three months. Based on the acceptances received, the Company accrued an additional $26 million in expense associated with the program. Both of these items are classified within Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net, in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss), and are in addition to the allocation of the Payroll Support Program Extension funds utilized to fund salaries, wages, and benefits, which totaled $1.2 billion during first quarter 2021.Financial Statements
(unaudited)

The Company accrued expense totaling $620balance of $436 million for its Extended ETO program in 2020, and considering the adjustments described above, as well as payments subsequently made, $190 million remains accrued as of March 31,June 30, 2021. The balance consists of future wages and some benefits for the Employees that will not be working during their leave.leave, or who have been permanently separated. The Company accrued amounts for up to the first 18 months from inception for all Employees that elected Extended ETO, but did not include amounts related to Pilots for periods beyond February 2022, based on the uncertainty of the Company's future capacity levels, and because it is not currently probable that such Employees will not be recalled to work beyond that timeframe. During the first half of 2021, the Company determined that it was no longer probable that a portion of the Employees on Extended ETO would remain on such leave for their entire elected term. Therefore, futurea portion of the accruals previously recorded were reversed, resulting in a net $115 million and $15 million credit to expense in first and second quarter 2021, respectively. Future adjustments to the amounts accrued may become necessary at a later date. For bothBoth of these items are classified within Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net, in the Voluntaryaccompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss), and are in addition to the allocation of the PSP2 Payroll Support Program 2020 and Extended ETO programs combined, approximately $188PSP3 Payroll Support Program funds utilized to fund salaries, wages, and benefits, which totaled $724 million ofand $1.9 billion for the liability balances were relieved during first quarterthree and six months ended June 30, 2021, through payments to Employees, leaving a balance of $611 million as of March 31, 2021.respectively.

In response to flight schedule adjustments due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of aircraft were taken out of the Company’s schedule beginning in late March 2020, and placed in short-term storage, as well as some in a longer term storage program. As of March 31,June 30, 2021, 6639 aircraft remained in temporary or long-term storage.storage, all of which are expected to be placed back into service by December 31, 2021. Given the current expectation that these aircraft have been placed in storage temporarily, the Company has continued to record depreciation expense associated with them.

3.    NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

On January 7,May 3, 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued ASU 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options. This new standard provides clarification and reduces diversity in an issuer’s accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options (such as warrants) that remain equity classified after modification or exchange. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Issuers should apply the new standard prospectively to modifications or exchanges occurring after the effective date of the new standard. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an issuer elects to early adopt the new standard in an interim period, the guidance should be applied as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The Company is evaluating this new standard, but does not expect it to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements or disclosures.

On January 7, 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848). This new standard provides optional temporary guidance for entities transitioning away from LIBORLondon Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") to new reference interest rates so that derivatives affected by the discounting transition are explicitly eligible for certain optional expedients and exceptions with Topic 848. These amendments do not apply to any contract modifications made after December 31, 2022, any new hedging relationships entered into after December 31, 2022, or to existing hedging relationships evaluated for effectiveness existing as of December 31, 2022, that apply certain optional practical expedients. This standard is effective immediately and may be applied (i) on a full retrospective basis as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or (ii) on a prospective basis to new modifications from any date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to the date of the issuance of a final update, up to the date that financial statements are available to be issued. The Company is currently evaluating its contracts that reference LIBOR and the potential impacts of applying the optional temporary guidance under this standard. There were no material LIBOR-related contract modifications during first quarterthe six months ended June 30, 2021, and the Company will provide additional information about the transition to new reference rates for affected contracts and adoption of this standard at a future date, if material.

1012

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

On August 5, 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. This new standard reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock, enhances information transparency by making targeted improvements to the disclosures for convertible instruments and earnings-per-share (EPS) guidance, and amends the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity to reduce form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. Companies may elect early adoption for periods beginning no earlier than December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The FASB specified that an entity should adopt the guidance as of the beginning of its annual fiscal year. The Company plans to adopt this standard as of January 1, 2022. Upon adoption, the Company will reclassify the remaining equity component from Additional paid-in capital to Long-term debt associated with its convertible notes, and no longer record amortization of the debt discount to Interest expense. The computation of diluted net income (loss) per share will be affected in the numerator as the Company will no longer record the debt discount amortization in Interest expense and may have to add back Interest expense to the numerator. The denominator could also be affected as the Company will be required to use the if-converted method to calculate diluted shares.

4.    FINANCIAL DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Fuel Contracts
Airline operators are inherently dependent upon energy to operate and, therefore, are impacted by changes in jet fuel prices. Furthermore, jet fuel and oil typically represents one of the largest operating expenses for airlines. The Company endeavors to acquire jet fuel at the lowest possible cost and to reduce volatility in operating expenses through its fuel hedging program. Although the Company may periodically enter into jet fuel derivatives for short-term timeframes, because jet fuel is not widely traded on an organized futures exchange, there are limited opportunities to hedge directly in jet fuel for time horizons longer than approximately 24 months into the future. However, the Company has found that financial derivative instruments in other commodities, such as West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") crude oil, Brent crude oil, and refined products, such as heating oil and unleaded gasoline, can be useful in decreasing its exposure to jet fuel price volatility. The Company does not purchase or hold any financial derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

The Company has used financial derivative instruments for both short-term and long-term timeframes, and primarily uses a mixture of purchased call options, collar structures (which include both a purchased call option and a sold put option), call spreads (which include a purchased call option and a sold call option), put spreads (which include a purchased put option and a sold put option), and fixed price swap agreements in its portfolio. Although the use of collar structures and swap agreements can reduce the overall cost of hedging, these instruments carry more risk than purchased call options in that the Company could end up in a liability position when the collar structure or swap agreement settles. With the use of purchased call options and call spreads, the Company cannot be in a liability position at settlement, but does not have coverage once market prices fall below the strike price of the purchased call option.

For the purpose of evaluating its net cash spend for jet fuel and for forecasting its future estimated jet fuel expense, the Company evaluates its hedge volumes strictly from an "economic" standpoint and thus does not consider whether the hedges have qualified or will qualify for hedge accounting. The Company defines its "economic" hedge as the net volume of fuel derivative contracts held, including the impact of positions that have been offset through sold positions, regardless of whether those contracts qualify for hedge accounting. The level at which the Company is economically hedged for a particular period is also dependent on current market prices for that period, as well as the types of derivative instruments held and the strike prices of those instruments. For example, the Company may enter into "out-of-the-money" option contracts (including "catastrophic" protection), which may not generate intrinsic gains at settlement if market prices do not rise above the option strike price. Therefore, even though the Company may have an economic hedge in place for a particular period, that hedge may not produce any hedging
11

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

gains at settlement and may even produce hedging losses depending on market prices, the types of instruments held, and the strike prices of those instruments.

13

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

As of March 31,June 30, 2021, the Company had fuel derivative instruments in place to provide coverage in future periods at varying price levels. The following table provides information about the Company’s volume of fuel hedging on an economic basis:

Maximum fuel hedged as ofMaximum fuel hedged as of
March 31, 2021Derivative underlying commodity type as ofJune 30, 2021Derivative underlying commodity type as of
Period (by year)Period (by year)(gallons in millions) (a)March 31, 2021Period (by year)(gallons in millions) (a)June 30, 2021
Remainder of 2021Remainder of 2021962 WTI crude oil and Brent crude oilRemainder of 2021641 WTI crude oil and Brent crude oil
202220221,220 WTI crude oil and Brent crude oil20221,220 WTI crude oil and Brent crude oil
20232023643 WTI crude oil and Brent crude oil2023643 WTI crude oil and Brent crude oil
Beyond 2023Beyond 2023106 WTI crude oilBeyond 2023106 WTI crude oil
(a) Due to the types of derivatives utilized by the Company and different price levels of those contracts, these volumes represent the maximum economic hedge in place and may vary significantly as market prices and the Company's flight schedule fluctuate.

Upon proper qualification, the Company accounts for its fuel derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. Qualification is re-evaluated quarterly, and all periodic changes in fair value of the derivatives designated as hedges are recorded in AOCI until the underlying jet fuel is consumed. See Note 5.

If a derivative ceases to qualify for hedge accounting, any change in the fair value of derivative instruments since the last reporting period would be recorded in Other (gains) losses, net, in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the period of the change; however, any amounts previously recorded to AOCI would remain there until such time as the original forecasted transaction occurs, at which time these amounts would be reclassified to Fuel and oil expense. Factors that have and may continue to lead to the loss of hedge accounting include: significant fluctuation in energy prices, significant weather events affecting refinery capacity and the production of refined products, and the volatility of the different types of products the Company uses in hedging. Increased volatility in these commodity markets for an extended period of time, especially if such volatility were to worsen, could cause the Company to lose hedge accounting altogether for the commodities used in its fuel hedging program, which would create further volatility in the Company’s GAAP financial results. However, even though derivatives may not qualify for hedge accounting, the Company continues to hold the instruments as management believes derivative instruments continue to afford the Company the opportunity to stabilize jet fuel costs. When the Company has sold derivative positions in order to effectively "close" or offset a derivative already held as part of its fuel derivative instrument portfolio, any subsequent changes in fair value of those positions are marked to market through earnings. Likewise, any changes in fair value of those positions that were offset by entering into the sold positions and were de-designated as hedges are concurrently marked to market through earnings. However, any changes in value related to hedges that were deferred as part of AOCI while designated as a hedge would remain until the originally forecasted transaction occurs. In a situation where it becomes probable that a fuel hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, any gains and/or losses that have been recorded to AOCI would be required to be immediately reclassified into earnings.

1214

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

All cash flows associated with purchasing and selling fuel derivatives are classified as Other operating cash flows in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The following table presents the location of all assets and liabilities associated with the Company’s derivative instruments within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet:

 Asset derivativesLiability derivatives  Asset derivativesLiability derivatives
Balance SheetFair value atFair value atFair value atFair value at Balance SheetFair value atFair value atFair value atFair value at
(in millions)(in millions)location3/31/202112/31/20203/31/202112/31/2020(in millions)location6/30/202112/31/20206/30/202112/31/2020
Derivatives designated as hedges (a)Derivatives designated as hedges (a)     Derivatives designated as hedges (a)     
Fuel derivative contracts (gross)Fuel derivative contracts (gross)Prepaid expenses and other current assets$58 $$$Fuel derivative contracts (gross)Prepaid expenses and other current assets$204 $$— $— 
Fuel derivative contracts (gross)Fuel derivative contracts (gross)Other assets182 121 Fuel derivative contracts (gross)Other assets278 121 — — 
Interest rate derivative contractsInterest rate derivative contractsOther assetsInterest rate derivative contractsOther assets— — — 
Interest rate derivative contractsInterest rate derivative contractsOther noncurrent liabilitiesInterest rate derivative contractsOther noncurrent liabilities— — 
Total derivatives designated as hedgesTotal derivatives designated as hedges$246 $130 $$Total derivatives designated as hedges$483 $130 $$
Derivatives not designated as hedges (a)Derivatives not designated as hedges (a)     Derivatives not designated as hedges (a)     
Fuel derivative contracts (gross)Fuel derivative contracts (gross)Prepaid expenses and other current assets$$$$Fuel derivative contracts (gross)Prepaid expenses and other current assets$20 $$— $— 
Total derivativesTotal derivatives $255 $134 $$Total derivatives $503 $134 $$
(a) Represents the position of each trade before consideration of offsetting positions with each counterparty and does not include the impact of cash collateral deposits provided to or received from counterparties. See discussion of credit risk and collateral following in this Note 4.

In addition, the Company had the following amounts associated with fuel derivative instruments and hedging activities in its unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet:

Balance SheetMarch 31,December 31, Balance SheetJune 30,December 31,
(in millions)(in millions)location20212020(in millions)location20212020
Cash collateral deposits held from counterparties for fuel contracts - currentCash collateral deposits held from counterparties for fuel contracts - currentOffset against Prepaid expenses and other current assets$15 $Cash collateral deposits held from counterparties for fuel contracts - currentOffset against Prepaid expenses and other current assets$48 $
Cash collateral deposits held from counterparties for fuel contracts - noncurrentCash collateral deposits held from counterparties for fuel contracts - noncurrentOffset against Other assets57 31 Cash collateral deposits held from counterparties for fuel contracts - noncurrentOffset against Other assets72 31 
 
All of the Company's fuel derivative instruments and interest rate swaps are subject to agreements that follow the netting guidance in the applicable accounting standards for derivatives and hedging. The types of derivative instruments the Company has determined are subject to netting requirements in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet are those in which the Company pays or receives cash for transactions with the same counterparty and in the same currency via one net payment or receipt. For cash collateral held by the Company or provided to counterparties, the Company nets such amounts against the fair value of the Company's derivative portfolio by each counterparty. The Company has elected to utilize netting for both its fuel derivative instruments and interest rate swap agreements and also classifies such amounts as either current or noncurrent, based on the net fair value position with each of the Company's counterparties in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. If its fuel derivative instruments are in a net asset position with a counterparty, cash collateral amounts held are first netted against current outstanding derivative asset amounts associated with that counterparty until that balance is zero, and then any remainder is applied against the fair value of noncurrent outstanding derivative instruments. As of March 31,June 30, 2021, 0 cash collateral deposits were provided by or held by the Company based on its outstanding interest rate swap agreements.

1315

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

The Company has the following recognized financial assets and financial liabilities resulting from those transactions that meet the scope of the disclosure requirements as necessitated by applicable accounting guidance for balance sheet offsetting:

Offsetting of derivative assetsOffsetting of derivative assetsOffsetting of derivative assets
(in millions)(in millions)(in millions)
(i)(ii)(iii) = (i) + (ii)(i)(ii)(iii) = (i) + (ii)(i)(ii)(iii) = (i) + (ii)(i)(ii)(iii) = (i) + (ii)
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
DescriptionDescriptionBalance Sheet locationGross amounts of recognized assetsGross amounts offset in the Balance SheetNet amounts of assets presented in the Balance SheetGross amounts of recognized assetsGross amounts offset in the Balance SheetNet amounts of assets presented in the Balance SheetDescriptionBalance Sheet locationGross amounts of recognized assetsGross amounts offset in the Balance SheetNet amounts of assets presented in the Balance SheetGross amounts of recognized assetsGross amounts offset in the Balance SheetNet amounts of assets presented in the Balance Sheet
Fuel derivative contractsFuel derivative contractsPrepaid expenses and other current assets$67 $(15)$52 $13 $(3)$10 Fuel derivative contractsPrepaid expenses and other current assets$224 $(48)$176 $13 $(3)$10 
Fuel derivative contractsFuel derivative contractsOther assets$182 $(57)$125 (a)$121 $(31)$90 (a)Fuel derivative contractsOther assets$278 $(72)$206 (a)$121 $(31)$90 (a)
Interest rate derivative contractsInterest rate derivative contractsOther assets$$$(a)$$$(a)Interest rate derivative contractsOther assets$$$(a)$$$(a)
(a) The net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities are reconciled to the individual line item amounts presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Note 9.


Offsetting of derivative liabilitiesOffsetting of derivative liabilitiesOffsetting of derivative liabilities
(in millions)(in millions)(in millions)
(i)(ii)(iii) = (i) + (ii)(i)(ii)(iii) = (i) + (ii)(i)(ii)(iii) = (i) + (ii)(i)(ii)(iii) = (i) + (ii)
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
DescriptionDescriptionBalance Sheet locationGross amounts of recognized liabilitiesGross amounts offset in the Balance SheetNet amounts of liabilities presented in the Balance SheetGross amounts of recognized liabilitiesGross amounts offset in the Balance SheetNet amounts of liabilities presented in the Balance SheetDescriptionBalance Sheet locationGross amounts of recognized liabilitiesGross amounts offset in the Balance SheetNet amounts of liabilities presented in the Balance SheetGross amounts of recognized liabilitiesGross amounts offset in the Balance SheetNet amounts of liabilities presented in the Balance Sheet
Fuel derivative contractsFuel derivative contractsPrepaid expenses and other current assets$15 $(15)$$$(3)$Fuel derivative contractsPrepaid expenses and other current assets$48 $(48)$$$(3)$
Fuel derivative contractsFuel derivative contractsOther assets$57 $(57)$(a)$31 $(31)$(a)Fuel derivative contractsOther assets$72 $(72)$(a)$31 $(31)$(a)
Interest rate derivative contractsInterest rate derivative contractsOther noncurrent liabilities$$$$$$Interest rate derivative contractsOther noncurrent liabilities$$$$$$
(a) The net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities are reconciled to the individual line item amounts presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Note 9.
1416

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

The following tables present the impact of derivative instruments and their location within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020:

Location and amount recognized in income on cash flow and fair value hedging relationshipsLocation and amount recognized in income on cash flow and fair value hedging relationshipsLocation and amount recognized in income on cash flow and fair value hedging relationships
Three months ended March 31, 2021Three months ended March 31, 2020Three months ended June 30, 2021Three months ended June 30, 2020
(in millions)(in millions)Fuel and oilOther (gains)/losses, netOther operating expensesFuel and oilOther (gains)/losses, netInterest expense(in millions)Fuel and oilOther (gains)/losses, netOther operating expensesFuel and oilOther (gains)/losses, netInterest expense
TotalTotal$16 $$$22 $$Total$12 $$$14 $14 $
Loss on cash flow hedging relationships:Loss on cash flow hedging relationships:Loss on cash flow hedging relationships:
Commodity contracts:Commodity contracts:Commodity contracts:
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into incomeAmount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income16 22 Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income12 14 14 
Interest contracts:Interest contracts:Interest contracts:
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into incomeAmount of loss reclassified from AOCI into incomeAmount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income
Impact of fair value hedging relationships:Impact of fair value hedging relationships:Impact of fair value hedging relationships:
Interest contracts:Interest contracts:Interest contracts:
Hedged itemsHedged itemsHedged items
Derivatives designated as hedging instrumentsDerivatives designated as hedging instruments(2)Derivatives designated as hedging instruments(2)


Derivatives designated and qualified in cash flow hedging relationships
 (Gain) loss recognized in AOCI on derivatives, net of tax
 Three months ended
 March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Fuel derivative contracts$(84)$84 
Interest rate derivatives(9)32 
Total$(93)$116 



Derivatives not designated as hedges
 (Gain) loss recognized in income on derivatives 
  
 Three months endedLocation of (gain) loss recognized in income on derivatives
 March 31,
(in millions)20212020
Fuel derivative contracts$(5)$Other (gains) losses, net
Interest rate derivatives24 Other (gains) losses, net
Total$(5)$24 
Location and amount recognized in income on cash flow and fair value hedging relationships
Six months ended June 30, 2021Six months ended June 30, 2020
(in millions)Fuel and oilOther (gains)/losses, netOther operating expensesFuel and oilOther (gains)/losses, netInterest expense
Total$28 $$$36 $16 $
Loss on cash flow hedging relationships:
Commodity contracts:
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income28 36 16 
Interest contracts:
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income
Impact of fair value hedging relationships:
Interest contracts:
Hedged items
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments(4)

1517

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

Derivatives designated and qualified in cash flow hedging relationships
 (Gain) loss recognized in AOCI on derivatives, net of tax
 Three months ended
 June 30,
(in millions)20212020
Fuel derivative contracts$(192)$(9)
Interest rate derivatives
Total$(186)$(9)

Derivatives designated and qualified in cash flow hedging relationships
 (Gain) loss recognized in AOCI on derivatives, net of tax
 Six months ended
 June 30,
(in millions)20212020
Fuel derivative contracts$(275)$75 
Interest rate derivatives(4)32 
Total$(279)$107 

Derivatives not designated as hedges
 (Gain) loss recognized in income on derivatives 
  
 Three months endedLocation of (gain) loss recognized in income on derivatives
 June 30,
(in millions)20212020
Fuel derivative contracts$(12)$Other (gains) losses, net
Interest rate derivativesOther (gains) losses, net
Total$(12)$

Derivatives not designated as hedges
 (Gain) loss recognized in income on derivatives 
  
 Six months endedLocation of (gain) loss recognized in income on derivatives
 June 30,
(in millions)20212020
Fuel derivative contracts$(16)$Other (gains) losses, net
Interest rate derivatives29 Other (gains) losses, net
Total$(16)$30 

The Company also recorded expense associated with premiums paid for fuel derivative contracts that settled/expired during the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020. Gains and/or losses associated with fuel derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are ultimately recorded to Fuel and oil expense. Gains and/or losses associated with fuel derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recorded to Other (gains) and losses, net. The following table presentstables present the impact of premiums paid for fuel derivative contracts and their location within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) during the period the contract settles:
18

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)


Premium expense recognized in income on derivatives  Premium expense recognized in income on derivatives 
   
Three months endedLocation of premium expense recognized in income on derivatives Three months endedLocation of premium expense recognized in income on derivatives
March 31, June 30,
(in millions)(in millions)20212020(in millions)20212020
Fuel derivative contracts designated as hedgesFuel derivative contracts designated as hedges$14 $24 Fuel and oilFuel derivative contracts designated as hedges$14 $13 Fuel and oil
Fuel derivative contracts not designated as hedgesFuel derivative contracts not designated as hedges11 Other (gains) losses, netFuel derivative contracts not designated as hedges10 11 Other (gains) losses, net

 Premium expense recognized in income on derivatives 
  
 Six months endedLocation of premium expense recognized in income on derivatives
 June 30,
(in millions)20212020
Fuel derivative contracts designated as hedges$29 $38 Fuel and oil
Fuel derivative contracts not designated as hedges21 11 Other (gains) losses, net

The fair values of the derivative instruments, depending on the type of instrument, were determined by the use of present value methods or option value models with assumptions about commodity prices based on those observed in underlying markets or provided by third parties. Included in the Company’s cumulative net unrealized lossesgains from fuel hedges as of March 31,June 30, 2021, recorded in AOCI, were approximately $19$88 million in net unrealized losses,gains, net of taxes, which are expected to be realized in earnings during the twelve months subsequent to March 31,June 30, 2021.

Interest Rate Swaps
The Company is party to certain interest rate swap agreements that are accounted for as cash flow hedges, and has in the past held interest rate swap agreements that have qualified as fair value hedges, as defined in the applicable accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging. Several of the Company's interest rate swap agreements qualify for the "shortcut" method of accounting for hedges, which dictateddictates that the hedges were assumed to be perfectly effective at origination, and, thus, there was no ineffectiveness to be recorded in earnings.

During 2019, the Company had entered into forward-starting interest rate swap agreements related to a series of 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 ("MAX 8") aircraft leases originally scheduled to be received between July 2019 and February 2020. These lease contracts exposed the Company to interest rate risk as the rental payments were subject to adjustment and would become fixed based on the 9-year swap rate at the time of delivery. As a result of the grounding of the MAX aircraft, those deliveries were significantly delayed. These original agreements were subsequently terminated in third quarter 2019, and the Company entered into new interest rate swap agreements based on revised expected aircraft delivery dates. As the revised delivery dates were also not met, these subsequent agreements were subsequently de-designated as hedges and the agreements terminated. The Company received 3 of the 12 aircraft in December 2020, and an additional 8 aircraft in first quarter 2021. The remaining delivery is expected during third quarter 2021. As a result of the discontinued hedges, the Company had cumulative losses "frozen" in AOCI, which are being recognized in earnings over the 9-year lease terms of each aircraft upon delivery. Therefore, the Company has reclassified approximately $1 million and $2 million in losses from AOCI into Other operating expenses, in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021.June 30, 2021, respectively. NaN such reclassifications occurred in 2020. The cumulative amountsamount remaining in AOCI as of March 31,June 30, 2021, associated with futurethese leased aircraft, deliveries, was $62$60 million.

For the Company’s interest rate swap agreements that do not qualify for the "shortcut" or "critical terms match" methods of accounting, ineffectiveness is assessed at each reporting period. If hedge accounting is achieved, all periodic changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps are recorded in AOCI.



1619

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)


Credit Risk and Collateral
Credit exposure related to fuel derivative instruments is represented by the fair value of contracts that are an asset to the Company at the reporting date. At such times, these outstanding instruments expose the Company to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements. However, the Company has not experienced any significant credit loss as a result of counterparty nonperformance in the past. To manage credit risk, the Company selects and periodically reviews counterparties based on credit ratings, limits its exposure with respect to each counterparty, and monitors the market position of the fuel hedging program and its relative market position with each counterparty. At March 31,June 30, 2021, the Company had agreements with all of its active counterparties containing early termination rights and/or bilateral collateral provisions whereby security is required if market risk exposure exceeds a specified threshold amount based on the counterparty's credit rating. The Company also had agreements with counterparties in which cash deposits and letters of credit were required to be posted as collateral whenever the net fair value of derivatives associated with those counterparties exceeds specific thresholds. In certain cases, the Company has the ability to substitute among these different forms of collateral at its discretion.

The following table provides the fair values of fuel derivatives, amounts posted as collateral, and applicable collateral posting threshold amounts as of March 31,June 30, 2021, at which such postings are triggered:

Counterparty (CP)  Counterparty (CP) 
(in millions)(in millions)ABCDEFGOther (a)Total(in millions)ABCDEFGOther (a)Total
Fair value of fuel derivativesFair value of fuel derivatives$60 $28 $60 $28 $30 $21 $18 $$249 Fair value of fuel derivatives$119 $58 $122 $57 $59 $41 $36 $10 $502 
Cash collateral held from CPCash collateral held from CP72 72 Cash collateral held from CP120 120 
Option to substitute LC for cashOption to substitute LC for cashN/AN/A0 (b)
0 (b)

0 (b)N/A0 (b)  Option to substitute LC for cashN/AN/A (b)
 (b)

 (b)N/A (b)  
If credit rating is investment
grade, fair value of fuel
derivative level at which:
If credit rating is investment
grade, fair value of fuel
derivative level at which:
     If credit rating is investment
grade, fair value of fuel
derivative level at which:
     
Cash is provided to CPCash is provided to CP>(100)>(50)>(75)
>(125)

>(40)>(65)>(100)  Cash is provided to CP>(100)>(50)>(75)
>(125)

>(40)>(65)>(100)  
Cash is received from CPCash is received from CP>0(c)>150(c)>250(c)>125(c)>100(c)>70(c)>100(c)  Cash is received from CP>0(c)>150(c)>250(c)>125(c)>100(c)>70(c)>100(c)  
If credit rating is non-investment
grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
If credit rating is non-investment
grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
     If credit rating is non-investment
grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
     
Cash is received from CPCash is received from CP0 (d)0 (d)0 (d)0 (d)0 (d)0 (d)0 (d)  Cash is received from CP (d) (d) (d) (d) (d) (d) (d)  
(a) Individual counterparties with fair value of fuel derivatives < $4$9 million.
(b) The Company has the option to substitute letters of credit for 100 percent of cash collateral requirement.
(c) Thresholds may vary based on changes in credit ratings within investment grade.
(d) Cash collateral is provided at 100 percent of fair value of fuel derivative contracts.

1720

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

5.    COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in the fair value of certain financial derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments, and actuarial gains/losses arising from the Company’s postretirement benefit obligation. The differences between Net income (loss) and Comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:
 Three months ended March 31,
(in millions)20212020
NET INCOME (LOSS)$116 $(94)
Unrealized gain (loss) on fuel derivative instruments, net of
  deferred taxes of $30 and ($19)
101 (65)
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate derivative instruments, net of
  deferred taxes of $3 and ($10)
10 (32)
Other, net of deferred taxes of ($13) and ($9)(47)(28)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)$64 $(125)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)$180 $(219)
 Three months ended June 30,
(in millions)20212020
NET INCOME (LOSS)$348 $(915)
Unrealized gain on fuel derivative instruments, net of
  deferred taxes of $61 and $9
201 30 
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate derivative instruments, net of
  deferred taxes of ($1) and $0
(5)
Other, net of deferred taxes of $0 and $825 
Total other comprehensive income$196 $56 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)$544 $(859)

 Six months ended June 30,
(in millions)20212020
NET INCOME (LOSS)$463 $(1,009)
Unrealized gain (loss) on fuel derivative instruments, net of
  deferred taxes of $92 and ($10)
301 (35)
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate derivative instruments, net of
  deferred taxes of $1 and ($10)
(31)
Other, net of deferred taxes of ($13) and ($1)(47)(3)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)$260 $(69)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)$723 $(1,078)

A rollforward of the amounts included in AOCI, net of taxes, is shown below for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021:
(in millions)(in millions)Fuel derivativesInterest rate derivativesDefined benefit plan itemsOtherDeferred taxAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(in millions)Fuel derivativesInterest rate derivativesDefined benefit plan itemsDeferred taxAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at December 31, 2020$(119)$(66)$(43)$91 $32 $(105)
Cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2016-01 as of January 1, 2018 — See Note 1(31)12 (19)
Balance at March 31, 2021Balance at March 31, 2021$12 $(53)$(43)$24 $(60)
Changes in fair valueChanges in fair value109 12 (28)93 Changes in fair value250 (7)— (57)186 
Reclassification to earningsReclassification to earnings22 (60)(a)(29)Reclassification to earnings12 — (3)10 
Balance at March 31, 2021$12 $(53)$(43)$$24 $(60)
Balance at June 30, 2021Balance at June 30, 2021$274 $(59)$(43)$(36)$136 


21

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

(in millions)Fuel derivativesInterest rate derivativesDefined benefit plan itemsOtherDeferred taxAccumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at December 31, 2020$(119)$(66)$(43)$91 $32 $(105)
Cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2016-01 as of January 1, 2018 (See Note 1)— — — (31)12 (19)
Changes in fair value359 — — (85)279 
Reclassification to earnings34 — (60)(a)(19)
Balance at June 30, 2021$274 $(59)$(43)$$(36)$136 
(a) Investment gains related to prior periods that were reclassified from AOCI into Other (gains) losses, net. See Note 1.




18

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

The following tables illustrate the significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021:
Three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021
(in millions)Amounts reclassified from AOCIAffected line item in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
AOCI components
Unrealized loss on fuel derivative instruments$1612 Fuel and oil expense
Other (gains) losses, net
53 Less: Tax expense
$179 Net of tax
Unrealized loss on interest rate derivative instruments$Other operating expenses
Less: Tax expense
$1Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period$10 Net of tax

Six months ended June 30, 2021
(in millions)Amounts reclassified from AOCIAffected line item in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
AOCI components
Unrealized loss on fuel derivative instruments$28 Fuel and oil expense
Other (gains) losses, net
Less: Tax expense
$26 Net of tax
Unrealized loss on interest rate derivative instruments$Interest expense
Less: Tax expense
$2 Net of tax
Unrealized gain on deferred compensation plan investment (See Note 1)$(60)Other (gains) losses, net
(13)Less: Tax expense
$(47)Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period$(29)(19)Net of tax



6.    REVENUE

Passenger Revenues
Revenue is categorized by revenue source as the Company believes it best depicts the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flow. The following table provides the components of Passenger revenue recognized within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and March 31, 2020:
Three months ended March 31, Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
(in millions)(in millions)20212020(in millions)2021202020212020
Passenger non-loyaltyPassenger non-loyalty$1,354 $3,220 Passenger non-loyalty$2,875 $562 $4,230 $3,783 
Passenger loyalty - air transportationPassenger loyalty - air transportation278 461 Passenger loyalty - air transportation549 81 826 542 
Passenger ancillary sold separatelyPassenger ancillary sold separately80 164 Passenger ancillary sold separately145 61 226 224 
Total passenger revenuesTotal passenger revenues$1,712 $3,845 Total passenger revenues$3,569 $704 $5,282 $4,549 


As of March 31,June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the components of Air traffic liability and Air traffic liability - noncurrent, including contract liabilities based on tickets sold, unused funds available to the Customer, and loyalty points available for redemption, net of expected spoilage, within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows:
Balance as of Balance as of
(in millions)(in millions)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020(in millions)June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Air traffic liability - passenger travel and ancillary passenger servicesAir traffic liability - passenger travel and ancillary passenger services$3,109 $2,686 Air traffic liability - passenger travel and ancillary passenger services$3,960 $2,686 
Air traffic liability - loyalty programAir traffic liability - loyalty program4,623 4,447 Air traffic liability - loyalty program4,719 4,447 
Total Air traffic liabilityTotal Air traffic liability$7,732 $7,133 Total Air traffic liability$8,679 $7,133 

The balance in Air traffic liability - passenger travel and ancillary passenger services also includes unused funds that are available for use by Customers and are not currently associated with a ticket, but represent funds effectively refunded and made available for use to purchase a ticket for a flight that occurs prior to their expiration. These funds are typically created as a result of a prior ticket cancellation or exchange. Rollforwards of the Company's Air traffic liability - loyalty program for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and March 31, 2020 were as follows (in millions):

Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
202120202021202020212020
Air traffic liability - loyalty program - beginning balanceAir traffic liability - loyalty program - beginning balance$4,447 $3,385 Air traffic liability - loyalty program - beginning balance$4,623 $3,561 $4,447 $3,385 
Amounts deferred associated with points awardedAmounts deferred associated with points awarded466 656 Amounts deferred associated with points awarded656 385 1,121 1,041 
Revenue recognized from points redeemed - PassengerRevenue recognized from points redeemed - Passenger(278)(461)Revenue recognized from points redeemed - Passenger(549)(81)(826)(542)
Revenue recognized from points redeemed - OtherRevenue recognized from points redeemed - Other(12)(19)Revenue recognized from points redeemed - Other(11)(9)(23)(28)
Air traffic liability - loyalty program - ending balanceAir traffic liability - loyalty program - ending balance$4,623 $3,561 Air traffic liability - loyalty program - ending balance$4,719 $3,856 $4,719 $3,856 

Air traffic liability includes consideration received for ticket and loyalty related performance obligations which have not been satisfied as of a given date. Rollforwards of the amounts included in Air traffic liability as of March 31,June 30, 2021 and March 31, 2020 were as follows (in millions):
 Air traffic liability
Balance at December 31, 2020$7,133 
Current period sales (passenger travel, ancillary services, flight loyalty, and partner loyalty)2,3246,851 
Revenue from amounts included in contract liability opening balances(743)(1,600)
Revenue from current period sales(982)(3,705)
Balance at March 31,June 30, 2021$7,7328,679 

 Air traffic liability
Balance at December 31, 2019$5,510 
Current period sales (passenger travel, ancillary services, flight loyalty, and partner loyalty)4,5655,946 
Revenue from amounts included in contract liability opening balances(1,949)(1,936)
Revenue from current period sales(1,915)(2,641)
Balance at March 31,June 30, 2020$6,2116,879 

During 2020, the Company experienced a significantly higher number of Customer-driven flight cancellations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. See Note 2 for further information. As a result, the amount of Customer travel funds held by the Company, net of spoilage,in Air traffic liability, that canare estimated to be redeemed for future travel as of March 31,June 30, 2021, representsremains much higher than historical levels. The amount of such Customer funds represent approximately 2215 percent of the total Air traffic liability balance at March 31, 2021, as compared to approximatelyand 28 percent of the total Air traffic liability balance at June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020. Both of these recent periods represent a significantly higher portion than the approximate2020, respectively, compared to approximately 2 percent of the Air traffic liability balance that Customer funds made up as of December 31, 2019. In order to provide additional flexibility to Customers who hold these funds, the Company has significantly relaxed its previous policies with regards to the time period within which these funds can be redeemed, which is typically twelve months from the original date of purchase. For all Customer travel funds created or that would have otherwise expired between March 1 and September 7, 2020 associated with flight cancellations, the Company has extended the expiration date to September 7, 2022. At March 31,June 30, 2021, $1.8$1.5 billion of Customer travel funds remain in Air traffic liability with a September 7, 2022 expiration date.date, although the Company has estimated that a portion of those will not be redeemed. The Company has limited data available to predict the occurrence or timing of performance obligation satisfaction on these funds due to certain constraints including, but not limited to, consumer confidence, economic health, vaccines, and uncertainty regarding customer travel fund redemption patterns for funds that live longer than 12 months as this is unprecedented in Company history. As a result, recognition of these travel funds as flown revenue, refunds, or spoilage revenue will likely be more volatile from period to period compared to what previous Customer behavior
may indicate, as cumulative revenue recognized is constrained to amounts that are not probable of being reversed. Despite the possibility that some of these travel funds may be redeemed beyond the followingupcoming twelve-month period, the Company has continued to classify them as "current" in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as they remain a demand liability and the Company has limited data to enable it to accurately estimate the portion that will not be redeemed for travel in the subsequent twelve months.

Recognition of revenue associated with the Company’s loyalty liability can be difficult to predict, as the number of award seats available to members is not currently restricted and they could choose to redeem their points at any time that a seat is available. The performance obligations classified as a current liability related to the Company’s loyalty program were estimated based on expected redemptions utilizing historical redemption patterns, and forecasted flight availability, fares, and coefficients. The entire balance classified as Air traffic liability—noncurrent relates to loyalty points that were estimated to be redeemed in periods beyond 12 months following the representative balance sheet date. The Company expects the majority of loyalty points to be redeemed within two years.twelve-month period.

Spoilage estimates are based on the Company's Customers' historical travel behavior, as well as assumptions about the Customers' future travel behavior. Assumptions used to generate spoilage estimates can be impacted by several factors including, but not limited to: fare increases, fare sales, changes to the Company's ticketing policies, changes to the Company’s refund, exchange, and unused funds policies, seat availability, and economic factors. Given the unprecedented amount of 2020 Customer flight cancellations and the amount of travel funds provided, the Company expects additional variability in the amount of spoilage revenue recorded in future periods, as the estimates of the portion of sold tickets that will expire unused may differ from historical experience.

Recognition of revenue associated with the Company’s loyalty liability can be difficult to predict, as the number of award seats available to members is not currently restricted and they could choose to redeem their points at any time that a seat is available. The performance obligations classified as a current liability related to the Company’s loyalty program were estimated based on expected redemptions utilizing historical redemption patterns, and forecasted flight availability, fares, and coefficients. The entire balance classified as Air traffic liability—noncurrent relates to
loyalty points that were estimated to be redeemed in periods beyond the twelve-months following the representative balance sheet date. Based on historical experience as well as current forecasted redemptions, the Company expects the majority of loyalty points to be redeemed within approximately two years of the date the points are issued.

The Company has a co-branded credit card agreement (the “Agreement”) with Chase Bank USA, N.A. (“Chase”), through which the Company sells loyalty points and certain marketing components, which consist of the use of the brand and access to Rapid Rewards Member lists, licensing and advertising elements, and the use of the Company’s resource team. In 2018, Chase and Southwest executed a multi-year extension of the Agreement, extending the decades-long relationship between the parties. The Company recognized revenue related to the marketing, advertising, and other travel-related benefits of the revenue associated with various loyalty partner agreements including, but not limited to, the Agreement with Chase, within Other operating revenues. For the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and March 31, 2020, the Company recognized $280$352 million and $321$256 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized $632 million and $577 million, respectively.


19

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

7.    NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (in millions, except per share amounts). An immaterial number of shares related to the Company's restricted stock units and stock warrants were excluded from the denominator for both periods presented,the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, because inclusion of such shares would be antidilutive.

Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
20212020 2021202020212020
NUMERATOR:NUMERATOR:NUMERATOR:
Net income (loss)Net income (loss)$116 $(94)Net income (loss)$348 $(915)$463 $(1,009)
DENOMINATOR:DENOMINATOR:DENOMINATOR:
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basicWeighted-average shares outstanding, basic591 515 Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic591 563 591 539 
Dilutive effects of convertible notes (a)Dilutive effects of convertible notes (a)16 Dilutive effects of convertible notes (a)22 19 
Dilutive effect of stock warrantsDilutive effect of stock warrantsDilutive effect of stock warrants
Dilutive effect of restricted stock unitsDilutive effect of restricted stock unitsDilutive effect of restricted stock units
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding, dilutedAdjusted weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted609 515 Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted615 563 612 539 
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:
BasicBasic$0.20 $(0.18)Basic$0.59 $(1.63)$0.78 $(1.87)
DilutedDiluted$0.19 $(0.18)Diluted$0.57 $(1.63)$0.76 $(1.87)

(a) Because the Company intends to settle conversions by paying cash up to the principal amount of the convertible notes, with any excess conversion value settled in shares of common stock, the convertible notes are being accounted for using the treasury stock method for the purposes of Net income (loss) per share. Using this method, the denominator will be affected when the average share price of the Company's common stock for a given period is greater than the conversion price of approximately $38.48 per share, and the Company reports Net income for the given period. For the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, the average market price of the Company's common stock exceeded this conversion price per share and as such, the common shares underlying the convertible notes were included in the diluted calculation. The convertible notes stipulated that holders of the notes could not elect to convert their convertible notes to shares of common stock until after June 30, 2020, subject to certain terms contained therein, and therefore there was no dilutive impact related to the notes until July 1, 2020. See Note 8 for further information on the convertible notes.

22

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

8.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Accounting standards pertaining to fair value measurements establish a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

As of March 31,June 30, 2021, the Company held certain items that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included cash equivalents, short-term investments (primarily treasury bills and certificates of deposit), interest rate derivative contracts, fuel derivative contracts, and available-for-sale securities. The majority of the Company’s short-term investments consist of instruments classified as Level 1. However, the Company has certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and time deposits that are classified as Level 2, due to the fact that the fair value for these instruments is determined utilizing observable inputs in non-active markets. Other available-for-sale securities primarily consist of investments in equity securities with readily determinable market values associated with the Company’s excess benefit plan.

The Company’s fuel and interest rate derivative instruments consist of over-the-counter contracts, which are not traded on a public exchange. Fuel derivative instruments currently consist solely of option contracts, whereas interest rate derivatives consist solely of swap agreements. See Note 4 for further information on the Company’s
20

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

derivative instruments and hedging activities. The fair values of swap contracts are determined based on inputs that are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets. Therefore, the Company has categorized these swap contracts as Level 2. The Company’s Treasury Department, which reports to the Chief Financial Officer, determines the value of option contracts utilizing an option pricing model based on inputs that are either readily available in public markets, can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets, or are provided by financial institutions that trade these contracts. The option pricing model used by the Company is an industry standard model for valuing options and is a similar model used by the broker/dealer community (i.e., the Company’s counterparties). The inputs to this option pricing model are the option strike price, underlying price, risk free rate of interest, time to expiration, and volatility. Because certain inputs used to determine the fair value of option contracts are unobservable (principally implied volatility), the Company has categorized these option contracts as Level 3. Volatility information is obtained from external sources, but is analyzed by the Company for reasonableness and compared to similar information received from other external sources. The fair value of option contracts considers both the intrinsic value and any remaining time value associated with those derivatives that have not yet settled. The Company also considers counterparty credit risk and its own credit risk in its determination of all estimated fair values. To validate the reasonableness of the Company’s option pricing model, on a monthly basis, the Company compares its option valuations to third party valuations. If any significant differences were to be noted, they would be researched in order to determine the reason. However, historically, no significant differences have been noted. The Company has consistently applied these valuation techniques in all periods presented and believes it has obtained the most accurate information available for the types of derivative contracts it holds.

Included in Other available-for-sale securities are the Company’s investments associated with its deferred compensation plans, which consist of mutual funds that are publicly traded and for which market prices are readily available. These plans are non-qualified deferred compensation plans designed to hold contributions in excess of limits established by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The distribution timing and payment amounts under these plans are made based on the participant’s distribution election and plan balance. Assets related to the funded portions of the deferred compensation plans are held in a rabbi trust, and the Company remains liable to these participants for the unfunded portion of the plans. The Company records changes in the fair value of plan obligations and plan assets, which net to zero, within the Salaries, wages, and benefits line and Other (gains) losses line, respectively, of the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

2123

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

The following tables present the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31,June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020:
 Fair value measurements at reporting date using:  Fair value measurements at reporting date using:
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assetsSignificant other observable inputsSignificant unobservable inputsQuoted prices in active markets for identical assetsSignificant other observable inputsSignificant unobservable inputs
DescriptionDescriptionMarch 31, 2021(Level 1)(Level 2)(Level 3)DescriptionJune 30, 2021(Level 1)(Level 2)(Level 3)
AssetsAssets(in millions)Assets(in millions)
Cash equivalents:Cash equivalents:    Cash equivalents:    
Cash equivalents (a)Cash equivalents (a)$11,600 $11,600 $$Cash equivalents (a)$13,759 $13,759 $$
Commercial paperCommercial paper90 90 Commercial paper90 90 
Certificates of deposit
Time depositsTime deposits275 275 Time deposits275 275 
Short-term investments:Short-term investments: Short-term investments: 
Treasury billsTreasury bills1,800 1,800 Treasury bills2,150 2,150 
Certificates of depositCertificates of deposit27 27 Certificates of deposit
Time depositsTime deposits550 550 Time deposits600 600 
Fuel derivatives:Fuel derivatives: Fuel derivatives: 
Option contracts (b)Option contracts (b)249 249 Option contracts (b)502 502 
Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4)Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4)Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4)
Other available-for-sale securitiesOther available-for-sale securities240 240 Other available-for-sale securities259 259 
Total assetsTotal assets$14,843 $13,640 $954 $249 Total assets$17,637 $16,168 $967 $502 
LiabilitiesLiabilities    
Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4)Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4)$(3)$$(3)$
(a) Cash equivalents are primarily composed of money market investments.
(b) In the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts are presented as an asset. See Note 4.
  Fair value measurements at reporting date using:
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assetsSignificant other observable inputsSignificant unobservable inputs
DescriptionDecember 31, 2020(Level 1)(Level 2)(Level 3)
Assets(in millions)
Cash equivalents:   
Cash equivalents (a)$10,663 $10,663 $$
Commercial paper90 90 
Certificates of deposit10 10 
Time deposits300 300 
Short-term investments:    
Treasury bills1,800 1,800 
Certificates of deposit46 46 
Time deposits425 425 
Fuel derivatives:    
Option contracts (b)134 134 
Other available-for-sale securities259 259 
Total assets$13,727 $12,722 $871 $134 
Liabilities    
Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4)$(6)$$(6)$
(a) Cash equivalents are primarily composed of money market investments.
(b) In the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts are presented as an asset. See Note 4.

2224

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)


The Company did not have any material assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, or the year ended December 31, 2020. The following table presentstables present the Company’s activity for items measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021:
Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
(in millions)Fuel derivatives
Balance at DecemberMarch 31, 20202021$134249 
Total gains (losses) for the period
Included in earnings(1)12 (a)
Included in other comprehensive income117250 
Settlements(1)(9)
Balance at March 31,June 30, 2021$249502 
The amount of total lossesgains for the period
  included in earnings attributable to the
  change in unrealized gains or losses relating
  to assets still held at March 31,June 30, 2021
$(2)12 (a)
The amount of total gains for the period
  included in other comprehensive income attributable to the
  change in unrealized gains or losses relating
  to assets still held at March 31,June 30, 2021
$116246 
(a) Included in Other (gains) losses, net, within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
(in millions)Fuel derivatives
Balance at December 31, 2020$134 
Total gains for the period
Included in earnings10 (a)
Included in other comprehensive income367 
Settlements(9)
Balance at June 30, 2021$502 
The amount of total gains for the period
  included in earnings attributable to the
  change in unrealized gains or losses relating
  to assets still held at June 30, 2021
$10 (a)
The amount of total gains for the period
  included in other comprehensive income attributable to the
  change in unrealized gains or losses relating
  to assets still held at June 30, 2021
$360 

(a) Included in Other (gains) losses, net, within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s derivative option contracts is implied volatility. Holding other inputs constant, an increase (decrease) in implied volatility would have resulted in a higher (lower) fair value measurement, respectively, for the Company’s derivative option contracts.

The following table presents a range and weighted average of the unobservable inputs utilized in the fair value measurements of the Company’s fuel derivatives classified as Level 3 at March 31,June 30, 2021:
Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements
 Valuation techniqueUnobservable inputPeriod (by year)RangeWeighted Average (a)
Fuel derivativesOption modelImplied volatilitySecond quarter 202122-46%32 %
Third quarter 202130-40%33 %
Fourth quarter 202129-36%31 %
202225-34%29 %
202323-26%25 %
Beyond 202323-25%24 %
25

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements
 Valuation techniqueUnobservable inputPeriod (by year)RangeWeighted Average (a)
Fuel derivativesOption modelImplied volatilityThird quarter 202117-33%26 %
Fourth quarter 202127-33%29 %
202224-37%30 %
202323-28%25 %
Beyond 202323-25%24 %
(a) Implied volatility weighted by the notional amount (barrels of fuel) that will settle in respective period.

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s short-term and long-term debt (including current maturities), as well as the applicable fair value hierarchy tier, at March 31,June 30, 2021, are presented in the table below. The fair values of the Company’s publicly held long-term debt are determined based on inputs that are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets; therefore, the Company has categorized these agreements as Level 2. Debt under 5 of the Company’sAll privately held debt agreements is not publicly held.are categorized as Level 3. The Company has determined the estimated fair value of this debt to be Level 3, as certain inputs used to determine the fair value of these agreements are unobservable. The Company utilizes indicative pricing from counterparties and a discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of the Level 3 items.
23

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

(in millions)(in millions)Carrying valueEstimated fair valueFair value level hierarchy(in millions)Carrying valueEstimated fair valueFair value level hierarchy
2.75% Notes due 20222.75% Notes due 2022$300 $309 Level 22.75% Notes due 2022$300 $308 Level 2
Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24%Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24%105 107 Level 2Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24%105 108 Level 2
4.75% Notes due 20234.75% Notes due 20231,250 1,350 Level 24.75% Notes due 20231,250 1,342 Level 2
1.25% Convertible Notes due 20251.25% Convertible Notes due 20251,963 3,968 Level 21.25% Convertible Notes due 20251,982 3,494 Level 2
5.25% Notes due 20255.25% Notes due 20251,550 1,765 Level 25.25% Notes due 20251,550 1,770 Level 2
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2025 - 1.59%112 112 Level 3
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2025 - 1.55%Term Loan Agreement payable through 2025 - 1.55%106 106 Level 3
3.00% Notes due 20263.00% Notes due 2026300 317 Level 23.00% Notes due 2026300 321 Level 2
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2026 - 1.34%159 157 Level 3
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2026 - 1.31%Term Loan Agreement payable through 2026 - 1.31%149 146 Level 3
3.45% Notes due 20273.45% Notes due 2027300 318 Level 23.45% Notes due 2027300 326 Level 2
5.125% Notes due 20275.125% Notes due 20272,000 2,301 Level 25.125% Notes due 20272,000 2,355 Level 2
7.375% Debentures due 20277.375% Debentures due 2027119 145 Level 27.375% Debentures due 2027118 146 Level 2
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2028 - 1.60%178 177 Level 3
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2028 - 1.55%Term Loan Agreement payable through 2028 - 1.55%171 171 Level 3
2.625% Notes due 20302.625% Notes due 2030500 492 Level 22.625% Notes due 2030500 513 Level 2
1.000% Payroll Support Program Loan due 2030976 941 Level 3
1.000% Payroll Support Program Loan due 2031488 460 Level 3
1.000% Payroll Support Program Loan due April 20301.000% Payroll Support Program Loan due April 2030976 956 Level 3
1.000% Payroll Support Program Loan due January 20311.000% Payroll Support Program Loan due January 2031566 542 Level 3
1.000% Payroll Support Program Loan due April 20311.000% Payroll Support Program Loan due April 2031526 500 Level 3

Convertible Notes

On May 1, 2020, the Company completed the public offering of $2.3 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.250% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (the “Convertible Notes”).

Upon conversion, the Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the Company’s election. The Company intends, however, to settle conversions by paying cash up to the principal amount, with any excess conversion value settled in shares of common stock. The initial conversion rate is 25.9909 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $38.48 per share of common stock).

26

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

Upon issuance, the Company bifurcated the Convertible Notes for accounting purposes between a liability component and an equity component utilizing applicable guidance. The liability component was determined by estimating the fair value of a hypothetical issuance of an identical offering excluding the conversion feature of the Convertible Notes. The carrying amount of the equity component was calculated as the difference between the liability component and the face amount of the Convertible Notes, which was determined to be $403 million. The equity component is not remeasured as long as it continues to meet the conditions for equity classification, which it had as of March 31,June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020. The following table details the liability component recognized related to the Convertible Notes as of March 31,June 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020:

(in millions)(in millions)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020(in millions)June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Liability component:Liability component:Liability component:
Principal amountPrincipal amount$2,300 $2,300 Principal amount$2,300 $2,300 
Unamortized debt discountUnamortized debt discount(337)(355)Unamortized debt discount(318)(355)
Net carrying amountNet carrying amount$1,963 $1,945 Net carrying amount$1,982 $1,945 

The effective interest rate on the liability component approximateswas approximately 5.2 percent for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021. The Company recognized $28 million of interest expense associated with the Convertible Notes during the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, including $19 million of non-cash amortization of the debt discount, $2 million of non-cash amortization of debt issuance costs, and $7 million of contractual coupon interest. The
24

Southwest Airlines Co.
Company recognized $56 million of interest expense associated with the Convertible Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

during the six months ended June 30, 2021, including $37 million of non-cash amortization of the debt discount, $4 million of non-cash amortization of debt issuance costs, and $15 million of contractual coupon interest. The unamortized debt discount and issuance costs will be recognized as non-cash interest expense over the 5-year term of the notes, through May 1, 2025.2025, less any amounts that would be required to be accelerated to expense immediately upon any future conversions.

As of March 31,June 30, 2021, the if-converted value of the Convertible Notes exceeded the principal amount by $881$874 million, using the averageclosing stock price for the three months ended March 31,on June 30, 2021. The Convertible Notes did not meetmet the criteria to be converted throughout first quarter 2021. However, the conversion criteria were subsequently met, and holders of the Convertible Notes are able to convert during the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2021, and thus have been reclassified as part of Current maturities of long-term debt in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2021. An immaterial number of conversions were exercised in second quarter 2021, which will be settled in third quarter 2021.
27

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

9. SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(in millions)(in millions)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020(in millions)June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Trade receivablesTrade receivables$59 $46 Trade receivables$81 $46 
Credit card receivablesCredit card receivables92 35 Credit card receivables129 35 
Business partners and other suppliers (a)Business partners and other suppliers (a)73 274 Business partners and other suppliers (a)380 274 
Taxes receivable (b)(a)Taxes receivable (b)(a)705 740 Taxes receivable (b)(a)696 740 
OtherOther35 Other42 35 
Accounts and other receivablesAccounts and other receivables$937 $1,130 Accounts and other receivables$1,328 $1,130 
(in millions)(in millions)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020(in millions)June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Derivative contractsDerivative contracts$131 $90 Derivative contracts$207 $90 
Intangible assets, netIntangible assets, net295 295 Intangible assets, net295 295 
OtherOther317 337 Other335 337 
Other assetsOther assets$743 $722 Other assets$837 $722 
(in millions)(in millions)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020(in millions)June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Accounts payable tradeAccounts payable trade$169 $111 Accounts payable trade$219 $111 
Salaries payableSalaries payable197 201 Salaries payable253 201 
Taxes payable excluding income taxesTaxes payable excluding income taxes190 49 Taxes payable excluding income taxes266 49 
Aircraft maintenance payableAircraft maintenance payable83 95 Aircraft maintenance payable75 95 
Fuel payableFuel payable98 66 Fuel payable112 66 
Other payableOther payable357 409 Other payable453 409 
Accounts payableAccounts payable$1,094 $931 Accounts payable$1,378 $931 
(in millions)(in millions)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020(in millions)June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Deferred Payroll Support Program grant proceedsDeferred Payroll Support Program grant proceeds$763 $
Extended Emergency Time OffExtended Emergency Time Off$190 $393 Extended Emergency Time Off48 393 
Voluntary Separation Program 2020124 143 
Voluntary Separation ProgramVoluntary Separation Program112 143 
Profitsharing and savings plansProfitsharing and savings plans46 25 Profitsharing and savings plans136 25 
Vendor prepayment (a)(b)Vendor prepayment (a)(b)277 600 Vendor prepayment (a)(b)600 
Vacation payVacation pay443 436 Vacation pay448 436 
HealthHealth109 111 Health109 111 
Workers compensationWorkers compensation163 161 Workers compensation145 161 
Property and income taxesProperty and income taxes80 84 Property and income taxes102 84 
InterestInterest111 49 Interest47 49 
Deferred supplier payments (c)Deferred supplier payments (c)151 
OtherOther122 257 Other292 257 
Accrued liabilitiesAccrued liabilities$1,665 $2,259 Accrued liabilities$2,353 $2,259 
2528

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

(in millions)(in millions)March 31, 2021December 31, 2020(in millions)June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Extended Emergency Time OffExtended Emergency Time Off$$57 Extended Emergency Time Off$$57 
Voluntary Separation Program 2020297 321 
Voluntary Separation ProgramVoluntary Separation Program276 321 
Postretirement obligationPostretirement obligation430 428 Postretirement obligation432 428 
Other deferred compensationOther deferred compensation319 353 Other deferred compensation338 353 
OtherOther77 88 Other74 88 
Other noncurrent liabilitiesOther noncurrent liabilities$1,123 $1,247 Other noncurrent liabilities$1,120 $1,247 

(a) In fourth quarter 2020, the Company received a $600 million prepayment from Chase for Rapid Rewards points expected to be purchased during 2021, based on cardholder activity on the Visa credit card associated with its loyalty program. During first quarter 2021, $323 million was reclassified to deferred revenue in Air Traffic liability--loyalty (including $106 million that would have been a receivable from business partners as of March 31, 2021), and the remainder is expected to be reclassified during second quarter 2021.
(b) Both periods include approximately $470 million associated with a significant cash tax refund expected as a result of the CARES Act allowing entities to carry back 2020 losses to prior periods of up to five years and claim refunds of federal taxes paid. This amount also includes excise taxes remitted to taxing authorities for which the subsequent flights were canceled by Customers, resulting in amounts due back to the Company.
(b) In fourth quarter 2020, the Company received a $600 million prepayment from Chase for Rapid Rewards points that were subsequently issued to Members during the six months ended June 30, 2021, based on cardholder activity on the Visa credit card associated with its loyalty program.
(c) Represents amounts owed for aircraft deliveries received that will be relieved via future payments to supplier. See Note 11 for further information.

For further information on fuel derivative and interest rate derivative contracts, see Note 4.

Other Operating Expenses, net
Other operating expenses, net, consists of aircraft rentals, distribution costs, advertising expenses, personnel expenses, professional fees, and other operating costs, none of which individually exceeded 10 percent of Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021.expenses.

10.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Los Angeles International Airport
In October 2017, the Company executed a lease agreement with Los Angeles World Airports ("LAWA") (the "T1.5 Lease"). Under the T1.5 Lease, the Company oversaw and managed the design, development, financing, construction, and commissioning of a passenger processing facility between TerminalTerminals 1 and 2 (the "Terminal 1.5 Project"). The Terminal 1.5 Project includesincluded ticketing, baggage claim, passenger screening, and a bus gate at a cost not to exceed $464 million for site improvements and non-proprietary improvements.gate. Construction on the Terminal 1.5 Project began during third quarter 2017 and was substantially completed at December 31, 2020; however, the Terminal 1.5 Project will not be placed into service until2020. The project final cost was approximately $410 million. During second quarter 2021, at which time LAWA is expected to repayrepaid the outstanding loan and purchasepurchased the remaining completed assets for accounting purposes. The costs incurred to fundpurposes, at which time the Terminal 1.5 Project are included within Assets Constructed for Others ("ACFO") and all amounts that have been or will be reimbursed will be included within Construction obligation on the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Upon completion of any individual asset as part of the overall project, theremaining asset and associated liability of $365 million on the balance sheet arewere de-recognized in accordance with applicable accounting guidance.

Funding for this project is primarily through the Regional Airports Improvement Corporation (the "RAIC"), which is a quasi-governmental special purpose entity that is acting This item was also reported as a conduit borrower under a syndicated credit facility provided by a group of lenders. A loan made undersupplemental noncash transaction on the credit facility for the Terminal 1.5 Project is being used to reimburse the Company for the site improvements and non-proprietary improvements of the Terminal 1.5 Project, and the outstanding loan will be repaid with the proceeds of LAWA’s payments to purchase completed construction phases. The Company guaranteed the obligation of the RAIC under the credit facility associated with the Terminal 1.5 Project. As of March 31, 2021, the Company's outstanding guaranteed obligation under the credit facility for the Terminal 1.5 Project was $364 million.

26

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes tounaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

Construction costs recorded in ACFOStatement of Cash Flows, net of Assets constructed for others additions during the Terminal 1.5 Project, which exclude costs associated with assets that were previously completed and placed into service, were $341 million and $309 million, as of March 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively.period.

Dallas Love Field
During 2008, the City of Dallas approved the Love Field Modernization Project ("LFMP"), a project to reconstruct Dallas Love Field with modern, convenient air travel facilities. Pursuant to a Program Development Agreement with the City of Dallas and the Love Field Airport Modernization Corporation (or the "LFAMC," a Texas non-profit "local government corporation" established by the City of Dallas to act on the City of Dallas' behalf to facilitate the development of the LFMP), the Company managed this project. Major construction was effectively completed in 2014. During second quarter 2017, the City of Dallas approved using the remaining bond funds for additional terminal construction projects, which were effectively completed in 2018.

Although the City of Dallas received commitments from various sources that helped to fund portions of the LFMP project, including the Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA"), the Transportation Security Administration, and
29

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

the City of Dallas' Aviation Fund, the majority of the funds used were from the issuance of bonds. The Company guaranteed principal and interest payments on bonds issued by the LFAMC. As of March 31,June 30, 2021, $399 million of principal remained outstanding. The net present value of the future principal and interest payments associated with the bonds was $438$432 million as of March 31,June 30, 2021, and was reflected as part of the Company's operating lease right–of–use assets and lease obligations in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

On March 24, 2021,Based on growth opportunities and ongoing fleet modernization plans for more climate-friendly aircraft, the Company entered into Supplemental Agreement No. 12 (the "Supplement") to its aircraft purchase agreement3 supplemental agreements with The Boeing Company ("Boeing") relatingduring second quarter 2021 to the Company's purchase ofincrease its 2022 firm orders by 34 Boeing 737 MAX 7 ("MAX 7") aircraft (consisting of 2 2022 options exercised and 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Pursuant to the Supplement (i) the Company added 10032 options accelerated and exercised from later years), resulting in 234 firm orders for the MAX 7 with the firstaircraft as of June 30, to be delivered in 2022; (ii)2021. Additionally, the Company accelerated 10 options into 2022, 32 options into 2023, 16 options into 2024, 16 options into 2025, and added 155 MAX aircraft options; (iii)32 new options into 2026 through 2027, bringing the total firm and option order book was extended to include deliveries through 2031;660 aircraft as of June 30, 2021. Fleet and (iv)capacity plans will continue to evolve as the Company converted 70manages through this recovery period, and it will continue to evaluate its remaining MAX 8 firm orders to MAX 7 firm orders. The Supplement also includes certain confidential credits, discounts, and other concessions provided tooptions for 2022. However, with its cost-effective order book, the Company by Boeing.retains significant flexibility to manage its fleet size, including opportunities to accelerate fleet modernization efforts if growth opportunities do not materialize. Additional information regarding the Company's delivery schedule is included in the following table as of June 30, 2021.
27

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

As of March 31, 2021, based on the Supplement to its aircraft purchase agreement with Boeing, the Company had firm deliveries and options for Boeing 737 MAX 7 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft as follows:

The Boeing CompanyThe Boeing Company
MAX 7
Firm Orders
MAX 8
Firm Orders
MAX 7 or 8 OptionsAdditional MAX 8sTotalMAX 7
Firm Orders
MAX 8
Firm Orders
MAX 7 or 8 OptionsAdditional MAX 8sTotal
2021202119 28 (a)202119 28 (a)
2022202230 42 72 202264 50 114 
2023202330 38 68 202330 60 90 
2024202430 40 70 202430 56 86 
2025202530��40 70 202530 56 86 
2026202615 15 40 70 202615 15 40 70 
2027202715 15 30 60 202715 15 36 
2028202815 15 30 60 202815 15 30 
2029202920 30 10 60 202920 30 50 
2030203015 45 60 203015 45 60 
2031203110 10 203110 10 
200149(b)2709(c)628234149(b)2689(c)660
(a) Includes 2027 737 MAX 8s delivered as of March 31,June 30, 2021, consisting of 1219 owned and 8 leased aircraft.
(b) The Company has flexibility to designate firm orders or options as MAX 7 or MAX 8, upon written advance notification as stated in the contract.
(c) These 9 additional MAX 8 aircraft are leases to be acquired from various third parties, including 8 leased MAX 8 aircraft delivered in first quarteras of June 30, 2021. The Company also received 7 leased MAX 8 aircraft in fourth quarter 2020, for a total of 16 MAX 8 operating leased aircraft from third parties in 2020 and 2021, combined.

Based on the Company's existing agreement with Boeing as reflected in the delivery schedule above, the Company's cash capital commitments associated with its firm orders as of June 30, 2021, are as follows: NaN0ne for 2021 (due to previously agreed upon delivery credits provided by The Boeing Company to the Company due to the settlement of 2020 estimated damages relatingrelated to the FAA grounding of the 737 MAX aircraft and progress payments made to date on undelivered aircraft), $700 million$1.5 billion in 2022, $1.2 billion in 2023, $1.1 billion in 2023, $1.0 billion in 2024, $1.1 billion$835 million in 2025, $1.2 billion$971 million in 2026, and $7.2$7.0 billion thereafter.

Contingencies
30

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

The Company is from time to time subject to various legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, examinations by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). The Company's management does not expect that the outcome of any of its currently ongoing legal proceedings or the outcome of any adjustments presented by the IRS, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow.

11.    BOEING 737 MAX AIRCRAFT GROUNDING AND RETURN TO SERVICE

On March 13, 2019, the FAA issued an emergency order for all U.S. airlines to ground all Boeing MAX aircraft. The Company immediately complied with the order and grounded all 34 MAX aircraft in its fleet. On November 18, 2020, the FAA rescinded the emergency order and issued official requirements to enable U.S. airlines to return the Boeing 737 MAX to service. The Company returned the MAX to revenue service on March 11, 2021, after the Company met all FAA requirements and Pilots received updated, MAX-related training.

The most significant financial impacts of the grounding toresulting from the CompanyFAA's emergency order were the lost revenues, operating income, and operating cash flows, and delayed capital expenditures, directly associated with itsthe Company's grounded MAX fleet and other new aircraft that were not able to be delivered. In July 2019, The Boeing Company ("Boeing") announced a
28

Southwest Airlines Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)

$4.9 $4.9 billion after-tax charge for "potential concessions and other considerations to customers for disruptions related to the 737 MAX grounding." In January 2020, Boeing announced an additional pre-tax charge of $2.6 billion related to "estimated potential concessions and other considerations to customers related to the 737 MAX grounding."

During 2019, the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Boeing to compensate Southwest for estimated financial damages incurred during 2019 related to the grounding of the MAX. The terms of the agreement are confidential, but arewere intended to provide for a substantial portion of the Company’s financial damages associated with both the 34 MAX aircraft that were grounded as of March 13, 2019, as well as the 41 additional MAX aircraft the Company was scheduled to receive (28 owned MAX from Boeing and 13 leased MAX from third parties) from March 13, 2019 through December 31, 2019. In accordance with applicable accounting principles, the Company will account for substantially all of the proceeds received from Boeing as a reduction in cost basis spread across both the existing 31 owned MAX in the Company’s fleet at the time, and the Company’s future firm aircraft deliveries as of the date of the agreement. No material financial impacts of the agreement were realized in the Company’s earnings during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020.2020, or the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.

During December 2020, the Company entered into an agreement with Boeing to compensate the Company for estimated financial damages incurred during 2020 related to the grounding of the MAX. The terms of the agreement are confidential, but the compensation is in the form of credit memos taken against future payments due to Boeing as aircraft have been and are delivered in accordance with the amended delivery schedule, or as future progress payments are due. In accordance with applicable accounting principles, the Company has accounted for substantially all of the compensation received from Boeing as a reduction in cost basis spread across both the existing owned MAX in the Company’s fleet, and the Company’s future firm aircraft deliveries from Boeing as of the date of the agreement. No material financial impacts of the agreement were realized in the Company’s earnings during the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021.

29
31


Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Relevant comparative operating statistics for the three and six months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020 are included below. The Company provides these operating statistics because they are commonly used in the airline industry and, as such, allow readers to compare the Company’s performance against its results for the prior year period, as well as against the performance of the Company’s peers. In the first quarterhalf of both years, most of these operating statistics were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and decisions the Company made as a result of the pandemic. See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Three months ended March 31,  Three months ended June 30, 
20212020Change 20212020Change
Revenue passengers carried (000s)Revenue passengers carried (000s)14,225 24,748 (42.5)%Revenue passengers carried (000s)26,158 5,253 n.m.
Enplaned passengers (000s)Enplaned passengers (000s)17,927 29,779 (39.8)%Enplaned passengers (000s)32,786 6,990 n.m.
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (in millions)(a)
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (in millions)(a)
14,875 23,935 (37.9)%
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (in millions)(a)
27,689 5,614 n.m.
Available seat miles (ASMs) (in millions)(b)
Available seat miles (ASMs) (in millions)(b)
23,146 35,350 (34.5)%
Available seat miles (ASMs) (in millions)(b)
33,414 17,887 86.8 %
Load factor(c)
Load factor(c)
64.3 %67.7 %(3.4)pts.
Load factor(c)
82.9 %31.4 %51.5 pts.
Average length of passenger haul (miles)Average length of passenger haul (miles)1,046 967 8.2 %Average length of passenger haul (miles)1,059 1,069 (0.9)%
Average aircraft stage length (miles)Average aircraft stage length (miles)772 737 4.7 %Average aircraft stage length (miles)794 749 6.0 %
Trips flownTrips flown192,401 312,393 (38.4)%Trips flown268,820 153,088 75.6 %
Seats flown (000s)(d)
Seats flown (000s)(d)
29,791 47,130 (36.8)%
Seats flown (000s)(d)
41,826 23,650 76.9 %
Seats per trip(e)
Seats per trip(e)
154.8 150.9 2.6 %
Seats per trip(e)
155.6 154.5 0.7 %
Average passenger fareAverage passenger fare$120.36 $155.37 (22.5)%Average passenger fare$136.46 $134.04 1.8 %
Passenger revenue yield per RPM (cents)(f)
Passenger revenue yield per RPM (cents)(f)
11.51 16.07 (28.4)%
Passenger revenue yield per RPM (cents)(f)
12.89 12.54 2.8 %
Operating revenues per ASM (cents)(g)
Operating revenues per ASM (cents)(g)
8.86 11.98 (26.0)%
Operating revenues per ASM (cents)(g)
11.99 5.63 113.0 %
Passenger revenue per ASM (cents)(h)
Passenger revenue per ASM (cents)(h)
7.40 10.88 (32.0)%
Passenger revenue per ASM (cents)(h)
10.68 3.94 171.1 %
Operating expenses per ASM (cents)(i)
Operating expenses per ASM (cents)(i)
8.00 12.29 (34.9)%
Operating expenses per ASM (cents)(i)
10.22 11.94 (14.4)%
Operating expenses per ASM, excluding fuel (cents)Operating expenses per ASM, excluding fuel (cents)5.98 9.83 (39.2)%Operating expenses per ASM, excluding fuel (cents)7.81 10.50 (25.6)%
Operating expenses per ASM, excluding fuel and profitsharing (cents)Operating expenses per ASM, excluding fuel and profitsharing (cents)5.88 9.83 (40.2)%Operating expenses per ASM, excluding fuel and profitsharing (cents)7.56 10.50 (28.0)%
Fuel costs per gallon, including fuel taxFuel costs per gallon, including fuel tax$1.63 $1.90 (14.2)%Fuel costs per gallon, including fuel tax$1.88 $1.23 52.8 %
Fuel costs per gallon, including fuel tax, economicFuel costs per gallon, including fuel tax, economic$1.70 $1.90 (10.5)%Fuel costs per gallon, including fuel tax, economic$1.92 $1.33 44.4 %
Fuel consumed, in gallons (millions)Fuel consumed, in gallons (millions)286 457 (37.4)%Fuel consumed, in gallons (millions)426 208 104.8 %
Active fulltime equivalent Employees(j)Active fulltime equivalent Employees(j)56,051 (j)60,922 (8.0)%Active fulltime equivalent Employees(j)54,448 61,118 (10.9)%
Aircraft at end of period(l)(k)
Aircraft at end of period(l)(k)
730 742 (1.6)%
Aircraft at end of period(l)(k)
736 737 (0.1)%
32


 Six months ended June 30,  
 20212020Change
Revenue passengers carried (000s)40,383 30,001 34.6 %
Enplaned passengers (000s)50,713 36,768 37.9 %
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (in millions)(a)
42,565 29,549 44.0 %
Available seat miles (ASMs) (in millions)(b)
56,561 53,237 6.2 %
Load factor(c)
75.3 %55.5 %19.8 pts.
Average length of passenger haul (miles)1,054 985 7.0 %
Average aircraft stage length (miles)785 741 5.9 %
Trips flown461,221 465,481 (0.9)%
Seats flown (000s)(d)
71,617 70,780 1.2 %
Seats per trip(e)
155.3 152.1 2.1 %
Average passenger fare$130.79 $151.63 (13.7)%
Passenger revenue yield per RPM (cents)(f)
12.41 15.40 (19.4)%
Operating revenues per ASM (cents)(g)
10.71 9.85 8.7 %
Passenger revenue per ASM (cents)(h)
9.34 8.55 9.2 %
Operating expenses per ASM (cents)(i)
9.31 12.17 (23.5)%
Operating expenses per ASM, excluding fuel (cents)7.06 10.05 (29.8)%
Operating expenses per ASM, excluding fuel and profitsharing (cents)6.87 10.05 (31.6)%
Fuel costs per gallon, including fuel tax$1.78 $1.69 5.3 %
Fuel costs per gallon, including fuel tax, economic$1.83 $1.72 6.4 %
Fuel consumed, in gallons (millions)712 664 7.2 %
Active fulltime equivalent Employees(j)
54,448 61,118 (10.9)%
Aircraft at end of period(k)
736 737 (0.1)%

(a) A revenue passenger mile is one paying passenger flown one mile. Also referred to as "traffic," which is a measure of demand for a given period.
(b) An available seat mile is one seat (empty or full) flown one mile. Also referred to as "capacity," which is a measure of the space available to carry passengers in a given period.
(c) Revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles.
(d) Seats flown is calculated using total number of seats available by aircraft type multiplied by the total trips flown by the same aircraft type during a particular period.
(e) Seats per trip is calculated by dividing seats flown by trips flown.
(f) Calculated as passenger revenue divided by revenue passenger miles. Also referred to as "yield," this is the average cost paid by a paying passenger to fly one mile, which is a measure of revenue production and fares.
(g) Calculated as operating revenues divided by available seat miles. Also referred to as "operating unit revenues," or "RASM," this is a measure of operating revenue production based on the total available seat miles flown during a particular period.
(h) Calculated as passenger revenue divided by available seat miles. Also referred to as "passenger unit revenues," this is a measure of passenger revenue production based on the total available seat miles flown during a particular period.
(i) Calculated as operating expenses divided by available seat miles. Also referred to as "unit costs," "cost per available seat mile," or "CASM" this is the average cost to fly an aircraft seat (empty or full) one mile, which is a measure of cost efficiencies.
(j) Included 8,1641,446 Employees participating in the Extended Emergency Time Off program as of March 31,June 30, 2021. See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
(k) Included 739 Boeing 737 MAXNext Generation aircraft in temporary storage as of March 31,June 30, 2021 and. Also included 34 Boeing 737 MAX and 77 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft in long termlong-term storage as of March 31,June 30, 2020. See Note 11 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
(l) Included 59 and 93 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft removed from active fleet and in temporary storage as of March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
3033


Financial Overview

In late February 2020, the Company began to see a negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, which quickly accelerated during first quarter 2020 and continued throughout 2020. The Company continued to experience significant negative impacts to passenger demand and bookings throughearly in 2021, due to the entiretypandemic, in particular with respect to business travel, although as a result of firstdeclining COVID-19 cases throughout the United States, easing travel restrictions, lifting of business restrictions, and an increase in the numbers of persons vaccinated, domestic leisure travel demand and bookings improved during second quarter 2021, although modest improvements in leisure bookings were noted in mid-February 2021 that steadily improved through March 2021. The Company's financial results in both years, on both a GAAP and Non-GAAP basis, were significantly impacted by the pandemic and resulting effect on demand and passenger bookings. In addition, GAAP results in first quarterfor the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 included $1.2$1.5 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively, in grants of payroll funding support ("Payroll Support Program Extension grants.Support") from the United States Department of Treasury ("Treasury"). See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on payroll support programs administered through Treasury, as well as the significant impacts to the Company’s operations, financial performance, and liquidity from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Company recorded second quarter and year-to-date GAAP and non-GAAP results for 2021 and 2020 as noted in the following tables. See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and the Reconciliation of Reported Amounts to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional detail regarding non-GAAP financial measures.
 Three months ended Six Months Ended
(in millions, except per share amounts)June 30, June 30,
GAAP20212020Percent Change20212020Percent Change
Operating income (loss)$594 $(1,127)n.m.$793 $(1,237)n.m.
Net income (loss)$348 $(915)n.m.$463 $(1,009)n.m.
Net income (loss) per share, diluted$0.57 $(1.63)n.m.$0.76 $(1.87)n.m.
  
Non-GAAP
Operating loss$(162)$(2,154)(92.5)$(1,431)$(2,264)(36.8)
Net loss$(206)$(1,501)(86.3)$(1,221)$(1,578)(22.6)
Net loss per share, diluted$(0.35)$(2.67)(86.9)$(2.07)$(2.93)(29.4)

The significant increase in GAAP Net income (loss) and Operating income (loss), and significant decrease in non-GAAP Net loss and Operating loss, year-over-year, for both the quarter and year-to-date periods noted above, was primarily due to the declining COVID-19 cases throughout the United States, easing travel restrictions, lifting of business restrictions, and an increase in the numbers of persons vaccinated, as domestic leisure travel demand and bookings improved rapidly during 2021. These impacts combined to result in a 297.6 percent increase in Operating revenues in second quarter 2021, and a 15.6 percent increase in Operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2021. See below and Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and the Reconciliation of Reported Amounts to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional detail regarding non-GAAP financial measures.
COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts

In response to the far-reaching impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company took, and continues to assess and modify, measures to support the well-being of both its Employees and passengers, including procedures and policies intended to maintain cleanliness on aircraft and at facilities, and mitigate the spread of the virus. The Company also continues to monitor guidelines and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
34


applicable to the Company’s daily operations, as well as howand the manner in which the majority of the Company’s office and clerical Employees work on a daily basis.

As detailed in Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, in connection with the major negative impact of COVID-19 on air carriers, in 2020, the Company has received significant financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Treasury ("Treasury") pursuant to the Payroll Support Program established pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act").

In January 2021, the Company entered into definitive documentation with Treasury for further payroll support under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the "Payroll Support Program Extension"). As of March 31, 2021, amounts received under the Payroll Support Program Extension were approximately $1.7 billion and a portion has been recognized in the financial statements as a grant to directly offset qualifying payroll expenses incurred by the Company, including specified benefits, between January 2021 and March 2021. As consideration for the Payroll Support Program Extension, during first quarter 2021, the Company issued a promissory note (the "PSP2 Note") in favor of Treasury in the aggregate amount of $488 million and issued warrants (each, a "PSP2 Warrant") valued at a total of $23 million to purchase up to an aggregate of 1.1 million shares of the Company's common stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the PSP2 Warrants. Of the approximate $1.7 billion of further payroll support proceeds as of March 31, 2021, $1.2 billion consisted of a grant that does not require repayment. The grant of $1.2 billion was allocated on a pro-rata basis as a contra-expense line item in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) during first quarter 2021, with the remaining $23 million allocated to the value of PSP2 Warrants issued from the Company to Treasury. See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Financial Statements for further information.

On April 23, 2021, the Company received an additional $259 million related to the Payroll Support Program Extension, for which the Company provided Treasury consideration in the form of an increase of the PSP2 Note in an amount of $78 millionPayroll Support, and this assistance will continue to have a PSP2 Warrant to purchase up to 168 thousand shares ofsignificant impact on the Company's common stock under the PSP2 Warrant Agreement. After taking into account the additional support under the Payroll Support Program Extension, the Company has received $2.0 billion of payroll support under the Payroll Support Program Extension, for which the Company has provided Treasury with a PSP2 Note in the aggregate amount of $566 million and PSP2 Warrants to purchase up to 1.2 million shares of the Company's common stock.

In accordance with restrictions contained in the Payroll Support Program Extension, and except as permitted or required under the Payroll Support Program Extension, the Company has not (1) conducted involuntary
31


terminations or furloughs or (2) reduced the salaries, wages, or benefits, as defined, of any employee, in each case between the date of the Payroll Support Program Extension agreement and March 31, 2021.

On April 23, 2021, the Company entered into definitive documentation with Treasury for further payroll support under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the "PSP3 Payroll Support Program"). Amounts received or to be received under the PSP3 Payroll Support Program are expected to total approximately $1.9 billion, all or a portion of which will again be utilized to directly offset qualifying payroll expenses incurred by the Company, including specified benefits, throughreported GAAP financial results at least September 30, 2021. Of this total, approximately $1.3 billion consists of a grant that will not require repayment. The Company currently expects this grant of $1.3 billion will be classified as a contra-expense line item in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) during second quarter andthrough third quarter 2021. As consideration for the PSP3 Payroll Support Program, the Company is expected to issue a promissory note in favor of Treasury in the aggregate amount of approximately $526 million and issue warrants (each, a "PSP3 Warrant") valued at a total of approximately $18 million to purchase up to an aggregate of approximately 899 thousand shares of the Company's common stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the PSP3 Warrants. See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Financial Statements for further information.

In accordance with restrictions contained in the PSP3 Payroll Support Program, and except as permitted or required under the PSP3 Payroll Support Program, the Company has agreed not to (1) conduct involuntary terminations or furloughs or (2) reduce the salaries, wages, or benefits, as defined, of any employee, in each case between the date of the PSP3 Payroll Support Program agreement and the later of September 30, 2021 or the date on which the Company has expended all of the PSP3 Payroll Support Program funds.

During second quarter 2020, the Company introduced Voluntary Separation Program 2020 ("Voluntary Separation Program") and the Extended Emergency Time Off ("Extended ETO") program which helped closer align staffing to reduced flight schedules and enabled the Company to avoid involuntary furloughs and layoffs.layoffs associated with the impacts of the pandemic. Employees had until July 15, 2020, to determine whether to participate in one of these programs, and approximately 15,000 Employees elected to do so. The Company continues to evaluate and evolve itsDuring second quarter 2021, 7,000 Employees returned from the Extended ETO program inand 1,466 Employees remained on Extended ETO leave as of June 30, 2021, although most of those Employees will be recalled by September 30, 2021. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, the Company recordedaccrued a total charge of $1.4 billion in 2020 related to the special termination benefits for Employees who had accepted the Company's offer to participate in its Voluntary Separation Program 2020 and the special benefits for Employees who participated in its Extended ETO program. The accrual is being reduced as program benefits are paid or as it becomes no longer probable that Employees will remain on leave for their elected terms. This program has allowed the Company to reduce its fixed cost structure in the near-term, while maintaining the ability to adjust to a recoveryan improvement in travel demand. See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. As a result of these voluntary programs, the Company's salaries, wages, and benefits costs were lowered by approximately $412 million in first quarter 2021.

See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the significant impacts to the Company’s operations, financial performance, and liquidity from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thus far, the Company continues to experience improvements in leisure passenger demand and bookings for April and May 2021 travel, with expectations of improving passenger traffic and fares compared with March 2021. The Company continues to experience an increase in bookings farther out on the booking curve, with approximately 35 percent and 20 percent of anticipated bookings currently in place for June and July, respectively. These represent fairly typical future booking patterns; however, business travel continues to significantly lag leisure and is expected to have a significant negative impact on close-in demand and average passenger fares.

32


The following table presents selected preliminary estimates of operating revenue, load factor, and capacity for April and May 2021:

Estimated
April 2021
Estimated
May 2021
Operating revenue compared with 2019 (a)Down 40% to 45%Down 35% to 40%
Previous estimation(b)(b)
Load factor75% to 80%75% to 80%
Previous estimation(b)(b)
ASMs year-over-yearUp ~83%Up ~127%
Previous estimation(b)(b)
(a) The Company believes that operating revenues compared with 2019 is a more relevant measure of performance than a year-over-year comparison due to the significant impacts in 2020 due to the pandemic.
(b) Remains unchanged from the previously provided estimation.

The Company estimates its June 2021 capacity to decrease approximately 4 percent as compared with June 2019. The Company estimates its second quarter 2021 capacity to increase approximately 90 percent, year-over-year, and decrease approximately 15 percent as compared with 2019, driven by improving passenger demand and bookings.

Excluding Fuel and oil expense, special items, and profitsharing expense, the Company's second quarter 2021 operating expenses are expected to increase in the range of 10 to 15 percent, year-over-year, which includes an estimated $325 million of salaries, wages, and benefits cost savings from voluntary separation and extended leave programs. See Note 2 tofor the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further description of these programs. Second quarter 2021 operating expenses, excluding fuel and oil expense, special items, and profitsharing, are also expected to increase compared with first quarter 2021, with 60 to 70 percent of the sequential increase attributable to variable, flight-driven expenses as capacity is expected to increase to near-2019 levels bythree months ended June 30, 2021. These variable, flight-driven cost increases are primarily in salaries, wages, and benefits due to staffing increases; maintenance expense to return aircraft to revenue service, along with higher flight-driven maintenance expenses as flight levels increase; landing fees; and personnel, passenger, and revenue-related costs. In addition, the Company is experiencing cost increases primarily due to airport cost inflation; higher aircraft ownership costs due to MAX deliveries; and certain favorable tax and insurance settlements realized in first quarter 2021 operating expenses that are non-recurring in second quarter 2021. Despite increasing capacity and operating expenses, both sequentially and year-over-year, second quarter 2021 operating expenses are estimated to remain below second quarter 2019 levels. The projections do not reflect the potential impact of Fuel and oil expense, special items, and profitsharing expense because the Company cannot reliably predict or estimate these items or expenses or their impact to its financial statements in future periods, especially considering the significant volatility of the Fuel and oil expense line item. Accordingly, the Company believes a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the equivalent GAAP financial measures for projected results is not meaningful or available without unreasonable effort.

Company Overview

On November 18, 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration (the "FAA") issued official requirements to enable airlines to return the Boeing 737 MAX to service. The Company has worked to meet the FAA's requirements by modifying certain operating procedures, implementing enhanced Pilot training requirements, installing FAA-approved flight control software updates, and completing other required maintenance tasks specific to the MAX aircraft. The Company returnedbegan returning the MAX to service on March 11, 2021, after the Company met all FAA requirements and Pilots received updated, MAX-related training. InSubsequently, during April 2021, the Company removed 32became aware of its MAX aircraft from service due to a Boeing production issue related to the electrical power system on a subset of MAX aircraft. Upon learning of the issue, the Company immediately removed these32 MAX aircraft from service outfor review. As of an abundance of caution,June 30, 2021, all MAX aircraft have received the repairs and is currently awaiting more guidance from Boeing andmaintenance as directed by the FAA regardingand The Boeing Company ("Boeing"), and have been returned to service.

Based on growth opportunities and ongoing fleet modernization plans for a less carbon-intensive aircraft, the appropriate corrective actions.Company recently entered into supplemental agreements with Boeing to increase its 2022 firm orders by 34 Boeing 737 MAX 7 ("MAX 7") aircraft (consisting of two 2022 options exercised and 32 options accelerated and exercised from later years), resulting in 234 firm orders for MAX 7 aircraft as of June 30, 2021. Additionally, the Company accelerated 10 options into 2022, 32 options into 2023, 16 options into 2024, 16 options into 2025, and added 32 new options into 2026 through 2027, bringing the total firm and option order book to 660 aircraft as of June 30, 2021. On July 1, 2021, the Company exercised three options for delivery in 2022 and intends to exercise another three options in July 2021 for 2022 delivery. Upon the planned exercise of these three additional options, the Company's 2022 firm orders will increase to 70 with 44 remaining options, and its order book with Boeing will consist of a total of 389 MAX firm orders (240 MAX 7 and 149 MAX 8) and 262 MAX options (MAX 7 or MAX 8) for years 2021 through 2031. The Company has covered impacted flights with othercontinues to expect that more than half of the MAX aircraft in its firm order book will replace a significant amount of its 461 737-700 aircraft over the next 10 to 15 years to support the modernization of its fleet, and has not experienced significant operational disruptions. Once the Company receives formal guidance from Boeing and the FAA, the Company anticipates the actions necessary to return the affected 32 aircraft to service will take two toa key component of its environmental sustainability efforts.
3335


three days per aircraft and several weeks in total. The Company isended second quarter 2021 with 736 aircraft in the process of returning its stored 737-700 aircraft to revenue service to support flight schedules in summer 2021 and beyond.

On March 24,fleet, including 68 Boeing MAX 8 aircraft. During second quarter 2021, the Company entered into Supplemental Agreement No. 12 (the "Supplement") to its aircraft purchase agreement with Boeing relating to the Company's purchasetook delivery of seven Boeing 737 MAX 7 and 737 8 ("MAX 8 aircraft. Pursuant to the Supplement (i) the Company added 100 firm orders for the MAX 7, with the first 30 to be delivered in 2022; (ii) the Company added 155 MAX aircraft options; (iii) the order book was extended to include deliveries through 2031; and (iv) the Company converted 70 MAX 8 firm orders to MAX 7 firm orders. The Supplement also includes certain confidential credits, discounts, and other concessions provided to the Company by Boeing.

Based on the Company's existing delivery schedule with Boeing, as reflected in Note 10 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company's contractual aircraft capital spending commitments associated with firm orders for all years 2021 through 2026, which consists of 169 MAX firm orders from Boeing (135 MAX 7 and 34 MAX 8 aircraft), are approximately $5.1 billion. The Company’s capital commitments associated with its existing firm orders are as follows: none for 2021 (due to previously agreed upon delivery credits provided by The Boeing Company to the Company due to the settlement of 2020 estimated damages relating to the FAA grounding of the 737 MAX aircraft and progress payments made to date on undelivered aircraft) and approximately $700 million in 2022 (net of progress payments made on undelivered MAX aircraft and previously agreed upon delivery credits provided by Boeing to the Company). The Company estimates its 2021 capital expenditures to be approximately $500 million, primarily driven by technology, facilities, and operational investments. See Note 10 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

The Company ended first quarter 2021 with 730 aircraft in its fleet. During first quarter 2021, 20 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft were delivered and the Company returned eight leased 737-7008") aircraft. The Company expects eightdelivery of one additional leased Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to be delivered by December 31, 2021. Also during second quarter 2021, the Company returned one leased 737-700 aircraft and expects to retire up to nineone more 737-700 aircraft in 2021, for a total of 10 retirements in 2021. In response to capacity reductionsAs of June 30, 2021, 39 737-700 aircraft remained in temporary storage due to the effectsprolonged period of the COVID-19 pandemic, as of March 31, 2021, the Company had approximately 66depressed capacity levels. These aircraft in temporary storage. These stored aircraft provide greater flexibility to adapt to the seasonal demand patterns that are currently expected to develop during second quarter 2021. The Company continueshave required maintenance checks completed and be returned to service by the accelerationend of fleet modernization efforts to replace its 737-700 aircraft with the MAX, and the development of tangible steps that are aimed at improving upon the Company's environmental stewardship and supporting the environmental sustainability goal to be carbon neutral by 2050. See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.this year.

The Company has published its flight schedule through NovemberJanuary 5, 2021.2022. The Company is pursuing additional revenue opportunities that utilize idle aircraft and Employees to provide Southwest's legendary Customer Service to new, popular destinations. The Company is leveraging additional airports in or near cities where its Customer base is large, along with adding easier access to popular leisure-oriented destinations from across its domestic-focused network. These additional service points on the Company's route map are opportunities it can provide Customers now, all while better positioning the Company for a travel demand rebound. During 2021, the Company has begun service to new destinations including:

Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Sarasota Bradenton International Airport - February 14, 2021
Colorado Springs Municipal Airport and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport - March 11, 2021
Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Santa Barbara Airport - April 12, 2021
Fresno Yosemite International Airport - April 25, 2021

The Company has also announced other new destinations and expected service commencement dates including:
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport - May 6, 2021
Myrtle Beach International Airport - May 23, 2021
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport - May 27, 2021
Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport in Mississippi - June 6, 2021
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The Company has also announced other new destinations and expected service commencement dates including:
Eugene Airport in Oregon - August 29, 2021
Bellingham International Airport in Washington - Second halfNovember 7, 2021
Syracuse Hancock International Airport in New York - November 14, 2021

The Company began additional service to Hawaii from Los Angeles and Las Vegas on June 6, 2021, and from Phoenix on June 27, 2021. Alongside established Hawaii service at five other California airports, these three additional gateways with nonstop service to multiple airports in the Hawaiian Islands now give Southwest Customers in more than 40 cities on the mainland low-fare connecting or same-plane access to Hawaii.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a particularly negative impact on international operations and led to the Company's suspension of international operations in first quarter 2020. The Company has since resumed service to Aruba, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. With the easing of government restrictions and continued increase in demand for beach and leisure destinations, the Company intends to resume service to its remaining international destinations, including Belize, the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the Cayman Islands, by November 7, 2021.

Thus far, the Company continues to experience typical leisure booking patterns for summer and fall 2021 travel. Based on current bookings, leisure passenger traffic and fares in July 2021 are expected to trend higher than July 2019 levels. The Company's revenue outlook for August 2021 is impacted by less holiday travel, an estimated one to two point headwind, compared with August 2019, as the Labor Day holiday weekend falls in September 2021, whereas it was split between August and September in 2019. Despite steady weekly improvements in business bookings, thus far, in July, the lag in business travel recovery is expected to continue to have a negative impact on close-in demand and average passenger fares in third quarter 2021.

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The following table presents selected preliminary estimates of operating revenue and load factor for July and August 2021:
Estimated
July 2021
Estimated
August 2021
Operating revenue compared with 2019 (a)Down 10% to 15%Down 12% to 17%
Previous estimationDown 15% to 20%(b)
Load factor~85%~80%
Previous estimation(b)(b)
(a) The Company believes that operating revenues compared with 2019 is a more relevant measure of performance than a year-over-year comparison due to the significant impacts in 2020 due to the pandemic.
(b) Remains unchanged from the previously provided estimation.

The Company expects its third quarter 2021 capacity to increase from second quarter 2021 levels, based on the expectation of further improvement in travel demand. The Company is in the process of adjusting its published flight schedules for September and October 2021. Including these adjustments, the following table presents capacity estimates for third quarter 2021:

Estimated
July 2021
Estimated
August 2021
Estimated
September 2021
Estimated
3Q 2021
ASMs year-over-yearUp ~41%Up ~41%Up ~68%Up ~49%
Previous estimation(a)Up ~39%(a)(a)
ASMs compared with 2019Down ~3%Up ~3%ComparableComparable
Previous estimation(a)Comparable(a)(a)
(a) Remains unchanged from previously provided estimation.

In addition, the Company currently expects its fourth quarter 2021 capacity to increase approximately 68 percent, year-over-year, and to be comparable with fourth quarter 2019.

Based on current cost trends, third quarter 2021 operating expenses and unit costs, excluding fuel and oil expense, special items, and profitsharing, are expected to increase in the range of one to five percent, compared with third quarter 2019. The Company currently estimates three to four points of the unit cost increase in third quarter 2021 to be attributable to ramp up costs and premium pay being offered to Operations Employees. Another one point is attributable to lower estimated cost savings from voluntary leave programs due to higher than projected Employee recalls. The projections do not reflect the potential impact of Fuel and oil expense, special items, and profitsharing expense because the Company cannot reliably predict or estimate these items or expenses or their impact to its financial statements in future periods, especially considering the significant volatility of the Fuel and oil expense line item. Accordingly, the Company believes a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the equivalent GAAP financial measures for projected results is not meaningful or available without unreasonable effort. The Company now estimates annual 2021 cost savings from these programs to be approximately $1.0 billion. The Company expects third quarter 2021 cost savings from these programs to be approximately $150 million. To support the return of flight activity, the Company expects to recall the vast majority of its Employees early from voluntary time-off by the end of third quarter 2021, which is expected to reduce the Company's prior forecasted savings from voluntary leave programs beyond second quarter 2021.

Material Changes in Results of Operations

Comparison of three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and March 31,June 30, 2020

Operating Revenues

Total operating revenues for firstsecond quarter 2021 decreasedincreased by $2.2$3.0 billion, or 51.5 percent, year-over-year, to $2.1$4.0 billion, driven primarily by the continued weakimprovements in leisure Passenger demand and bookings duethroughout second quarter 2021 versus
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the severe impacts to demand and bookings from the COVID-19 pandemic throughout firstin second quarter 2021. First2020. Second quarter 2021 operating revenues per available seat mile (RASM) were 8.8611.99 cents, and decreased 26.0increased 113.0 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020, primarily driven by the dropimprovement in passenger demand caused byas impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic eased, which also contributed to the Load factor decreaseincrease of 3.451.5 points, and the passenger revenue yield decreaseincrease of 28.42.8 percent, year-over-year.

Passenger revenues for firstsecond quarter 2021 decreasedincreased by $2.1$2.9 billion, or 55.5 percent, year-over-year. On a unit basis, Passenger revenues decreased 32.0increased 171.1 percent, year-over-year. The decreaseincrease in Passenger revenues on both a dollar and unit basis was primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,travel restrictions easing and business restrictions lifting which resulted in significant reductionsimprovements in capacity and a depressed passengerleisure Passenger demand and bookings throughout the first quarter 2021, versus primarily only impacting March in the first quarter of 2020.bookings.

Freight revenues for firstsecond quarter 2021 increased by $4$12 million, or 10.331.6 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020, primarily due to increased demand as businesses reducereduced pandemic driven restrictions.

Other revenues for firstsecond quarter 2021 decreasedincreased by $53$123 million, or 15.146.2 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020. The decreaseincrease was primarily due to a decreasean increase in income from business partners, including Chase Bank USA, N.A. ("Chase") and the impact on spend on the Company's co-brandco-branded card, driven by the declinean increase in consumer spending resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.spending.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for firstsecond quarter 2021 decreasedincreased by $2.5$1.3 billion, or 57.359.9 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020, while capacity decreased 34.5increased 86.8 percent over the same prior year period. The operating expense decreaseincrease was primarily due to higher market jet fuel prices and the $1.2 billionsignificant increase in grants allocated to fund eligible salaries, wages,fuel gallons consumed, coupled with significant increases in trips flown and benefits through the Payroll Support Program Extension.other variable flight-driven expenses. Historically, except for changes in the price of fuel, changes in Operating expenses for airlines have been largely driven by changes in capacity, or ASMs. However,In second quarter 2020, ASMs were significantly impacted by the Company's Operating expenses are largely fixed once flight schedules are published,dramatic and the Company has experienced significant ASM reductionssevere drop in demand as a result of flight schedule adjustments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Flight schedule adjustments are expected to drive unit cost pressure for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic excluding any impacts associated with grants received underwhich led to numerous flight cancellations and flight schedule adjustments. The Company increased capacity to match the CARES Act, the Payroll Support Program Extension, the PSP3 Payroll Support Program, or other legislation.higher demand during second quarter 2021 and incurred more variable, flight-driven expenses as a result. See "COVID-19 Pandemic"Pandemic Impacts" above and Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. The following table presents the Company's Operating expenses per ASM for the firstsecond quarter of 2021 and 2020, followed by explanations of these changes on a per ASM basis and dollar basis:
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Three months ended March 31,Per ASM
change
Percent
change
Three months ended June 30,Per ASM
change
Percent
change
(in cents, except for percentages)(in cents, except for percentages)20212020(in cents, except for percentages)20212020
Salaries, wages, and benefitsSalaries, wages, and benefits6.79 ¢5.24 ¢1.55 ¢29.6 %Salaries, wages, and benefits5.46 ¢9.58 ¢(4.12)¢(43.0)%
Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, netPayroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net(6.25)— (6.25)n.m.Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net(2.22)(4.38)2.16 (49.3)
Fuel and oilFuel and oil2.02 2.46 (0.44)(17.9)Fuel and oil2.41 1.44 0.97 67.4 
Maintenance materials and repairsMaintenance materials and repairs0.75 0.77 (0.02)(2.6)Maintenance materials and repairs0.66 0.78 (0.12)(15.4)
Landing fees and airport rentalsLanding fees and airport rentals1.35 0.96 0.39 40.6 Landing fees and airport rentals1.21 1.54 (0.33)(21.4)
Depreciation and amortizationDepreciation and amortization1.35 0.88 0.47 53.4 Depreciation and amortization0.94 1.75 (0.81)(46.3)
Other operating expenses, netOther operating expenses, net1.99 1.98 0.01 0.5 Other operating expenses, net1.76 1.23 0.53 43.1 
TotalTotal8.00 ¢12.29 ¢(4.29)¢(34.9)%Total10.22 ¢11.94 ¢(1.72)¢(14.4)%

Operating expenses per ASM for firstsecond quarter 2021 decreased by 34.914.4 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020. The year-over-year unit cost decrease in first quarter 2021 was primarily driven by the funding received through the Payroll Support Program Extension, coupled with decreases in market jet fuel prices. These decreases were partially offset by significant capacity reductions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. Operating expenses per ASM for firstsecond quarter 2021, excluding Fuel and oil expense, profitsharing, and special items (a non-GAAP financial measure), increased 23.4decreased 39.3 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020. On both a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, excluding Fuel and oil expense, profitsharing, and special items, the unit cost decreases in second quarter 2021 were primarily driven by the 86.8 percent increase in capacity as Trips flown increased with the improvement of travel demand, causing the Company's fixed costs to be spread over significantly
38


more ASMs. See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and the Reconciliation of Reported Amounts to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional detail regarding non-GAAP financial measures. The majority of the year-over-year unit cost increase in first quarter 2021 was driven by significant capacity reductions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Salaries, wages, and benefits expense for firstsecond quarter 2021 decreasedincreased by $283$111 million, or 15.36.5 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020. On a per ASM basis, firstsecond quarter 2021 Salaries, wages, and benefits expense increased 29.6decreased 43.0 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020, as the dollar decrease wasincreases were more than offset by the 34.586.8 percent decreaseincrease in capacity.capacity due to a more stable and efficient flight schedule. On a dollar basis, the decreaseincrease was primarily driven by lower salaries, wages, and benefitsa profitsharing expense as a resultaccrual of Voluntary Separation Program 2020, Extended ETO, and other time off programs offered by the Company.$85 million in second quarter 2021, compared with no profitsharing expense accrual in second quarter 2020.

Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net (a reduction to expense) for firstsecond quarter 2021 wasresulted in a net decrease to expense of $1.4 billion,$44 million, compared with no amounts for firstsecond quarter 2020. On a per ASM basis, firstsecond quarter 2021 Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net decreased 49.3 percent, compared with second quarter 2020, as the dollar increases were more than offset by the 86.8 percent increase in capacity. On a dollar basis, the increase was a net reduction of 6.25 cents. During first quarter 2021, the items included in this line item include:
$1.2 billion of Payroll Support Program Extension proceeds;
$116 million of the Employee Retention Tax Credit for continuing to pay Employees' salaries during the time they were not working as a result of the decline in businessprimarily due to the pandemic; and
A $115 million net reductiondecrease in the Extended ETO liability.

Payroll Support programs grant allocation of $724 million in second quarter 2021, compared with a $1.1 billion allocation in second quarter 2020, partially offset by a $307 million accrual related to the cost associated with the Voluntary Separation Program elections made prior to June 30, 2020. See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Fuel and oil expense for firstsecond quarter 2021 decreasedincreased by $401$546 million, or 46.1212.5 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020. On a per ASM basis, firstsecond quarter 2021 Fuel and oil expense decreased 17.9increased 67.4 percent, due primarily to lowerhigher market jet fuel prices. On a dollar basis, the majority of the decreaseincrease was attributable to a significant decrease inhigher market jet fuel gallons consumed, andprices the remainder of the decreaseincrease was due to lower market jeta significant increase in fuel prices.gallons consumed. The following table provides more information on the Company's economic fuel cost per gallon, including the impact of fuel hedging premium expense and fuel derivative contracts:
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Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30,
2021202020212020
Economic fuel costs per gallonEconomic fuel costs per gallon$1.70 $1.90 Economic fuel costs per gallon$1.92 $1.33 
Fuel hedging premium expense (in millions)Fuel hedging premium expense (in millions)$25 $24 Fuel hedging premium expense (in millions)$24 $24 
Fuel hedging premium expense per gallonFuel hedging premium expense per gallon$0.09 $0.05 Fuel hedging premium expense per gallon$0.06 $0.12 
Fuel hedging cash settlement gains per gallonFuel hedging cash settlement gains per gallon$0.01 $— Fuel hedging cash settlement gains per gallon$0.02 $— 

See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and the Reconciliation of Reported Amounts to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional detail regarding non-GAAP financial measures. The Company had a reduced schedule and lower Load factors during firstCompany's second quarter 2021 which, combined with the Company continuing to operate fewer of its oldest, least fuel-efficient Boeing 737-700 aircraft as a result of capacity reductionsavailable seat miles per gallon ("fuel efficiency") declined 8.7 percent, year-over-year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in a year-over-year improvementreturn to service of 4.7 percent in ASMs per gallons ("fuel efficiency") in first quarter 2021. While the Company expects to return more of its 737-700least fuel-efficient aircraft, to servicethe Boeing 737-700, to support planned capacity increases,higher demand. When compared with second quarter 2019, fuel efficiency improved 4.5 percent in second quarter 2021 driven primarily by the March 2021 return to service of the Company's most fuel-efficient aircraft, the MAX. The MAX is critical to the Company's efforts to modernize its fleet, reduce carbon emissions intensity, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The Company expects third quarter 2021 fuel efficiency is currently estimated to be sequentially in line with firstsecond quarter 2021, on a nominal basis, also taking into account the return of its most fuel-efficient aircraft, the MAX, to service in March 2021.basis.

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As of AprilJuly 15, 2021, on an economic basis, the Company had derivative contracts in place related to expected future fuel consumption as follows:
PeriodPeriodMaximum fuel hedged (gallons in millions) (a)(b)PeriodMaximum fuel hedged (gallons in millions) (a)(b)
Remainder of 2021Remainder of 2021962Remainder of 2021641
202220221,22020221,220
202320236432023655
Beyond 2023Beyond 2023106Beyond 2023106
(a) The Company’s hedge position includes prices at which the Company considers "catastrophic" coverage. The maximum gallons provided are not indicative of the Company's hedge coverage at every price, but represent the highest level of coverage at a single price. See Note 4 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
(b) The Company holds derivative contracts at various Brent crude oil, West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") crude oil, and heating oil price levels to provide protection against energy market price fluctuations. TheseCompany's gallons that are covered by derivative contracts represent the maximum number of gallons hedged for each respective period, which may be at different strike prices and at strike prices materially higher than the current market prices. The volume of gallons covered by derivative contracts that ultimately get exercised in any given period may vary significantly from the volumes provided, as market prices and the Company's fuel consumption fluctuates. Based on the Company's available seat mile plans for annual 2021, its maximum percent of estimated fuel consumption covered by fuel derivative contracts is 75 percent. The Company believes that providing the maximum percent of fuel consumption covered by derivative contracts in future years relative to 2019 fuel gallons consumed is a more relevant measure for future coverage, due to uncertainty regarding available seat mile plans in future years. Based on 2019 fuel gallons consumed, the Company's maximum percent of fuel consumption covered by fuel derivative contracts is 59 percent in 2022, 32 percent in 2023, and 5 percent beyond 2023.

As a result of applying hedge accounting in prior periods, the Company has amounts in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") that will be recognized in earnings in future periods when the underlying fuel derivative contracts settle. The following table displays the Company's estimated fair value of remaining fuel derivative contracts (not considering the impact of the cash collateral provided to or received from counterparties—see Note 4 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information), as well as the deferred amounts in AOCI at March 31,June 30, 2021, and the expected future periods in which these items are expected to settle and/or be recognized in earnings (in millions):

YearYearFair value of fuel derivative contracts at March 31, 2021Amount of gains (losses) deferred in AOCI at March 31, 2021 (net of tax)YearFair value of fuel derivative contracts at June 30, 2021Amount of gains deferred in AOCI at June 30, 2021 (net of tax)
Remainder of 2021Remainder of 2021$33 $(26)Remainder of 2021$78 $16 
20222022140 28 2022285 139 
2023202364 2023119 47 
Beyond 2023Beyond 202312 Beyond 202320 
TotalTotal$249 $Total$502 $210 

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Assuming no changes to the Company's current fuel derivative portfolio, but including all previous hedge activity for fuel derivatives that have not yet settled, and considering only the expected net cash receipts related to hedges that will settle, the Company is providing the below sensitivity table for secondthird quarter 2021 and full yearfourth quarter 2021 jet fuel prices at different crude oil assumptions as of AprilJuly 15, 2021, and for expected premium costs associated with settling contracts.
Estimated economic fuel price per gallon,
including taxes and fuel hedging premiums (e)
Average Brent Crude Oil
price per barrel
Second Quarter 2021 (c)Full Year 2021 (d)
$40$1.35 - $1.45$1.35 - $1.45
$50$1.55 - $1.65$1.55 - $1.65
Current Market (a)$1.85 - $1.95$1.85 - $1.95
$70$1.90 - $2.00$1.90 - $2.00
$80$2.00 - $2.10$2.00 - $2.10
$90$2.10 - $2.20$2.10 - $2.20
Estimated fuel hedging premium expense per gallon (b)$0.06(f)
Estimated premium costs (b)$25 million$100 million
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Estimated economic fuel price per gallon,
including taxes and fuel hedging premiums (e)
Average Brent Crude Oil
price per barrel
Third Quarter 2021 (c)Fourth Quarter 2021 (d)
$50$1.40- $1.50$1.50- $1.60
$60$1.70- $1.80$1.80- $1.90
Current Market (a)$2.05 - $2.15$2.05 - $2.15
$80$2.15 - $2.25$2.25 - $2.35
$90$2.30 - $2.40$2.40 - $2.50
$100$2.45 - $2.55$2.55 - $2.65
Estimated fuel hedging premium expense per gallon (b)$0.05$.05
Estimated premium costs (b)$25 million$25 million
(a) Brent crude oil average market prices as of AprilJuly 15, 2021, were approximately $66$73 and $64$71 per barrel for secondthird quarter 2021 and full yearfourth quarter 2021, respectively.
(b) Fuel hedging premium expense per gallon is included in the Company's estimated economic fuel price per gallon estimates above.
(c) Based on the Company's existing fuel derivative contracts and market prices as of AprilJuly 15, 2021, secondthird quarter 2021 economic fuel costs are estimated to be in the $1.85$2.05 to $1.95$2.15 per gallon range, including fuel hedging premium expense of approximately $25 million, or $0.06$.05 per gallon, and $0.01$.04 per gallon in favorable cash settlements from fuel derivative contracts. See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
(d) Based on the Company's existing fuel derivative contracts and market prices as of AprilJuly 15, 2021, annualfourth quarter 2021 economic fuel costs are estimated to be in the $1.85$2.05 to $1.95$2.15 per gallon range, including fuel hedging premium expense of approximately $100$25 million, or $.05 per gallon, and no$.02 per gallon in favorable cash settlements from fuel derivative contracts, on a per gallon basis.contracts. See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
(e) The Company's current fuel derivative contracts contain a combination of instruments based in West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude oil; however, the economic fuel price per gallon sensitivities provided assume the relationship between Brent crude oil and refined products based on market prices as of July 15, 2021. Economic fuel cost projections do not reflect the potential impact of special items because the Company cannot reliably predict or estimate the hedge accounting impact associated with the volatility of the energy markets, the impact of COVID-19 cases on air travel demand, or the impact to the Company'sits financial statements in future periods. Accordingly, the Company believes a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the equivalent GAAP financial measures for projected results is not meaningful or available without unreasonable effort. See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
(f) Due to continued uncertainty regarding available seat mile plans for 2021, the Company cannot reasonably provide an estimate for its full year 2021 fuel hedging premium expense per gallon.

Maintenance materials and repairs expense for firstsecond quarter 2021 decreasedincreased by $99$82 million, or 36.458.6 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020. On a per ASM basis, Maintenance materials and repairs expense decreased 2.615.4 percent, compared with second quarter 2020, as a substantial portion of the dollar decrease was largely offsetincrease in ASMs in second quarter 2021 were produced by the 34.5 percent decrease in capacity in responseaircraft for which a comparable level of airframe maintenance costs were not required due to the COVID-19 pandemic.timing. On a dollar basis, approximately 50 percent of the decreaseincrease was due to lowerhigher engine maintenance expense due to the reductionincrease in flight hours and the majority of the remainder of the decreaseincrease was due to reducedincreased operations and placing a portion of the fleetoperating aircraft that had previously been in storage.

Landing fees and airport rentals expense for firstsecond quarter 2021 decreasedincreased by $26$128 million, or 7.746.5 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020. On a per ASM basis, Landing fees and airport rentals expense increased 40.6decreased 21.4 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020, as the dollar decrease wasadditional space and higher airport rental rates across the network, were more than offset by the 34.5 percent decreasesignificant increase in capacity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and as a significant portion of space rentals are essentially fixed in the short term.year-over-year. On a dollar basis, the decreaseincrease was primarily due to lowerhigher landing fees as a result of the reducedincreased number of Trips flown in firstsecond quarter 2021 as a result of improvements in leisure passenger demand associated with the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depreciation and amortization expense for firstsecond quarter 2021 increased by $1$2 million, or 0.30.6 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020. On a per ASM basis, Depreciation and amortization expense increaseddecreased by 53.446.3 percent, compared with second quarter 2020, as the dollar increase was more than offset by the 86.8 percent increase in capacity. On a dollar basis, the increase was due to the deployment of new technology assets.

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with first quarter 2020, primarily as a result of the 34.5 percent decrease in capacity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and continued storage of a portion of the Company's fleet. On a dollar basis, Depreciation and amortization expense was relatively flat as the Company reduced capital expenditures in response to the pandemic.

Other operating expenses, net, for firstsecond quarter 2021 decreasedincreased by $235$366 million, or 33.7166.4 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020. Included within this line item was aircraft rentals expense in the amounts of $51$52 million and $57$41 million for the periods ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. On a per ASM basis, Other operating expenses, net increased 0.543.1 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020. On a dollar and per ASM basis, the increases were primarily due to $222 million of gains from the sale-leaseback of 20 aircraft to third parties in two separate transactions during second quarter 2020, which reduced Other operating expenses, net in line withsecond quarter 2020 and were considered special items and thus excluded from the 34.5 percent decrease in capacity in response toCompany's non-GAAP results for the COVID-19 pandemic.three months ended June 30, 2020. On a dollar basis, approximately 70 percent of the decreaseremaining increase was primarily due to various savings as a result of supporting a reduced operation and other efforts to reduce discretionary spend. The majority of the remainder of the decrease was due to lowerhigher credit card fees driven by increases in revenue in second quarter 2021 as a significant reductionresult of improvements in revenuesleisure passenger demand associated with the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other

Other expenses (income) include interest expense, capitalized interest, interest income, and other gains and losses.

Interest expense for firstsecond quarter 2021 increased by $86$20 million, or 20.8 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020, primarily due to higher debt balances. Based on current debt outstanding and current market interest rates, the Company currently expects secondthird quarter 2021 interest expense to be approximately $115 million.

Capitalized interest for firstsecond quarter 2021 increased by $6$1 million, or 14.3 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020, primarily due to Boeing resuming production of the Company's undelivered MAX aircraft.

Interest income for firstsecond quarter 2021 decreased by $15$7 million, or 77.8 percent, compared with firstsecond quarter 2020, due to lower interest rates.

Other (gains) losses, net, primarily includes amounts recorded as a result of the Company's hedging activities. See Note 4 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Company's hedging activities. The following table displays the components of Other (gains) losses, net, for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 and 2020:
Three months ended March 31,Three months ended June 30,
(in millions)(in millions)20212020(in millions)20212020
Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in current and future periodsMark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in current and future periods$$Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in current and future periods$(11)$15 
Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedgesPremium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedges11 — Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedges10 11 
Mark-to-market impact from interest rate swap agreementsMark-to-market impact from interest rate swap agreements— 24 Mark-to-market impact from interest rate swap agreements— 
Mark-to-market gain on deferred compensation plan investmentMark-to-market gain on deferred compensation plan investment(17)— 
Other (a)Other (a)(60)Other (a)
$(48)$28  $(14)$32 
Income Taxes

The Company's effective tax rate was approximately 30.7 percent in second quarter 2021, compared with 26.2 percent in second quarter 2020. The higher tax rate for second quarter 2021 was primarily due to higher state taxes than previously estimated. The Company currently estimates its annual 2021 effective tax rate to be approximately 26 percent, compared with its previous guidance of approximately 23 percent, also due to the higher state taxes than previously estimated.

Comparison of six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020

Operating Revenues

Passenger revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2021, increased by $733 million, or 16.1 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020. On a unit basis, Passenger revenues increased 9.2 percent, year-over-year. The increase in Passenger revenues on both a dollar and unit basis were primarily due to the improvements in leisure
42


Passenger demand and bookings in the first six months of 2021, compared with the severe impacts to demand and bookings from the COVID-19 pandemic for the majority of the first six months of 2020, including as a result of unprecedented levels of close-in trip cancellations, and significant reductions in capacity during the March through June period.

Freight revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2021, increased by $15 million, or 19.5 percent, compared with the six months ended June 30, 2020, primarily due to increased demand as businesses reduced pandemic driven restrictions during 2021.

Other revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2021, increased by $70 million, or 11.4 percent, year-over-year. The increase was primarily due to an increase in income from business partners, including Chase, and the impact on spend on the Company's co-branded card, driven by the increase in consumer spending resulting from the improving economy in 2021 as compared to the earliest stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2021, decreased by $1.2 billion, or 18.7 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020, while capacity increased 6.2 percent over the same prior year period. Historically, except for changes in the price of fuel, changes in Operating expenses for airlines have been largely driven by changes in capacity, or ASMs. However, the Company's flight schedules are largely fixed once flight schedules are published, and the Company experienced significant ASM reductions in second quarter 2020 as a result of flight schedule adjustments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company has experienced significant ASM increases as a result of flight schedule adjustments related to the improving economy in 2021 as compared to the earliest stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Flight schedule adjustments are expected to result in further declines to unit costs if the increase in air travel demand continues, excluding any impacts associated with Payroll Support grants. See "COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts" above and Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. The following table presents the Company's Operating expenses per ASM for the first six months of 2021 and 2020, followed by explanations of these changes on a per ASM basis and dollar basis:
 Six months ended June 30,Per ASMPercent
(in cents, except for percentages)20212020changechange
Salaries, wages, and benefits6.00 ¢6.70 ¢(0.70)¢(10.4)%
Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net(3.87)(1.47)(2.40)163.3 
Fuel and oil2.25 2.12 0.13 6.1 
Maintenance materials and repairs0.70 0.77 (0.07)(9.1)
Landing fees and airport rentals1.27 1.15 0.12 10.4 
Depreciation and amortization1.11 1.17 (0.06)(5.1)
Other operating expenses, net1.85 1.73 0.12 6.9 
Total9.31 ¢12.17 ¢(2.86)¢(23.5)%

Operating expenses per ASM for the first six months of 2021 decreased by 23.5 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020. The majority of the year-over-year unit cost decrease in the first six months of 2021 was driven by the increase in Payroll Support funding. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in market jet fuel prices and $222 million of gains from the sale-leaseback of 20 aircraft to third parties in two separate transactions during second quarter 2020, which reduced Other operating expenses, net in second quarter 2020. See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. Operating expenses per ASM for the first six months of 2021, excluding Fuel and oil expense, profitsharing and special items, (a non-GAAP financial measure), decreased 10.1 percent, year-over-year. See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and the Reconciliation of Reported Amounts to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional detail regarding non-GAAP financial measures.
43



Salaries, wages, and benefits expense for the first six months of 2021 decreased by $173 million, or 4.8 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020. On a per ASM basis, Salaries, wages, and benefits expense for the first six months of 2021 decreased 10.4 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020. On both a dollar and per ASM basis, the majority of the decreases were primarily driven by lower salaries, wages, and benefits expense, as a result of Voluntary Separation Program, Extended ETO, and other time off programs offered by the Company. The decrease was partially offset by the $109 million profitsharing expense accrual in the first six months of 2021, compared with no profitsharing expense accrual in the first six months of 2020.

Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net (a reduction to expense) for the first six months of 2021 was an increase of $1.4 billion, compared with the first six months of 2020. On a per ASM basis, Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net for the first six months of 2021 increased by 163.3 percent. On both a dollar and per ASM basis, the changes were primarily due to the significant increase in Payroll Support grant proceeds received in the first half of 2021 compared with the same prior year period. This was coupled with:
The Payroll Support programs' grant allocation of $1.9 billion in the first six months of 2021, compared with a $1.1 billion allocation in the first six months of 2020;
The $307 million accrual for charges related to the Voluntary Separation Program in the first six months of 2020;
The $130 million net reduction in the Extended ETO liability in the first six months of 2021; and
The $117 million in Employee Retention Tax Credits recorded in 2021 for continuing to pay Employees' salaries during the time they were not working, as allowed under the CARES Act, and subsequent legislation.

See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Fuel and oil expense for the first six months of 2021 increased by $144 million, or 12.8 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020. On a per ASM basis, Fuel and oil expense for the first six months of 2021 increased 6.1 percent, due to higher market jet fuel prices. On a dollar basis, the majority of the increase was attributable to higher market jet fuel prices, and the remainder of the increase was due to an increase in fuel gallons consumed. The following table provides more information on the Company's economic fuel cost per gallon, including the impact of fuel hedging premium expense and fuel derivative contracts:

Six months ended June 30,
20212020
Economic fuel costs per gallon$1.83 $1.72 
Fuel hedging premium expense (in millions)$50 $49 
Fuel hedging premium expense per gallon$0.07 $0.07 
Fuel hedging cash settlement gains per gallon$0.01 $— 

See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and the Reconciliation of Reported Amounts to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional detail regarding non-GAAP financial measures.

Maintenance materials and repairs expense for the first six months of 2021 decreased by $17 million, or 4.1 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020. On a per ASM basis, Maintenance materials and repairs expense decreased 9.1 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020, as a result of the timing of regular airframe maintenance checks, and deferring some of these costs by placing a portion of the fleet in storage during the COVID-19 pandemic. On a dollar basis, the majority of the decrease was due to lower engine maintenance expense due to the decrease in flight hours.

Landing fees and airport rentals expense for the first six months of 2021 increased by $102 million, or 16.6 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020. On a per ASM basis, Landing fees and airport rentals expense increased 10.4 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020, as higher costs from additional space and higher
44


airport rental rates across the network were exceeded by the significant increase in capacity year-over-year. On a dollar basis, the majority of the increase was due to an increased number of Trips flown and the increase in space rental rates in the first six months of 2021.

Depreciation and amortization expense for the first six months of 2021 increased by $3 million, or 0.5 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020. On a per ASM basis, Depreciation and amortization expense decreased 5.1 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020, as the dollar increase was more than offset by the 6.2 percent increase in capacity. On a dollar basis, the majority of the increase was associated with the deployment of new technology assets.

Other operating expenses, net for the first six months of 2021 increased by $132 million, or 14.4 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020. Included within this line item was aircraft rentals expense in the amounts of $103 million and $98 million for the periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. On a per ASM basis, Other operating expenses, net increased 6.9 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020. On both a dollar and per ASM basis, the increases were primarily due to gains from the sale-leaseback of 20 aircraft to third parties in two separate transactions during second quarter 2020, which reduced Other operating expenses, net in second quarter 2020 and were considered special items and thus excluded from the Company's non-GAAP results for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

Other

Other expenses (income) include interest expense, capitalized interest, interest income, and other gains and losses.

Interest expense for the first six months of 2021 increased by $105 million, or 84.7 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020, primarily due to higher debt balances in the first six months of 2021.

Capitalized interest for the first six months of 2021 increased by $7 million, or 58.3 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020, primarily due to Boeing resuming production of the Company's undelivered MAX aircraft.

Interest income for the first six months of 2021 decreased by $22 million, or 84.6 percent, compared with the first six months of 2020, due to lower interest rates.

Other (gains) losses, net, primarily includes amounts recorded as a result of the Company's hedging activities. See Note 4 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Company's hedging activities. The following table displays the components of Other (gains) losses, net, for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:
Six months ended June 30,
(in millions)20212020
Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in current and future periods$(9)$17 
Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedges21 11 
Mark-to-market impact from interest rate swap agreements— 29 
Mark-to-market gain on deferred compensation plan investment(18)— 
Correction on investment gains related to prior periods (a)(60)— 
Other
 $(61)$60 
(a) See Note 1 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

45


Income Taxes

The Company's effective tax rate was approximately 20.628.4 percent infor the first quartersix months of 2021, compared with 34.327.0 percent infor the first quartersix months of 2020. The prior year higher first quarter tax rate for the first six months of 2021 was a result of the anticipated Net operating loss for full year 2020, which allowed the Companyprimarily due to carry back losses to receive tax refunds on amounts paid from 2015 through 2019. The Company currently estimates its annual 2021 effective tax rate to be approximately 23 percent.

higher state taxes than previously estimated.
3946


Reconciliation of Reported Amounts to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (excluding special items) (unaudited)
(in millions, except per share amounts and per ASM amounts)
Three months ended March 31,PercentThree months ended June 30,PercentSix months ended June 30,Percent
20212020Change 20212020Change20212020Change
Fuel and oil expense, unhedgedFuel and oil expense, unhedged$464 $846 Fuel and oil expense, unhedged$802 $254 $1,266 $1,100  
Add: Premium cost of fuel contracts designated as hedgesAdd: Premium cost of fuel contracts designated as hedges14 24 Add: Premium cost of fuel contracts designated as hedges14 13 29 38 
Deduct: Fuel hedge gains included in Fuel and oil expense, netDeduct: Fuel hedge gains included in Fuel and oil expense, net(9)—  Deduct: Fuel hedge gains included in Fuel and oil expense, net(13)(10) (23)(10) 
Fuel and oil expense, as reportedFuel and oil expense, as reported$469 $870 Fuel and oil expense, as reported$803 $257 $1,272 $1,128 
Add: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)Add: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)— Add: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)10 14 10 
Add: Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedgesAdd: Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedges11 — Add: Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedges10 11 21 11 
Fuel and oil expense, excluding special items (economic)Fuel and oil expense, excluding special items (economic)$488 $870 (43.9)Fuel and oil expense, excluding special items (economic)$818 $278 194.2$1,307 $1,149 13.8
Total operating expenses, net, as reportedTotal operating expenses, net, as reported$1,853 $4,344  Total operating expenses, net, as reported$3,414 $2,135  $5,267 $6,479  
Add: Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, netAdd: Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net1,448 — Add: Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net740 784 2,187 784 
Add: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)Add: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)—  Add: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)10  14 10  
Add: Interest rate swap agreements terminated in a prior period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)Add: Interest rate swap agreements terminated in a prior period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)— Add: Interest rate swap agreements terminated in a prior period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)— — 
Add: Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedgesAdd: Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedges11 —  Add: Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedges10 11  21 11  
Add: Gain from aircraft sale-leaseback transactionsAdd: Gain from aircraft sale-leaseback transactions— 222 — 222 
Total operating expenses, excluding special itemsTotal operating expenses, excluding special items$3,321 $4,344 (23.5)%Total operating expenses, excluding special items$4,170 $3,162 31.9$7,491 $7,506 (0.2)
Deduct: Fuel and oil expense, excluding special items (economic)Deduct: Fuel and oil expense, excluding special items (economic)(818)(278)(1,307)(1,149)
Operating expenses, excluding Fuel and oil expense and special itemsOperating expenses, excluding Fuel and oil expense and special items$3,352 $2,884 16.2$6,184 $6,357 (2.7)
Deduct: Profitsharing expenseDeduct: Profitsharing expense(85)— (109)— 
Operating expenses, excluding Fuel and oil expense, special items, and profitsharingOperating expenses, excluding Fuel and oil expense, special items, and profitsharing$3,267 $2,884 13.3$6,075 $6,357 (4.4)
Operating income (loss), as reportedOperating income (loss), as reported$199 $(110) Operating income (loss), as reported$594 $(1,127) $793 $(1,237) 
Deduct: Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, netDeduct: Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net(1,448)— Deduct: Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net(740)(784)(2,187)(784)
Deduct: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)Deduct: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)(8)—  Deduct: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)(5)(10) (14)(10) 
Deduct: Interest rate swap agreements terminated in a prior period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)Deduct: Interest rate swap agreements terminated in a prior period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)(1)— Deduct: Interest rate swap agreements terminated in a prior period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)(1)— (2)— 
Deduct: Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedgesDeduct: Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedges(11)—  Deduct: Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedges(10)(11) (21)(11) 
Deduct: Gain from aircraft sale-leaseback transactionsDeduct: Gain from aircraft sale-leaseback transactions— (222)— (222)
Operating loss, excluding special itemsOperating loss, excluding special items$(1,269)$(110)n.m.Operating loss, excluding special items$(162)$(2,154)(92.5)$(1,431)$(2,264)(36.8)
Other (gains) losses, net, as reportedOther (gains) losses, net, as reported$(48)$28 Other (gains) losses, net, as reported$(14)$32 $(61)$60 
Deduct: Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in current and future periods (a)(1)(2)
Add (Deduct): Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in current and future periods (a)Add (Deduct): Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in current and future periods (a)11 (15)(17)
Deduct: Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedgesDeduct: Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedges(11)— Deduct: Premium cost of fuel contracts not designated as hedges(10)(11)(21)(11)
Deduct: Mark-to-market impact from interest rate swap agreementsDeduct: Mark-to-market impact from interest rate swap agreements— (24)Deduct: Mark-to-market impact from interest rate swap agreements— (5)— (29)
Other (gains) losses, net, excluding special itemsOther (gains) losses, net, excluding special items$(60)$n.m.Other (gains) losses, net, excluding special items$(13)$n.m.$(73)$n.m.
Income (loss) before income taxes, as reported$146 $(144)
Deduct: Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net(1,448)— 
Deduct: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)(8)— 
Deduct: Interest rate swap agreements terminated in a prior period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)(1)— 
Add: Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in current and future periods
Add: Mark-to-market impact from interest rate swap agreements— 24 
Loss before income taxes, excluding special items$(1,310)$(118)n.m.
Provision (benefit) for income taxes, as reported$30 $(50)
Add (Deduct): Net income (loss) tax impact of fuel and special items (b)(325)
Benefit for income taxes, net, excluding special items$(295)$(41)n.m.
4047


Three months ended June 30,PercentSix months ended June 30,Percent
20212020Change20212020Change
Income (loss) before income taxes, as reportedIncome (loss) before income taxes, as reported$502 $(1,239)$648 $(1,383)
Deduct: Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, netDeduct: Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net(740)(784)(2,187)(784)
Deduct: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)Deduct: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)(5)(10)(14)(10)
Deduct: Interest rate swap agreements terminated in a prior period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)Deduct: Interest rate swap agreements terminated in a prior period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)(1)— (2)— 
Deduct: Gain from aircraft sale-leaseback transactionsDeduct: Gain from aircraft sale-leaseback transactions— (222)— (222)
Add (Deduct): Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in current and future periods (a)Add (Deduct): Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in current and future periods (a)(11)15 (9)17 
Add: Mark-to-market impact from interest rate swap agreementsAdd: Mark-to-market impact from interest rate swap agreements— — 29 
Loss before income taxes, excluding special itemsLoss before income taxes, excluding special items$(255)$(2,235)(88.6)$(1,564)$(2,353)(33.5)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes, as reportedProvision (benefit) for income taxes, as reported$154 $(324)$185 $(374)
Deduct: Net income (loss) tax impact of fuel and special items (b)Deduct: Net income (loss) tax impact of fuel and special items (b)(203)(327)(528)(319)
Deduct: GAAP to Non-GAAP tax rate difference (c)Deduct: GAAP to Non-GAAP tax rate difference (c)— (83)— (82)
Benefit for income taxes, net, excluding special itemsBenefit for income taxes, net, excluding special items$(49)$(734)(93.3)$(343)$(775)(55.7)
Three months ended March 31,Percent
20212020Change
Net income (loss), as reportedNet income (loss), as reported$116 $(94)Net income (loss), as reported$348 $(915)$463 $(1,009)
Deduct: Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, netDeduct: Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net(1,448)— Deduct: Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net(740)(784)(2,187)(784)
Deduct: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)Deduct: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)(8)— Deduct: Fuel hedge contracts settling in the current period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)(5)(10)(14)(10)
Deduct: Interest rate swap agreements terminated in a prior period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)Deduct: Interest rate swap agreements terminated in a prior period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)(1)— Deduct: Interest rate swap agreements terminated in a prior period, but for which losses were reclassified from AOCI (a)(1)— (2)— 
Add: Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in current and future periods (a)
Deduct: Gain from aircraft sale-leaseback transactionsDeduct: Gain from aircraft sale-leaseback transactions— (222)— (222)
Add (Deduct): Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in current and future periods (a)Add (Deduct): Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in current and future periods (a)(11)15 (9)17 
Add: Mark-to-market impact from interest rate swap agreementsAdd: Mark-to-market impact from interest rate swap agreements— 24 Add: Mark-to-market impact from interest rate swap agreements— — 29 
Add (Deduct): Net income (loss) tax impact of special items (b)325 (9)
Add: Net income (loss) tax impact of special items (b)Add: Net income (loss) tax impact of special items (b)203 327 528 319 
Add: GAAP to Non-GAAP tax rate difference (c)Add: GAAP to Non-GAAP tax rate difference (c)— 83 — 82 
Net loss, excluding special itemsNet loss, excluding special items$(1,015)$(77)n.m.Net loss, excluding special items$(206)$(1,501)(86.3)$(1,221)$(1,578)(22.6)
Net income (loss) per share, diluted, as reportedNet income (loss) per share, diluted, as reported$0.19 $(0.18)Net income (loss) per share, diluted, as reported$0.57 $(1.63)$0.76 $(1.87)
Add (Deduct): Impact of special items(2.38)0.05 
Deduct: Impact of special itemsDeduct: Impact of special items(1.21)(1.76)(3.59)(1.78)
Deduct: Net impact of net income (loss) above from fuel contracts divided by dilutive sharesDeduct: Net impact of net income (loss) above from fuel contracts divided by dilutive shares(0.01)— Deduct: Net impact of net income (loss) above from fuel contracts divided by dilutive shares(0.03)(0.02)(0.04)(0.02)
Add (Deduct): Net income (loss) tax impact of special items (b)0.53 (0.02)
Deduct: GAAP to Non-GAAP diluted weighted average shares difference (c)(0.05)— 
Add: Net income (loss) tax impact of special items (b)Add: Net income (loss) tax impact of special items (b)0.33 0.59 0.87 0.59 
Add: GAAP to Non-GAAP tax rate difference (c)Add: GAAP to Non-GAAP tax rate difference (c)— 0.15 — 0.15 
Deduct: GAAP to Non-GAAP diluted weighted average shares difference (d)Deduct: GAAP to Non-GAAP diluted weighted average shares difference (d)(0.01)— (0.07)— 
Net loss per share, diluted, excluding special itemsNet loss per share, diluted, excluding special items$(1.72)$(0.15)n.m.Net loss per share, diluted, excluding special items$(0.35)$(2.67)(86.9)$(2.07)$(2.93)(29.4)
Operating expenses per ASM (cents)Operating expenses per ASM (cents)8.00 ¢12.29 ¢Operating expenses per ASM (cents)10.22 ¢11.94 ¢9.31 ¢12.17 ¢
Add: Impact of special itemsAdd: Impact of special items6.25 — Add: Impact of special items2.22 5.62 3.87 1.89 
Deduct: Fuel and oil expense divided by ASMsDeduct: Fuel and oil expense divided by ASMs(2.02)(2.46)Deduct: Fuel and oil expense divided by ASMs(2.41)(1.44)(2.25)(2.12)
Deduct: Profitsharing expense divided by ASMsDeduct: Profitsharing expense divided by ASMs(0.10)— Deduct: Profitsharing expense divided by ASMs(0.25)— (0.19)— 
Operating expenses per ASM, excluding Fuel and oil expense, profitsharing, and special items (cents)Operating expenses per ASM, excluding Fuel and oil expense, profitsharing, and special items (cents)12.13 ¢9.83 ¢23.4%Operating expenses per ASM, excluding Fuel and oil expense, profitsharing, and special items (cents)9.78 ¢16.12 ¢(39.3)10.74 ¢11.94 ¢(10.1)


48


(a) See Note 4 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
(b) Tax amounts for each individual special item are calculated at the Company's effective rate for the applicable period and totaled in this line item.
(c) Adjustment related to GAAP and Non-GAAP tax rate differences, primarily due to the Payroll Support being excluded as a special item, and reflected the anticipated benefit of carrying back full year 2020 projected net losses to claim tax refunds against previous cash taxes paid relating to tax years 2015 through 2019, some of which were at higher rates than the current year.
(d) Adjustment related to GAAP and Non-GAAP diluted weighted average shares difference, due to the Company being in a Net income position on a GAAP basis versus a Net loss position on a Non-GAAP basis. See Note 7 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
4149


Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). These GAAP financial statements may include (i) unrealized noncash adjustments and reclassifications, which can be significant, as a result of accounting requirements and elections made under accounting pronouncements relating to derivative instruments and hedging and (ii) other charges and benefits the Company believes are unusual and/or infrequent in nature and thus may make comparisons to its prior or future performance difficult.

As a result, the Company also provides financial information in this filing that was not prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to the information prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company provides supplemental non-GAAP financial information (also referred to as "excluding special items"), including results that it refers to as "economic," which the Company's management utilizes to evaluate its ongoing financial performance and the Company believes provides additional insight to investors as supplemental information to its GAAP results. The non-GAAP measures provided that relate to the Company’s performance on an economic fuel cost basis include Fuel and oil expense, non-GAAP; Total operating expenses, non-GAAP; Operating expenses, non-GAAP excluding Fuel and oil expense; Operating expenses, non-GAAP excluding Fuel and oil expense and profitsharing; Operating loss, non-GAAP; Other (gains) losses, net, non-GAAP; Loss before income taxes, non-GAAP; Benefit for income taxes, net, non-GAAP; Net loss, non-GAAP; Net loss per share, diluted, non-GAAP; and Operating expenses per ASM, non-GAAP, excluding Fuel and oil expense and profitsharing (cents). The Company's economic Fuel and oil expense results differ from GAAP results in that they only include the actual cash settlements from fuel hedge contracts - all reflected within Fuel and oil expense in the period of settlement. Thus, Fuel and oil expense on an economic basis has historically been utilized by the Company, as well as some of the other airlines that utilize fuel hedging, as it reflects the Company’s actual net cash outlays for fuel during the applicable period, inclusive of settled fuel derivative contracts. Any net premium costs paid related to option contracts that are designated as hedges are reflected as a component of Fuel and oil expense, for both GAAP and non-GAAP (including economic) purposes in the period of contract settlement. The Company believes these economic results provide further insight into the impact of the Company's fuel hedges on its operating performance and liquidity since they exclude the unrealized, noncash adjustments and reclassifications that are recorded in GAAP results in accordance with accounting guidance relating to derivative instruments, and they reflect all cash settlements related to fuel derivative contracts within Fuel and oil expense. This enables the Company's management, as well as investors and analysts, to consistently assess the Company's operating performance on a year-over-year or quarter-over-quarter basis after considering all efforts in place to manage fuel expense. However, because these measures are not determined in accordance with GAAP, such measures are susceptible to varying calculations, and not all companies calculate the measures in the same manner. As a result, the aforementioned measures, as presented, may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

Further information on (i) the Company's fuel hedging program, (ii) the requirements of accounting for derivative instruments, and (iii) the causes of hedge ineffectiveness and/or mark-to-market gains or losses from derivative instruments is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and Note 4 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company’s GAAP results in the applicable periods may include other charges or benefits that are also deemed "special items," that the Company believes make its results difficult to compare to prior periods, anticipated future periods, or industry trends. Financial measures identified as non-GAAP (or as excluding special items) have been adjusted to exclude special items. For the periods presented, in addition to the items discussed above, special items include:

1.Proceeds related to the Payroll Support Program Extension,programs, which were used to pay a portion of Employee salaries, wages, and benefits;
2.Charges and adjustments to previously accrued amounts related to the Company's extended leave program;
50


3.Adjustments for prior period losses reclassified from AOCI associated with forward-starting interest rate swap agreements that were terminated in prior periods related to eleven 737 MAX 8 aircraft leases;
4.Gains associated with the sale-leaseback of ten Boeing 737-800 aircraft and ten Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to third parties; and
42


4.5.Unrealized losses related to ninetwelve forward-starting interest rate swap agreements. During the first quartersix months of 2020, the interest rate swap agreements, which were related to ninetwelve 737 MAX 8 aircraft leases (with deliveries originally scheduled between June 2020 and September 2020), were de-designated as hedges due to the scheduled delivery range no longer being probable, resulting in the mark-to-market changes being recorded to earnings.

Because management believes special items can distort the trends associated with the Company’s ongoing performance as an airline, the Company believes that evaluation of its financial performance can be enhanced by a supplemental presentation of results that exclude the impact of special items in order to enhance consistency and comparativeness with results in prior periods that do not include such items and as a basis for evaluating operating results in future periods. The following measures are often provided, excluding special items, and utilized by the Company’s management, analysts, and investors to enhance comparability of year-over-year results, as well as to industry trends: Fuel and oil expense, non-GAAP; Total operating expenses, non-GAAP; Operating expenses, non-GAAP excluding Fuel and oil expense; Operating expenses, non-GAAP excluding Fuel and oil expense and profitsharing; Operating loss, non-GAAP; Other (gains) losses, net, non-GAAP; Loss before income taxes, non-GAAP; Benefit for income taxes, net, non-GAAP; Net loss, non-GAAP; Net loss per share, diluted, non-GAAP; and Operating expenses per ASM, non-GAAP, excluding Fuel and oil expense and profitsharing (cents).

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The Company has also utilized and provided average cash burnburn/flow and average daily core cash burnburn/flow which are non-GAAP financial measures. Cash burnburn/flow is a supplemental measure that most U.S. airlines began providing in 2020 to measure liquidity in light of the negative financial effects of the pandemic. The Company utilizes average daily core cash burnburn/flow to monitor the performance of its core business as a proxy for its ability to achieve sustainable break-even or positive results on a cash basis. Cash burnburn/flow methodology may vary by airline, but seeand the Company's second quarter 2021 average daily core cash burn/flow may differ materially by utilizing cash burn/flow calculations that adjust for changes in working capital - including changes for Air traffic liability and cash payments for voluntary separation and extended emergency time off payments, among other items. See the Company's calculation of cash burnburn/flow below:

Three months ended
(in millions, except for Days in the period)Three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021
Loss before income taxes, non-GAAP$(1,310)(255)
Depreciation and amortization expense312315 
Capital expenditures(95)
Debt service payments(67)(43)
Core cash burn$(1,160)(78)
Days in the period9091 
Average daily core cash burn$(13)(1)
Core cash burn, prior to changes in working capital$(1,160)(78)
Increase in Air traffic liability599946 
Payments associated with Voluntary Employee Programs(188)(159)
Cash payments for income taxes(176)
Other (a)315 (10)
Core cash burn,flow, adjusted for changes in working capital$(434)523 
Days in the period9091 
Average daily core cash burn,flow, adjusted for changes in working capital$(5)
(a) Adjustment primarily related to the prepayment in fourth quarter 2020 from Chase for Rapid Reward points expected to be purchased in 2021. See Note 9 to the unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

The enormous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. travel industry created an urgent liquidity crisis for the entire airline industry, including the Company. However, due to the Company's pre-pandemic low balance sheet leverage, large base of unencumbered assets, and investment-grade credit ratings, the Company was able to quickly access additional liquidity during 2020, and 2021, as Customer cancellations spiked and sales and revenues dropped while the Company continued to experience significant fixed operating expenses. See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and assistance obtained under the CARES Act, Payroll Support Program Extension, and PSP3 Payroll Support Program. Much uncertainty remains about the time it will take for air travel demand to recover, and the Company continues to assess its immediate and near-term liquidity needs. The Company also continues to assess various sources and options including public and private financings to bolster its liquidity and believes that, given current market conditions, it has opportunities to do so.programs.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $645 million$2.0 billion for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, compared with $377$897 million usedprovided by operating activities in the same prior year period. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, net cash provided by operating activities was $2.7 billion, compared with $520 million provided by operating activities in the same prior year period. Operating cash inflows are primarily derived from providing air transportation to Customers. The vast majority of tickets are purchased prior to the day on which travel is provided and, in some cases, several months before the anticipated travel date. Operating cash outflows are related to the recurring expenses of airline operations. The operating cash flows for both periods presented, were affected primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a significant drop in travel demand, sales, and revenues. Operating cash flows for the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, included $1.2$2.7 billion in Payroll Support Program Extensionprogram grant proceeds, received as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 of which nearly all of this direct payroll support$1.9 billion was used to offset eligible costs, and was thus included in operating activities, with the remaining $23as well as $45 million allocated to the value of PSP2 Warrantswarrants issued and thus included in financing activities. TheseThe net increasesincrease in operating cash flows werewas also a result of a $599 million$1.5 billion increase in Air traffic liability driven by increased ticket sales related to an increase in leisure travel demand. For the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2020, the operating cash flows were affected primarily by $2.0 billion in Payroll Support program grant proceeds received, of which $1.1 billion was used to offset eligible costs, and the $307 million accrual of expected costs for the Voluntary Separation Program. The increase in operating cash flows was also a $1.3result of a $1.4 billion increase in Air traffic liability. This increase was partially offset by the Company's Net loss (as adjusted for non-cash items) and a $90 million decrease in Accounts payable and accrued expenses primarily due to the Company's payout in 2020 of its 2019 $667 million ProfitSharingprofitsharing distribution to Employees, in March 2020, as well as a significant decline in amounts payable for passenger excise taxes and segment fees as a result of the March 2020 dropdecline in passenger ticket sales. These were partially offsetsales, and the suspension of collection of certain ticket taxes as dictated by a $701 million increase in Air traffic liability. The increase in Air traffic liability resulted from Januarythe CARES Act. Net cash provided by operating activities is primarily used to finance capital expenditures, repay debt, and February 2020 bookings, which were then significantly impacted by a decline in Customer demand and increased trip cancellations attributable to concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily in March 2020.provide working capital. Historically, the Company has also used net cash provided by operations to fund stock repurchases and pay dividends; however these shareholder return activities have been suspended due to restrictions associated with the payroll assistance under the CARES Act, Payroll Support Program Extension, and PSP3 Payroll Support Program.programs. See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $201$469 million during the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, compared with $5$332 million provided by investing activities in the same prior year period. Net cash used in investing activities was $670 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared with $327 million provided by investing activities in the same prior year period. Investing activities in both years included Capital expenditures, and changes in the balance of the Company's short-term and noncurrent investments. The Company also raised $815 million from the sale-leaseback of 20 aircraft and received $428 million of Supplier proceeds during the six months ended June 30, 2020, which the Company considers an offset to its aircraft capital expenditures. During the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, Capital expenditures were $95$190 million, compared with $224$336 million in the same prior year period. Capital expenditures decreased, year-over-year, largely due to a decrease in technology and facilities project expenditures and several projects being placed into service since March 31,June 30, 2020. In addition, the Company did not make progress payments on future aircraft deliveries or payments for new delivered MAX 8 aircraft during the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, compared to the same prior year period, when progress payments were made. See Notes 2 and 11 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

As a result of previously agreed upon delivery credits provided by Boeing to the Company due to the settlement of 2020 estimated damages relating to the FAA grounding of the 737 MAX aircraft and progress payments made to date on undelivered aircraft, the Company currently estimates norelatively minimal aircraft capital expenditures in 2021. Therefore, the Company currently estimates its annual 2021 capital expenditures to be approximately $500 million, driven primarily by technology, facilities, and operational investments. The Company cannot predict whenin the effectsrange of the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel will end, but
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$500 million to $600 million. Based on 70 firm orders currently planned in 2022 as discussed in "Company Overview," the Company's contractual aircraft capital expenditures for 2022 are estimated to be approximately $1.6 billion. Further, the Company's total contractual aircraft capital expenditures for all years 2021 through 2026, which represents 209 MAX firm orders (175 MAX 7 and 34 MAX 8 aircraft), are estimated to be approximately $5.7 billion. Fleet and other capital investment plans are expected to continue to evolve as the Company expects thatmanages through this pandemic recovery period, and the Company intends to evaluate the exercise of its capital expenditures will increase from current levels if U.S. air travel returns to pre-pandemic levels.remaining 44 MAX options for 2022 as decision deadlines occur throughout the remainder of this year.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $464$617 million during the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, compared with $1.8$7.2 billion provided by financing activities for the same prior year period. Net cash provided by financing activities was $1.1 billion during the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared with $9.0 billion provided by financing activities for the same year period. During the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, the Company borrowed $488 million$1.1 billion of loan proceeds under the Payroll Support Program Extension.programs. See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. The Company repaid $67$109 million in debt and finance lease obligations during the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, and is scheduled to repay approximately $153$111 million in debt and finance lease obligations during the remainder of 2021. During the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2020, the Company borrowed $2.5$12.3 billion, through various transactions, in order to improve its liquidity position as a result of the onset of the pandemic. An additional $2.3 billion was raised from a public offering of 80,500,000 shares of common stock. These financings were partially offset by the full repayment of the $3.7 billion borrowed under the Company's Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Agreement and the $1.0 billion drawn under the Company's Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility, as amended (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). The Company also repurchased $451 million of its outstanding common stock, paid $188 million in cash dividends to Shareholders, and repaid $78$237 million in debt and finance lease obligations.obligations during the first six months of 2020.

Average daily core cash burn was approximately $13 million in first quarter 2021, compared with fourth quarter 2020 average core cash burn of $12 million per day. Average core cash burn was approximately $9$1 million per day in March 2021. Including changes in working capital — most notably, cash flow from future bookings —second quarter 2021; however, the Company achieved positive average daily core cash flow turned positive in MarchJune 2021, and the Company generatedof approximately $4 million per day, as revenue and booking trends improved. The Company's average core cash burn (which excludes changes in working capital) in second quarter 2021 is currently estimated to be in the range of approximately $2 million to $4 million per day.million. Based on current booking trends and cost outlook, the Company is hopeful it can achieve breakeven average core cash flow, or better, by Juneto be profitable, both on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, in third and fourth quarter 2021. Cash burnburn/flow is a supplemental measure that most U.S. airlines began providing in 2020 to measure liquidity in light of the negative financial effects of the pandemic. Average daily core cash burnburn/flow is calculated as LossLoss/Income before income taxes, non-GAAP, adjusted for Depreciation and amortization expense; Capitalcapital expenditures; and adjusted amortizing debt service payments; divided by the number of days in the period. The Company utilizes average daily core cash burnburn/flow to monitor the performance of its core business as a proxy for its ability to achieve sustainable break-even or positive results on a cash basis. Given that the Company’s cash burn/flow calculation is derived from Loss/Income before income taxes, non-GAAP, the Company excludes the following items in its calculation of average core cash burn/flow: financing transactions; Payroll Support proceeds; voluntary separation and extended emergency time off program payments; and other changes in working capital. Cash burn/flow methodology varies by airline, and the Company’s average daily core cash burn/flow may differ materially by utilizing cash burn/flow calculations that adjust for changes in working capital. Utilizing an alternative cash burn/flow approach, which adjusts for changes in working capital—including changes in Air traffic liability and cash payments for voluntary separation and extended emergency time off program payments, among other items—the Company generated average core cash flow of approximately $11 million per day in June 2021, and approximately $6 million per day in second quarter 2021. Average core cash burnburn/flow projections do not reflect the potential impact of special items because the Company cannot reliably predict or estimate those items or expenses or their impact to its financial statements in future periods. Accordingly, the Company believes a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the equivalent GAAP financial measures for projected results is not meaningful or available without unreasonable effort. See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and the Reconciliation of Reported Amounts to Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional detail regarding non-GAAP financial measures including the cash burnburn/flow formula.

Utilizing an alternative cash burn approach, which adjusts for changes in working capital, among other items, the Company's first quarter 2021 daily cash burn was approximately $5 million. Cash burn methodology varies by airline, and the Company’s first quarter 2021 average daily core cash burn of $13 million may differ materially by utilizing cash burn calculations that adjust for changes in working capital.

The Company is a "well-known seasoned issuer" and currently has an effective shelf registration statement registering an indeterminate amount of debt and equity securities for future sales. The Company currently intends to use the proceeds from any future securities sales off this shelf registration statement for general corporate purposes.

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The Company has access to $1.0 billion under its Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Facility, as amended (the "Revolving Credit Facility").Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility has an accordion feature that would allow the Company, subject to, among other things, the procurement of incremental commitments, to increase the size of the facility to $1.5 billion. Interest on the facility is based on the Company's credit ratings at the time of borrowing. At the Company's current ratings, the interest cost would be LIBOR plus a spread of 200.0 basis points. The facility contains a financial covenant to maintain total liquidity, as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility, of $1.5 billion at all times under the Revolving Credit Facility; the Company was compliant with this requirement as of March 31,June 30, 2021. There were no amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility as of March 31,June 30, 2021.

45


Although not the case at March 31,June 30, 2021, due to the Company's significant financing activities, the Company has historically carried a working capital deficit, in which its current liabilities exceed its current assets. This is common within the airline industry and is primarily due to the nature of the Air traffic liability account, which is related to advance ticket sales, unused funds available to Customers, and loyalty deferred revenue, which are performance obligations for future Customer flights, do not require future settlement in cash, and are mostly nonrefundable. See Note 6 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. The Company has various options available to meet its capital and operating commitments, including unrestricted cash and short-term investments of $14.3$16.9 billion as of March 31,June 30, 2021, and anticipated future internally generated funds from operations. However, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and could have a material adverse impact on the Company's ability to meet its capital and operating commitments. See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company will continue to consider various financing options to maximize liquidity and supplement cash requirements, as necessary.

On March 24,During second quarter 2021, the Company entered into the Supplementsupplemental agreements to its aircraft purchase agreement with Boeing relating to the Company's purchase ofincrease its 2022 firm orders by 34 Boeing 737 MAX 7 (MAX 7) aircraft (consisting of two 2022 options exercised and 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Pursuant to the Supplement (i) the Company added 10032 options accelerated and exercised from later years), resulting in 234 firm orders for the MAX 7 with the firstaircraft as of June 30, to be delivered in 2022; (ii)2021. Additionally, the Company accelerated 10 options into 2022, 32 options into 2023, 16 options into 2024, 16 options into 2025, and added 155 MAX aircraft options; (iii)32 new options into 2026 through 2027, bringing the total firm and option order book was extended to include deliveries through 2031; and (iv) the Company converted 70 MAX 8 firm orders to MAX 7 firm orders. The Supplement also includes certain confidential credits, discounts, and other concessions provided660 aircraft as of June 30, 2021. See Note 10 to the Company by Boeing.unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

The following table details information on the aircraft in the Company's fleet as of March 31,June 30, 2021:
  Average
Age (Yrs)
Number
 of Aircraft
Number
Owned
Number
Leased
TypeSeats
737-70014316 462 (a)370 92 
737-800175207 190 17 
737 MAX 817561 (a)33 28 
Totals 12 730 593 137 
  Average
Age (Yrs)
Number
 of Aircraft
Number
Owned
Number
Leased
TypeSeats
737-70014317 461 (a)371 90 
737-800175207 190 17 
737 MAX 817568 (a)40 28 
Totals 12 736 601 135 
(a) Included 5939 Boeing 737 Next Generation and 7 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft removed from active fleet and in temporary storage as of March 31,June 30, 2021.

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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are based on, and include statements about, the Company's estimates, expectations, beliefs, intentions, and strategies for the future, and the assumptions underlying these forward-looking statements. Specific forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and include, without limitation, statements related to the following:

the Company’s expectations related to payroll support pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021;
the Company’s financial outlook, expectations, and projected results of operations, including underlying assumptions and estimates, in particular related to the anticipated lessening of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;expectations regarding passenger demand, depressed demand for business travel, costs associated with voluntary separation and extended leave programs, and flight-driven cost increases;
the Company’s expectations with respect to capacity plans and expectations,load factors, including underlying assumptions and estimates,estimates;
the Company’s expectations with respect to capital expenditures and its related underlying assumptions, in particular relatedwith respect to the anticipated lessening of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on demand and bookings;aircraft capital expenditures;
the Company’s fleet plans and related expectations;
the Company's initiatives,Company’s network plans and expectations;
the Company’s expectations related to fuel efficiency, including its environmental sustainability goal;the Company’s underlying assumptions;
the Company's network plans and related expectations;initiatives;
the Company’s plans, expectations, and estimates related to fuel efficiency and fuel costs, and the Company’s related management of risk associated with changing jet fuel prices, includingand the Company’s assumptions underlying theits fuel-related expectations and estimates;
the Company's expectations with respect to capital expenditures, cash burn/cash flows and liquidity, including its ability to meet its ongoing capital, operating, and other obligations, and the Company’s anticipated needs for, and sources of, funds;
the Company's assessment of market risks; and
the Company's plans and expectations related to legal and regulatory proceedings.

While management believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the Company's forward-looking statements or from historical experience or the Company's present expectations. Factors that could cause these differences include, among others:

the extent ofany negative developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including, for example, with respect to (i) the duration, spread, severity, andor any recurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, including throughpandemic; (ii) any new variant strains of the underlying virus; (iii) the effectiveness, availability, and availabilityusage of vaccines; (iv) the duration and scope of related governmentgovernmental orders and restrictions; the duration and scope of the Company's actionsrestrictions related to address Customer and Employee health concerns;COVID-19; (v) the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on overall demand for air travel and the Company's related business plans and decisions; any negative(vi) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's ability to retain key Employees; and any negative(vii) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's access to capital;
the impact of fears or actual outbreaks of other diseases, economic conditions, extreme or severe weather and natural disasters, actions of competitors (including, without limitation, pricing, scheduling, capacity, and network decisions, and consolidation and alliance activities), consumer perception, economic conditions, fears of terrorism or war, actions of competitors, consumer perception, and other factors beyond the Company's control on consumer behavior and the Company's results of operations and business decisions, plans, strategies, and results;
the Company's dependenceimpact of labor matters on Boeing with respect to the Company's fleet order book, delivery schedule, and other performance requirements under its agreements with the Company, including with respect to the Company’s ability to return all of its MAX aircraft to revenue service;
the Company'sbusiness decisions, plans, and Boeing's dependence on other third-party providers to perform in accordance with expectations in connection with the manufacture and delivery of aircraft;
the impact of the Company's obligations and restrictions related to its participation in the U.S. Treasury's payroll support programs, including restrictions and obligations associated with its loans from, and warrants
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issued to, the U.S. Treasury; and any related negative impact on the Company’ ability to retain key Employees;
the enactment or adoption of future laws, statutes, and regulations and interpretations or enforcement of current and future laws, statutes, and regulations that affect the terms or application of the Company’s payroll support agreements with the U.S. Treasury and that may have a material adverse effect on the Company;strategies;
the impact of governmental actions and governmental regulations on the Company's plans, strategies, financial results, and operations;
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the Company's ability to timely and effectively implement, transition, and maintain the necessary information technology systems and infrastructure to support its operations and initiatives;
the impact of fuel price changes, fuel price volatility, volatility of commodities used by the Company for hedging jet fuel, and any changes to the Company’s fuel hedging strategies and positions on the Company's business plans and results of operations;
the Company's dependence on Boeing with respect to the Company's fleet, fuel, and capital expenditure plans and expectations;
the Company's and Boeing's dependence on other third-party providers to perform in accordance with expectations in connection with the manufacture and delivery of aircraft;
the Company's dependence on other third parties, in particular with respect to its fuel supply and its corporate travel enhancements, and the impact on the Company's operations and results of operations of any third party delays or non-performance;
the impact of the Company's obligations and restrictions related to its participation in Treasury's payroll support programs and any related negative impact on the Company’s ability to retain key Employees; and
other factors as set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.2020, and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021.

Caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements, which represent the Company's views only as of the date this report is filed. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Hedging

As discussed in Note 4 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company endeavors to acquire jet fuel at the lowest possible price and to reduce volatility in operating expenses through its fuel hedging program with the use of financial derivative instruments. At March 31,June 30, 2021, the estimated fair value of outstanding contracts was an asset of $249$502 million.

The Company's credit exposure related to fuel derivative instruments is represented by the fair value of contracts that are in an asset position to the Company. At such times, these outstanding instruments expose the Company to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements. As of March 31,June 30, 2021, the Company had nine counterparties for which the derivatives held were an asset. To manage credit risk, the Company selects and periodically reviews counterparties based on credit ratings, limits its exposure with respect to each counterparty, and monitors the market position of the fuel hedging program and its relative market position with each counterparty. However, if one or more of these counterparties were in a liability position to the Company and were unable to meet their obligations, any open derivative contracts with the counterparty could be subject to early termination, which could result in substantial losses for the Company. At March 31,June 30, 2021, the Company had agreements with all of its active counterparties containing early termination rights and/or bilateral collateral provisions whereby security is required if market risk exposure exceeds a specified threshold amount based on the counterparty's credit rating. The Company also had agreements with counterparties in which cash deposits and/or letters of credit are required to be posted as collateral whenever the net fair value of derivatives associated with those counterparties exceeds specific thresholds.
 
At March 31,June 30, 2021, $72$120 million in cash collateral deposits were held by the Company from counterparties based on the Company's outstanding fuel derivative instrument portfolio. Due to the types of derivatives held as of March 31,June 30, 2021, the Company does not have cash collateral exposure. See Note 4 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company is also subject to the risk that the fuel derivatives it uses to hedge against fuel price volatility do not provide adequate protection. The Company has found that financial derivative instruments in commodities, such as WTI crude oil, Brent crude oil, and refined products, such as heating oil and unleaded gasoline, can be useful in decreasing its exposure to jet fuel price volatility. In addition, to add further protection, the Company may periodically enter into jet fuel derivatives for short-term timeframes. Jet fuel is not widely traded on an organized futures exchange and, therefore, there are limited opportunities to hedge directly in jet fuel for time horizons longer than approximately 24 months into the future. 

Financial Market Risk

The Company currently has agreements with organizations that process credit card transactions arising from purchases of air travel tickets by its Customers utilizing American Express, Discover, and MasterCard/VISA. Credit card processors have financial risk associated with tickets purchased for travel because the processor generally forwards the cash related to the purchase to the Company soon after the purchase is completed, but the air travel generally occurs after that time; therefore, the processor will have liability if the Company does not ultimately provide the air travel. Under these processing agreements, and based on specified conditions, increasing amounts of cash reserves could be required to be posted with the counterparty. There was no cash reserved for this purpose as of March 31,June 30, 2021.

A majority of the Company’s sales transactions are processed by Chase Paymentech. Should chargebacks processed by Chase Paymentech reach a certain level, proceeds from advance ticket sales could be held back and used to establish a reserve account to cover such chargebacks and any other disputed charges that might occur. Additionally, cash reserves are required to be established if the Company’s credit rating falls to specified levels
4958


below investment grade. Cash reserve requirements are based on the Company’s public debt rating and a corresponding percentage of the Company’s Air traffic liability. As of March 31,June 30, 2021, no holdbacks were in place.

See Item 7A "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, for further information about market risk, and Note 4 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q for further information about the Company's fuel derivative instruments.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")) designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. These include controls and procedures designed to ensure that this information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31,June 30, 2021. Based on this evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31,June 30, 2021, at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

ThereDuring second quarter 2021, the Company implemented a new maintenance repair and operations system.

The Company's management has determined that the internal controls and procedures related to the information produced in the new maintenance repair and operations system were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Except as noted above, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended March 31,June 30, 2021, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.



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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings

On June 30, 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") issued a Civil Investigative Demand ("CID") to the Company. The CID seeks information and documents about the Company’s capacity from January 2010 to the date of the CID, including public statements and communications with third parties about capacity. In June 2015, the Company also received a letter from the Connecticut Attorney General requesting information about capacity. The Company is cooperating fully with the DOJ CID and the state inquiry.

Further, on July 1, 2015, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of putative classes of consumers alleging collusion among the Company, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines to limit capacity and maintain higher fares in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act. Since then, a number of similar class action complaints were filed in the United States District Courts for the Central District of California, the Northern District of California, the District of Columbia, the Middle District of Florida, the Southern District of Florida, the Northern District of Georgia, the Northern District of Illinois, the Southern District of Indiana, the Eastern District of Louisiana, the District of Minnesota, the District of New Jersey, the Eastern District of New York, the Southern District of New York, the Middle District of North Carolina, the District of Oklahoma, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Northern District of Texas, the District of Vermont, and the Eastern District of Wisconsin. On October 13, 2015, the Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation centralized the cases to the United States District Court in the District of Columbia. On March 25, 2016, the plaintiffs filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint in the consolidated cases alleging that the defendants conspired to restrict capacity from 2009 to present. The plaintiffs seek to bring their claims on behalf of a class of persons who purchased tickets for domestic airline travel on the defendants' airlines from July 1, 2011 to present. They seek treble damages, injunctive relief, and attorneys' fees and expenses. On May 11, 2016, the defendants moved to dismiss the Consolidated Amended Complaint, and on October 28, 2016, the Court denied this motion. On December 20, 2017, the Company reached an agreement to settle these cases with a proposed class of all persons who purchased domestic airline transportation services from July 1, 2011, to the date of the settlement. The Company agreed to pay $15 million and to provide certain cooperation with the plaintiffs as set forth in the settlement agreement. The Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement on January 3, 2018, and the plaintiffs provided notice to the proposed settlement class. The Court held a fairness hearing on March 22, 2019, and it issued an order granting final approval of the settlement on May 9, 2019. On June 10, 2019, three sets of objectors filed notices of appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Two sets of the objectors dismissed their appeals. On July 9, 2021, the court of appeals anddismissed the Company and the other settling parties moved to dismissappeal of the remaining appealobjectors for lack of jurisdiction because the district court didcourt's order approving the settlements was not certify the approval order as appealable. The court of appeals ordered the parties to brief the jurisdictional issue and the merits of the objections raised in the appeal, and oral argument was held on April 14, 2021.a final appealable order. The case is continuing as to the remaining defendants. The Company denies all allegations of wrongdoing.

On July 11, 2019, a complaint alleging violations of federal and state laws and seeking certification as a class action was filed against Boeing and the Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Sherman. The complaint alleges that Boeing and the Company colluded to conceal defects with the MAX aircraft in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act ("RICO") and also asserts related state law claims based upon the same alleged facts. The complaint seeks damages on behalf of putative classes of customers who purchased tickets for air travel from either the Company or American Airlines between August 29, 2017, and March 13, 2019. The complaint generally seeks money damages, equitable monetary relief, injunctive relief, declaratory relief, and attorneys’ fees and other costs. On September 13, 2019, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint and to strike certain class allegations. Boeing also moved to dismiss. On February 14, 2020, the trial court issued a ruling that granted in part and denied in part the motions to dismiss the complaint. The trial court order, among other things: (i) dismissed without prejudice various state law claims that the plaintiffs abandoned in response to the motions, (ii) dismissed with prejudice the remaining state law claims, including fraud by concealment, fraud by misrepresentation, and negligent misrepresentation on the grounds that federal law preempts those claims, and (iii) found that plaintiffs lack Article III standing to pursue one of the plaintiffs’ theories
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of RICO injury. The order denied the motion to dismiss with respect to two RICO claims premised upon a second
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theory of RICO injury and denied the motion to strike the class allegations at the pleadings stage. Discovery is ongoing, class certification briefing has been completed, and a class certification hearing was held before the court on April 26, 2021. The Company denies all allegations of wrongdoing, including those in the complaint that were not dismissed. The Company believes the plaintiffs' positions are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself.

On February 19, 2020, a complaint alleging violations of federal securities laws and seeking certification as a class action was filed against the Company and certain of its officers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Dallas. A lead plaintiff has been appointed in the case, and an amended complaint was filed on July 2, 2020. The amended complaint seeks damages on behalf of a putative class of persons who purchased the Company’s common stock between February 7, 2017, and January 29, 2020. The amended complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act and alleges that the Company made material misstatements to investors regarding the Company’s safety and maintenance practices and its compliance with federal regulations and requirements. The amended complaint generally seeks money damages, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, and attorneys’ fees and other costs. On August 17, 2020, the Company and the individual defendants filed a motion to dismiss. On October 1, 2020, the lead plaintiff filed a response in opposition to the motion to dismiss. The Company filed a reply on or about October 21, 2020, such that the motion is now fully briefed, although the parties have each supplemented their prior briefing with regard to more recent case holdings in other matters. The Company denies all allegations of wrongdoing, including those in the amended complaint. The Company believes the plaintiffs' positions are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself.

On June 22, 2020, a derivative action for breach of fiduciary duty was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas naming the members of the Company's Board of Directors as defendants and the Company as a nominal defendant. The plaintiff alleges unspecified damage to Company’s reputation, goodwill, and standing in the community, as well as damage from exposure to civil and regulatory liability and defense costs. According to the lawsuit, these damages arise from the Company’s alleged failure to comply with safety and record maintenance regulations and false statements in public filings regarding the Company’s safety practices. The plaintiff alleges the Board, in the absence of good faith, exhibited reckless disregard for its duties of oversight. The lawsuit is in its early stages, and the Board and Company deny all allegations of wrongdoing.

The Company is from time to time subject to various legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, examinations by the IRS.

The Company’s management does not expect that the outcome in any of its currently ongoing legal proceedings or the outcome of any proposed adjustments presented to date by the IRS, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

ThereExcept for the additional risk factor set forth below, there have been no material changes to the factors disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Company’s business is labor intensive; therefore, the Company would be adversely affected if it were unable to employ sufficient numbers of qualified Employees to maintain its operations.

The Company’s success depends on its ability to attract and retain skilled personnel. The Company's Pilots are subject to the FAA's mandatory retirement age of 65, and all operational employees are subject to training and certification standards. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had a significantly smaller workforce than it did prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the demand for leisure travel throughout the domestic airline industry accelerated in the first half of 2021. Competition for skilled personnel may continue to intensify if overall industry capacity continues to increase and/or the Company were to incur attrition at levels higher than it has historically. The Company has recently determined to increase the minimum compensation of certain of its workforce and may continue to be required to increase existing levels of compensation to retain or supplement its skilled workforce. The inability to recruit and retain skilled personnel or the unexpected loss of key skilled personnel could adversely affect the Company’s operations.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a) InAs previously disclosed, (i) in connection with funding that the Company had received under the PSP2 Payroll Support Program, Extension, the Company has issued PSP2 Warrantswarrants to acquire up to 1.2 million168 thousand shares of the Company's common stock since JanuaryMarch 31, 2021, to Treasury and (ii) in connection with funding that the Company had received under the PSP3 Payroll Support Program, the Company has issued warrants to acquire up to 899 thousand shares of the Company's common stock since April 2021 to Treasury, in each case under an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. For additional information regarding the PSP2 Warrants,warrants, see Note 2 of the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

(c) On May 15, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.0 billion of the Company’s common stock. Subject to certain conditions, including restrictions on the Company pursuant to the CARES Act, the Payroll Support Program Extension, and the PSP3 Payroll Support Program through September 30, 2022, repurchases may be made in accordance with applicable securities laws in open market or private, including accelerated, repurchase transactions from time to time, depending on market conditions. The Company has announced it has suspended further share repurchase activity until further notice. The Company has approximately $899 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

Item 5. Other Information

On January 15, 2021, the Company entered into definitive documentation with the United States Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) with respect to funding support pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of Division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “PSP Extension Law”). On January 15, 2021, the Company entered into a payroll support program extension agreement (the "Payroll Support Program Extension"), pursuant to which the Company received payroll support funding (“PSP2 Payroll Support”) under the PSP Extension Law. As consideration for the PSP2 Payroll Support, the Company issued a promissory note (the “PSP2 Note”) in favor of Treasury and entered into a warrant agreement with Treasury (the “PSP2 Warrant Agreement” and, together with the Payroll Support Program Extension and the PSP2 Note, the “PSP2 Payroll Support Documents”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue warrants (each, a “PSP2 Warrant”) to purchase common stock of the Company to Treasury in connection with each disbursement of PSP2 Payroll Support. The Company received disbursements of PSP2 Payroll Support on each of January 15, 2021 and March 5, 2021.

On April 23, 2021, the Company received additional PSP2 Payroll Support from Treasury in the amount of $259,105,560 (the “Additional PSP2 Support”), for which the Company provided Treasury consideration in the form of an increase of the PSP2 Note in an amount of $77,731,668 and a PSP2 Warrant to purchase up to 167,960 shares of the Company’s common stock under the PSP2 Warrant Agreement. After taking into account the Additional PSP2 Support, the Company has received $1,986,475,960 of PSP2 Payroll Support, for which the Company has provided Treasury with a PSP2 Note in the aggregate amount of $565,942,788 and PSP2 Warrants to purchase up to 1,222,867 shares of the Company’s common stock.

None
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A description of the PSP2 Payroll Support Documents can be found in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on January 15, 2021, and a copy of each PSP2 Payroll Support Document is attached as an exhibit thereto. See Note 2 to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

On April 23, 2021, the Company entered into definitive documentation with Treasury with respect to funding support pursuant to Section 7301 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “ARP”). Funds received under the ARP must be used to pay qualifying employee salaries, wages and benefits. The Company’s expected aggregate receipts under the program total $1,852,786,128, for which the Company expects to provide Treasury consideration in the form of (i) a promissory note in an amount equal to $525,835,838 and (ii) warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 898,711 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to adjustments by Treasury pursuant to the terms of the warrants in each case. Funds are expected to be disbursed to the Company in multiple installments.

On April 23, 2021, the Company entered into a Payroll Support Program 3 Agreement (the “PSP3 Agreement”) with Treasury, pursuant to which the Company will receive payroll support funding (“PSP3 Payroll Support”) under the ARP. On April 23, 2021, the Company received $926,393,064, or 50 percent, of the total expected PSP3 Payroll Support (the “Initial PSP3 Payroll Support”) pursuant to the ARP. Pursuant to the PSP3 Agreement and the ARP, in connection with the receipt of PSP3 Payroll Support, the Company is subject to certain restrictions, including prohibitions against involuntary furloughs and reductions in employee pay rates and benefits from the date of the PSP3 Agreement through the later of September 30, 2021 and the date the Company has expended all of the PSP3 Payroll Support; the elimination of share repurchases and dividends through September 30, 2022; and limits on executive compensation until April 1, 2023.

As consideration for the PSP3 Payroll Support, on April 23, 2021, the Company issued a promissory note (the “PSP3 Note”) in favor of Treasury and entered into a warrant agreement with Treasury (the “PSP3 Warrant Agreement” and together with the PSP3 Agreement and the PSP3 Note, the “PSP3 Payroll Support Documents”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue warrants (each, a “PSP3 Warrant”) to purchase common stock of the Company to Treasury. In connection with the disbursement of the Initial PSP3 Payroll Support on April 23, 2021, the PSP3 Note was issued in an initial amount of $247,917,919, and the Company issued a PSP3 Warrant to purchase up to 423,719 shares of common stock. Upon each subsequent disbursement of PSP3 Payroll Support to the Company under the PSP3 Agreement after April 23, 2021, (i) the principal amount of the PSP3 Note will automatically be increased in an amount equal to 30 percent of any such disbursement and (ii) the Company will issue an additional PSP3 Warrant to Treasury in an amount equal to 10 percent of the principal amount of the increase to the PSP3 Note in connection with such disbursement of PSP3 Payroll Support, divided by the strike price of $58.51 (which was the closing price of the Company’s common stock on March 10, 2021).

The PSP3 Note matures in full on April 23, 2031, and is subject to mandatory prepayment requirements in connection with certain change of control triggering events that may occur prior to its maturity. The Company has an option to prepay the PSP3 Note at any time without premium or penalty. Amounts outstanding under the PSP3 Note bear interest at a rate of 1.00 percent before April 23, 2026 and, afterwards, at a rate equal to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or other benchmark replacement rate consistent with customary market conventions plus a margin of 2.00 percent. The PSP3 Note contains customary representations and warranties and events of default.

The PSP3 Warrant Agreement sets out the Company’s obligations to issue PSP3 Warrants in connection with disbursements of PSP3 Payroll Support and to file or designate a resale shelf registration statement for the PSP3 Warrants and the underlying shares of common stock. The Company has also granted Treasury certain demand underwritten offering and piggyback registration rights with respect to the PSP3 Warrants and the underlying common stock. Each PSP3 Warrant is exercisable at a strike price of $58.51 per share of common stock and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the issue date of such PSP3 Warrant. The PSP3 Warrants will be settled through net share settlement or net cash settlement, at the Company’s option. The PSP3 Warrants include adjustments for below market issuances, payment of dividends and other customary anti-dilution provisions. The PSP3 Warrants do not have voting rights.
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The description of the PSP3 Payroll Support Documents in this Item 5 is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of each of the PSP3 Payroll Support Documents, copies of which are filed as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The PSP3 Payroll Support Documents are not intended to be a source of factual, business, or operational information about the Company or its subsidiaries. The representations and warranties and covenants contained in the PSP3 Payroll Support Documents were made only for purposes of such agreements and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreements, and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the parties, including being qualified by disclosures for the purpose of allocating contractual risk between the parties instead of establishing matters as facts; and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors or security holders. Accordingly, investors should not rely on the representations, warranties, and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the Company.
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Item 6. Exhibits
3.1
3.2
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
31.1
31.2
32.1
101.INSXBRL Instance Document - The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

(1) Certain confidential information contained in this agreement has been omitted because it (i) is both not material and (ii) would likely cause competitive harm tois of the Company if publicly disclosed.type that the registrant treats as private or confidential.
(2) Furnished, not filed.




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SIGNATURES
 

 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
   
AprilJuly 27, 2021By:/s/   Tammy Romo
   
  Tammy Romo
  Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
  (On behalf of the Registrant and in
  her capacity as Principal Financial
  and Accounting Officer)
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