Document_and_Entity_Informatio
Document and Entity Information | 9 Months Ended | |
Sep. 30, 2014 | Oct. 15, 2014 | |
Document Information [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Document Type | '10-Q | ' |
Amendment Flag | 'false | ' |
Document Period End Date | 30-Sep-14 | ' |
Document Fiscal Year Focus | '2014 | ' |
Document Fiscal Period Focus | 'Q3 | ' |
Trading Symbol | 'UAL | ' |
Entity Registrant Name | 'United Continental Holdings, Inc. | ' |
Entity Central Index Key | '0000100517 | ' |
Current Fiscal Year End Date | '--12-31 | ' |
Entity Filer Category | 'Large Accelerated Filer | ' |
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | ' | 369,070,761 |
United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Document Information [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Entity Registrant Name | 'United Airlines, Inc. | ' |
Entity Central Index Key | '0000319687 | ' |
Current Fiscal Year End Date | '--12-31 | ' |
Entity Filer Category | 'Non-accelerated Filer | ' |
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | ' | 1,000 |
Statements_of_Consolidated_Ope
Statements of Consolidated Operations (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 |
Operating revenue: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Passenger-Mainline | $7,414 | $7,025 | $20,410 | $19,792 |
Passenger-Regional | 1,900 | 1,893 | 5,269 | 5,353 |
Total passenger revenue | 9,314 | 8,918 | 25,679 | 25,145 |
Cargo | 237 | 199 | 678 | 662 |
Other operating revenue | 1,012 | 1,111 | 3,231 | 3,143 |
Total revenue | 10,563 | 10,228 | 29,588 | 28,950 |
Operating expense: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Aircraft fuel | 3,127 | 3,262 | 9,145 | 9,380 |
Salaries and related costs | 2,344 | 2,209 | 6,684 | 6,511 |
Regional capacity purchase | 597 | 621 | 1,747 | 1,837 |
Landing fees and other rent | 567 | 540 | 1,706 | 1,544 |
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs | 435 | 472 | 1,364 | 1,390 |
Depreciation and amortization | 422 | 435 | 1,248 | 1,268 |
Distribution expenses | 375 | 377 | 1,039 | 1,052 |
Aircraft rent | 222 | 231 | 668 | 706 |
Special charges | 43 | 211 | 264 | 355 |
Other operating expenses | 1,240 | 1,362 | 3,975 | 3,893 |
Total operating expenses | 9,372 | 9,720 | 27,840 | 27,936 |
Operating income | 1,191 | 508 | 1,748 | 1,014 |
Nonoperating income (expense): | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Interest expense | -186 | -195 | -559 | -590 |
Interest capitalized | 13 | 12 | 40 | 35 |
Interest income | 8 | 5 | 17 | 16 |
Miscellaneous, net | -106 | 52 | -141 | -48 |
Total other expense | -271 | -126 | -643 | -587 |
Income before income taxes | 920 | 382 | 1,105 | 427 |
Income tax expense (benefit) | -4 | 3 | 1 | -4 |
Net income | 924 | 379 | 1,104 | 431 |
Earnings per share, basic | $2.49 | $1.06 | $2.97 | $1.25 |
Earnings per share, diluted | $2.37 | $0.98 | $2.84 | $1.15 |
United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Operating revenue: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Passenger-Mainline | 7,414 | 7,025 | 20,410 | 19,792 |
Passenger-Regional | 1,900 | 1,893 | 5,269 | 5,353 |
Total passenger revenue | 9,314 | 8,918 | 25,679 | 25,145 |
Cargo | 237 | 199 | 678 | 662 |
Other operating revenue | 1,012 | 1,113 | 3,231 | 3,149 |
Total revenue | 10,563 | 10,230 | 29,588 | 28,956 |
Operating expense: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Aircraft fuel | 3,127 | 3,262 | 9,145 | 9,380 |
Salaries and related costs | 2,344 | 2,209 | 6,684 | 6,511 |
Regional capacity purchase | 597 | 621 | 1,747 | 1,837 |
Landing fees and other rent | 567 | 540 | 1,706 | 1,544 |
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs | 435 | 472 | 1,364 | 1,390 |
Depreciation and amortization | 422 | 435 | 1,248 | 1,268 |
Distribution expenses | 375 | 377 | 1,039 | 1,052 |
Aircraft rent | 222 | 231 | 668 | 706 |
Special charges | 43 | 211 | 264 | 355 |
Other operating expenses | 1,245 | 1,362 | 3,972 | 3,892 |
Total operating expenses | 9,377 | 9,720 | 27,837 | 27,935 |
Operating income | 1,186 | 510 | 1,751 | 1,021 |
Nonoperating income (expense): | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Interest expense | -187 | -195 | -564 | -586 |
Interest capitalized | 13 | 12 | 40 | 35 |
Interest income | 8 | 5 | 17 | 16 |
Miscellaneous, net | -91 | 50 | -121 | 18 |
Total other expense | -257 | -128 | -628 | -517 |
Income before income taxes | 929 | 382 | 1,123 | 504 |
Income tax expense (benefit) | -4 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
Net income | $933 | $378 | $1,122 | $500 |
Statements_of_Consolidated_Com
Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | ||||
Net income | $924 | $379 | $1,104 | $431 | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net change related to: | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Fuel derivative financial instruments | -120 | 30 | -95 | 20 | ||||
Employee benefit plans | -82 | 51 | -121 | 531 | ||||
Investments and other | 1 | -5 | -4 | 2 | ||||
Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments | -201 | [1] | 76 | [1] | -220 | [1] | 553 | [1] |
Total comprehensive income, net | 723 | 455 | 884 | 984 | ||||
United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Net income | 933 | 378 | 1,122 | 500 | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net change related to: | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Fuel derivative financial instruments | -120 | 30 | -95 | 20 | ||||
Employee benefit plans | -82 | 51 | -121 | 531 | ||||
Investments and other | 1 | -5 | -4 | 3 | ||||
Other | ' | ' | ' | 6 | ||||
Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments | -201 | 76 | -220 | 560 | ||||
Total comprehensive income, net | $732 | $454 | $902 | $1,060 | ||||
[1] | UAL and United amounts are substantially the same except for an additional $6 million of income tax benefit at United and additional gains related to investments and other of $1 million at United in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. |
Consolidated_Balance_Sheets
Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) | Sep. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||||
Current assets: | ' | ' | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $3,117 | $3,220 | ||
Short-term investments | 2,397 | 1,901 | ||
Total unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments | 5,514 | 5,121 | ||
Restricted cash | 32 | 31 | ||
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2014-$24; 2013-$13) | 1,559 | 1,503 | ||
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2014-$161; 2013-$162) | 700 | 667 | ||
Deferred income taxes | 582 | 676 | ||
Prepaid expenses and other | 838 | 704 | ||
Total current assets | 9,225 | 8,702 | ||
Operating property and equipment: Owned- | ' | ' | ||
Flight equipment | 20,367 | 18,786 | ||
Other property and equipment | 3,934 | 3,687 | ||
Operating property and equipment - owned, gross | 24,301 | 22,473 | ||
Less-Accumulated depreciation and amortization | -6,894 | -6,080 | ||
Operating property and equipment - owned, net | 17,407 | 16,393 | ||
Purchase deposits for flight equipment | 734 | 706 | ||
Capital leases- | ' | ' | ||
Flight equipment | 1,343 | 1,490 | ||
Other property and equipment | 321 | 307 | ||
Operating property and equipment - capital leases, gross | 1,664 | 1,797 | ||
Less-Accumulated amortization | -862 | -849 | ||
Operating property and equipment - capital leases, net | 802 | 948 | ||
Total property, plant, and equipment, net | 18,943 | 18,047 | ||
Other assets: | ' | ' | ||
Goodwill | 4,523 | 4,523 | ||
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2014-$1,019; 2013-$933) | 4,330 | 4,436 | ||
Restricted cash | 284 | 364 | ||
Other, net | 706 | 740 | ||
Other assets total | 9,843 | 10,063 | ||
Total assets | 38,011 | 36,812 | ||
Current liabilities: | ' | ' | ||
Advance ticket sales | 4,514 | 3,405 | ||
Frequent flyer deferred revenue | 2,090 | 2,369 | ||
Accounts payable | 2,085 | 2,087 | ||
Accrued salaries and benefits | 1,651 | 1,696 | ||
Current maturities of long-term debt | 1,340 | 1,368 | ||
Current maturities of capital leases | 99 | 117 | ||
Other | 1,085 | 1,065 | ||
Total current liabilities | 12,864 | 12,107 | ||
Long-term debt | 9,988 | 10,171 | ||
Long-term obligations under capital leases | 667 | 753 | ||
Other liabilities and deferred credits: | ' | ' | ||
Frequent flyer deferred revenue | 2,820 | 2,535 | ||
Postretirement benefit liability | 1,684 | 1,703 | ||
Pension liability | 1,517 | 1,650 | ||
Advanced purchase of miles | 1,170 | 1,338 | ||
Deferred income taxes | 1,570 | 1,662 | ||
Lease fair value adjustment, net | 496 | 626 | ||
Other | 1,371 | 1,283 | ||
Total non-current liabilities | 10,628 | 10,797 | ||
Commitments and contingencies | ' | ' | ||
Stockholder's equity: | ' | ' | ||
Preferred stock | ' | ' | ||
Common stock | 4 | 4 | ||
Additional capital invested | 7,620 | 7,425 | ||
Accumulated deficit | -3,911 | -5,015 | ||
Stock held in treasury, at cost | -237 | -38 | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 388 | [1] | 608 | [1] |
Total stockholders' equity | 3,864 | 2,984 | ||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit) | 38,011 | 36,812 | ||
United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' | ||
Current assets: | ' | ' | ||
Cash and cash equivalents | 3,111 | 3,214 | ||
Short-term investments | 2,397 | 1,901 | ||
Total unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments | 5,508 | 5,115 | ||
Restricted cash | 32 | 31 | ||
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2014-$24; 2013-$13) | 1,559 | 1,503 | ||
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2014-$161; 2013-$162) | 700 | 667 | ||
Deferred income taxes | 582 | 674 | ||
Prepaid expenses and other | 887 | 705 | ||
Total current assets | 9,268 | 8,695 | ||
Operating property and equipment: Owned- | ' | ' | ||
Flight equipment | 20,367 | 18,786 | ||
Other property and equipment | 3,934 | 3,687 | ||
Operating property and equipment - owned, gross | 24,301 | 22,473 | ||
Less-Accumulated depreciation and amortization | -6,894 | -6,080 | ||
Operating property and equipment - owned, net | 17,407 | 16,393 | ||
Purchase deposits for flight equipment | 734 | 706 | ||
Capital leases- | ' | ' | ||
Flight equipment | 1,343 | 1,490 | ||
Other property and equipment | 321 | 307 | ||
Operating property and equipment - capital leases, gross | 1,664 | 1,797 | ||
Less-Accumulated amortization | -862 | -849 | ||
Operating property and equipment - capital leases, net | 802 | 948 | ||
Total property, plant, and equipment, net | 18,943 | 18,047 | ||
Other assets: | ' | ' | ||
Goodwill | 4,523 | 4,523 | ||
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2014-$1,019; 2013-$933) | 4,330 | 4,436 | ||
Restricted cash | 284 | 364 | ||
Other, net | 1,204 | 1,221 | ||
Other assets total | 10,341 | 10,544 | ||
Total assets | 38,552 | 37,286 | ||
Current liabilities: | ' | ' | ||
Advance ticket sales | 4,514 | 3,405 | ||
Frequent flyer deferred revenue | 2,090 | 2,369 | ||
Accounts payable | 2,089 | 2,092 | ||
Accrued salaries and benefits | 1,651 | 1,696 | ||
Current maturities of long-term debt | 1,340 | 1,368 | ||
Current maturities of capital leases | 99 | 117 | ||
Payables to related parties | ' | 114 | ||
Other | 1,086 | 1,064 | ||
Total current liabilities | 12,869 | 12,225 | ||
Long-term debt | 9,892 | 10,020 | ||
Long-term obligations under capital leases | 667 | 753 | ||
Other liabilities and deferred credits: | ' | ' | ||
Frequent flyer deferred revenue | 2,820 | 2,535 | ||
Postretirement benefit liability | 1,684 | 1,703 | ||
Pension liability | 1,517 | 1,650 | ||
Advanced purchase of miles | 1,170 | 1,338 | ||
Deferred income taxes | 1,571 | 1,661 | ||
Lease fair value adjustment, net | 496 | 626 | ||
Other | 1,667 | 1,552 | ||
Total non-current liabilities | 10,925 | 11,065 | ||
Commitments and contingencies | ' | ' | ||
Stockholder's equity: | ' | ' | ||
Common stock | ' | ' | ||
Additional capital invested | 7,433 | 7,590 | ||
Accumulated deficit | -3,619 | -4,743 | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 388 | 608 | ||
Receivable from related parties | -3 | -232 | ||
Total stockholders' equity | 4,199 | 3,223 | ||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit) | $38,552 | $37,286 | ||
[1] | UAL and United amounts are substantially the same except for an additional $6 million of income tax benefit at United and additional gains related to investments and other of $1 million at United in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. |
Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) | Sep. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | ||
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts | $24 | $13 |
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, obsolescence allowance | 161 | 162 |
Intangibles, accumulated amortization | 1,019 | 933 |
Common stock, par value | $0.01 | $0.01 |
Common shares, authorized | 1,000,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 |
Common shares, outstanding | 369,728,970 | 362,283,555 |
United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts | 24 | 13 |
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, obsolescence allowance | 161 | 162 |
Intangibles, accumulated amortization | $1,019 | $933 |
Common stock, par value | $0.01 | $0.01 |
Common shares, authorized | 1,000 | 1,000 |
Common shares, issued | 1,000 | 1,000 |
Common shares, outstanding | 1,000 | 1,000 |
Condensed_Statements_of_Consol
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (USD $) | 9 Months Ended | |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ' | ' |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $2,732 | $1,778 |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ' | ' |
Capital expenditures | -1,345 | -1,399 |
Increase in short-term and other investments, net | -471 | -22 |
Decrease in restricted cash, net | 79 | 35 |
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 73 | 65 |
Other, net | 34 | 22 |
Net cash used in investing activities | -1,630 | -1,299 |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ' | ' |
Payments of long-term debt | -2,001 | -1,965 |
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 1,177 | 819 |
Repurchases of common stock | -220 | ' |
Principal payments under capital leases | -81 | -98 |
Other, net | -80 | -70 |
Net cash used in financing activities | -1,205 | -1,314 |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | -103 | -835 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period | 3,220 | 4,770 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period | 3,117 | 3,935 |
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash: | ' | ' |
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt and capital leases | 765 | 239 |
Exchanges of certain convertible notes for common stock | 202 | 240 |
Airport construction financing | 14 | 35 |
United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ' | ' |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 2,623 | 1,774 |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ' | ' |
Capital expenditures | -1,345 | -1,399 |
Increase in short-term and other investments, net | -471 | -22 |
Decrease in restricted cash, net | 79 | 36 |
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment | 73 | 65 |
Other, net | 34 | 20 |
Net cash used in investing activities | -1,630 | -1,300 |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ' | ' |
Payments of long-term debt | -2,001 | -1,965 |
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 1,177 | 819 |
Principal payments under capital leases | -81 | -98 |
Dividend to UAL | -120 | ' |
Other, net | -71 | -67 |
Net cash used in financing activities | -1,096 | -1,311 |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | -103 | -837 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period | 3,214 | 4,765 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period | 3,111 | 3,928 |
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash: | ' | ' |
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt and capital leases | 765 | 239 |
Transfer of UAL subsidiaries to United | 186 | ' |
Exchanges of certain convertible notes for common stock | 156 | ' |
Airport construction financing | $14 | $35 |
Significant_Accounting_Policie
Significant Accounting Policies | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2014 | |
Significant Accounting Policies | ' |
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | |
Frequent Flyer Accounting. On March 30, 2014, US Airways exited Star Alliance. Effective with the exit date, the Company updated its estimated selling price for miles to a value based on the equivalent ticket value less fulfillment discount, which incorporates the expected redemption of miles. The equivalent ticket value used as the basis for the estimated selling price of miles is based on the prior 12 months’ weighted average equivalent ticket value of similar fares as those used to settle award redemptions while taking into consideration such factors as redemption pattern, cabin class, loyalty status and geographic region. The estimated selling price of miles is adjusted by a fulfillment discount that considers a number of factors, including redemption patterns of various customer groups. This change in estimate was applied on a prospective basis beginning April 1, 2014. The estimated impact of this change on consolidated revenue is expected to be an increase of approximately $75 million in 2014. | |
During the third quarter of 2014, the Company refined its estimate of the number of miles that have been redeemed for award travel, but for which travel has not occurred, to a computation that uses actual miles open versus a historical average. Although this change is not expected to significantly impact the reported amount of passenger revenue recognized in 2014 or in any future years, the new estimate will likely result in more seasonality in the results between quarters. The Company expects that based on historical redemption and travel patterns, using the revised method will result in lower revenue from frequent flyer awards redeemed during the first quarter and higher revenue during the third quarter in future periods than historical amounts, with minimal differences during the second and fourth quarters. | |
Related Party Receivables. At December 31, 2013, United had receivables from two affiliates, which were wholly-owned subsidiaries of UAL, of $232 million that were classified against stockholder’s equity. UAL transferred all of its equity interest in each of the two subsidiaries to United in the first quarter of 2014, and the transfers have been reflected as reductions in paid in capital. | |
Recently Issued Accounting Standards. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This amendment prescribes that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendment supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. The amendments will become effective for the Company’s annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact on its financial statements. |
Earnings_Per_Share
Earnings Per Share | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||
Earnings Per Share | ' | ||||||||||||||||
NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE | |||||||||||||||||
The table below represents the computation of UAL’s basic and diluted earnings per share amounts and the number of securities that have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share amounts because they were antidilutive (in millions, except per share amounts): | |||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 924 | $ | 379 | $ | 1,104 | $ | 431 | |||||||||
Less: Income allocable to participating securities | -1 | -1 | -2 | -1 | |||||||||||||
Earnings available to common stockholders | $ | 923 | $ | 378 | $ | 1,102 | $ | 430 | |||||||||
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding | 370 | 357 | 370 | 343 | |||||||||||||
Earnings per share, basic | $ | 2.49 | $ | 1.06 | $ | 2.97 | $ | 1.25 | |||||||||
Diluted earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||
Earnings available to common stockholders | $ | 923 | $ | 378 | $ | 1,102 | $ | 430 | |||||||||
Effect of convertible notes | 6 | 9 | 20 | 20 | |||||||||||||
Earnings available to common stockholders including the effect of dilutive securities | $ | 929 | $ | 387 | $ | 1,122 | $ | 450 | |||||||||
Diluted shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding | 370 | 357 | 370 | 343 | |||||||||||||
Effect of convertible notes | 22 | 37 | 24 | 46 | |||||||||||||
Effect of employee stock options | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 392 | 395 | 395 | 390 | |||||||||||||
Earnings per share, diluted | $ | 2.37 | $ | 0.98 | $ | 2.84 | $ | 1.15 | |||||||||
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts: | |||||||||||||||||
Restricted stock and stock options | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | |||||||||||||
Convertible notes | — | — | — | 4 | |||||||||||||
During the second quarter of 2014, UAL used cash to purchase and retire $28 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.5% Convertible Notes due 2015 (the “4.5% Convertible Notes”) in market transactions. The corresponding equivalent amount of shares of UAL common stock are excluded from the determination of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 from the date the debt was purchased. | |||||||||||||||||
In the first quarter of 2014, UAL issued approximately five million shares of UAL common stock in exchange for, or upon conversion of, $46 million in aggregate principal amount of UAL’s outstanding 6% convertible senior notes due 2029 held by holders of these notes. The newly issued shares of UAL common stock are included in the determination of basic weighted-average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 from the date the shares were issued. The Company retired the 6% convertible senior notes acquired in the exchange. In October 2014, UAL notified holders of these notes of its intention to redeem the $58 million of notes outstanding with the redemption scheduled to occur in late November 2014. The holders of these notes have the right to convert their notes into shares of UAL common stock prior to redemption at a conversion rate of 115.1013 per $1,000 principal amount of notes. If all of the holders of these notes exercise their conversion right, UAL would issue approximately 6.7 million shares of UAL common stock upon conversion. | |||||||||||||||||
Also on January 10, 2014, UAL called the 4.5% Senior Limited-Subordination Convertible Notes due 2021 (the “4.5% Notes”) that remained outstanding for redemption on February 10, 2014. In the first quarter of 2014, holders of substantially all of the remaining $156 million outstanding principal amount of the 4.5% Notes exercised their right to convert such notes into approximately five million shares of UAL common stock at a conversion rate of 30.6419 shares of UAL common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 4.5% Notes. The newly issued shares of UAL common stock are included in the determination of basic weighted-average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 from the date the shares were issued. See Note 9 for additional information related to exercises of rights under the 4.5% Notes. | |||||||||||||||||
UAL’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to acquire up to $1 billion of UAL’s common stock. UAL may repurchase shares through the open market, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, or accelerated share repurchase transactions from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws. UAL will repurchase shares of common stock subject to prevailing market conditions, and may discontinue such repurchases at any time. | |||||||||||||||||
On July 24, 2014, pursuant to the $1.0 billion share repurchase program, UAL entered into two separate agreements to repurchase an aggregate of $200 million of shares of UAL common stock through an accelerated share repurchase program (the “ASR Program”). UAL paid $200 million and received approximately 4.4 million shares. In addition to shares purchased under the ASR Program, UAL spent $20 million on open market repurchases of 0.4 million shares of UAL common stock in September 2014. See Part II, Item 2., “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” of this report for additional information. |
Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | ' | ||||||||||||||||||
NOTE 3 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) | |||||||||||||||||||
The tables below present the components of the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (“AOCI”) (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||
UAL (a) | Pension and | Derivative | Investments | Total | |||||||||||||||
Other | Contracts | and Other | |||||||||||||||||
Postretirement | |||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2014 | $ | 545 | $ | 36 | $ | 8 | $ | 589 | |||||||||||
Changes in value | -66 | -120 | 3 | -183 | |||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified to earnings | -16 | — | -2 | -18 | |||||||||||||||
Net change | -82 | -120 | 1 | -201 | |||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2014 | $ | 463 | $ | -84 | $ | 9 | $ | 388 | |||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2013 | $ | 584 | $ | 11 | $ | 13 | $ | 608 | |||||||||||
Changes in value | -71 | -99 | 4 | -166 | |||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified to earnings | -50 | 4 | -8 | -54 | |||||||||||||||
Net change | -121 | -95 | -4 | -220 | |||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2014 | $ | 463 | $ | -84 | $ | 9 | $ | 388 | |||||||||||
UAL (a) | Pension and | Derivative | Investments | Total | |||||||||||||||
Other | Contracts | and Other | |||||||||||||||||
Postretirement | |||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2013 | $ | -562 | $ | -20 | $ | 13 | $ | -569 | |||||||||||
Changes in value | 41 | 44 | -5 | 80 | |||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified to earnings | 10 | -14 | — | -4 | |||||||||||||||
Net change | 51 | 30 | -5 | 76 | |||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2013 | $ | -511 | $ | 10 | $ | 8 | $ | -493 | |||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 | $ | -1,042 | $ | -10 | $ | 6 | $ | (1,046) | |||||||||||
Changes in value | 483 | 16 | 2 | 501 | |||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified to earnings | 48 | 4 | — | 52 | |||||||||||||||
Net change | 531 | 20 | 2 | 553 | |||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2013 | $ | -511 | $ | 10 | $ | 8 | $ | -493 | |||||||||||
Details about AOCI | Amount Reclassified from AOCI to | Affected Line Item in | |||||||||||||||||
Components | Income | the Statements of | |||||||||||||||||
Consolidated Operations | |||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | |||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts-reclassifications of (gains) losses into earnings (b) | $ | — | $ | (14 | ) | $ | 4 | $ | 4 | Aircraft fuel | |||||||||
Amortization of pension and post-retirement items | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized (gains) losses and prior service cost (credit) (b) (c) | $ | -16 | $ | 10 | $ | (50 | ) | $ | 48 | Salaries and related costs | |||||||||
Investments and other | |||||||||||||||||||
Available for sale securities-reclassifications of gains into earnings (b) | $ | -2 | $ | — | $ | (8 | ) | $ | — | Miscellaneous, net | |||||||||
(a) UAL and United amounts are substantially the same except for an additional $6 million of income tax benefit at United and additional gains related to investments and other of $1 million at United in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||
(b) | Income tax expense for these items was offset by the Company’s valuation allowance. | ||||||||||||||||||
(c) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs (see Note 5 of this report for additional information). | |||||||||||||||||||
Income_Taxes
Income Taxes | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2014 | |
Income Taxes | ' |
NOTE 4 - INCOME TAXES | |
Our effective tax rates are lower than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily because of the impact of changes to existing valuation allowances. We continue to provide a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets in excess of deferred tax liabilities because we have concluded that it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will ultimately not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income (including the reversals of deferred tax liabilities) during the periods in which those deferred tax assets will become deductible. The Company’s management assesses available positive and negative evidence regarding the realizability of its deferred tax assets and records a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will not be realized. To form a conclusion, management considers positive evidence in the form of reversing temporary differences, projections of future taxable income and tax planning strategies and negative evidence such as historical losses. Although the Company was not in a three-year cumulative loss position at the end of 2013, management determined that the modest level of cumulative pretax income supports the conclusion that the valuation allowance is still necessary. Management will continue to evaluate future financial performance to determine whether such performance is both sustained and significant enough to provide sufficient evidence to support reversal of the valuation allowance. |
Employee_Benefit_Plans
Employee Benefit Plans | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||
Employee Benefit Plans | ' | ||||||||||||||||
NOTE 5 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS | |||||||||||||||||
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. The Company’s net periodic benefit cost includes the following components (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||
Pension Benefits | Other Postretirement Benefits | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 24 | $ | 29 | $ | 5 | $ | 14 | |||||||||
Interest cost | 50 | 48 | 22 | 29 | |||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | -45 | -41 | -1 | -1 | |||||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit) | 3 | 8 | -19 | 2 | |||||||||||||
Settlement gain | -1 | -1 | — | — | |||||||||||||
Total | $ | 31 | $ | 43 | $ | 7 | $ | 44 | |||||||||
Pension Benefits | Other Postretirement Benefits | ||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 73 | $ | 94 | $ | 14 | $ | 42 | |||||||||
Interest cost | 151 | 142 | 66 | 85 | |||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | -134 | -121 | -2 | -2 | |||||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit) | 8 | 41 | -58 | 7 | |||||||||||||
Curtailment loss | — | 2 | — | — | |||||||||||||
Settlement gain | -1 | -2 | — | — | |||||||||||||
Total | $ | 97 | $ | 156 | $ | 20 | $ | 132 | |||||||||
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company contributed $160 million and $278 million, respectively, to its tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans. | |||||||||||||||||
Settlement and Plan Remeasurement. During September 2014, the Company recognized a settlement gain of $1 million in earnings resulting from certain lump-sum payments under a separate defined benefit pension plan. Application of settlement accounting required the Company to remeasure the assets and liabilities of this plan in the third quarter of 2014. The Company remeasured the pension plan’s liabilities using an average weighted discount rate of 4.28% compared to the year-end 2013 discount rate of 5.09%. As a result of the settlement, the projected benefit obligation of the plan increased by $53 million and Other comprehensive gain decreased by an actuarial loss of $67 million. These items will also result in an increase of approximately $1 million in the expected net periodic benefit cost for the remainder of 2014. The Company recognizes the earnings impacts of its pension plans in Salaries and related costs in the statements of consolidated operations. | |||||||||||||||||
Share-Based Compensation. In February 2014, UAL granted share-based compensation awards pursuant to the United Continental Holdings, Inc. 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan. These share-based compensation awards include approximately 0.3 million shares of restricted stock and 0.5 million restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that vest pro-rata over three years on the anniversary of the grant date. The time-vested RSUs are cash-settled based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date. In addition, the Company granted 0.6 million performance-based RSUs that will vest based on the Company’s return on invested capital for the three years ending December 31, 2016. If this performance condition is achieved, cash payments will be made after the end of the performance period based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date. The Company accounts for the RSUs as liability awards. The table below presents information related to share-based compensation (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense (a) | $ | 23 | $ | 32 | $ | 69 | $ | 72 | |||||||||
September 30, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||
Unrecognized share-based compensation | $ | 62 | $ | 44 | |||||||||||||
(a) Includes $3 million of expense recognized in merger integration-related costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Includes $(2) million and $9 million of (benefit) expense recognized in merger integration-related costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||
Profit Sharing Plans. Substantially all employees participated in profit sharing plans, which depending on the work group, pay from 5% to 20% of total pre-tax earnings, excluding special items and share-based compensation expense, to eligible employees when pre-tax profit, excluding special items, profit sharing expense and share-based compensation program expense, exceeds $10 million. Eligible U.S. co-workers in each participating work group received a profit sharing payout using a formula based on the ratio of each qualified co-worker’s annual eligible earnings to the eligible earnings of all qualified co-workers in all domestic work groups. The international profit sharing plan paid eligible non-U.S. co-workers the same percentage of eligible pay that is calculated under the U.S. profit sharing plan for management and administrative employees. Profit sharing expense is recorded as a component of Salaries and related costs in the consolidated statements of operations. |
Financial_Instruments_and_Fair
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE 6 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The table below presents disclosures about the financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s financial statements (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UAL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,117 | $ | 3,117 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,220 | $ | 3,220 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed securities | 908 | — | 908 | — | 694 | — | 694 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt | 853 | — | 853 | — | 685 | — | 685 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (“CDARS”) | 305 | — | 305 | — | 301 | — | 301 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auction rate securities | 26 | — | — | 26 | 105 | — | — | 105 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency notes | 41 | — | 41 | — | 38 | — | 38 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other fixed income securities | 264 | — | 264 | — | 78 | — | 78 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel derivatives, net | -114 | — | -114 | — | 104 | — | 104 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Enhanced equipment trust certificates (“EETC”) | 28 | — | — | 28 | 61 | — | — | 61 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency derivative asset (liability), net | 3 | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | 316 | 316 | — | — | 395 | 395 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,111 | $ | 3,111 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,214 | $ | 3,214 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed securities | 908 | — | 908 | — | 694 | — | 694 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt | 853 | — | 853 | — | 685 | — | 685 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDARS | 305 | — | 305 | — | 301 | — | 301 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auction rate securities | 26 | — | — | 26 | 105 | — | — | 105 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency notes | 41 | — | 41 | — | 38 | — | 38 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other fixed income securities | 264 | — | 264 | — | 78 | — | 78 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel derivatives, net | -114 | — | -114 | — | 104 | — | 104 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EETC | 28 | — | — | 28 | 61 | — | — | 61 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency derivative asset (liability), net | 3 | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | 316 | 316 | — | — | 395 | 395 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible debt derivative asset | 498 | — | — | 498 | 480 | — | — | 480 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible debt option liability | -297 | — | — | -297 | -270 | — | — | -270 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Available-for-sale investment maturities - The short-term investments and EETC securities shown in the table above are classified as available-for-sale. As of September 30, 2014, asset-backed securities have remaining maturities of less than one year to approximately 40 years, corporate debt securities have remaining maturities of less than one year to approximately seven years, CDARS have maturities of less than one year, and auction rate securities have remaining maturities of approximately 24 to 32 years. U.S. government and other securities have maturities of less than one year to approximately four years. The EETC securities mature in 2019. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The table below presents disclosures about the activity for “Level 3” financial assets and financial liabilities (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UAL and United | United | UAL and United | United | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Student | EETC | Convertible | Convertible | Student | EETC | Convertible | Convertible | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loan-Related | Debt | Debt | Loan-Related | Debt | Debt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auction Rate | Supplemental | Conversion | Auction Rate | Supplemental | Conversion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities | Derivative | Option | Securities | Derivative | Option | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset | Liability | Asset | Liability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30 | $ | 26 | $ | 59 | $ | 449 | $ | -263 | $ | 115 | $ | 62 | $ | 395 | $ | -199 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases, (sales), issuances and (settlements) (net) | — | -30 | — | — | -9 | -2 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gains and (losses): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reported in earnings: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Realized | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized | — | — | 49 | -34 | — | — | -19 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reported in other comprehensive income (loss) | — | -2 | — | — | -3 | -1 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30 | $ | 26 | $ | 28 | $ | 498 | $ | -297 | $ | 104 | $ | 59 | $ | 376 | $ | -185 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UAL and United | United | UAL and United | United | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Student | EETC | Convertible | Convertible | Student | EETC | Convertible | Convertible | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loan-Related | Debt | Debt | Loan-Related | Debt | Debt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auction Rate | Supplemental | Conversion | Auction Rate | Supplemental | Conversion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities | Derivative | Option | Securities | Derivative | Option | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset | Liability | Asset | Liability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1 | $ | 105 | $ | 61 | $ | 480 | $ | -270 | $ | 116 | $ | 63 | $ | 268 | $ | -128 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases, (sales), issuances and settlements (net) | -84 | -33 | -62 | 34 | -19 | -4 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gains and (losses): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reported in earnings: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Realized | 10 | 1 | -5 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized | — | — | 85 | -66 | 1 | — | 108 | -57 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reported in other comprehensive income (loss) | -5 | -1 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30 | $ | 26 | $ | 28 | $ | 498 | $ | -297 | $ | 104 | $ | 59 | $ | 376 | $ | -185 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
United’s debt-related derivatives presented in the tables above relate to (a) supplemental indenture agreements that provide that United’s convertible debt is convertible into shares of UAL common stock upon the terms and conditions specified in the indentures, and (b) the embedded conversion options in United’s convertible debt that are required to be separated and accounted for as though they are free-standing derivatives as a result of the United debt becoming convertible into the common stock of a different reporting entity. The derivatives described above relate to the 6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2030 and the 4.5% Convertible Notes. Gains (losses) on these derivatives are recorded in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in United’s Statements of Consolidated Operations. These derivatives along with their gains (losses) are reported in United’s separate financial statements and are eliminated in consolidation for UAL. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative instruments and investments presented in the tables above have the same fair value as their carrying value. The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value of Debt by Fair Value Hierarchy Level | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying | Fair Value | Carrying | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UAL debt | $ | 11,328 | $ | 12,386 | $ | — | $ | 8,290 | $ | 4,096 | $ | 11,539 | $ | 12,695 | $ | — | $ | 8,829 | $ | 3,866 | |||||||||||||||||||||
United debt | 11,232 | 12,122 | — | 8,026 | 4,096 | 11,388 | 12,249 | — | 8,383 | 3,866 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Item | Fair Value at | Valuation Technique | Unobservable Input | Weighted Average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auction rate securities | $ | 26 | Valuation Service / Broker Quotes | Broker quotes (a) | NA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EETC | 28 | Discounted Cash Flows | Structure credit risk (b) | 4% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible debt | 498 | Binomial Lattice Model | Expected volatility (c) | 40% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
derivative asset | Own credit risk (d) | 5% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible debt | (297 | ) | Binomial Lattice Model | Expected volatility (c) | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
option liability | Own credit risk (d) | 5% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Broker quotes obtained by a third-party valuation service. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) Represents the credit risk premium of the EETC structure above the risk-free rate that the Company has determined market participants would use when pricing the instruments. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) Represents the volatility estimate that the Company has determined market participants would use when pricing the instruments. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) Represents the Company-specific risk adjustment that the Company has determined market participants would use as a model input. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Valuation Processes - Level 3 Measurements - Depending on the instrument, the Company utilizes broker quotes obtained from third-party valuation services, discounted cash flow methods, or option pricing methods, as indicated above. Valuations using discounted cash flow methods are generally conducted by the Company. Valuations using option pricing models are generally provided to the Company by third-party valuation experts. Each reporting period, the Company reviews the unobservable inputs used by third-party valuation experts for reasonableness utilizing relevant information available to the Company from other sources. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company uses broker quotes obtained from a valuation service (in replacement of a discounted cash flows method) for valuing auction rate securities. This approach provides the best available information. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sensitivity Analysis - Level 3 Measurements - Changes in the structure credit risk would be unlikely to cause material changes in the fair value of the EETCs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the United convertible debt derivative assets and liabilities are the expected volatility in UAL common stock and the Company’s own credit risk. Significant increases (decreases) in expected stock volatility would result in a higher (lower) fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in the Company’s own credit risk would result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement. A change in one of the inputs would not necessarily result in a directionally similar change in the other. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Description | Fair Value Methodology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these assets. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term investments and | Fair value is based on (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar instruments, (b) an income approach, which uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts into a single present amount based on current market expectations about those future amounts when observable trading prices are not available, (c) internally-developed models of the expected future cash flows related to the securities, or (d) broker quotes obtained by third-party valuation services. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel derivatives | Derivative contracts are privately negotiated contracts and are not exchange traded. Fair value measurements are estimated with option pricing models that employ observable inputs. Inputs to the valuation models include contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, fuel price curves and measures of volatility, among others. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency derivatives | Fair value is determined with a formula utilizing observable inputs. Significant inputs to the valuation models include contractual terms, risk-free interest rates and forward exchange rates. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt | Fair values were based on either market prices or the discounted amount of future cash flows using our current incremental rate of borrowing for similar liabilities. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible debt derivative asset and option liability | United used a binomial lattice model to value the conversion options and the supplemental derivative assets. Significant binomial model inputs that are not objectively determinable include volatility and the Company’s credit risk component of the discount rate. |
Hedging_Activities
Hedging Activities | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hedging Activities | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE 7 - HEDGING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel Derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company routinely hedges a portion of its expected aircraft fuel requirements to protect against increases in the price of fuel. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had hedged approximately 39%, 24% and less than 1% of its projected fuel requirements (372 million gallons, 925 million gallons and 35 million gallons, respectively) for the remainder of 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively, with commonly used financial hedge instruments based on aircraft fuel or crude oil. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had fuel hedges expiring through March 2016. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for non-risk management purposes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Upon proper qualification, the Company accounts for certain fuel derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. All derivatives designated as hedges that meet certain requirements are granted hedge accounting treatment. Instruments that qualify for special hedge accounting treatment typically include swaps, call options, collars (which consist of a purchased call option and a sold put option) and four-way collars (a collar with a higher strike sold call option and a lower strike purchased put option). Generally, utilizing hedge accounting, all periodic changes in fair value of the derivatives designated as hedges that are considered to be effective are recorded in AOCI until the underlying fuel is consumed and recorded in fuel expense. The Company is exposed to the risk that its hedges may not be effective in offsetting changes in the cost of fuel and that its hedges may not continue to qualify for hedge accounting. Hedge ineffectiveness results when the change in the fair value of the cash flow hedge exceeds the change in the value of the Company’s expected future cash outlay to purchase fuel. To the extent that the periodic changes in the fair value of the derivatives are not effective, that ineffectiveness is classified as Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company also utilizes certain derivative instruments that are economic hedges but do not qualify for hedge accounting under U.S. GAAP. As with derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting, the purpose of these economic hedges is to mitigate the adverse financial impact of potential increases in the price of fuel. Currently, the only such economic hedges in the Company’s hedging portfolio are three-way collars (a collar with a higher strike sold call option). The Company records changes in the fair value of three-way collars to Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
If the Company settles a derivative prior to its contractual settlement date, then the cumulative gain or loss recognized in AOCI at the termination date remains in AOCI until the forecasted transaction occurs. In a situation where it becomes probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, any gains and/or losses that have been recorded to AOCI would be required to be immediately reclassified into earnings. All cash flows associated with purchasing and settling derivatives are classified as operating cash flows in the condensed statements of consolidated cash flows. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company records each derivative instrument as a derivative asset or liability (on a gross basis) in its consolidated balance sheets, and, accordingly, records any related collateral on a gross basis. The table below presents the fair value amounts of fuel derivative assets and liabilities and the location of amounts recognized in the Company’s financial statements. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company’s derivatives were reported in its consolidated balance sheets as follows (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Classification | Balance Sheet Location | September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts due within one year | Receivables | $ | — | $ | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year | Other assets: Other, net | — | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | — | $ | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts due within one year | Current liabilities: Other | $ | 66 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year | Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other | 16 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 82 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts due within one year | Receivables | $ | — | $ | 70 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year | Other assets: Other, net | 1 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 1 | $ | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts due within one year | Current liabilities: Other | $ | 27 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year | Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other | 6 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 33 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts due within one year | Receivables | $ | — | $ | 89 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year | Other assets: Other, net | 1 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 1 | $ | 104 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts due within one year | Current liabilities: Other | $ | 93 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year | Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other | 22 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 115 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative Credit Risk and Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company is exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to its derivative instruments. While the Company records derivative instruments on a gross basis, the Company monitors its net derivative position with each counterparty to monitor credit risk. Based on the fair value of our fuel derivative instruments, our counterparties may require us to post collateral when the price of the underlying commodity decreases, and we may require our counterparties to provide us with collateral when the price of the underlying commodity increases. The Company did not post or hold collateral as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
We have master trading agreements with all of our fuel hedging counterparties that allow us to net our fuel hedge derivative positions. We have elected not to net the fair value positions recorded on our consolidated balance sheets. The following table shows the potential net fair value positions (including fuel derivatives and related collateral) had we elected to offset. The table reflects offset at the counterparty level (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Receivables | $ | — | $ | 89 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other assets: Other, net | — | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities: Other | (93 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other | (21 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hedge derivatives assets (liabilities), net | $ | (114 | ) | $ | 104 | ||||||||||||||||||||
The following tables present the impact of derivative instruments and their location within the Company’s unaudited statements of consolidated operations (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount of Gain (Loss) | Gain | Amount of Gain (Loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Recognized | Reclassified from | Recognized in | |||||||||||||||||||||||
in AOCI on Derivatives | AOCI into | Nonoperating income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Effective Portion) | Fuel Expense | (expense): Miscellaneous, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Ineffective Portion) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts | $ | (120 | ) | $ | 44 | $ | — | $ | 14 | $ | (8 | ) | $ | 1 | |||||||||||
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount of Gain (Loss) | Loss | Amount of Loss | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Recognized | Reclassified from | Recognized in | |||||||||||||||||||||||
in AOCI on Derivatives | AOCI into | Nonoperating income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Effective Portion) | Fuel Expense | (expense): Miscellaneous, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Ineffective Portion) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts | $ | (99 | ) | $ | 16 | $ | (4 | ) | $ | (4 | ) | $ | (4 | ) | $ | — | |||||||||
Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount of gain (loss) recognized | $ | (102 | ) | $ | 61 | $ | (103 | ) | $ | 30 | |||||||||||||||
in Nonoperating income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(expense): Miscellaneous, net |
Commitments_and_Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||
Commitments and Contingencies | ' | ||||||||
NOTE 8 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | |||||||||
Commitments. As of September 30, 2014, United had firm commitments to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), Embraer S.A. (“Embraer”) and Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”) presented in the table below: | |||||||||
Aircraft Type | Number of Firm | ||||||||
Commitments (a) | |||||||||
Airbus A350-1000 | 35 | ||||||||
Boeing 737-900ER | 39 | ||||||||
Boeing 737 MAX 9 | 100 | ||||||||
Boeing 787-8/-9/-10 | 53 | ||||||||
Embraer 175 | 22 | ||||||||
(a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft. | |||||||||
The aircraft listed in the table above are scheduled for delivery for the remainder of 2014 through 2025. In the remainder of 2014, United expects to take delivery of five Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, one Boeing 787-8 aircraft, one Boeing 787-9 aircraft and 11 Embraer 175 aircraft. | |||||||||
The table below summarizes United’s commitments as of September 30, 2014, which primarily relate to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and include other commitments primarily to acquire information technology services and assets. | |||||||||
(in billions) | |||||||||
Last three months of 2014 | $ | 1.1 | |||||||
2015 | 3.0 | ||||||||
2016 | 1.7 | ||||||||
2017 | 1.2 | ||||||||
2018 | 2.1 | ||||||||
After 2018 | 13.5 | ||||||||
$ | 22.6 | ||||||||
Any incremental firm aircraft orders, including through the exercise of purchase options and purchase rights, will increase the total future capital commitments of the Company. | |||||||||
As of September 2014, United has arranged for EETC and bank debt financing for all 2014 aircraft deliveries and 20 of our 2015 aircraft deliveries, including 11 Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, four Boeing 787-9 aircraft and five Embraer 175 aircraft. In addition, United has secured backstop financing commitments from certain of its aircraft manufacturers for a limited number of its future aircraft deliveries, subject to certain customary conditions. Financing will be necessary to satisfy the Company’s capital commitments for its firm order aircraft and other related capital expenditures. The Company can provide no assurance that any financing not already in place for aircraft and spare engine deliveries will be available to the Company on acceptable terms when necessary or at all. See Note 9 of this report for additional information on aircraft financing. | |||||||||
Aircraft Operating Leases and Capacity Purchase Agreements | |||||||||
In September 2014, United entered into an amendment to a contract with Shuttle America Corporation (“Shuttle America”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, for Shuttle America to operate 50 new Embraer 175 aircraft under the United Express brand and extend the term of 38 existing Embraer 170 aircraft operating under the United Express brand. Shuttle America will acquire fifty 76-seat Embraer 175 aircraft with deliveries from 2015 through 2017, although United has the right to acquire the aircraft under certain circumstances and lease the aircraft to Shuttle America. These 50 aircraft are in addition to United’s other 70 Embraer 175 aircraft that are currently being operated or will in the future be operated by different United Express carriers under capacity purchase agreements (“CPAs”). In a separate but related amendment with Republic Airways Holdings Inc. and its subsidiary, Republic Airline Inc. (“Republic”), United and Republic agreed to remove 31 Q400 aircraft from United Express service in 2015 and 2016. | |||||||||
The table below summarizes the Company’s future payments through the end of the terms of our CPAs, excluding variable pass-through costs such as fuel and landing fees, among others. In addition, the table below summarizes the Company’s scheduled future minimum lease payments under aircraft operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms of more than one year and includes aircraft rent or ownership costs under CPAs, including estimated commitments under the Shuttle America contract for the Embraer 175 aircraft which will be delivered starting in 2015. | |||||||||
(In millions) | Capacity | Aircraft | |||||||
Purchase | Operating | ||||||||
Agreements | Leases | ||||||||
Last three months of 2014 | $ | 460 | $ | 296 | |||||
2015 | 1,665 | 1,442 | |||||||
2016 | 1,531 | 1,265 | |||||||
2017 | 1,479 | 1,190 | |||||||
2018 | 1,416 | 960 | |||||||
After 2018 | 5,054 | 3,194 | |||||||
$ | 11,605 | $ | 8,347 | ||||||
Facility and Other Operating Leases | |||||||||
In September 2014, United entered into a 10-year lease extension through 2035 with the City and County of Denver to continue its use of the airport terminal space at Denver International Airport. This extension is expected to result in annual cost savings for the Company through the original lease term end date of 2025. The table below summarizes the Company’s scheduled future minimum lease payments under facility operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms of more than one year. | |||||||||
(In millions) | Facility and Other | ||||||||
Operating Leases | |||||||||
Last three months of 2014 | $ | 284 | |||||||
2015 | 953 | ||||||||
2016 | 828 | ||||||||
2017 | 793 | ||||||||
2018 | 671 | ||||||||
After 2018 | 7,458 | ||||||||
$ | 10,987 | ||||||||
Guarantees and Off-Balance Sheet Financing | |||||||||
Guarantees. United is the guarantor of approximately $1.9 billion in aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds and interest thereon. These bonds, issued by various airport municipalities, are payable solely from rentals paid under long-term agreements with the respective governing bodies. The leasing arrangements associated with $1.6 billion of these obligations are accounted for as operating leases with the associated expense recorded on a straight-line basis resulting in ratable accrual of the lease obligation over the expected lease term. The leasing arrangements associated with $280 million of these obligations are accounted for as capital leases. All of these bonds are due between 2015 and 2038. | |||||||||
In the Company’s financing transactions that include loans, the Company typically agrees to reimburse lenders for any reduced returns with respect to the loans due to any change in capital requirements and, in the case of loans in which the interest rate is based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), for certain other increased costs that the lenders incur in carrying these loans as a result of any change in law, subject in most cases to obligations of the lenders to take certain limited steps to mitigate the requirement for, or the amount of, such increased costs. At September 30, 2014, the Company had $2.5 billion of floating rate debt and $168 million of fixed rate debt, with remaining terms of up to twelve years, that are subject to these increased cost provisions. In several financing transactions involving loans or leases from non-U.S. entities, with remaining terms of up to twelve years and an aggregate balance of $2.6 billion, the Company bears the risk of any change in tax laws that would subject loan or lease payments thereunder to non-U.S. entities to withholding taxes, subject to customary exclusions. | |||||||||
Credit Facilities. As of September 30, 2014, United had its entire capacity of $1.35 billion available under the revolving credit facility of the Company’s Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). See Note 9 of this report for additional information. | |||||||||
Labor Negotiations. As of September 30, 2014, United had approximately 85,000 active employees, of whom approximately 80% were represented by various labor organizations. We are currently in the process of negotiating amended collective bargaining agreements with our employee groups without joint collective bargaining agreements, including our technicians and flight attendants. |
Debt
Debt | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE 9 - DEBT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of September 30, 2014, a substantial portion of our assets is pledged as collateral for our debt. These assets principally consist of aircraft, route authorities and loyalty program intangible assets. As of September 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
4.5% Convertible Notes. During the second quarter of 2014, UAL used cash to purchase and retire $28 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.5% Convertible Notes in market transactions. As of September 30, 2014, the outstanding balance is $202 million. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
6% Convertible Senior Notes. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, UAL issued approximately five million shares of UAL common stock in exchange for, or upon conversion of, $46 million in aggregate principal amount of UAL’s outstanding 6% convertible senior notes due 2029 held by the holders of these notes. As of September 30, 2014, the outstanding balance is $58 million. In October 2014, UAL notified holders of these notes of its intention to redeem the remaining notes outstanding with the redemption scheduled to occur in late November 2014. The holders of these notes have the right to convert their notes into shares of UAL common stock prior to redemption at a conversion rate of 115.1013 per $1,000 principal amount of notes. If all of the holders of these notes exercise their conversion right, UAL would issue approximately 6.7 million shares of UAL common stock upon conversion. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
8% Notes Due 2024. UAL redeemed in cash at par value all $400 million aggregate principal amount of its 8% Notes due 2024 on January 17, 2014. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
4.5% Senior Limited-Subordination Convertible Notes. On January 10, 2014, UAL called the 4.5% Notes that remained outstanding for redemption on February 10, 2014. In the first quarter of 2014, holders of substantially all of the remaining $156 million outstanding principal amount of the 4.5% Notes exercised their right to convert such notes into approximately five million shares of UAL common stock at a conversion rate of 30.6419 shares of UAL common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 4.5% Notes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 Credit and Guaranty Agreement. In September 2014, United borrowed a $500 million term loan under the Credit Agreement. The loan is due September 2021 and bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.0% per annum. The $500 million term loan ranks pari passu with the $900 million term loan that United originally borrowed under the Credit Agreement, of which $887 million is outstanding. Also in September 2014, UAL amended its revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement increasing the capacity from $1.0 billion to $1.35 billion and establishing the maturity date for $1.315 billion in lender commitments as January 2, 2019. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of September 30, 2014, United had its entire capacity of $1.35 billion available under the revolving credit facility of the Company’s Credit Agreement. See Note 11 in the 2013 Annual Report for additional information on the terms of the Credit Agreement. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
6.75% Senior Secured Notes. In September 2014, United retired, at par, the entire $800 million principal balance of the 6.75% Senior Secured Notes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures. On October 10, 2014, United used cash to retire, at par, the entire $248 million principal balance of the 6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures and the 6% Convertible Preferred Securities, Term Income Deferrable Equity Securities (TIDES). United will account for this debt extinguishment as a component of Special charges in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net for approximately $65 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
EETCs. In August 2014, April 2014 and August 2013, United created separate EETC pass-through trusts, each of which issued pass-through certificates. The proceeds of the issuance of the pass-through certificates are used to purchase equipment notes issued by United and secured by its aircraft. The Company records the debt obligation upon issuance of the equipment notes rather than upon the initial issuance of the pass-through certificates. The pass-through certificates represent fractional undivided interests in the respective pass-through trusts and are not obligations of United. The payment obligations under the equipment notes are those of United. Proceeds received from the sale of pass-through certificates are initially held by a depositary in escrow for the benefit of the certificate holders until United issues equipment notes to the trust, which purchases such notes with a portion of the escrowed funds. These escrowed funds are not guaranteed by United and are not reported as debt on our consolidated balance sheet because the proceeds held by the depositary are not United’s assets. United expects to receive all proceeds from these pass-through trusts by the end of 2015. Certain details of the pass-through trusts are as follows (in millions, except stated interest rate): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
EETC Date | Class | Principal | Final | Stated | Total debt | Proceeds | Remaining | ||||||||||||||||||
expected | interest | recorded as of | received from | proceeds from | |||||||||||||||||||||
distribution | rate | September 30, | issuance of | issuance of debt | |||||||||||||||||||||
date | 2014 | debt in the | to be received | ||||||||||||||||||||||
nine months | in future | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
ended | periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
August 2014 | A | $ | 823 | September 2026 | 3.75% | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 823 | ||||||||||||||
Aug-14 | B | 238 | Sep-22 | 4.63% | — | — | 238 | ||||||||||||||||||
Apr-14 | A | 736 | Apr-26 | 4.00% | 427 | 427 | 309 | ||||||||||||||||||
Apr-14 | B | 213 | Apr-22 | 4.75% | 123 | 123 | 90 | ||||||||||||||||||
Aug-13 | A | 720 | Aug-25 | 4.30% | 720 | 567 | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Aug-13 | B | 209 | Aug-21 | 5.38% | 209 | 165 | — | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 2,939 | $ | 1,479 | $ | 1,282 | $ | 1,460 | ||||||||||||||||||
The table below presents contractual principal payments at September 30, 2014 under then-outstanding long-term debt agreements in each of the next five calendar years (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
UAL | United | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last three months of 2014 | $ | 485 | $ | 485 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 1,301 | 1,301 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 1,156 | 1,156 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 716 | 716 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 1,231 | 1,231 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
After 2018 | 6,603 | 6,545 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 11,492 | $ | 11,434 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Special_Charges
Special Charges | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||
Special Charges | ' | ||||||||||||||||
NOTE 10 - SPECIAL CHARGES | |||||||||||||||||
For the three and nine months ended September 30, special charges consisted of the following (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
Operating: | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||
Integration-related costs | $ | 28 | $ | 50 | $ | 79 | $ | 165 | |||||||||
Severance and benefits | 6 | — | 58 | 14 | |||||||||||||
Labor agreement costs | — | 127 | — | 127 | |||||||||||||
Costs associated with permanently grounding Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft | — | — | 66 | — | |||||||||||||
Impairment of assets held for disposal | — | — | 33 | — | |||||||||||||
Additional costs associated with the temporarily grounded Boeing 787 aircraft | — | — | — | 18 | |||||||||||||
Losses on sale of assets and other special (gains) losses, net | 9 | 34 | 28 | 31 | |||||||||||||
Special charges | 43 | 211 | 264 | 355 | |||||||||||||
Nonoperating: | |||||||||||||||||
Venezuela currency loss | — | — | 21 | — | |||||||||||||
Income tax benefit | (3) | — | (4) | — | |||||||||||||
Total operating and nonoperating special charges, net of income taxes | $ | 40 | $ | 211 | $ | 281 | $ | 355 | |||||||||
2014 | |||||||||||||||||
Integration-related costs include compensation costs related to systems integration, training, severance and relocation for employees. | |||||||||||||||||
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $58 million of severance and benefits primarily related to reductions of management and front-line employees, including from Hopkins International Airport (“Cleveland”), as part of its cost savings initiatives. The Company reduced its average daily departures from Cleveland by over 60 percent during the second quarter of 2014. The Company is currently evaluating its options regarding its long-term contractual commitments at Cleveland. The capacity reductions at Cleveland may result in further special charges, which could be significant, related to our contractual commitments. | |||||||||||||||||
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $66 million for the permanent grounding of 21 of the Company’s Embraer ERJ 135 regional aircraft under lease through 2018, which includes an accrual for remaining lease payments and an amount for maintenance return conditions. As a result of the current fuel prices, new Embraer 175 regional jet deliveries and impact of pilot shortages at regional carriers, the Company decided to permanently ground these 21 Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft. The Company continues to operate nine Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft and will assess the possibility of grounding those aircraft when the term of the current capacity purchase contract ends. | |||||||||||||||||
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $33 million for charges related primarily to impairment of its flight equipment held for disposal associated with its Boeing 737-300 and 737-500 fleets. | |||||||||||||||||
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $21 million of losses as part of Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net due to ongoing negotiations applicable to funds held in local Venezuelan currency. Approximately $100 million of the Company’s unrestricted cash balance was held as Venezuelan bolivars as of September 30, 2014. | |||||||||||||||||
In the third quarter of 2014, United and the Association of Flight Attendants announced that United will offer certain of its flight attendants an enhanced early out program, which allows eligible participants a one-time opportunity to voluntarily separate from the Company and receive a severance payment, with a maximum value of $100,000 per participant. The Company is targeting approximately 2,100 participants, although the actual number of participants is unknown at this time, and may be more or fewer than 2,100. United also announced that it is recalling all flight attendants who are on voluntary and involuntary furlough. | |||||||||||||||||
2013 | |||||||||||||||||
Integration-related costs included compensation costs related to systems integration and training, branding activities, new uniforms, write-off or acceleration of depreciation on systems and facilities that were no longer used or planned to be used for significantly shorter periods, relocation for employees and severance primarily associated with administrative headcount reductions. | |||||||||||||||||
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded $14 million associated with a voluntary program offered by United in which certain flight attendants took an unpaid 13-month leave of absence. The flight attendants continue to receive medical benefits and other Company benefits while on leave under this program. Approximately 1,300 flight attendants opted to participate in the program. | |||||||||||||||||
In October 2013, fleet service, passenger service and storekeeper employees represented by the International Association of Machinists ratified a joint collective bargaining agreement with the Company. The Company recorded a $127 million special charge for lump sum payments made in conjunction with the ratification. The lump sum payments were not in lieu of future pay increases. The Company completed substantially all cash payments in 2013. | |||||||||||||||||
During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company adjusted its reserves for certain legal matters by $34 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company also recorded a $5 million gain related to a contract termination and $2 million in losses on the sale of assets. | |||||||||||||||||
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded $18 million associated with the temporary grounding of its Boeing 787 aircraft. The charges were comprised of aircraft depreciation expense and dedicated personnel costs that the Company incurred while the aircraft were grounded. The aircraft returned to service in May 2013. | |||||||||||||||||
Accruals | |||||||||||||||||
The accrual for severance and medical costs was $70 million as of September 30, 2014, compared to $29 million as of September 30, 2013. The severance-related accrual as of September 30, 2014 is expected to be paid through 2015. |
Significant_Accounting_Policie1
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2014 | |
Frequent Flyer Accounting | ' |
Frequent Flyer Accounting. On March 30, 2014, US Airways exited Star Alliance. Effective with the exit date, the Company updated its estimated selling price for miles to a value based on the equivalent ticket value less fulfillment discount, which incorporates the expected redemption of miles. The equivalent ticket value used as the basis for the estimated selling price of miles is based on the prior 12 months’ weighted average equivalent ticket value of similar fares as those used to settle award redemptions while taking into consideration such factors as redemption pattern, cabin class, loyalty status and geographic region. The estimated selling price of miles is adjusted by a fulfillment discount that considers a number of factors, including redemption patterns of various customer groups. This change in estimate was applied on a prospective basis beginning April 1, 2014. The estimated impact of this change on consolidated revenue is expected to be an increase of approximately $75 million in 2014. | |
During the third quarter of 2014, the Company refined its estimate of the number of miles that have been redeemed for award travel, but for which travel has not occurred, to a computation that uses actual miles open versus a historical average. Although this change is not expected to significantly impact the reported amount of passenger revenue recognized in 2014 or in any future years, the new estimate will likely result in more seasonality in the results between quarters. The Company expects that based on historical redemption and travel patterns, using the revised method will result in lower revenue from frequent flyer awards redeemed during the first quarter and higher revenue during the third quarter in future periods than historical amounts, with minimal differences during the second and fourth quarters. | |
Related Party Receivables | ' |
Related Party Receivables. At December 31, 2013, United had receivables from two affiliates, which were wholly-owned subsidiaries of UAL, of $232 million that were classified against stockholder’s equity. UAL transferred all of its equity interest in each of the two subsidiaries to United in the first quarter of 2014, and the transfers have been reflected as reductions in paid in capital. | |
Recently Issued Accounting Standards | ' |
Recently Issued Accounting Standards. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This amendment prescribes that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendment supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. The amendments will become effective for the Company’s annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact on its financial statements. |
Earnings_Per_Share_Tables
Earnings Per Share (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||
Computation of Earnings Per Share | ' | ||||||||||||||||
The table below represents the computation of UAL’s basic and diluted earnings per share amounts and the number of securities that have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share amounts because they were antidilutive (in millions, except per share amounts): | |||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 924 | $ | 379 | $ | 1,104 | $ | 431 | |||||||||
Less: Income allocable to participating securities | -1 | -1 | -2 | -1 | |||||||||||||
Earnings available to common stockholders | $ | 923 | $ | 378 | $ | 1,102 | $ | 430 | |||||||||
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding | 370 | 357 | 370 | 343 | |||||||||||||
Earnings per share, basic | $ | 2.49 | $ | 1.06 | $ | 2.97 | $ | 1.25 | |||||||||
Diluted earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||
Earnings available to common stockholders | $ | 923 | $ | 378 | $ | 1,102 | $ | 430 | |||||||||
Effect of convertible notes | 6 | 9 | 20 | 20 | |||||||||||||
Earnings available to common stockholders including the effect of dilutive securities | $ | 929 | $ | 387 | $ | 1,122 | $ | 450 | |||||||||
Diluted shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding | 370 | 357 | 370 | 343 | |||||||||||||
Effect of convertible notes | 22 | 37 | 24 | 46 | |||||||||||||
Effect of employee stock options | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 392 | 395 | 395 | 390 | |||||||||||||
Earnings per share, diluted | $ | 2.37 | $ | 0.98 | $ | 2.84 | $ | 1.15 | |||||||||
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts: | |||||||||||||||||
Restricted stock and stock options | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | |||||||||||||
Convertible notes | — | — | — | 4 |
Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax | ' | ||||||||||||||||||
The tables below present the components of the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (“AOCI”) (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||
UAL (a) | Pension and | Derivative | Investments | Total | |||||||||||||||
Other | Contracts | and Other | |||||||||||||||||
Postretirement | |||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2014 | $ | 545 | $ | 36 | $ | 8 | $ | 589 | |||||||||||
Changes in value | -66 | -120 | 3 | -183 | |||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified to earnings | -16 | — | -2 | -18 | |||||||||||||||
Net change | -82 | -120 | 1 | -201 | |||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2014 | $ | 463 | $ | -84 | $ | 9 | $ | 388 | |||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2013 | $ | 584 | $ | 11 | $ | 13 | $ | 608 | |||||||||||
Changes in value | -71 | -99 | 4 | -166 | |||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified to earnings | -50 | 4 | -8 | -54 | |||||||||||||||
Net change | -121 | -95 | -4 | -220 | |||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2014 | $ | 463 | $ | -84 | $ | 9 | $ | 388 | |||||||||||
UAL (a) | Pension and | Derivative | Investments | Total | |||||||||||||||
Other | Contracts | and Other | |||||||||||||||||
Postretirement | |||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2013 | $ | -562 | $ | -20 | $ | 13 | $ | -569 | |||||||||||
Changes in value | 41 | 44 | -5 | 80 | |||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified to earnings | 10 | -14 | — | -4 | |||||||||||||||
Net change | 51 | 30 | -5 | 76 | |||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2013 | $ | -511 | $ | 10 | $ | 8 | $ | -493 | |||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 | $ | -1,042 | $ | -10 | $ | 6 | $ | (1,046) | |||||||||||
Changes in value | 483 | 16 | 2 | 501 | |||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified to earnings | 48 | 4 | — | 52 | |||||||||||||||
Net change | 531 | 20 | 2 | 553 | |||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2013 | $ | -511 | $ | 10 | $ | 8 | $ | -493 | |||||||||||
Details about AOCI | Amount Reclassified from AOCI to | Affected Line Item in | |||||||||||||||||
Components | Income | the Statements of | |||||||||||||||||
Consolidated Operations | |||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | |||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts-reclassifications of (gains) losses into earnings (b) | $ | — | $ | (14 | ) | $ | 4 | $ | 4 | Aircraft fuel | |||||||||
Amortization of pension and post-retirement items | |||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized (gains) losses and prior service cost (credit) (b) (c) | $ | -16 | $ | 10 | $ | (50 | ) | $ | 48 | Salaries and related costs | |||||||||
Investments and other | |||||||||||||||||||
Available for sale securities-reclassifications of gains into earnings (b) | $ | -2 | $ | — | $ | (8 | ) | $ | — | Miscellaneous, net | |||||||||
(a) UAL and United amounts are substantially the same except for an additional $6 million of income tax benefit at United and additional gains related to investments and other of $1 million at United in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||
(b) | Income tax expense for these items was offset by the Company’s valuation allowance. | ||||||||||||||||||
(c) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs (see Note 5 of this report for additional information). |
Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables
Employee Benefit Plans (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost | ' | ||||||||||||||||
The Company’s net periodic benefit cost includes the following components (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||
Pension Benefits | Other Postretirement Benefits | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 24 | $ | 29 | $ | 5 | $ | 14 | |||||||||
Interest cost | 50 | 48 | 22 | 29 | |||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | -45 | -41 | -1 | -1 | |||||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit) | 3 | 8 | -19 | 2 | |||||||||||||
Settlement gain | -1 | -1 | — | — | |||||||||||||
Total | $ | 31 | $ | 43 | $ | 7 | $ | 44 | |||||||||
Pension Benefits | Other Postretirement Benefits | ||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 73 | $ | 94 | $ | 14 | $ | 42 | |||||||||
Interest cost | 151 | 142 | 66 | 85 | |||||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | -134 | -121 | -2 | -2 | |||||||||||||
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit) | 8 | 41 | -58 | 7 | |||||||||||||
Curtailment loss | — | 2 | — | — | |||||||||||||
Settlement gain | -1 | -2 | — | — | |||||||||||||
Total | $ | 97 | $ | 156 | $ | 20 | $ | 132 | |||||||||
Share-Based Compensation Expense | ' | ||||||||||||||||
The table below presents information related to share-based compensation (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation expense (a) | $ | 23 | $ | 32 | $ | 69 | $ | 72 | |||||||||
September 30, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||
Unrecognized share-based compensation | $ | 62 | $ | 44 | |||||||||||||
(a) Includes $3 million of expense recognized in merger integration-related costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Includes $(2) million and $9 million of (benefit) expense recognized in merger integration-related costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. |
Financial_Instruments_and_Fair1
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The table below presents disclosures about the financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s financial statements (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UAL | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,117 | $ | 3,117 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,220 | $ | 3,220 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed securities | 908 | — | 908 | — | 694 | — | 694 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt | 853 | — | 853 | — | 685 | — | 685 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (“CDARS”) | 305 | — | 305 | — | 301 | — | 301 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auction rate securities | 26 | — | — | 26 | 105 | — | — | 105 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency notes | 41 | — | 41 | — | 38 | — | 38 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other fixed income securities | 264 | — | 264 | — | 78 | — | 78 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel derivatives, net | -114 | — | -114 | — | 104 | — | 104 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Enhanced equipment trust certificates (“EETC”) | 28 | — | — | 28 | 61 | — | — | 61 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency derivative asset (liability), net | 3 | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | 316 | 316 | — | — | 395 | 395 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,111 | $ | 3,111 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,214 | $ | 3,214 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term investments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset-backed securities | 908 | — | 908 | — | 694 | — | 694 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate debt | 853 | — | 853 | — | 685 | — | 685 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CDARS | 305 | — | 305 | — | 301 | — | 301 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auction rate securities | 26 | — | — | 26 | 105 | — | — | 105 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government and agency notes | 41 | — | 41 | — | 38 | — | 38 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other fixed income securities | 264 | — | 264 | — | 78 | — | 78 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel derivatives, net | -114 | — | -114 | — | 104 | — | 104 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EETC | 28 | — | — | 28 | 61 | — | — | 61 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency derivative asset (liability), net | 3 | — | 3 | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | 316 | 316 | — | — | 395 | 395 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible debt derivative asset | 498 | — | — | 498 | 480 | — | — | 480 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible debt option liability | -297 | — | — | -297 | -270 | — | — | -270 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Activity for "Level Three" Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The table below presents disclosures about the activity for “Level 3” financial assets and financial liabilities (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UAL and United | United | UAL and United | United | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Student | EETC | Convertible | Convertible | Student | EETC | Convertible | Convertible | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loan-Related | Debt | Debt | Loan-Related | Debt | Debt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auction Rate | Supplemental | Conversion | Auction Rate | Supplemental | Conversion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities | Derivative | Option | Securities | Derivative | Option | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset | Liability | Asset | Liability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30 | $ | 26 | $ | 59 | $ | 449 | $ | -263 | $ | 115 | $ | 62 | $ | 395 | $ | -199 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases, (sales), issuances and (settlements) (net) | — | -30 | — | — | -9 | -2 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gains and (losses): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reported in earnings: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Realized | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized | — | — | 49 | -34 | — | — | -19 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reported in other comprehensive income (loss) | — | -2 | — | — | -3 | -1 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30 | $ | 26 | $ | 28 | $ | 498 | $ | -297 | $ | 104 | $ | 59 | $ | 376 | $ | -185 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UAL and United | United | UAL and United | United | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Student | EETC | Convertible | Convertible | Student | EETC | Convertible | Convertible | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loan-Related | Debt | Debt | Loan-Related | Debt | Debt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auction Rate | Supplemental | Conversion | Auction Rate | Supplemental | Conversion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities | Derivative | Option | Securities | Derivative | Option | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset | Liability | Asset | Liability | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1 | $ | 105 | $ | 61 | $ | 480 | $ | -270 | $ | 116 | $ | 63 | $ | 268 | $ | -128 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases, (sales), issuances and settlements (net) | -84 | -33 | -62 | 34 | -19 | -4 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gains and (losses): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reported in earnings: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Realized | 10 | 1 | -5 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized | — | — | 85 | -66 | 1 | — | 108 | -57 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reported in other comprehensive income (loss) | -5 | -1 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30 | $ | 26 | $ | 28 | $ | 498 | $ | -297 | $ | 104 | $ | 59 | $ | 376 | $ | -185 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value of Debt by Fair Value Hierarchy Level | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying | Fair Value | Carrying | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UAL debt | $ | 11,328 | $ | 12,386 | $ | — | $ | 8,290 | $ | 4,096 | $ | 11,539 | $ | 12,695 | $ | — | $ | 8,829 | $ | 3,866 | |||||||||||||||||||||
United debt | 11,232 | 12,122 | — | 8,026 | 4,096 | 11,388 | 12,249 | — | 8,383 | 3,866 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value Methodology for Financial Instruments | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Description | Fair Value Methodology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these assets. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term investments and | Fair value is based on (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar instruments, (b) an income approach, which uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts into a single present amount based on current market expectations about those future amounts when observable trading prices are not available, (c) internally-developed models of the expected future cash flows related to the securities, or (d) broker quotes obtained by third-party valuation services. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel derivatives | Derivative contracts are privately negotiated contracts and are not exchange traded. Fair value measurements are estimated with option pricing models that employ observable inputs. Inputs to the valuation models include contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, fuel price curves and measures of volatility, among others. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency derivatives | Fair value is determined with a formula utilizing observable inputs. Significant inputs to the valuation models include contractual terms, risk-free interest rates and forward exchange rates. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt | Fair values were based on either market prices or the discounted amount of future cash flows using our current incremental rate of borrowing for similar liabilities. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible debt derivative asset and option liability | United used a binomial lattice model to value the conversion options and the supplemental derivative assets. Significant binomial model inputs that are not objectively determinable include volatility and the Company’s credit risk component of the discount rate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 3 | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value Methodology for Financial Instruments | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Item | Fair Value at | Valuation Technique | Unobservable Input | Weighted Average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auction rate securities | $ | 26 | Valuation Service / Broker Quotes | Broker quotes (a) | NA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EETC | 28 | Discounted Cash Flows | Structure credit risk (b) | 4% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible debt | 498 | Binomial Lattice Model | Expected volatility (c) | 40% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
derivative asset | Own credit risk (d) | 5% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible debt | (297 | ) | Binomial Lattice Model | Expected volatility (c) | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
option liability | Own credit risk (d) | 5% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Broker quotes obtained by a third-party valuation service. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) Represents the credit risk premium of the EETC structure above the risk-free rate that the Company has determined market participants would use when pricing the instruments. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) Represents the volatility estimate that the Company has determined market participants would use when pricing the instruments. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) Represents the Company-specific risk adjustment that the Company has determined market participants would use as a model input. |
Hedging_Activities_Tables
Hedging Activities (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Description of Derivative Instruments | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Company’s derivatives were reported in its consolidated balance sheets as follows (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Classification | Balance Sheet Location | September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts due within one year | Receivables | $ | — | $ | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year | Other assets: Other, net | — | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | — | $ | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts due within one year | Current liabilities: Other | $ | 66 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year | Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other | 16 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 82 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts due within one year | Receivables | $ | — | $ | 70 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year | Other assets: Other, net | 1 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 1 | $ | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts due within one year | Current liabilities: Other | $ | 27 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year | Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other | 6 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 33 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total derivatives | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts due within one year | Receivables | $ | — | $ | 89 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year | Other assets: Other, net | 1 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 1 | $ | 104 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts due within one year | Current liabilities: Other | $ | 93 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts with maturities greater than one year | Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other | 22 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 115 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table shows the potential net fair value positions (including fuel derivatives and related collateral) had we elected to offset. The table reflects offset at the counterparty level (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Receivables | $ | — | $ | 89 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other assets: Other, net | — | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities: Other | (93 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other | (21 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hedge derivatives assets (liabilities), net | $ | (114 | ) | $ | 104 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Schedule of Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following tables present the impact of derivative instruments and their location within the Company’s unaudited statements of consolidated operations (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount of Gain (Loss) | Gain | Amount of Gain (Loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Recognized | Reclassified from | Recognized in | |||||||||||||||||||||||
in AOCI on Derivatives | AOCI into | Nonoperating income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Effective Portion) | Fuel Expense | (expense): Miscellaneous, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Ineffective Portion) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts | $ | (120 | ) | $ | 44 | $ | — | $ | 14 | $ | (8 | ) | $ | 1 | |||||||||||
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount of Gain (Loss) | Loss | Amount of Loss | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Recognized | Reclassified from | Recognized in | |||||||||||||||||||||||
in AOCI on Derivatives | AOCI into | Nonoperating income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Effective Portion) | Fuel Expense | (expense): Miscellaneous, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(Ineffective Portion) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts | $ | (99 | ) | $ | 16 | $ | (4 | ) | $ | (4 | ) | $ | (4 | ) | $ | — | |||||||||
Schedule of Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedges Gains (Losses) | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fuel contracts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount of gain (loss) recognized | $ | (102 | ) | $ | 61 | $ | (103 | ) | $ | 30 | |||||||||||||||
in Nonoperating income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(expense): Miscellaneous, net |
Commitments_and_Contingencies_
Commitments and Contingencies (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||
Firm Commitments to Purchase Aircraft | ' | ||||||||
As of September 30, 2014, United had firm commitments to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), Embraer S.A. (“Embraer”) and Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”) presented in the table below: | |||||||||
Aircraft Type | Number of Firm | ||||||||
Commitments (a) | |||||||||
Airbus A350-1000 | 35 | ||||||||
Boeing 737-900ER | 39 | ||||||||
Boeing 737 MAX 9 | 100 | ||||||||
Boeing 787-8/-9/-10 | 53 | ||||||||
Embraer 175 | 22 | ||||||||
(a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft. | |||||||||
Schedule of Acquisition of Aircrafts and Related Spare Engines | ' | ||||||||
The table below summarizes United’s commitments as of September 30, 2014, which primarily relate to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and include other commitments primarily to acquire information technology services and assets. | |||||||||
(in billions) | |||||||||
Last three months of 2014 | $ | 1.1 | |||||||
2015 | 3.0 | ||||||||
2016 | 1.7 | ||||||||
2017 | 1.2 | ||||||||
2018 | 2.1 | ||||||||
After 2018 | 13.5 | ||||||||
$ | 22.6 | ||||||||
Summary of Scheduled Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Aircraft Operating Leases and Capacity Purchase Agreements | ' | ||||||||
The table below summarizes the Company’s future payments through the end of the terms of our CPAs, excluding variable pass-through costs such as fuel and landing fees, among others. In addition, the table below summarizes the Company’s scheduled future minimum lease payments under aircraft operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms of more than one year and includes aircraft rent or ownership costs under CPAs, including estimated commitments under the Shuttle America contract for the Embraer 175 aircraft which will be delivered starting in 2015. | |||||||||
(In millions) | Capacity | Aircraft | |||||||
Purchase | Operating | ||||||||
Agreements | Leases | ||||||||
Last three months of 2014 | $ | 460 | $ | 296 | |||||
2015 | 1,665 | 1,442 | |||||||
2016 | 1,531 | 1,265 | |||||||
2017 | 1,479 | 1,190 | |||||||
2018 | 1,416 | 960 | |||||||
After 2018 | 5,054 | 3,194 | |||||||
$ | 11,605 | $ | 8,347 | ||||||
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases | ' | ||||||||
The table below summarizes the Company’s scheduled future minimum lease payments under facility operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms of more than one year. | |||||||||
(In millions) | Facility and Other | ||||||||
Operating Leases | |||||||||
Last three months of 2014 | $ | 284 | |||||||
2015 | 953 | ||||||||
2016 | 828 | ||||||||
2017 | 793 | ||||||||
2018 | 671 | ||||||||
After 2018 | 7,458 | ||||||||
$ | 10,987 | ||||||||
Debt_Tables
Debt (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Details of Pass Through Trusts | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Certain details of the pass-through trusts are as follows (in millions, except stated interest rate): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
EETC Date | Class | Principal | Final | Stated | Total debt | Proceeds | Remaining | ||||||||||||||||||
expected | interest | recorded as of | received from | proceeds from | |||||||||||||||||||||
distribution | rate | September 30, | issuance of | issuance of debt | |||||||||||||||||||||
date | 2014 | debt in the | to be received | ||||||||||||||||||||||
nine months | in future | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
ended | periods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
August 2014 | A | $ | 823 | September 2026 | 3.75% | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 823 | ||||||||||||||
Aug-14 | B | 238 | Sep-22 | 4.63% | — | — | 238 | ||||||||||||||||||
Apr-14 | A | 736 | Apr-26 | 4.00% | 427 | 427 | 309 | ||||||||||||||||||
Apr-14 | B | 213 | Apr-22 | 4.75% | 123 | 123 | 90 | ||||||||||||||||||
Aug-13 | A | 720 | Aug-25 | 4.30% | 720 | 567 | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Aug-13 | B | 209 | Aug-21 | 5.38% | 209 | 165 | — | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 2,939 | $ | 1,479 | $ | 1,282 | $ | 1,460 | ||||||||||||||||||
Contractual Principal Payments | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The table below presents contractual principal payments at September 30, 2014 under then-outstanding long-term debt agreements in each of the next five calendar years (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
UAL | United | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last three months of 2014 | $ | 485 | $ | 485 | |||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 1,301 | 1,301 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | 1,156 | 1,156 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 716 | 716 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 1,231 | 1,231 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
After 2018 | 6,603 | 6,545 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 11,492 | $ | 11,434 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Special_Charges_Tables
Special Charges (Tables) | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||
Components of Special Charges | ' | ||||||||||||||||
For the three and nine months ended September 30, special charges consisted of the following (in millions): | |||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
Operating: | 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||
Integration-related costs | $ | 28 | $ | 50 | $ | 79 | $ | 165 | |||||||||
Severance and benefits | 6 | — | 58 | 14 | |||||||||||||
Labor agreement costs | — | 127 | — | 127 | |||||||||||||
Costs associated with permanently grounding Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft | — | — | 66 | — | |||||||||||||
Impairment of assets held for disposal | — | — | 33 | — | |||||||||||||
Additional costs associated with the temporarily grounded Boeing 787 aircraft | — | — | — | 18 | |||||||||||||
Losses on sale of assets and other special (gains) losses, net | 9 | 34 | 28 | 31 | |||||||||||||
Special charges | 43 | 211 | 264 | 355 | |||||||||||||
Nonoperating: | |||||||||||||||||
Venezuela currency loss | — | — | 21 | — | |||||||||||||
Income tax benefit | (3) | — | (4) | — | |||||||||||||
Total operating and nonoperating special charges, net of income taxes | $ | 40 | $ | 211 | $ | 281 | $ | 355 | |||||||||
Significant_Accounting_Policie2
Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 9 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
Frequent Flyer | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | |
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' |
Estimated impact of change on consolidated revenue | $75 | ' | ' |
Receivable from related parties | ' | $3 | $232 |
Computation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh
Computation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 |
Basic earnings per share: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Net income | $924 | $379 | $1,104 | $431 |
Less: Income allocable to participating securities | -1 | -1 | -2 | -1 |
Earnings available to common stockholders | 923 | 378 | 1,102 | 430 |
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding | 370 | 357 | 370 | 343 |
Earnings per share, basic | $2.49 | $1.06 | $2.97 | $1.25 |
Diluted earnings per share: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Earnings available to common stockholders | 923 | 378 | 1,102 | 430 |
Effect of convertible notes | 6 | 9 | 20 | 20 |
Earnings available to common stockholders including the effect of dilutive securities | $929 | $387 | $1,122 | $450 |
Diluted shares outstanding: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding | 370 | 357 | 370 | 343 |
Effect of convertible notes | 22 | 37 | 24 | 46 |
Effect of employee stock options | ' | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 392 | 395 | 395 | 390 |
Earnings per share, diluted | $2.37 | $0.98 | $2.84 | $1.15 |
Restricted Stock And Stock Options | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
Convertible Notes | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts | ' | ' | ' | 4 |
Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_
Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 9 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | ||||||
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jul. 24, 2014 | Jul. 24, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Jan. 10, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Oct. 23, 2014 | Oct. 23, 2014 |
Agreement | Accelerated Share Repurchase Program | Open Market Repurchases | Unsecured Debt | Unsecured Debt | 4.5% Convertible Notes Due 2015 | 4.5% Convertible Notes Due 2015 | 6% Convertible Senior Notes | 6% Convertible Senior Notes | Subsequent Event | Subsequent Event | |||
6% Convertible Senior Notes | 6% Convertible Senior Notes | ||||||||||||
Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Debt purchased and retired | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | $28,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Debt instrument convertible stated interest rate | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 4.50% | 4.50% | 4.50% | 4.50% | 6.00% | ' | ' | ' |
Debt instrument maturity year | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | '2021 | ' | '2015 | ' | '2029 | ' | ' | ' |
Common stock issued in exchange for convertible notes | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 5 | ' | ' | ' | 5 | ' | 6.7 | ' |
Aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes exchanged | 202,000,000 | 240,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | 156,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | 46,000,000 | ' | ' | ' |
Outstanding balance of debt instrument | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 202,000,000 | ' | 58,000,000 | ' | 58,000,000 |
Note redemption date | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | '2014-11 | ' |
Debt instrument conversion rate | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 30.6419 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 115.1013 | ' |
Share repurchase program authorized amount | ' | ' | 1,000,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Number of accelerated shares repurchase programs | ' | ' | 2 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Agreement to repurchase through an accelerated share repurchase program | ' | ' | 200,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Payments for repurchases of common stock | $220,000,000 | ' | ' | $200,000,000 | $20,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Number of shares repurchased | ' | ' | ' | 4.4 | 0.4 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Components_of_Accumulated_Othe
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | ||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Beginning Balance | $589 | [1] | ($569) | [1] | $608 | [1] | ($1,046) | [1] |
Changes in value | -183 | [1] | 80 | [1] | -166 | [1] | 501 | [1] |
Amounts reclassified to earnings | -18 | [1] | -4 | [1] | -54 | [1] | 52 | [1] |
Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments | -201 | [1] | 76 | [1] | -220 | [1] | 553 | [1] |
Ending Balance | 388 | [1] | -493 | [1] | 388 | [1] | -493 | [1] |
Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Beginning Balance | 545 | [1] | -562 | [1] | 584 | [1] | -1,042 | [1] |
Changes in value | -66 | [1] | 41 | [1] | -71 | [1] | 483 | [1] |
Amounts reclassified to earnings | -16 | [1] | 10 | [1] | -50 | [1] | 48 | [1] |
Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments | -82 | [1] | 51 | [1] | -121 | [1] | 531 | [1] |
Ending Balance | 463 | [1] | -511 | [1] | 463 | [1] | -511 | [1] |
Derivative Contracts | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Beginning Balance | 36 | [1] | -20 | [1] | 11 | [1] | -10 | [1] |
Changes in value | -120 | [1] | 44 | [1] | -99 | [1] | 16 | [1] |
Amounts reclassified to earnings | ' | -14 | [1] | 4 | [1] | 4 | [1] | |
Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments | -120 | [1] | 30 | [1] | -95 | [1] | 20 | [1] |
Ending Balance | -84 | [1] | 10 | [1] | -84 | [1] | 10 | [1] |
Other | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Beginning Balance | 8 | [1] | 13 | [1] | 13 | [1] | 6 | [1] |
Changes in value | 3 | [1] | -5 | [1] | 4 | [1] | 2 | [1] |
Amounts reclassified to earnings | -2 | [1] | ' | -8 | [1] | ' | ||
Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments | 1 | [1] | -5 | [1] | -4 | [1] | 2 | [1] |
Ending Balance | $9 | [1] | $8 | [1] | $9 | [1] | $8 | [1] |
[1] | UAL and United amounts are substantially the same except for an additional $6 million of income tax benefit at United and additional gains related to investments and other of $1 million at United in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. |
Details_about_Accumulated_Othe
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | ||||
Salaries And Related Costs | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Amortization of unrecognized (gains) losses and prior service cost (credit) | ($16) | [1],[2] | $10 | [1],[2] | ($50) | [1],[2] | $48 | [1],[2] |
Miscellaneous, Net | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Available for sale securities-reclassifications of gains into earnings | -2 | [1] | ' | -8 | [1] | ' | ||
Fuel Oil Contract | Cash Flow Hedging | Aircraft Fuel | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Fuel contracts-reclassifications of (gains) losses into earnings | ' | ($14) | [1] | $4 | [1] | $4 | [1] | |
[1] | Income tax expense for these items was offset by the Company's valuation allowance. | |||||||
[2] | This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs (see Note 5 of this report for additional information). |
Components_of_Accumulated_Othe1
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (Parenthetical) (Detail) (United Airlines, Inc., USD $) | 9 Months Ended |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2013 |
United Airlines, Inc. | ' |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] | ' |
Income tax (expense) benefit | $6 |
Additional gains related to investments and other | $1 |
Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform
Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) | 9 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | |
Income Taxes [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Federal statutory income tax rate | 35.00% | ' |
Cumulative loss position at the end of 2013 | ' | '3 years |
Components_of_Net_Periodic_Ben
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 |
Pension Benefits | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Service cost | $24 | $29 | $73 | $94 |
Interest cost | 50 | 48 | 151 | 142 |
Expected return on plan assets | -45 | -41 | -134 | -121 |
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit) | 3 | 8 | 8 | 41 |
Curtailment loss | ' | ' | ' | 2 |
Settlement gain | -1 | -1 | -1 | -2 |
Total | 31 | 43 | 97 | 156 |
Other Postretirement Benefits | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Service cost | 5 | 14 | 14 | 42 |
Interest cost | 22 | 29 | 66 | 85 |
Expected return on plan assets | -1 | -1 | -2 | -2 |
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit) | -19 | 2 | -58 | 7 |
Total | $7 | $44 | $20 | $132 |
Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio
Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | ||||||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Feb. 28, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Feb. 28, 2014 | Feb. 28, 2014 | Feb. 28, 2014 |
Pension Benefits | Pension Benefits | Pension Benefits | Pension Benefits | Pension Benefits | Minimum | Maximum | Restricted Stock | RSUs | Performance Shares | ||
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Employer contribution to tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans | ' | $160 | ' | $278 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Defined benefit plan, settlement gain | ' | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Defined benefit plan, discount rate | ' | 4.28% | ' | 4.28% | ' | 5.09% | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Increase in projected benefit obligation of the plans | ' | ' | ' | 53 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Decrease in other comprehensive gain due to actuarial loss | ' | ' | ' | -67 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Plan remeasurements increase against the expected net periodic benefit cost | ' | 1 | ' | 1 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Number of days used to compute performance period average closing price of restricted stock units | '20 days | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Share-Based Compensation, award granted | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.6 |
Share-Based Compensation, vesting period | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | '3 years | '3 years | '3 years |
Share-Based Compensation, vesting date | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 31-Dec-16 |
Percentage of pre-tax earnings paid for profit sharing plan | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 5.00% | 20.00% | ' | ' | ' |
Pre-tax profit excluding special items, profit sharing expense and share-based compensation program expense profit sharing threshold | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | $10 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
ShareBased_Compensation_Expens
Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||||||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | ||||
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ||||
Share-based compensation expense | $23 | [1] | $32 | [1] | $69 | [1] | $72 | [1] | ' |
Unrecognized share-based compensation | $62 | ' | $62 | ' | $44 | ||||
[1] | Includes $3 million of expense recognized in merger integration-related costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Includes $(2) million and $9 million of (benefit) expense recognized in merger integration-related costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. |
ShareBased_Compensation_Expens1
Share-Based Compensation Expense (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Expense (benefit) recognized in integration-related costs | $28 | $50 | $79 | $165 |
Special Charges | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Expense (benefit) recognized in integration-related costs | ' | ($2) | $3 | $9 |
Financial_Assets_and_Liabiliti
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $) | Sep. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Cash and cash equivalents | $3,117 | $3,220 |
Restricted cash | 316 | 395 |
United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Cash and cash equivalents | 3,111 | 3,214 |
Restricted cash | 316 | 395 |
Asset-backed Securities | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 908 | 694 |
Asset-backed Securities | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 908 | 694 |
Corporate Debt | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 853 | 685 |
Corporate Debt | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 853 | 685 |
Certificates of Deposit Placed Through an Account Registry Service ("CDARS") | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 305 | 301 |
Certificates of Deposit Placed Through an Account Registry Service ("CDARS") | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 305 | 301 |
Auction Rate Securities | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 26 | 105 |
Auction Rate Securities | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 26 | 105 |
U.S. Government And Agency Notes | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 41 | 38 |
U.S. Government And Agency Notes | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 41 | 38 |
Other Fixed Income Securities | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 264 | 78 |
Other Fixed Income Securities | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 264 | 78 |
Fuel Derivatives, Net | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Derivatives, net | -114 | 104 |
Fuel Derivatives, Net | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Derivatives, net | -114 | 104 |
EETC | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
EETC | 28 | 61 |
EETC | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
EETC | 28 | 61 |
Foreign Currency Derivatives, Net | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Derivatives, net | 3 | 1 |
Foreign Currency Derivatives, Net | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Derivatives, net | 3 | 1 |
Convertible Debt Derivative Asset | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Convertible debt derivative asset | 498 | 480 |
Convertible Debt Option Liability | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Convertible debt option liability | -297 | -270 |
Level 1 | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Cash and cash equivalents | 3,117 | 3,220 |
Restricted cash | 316 | 395 |
Level 1 | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Cash and cash equivalents | 3,111 | 3,214 |
Restricted cash | 316 | 395 |
Level 2 | Asset-backed Securities | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 908 | 694 |
Level 2 | Asset-backed Securities | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 908 | 694 |
Level 2 | Corporate Debt | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 853 | 685 |
Level 2 | Corporate Debt | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 853 | 685 |
Level 2 | Certificates of Deposit Placed Through an Account Registry Service ("CDARS") | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 305 | 301 |
Level 2 | Certificates of Deposit Placed Through an Account Registry Service ("CDARS") | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 305 | 301 |
Level 2 | U.S. Government And Agency Notes | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 41 | 38 |
Level 2 | U.S. Government And Agency Notes | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 41 | 38 |
Level 2 | Other Fixed Income Securities | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 264 | 78 |
Level 2 | Other Fixed Income Securities | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 264 | 78 |
Level 2 | Fuel Derivatives, Net | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Derivatives, net | -114 | 104 |
Level 2 | Fuel Derivatives, Net | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Derivatives, net | -114 | 104 |
Level 2 | Foreign Currency Derivatives, Net | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Derivatives, net | 3 | 1 |
Level 2 | Foreign Currency Derivatives, Net | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Derivatives, net | 3 | 1 |
Level 3 | Auction Rate Securities | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 26 | 105 |
Level 3 | Auction Rate Securities | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Short-term investments | 26 | 105 |
Level 3 | EETC | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
EETC | 28 | 61 |
Level 3 | EETC | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
EETC | 28 | 61 |
Level 3 | Convertible Debt Derivative Asset | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Convertible debt derivative asset | 498 | 480 |
Level 3 | Convertible Debt Option Liability | United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Convertible debt option liability | ($297) | ($270) |
Financial_Instruments_and_Fair2
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | |||||||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | |
Asset-backed Securities | Asset-backed Securities | Corporate Debt | Corporate Debt | Auction Rate Securities | Auction Rate Securities | Certificates of Deposit Placed Through an Account Registry Service ("CDARS") | U.S. Government and Other Securities | U.S. Government and Other Securities | EETC | 6% convertible junior subordinated debentures due 2030 | 4.5% Convertible Notes Due 2015 | 4.5% Convertible Notes Due 2015 | |
Minimum | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum | Maximum | Minimum | Maximum | Maximum | ||||
Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities | '1 year | '40 years | '1 year | '7 years | '24 years | '32 years | '1 year | '1 year | '4 years | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Available-for-sale securities maturity, year | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | '2019 | ' | ' | ' |
Debt instrument convertible stated interest rate | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 6.00% | 4.50% | 4.50% |
Debt instrument maturity year | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | '2030 | '2015 | ' |
Activity_for_Level_Three_Finan
Activity for "Level Three" Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 |
UAL And United | UAL And United | UAL And United | UAL And United | UAL And United | UAL And United | UAL And United | UAL And United | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | |
Auction Rate Securities | Auction Rate Securities | Auction Rate Securities | Auction Rate Securities | EETC | EETC | EETC | EETC | Convertible Debt Derivative Asset | Convertible Debt Derivative Asset | Convertible Debt Derivative Asset | Convertible Debt Derivative Asset | Convertible Debt Option Liability | Convertible Debt Option Liability | Convertible Debt Option Liability | Convertible Debt Option Liability | |
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Beginning Balance | $115 | $105 | $116 | $26 | $59 | $62 | $61 | $63 | $449 | $395 | $480 | $268 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Purchases, (sales), issuances and (settlements) (net) | -9 | -84 | -19 | ' | -30 | -2 | -33 | -4 | ' | ' | -62 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Realized | 1 | 10 | 3 | ' | 1 | ' | 1 | ' | ' | ' | -5 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Unrealized | ' | ' | 1 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 49 | -19 | 85 | 108 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Reported in other comprehensive income (loss) | -3 | -5 | 3 | ' | -2 | -1 | -1 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Ending Balance | 104 | 26 | 104 | 26 | 28 | 59 | 28 | 59 | 498 | 376 | 498 | 376 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Beginning Balance | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | -263 | -199 | -270 | -128 |
Purchases, (sales), issuances and (settlements) (net) | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 34 | ' |
Realized | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 5 | ' |
Unrealized | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | -34 | 14 | -66 | -57 |
Reported in other comprehensive income (loss) | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Ending Balance | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ($297) | ($185) | ($297) | ($185) |
Carrying_Values_and_Estimated_
Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $) | Sep. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Long-term debt | $11,492 | ' |
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Long-term debt | 11,328 | 11,539 |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Long-term debt | 12,386 | 12,695 |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure | Level 2 | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Long-term debt | 8,290 | 8,829 |
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure | Level 3 | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Long-term debt | 4,096 | 3,866 |
United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Long-term debt | 11,434 | ' |
United Airlines, Inc. | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Long-term debt | 11,232 | 11,388 |
United Airlines, Inc. | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Long-term debt | 12,122 | 12,249 |
United Airlines, Inc. | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure | Level 2 | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Long-term debt | 8,026 | 8,383 |
United Airlines, Inc. | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure | Level 3 | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Long-term debt | $4,096 | $3,866 |
Quantitative_Information_about
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Detail) (USD $) | 9 Months Ended | |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | |
Auction Rate Securities | ' | |
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items] | ' | |
Level 3 Financial Instruments, asset | $26 | |
Valuation Technique | 'Valuation Service / Broker Quotes | |
Unobservable Input | 'Broker quotes | [1] |
EETC | ' | |
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items] | ' | |
Level 3 Financial Instruments, asset | 28 | |
Valuation Technique | 'Discounted Cash Flows | |
Unobservable Input | 'Structure credit risk | [2] |
EETC | Structure Credit Risk | ' | |
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items] | ' | |
Level 3 fair value measurements, weighted average percentage | 4.00% | |
Convertible Debt Derivative Asset | ' | |
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items] | ' | |
Level 3 Financial Instruments, asset | 498 | |
Valuation Technique | 'Binomial Lattice Model | |
Convertible Debt Derivative Asset | Expected Volatility | ' | |
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items] | ' | |
Level 3 fair value measurements, weighted average percentage | 40.00% | |
Convertible Debt Derivative Asset | Own Credit Risk | ' | |
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items] | ' | |
Level 3 fair value measurements, weighted average percentage | 5.00% | |
Convertible Debt Option Liability | ' | |
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items] | ' | |
Level 3 Financial Instruments, liability | ($297) | |
Valuation Technique | 'Binomial Lattice Model | |
Convertible Debt Option Liability | Expected Volatility | ' | |
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items] | ' | |
Level 3 fair value measurements, weighted average percentage | 40.00% | |
Convertible Debt Option Liability | Own Credit Risk | ' | |
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items] | ' | |
Level 3 fair value measurements, weighted average percentage | 5.00% | |
[1] | Broker quotes obtained by a third-party valuation service. | |
[2] | Represents the credit risk premium of the EETC structure above the risk-free rate that the Company has determined market participants would use when pricing the instruments. |
Hedging_Activities_Additional_
Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2014 | |
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items] | ' |
Fuel hedges expiration date | '2016-03 |
2014 Projected | ' |
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items] | ' |
Percentage of projected fuel requirements | 39.00% |
Volume of fuel hedging | 372,000,000 |
2015 Projected | ' |
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items] | ' |
Percentage of projected fuel requirements | 24.00% |
Volume of fuel hedging | 925,000,000 |
2016 Projected | ' |
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items] | ' |
Percentage of projected fuel requirements | 1.00% |
Volume of fuel hedging | 35,000,000 |
Description_of_Derivative_Inst
Description of Derivative Instruments (Detail) (USD $) | Sep. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, assets | $1 | $104 |
Fuel contracts, liabilities | 115 | ' |
Receivables | ' | ' |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, assets | ' | 89 |
Other Assets | ' | ' |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, assets | 1 | 15 |
Current liabilities: Other | ' | ' |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, liabilities | 93 | ' |
Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other | ' | ' |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, liabilities | 22 | ' |
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | ' | ' |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, assets | ' | 25 |
Fuel contracts, liabilities | 82 | ' |
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Receivables | ' | ' |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, assets | ' | 19 |
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Other Assets | ' | ' |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, assets | ' | 6 |
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Current liabilities: Other | ' | ' |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, liabilities | 66 | ' |
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other | ' | ' |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, liabilities | 16 | ' |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | ' | ' |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, assets | 1 | 79 |
Fuel contracts, liabilities | 33 | ' |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Receivables | ' | ' |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, assets | ' | 70 |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Assets | ' | ' |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, assets | 1 | 9 |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Current liabilities: Other | ' | ' |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, liabilities | 27 | ' |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other | ' | ' |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fuel contracts, liabilities | $6 | ' |
Offsetting_Assets_and_Liabilit
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) | Sep. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | ||
Offsetting Asset and Liabilities [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Potential net fair value positions elected to offset | ($114) | $104 |
Receivables | ' | ' |
Offsetting Asset and Liabilities [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Potential net fair value positions elected to offset | ' | 89 |
Other Assets | ' | ' |
Offsetting Asset and Liabilities [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Potential net fair value positions elected to offset | ' | 15 |
Current liabilities: Other | ' | ' |
Offsetting Asset and Liabilities [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Potential net fair value positions elected to offset | -93 | ' |
Other liabilities and deferred credits: Other | ' | ' |
Offsetting Asset and Liabilities [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Potential net fair value positions elected to offset | ($21) | ' |
Schedule_of_Gains_Losses_on_De
Schedule of Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments (Detail) (Designated as Hedging Instrument, Cash Flow Hedging, USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 |
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion) | ($120) | $44 | ($99) | $16 |
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Fuel Expense | ' | 14 | -4 | -4 |
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Nonoperating income (expense) (Ineffective Portion) | ($8) | $1 | ($4) | ' |
Schedule_of_Derivative_Instrum
Schedule of Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedges Gains (Losses) (Detail) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument, USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 |
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net | ($102) | $61 | ($103) | $30 |
Firm_Commitments_to_Purchase_A
Firm Commitments to Purchase Aircraft (Detail) (United Airlines, Inc., Capital Addition Purchase Commitments) | Sep. 30, 2014 | |
Aircraft | ||
Airbus A350-1000 aircraft | ' | |
Commitments [Line Items] | ' | |
Number of new aircraft committed to purchase | 35 | [1] |
Boeing 737-900ER aircraft | ' | |
Commitments [Line Items] | ' | |
Number of new aircraft committed to purchase | 39 | [1] |
Boeing 737 MAX 9 Aircraft | ' | |
Commitments [Line Items] | ' | |
Number of new aircraft committed to purchase | 100 | [1] |
Boeing 787-8/-9/-10 | ' | |
Commitments [Line Items] | ' | |
Number of new aircraft committed to purchase | 53 | [1] |
Embraer 175 aircraft | ' | |
Commitments [Line Items] | ' | |
Number of new aircraft committed to purchase | 22 | [1] |
[1] | United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft. |
Commitments_and_Contingencies_1
Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 9 Months Ended |
Sep. 30, 2014 | |
Revolving Credit Facility | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Capacity available under the revolving credit facility | 1,350,000,000 |
Tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure | 1,900,000,000 |
Operating leases obligations | 1,600,000,000 |
Capital leases obligations | 280,000,000 |
Floating Rate Debt | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Debt instrument principal amount | 2,500,000,000 |
Fixed Rate Debt | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Debt instrument principal amount | 168,000,000 |
Loans And Leases From Non U S Entities | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Debt instrument principal amount | 2,600,000,000 |
Aircraft Operating Leases | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Operating leases obligations | 8,347,000,000 |
Facility and Other Operating Leases | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Operating leases obligations | 10,987,000,000 |
Facility and Other Operating Leases | Denver International Airport | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Operating lease term | '10 years |
Operating lease extended expiration year | '2035 |
Operating lease original expiration year | '2025 |
Minimum | Tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Debt instrument maturity year | '2015 |
Maximum | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Debt instrument, remaining terms (years) | '12 years |
Maximum | Tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Debt instrument maturity year | '2038 |
Maximum | Loans And Leases From Non U S Entities | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Debt instrument, remaining terms (years) | '12 years |
United Airlines, Inc. | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Number of employees | 85,000 |
Percentage of employees represented by various U.S. labor organizations | 80.00% |
United Airlines, Inc. | Aircraft Operating Leases | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Number of aircraft operated | 70 |
United Airlines, Inc. | Aircraft Operating Leases | Embraer 175 aircraft | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Number of aircraft right to acquire | 50 |
United Airlines, Inc. | Aircraft Operating Leases | Embraer 175 aircraft | New Lease Arrangement | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Number of aircraft operated | 50 |
United Airlines, Inc. | Aircraft Operating Leases | Embraer 175 aircraft | Extension Of Term | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Number of aircraft operated | 38 |
United Airlines, Inc. | Aircraft Operating Leases | Q400 aircraft | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Number of aircraft operated | 31 |
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments | United Airlines, Inc. | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Number of aircraft under financing arrangement expected to be delivered | 20 |
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments | United Airlines, Inc. | Boeing 737-900ER aircraft | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Number of aircraft expected to be delivered | 5 |
Number of aircraft under financing arrangement expected to be delivered | 11 |
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments | United Airlines, Inc. | Boeing 787-8 | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Number of aircraft expected to be delivered | 1 |
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments | United Airlines, Inc. | Boeing 787-9 | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Number of aircraft expected to be delivered | 1 |
Number of aircraft under financing arrangement expected to be delivered | 4 |
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments | United Airlines, Inc. | Embraer 175 aircraft | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
Number of aircraft expected to be delivered | 11 |
Number of aircraft under financing arrangement expected to be delivered | 5 |
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments | United Airlines, Inc. | Minimum | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
New aircraft, scheduled delivery date | '2014 |
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments | United Airlines, Inc. | Maximum | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] | ' |
New aircraft, scheduled delivery date | '2025 |
Schedule_of_Acquisition_of_Air
Schedule of Acquisition of Aircrafts and Related Spare Engines (Detail) (USD $) | Sep. 30, 2014 |
In Billions, unless otherwise specified | |
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items] | ' |
Last three months of 2014 | $1.10 |
2015 | 3 |
2016 | 1.7 |
2017 | 1.2 |
2018 | 2.1 |
After 2018 | 13.5 |
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Total | $22.60 |
Summary_of_Scheduled_Future_Mi
Summary of Scheduled Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Aircraft Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $) | Sep. 30, 2014 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | |
Capacity Purchase Agreements | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items] | ' |
Last three months of 2014 | $460 |
2015 | 1,665 |
2016 | 1,531 |
2017 | 1,479 |
2018 | 1,416 |
After 2018 | 5,054 |
Contractual Obligation, Total | 11,605 |
Aircraft Operating Leases | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items] | ' |
Last three months of 2014 | 296 |
2015 | 1,442 |
2016 | 1,265 |
2017 | 1,190 |
2018 | 960 |
After 2018 | 3,194 |
Operating leases obligations | $8,347 |
Summary_of_Scheduled_Future_Mi1
Summary of Scheduled Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Facility Operating Leases (Detail) (Facility and Other Operating Leases, USD $) | Sep. 30, 2014 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | |
Facility and Other Operating Leases | ' |
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items] | ' |
Last three months of 2014 | $284 |
2015 | 953 |
2016 | 828 |
2017 | 793 |
2018 | 671 |
After 2018 | 7,458 |
Operating leases obligations | $10,987 |
Debt_Additional_Information_De
Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | |||||||||||||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Jan. 10, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jan. 17, 2014 | Jan. 17, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Oct. 23, 2014 | Oct. 23, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Mar. 27, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Oct. 10, 2014 | Oct. 10, 2014 |
Unsecured Debt | Unsecured Debt | Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | 4.5% Convertible Notes Due 2015 | 4.5% Convertible Notes Due 2015 | 8% notes due 2024 | 8% notes due 2024 | 6% Convertible Senior Notes | 6% Convertible Senior Notes | 6% Convertible Senior Notes | 6% Convertible Senior Notes | 6% convertible junior subordinated debentures due 2030 | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | United Airlines, Inc. | |||
Before Amendment | After Amendment | Subsequent Event | Subsequent Event | Term Loan Facility | Term Loan Facility | Term Loan Facility | 6.75% senior secured notes due 2015 | 6% convertible junior subordinated debentures due 2030 | 6% convertible junior subordinated debentures due 2030 | 6% convertible junior subordinated debentures due 2030 | ||||||||||||||
LIBOR | Scenario Forecast | Subsequent Event | Subsequent Event | |||||||||||||||||||||
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Debt purchased and retired | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | $28 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | $800 | $65 | $248 | ' |
Outstanding balance of debt instrument | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 202 | ' | ' | ' | 58 | ' | 58 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Debt instrument stated interest rate | ' | ' | 4.50% | 4.50% | ' | ' | ' | 4.50% | 4.50% | ' | 8.00% | 6.00% | ' | ' | ' | 6.00% | ' | ' | ' | ' | 6.75% | ' | ' | 6.00% |
Common stock issued in exchange for convertible notes | ' | ' | 5 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 5 | ' | 6.7 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes exchanged | 202 | 240 | 156 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 46 | ' | ' | ' | ' | 156 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Debt instrument maturity year | ' | ' | '2021 | ' | ' | ' | ' | '2015 | ' | '2024 | ' | '2029 | ' | ' | ' | '2030 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Debt instrument conversion rate | ' | ' | 30.6419 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 115.1013 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Note redemption date | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | '2014-11 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Aggregate principal amount of debt redeemed | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 400 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Credit Agreement | ' | ' | ' | ' | 1,315 | 1,000 | 1,350 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 500 | 900 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Debt instrument maturity date | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | '2021-09 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 3.00% | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Credit facility outstanding amount | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | $887 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Debt instrument, maturity date | ' | ' | ' | ' | 2-Jan-19 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Details_of_Pass_Through_Trusts
Details of Pass Through Trusts (Detail) (USD $) | 9 Months Ended | |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Proceeds received from issuance of debt | $1,177 | $819 |
United Airlines, Inc. | ' | ' |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Proceeds received from issuance of debt | 1,177 | 819 |
United Airlines, Inc. | Class A Pass Through Certificates | August 2014 | ' | ' |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Principal | 823 | ' |
Final expected distribution date | '2026-09 | ' |
Stated interest rate | 3.75% | ' |
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods | 823 | ' |
United Airlines, Inc. | Class A Pass Through Certificates | April 2014 | ' | ' |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Principal | 736 | ' |
Final expected distribution date | '2026-04 | ' |
Stated interest rate | 4.00% | ' |
Total debt recorded | 427 | ' |
Proceeds received from issuance of debt | 427 | ' |
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods | 309 | ' |
United Airlines, Inc. | Class A Pass Through Certificates | August 2013 | ' | ' |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Principal | 720 | ' |
Final expected distribution date | '2025-08 | ' |
Stated interest rate | 4.30% | ' |
Total debt recorded | 720 | ' |
Proceeds received from issuance of debt | 567 | ' |
United Airlines, Inc. | Class B Pass Through Certificates | August 2014 | ' | ' |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Principal | 238 | ' |
Final expected distribution date | '2022-09 | ' |
Stated interest rate | 4.63% | ' |
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods | 238 | ' |
United Airlines, Inc. | Class B Pass Through Certificates | April 2014 | ' | ' |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Principal | 213 | ' |
Final expected distribution date | '2022-04 | ' |
Stated interest rate | 4.75% | ' |
Total debt recorded | 123 | ' |
Proceeds received from issuance of debt | 123 | ' |
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods | 90 | ' |
United Airlines, Inc. | Class B Pass Through Certificates | August 2013 | ' | ' |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Principal | 209 | ' |
Final expected distribution date | '2021-08 | ' |
Stated interest rate | 5.38% | ' |
Total debt recorded | 209 | ' |
Proceeds received from issuance of debt | 165 | ' |
United Airlines, Inc. | EETC | ' | ' |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Principal | 2,939 | ' |
Total debt recorded | 1,479 | ' |
Proceeds received from issuance of debt | 1,282 | ' |
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods | $1,460 | ' |
Contractual_Principal_Payments
Contractual Principal Payments (Detail) (USD $) | Sep. 30, 2014 |
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ' |
Last three months of 2014 | $485 |
2015 | 1,301 |
2016 | 1,156 |
2017 | 716 |
2018 | 1,231 |
After 2018 | 6,603 |
Long-term debt | 11,492 |
United Airlines, Inc. | ' |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ' |
Last three months of 2014 | 485 |
2015 | 1,301 |
2016 | 1,156 |
2017 | 716 |
2018 | 1,231 |
After 2018 | 6,545 |
Long-term debt | $11,434 |
Components_of_Special_Charges_
Components of Special Charges (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 |
Operating: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Integration-related costs | $28 | $50 | $79 | $165 |
Severance and benefits | 6 | ' | 58 | 14 |
Labor agreement costs | ' | 127 | ' | 127 |
Impairment of assets held for disposal | ' | ' | 33 | ' |
Losses on sale of assets and other special (gains) losses, net | 9 | 34 | 28 | 31 |
Special charges | 43 | 211 | 264 | 355 |
Nonoperating: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Venezuela currency loss | ' | ' | 21 | ' |
Income tax benefit | -3 | ' | -4 | ' |
Total operating and nonoperating special charges, net of income taxes | 40 | 211 | 281 | 355 |
Permanently grounded Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Operating: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Costs associated with aircraft | ' | ' | 66 | ' |
Temporarily grounded Boeing 787 aircraft | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Operating: | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Costs associated with aircraft | ' | ' | ' | $18 |
Special_Charges_Additional_Inf
Special Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | ||||||
Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Oct. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | |
Attendant | Voluntary early out program | Voluntary early out program | International Association of Machinists | Venezuelan bolC-var fuerte | Permanently grounded Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft | Temporarily grounded Boeing 787 aircraft | Cleveland | ||||
Attendant | Maximum | Aircraft | Weighted Average | ||||||||
Special Charges [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Severance and benefits | $6,000,000 | ' | $58,000,000 | $14,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Percentage of flight reductions in average daily departures from Cleveland | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 60.00% |
Costs associated with aircraft | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 66,000,000 | 18,000,000 | ' |
Number of leased aircraft | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 21 | ' | ' |
Lease expiry year | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | '2018 | ' | ' |
Number of aircraft in operation | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 9 | ' | ' |
Impairment of assets held for disposal | ' | ' | 33,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Venezuela local currency loss | ' | ' | 21,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Unrestricted cash balance held as Venezuelan bolivars | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 100,000,000 | ' | ' | ' |
Severance payment per participant | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | 100,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Number of targeting participants offering to retire early | ' | ' | ' | ' | 2,100 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Number of flight attendants voluntarily on leave | ' | ' | ' | 1,300 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Labor agreement costs | ' | 127,000,000 | ' | 127,000,000 | ' | ' | 127,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Adjustment of reserves for certain legal matters | ' | 34,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Gain related to contract termination | ' | ' | ' | 5,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Loss on sale of asset | ' | ' | ' | -2,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Accrual severance and medical costs | $70,000,000 | $29,000,000 | $70,000,000 | $29,000,000 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Severance-related accrual expected payment date | ' | ' | '2015 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |