AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.
For the period ended Dec 31, 2025. Filed Feb 18, 2026.
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FY2025 · Filed Feb 18, 2026
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Item 8. Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
American Airlines Group Inc.:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American Airlines Group Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows, and stockholders’ deficit for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2025, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2025, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control– Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 18, 2026 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Sufficiency of audit evidence over the realizability of tax net operating loss and other carryforwards
As discussed in Notes 1(i) and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company had $4.1 billion of tax net operating loss and other carryforwards, which are recorded as deferred tax assets at December 31, 2025. Deferred tax assets are recognized related to tax net operating loss and other carryforwards that will reduce future taxable income. The Company provides a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of the deferred tax assets, will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, management considers the weighting of all available positive and negative evidence.
We identified the evaluation of the sufficiency of audit evidence over the realizability of federal tax net operating loss and other carryforwards as a critical audit matter. Evaluating the sufficiency of audit evidence required subjective auditor judgment in order to assess the extent of procedures performed in assessing the realizability of the federal tax net operating loss and other carryforwards.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance process, including controls related to the realizability of federal tax net operating loss and other carryforwards. We evaluated positive and negative evidence used in assessing whether the federal tax net operating loss and other carryforwards were more likely than not to be realized in the future. We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s projections of future profitability considering historical profitability of the Company, and consistency with industry data. We involved tax professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in evaluating the application of tax law. We assessed the sufficiency of audit evidence obtained over the realizability of the federal tax net operating loss and other carryforwards by evaluating the cumulative results of the audit procedures.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.
(In millions, except share and per share amounts)
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Operating revenues: | |||
| Passenger | $49,643 | $49,586 | $48,512 |
| Cargo | 839 | 804 | 812 |
| Other | 4,151 | 3,821 | 3,464 |
| Total operating revenues | 54,633 | 54,211 | 52,788 |
| Operating expenses: | |||
| Aircraft fuel and related taxes | 10,718 | 11,418 | 12,257 |
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 17,566 | 16,021 | 14,580 |
| Regional expenses | 5,448 | 5,042 | 4,643 |
| Maintenance, materials and repairs | 3,844 | 3,794 | 3,265 |
| Other rent and landing fees | 3,476 | 3,303 | 2,928 |
| Aircraft rent | 1,220 | 1,242 | 1,369 |
| Selling expenses | 1,997 | 1,812 | 1,799 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,890 | 1,926 | 1,936 |
| Special items, net | 159 | 610 | 971 |
| Other | 6,848 | 6,429 | 6,006 |
| Total operating expenses | 53,166 | 51,597 | 49,754 |
| Operating income | 1,467 | 2,614 | 3,034 |
| Nonoperating income (expense): | |||
| Interest income | 357 | 468 | 591 |
| Interest expense, net | (1,716) | (1,934) | (2,145) |
| Other income (expense), net | 82 | 6 | (359) |
| Total nonoperating expense, net | (1,277) | (1,460) | (1,913) |
| Income before income taxes | 190 | 1,154 | 1,121 |
| Income tax provision | 79 | 308 | 299 |
| Net income | $111 | $846 | $822 |
| Earnings per common share: | |||
| Basic | $0.17 | $1.29 | $1.26 |
| Diluted | $0.17 | $1.24 | $1.21 |
| Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands): | |||
| Basic | 659,964 | 656,996 | 653,612 |
| Diluted | 661,052 | 721,300 | 719,669 |
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Net income | $111 | $846 | $822 |
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | |||
| Pension, retiree medical and other postretirement benefits | 176 | 327 | (312) |
| Investments | — | 2 | 3 |
| Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | 176 | 329 | (309) |
| Total comprehensive income | $287 | $1,175 | $513 |
(In millions, except share and par value amounts)
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| ASSETS | ||
| Current assets | ||
| Cash | $954 | $804 |
| Short-term investments | 4,882 | 6,180 |
| Restricted cash and short-term investments | 735 | 732 |
| Accounts receivable, net | 2,075 | 2,006 |
| Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, net | 2,792 | 2,638 |
| Prepaid expenses and other | 767 | 794 |
| Total current assets | 12,205 | 13,154 |
| Operating property and equipment | ||
| Flight equipment | 46,597 | 43,521 |
| Ground property and equipment | 10,479 | 10,202 |
| Equipment purchase deposits | 656 | 1,012 |
| Total property and equipment, at cost | 57,732 | 54,735 |
| Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | (25,192) | (23,608) |
| Total property and equipment, net | 32,540 | 31,127 |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 7,091 | 7,333 |
| Other assets | ||
| Goodwill | 4,091 | 4,091 |
| Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $848 and $841, respectively | 2,066 | 2,044 |
| Deferred tax asset | 2,368 | 2,485 |
| Other assets | 1,413 | 1,549 |
| Total other assets | 9,938 | 10,169 |
| Total assets | $61,774 | $61,783 |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) | ||
| Current liabilities | ||
| Current maturities of long-term debt and finance leases | $3,753 | $5,322 |
| Accounts payable | 2,840 | 2,455 |
| Accrued salaries and wages | 2,128 | 2,150 |
| Air traffic liability | 7,158 | 6,759 |
| Loyalty program liability | 3,725 | 3,556 |
| Operating lease liabilities | 1,058 | 1,092 |
| Fuel financing | 914 | 74 |
| Other accrued liabilities | 2,916 | 2,887 |
| Total current liabilities | 24,492 | 24,295 |
| Noncurrent liabilities | ||
| Long-term debt and finance leases, net of current maturities | 25,254 | 25,154 |
| Pension and postretirement benefits | 1,568 | 2,128 |
| Loyalty program liability | 6,839 | 6,498 |
| Operating lease liabilities | 5,905 | 5,976 |
| Other liabilities | 1,443 | 1,709 |
| Total noncurrent liabilities | 41,009 | 41,465 |
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) | ||
| Stockholders’ equity (deficit) | ||
| Common stock, $0.01 par value; 1,750,000,000 shares authorized, 660,301,080 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2025; 657,566,166 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024 | 7 | 7 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 7,387 | 7,424 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (4,389) | (4,565) |
| Retained deficit | (6,732) | (6,843) |
| Total stockholders’ deficit | (3,727) | (3,977) |
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) | $61,774 | $61,783 |
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||
| Net income | $111 | $846 | $822 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||
| Depreciation and amortization | 2,219 | 2,245 | 2,254 |
| Debt extinguishment costs | 20 | 9 | 267 |
| Special items, net non-cash | (17) | (1) | 41 |
| Pension and postretirement | (31) | (82) | (13) |
| Deferred income tax provision | 79 | 308 | 299 |
| Share-based compensation, non-cash | 57 | 92 | 102 |
| Other, net | (85) | (249) | (205) |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||
| Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable | (74) | 35 | 95 |
| Increase in other assets | (218) | (314) | (11) |
| Increase in accounts payable | 335 | 257 | 209 |
| Increase (decrease) in air traffic liability | 399 | 559 | (545) |
| Increase in loyalty program liability | 510 | 727 | 182 |
| Contributions to pension plans | (228) | (300) | (73) |
| Increase (decrease) in other liabilities | 22 | (149) | 379 |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 3,099 | 3,983 | 3,803 |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||
| Capital expenditures and aircraft purchase deposits | (3,779) | (2,683) | (2,596) |
| Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions and sale of property and equipment | 344 | 654 | 230 |
| Sales of short-term investments | 6,189 | 8,013 | 8,861 |
| Purchases of short-term investments | (4,905) | (7,194) | (7,323) |
| Decrease in restricted short-term investments | 3 | 177 | 51 |
| Other investing activities | 254 | 65 | 275 |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,894) | (968) | (502) |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||
| Payments on long-term debt and finance leases | (5,504) | (4,467) | (7,718) |
| Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 3,773 | 1,670 | 4,822 |
| Net proceeds from fuel financing | 840 | 74 | — |
| Other financing activities | (160) | (71) | (310) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (1,051) | (2,794) | (3,206) |
| Net increase in cash and restricted cash | 154 | 221 | 95 |
| Cash and restricted cash at beginning of year | 902 | 681 | 586 |
| Cash and restricted cash at end of year (a) | $1,056 | $902 | $681 |
(a)The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash to amounts reported within the consolidated balance sheets:
| Cash | $954 | $804 | $578 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted cash included in restricted cash and short-term investments | 102 | 98 | 103 |
| Total cash and restricted cash | $1,056 | $902 | $681 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
(In millions, except share amounts)
| CommonStock | AdditionalPaid-inCapital | AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss | RetainedDeficit | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $6 | $7,291 | $(4,585) | $(8,511) | $(5,799) |
| Net income | — | — | — | 822 | 822 |
| Other comprehensive loss, net | — | — | (309) | — | (309) |
| Issuance of 3,630,731 shares of AAG common stock pursuant to employee stock plans net of shares withheld for cash taxes | 1 | (23) | — | — | (22) |
| Share-based compensation expense | — | 102 | — | — | 102 |
| Settlement of single-dip unsecured claims held in Disputed Claims Reserve | — | 4 | — | — | 4 |
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | 7 | 7,374 | (4,894) | (7,689) | (5,202) |
| Net income | — | — | — | 846 | 846 |
| Other comprehensive income, net | — | — | 329 | — | 329 |
| Issuance of 3,292,974 shares of AAG common stock pursuant to employee stock plans net of shares withheld for cash taxes | — | (22) | — | — | (22) |
| Share-based compensation expense | — | 92 | — | — | 92 |
| Modification of share-based awards | — | (20) | — | — | (20) |
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | 7 | 7,424 | (4,565) | (6,843) | (3,977) |
| Net income | — | — | — | 111 | 111 |
| Other comprehensive income, net | — | — | 176 | — | 176 |
| Settlement of PSP1 and Treasury Loan Warrants (see Note 3) | — | (79) | — | — | (79) |
| Issuance of 2,734,914 shares of AAG common stock pursuant to employee stock plans net of shares withheld for cash taxes | — | (18) | — | — | (18) |
| Share-based compensation expense | — | 60 | — | — | 60 |
| Balance at December 31, 2025 | $7 | $7,387 | $(4,389) | $(6,732) | $(3,727) |
- Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a)Basis of Presentation
American Airlines Group Inc. (we, us, our and similar terms, or AAG), a Delaware corporation, is a holding company whose primary business activity is the operation of a major network air carrier, providing scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo through its mainline operating subsidiary, American Airlines, Inc. (American) and its wholly-owned regional airline subsidiaries, Envoy Aviation Group Inc., PSA Airlines, Inc. (PSA) and Piedmont Airlines, Inc. (Piedmont), that operate under the brand American Eagle. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant areas of judgment relate to passenger revenue recognition, the loyalty program, deferred tax assets, as well as pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits.
(b)Recent Accounting Pronouncements
This standard enhances transparency in reporting by requiring disaggregation of certain costs and expenses in the notes to financial statements. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating how the adoption of this standard may impact our disclosures.
This standard modernizes the accounting for costs related to internal-use software by removing references to project stages and by clarifying the thresholds entities apply to begin capitalizing costs. The amendments in this update are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating how the adoption of this standard may impact our consolidated financial statements.
(c)Investments
Short-term investments primarily include debt securities and are classified as available-for-sale and stated at fair value. Realized gains and losses are recorded as part of interest income within total nonoperating expense, net on our consolidated statements of operations. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss on our consolidated balance sheets. For investments in an unrealized loss position, we determine whether a credit loss exists by considering information about the collectability of the instrument, current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of economic conditions. There have been no credit losses.
Equity investments are accounted for under the equity method if we are able to exercise significant influence over an investee. Equity investments for which we do not have significant influence are recorded at fair value or at cost, if fair value is not readily determinable, with adjustments for observable changes in price or impairments (referred to as the measurement alternative). Our equity investments are reflected in other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Our share of equity method investees’ financial results and changes in fair value are recorded in nonoperating other income (expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 8 for additional information related to our equity investments.
(d)Restricted Cash and Short-term Investments
We have restricted cash and short-term investments related primarily to collateral held to support workers’ compensation obligations, collateral associated with the payment of interest for the AAdvantage Financing and money market funds to be used to finance the cost of improvements at the overhaul and maintenance base at Tulsa International Airport (Tulsa Maintenance Base). See Note 4 and Note 11 for further information on the AAdvantage Financing and Tulsa Maintenance Base, respectively.
(e)Accounts Receivable, Net
Accounts receivable primarily consist of amounts due from credit card processing companies for tickets sold to individual passengers, amounts due from airline and non-airline business partners, including our co-branded credit card partner and cargo customers. Receivables from ticket sales are short-term, mostly settled within seven days after sale. Receivables from our business partners are typically settled within 30 days. All accounts receivable are reported net of an allowance for credit losses, which was not material as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. We consider past and future financial and qualitative factors, including aging, payment history and other credit monitoring indicators, when establishing the allowance for credit losses.
(f)Aircraft Fuel, Spare Parts and Supplies, Net
Aircraft fuel is recorded on a first-in, first-out basis. Spare parts and supplies are recorded at average costs less an allowance for obsolescence, which is recognized over the weighted average remaining useful life of the related fleet. We also provide an allowance for spare parts and supplies identified as excess or obsolete to reduce the carrying cost to the lower of cost or net realizable value. Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies are expensed when used.
(g)Operating Property and Equipment
Operating property and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated or amortized to residual values over the asset’s estimated useful life or the lease term, whichever is less, using the straight-line method. Costs of major improvements that enhance the usefulness of the asset are capitalized and depreciated or amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term, whichever is less. Effective January 1, 2025, we adjusted the estimated useful lives of our mainline and regional aircraft, engines and related rotable parts bythree years to align with the extended lives of aircraft included in our long-term fleet plan. In conjunction with this change, we also reduced the salvage values for most of these assets from 10% to 5% of original cost to more closely reflect the estimated value at the end of the useful life. Accordingly, the estimated useful lives for the principal property and equipment classification are as follows:
| Principal Property and Equipment Classification | Estimated Useful Life |
|---|---|
| Aircraft, engines and related rotable parts | 20 – 33 years |
| Buildings and improvements | 5 – 30 years |
| Furniture, fixtures and other equipment | 3 – 15 years |
| Capitalized software | 5 – 10 years |
The effect of these changes did not have a material impact to depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025. Total mainline and regional depreciation and amortization expense was $2.2 billion for each of the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 and $2.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023.
We assess impairment of operating property and equipment when events and circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired. An impairment of an asset or group of assets exists only when the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated directly by the assets are less than the carrying value of the assets. We group assets principally by fleet-type when estimating future cash flows, which is generally the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exist. Estimates of future cash flows are based on historical results adjusted to reflect management’s best estimate of future market and operating conditions, including our current fleet plan. If such assets are impaired, the impairment charge recognized is the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceed their fair value. Fair value reflects management’s best estimate including inputs from published pricing guides and bids from third parties as well as contracted sales agreements when applicable.
(h)Leases
We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (ROU) assets, current operating lease liabilities and noncurrent operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property and equipment, current maturities of long-term debt and finance leases and long-term debt and finance leases, net of current maturities, on our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 5 for further information on our operating and finance leases.
ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term.
We use our estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is derived from information available at the lease commencement date, in determining the present value of lease payments. We give consideration to our recent debt issuances as well as publicly available data for instruments with similar characteristics when calculating our incremental borrowing rates.
Our lease term includes options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Leases with a term of 12 months or less are not recorded on our consolidated balance sheets.
Under certain of our capacity purchase agreements with third-party regional carriers, we do not own the underlying aircraft. However, since we control the marketing, scheduling, ticketing, pricing and seat inventories of these aircraft and therefore control the asset, the aircraft is deemed to be leased for accounting purposes. For these capacity purchase agreements, we account for the lease and non-lease components separately. The lease component consists of the aircraft and the non-lease components consist of services, such as the crew and maintenance. Where applicable, we allocate the consideration in the capacity purchase agreements to the lease and non-lease components using their estimated relative standalone prices. See Note 11(b) for additional information on our capacity purchase agreements.
For real estate, we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.
(i)Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded net as noncurrent on our consolidated balance sheets.
We provide a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets, which include our net operating losses (NOLs) and other carryforwards, when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of our deferred tax assets, will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. We consider all available positive and negative evidence and make certain assumptions in evaluating the realizability of our deferred tax assets. Many factors are considered that impact our assessment of future profitability, including conditions which are beyond our control, such as the health of the economy, the availability and price volatility of aircraft fuel and travel demand. We have determined that positive factors outweigh negative factors in the determination of the realizability of our deferred tax assets.
(j)Goodwill
Goodwill represents the purchase price in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the 2013 merger with US Airways Group, Inc. (US Airways Group). We haveone reporting unit. We assess goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the fair value of goodwill may be lower than the carrying value. Our annual assessment date is October 1.
Goodwill is assessed for impairment by initially performing a qualitative assessment. If we determine that it is more likely than not that our goodwill may be impaired, we use a quantitative approach to assess the asset’s fair value and the amount of the impairment, if any. Based upon our annual assessment, there wasno goodwill impairment in 2025. The carrying value of our goodwill on our consolidated balance sheets was $4.1 billion as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
(k)Other Intangibles, Net
Intangible assets consist of certain domestic airport slots and gate leasehold rights, international slots and route authorities, commercial agreements, marketing agreements, customer relationships and tradenames.
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets
Definite-lived intangible assets are originally recorded at their acquired fair values, subsequently amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and are assessed for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired. Certain domestic airport slots and airport gate leasehold rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over 25 years. Certain marketing agreements were identified as intangible assets subject to amortization and are amortized on a straight-line basis over approximately 30 years.
We had $124 million and $101 million of definite-lived intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization on our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. We expect to record amortization expense related to these assets of approximately $7 million for each of the years in 2026 through 2030, and $88 million of amortization expense in 2031 and thereafter until fully amortized.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived intangible assets include certain domestic airport slots, international slots and route authorities and our commercial agreement with GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (GOL). We assess indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the fair values of indefinite-lived intangible assets may be lower than their carrying values. Our annual assessment date is October 1.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets are assessed for impairment by initially performing a qualitative assessment. If we determine that it is more likely than not that our indefinite-lived intangible assets may be impaired, we use a quantitative approach to assess the asset’s fair value and the amount of the impairment, if any. Based upon our annual assessment, there wereno indefinite-lived intangible asset impairments in 2025. We had $1.9 billion of indefinite-lived intangible assets on our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
(l)Fuel Financing
In December 2024, we entered into a fuel financing facility with a bank pursuant to which the bank pays certain fuel invoices on our behalf. The agreement contains a maximum allowable outstanding principal balance at any time of $1.0 billion and is required to be repaid at least quarterly. The fuel financing facility bears interest at a base rate equal to one-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), plus a margin of 3.75%. Our obligations to the counterparty are secured on a second-priority basis by certain intellectual property of American, including the “American Airlines” trademark and the “aa.com” domain name in the United States and certain foreign jurisdictions, as provided in, and subject to the covenants and conditions of, the Second Lien Brand Collateral Security Agreement. Either American or the bank may terminate this agreement at any time and with immediate effect upon sixty days’ prior written notice to the other party. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, we had $914 million and $74 million, respectively, in fuel financing obligations included on our consolidated balance sheets.
The following is a rollforward of our outstanding fuel financing obligation during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 (in millions):
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Balance at beginning of year | $74 | $— |
| Proceeds | 1,217 | 74 |
| Payments | (377) | — |
| Balance at end of year | $914 | $74 |
We include payments to designated fuel suppliers as an operating activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Proceeds and payments related to fuel financing transactions are presented net as a financing activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
(m) Revenue Recognition
Revenue
The following are the significant categories comprising our operating revenues (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Passenger revenue: | |||
| Passenger travel | $45,607 | $45,743 | $44,914 |
| Loyalty revenue - travel (1) | 4,036 | 3,843 | 3,598 |
| Total passenger revenue | 49,643 | 49,586 | 48,512 |
| Cargo | 839 | 804 | 812 |
| Other: | |||
| Loyalty revenue - marketing services | 3,511 | 3,257 | 2,929 |
| Other revenue | 640 | 564 | 535 |
| Total other revenue | 4,151 | 3,821 | 3,464 |
| Total operating revenues | $54,633 | $54,211 | $52,788 |
(1)Loyalty revenue included in passenger revenue is principally comprised of mileage credit redemptions, which were earned from travel or co-branded credit card and other partners. See “Loyalty Revenue” below for further discussion on these mileage credits.
The following is our total passenger revenue by geographic region (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Domestic | $35,201 | $35,336 | $34,592 |
| Latin America | 6,444 | 6,560 | 6,719 |
| Atlantic | 6,583 | 6,445 | 6,205 |
| Pacific | 1,415 | 1,245 | 996 |
| Total passenger revenue | $49,643 | $49,586 | $48,512 |
We attribute passenger revenue by geographic region based upon the origin and destination of each flight segment.
We recognize all revenues generated from transportation on American and our regional flights operated under the brand name American Eagle, including associated baggage fees and other inflight services, as passenger revenue when transportation is provided. Ticket and other related sales for transportation that has not yet been provided are initially deferred and recorded as air traffic liability on our consolidated balance sheets. The air traffic liability principally represents tickets sold for future travel on American, American Eagle and partner airlines.
The majority of tickets sold are nonrefundable. A small percentage of tickets, some of which are partially used tickets, expire unused. The estimate for tickets expected to expire unused is generally based on an analysis of our historical data and other current applicable factors such as policy changes. We have consistently applied this accounting method to estimate and recognize revenue from unused tickets at the date of travel. This estimate is periodically evaluated based on subsequent activity to validate its accuracy. Any adjustments resulting from periodic evaluations of the estimated air traffic liability are included in passenger revenue during the period in which the evaluations are completed.
Various taxes and fees assessed on the sale of tickets to end customers are collected by us as an agent and remitted to taxing authorities. These taxes and fees have been presented on a net basis in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and recorded as a liability until remitted to the appropriate taxing authority.
We currently operate the loyalty program, AAdvantage®. This program awards mileage credits to passengers who fly on American, American Eagle, anyone world airline or other partner airlines, or by using the services of other program participants, such as our co-branded credit cards, and certain hotels and car rental companies. Mileage credits can be redeemed for travel on American, American Eagle and other participating partner airlines, as well as for other non-air travel awards such as car rentals, hotel stays, cruises and retail goods from program partners. For mileage credits earned by AAdvantage program members, we apply the deferred revenue method.
For mileage credits earned through travel, we apply a relative selling price approach whereby the total amount collected from each passenger ticket sale is allocated between the air transportation and the mileage credits earned. The portion of each passenger ticket sale attributable to mileage credits earned is initially deferred and then recognized in passenger revenue when mileage credits are redeemed and transportation is provided. The estimated selling price of mileage credits is determined using an equivalent ticket value approach, which uses historical data, including award redemption patterns by geographic region and class of service, as well as similar cash fares as those used to settle award redemptions. The estimated selling price of mileage credits is adjusted for an estimate of mileage credits that will not be redeemed using a statistical model based on historical redemption patterns to develop an estimate of the likelihood of future redemption.
We sell mileage credits to participating airline partners and non-airline business partners, including our co-branded credit card partner, under contracts with remaining terms generally fromone to 10 years as of December 31, 2025. Consideration received from the sale of mileage credits is predominantly variable and payment terms typically are within 30 days subsequent to the month of mileage sale. Sales of mileage credits to co-branded credit card and non-airline business partners are comprised oftwo revenue elements: a transportation component and a marketing component. We allocate the consideration received from these sales of mileage credits based on the relative selling price of each product or service delivered.
Our most significant mileage credit partner agreement is our co-branded credit card agreement with Citibank N.A. (Citi). In December 2024, we announced a 10-year agreement with Citi and Citi became the exclusive issuer of the AAdvantage co-branded credit card portfolio in the U.S. starting in 2026.
The transportation component represents the estimated selling price of future travel awards and is determined using the same equivalent ticket value approach described above. The portion of each mileage credit sold attributable to transportation is initially deferred and then recognized in passenger revenue when mileage credits are redeemed and transportation is provided.
The marketing component includes the use of intellectual property, including the American brand and access to loyalty program member lists, which is the predominant element in these agreements, as well as advertising and other travel-related benefits. We recognize the marketing component in other revenue in the period of the mileage credit sale following the sales-based royalty method.
For the portion of our outstanding mileage credits that we estimate will not be redeemed, we recognize the associated value proportionally as the remaining mileage credits are redeemed. Our estimates use a statistical model based on historical redemption patterns to develop an estimate of the likelihood of future redemption.
Cargo Revenue
Cargo revenue is recognized when we provide the transportation.
Other Revenue
Other revenue includes revenue associated with our loyalty program, which is comprised principally of the marketing component of mileage credit sales to co-branded credit card and other partners and other marketing related payments. The accounting and recognition for the loyalty program marketing services are discussed above in “Loyalty Revenue.” The remaining amounts included within other revenue relate to airport clubs, other commission revenue, advertising and vacation-related services.
Contract Balances
Our significant contract liabilities are comprised of (1) outstanding loyalty program mileage credits that may be redeemed for future air travel, non-air travel and other awards, reported as loyalty program liability on our consolidated balance sheets and (2) ticket sales for transportation that has not yet been provided, reported as air traffic liability on our consolidated balance sheets.
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| (In millions) | ||
| Loyalty program liability | $10,564 | $10,054 |
| Air traffic liability | 7,158 | 6,759 |
| Total | $17,722 | $16,813 |
The balance of the loyalty program liability fluctuates based on seasonal patterns, which impact the volume of mileage credits issued through travel or sold to co-branded credit card and other partners (deferral of revenue) and mileage credits redeemed (recognition of revenue). Changes in loyalty program liability are as follows (in millions):
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | $10,054 |
|---|---|
| Deferral of revenue | 4,445 |
| Recognition of revenue (1) | (3,935) |
| Balance at December 31, 2025 (2) | $10,564 |
(1)Principally relates to revenue recognized from the redemption of mileage credits for air travel, non-air travel and other awards. Mileage credits are combined in one homogenous pool and are not separately identifiable. As such, the revenue is comprised of mileage credits that were part of the loyalty program deferred revenue balance at the beginning of the period, as well as mileage credits that were issued during the period.
(2)Mileage credits can be redeemed at any time and generally do not expire as long as the AAdvantage member has any type of qualifying activity at least every 24 months or if the AAdvantage member is the primary holder of a co-branded credit card. As of December 31, 2025, our current loyalty program liability was $3.7 billion and represents our current estimate of revenue expected to be recognized in the next 12 months based on historical trends, with the balance reflected in long-term loyalty program liability expected to be recognized as revenue in periods thereafter.
Additionally, as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, our loyalty program liability includes a one-time cash payment related to the new co-branded credit card agreement announced in December 2024, which will be amortized over the life of the new agreement beginning in 2026.
The air traffic liability principally represents tickets sold for future travel on American, American Eagle and partner airlines. The balance in our air traffic liability also fluctuates with seasonal travel patterns. The contract duration of passenger tickets is generallyone year. Accordingly, any revenue associated with tickets sold for future travel will be recognized within 12 months. For 2025, $5.1 billion of revenue was recognized in passenger revenue that was included in our air traffic liability at December 31, 2024.
(n)Maintenance, Materials and Repairs
Maintenance and repair costs for owned and leased flight equipment are charged to operating expense as incurred, except costs incurred for maintenance and repair under certain power-by-the-hour maintenance agreements, which are charged to operating expense based on contractual terms when an obligation exists.
(o)Selling Expenses
Selling expenses include credit card fees, commissions, third party distribution channel fees and advertising. Selling expenses associated with passenger revenue are expensed when the transportation or service is provided. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $200 million, $143 million and $114 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(p)Share-based Compensation
We account for our share-based compensation expense based on the fair value of the equity award at the time of grant, which is recognized ratably over the vesting period of the award. Certain awards have performance conditions that must be achieved prior to vesting and are expensed based on the expected achievement at each reporting period. The majority of our equity awards are time vested restricted stock units. For equity-classified awards, the fair value of such awards is based on the market price of the underlying shares of AAG common stock on the date of grant and is not subsequently remeasured unless modified. For liability-classified awards, the fair value of such awards is remeasured at the end of each reporting period until settled. See Note 14 for further discussion of share-based compensation.
(q)Foreign Currency Gains and Losses
Foreign currency gains and losses are recorded as part of other income (expense), net within total nonoperating expense, net on our consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, foreign currency losses were $15 million, $48 million and $30 million, respectively.
(r)Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses includes costs associated with onboard food and catering, crew travel, ground and cargo handling, passenger accommodation, international navigation fees, aircraft cleaning, airport lounge operations and certain general and administrative expenses.
(s)Regional Expenses
Our regional carriers provide scheduled air transportation under the brand name “American Eagle.” The American Eagle carriers include our wholly-owned regional carriers as well as third-party regional carriers. Our regional carrier arrangements are principally in the form of capacity purchase agreements with our third-party regional partners and similar arrangements with our wholly-owned regional affiliates. Expenses, excluding fuel expense, associated with American Eagle operations are classified as regional expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
Regional expenses for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 include $329 million, $319 million and $318 million of depreciation and amortization, respectively. Regional expenses also include $9 million of aircraft rent for each of the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 and $7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
In 2025, 2024 and 2023, we recognized $658 million, $612 million and $636 million, respectively, of expense under our capacity purchase agreement with Republic Airways Inc. (Republic). We hold a 20.8% equity interest in Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Republic Holdings), the parent company of Republic.
- Special Items, Net
Special items, net on our consolidated statements of operations consisted of the following (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Litigation reserve adjustments | $77 | $— | $— |
| Labor contract expenses (1) | 31 | 605 | 989 |
| Severance expenses | 44 | 13 | 23 |
| A330 fleet-related adjustments (2) | — | (42) | — |
| Other operating special items, net | 7 | 34 | (41) |
| Mainline operating special items, net | 159 | 610 | 971 |
| Regional operating special items, net (3) | 3 | 33 | 8 |
| Operating special items, net | 162 | 643 | 979 |
| Mark-to-market adjustments on equity investments, net (4) | (40) | 8 | 82 |
| Debt refinancing and extinguishment (5) | 22 | 16 | 280 |
| Other nonoperating special items, net | 18 | — | — |
| Nonoperating special items, net | — | 24 | 362 |
(1)Labor contract expenses for 2025 included a one-time charge resulting from adjustments to vacation accruals due to pay rate increases effective January 1, 2025, following the ratification of the contract extension in the fourth quarter of 2024 with our mainline maintenance and fleet service team members.
Labor contract expenses for 2024 included one-time charges resulting from the ratifications of new collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with our mainline flight attendants and passenger service team members, including one-time payments and adjustments to vacation accruals resulting from pay rate increases.
Labor contract expenses for 2023 included one-time charges resulting from the ratification of a new CBA with our mainline pilots, including a one-time payment of $754 million as well as adjustments to other benefit-related items of $235 million.
(2)In 2024, we entered into a sales agreement for certain Airbus A330 aircraft, resulting in a $42 million gain. These aircraft were previously retired in 2020 as a result of the decline in demand for air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(4)Mark-to-market adjustments on equity investments, net included net unrealized gains and losses associated with certain equity investments. See Note 8 for further information related to our equity investments.
(5)Debt refinancing and extinguishment costs in 2023 primarily included cash charges for premiums paid in connection with the early repayment of debt.
- Earnings Per Common Share
The following table provides the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (EPS) (in millions, except share and per share amounts):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Basic EPS: | |||
| Net income | $111 | $846 | $822 |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands) | 659,964 | 656,996 | 653,612 |
| Basic EPS | $0.17 | $1.29 | $1.26 |
| Diluted EPS: | |||
| Net income | $111 | $846 | $822 |
| Interest expense on 6.50% convertible senior notes | — | 51 | 46 |
| Net income for purposes of computing diluted EPS | $111 | $897 | $868 |
| Share computation for diluted EPS (in thousands): | |||
| Basic weighted average common shares outstanding | 659,964 | 656,996 | 653,612 |
| Dilutive effect of restricted stock unit awards | 763 | 1,121 | 1,830 |
| Dilutive effect of certain PSP Warrants and Treasury Loan Warrants | 325 | 1,455 | 2,499 |
| Assumed conversion of 6.50% convertible senior notes | — | 61,728 | 61,728 |
| Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding | 661,052 | 721,300 | 719,669 |
| Diluted EPS | $0.17 | $1.24 | $1.21 |
The following were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because inclusion of such shares would be antidilutive (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| 6.50% convertible senior notes (1) | 15,432 | — | — |
| Restricted stock unit awards | 1,188 | 2,350 | 4,371 |
(1)On March 27, 2025, we provided notice to the holders of our 6.50% convertible senior notes due 2025 (Convertible Notes) that we would settle our Convertible Notes at their maturity in cash on July 1, 2025. As a result, we have excluded the Convertible Notes from the calculation of diluted EPS for the quarterly periods ending after March 31, 2025.
In addition, excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because inclusion of such shares would be antidilutive, are certain shares underlying the warrants issued pursuant to (i) the payroll support program established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (PSP1), (ii) the payroll support program established under the Subtitle A of Title IV of Division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (PSP2), (iii) the payroll support program established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (PSP3, and together with PSP1 and PSP2, the PSP Warrants) and (iv) the Loan and Guarantee Agreement with the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury Loan Warrants).
During the first quarter of 2025, all of the PSP1 Warrants and Treasury Loan Warrants,14.0 million shares and 4.4 million shares, respectively, were exercised at an exercise price of $12.51 per share and net settled in cash for $79 million, reflected within other financing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
The table below provides a summary of the warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2025:
| Warrants | Warrants Issued (shares, in thousands) (1) | Exercise Price ($) | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSP2 Warrants | 6,576 | 15.66 | January 2026 (2) to April 2026 |
| PSP3 Warrants | 4,407 | 21.75 | April 2026 to June 2026 |
(1)The PSP2 Warrants and PSP3 Warrants are subject to certain anti-dilution provisions, do not have any voting rights and are freely transferable, with registration rights. Each warrant will be exercisable either through net share settlement or cash, at our option. The warrants were issued solely as compensation to the U.S. Government related to entry into the payroll support program agreements. No separate proceeds (apart from the financial assistance previously received in 2021) were received upon issuance of the warrants or will be received upon exercise thereof.
(2)In January 2026,2.8 million shares of the PSP2 Warrants were exercised at an exercise price of $15.66 per share and net settled in cash for a nominal amount.
- Debt
Debt included on our consolidated balance sheets consisted of (in millions):
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Secured | ||
| 2013 Term Loan Facility, variable interest rate of 6.00%, installments until due in February 2028 (a) | $970 | $980 |
| 2014 Term Loan Facility, variable interest rate of 5.69%, installments until due in January 2027 (a) | 1,159 | 1,171 |
| 2023 Term Loan Facility, variable interest rate of 6.26%, installments until due in June 2029 (a) | 1,078 | 1,089 |
| 10.75% senior secured IP notes (b) | — | 781 |
| 10.75% senior secured LGA/DCA notes (b) | — | 156 |
| 7.25% senior secured notes, interest only payments until due in February 2028 (b) | 750 | 750 |
| 8.50% senior secured notes, interest only payments until due in May 2029 (b) | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| 5.50% senior secured notes, installments until due in April 2026 (c) | 583 | 1,750 |
| 5.75% senior secured notes, installments beginning in July 2026 until due in April 2029 (c) | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| 2021 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility, variable interest rate of 6.13%, installments until due in April 2028 (c) | 2,264 | 2,450 |
| 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility, variable interest rate of 7.13%, installments until due in May 2032 (c) | 995 | — |
| Enhanced equipment trust certificates (EETCs), fixed interest rates ranging from 2.88% to 7.15%, averaging 3.95%, maturing from 2026 to 2038 (d) | 6,912 | 7,271 |
| Equipment loans and other notes payable, fixed and variable interest rates ranging from 2.55% to 6.56%, averaging 5.57%, maturing from 2026 to 2037 (e) | 4,719 | 4,094 |
| Special facility revenue bonds, fixed interest rates ranging from 2.25% to 5.38%, maturing from 2026 to 2036 | 789 | 880 |
| 24,219 | 25,372 | |
| Unsecured | ||
| PSP1 Promissory Note, variable interest rate of 5.92%, interest only payments until due in April 2030 (f) | 1,757 | 1,757 |
| PSP2 Promissory Note, interest only payments until due in January 2031 (f) | 1,030 | 1,030 |
| PSP3 Promissory Note, interest only payments until due in April 2031 (f) | 959 | 959 |
| 6.50% convertible senior notes (g) | — | 1,000 |
| Senior short-term term loan facility, variable interest rate of 6.11%, interest only payments until due in January 2026 (h) | 629 | — |
| 4,375 | 4,746 | |
| Total | 28,594 | 30,118 |
| Less: Total unamortized debt discount, premium and issuance costs | 314 | 305 |
| Less: Current maturities | 3,641 | 5,196 |
| Long-term debt, net of current maturities | $24,639 | $24,617 |
As of December 31, 2025, the maximum availability under our revolving credit and other facilities is as follows (in millions):
| 2013 Revolving Facility (1) | $519 |
|---|---|
| 2014 Revolving Facility (1) | 1,557 |
| 2023 Revolving Facility (1) | 924 |
| Other facilities (2) | 397 |
| Total | $3,397 |
(1)On April 21, 2025, the aggregate revolving commitments under the 2013, 2014 and 2023 Revolving Facilities were increased from approximately $2.9 billion to $3.0 billion upon the upsize of commitments by certain existing lenders. No other terms were changed and there areno borrowings outstanding under the facilities.
(2)Includes a revolving credit facility that provides for borrowing capacity of up to $350 million, maturing in March 2027 with an option to extend for an additional year. Additionally, American currently has $47 million of available borrowing base under a cargo receivables facility that is scheduled to expire in December 2026. There areno amounts drawn under these facilities.
Secured financings, including revolving credit and other facilities, are collateralized by assets, consisting primarily of aircraft, engines, simulators, airport gate leasehold rights, route authorities, airport slots, certain receivables, certain intellectual property and certain loyalty program assets.
At December 31, 2025, the maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in millions):
| 2026 | $3,641 |
| 2027 | 4,455 |
| 2028 | 7,324 |
| 2029 | 4,045 |
| 2030 | 2,487 |
| 2031 and thereafter | 6,642 |
| Total | $28,594 |
(a) 2013, 2014 and 2023 Credit Facilities
2013 Credit Facilities
The Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of May 21, 2015, as amended (the 2013 Credit Agreement), includes a revolving credit facility (the 2013 Revolving Facility) and term loan facility (the 2013 Term Loan Facility), collectively referred to as the 2013 Credit Facilities. The 2013 Term Loan Facility matures in February 2028 and bears interest at a base rate (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus an applicable margin of 1.25% per annum or, at American’s option, the SOFR rate for a tenor of one, three or six months, depending on the interest period selected by American (subject to a floor of 0.00%), plus an applicable margin of 2.25% per annum. SOFR borrowings under the 2013 Term Loan Facility are not subject to a credit spread adjustment. As of December 31, 2025, the margin elected was 2.25% per annum.
The 2013 Revolving Facility matures in June 2029 and bears interest at a base rate (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus an applicable margin of 2.00%,2.25% or 2.50%, depending on AAG’s public corporate credit rating, or, at American’s option, the SOFR rate for a tenor of one, three or six months, depending on the interest period selected by American (subject to a floor of 0.00%), plus an applicable margin of 3.00%,3.25% or 3.50%, depending on AAG’s public corporate credit rating. SOFR borrowings under the 2013 Revolving Facility are not subject to a credit spread adjustment. The 2013 Revolving Facility has aggregate commitments of $519 million, with the ability to issue letters of credit up to an aggregate amount of $100 million. As of December 31, 2025, there wereno borrowings or letters of credit outstanding under the 2013 Revolving Facility.
2014 Credit Facilities
The Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2015, as amended (the 2014 Credit Agreement), includes a revolving credit facility (the 2014 Revolving Facility) and term loan facility (the 2014 Term Loan Facility), collectively referred to as the 2014 Credit Facilities. The 2014 Term Loan Facility matures in January 2027 and bears interest at a base rate (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus an applicable margin of 0.75% or, at American’s option, the SOFR rate for a tenor of one, three or six months, depending on the interest period selected by American, plus the SOFR adjustment applicable to such interest period (with such SOFR rate plus SOFR adjustment being subject to a floor of 0.00%) plus an applicable margin of 1.75%. As of December 31, 2025, the margin elected was 1.75% per annum.
The 2014 Revolving Facility matures in June 2029 and bears interest at a base rate (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus an applicable margin of 2.00%,2.25% or 2.50%, depending on AAG’s public corporate credit rating, or, at American’s option, the SOFR rate for a tenor of one, three or six months, depending on the interest period selected by American (subject to a floor of 0.00%), plus an applicable margin of 3.00%,3.25% or 3.50%, depending on AAG’s public corporate credit rating. SOFR borrowings under the 2014 Revolving Facility are not subject to a credit spread adjustment. The 2014 Revolving Facility has aggregate commitments of $1.6 billion, with the ability to issue letters of credit up to an aggregate amount of $200 million. As of December 31, 2025, there wereno borrowings or letters of credit outstanding under the 2014 Revolving Facility.
2023 Credit Facilities
The Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 4, 2023, as amended (the 2023 Credit Agreement), includes a revolving credit facility (the 2023 Revolving Facility) and term loan facility (the 2023 Term Loan Facility), collectively referred to as the 2023 Credit Facilities. The 2023 Term Loan Facility matures in June 2029 and bears interest at a base rate (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus an applicable margin of 1.25% per annum or, at American’s option, the SOFR rate for a tenor of one, three or six months, depending on the interest period selected by American (subject to a floor of 0.00%), plus an applicable margin of 2.25% per annum. SOFR borrowings under the 2023 Term Loan Facility are not subject to a credit spread adjustment. As of December 31, 2025, the margin elected was 2.25% per annum.
The 2023 Revolving Facility matures in June 2029 and bears interest at a base rate (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus an applicable margin of 2.00%,2.25% or 2.50%, depending on AAG’s public corporate credit rating, or, at American’s option, the SOFR rate for a tenor of one, three or six months, depending on the interest period selected by American (subject to a floor of 0.00%), plus an applicable margin of 3.00%,3.25% or 3.50%, depending on AAG’s public corporate credit rating. SOFR borrowings under the 2023 Revolving Facility are not subject to a credit spread adjustment. The 2023 Revolving Facility has aggregate commitments of $924 million. As of December 31, 2025, there wereno borrowings outstanding under the 2023 Revolving Facility.
Other Terms of the 2013, 2014 and 2023 Credit Facilities
The term loans under the 2013, 2014 and 2023 Credit Facilities (collectively referred to as the Credit Facilities) are repayable in annual installments, in an amount equal to 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount issued, with any unpaid balance due on the respective maturity dates. Voluntary prepayments may be made by American at any time.
The 2013, 2014 and 2023 Revolving Facilities provide that American may from time to time borrow, repay and reborrow loans thereunder. The 2013, 2014 and 2023 Revolving Facilities are each subject to an undrawn annual fee of 0.75%.
Subject to certain limitations and exceptions, the Credit Facilities are secured by collateral, including certain slots, route authorities, simulators and leasehold rights. American has the ability to make modifications to the collateral pledged, subject to certain restrictions. American’s obligations under the Credit Facilities are guaranteed by AAG, and such guarantee is AAG’s senior unsecured obligations (all of the collateral is owned by American, and AAG has not granted a security interest in any assets to secure any of the foregoing obligations). The Credit Facilities contain events of default customary for similar financings, including cross default and cross-acceleration to other material indebtedness.
(b) Senior Secured Notes
10.75% Senior Secured Notes
On September 25, 2020 (the 10.75% Senior Secured Notes Closing Date), American issued $1.0 billion in initial principal amount of senior secured IP notes (the IP Notes) and $200 million in initial principal amount of senior secured LGA/DCA notes (the LGA/DCA Notes and together with the IP Notes, the 10.75% Senior Secured Notes). In February 2025, American prepaid $308 million toward portions of the outstanding principal amounts of the 10.75% Senior Secured
Notes. In October 2025, American redeemed in full the $629 million in aggregate principal amount of 10.75% Senior Secured Notes in advance of maturity at par, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, using amounts borrowed under a senior unsecured short-term term loan facility, described further below.
7.25% Senior Secured Notes
On February 15, 2023, American issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior secured notes due 2028 (the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes) in a private offering. The 7.25% Senior Secured Notes were issued at par and bear interest at a rate of 7.25% per annum (subject to increase if the collateral coverage ratio described below is not met). Interest on the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, which began on August 15, 2023. The 7.25% Senior Secured Notes will mature on February 15, 2028. The obligations of American under the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by AAG.
The 7.25% Senior Secured Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of February 15, 2023 (the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes Indenture), by and among American, AAG and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee and collateral agent. The 7.25% Senior Secured Notes are American’s senior secured obligations and are secured on a first lien basis by security interests in certain assets, rights and properties that American uses to provide non-stop scheduled air carrier services between (a) certain airports in the United States and (b) airports in certain countries in South America and New Zealand (collectively, the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes Collateral). The 7.25% Senior Secured Notes Collateral also secures, on a first lien, pari passu basis with the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes, the 2013 Credit Facilities.
American may redeem the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices described in the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes Indenture, plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the date of redemption.
Twice per year, American is required to deliver an appraisal of the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes Collateral and an officer’s certificate demonstrating the calculation of a collateral coverage ratio in relation to the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes Collateral (the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes Collateral Coverage Ratio) as of the date of delivery of the appraisal for the applicable period. If the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes Collateral Coverage Ratio is less than 1.6 to 1.0 as of the date of delivery of the appraisal for the applicable period, then, subject to a cure period in which additional collateral can be provided or debt repaid such that American meets the required 7.25% Senior Secured Notes Collateral Coverage Ratio, American will be required to pay special interest in an additional amount equal to 2.00% per annum of the principal amount of the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes until the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes Collateral Coverage Ratio is established to be at least 1.6 to 1.0.
On December 4, 2023, American issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 8.50% senior secured notes due 2029 (the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes) in a private offering. The 8.50% Senior Secured Notes were issued at par and bear interest at a rate of 8.50% per annum (subject to increase if the collateral coverage ratio described below is not met). Interest on the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes is payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, which began on May 15, 2024. The 8.50% Senior Secured Notes will mature on May 15, 2029. The obligations of American under the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by AAG.
The 8.50% Senior Secured Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of December 4, 2023 (the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture), by and among American, AAG and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee and collateral agent. The 8.50% Senior Secured Notes are American’s senior secured obligations and are secured on a first lien basis by security interests in certain assets, rights and properties that American uses to provide non-stop scheduled air carrier services between (a) certain airports in the United States and (b) certain airports in Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, South Korea and Switzerland (collectively, the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes Collateral). The 8.50% Senior Secured Notes Collateral also secures, on a first lien, pari passu basis with the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes, the 2023 Term Loan Facility.
American may redeem the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices described in the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes Indenture, plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but excluding the date of redemption.
Twice per year, American is required to deliver an appraisal of the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes Collateral and an officer’s certificate demonstrating the calculation of a collateral coverage ratio in relation to the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes Collateral (the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes Collateral Coverage Ratio) as of the date of delivery of the appraisal for the applicable period. If the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes Collateral Coverage Ratio is less than 1.6 to 1.0 as of the date of delivery of the appraisal for the applicable period, then, subject to a cure period in which additional collateral can be provided or debt repaid such that American meets the required 8.50% Senior Secured Notes Collateral Coverage Ratio, American will be required to pay special interest in an additional amount equal to 2.00% per annum of the principal amount of the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes until the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes Collateral Coverage Ratio is established to be at least 1.6 to 1.0.
(c) AAdvantage Financing
On March 24, 2021 (the 2021 AAdvantage Financing Closing Date), American and AAdvantage Loyalty IP Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated with limited liability and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of American (Loyalty Issuer and, together with American, the AAdvantage Issuers), completed the offering of $3.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (the 2026 Notes) and $3.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the 2029 Notes, and together with the 2026 Notes, the AAdvantage Notes). The AAdvantage Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed (the AAdvantage Note Guarantees) by an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of American, and other wholly-owned subsidiaries (together, the SPV Guarantors) and AAG.
Concurrent with the issuance of the AAdvantage Notes, the AAdvantage Issuers, as co-borrowers, entered into a term loan credit and guaranty agreement, dated March 24, 2021, as amended, providing for a $3.5 billion term loan facility (the 2021 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility). On March 24, 2025, the AAdvantage Issuers entered into a second amendment to the term loan credit and guaranty agreement dated March 24, 2021 (the Second Amendment). As a result of the Second Amendment, the term loans outstanding with a principal amount of approximately $2.3 billion were replaced with new term loans in the same principal amount. The terms of the new term loans are substantially similar to the prior term loans; however, the new term loans bear interest at a base rate (subject to a floor of 0.00%) plus an applicable margin of 1.25% per annum or, at the AAdvantage Issuers’ option, the SOFR rate for a tenor of three months (subject to a floor of 0.00%), plus an applicable margin of 2.25% per annum. Additionally, the scheduled quarterly principal amortization amount was reduced to 0.25% of the principal amount of term loans outstanding as of March 24, 2025 (approximately $6 million each quarter), which began in July 2025, and the remaining balance is due at maturity in April 2028. Pursuant to the Second Amendment, the new term loans are not subject to a cost spread adjustment. As of December 31, 2025, the margin elected for the 2021 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility was 2.25%.
On May 28, 2025, the AAdvantage Issuers entered into a third amendment to the term loan credit and guaranty agreement dated March 24, 2021 (the Third Amendment). As a result of the Third Amendment, the AAdvantage Issuers incurred $1.0 billion of incremental term loans (the 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility) due on May 28, 2032. The terms of the 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility are substantially similar to the 2021 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility; however, the 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility bears interest at a base rate (subject to a floor of 0.00%) plus an applicable margin of 2.25% per annum or, at the AAdvantage Issuers’ option, the SOFR rate for a tenor of three months (subject to a floor of 0.00%), plus an applicable margin of 3.25% per annum. Additionally, the scheduled quarterly principal amortization amount is equal to 0.25% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility (approximately $3 million each quarter), which began in July 2025, and the remaining balance is due at maturity in May 2032. Pursuant to the Third Amendment, the 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility is not subject to a cost spread adjustment. The net proceeds from the 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility were used, in part, to repay the Convertible Notes described further below. As of December 31, 2025, the margin elected for the 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility was 3.25%.
The AAdvantage Notes, 2021 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility and 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility are collectively referred to as the AAdvantage Financing. The term loans drawn under the 2021 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility and 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility (collectively, the AAdvantage Loans) are fully and unconditionally guaranteed (together with the AAdvantage Note Guarantees, the AAdvantage Guarantees) by the SPV Guarantors and AAG.
Subject to certain permitted liens and other exceptions, the AAdvantage Notes, AAdvantage Loans and AAdvantage Guarantees provided by the SPV Guarantors are secured by a first-priority security interest in, and pledge of, various agreements with respect to the AAdvantage program (the AAdvantage Agreements) (including all payments thereunder) and certain intellectual property licenses, certain deposit accounts that will receive cash under the AAdvantage Agreements, certain reserve accounts, the equity of each of Loyalty Issuer and the SPV Guarantors and substantially all other assets of Loyalty Issuer and the SPV Guarantors, including American’s rights to certain data and other intellectual property used in the AAdvantage program (subject to certain exceptions) (collectively, the AAdvantage Collateral).
Payment Terms of the AAdvantage Financing
Interest on the AAdvantage Notes is payable in cash, quarterly in arrears on the 20th day of each January, April, July and October (each, an AAdvantage Payment Date), which began on July 20, 2021. The 2026 Notes will mature on April 20, 2026, and the 2029 Notes will mature on April 20, 2029. The outstanding principal on the 2026 Notes are repaid in quarterly installments of $292 million on each AAdvantage Payment Date, which began in July 2023. The outstanding principal on the 2029 Notes will be repaid in quarterly installments of $250 million on each AAdvantage Payment Date, beginning on July 20, 2026.
The AAdvantage Issuers may redeem the AAdvantage Notes, at their option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the AAdvantage Notes redeemed plus a “make-whole” premium, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.
The scheduled maturity date of the term loans under the 2021 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility is April 20, 2028. The outstanding principal on the loans due under such facility will be repaid in quarterly installments of approximately $6 million, on each AAdvantage Payment Date. The scheduled maturity date of the term loans under the 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility is May 28, 2032. The outstanding principal on the loans due under such facility will be repaid in quarterly installments of approximately $3 million, on each AAdvantage Payment Date. These amortization payments (as well as those for the AAdvantage Notes) will be subject to the occurrence of certain early amortization events, including the failure to satisfy a minimum debt service coverage ratio at specified determination dates.
Prepayment of some or all of the outstanding amounts under the AAdvantage Loans is permitted, although payment of an applicable premium is required as specified in the term loans of the AAdvantage Loans.
The AAdvantage Indenture and the AAdvantage Loans contain mandatory prepayment provisions triggered upon (i) the issuance or incurrence by Loyalty Issuer or the SPV Guarantors of certain indebtedness or (ii) the receipt by American or its subsidiaries of net proceeds from pre-paid frequent flyer (i.e., AAdvantage) mileage credit sales exceeding $505 million. Each of these prepayments would also require payment of an applicable premium. Certain other events, including the occurrence of a change of control with respect to AAG and certain AAdvantage Collateral sales exceeding a specified threshold, will also trigger mandatory repurchase or mandatory prepayment provisions under the AAdvantage Indenture and the AAdvantage Loans, respectively.
(d) EETCs issued in 2025
2025-1 Aircraft EETCs
In November 2025, American createdtwo pass-through trusts which issued approximately $1.1 billion aggregate face amount of Series 2025-1 Class A and Class B EETCs (the 2025-1 Aircraft EETCs) in connection with the financing of 25 aircraft delivered or to be delivered to American from October 2025 through March 2026 (the 2025-1 Aircraft). As of December 31, 2025, approximately $978 million of the proceeds had been used to purchase equipment notes issued by American in connection with the financing of 21 aircraft under the 2025-1 Aircraft EETCs. Interest and principal payments on equipment notes issued in connection with the 2025-1 Aircraft EETCs are payable semi-annually in May and November each year, with interest payments scheduled to begin in May 2026 and principal payments scheduled to begin in November 2026. The remaining proceeds of approximately $127 million as of December 31, 2025 were being held in escrow with a depositary for the benefit of the holders of the 2025-1 Aircraft EETCs until such time as American issues additional equipment notes with respect to the remaining 2025-1 Aircraft to the pass-through trusts, which will purchase such additional equipment notes with the escrowed funds. These escrowed funds are not guaranteed by American and are not reported as debt on its consolidated balance sheet because the proceeds held by the depositary for the benefit of the holders of the 2025-1 Aircraft EETCs are not American’s assets.
Certain information regarding the 2025-1 Aircraft EETC equipment notes, as of December 31, 2025, is set forth in the table below:
| 2025-1 Aircraft EETCs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Series A | Series B | |
| Aggregate principal issued | $884 million | $221 million |
| Remaining escrowed proceeds | $102 million | $25 million |
| Fixed interest rate per annum | 4.90% | 5.65% |
| Maturity date | May 2038 | November 2034 |
(e) Equipment Loans and Other Notes Payable Issued in 2025
In 2025, American entered into agreements under which it borrowed $1.2 billion in connection with the financing of certain aircraft. Debt incurred under these agreements matures in 2036 through 2037 and bears interest at variable rates (comprised of SOFR plus an applicable margin) averaging 5.72% as of December 31, 2025.
(f) PSP Promissory Notes
As partial compensation to the U.S. Government for the provision of financial assistance under the various payroll support program agreements, AAG issued promissory notes to Treasury (PSP1 Promissory Note, PSP2 Promissory Note and PSP3 Promissory Note, collectively the PSP Promissory Notes), in the aggregate principal amount of $3.7 billion which provides for the guarantee of our obligations under the PSP Promissory Notes by AAG’s subsidiaries American, Envoy Air Inc., Piedmont and PSA (together, the Subsidiaries).
The PSP1 Promissory Note bears interest at 2.00% plus an interest rate based on SOFR. The PSP2 Promissory Note and PSP3 Promissory Note bear interest at a fixed interest rate of 1.00% until the first and second quarters of 2026, respectively. Thereafter, the notes bear interest at 2.00% plus an interest rate based on SOFR. Interest accrued thereon is payable in arrears on the last business day of March and September of each year. The aggregate principal amount outstanding under the PSP Promissory Notes, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all other amounts payable under the PSP Promissory Notes, will be due and payable on the applicable maturity date.
The PSP Promissory Notes are our senior unsecured obligation and each guarantee of the PSP Promissory Notes is the senior unsecured obligation of each of the Subsidiaries, respectively.
We may, at any time and from time to time, voluntarily prepay amounts outstanding under the PSP Promissory Notes, in whole or in part, without penalty or premium. Within 30 days of the occurrence of certain change of control triggering events, we are required to prepay the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the PSP Promissory Notes at such time, together with any accrued interest or other amounts owing under the PSP Promissory Notes at such time.
(g)6.50% Convertible Senior Notes
In June 2020, AAG completed the public offering of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of AAG’s 6.50% convertible senior notes due 2025 (the Convertible Notes). On March 27, 2025, we provided notice to the holders of our Convertible Notes that we would settle our Convertible Notes at their maturity in cash (including any conversions up to a price per share of AAG common stock of approximately $22.00) if the volume-weighted average price per share of AAG common stock did not exceed approximately $22.00 on any trading day of the 20-trading day “observation period” over which the consideration due upon conversion is calculated and determined. On July 1, 2025, the volume-weighted average price per share of AAG common stock did not exceed $22.00 on any trading day of the 20-trading day “observation period” and therefore the Convertible Notes were settled at their maturity in cash for $1.0 billion.
(h) Short-Term Term Loan Facility
In October 2025, American borrowed $629 million under a senior unsecured short-term term loan facility to refinance in full the $629 million outstanding principal amount of the 10.75% Senior Secured Notes, described above. Term loans under the facility were scheduled to mature on January 21, 2026 and bore interest at SOFR for a tenor of one month plus an applicable margin of 2.375% per annum, payable monthly. The term loans were fully and unconditionally guaranteed by AAG. On January 2, 2026, American voluntarily prepaid the remaining outstanding principal amount of the short-term term loan facility.
Other Financing Activities
In 2025, American prepaid $487 million of the outstanding principal amounts of certain equipment notes issued under EETCs, and these amounts were applied to repay the related trust certificates.
Guarantees
As of December 31, 2025, AAG had issued guarantees covering approximately $14.1 billion of American’s debt (and interest thereon), including the Credit Facilities, the AAdvantage Financing, senior secured notes, certain equipment loans and special facility revenue bonds.
Our debt agreements contain customary terms and conditions as well as various affirmative, negative and financial covenants that, among other things, may restrict our ability and that of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends or repurchase stock. Our debt agreements also contain customary change of control provisions, which may require us to repay or redeem such indebtedness upon certain events constituting a change of control under the relevant agreement, in certain cases at a premium. Additionally, certain of our debt financing agreements (including our secured notes, term loans, revolving credit facilities and spare engine EETCs) contain loan to value (LTV) or collateral coverage ratio covenants and certain agreements require us to appraise the related collateral annually or semiannually. Pursuant to such agreements, if the applicable LTV or collateral coverage ratio exceeds or falls below a specified threshold, as the case may be, we will be required, as applicable, to pledge additional qualifying collateral (which in some cases may include cash or investment securities), withhold additional cash in certain accounts, or pay down such financing, in whole or in part, or the interest rate for the relevant financing will be increased. Additionally, a significant portion of our debt financing agreements contain covenants requiring us to maintain an aggregate of at least $2.0 billion of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and amounts available to be drawn under revolving credit facilities, and our AAdvantage Financing contains a peak debt service coverage ratio, pursuant to which failure to comply with a certain threshold may result in early repayment, in whole or in part, of the AAdvantage Financing.
Specifically, we are required to meet certain collateral coverage tests for our Credit Facilities,7.25% Senior Secured Notes and 8.50% Senior Secured Notes, as described below:
| 2013 Credit Facilities · 7.25% Senior Secured Notes · 2014 Credit Facilities · 2023 Credit Facilities · 8.50% Senior Secured Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| LTV Requirement | 1.6x Collateral valuation to amount of debt outstanding (62.5% LTV) | ||
| LTV as of Last Measurement Date | 38.4% | 15.3% | 25.4% |
| Frequency of Appraisals of Appraised Collateral | Semi-Annual | ||
| Collateral Description | Generally, certain slots, route authorities and airport gate leasehold rights used by American to operate certain services between the U.S. and South America and New Zealand | Generally, certain slots, route authorities and airport gate leasehold rights used by American to operate certain services between the U.S. and European Union (including London Heathrow) | Generally, certain slots, route authorities and airport gate leasehold rights used by American to operate certain services between the U.S. and Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, South Korea and Switzerland |
At December 31, 2025, we were in compliance with the applicable collateral coverage tests as of the most recent measurement dates.
- Leases
We lease certain aircraft and engines, including aircraft under capacity purchase agreements. As of December 31, 2025, we operated 677 leased aircraft, including 171 aircraft leased under capacity purchase agreements, with remaining terms ranging from less thanone year to approximately 13 years.
At each airport where we conduct flight operations, we have agreements, generally with a governmental unit or authority, for the use of passenger, operations and baggage handling space as well as runways and taxiways. These agreements, particularly in the U.S., often contain provisions for periodic adjustments to rates and charges applicable under such agreements. These rates and charges also vary with our level of operations and the operations of the airport. Because of the variable nature of these rates, these leases are not recorded on our consolidated balance sheets as a ROU asset or a lease liability. Additionally, at our hub locations and in certain other cities we serve, we lease administrative offices, catering, cargo, training, maintenance and other facilities.
The components of lease expense were as follows (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Operating lease cost | $1,704 | $1,851 | $2,016 |
| Finance lease cost: | |||
| Amortization of assets | 128 | 132 | 128 |
| Interest on lease liabilities | 48 | 39 | 45 |
| Variable lease cost | 3,395 | 3,075 | 2,720 |
| Total net lease cost | $5,275 | $5,097 | $4,909 |
Included in the table above are $248 million, $225 million and $274 million of lease costs under our capacity purchase agreement with Republic for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We hold a 20.8% equity interest in Republic Holdings, the parent company of Republic.
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows (in millions, except lease term and discount rate):
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Operating leases: | ||
| Operating lease ROU assets | $7,091 | $7,333 |
| Current operating lease liabilities | $1,058 | $1,092 |
| Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 5,905 | 5,976 |
| Total operating lease liabilities | $6,963 | $7,068 |
| Finance leases: | ||
| Property and equipment, at cost | $1,445 | $1,632 |
| Accumulated amortization | (673) | (952) |
| Property and equipment, net | $772 | $680 |
| Current finance lease liabilities | $117 | $132 |
| Noncurrent finance lease liabilities | 610 | 531 |
| Total finance lease liabilities | $727 | $663 |
| Weighted average remaining lease term (in years): | ||
| Operating leases | 8.4 | 8.2 |
| Finance leases | 7.8 | 7.4 |
| Weighted average discount rate: | ||
| Operating leases | 7.4% | 7.5% |
| Finance leases | 7.1% | 7.0% |
Supplemental cash flow and other information related to leases was as follows (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | |||
| Operating cash flows from operating leases | $1,647 | $1,830 | $2,033 |
| Operating cash flows from finance leases | 48 | 40 | 48 |
| Financing cash flows from finance leases | 122 | 152 | 265 |
| Gain (loss) on sale leaseback transactions, net | (13) | 76 | 12 |
Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows (in millions):
| December 31, 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Operating Leases · Finance Leases | ||
| 2026 | $1,501 | $164 |
| 2027 | 1,367 | 152 |
| 2028 | 1,246 | 110 |
| 2029 | 1,138 | 102 |
| 2030 | 954 | 100 |
| 2031 and thereafter | 3,022 | 310 |
| Total lease payments | 9,228 | 938 |
| Less: Imputed interest | (2,265) | (211) |
| Total lease obligations | 6,963 | 727 |
| Less: Current obligations | (1,058) | (117) |
| Long-term lease obligations | $5,905 | $610 |
- Income Taxes
The significant components of the income tax provision were (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Deferred income tax provision: | |||
| Federal | $72 | $285 | $268 |
| State and local | 7 | 23 | 31 |
| Deferred income tax provision | 79 | 308 | 299 |
| Total income tax provision | $79 | $308 | $299 |
The income tax provision differed from amounts computed at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate as follows (amounts in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Amount | Rate | Amount | Rate | Amount | Rate | |
| U.S. federal statutory income tax rate | $40 | 21.0% | $242 | 21.0% | $236 | 21.0% |
| Domestic federal: | ||||||
| Nontaxable or nondeductible items | ||||||
| Nondeductible meals and other nondeductible employee benefits | 28 | 15.3% | 22 | 1.9% | 22 | 2.0% |
| Nondeductible officer compensation | 10 | 5.2% | 12 | 1.1% | 11 | 1.0% |
| Other nontaxable and nondeductible items | — | —% | 11 | 0.9% | 9 | 0.8% |
| Other | (6) | (3.3)% | — | —% | — | —% |
| Domestic state and local income taxes, net of federal effect | 7 | 3.0% | 21 | 1.8% | 21 | 1.9% |
| Effective tax rate | $79 | 41.2% | $308 | 26.7% | $299 | 26.7% |
The components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities were (in millions):
| December 31, | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Deferred tax assets: | ||
| Net operating loss and other carryforwards | $4,095 | $4,292 |
| Loyalty program liability | 1,949 | 1,799 |
| Leases | 1,566 | 1,596 |
| Pension benefits | 109 | 234 |
| Postretirement benefits other than pension benefits | 260 | 270 |
| Rent expense | 37 | 60 |
| Other | 676 | 775 |
| Total deferred tax assets | 8,692 | 9,026 |
| Valuation allowance | (22) | (22) |
| Net deferred tax assets | 8,670 | 9,004 |
| Deferred tax liabilities: | ||
| Accelerated depreciation and amortization | (4,543) | (4,620) |
| Leases | (1,594) | (1,656) |
| Other | (174) | (252) |
| Total deferred tax liabilities | (6,311) | (6,528) |
| Net deferred tax asset | $2,359 | $2,476 |
At December 31, 2025, we had approximately $11.9 billion of gross federal NOLs and $6.0 billion of other carryforwards available to reduce future federal taxable income, of which $1.6 billion will expire beginning in 2033 if unused and $16.3 billion can be carried forward indefinitely. We also had approximately $5.0 billion of NOL carryforwards to reduce future state taxable income at December 31, 2025, which will expire in taxable years 2025 through 2045 if unused.
Our ability to use our NOLs and other carryforwards depends on the amount of taxable income generated in future periods. We provide a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets, which include our NOLs and other carryforwards, when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of our deferred tax assets, will not be realized. We consider all available positive and negative evidence and make certain assumptions in evaluating the realizability of our deferred tax assets. Many factors are considered that impact our assessment of future profitability, including conditions which are beyond our control, such as the health of the economy, the availability and price volatility of aircraft fuel and travel demand. We have determined that positive factors outweigh negative factors in the determination of the realizability of our deferred tax assets.
In 2025, we recorded an income tax provision of $79 million with an effective rate of approximately 41.2%, which was substantially non-cash. Substantially all of our income before income taxes is attributable to the United States.
We file our tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Our 2022 through 2024 tax years are still subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Various state, local and foreign jurisdiction tax years remain open to examination, and we are under examination, in administrative appeals or engaged in tax litigation in certain jurisdictions. We believe that the effect of any assessments will not be material to our consolidated financial statements.
The amount of, and changes to, our uncertain tax positions were not material in any of the years presented. We accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and operating expense, respectively.
- Fair Value Measurements
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., an exit price) on the measurement date in an orderly transaction between market participants in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Accounting standards include disclosure requirements around fair values used for certain financial instruments and establish a fair value hierarchy. The hierarchy prioritizes valuation inputs into three levels based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. Each fair value measurement is reported in one of three levels:
Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
Level 2 – Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
When available, we use quoted market prices to determine the fair value of our financial assets. If quoted market prices are not available, we measure fair value using valuation techniques that use, when possible, current market-based or independently-sourced market parameters, such as interest rates and currency rates.
We utilize the market approach to measure the fair value of our financial assets. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets. Our short-term investments, restricted cash and restricted short-term investments classified as Level 2 utilize significant observable inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, for valuation of these securities. No changes in valuation techniques or inputs occurred during the year ended December 31, 2025.
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (in millions):
| Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |
| Short-term investments (1), (2): | ||||
| Money market funds | $829 | $829 | $— | $— |
| Corporate obligations | 3,063 | — | 3,063 | — |
| Bank notes/certificates of deposit/time deposits | 590 | — | 590 | — |
| Repurchase agreements | 400 | — | 400 | — |
| 4,882 | 829 | 4,053 | — | |
| Restricted cash and short-term investments (1), (3) | 735 | 425 | 310 | — |
| Long-term investments (4) | 209 | 209 | — | — |
| Total | $5,826 | $1,463 | $4,363 | $— |
| Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |
| Short-term investments (1): | ||||
| Money market funds | $680 | $680 | $— | $— |
| Corporate obligations | 2,909 | — | 2,909 | — |
| Bank notes/certificates of deposit/time deposits | 2,041 | — | 2,041 | — |
| Repurchase agreements | 550 | — | 550 | — |
| 6,180 | 680 | 5,500 | — | |
| Restricted cash and short-term investments (1), (3) | 732 | 442 | 290 | — |
| Long-term investments (4) | 161 | 161 | — | — |
| Total | $7,073 | $1,283 | $5,790 | $— |
(1)All short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and stated at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss at each reporting period. There were no credit losses.
(2)Our short-term investments as of December 31, 2025 mature in one year or less.
(3)Restricted cash and short-term investments primarily include collateral held to support workers’ compensation obligations, collateral associated with the payment of interest for the AAdvantage Financing and money market funds to be used to finance the cost of improvements at the Tulsa Maintenance Base. Restricted short-term investments principally mature in one year or less.
(4)Long-term investments primarily include our equity investment in China Southern Airlines Company Limited (China Southern Airlines). See Note 8 for further information on our equity investments.
Fair Value of Debt
The fair value of our long-term debt was estimated using quoted market prices or discounted cash flow analyses based on our current estimated incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The fair value of the Convertible Notes, which would have been classified as Level 2, was $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2024.
The carrying value and estimated fair value of our long-term debt, including current maturities, were as follows (in millions):
| December 31, 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CarryingValue · Fair Value | |||||
| Total · Level 1 · Level 2 · Level 3 | |||||
| Long-term debt, including current maturities | $28,280 | $28,582 | $— | $25,051 | $3,531 |
| December 31, 2024 | |||||
| CarryingValue · Fair Value | |||||
| Total · Level 1 · Level 2 · Level 3 | |||||
| Long-term debt, including current maturities | $29,813 | $30,010 | $— | $26,402 | $3,608 |
- Investments
To help expand our network and as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, we enter into various commercial relationships or other strategic partnerships, including equity investments, with other airlines and companies.
Our equity investments, ownership interest and carrying value were as follows:
| Ownership Interest · Carrying Value (in millions) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, · December 31, | |||||
| Accounting Treatment | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Republic Holdings (1) | Equity Method | 20.8% | 25.0% | $254 | $253 |
| China Southern Airlines | Fair Value | 1.5% | 1.5% | 203 | 142 |
| Other investments (2) | Various | 146 | 120 | ||
| Total | $603 | $515 | |||
(1)In November 2025, Republic Holdings completed a merger with Mesa Air Group, Inc. As a result, our equity interest in Republic Holdings decreased from 25.0% to 20.8%.
(2)Primarily includes our investment in JetSMART Holdings Limited, which is accounted for under the equity method.
- Employee Benefit Plans
We sponsor defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans for eligible employees. The defined benefit pension plans provide benefits for participating employees based on years of service and average compensation for a specified period of time before retirement. Effective November 1, 2012, substantially all of our defined benefit pension plans were frozen and we began providing enhanced benefits under our defined contribution pension plans for certain employee groups. We use a December 31 measurement date for all of our defined benefit pension plans. We also provide certain retiree medical and other postretirement benefits, including health care and life insurance benefits to retired employees and notional retiree health reimbursement arrangements for eligible participants.
Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets and Funded Status
The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits obligations, fair value of plan assets and funded status as of December 31, 2025 and 2024:
| Pension Benefits | Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| (In millions) | ||||
| Benefit obligation at beginning of period | $13,349 | $14,410 | $1,308 | $1,325 |
| Service cost | 3 | 2 | 23 | 29 |
| Interest cost | 730 | 723 | 69 | 64 |
| Actuarial loss (gain) (1), (2) | 168 | (741) | (11) | (58) |
| Plan amendments (3) | — | — | — | 55 |
| Benefit payments | (919) | (913) | (130) | (107) |
| Other | — | (132) | — | — |
| Benefit obligation at end of period | $13,331 | $13,349 | $1,259 | $1,308 |
| Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period | $12,254 | $12,431 | $128 | $133 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actual return on plan assets | 1,229 | 568 | 15 | 9 |
| Employer contributions (4) | 228 | 300 | 105 | 93 |
| Benefit payments | (919) | (913) | (130) | (107) |
| Other | — | (132) | — | — |
| Fair value of plan assets at end of period | $12,792 | $12,254 | $118 | $128 |
| Funded status at end of period | $(539) | $(1,095) | $(1,141) | $(1,180) |
(1)The 2025 and 2024 pension actuarial loss (gain) primarily relates to the change in our weighted average discount rate assumption.
(2)The 2025 and 2024 retiree medical and other postretirement benefits actuarial gain primarily relates to changes in certain retirement assumptions, offset in part by increases in health care premiums and health care cost assumptions. Changes in our weighted average discount rate assumption also impacted the net actuarial gain in 2025 and 2024.
(3)In 2024 we remeasured our retiree medical and other postretirement benefits to account for enhanced retirement benefits pursuant to the ratification of new CBAs. As a result, we increased our postretirement benefits obligation by $55 million, which was included as a component of prior service cost in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
(4)In 2025 and 2024, we made required contributions of $224 million and $285 million, respectively, to our defined benefit pension plans.
Balance Sheet Position
| Pension Benefits | Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| (In millions) | ||||
| As of December 31: | ||||
| Current liability | $4 | $5 | $108 | $142 |
| Noncurrent liability | 535 | 1,090 | 1,033 | 1,038 |
| Total liabilities | $539 | $1,095 | $1,141 | $1,180 |
| Pension Benefits | Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| (In millions) | ||||
| As of December 31: | ||||
| Net actuarial loss (gain) | $2,907 | $3,128 | $(395) | $(408) |
| Prior service cost | — | 1 | 220 | 238 |
| Total accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), pre-tax | $2,907 | $3,129 | $(175) | $(170) |
Plans with Projected Benefit Obligations Exceeding Fair Value of Plan Assets
| Pension Benefits | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| (In millions) | ||
| As of December 31: | ||
| Projected benefit obligation | $8,820 | $13,349 |
| Fair value of plan assets | 8,221 | 12,254 |
Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations Exceeding Fair Value of Plan Assets
| Pension Benefits | Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| (In millions) | ||||
| As of December 31: | ||||
| Accumulated benefit obligation | $8,814 | $13,341 | $— | $— |
| Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation | — | — | 1,259 | 1,308 |
| Fair value of plan assets | 8,221 | 12,254 | 118 | 128 |
Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income)
| Pension Benefits | Retiree Medical andOther Postretirement Benefits | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| (In millions) | ||||||
| For the years ended December 31: | ||||||
| Defined benefit plans: | ||||||
| Service cost | $3 | $2 | $2 | $23 | $29 | $17 |
| Interest cost | 730 | 723 | 758 | 69 | 64 | 55 |
| Expected return on assets | (929) | (978) | (918) | (9) | (10) | (11) |
| Amortization of: | ||||||
| Prior service cost (benefit) | 1 | — | 18 | 17 | 14 | (6) |
| Unrecognized net loss (gain) | 91 | 105 | 106 | (27) | (31) | (34) |
| Net periodic benefit cost (income) | $(104) | $(148) | $(34) | $73 | $66 | $21 |
The service cost component of net periodic benefit cost (income) is included in operating expenses and the other components of net periodic benefit cost (income) are included in nonoperating other income (expense), net on our consolidated statements of operations.
Assumptions
The following actuarial assumptions were used to determine our benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost (income) for the periods presented:
| Pension Benefits | Retiree Medical andOther Postretirement Benefits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Benefit obligations as of December 31: | ||||
| Weighted average discount rate | 5.5% | 5.7% | 5.3% | 5.6% |
| Pension Benefits | Retiree Medical andOther Postretirement Benefits | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Net periodic benefit cost (income) for the years ended December 31: | ||||||
| Weighted average discount rate | 5.7% | 5.2% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 5.3% | 5.7% |
| Weighted average expected rate of return on plan assets | 7.75% | 8.0% | 8.0% | 7.75% | 8.0% | 8.0% |
| Weighted average health care cost trend rate assumed for next year (1) | N/A | N/A | N/A | 7.0% | 6.5% | 6.5% |
(1)The weighted average health care cost trend rate at December 31, 2025 is assumed to decline gradually to 4.5% by 2036 and remain level thereafter.
As of January 1, 2026, our estimate of the long-term rate of return on plan assets is 7.3% based on the target asset allocation. Expected returns on long duration bonds are based on yields to maturity of the bonds held at year-end. Expected returns on other assets are based on a combination of long-term historical returns, actual returns on plan assets achieved over the last 10 years, current and expected market conditions, and expected value to be generated through active management and securities lending programs.
Minimum Contributions
We are required to make minimum contributions to our defined benefit pension plans under the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and various other laws for U.S. based plans as well as underfunding rules specific to countries where we maintain defined benefit pension plans. Based on current funding assumptions, we have minimum required contributions of $238 million for 2026 including contributions to defined benefit pension plans for our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Our future funding obligations will depend on the performance of our investments held in a trust by the pension plans, interest rates for determining funding targets, the amount of and timing of any supplemental contributions and our actuarial experience.
In January 2026, we made required contributions of $236 million and a supplemental contribution of $50 million to our defined benefit pension plans.
Benefit Payments
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, are expected to be paid (approximately, in millions):
| 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031-2035 | |||||
| Pension benefits | $984 | $999 | $1,012 | $1,023 | $1,029 | $5,113 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retiree medical and other postretirement benefits | 136 | 138 | 140 | 139 | 137 | 610 | ||||
Plan Assets
The objectives of our investment policies are to: maintain sufficient income and liquidity to pay retirement benefits; produce a long-term rate of return that meets or exceeds the assumed rate of return for plan assets; limit the volatility of asset performance and funded status; and diversify assets among asset classes and investment managers.
Based on these investment objectives, a long-term strategic asset allocation has been established. This strategic allocation seeks to balance the potential benefit of improving the funded position with the potential risk that the funded position would decline. The current strategic target asset allocation with the corresponding allowed range is as follows:
| Asset Class/Sub-Class | Target Allocation | Allowed Range |
|---|---|---|
| Equity | 45% | 10% - 80% |
| Public: | ||
| U.S. | 18% | 5% - 40% |
| International developed markets | 9% | 0% - 20% |
| Emerging markets | 3% | 0% - 10% |
| Private equity | 15% | 5% - 35% |
| Fixed income | 55% | 15% - 90% |
| Public U.S. fixed income | 45% | 15% - 70% |
| Private income | 10% | 0% - 20% |
| Other | 0% | 0% - 5% |
| Cash equivalents | 0% | 0% - 20% |
Public equity investments are intended to provide a real return over a full market cycle and, therefore, to contribute to the pension plan’s long-term objective. Public fixed income investments are intended to provide income to the plan and offer the potential for long term capital appreciation. Private investments, such as private equity and private income, are used to provide higher expected returns than public markets over the long-term by assuming reduced levels of liquidity and higher levels of risk. The pension plan’s master trust participates in securities lending programs to generate additional income by loaning plan assets to borrowers on a fully collateralized basis. The pension plan’s master trust will also engage in derivative instruments to equitize residual levels of cash as well as hedge the pension plan’s exposure to interest rates. Such programs are subject to market risk and counterparty risk.
Investments in securities traded on recognized securities exchanges are valued at the last reported sales price on the last business day of the year. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the last bid price. Investments in limited partnerships are carried at estimated net asset value (NAV) as determined by and reported by the general partners of the partnerships and represent the proportionate share of the estimated fair value of the underlying assets of the limited partnerships. Mutual funds are valued once daily through a NAV calculation provided at the end of each trade day. Common/collective trusts are valued at NAV based on the fair values of the underlying investments of the trusts as determined by the sponsor of the trusts. No changes in valuation techniques or inputs occurred during the year.
Benefit Plan Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The fair value of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2025 and 2024, by asset category, were as follows (in millions)(1):
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |
| Equity (2) | $2,087 | $— | $— | $2,087 | $2,498 | $— | $— | $2,498 |
| Fixed income (3) | 476 | 5,390 | — | 5,866 | 439 | 3,723 | — | 4,162 |
| Other, net (4) | 144 | 288 | 63 | 495 | 91 | 144 | 68 | 303 |
| Measured at NAV (5): | ||||||||
| Common collective trusts (6) | — | — | — | 273 | — | — | — | 1,153 |
| Private investments (7) | — | — | — | 4,071 | — | — | — | 4,138 |
| Total plan assets | $2,707 | $5,678 | $63 | $12,792 | $3,028 | $3,867 | $68 | $12,254 |
(1)See Note 7 for a description of the levels within the fair value hierarchy.
(2)Equity investments primarily include domestic and international common stock.
(3)Fixed income investments primarily include corporate and government bonds, as well as mutual funds invested in fixed income securities.
(4)Other primarily includes a short-term investment fund, net receivables and payables of the pension plan’s master trust for dividends, interest and amounts due to or from the sale and purchase of securities and cash and cash equivalents.
(5)Includes investments that were measured at NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient that have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.
(6)Common collective trusts include commingled funds primarily invested in equity securities.
(7)Private investments include limited partnerships that invest primarily in domestic private equity and private income opportunities. The pension plan’s master trust does not have the right to redeem its limited partnership investment at its NAV, but rather receives distributions as the underlying assets are liquidated. It is estimated that the underlying assets of these funds will be gradually liquidated over the next 10 years. As of December 31, 2025, the pension plan’s master trust has future funding commitments to these limited partnerships of approximately $1.0 billion, most of which are expected to be called over the next seven years.
Changes in fair value measurements of Level 3 investments during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, were as follows (in millions):
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Balance at beginning of year | $68 | $84 |
| Actual gain (loss) on plan assets: | ||
| Relating to assets still held at the reporting date | (8) | (25) |
| Purchases | 5 | 9 |
| Sales | (2) | — |
| Balance at end of year | $63 | $68 |
Plan assets in the retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans are primarily Level 2 mutual funds valued by quoted prices on the active market, which is fair value, and represents the NAV of the shares of such funds as of the close of business at the end of the period. NAV is based on the fair market value of the funds’ underlying assets and liabilities at the date of determination.
Defined Contribution and Multiemployer Plans
The costs associated with our defined contribution plans were $1.6 billion, $1.4 billion and $1.1 billion for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
We participate in the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAM) National Pension Fund, Employer Identification No. 51-6031295 and Plan No. 002 (the IAM Pension Fund). Our contributions to the IAM Pension Fund were $63 million, $57 million and $52 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The IAM Pension Fund reported $640 million in employers’ contributions for the year ended December 31, 2024, which is the most recent year for which such information is available. For 2024 and 2023, our contributions represented more than 5% of total contributions to the IAM Pension Fund.
On March 29, 2019, the actuary for the IAM Pension Fund certified that the fund was in “endangered” status despite reporting a funded status of over 80%. Additionally, the IAM Pension Fund’s Board voluntarily elected to enter into “critical” status on April 17, 2019. Upon entry into critical status, the IAM Pension Fund was required by law to adopt a rehabilitation plan aimed at restoring the financial health of the pension plan and did so on April 17, 2019 (the Rehabilitation Plan). Under the Rehabilitation Plan, we were subject to an immaterial contribution surcharge, which ceased to apply June 14, 2019 upon our mandatory adoption of a contribution schedule under the Rehabilitation Plan. The contribution schedule requires 2.5% annual increases to our contribution rate. This contribution schedule will remain in effect through the earlier of December 31, 2031 or the date the IAM Pension Fund emerges from critical status. As of the most recent data available, the IAM Pension Fund remains in critical status.
Profit Sharing Program
Our annual profit sharing program is funded by 10% of adjusted pre-tax earnings up to $2.5 billion and 20% of earnings above that threshold. Adjusted pre-tax earnings exclude net special items and certain other amounts, as defined by the plan. For the year ended December 31, 2025, we accrued $55 million for this program, which will be distributed to employees in the first quarter of 2026.
- Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) are as follows (in millions):
| Pension,RetireeMedical andOtherPostretirementBenefits | Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments | Income TaxProvision (1) | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | $(3,380) | $(2) | $(1,512) | $(4,894) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | 333 | 2 | (74) | 261 |
| Amounts reclassified from AOCI | 88 | — | (20) | 68 |
| Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) | 421 | 2 | (94) | 329 |
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | (2,959) | — | (1,606) | (4,565) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | 145 | — | (33) | 112 |
| Amounts reclassified from AOCI | 82 | — | (18) | 64 |
| Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) | 227 | — | (51) | 176 |
| Balance at December 31, 2025 | $(2,732) | $— | $(1,657) | $(4,389) |
(1)Relates principally to pension, retiree medical and other postretirement benefits obligations that will not be recognized in net income until the obligations are fully extinguished. Amounts reclassified from AOCI are recognized within the income tax provision on our consolidated statements of operations.
Reclassifications out of AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows (in millions):
| Amounts reclassified from AOCI · Affected line items on theconsolidated statements of operations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
| AOCI Components · 2025 · 2024 | |||
| Amortization of pension, retiree medical and other postretirement benefits: | |||
| Prior service cost | $14 | $11 | Nonoperating other income (expense), net |
| Actuarial loss | 50 | 57 | Nonoperating other income (expense), net |
| Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax | $64 | $68 | |
- Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
(a) Aircraft, Engine and Other Purchase Commitments
Under all of our aircraft and engine purchase agreements, our total future commitments as of December 31, 2025 are expected to be as follows (approximately, in millions):
| 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 and Thereafter | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payments for aircraft and engine commitments (1) | $2,931 | $2,468 | $4,021 | $4,921 | $3,151 | $6,696 | $24,188 |
(1)These amounts are net of purchase deposits currently held by the equipment manufacturers. Our purchase deposits held by such manufacturers totaled $656 million and $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Due to uncertainty surrounding the timing of delivery of certain aircraft, the amounts in the table represent our most current estimate based on contractual delivery schedules adjusted for updates and revisions to such schedules communicated to management by the applicable equipment manufacturer and certain management assumptions. However, the actual delivery schedule may differ, potentially materially, based on various potential factors including production delays by the equipment manufacturers and regulatory concerns.
Additionally, we have other purchase commitments primarily related to aircraft fuel, flight equipment maintenance and information technology support as follows (approximately): $4.1 billion in 2026, $1.8 billion in 2027, $1.6 billion in 2028, $495 million in 2029, $615 million in 2030 and $3.7 billion in 2031 and thereafter. These amounts exclude obligations under certain fuel offtake agreements or other agreements for which the timing of the related expenditure is uncertain, or which are subject to material contingencies, such as the construction of a production facility.
(b) Capacity Purchase Agreements with Third-Party Regional Carriers
American has capacity purchase agreements with third-party regional carriers. The capacity purchase agreements provide that all revenues, including passenger, in-flight, ancillary, mail and freight revenues, go to American. American controls marketing, scheduling, ticketing, pricing and seat inventories. In return, American agrees to pay predetermined fees to these airlines for operating an agreed-upon number of aircraft, without regard to the number of passengers on board. In addition, these agreements provide that American either reimburses or pays 100% of certain variable costs, such as airport landing fees, fuel and passenger liability insurance.
As of December 31, 2025, American’s capacity purchase agreements with third-party regional carriers had expiration dates ranging from 2032 to 2033, with rights of American to extend the respective terms of certain agreements.
As of December 31, 2025, American’s commitments under its capacity purchase agreements with third-party regional carriers are expected to be as follows (approximately, in millions):
| 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 and Thereafter | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional capacity purchase agreements (1) | $1,159 | $1,156 | $1,082 | $900 | $457 | $399 | $5,153 |
(1)These commitments are estimates of costs based on assumed minimum levels of flying under the capacity purchase agreements and American’s actual payments could differ materially.
(c) Construction Projects
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
In 2018, we executed a lease agreement with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), which owns and operates LAX, in connection with a $1.6 billion modernization project related to LAX Terminals 4 and 5. Construction started in October 2018 and is expected to be completed in 2028 in a phased approach. Under the lease agreement and subsequent project component approvals, the City of Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has appropriated approximately $1.6 billion to purchase completed project assets, representing the maximum allowable reimbursement by LAWA. In September 2024, we executed an agreement to where a substantial majority of the non-proprietary project costs will be funded through the Regional Airports Improvement Corporation (RAIC), a quasigovernmental special purpose entity that acts as a conduit borrower under a syndicated credit facility provided by a group of lenders in the form of a $250 million revolving credit facility. Loans made under the credit facility are being repaid with the proceeds from LAWA’s purchase of completed project assets. We guarantee the obligation of the RAIC under the credit facility associated with the Terminals 4 and 5 lease. As of December 31, 2025, our outstanding guaranteed obligation under the credit facility for the Terminals 4 and 5 project was $135 million. Additionally, we have recovered $1.3 billion since project inception through the end of 2025 and expect to receive approximately $292 million in additional reimbursements by the end of 2028.
As we control the assets during construction, they are recognized on our consolidated balance sheets within operating property and equipment until the assets are sold and transferred. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we have sold and transferred $163 million, $588 million and $170 million of non-proprietary improvements, respectively, which are included within proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions and sale of property and equipment on our consolidated statements of cash flows. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we incurred $107 million, $187 million and $283 million, respectively, of non-proprietary improvement costs relating to the LAX modernization project. Cash payments related to these improvements are included within other investing activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows.
Tulsa Maintenance Base
Improvements to the Tulsa Maintenance Base include the design, construction and renovation of various facilities therein. The Tulsa Maintenance Base is American’s largest maintenance facility and is an integral part of operating its mainline fleet. We have concluded that we do not control the underlying assets being constructed, and therefore, we recognize operating lease liabilities with corresponding ROU assets on the consolidated balance sheet as individual project stages are completed and leases commence.
In May 2025, the Tulsa Municipal Airport Trust (TMAT) issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of special facility revenue bonds on behalf of American, with $300 million maturing on December 1, 2035 and $100 million maturing on December 1, 2040 (collectively, the 2025 TMAT Bonds). The 2025 TMAT Bond due December 1, 2035 was priced at 109% of par value and the 2025 TMAT Bond due December 1, 2040 was priced at 107% of par value. The gross proceeds from the issuance of the 2025 TMAT Bonds were approximately $432 million. Of this amount, $104 million was used to fund the redemption of the aggregate principal amount of TMAT’s outstanding 2015 special facility revenue bonds (the 2015 TMAT Bonds), and the remaining $328 million will be used to finance the cost of improvements at the Tulsa Maintenance Base, which are expected to be completed in 2028. The net proceeds received from the 2025 TMAT Bonds, offset by related project spend, are reflected within other investing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
The 2025 TMAT Bonds bear interest at 6.25% per annum commencing on May 8, 2025, until the day preceding the applicable maturity date, on which date the bonds will be subject to mandatory tender for purchase by American. American is required to pay rent equal to the annual principal and interest requirement on the 2025 TMAT Bonds through payments under a sublease agreement with TMAT (as amended), and AAG guarantees the 2025 TMAT Bonds. American’s obligations under both the sublease agreement with TMAT and the 2025 TMAT Bonds are secured by a leasehold mortgage on American’s lease of the Tulsa Maintenance Base.
(d) Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
American currently has 280 owned aircraft and 60 owned spare aircraft engines, which in each case were financed with EETCs issued by pass-through trusts. These trusts are off-balance sheet entities, the primary purpose of which is to finance the acquisition of flight equipment or to permit issuance of debt backed by existing flight equipment. In the case of aircraft EETCs, rather than finance each aircraft separately when such aircraft is purchased, delivered or refinanced, these trusts allow American to raise the financing for a number of aircraft at one time and, if applicable, place such funds in escrow pending a future purchase, delivery or refinancing of the relevant aircraft. Similarly, in the case of spare engine EETCs, the trusts allow American to use its existing pool of spare engines to raise financing under a single facility. The trusts have also been structured to provide for certain credit enhancements, such as liquidity facilities to cover certain interest payments, that reduce the risks to the purchasers of the trust certificates and, as a result, reduce the cost of aircraft financing to American.
Each trust covers a set number of aircraft or spare engines scheduled to be delivered, financed or refinanced upon the issuance of the EETC or within a specific period of time thereafter. At the time of each covered aircraft or spare engine financing, the relevant trust used the proceeds from the issuance of the EETC (which may have been available at the time of issuance thereof or held in escrow until financing of the applicable aircraft following its delivery) to purchase equipment notes relating to the financed aircraft or engines. The equipment notes are issued, at American’s election, in connection with a mortgage financing of the aircraft or spare engines. The equipment notes are secured by a security interest in the aircraft or engines, as applicable. The pass-through trust certificates are not direct obligations of, nor are they guaranteed by, AAG or American. However, the equipment notes issued to the trusts are direct obligations of American and, in certain instances, have been guaranteed by AAG. As of December 31, 2025, $6.9 billion associated with these mortgage financings is reflected as debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
We provide financial assurance, such as letters of credit and surety bonds, primarily to support projected workers’ compensation obligations and airport commitments. As of December 31, 2025, we had $412 million of letters of credit and surety bonds securing various obligations, of which $97 million is collateralized with our restricted cash. The letters of credit and surety bonds that are subject to expiration will expire on various dates through 2037.
(e) Legal Proceedings
Private Party Antitrust Actions Related to the Northeast Alliance (NEA). On December 5, 2022 and December 7, 2022, two private party plaintiffs filed putative class action antitrust complaints against AAG and JetBlue Airways Corporation (JetBlue) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleging that AAG and JetBlue violated U.S. antitrust law in connection with the previously disclosed NEA. These actions were consolidated on January 10, 2023. The private party plaintiffs filed an amended consolidated complaint on February 3, 2023. On February 2, 2023 and February 15, 2023, private party plaintiffs filedtwo additional putative class action antitrust complaints against AAG and JetBlue in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, respectively. In March 2023, AAG filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts case asking to transfer the case to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and consolidate it with the cases pending in that venue. The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted that motion. The remaining cases were consolidated with the other actions in the Eastern District of New York. In June 2023, the private party plaintiffs filed a second amended consolidated complaint, followed by a third amended complaint filed in August 2023. In September 2023, AAG, together with JetBlue, filed a motion to dismiss the third amended complaint. In September 2024, the court denied that motion. AAG and JetBlue filed answers to the private party plaintiffs’ third amended complaint in October 2024. We believe these lawsuits are without merit and are defending against them vigorously.
Securities and Stockholder Derivative Litigation. On July 18, 2024, AAG and certain of its current and former officers were named as defendants in a putative class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, captioned Qawasmi v. American Airlines Group Inc., et al. The Qawasmi plaintiff purported to represent investors who acquired AAG securities between January 25, 2024 and May 28, 2024. On August 28, 2024, AAG and certain of its current and former officers were named as defendants in a second putative class action lawsuit filed in the same court, captioned Thornburg v. American Airlines Group Inc., et al. The Thornburg plaintiff purported to represent investors who acquired AAG securities between July 20, 2023 and May 28, 2024. Both the Qawasmi and Thornburg complaints asserted violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act based on allegations that, during the relevant periods, AAG misrepresented and/or omitted material facts related to its financial outlook and certain commercial initiatives. On
November 22, 2024, the Qawasmi and Thornburg complaints were consolidated into a single action bearing the caption In re American Airlines Group Inc. Securities Litigation. The court also appointed co-lead plaintiffs and lead counsel to represent the putative class in the consolidated action. Plaintiffs filed a consolidated complaint on January 21, 2025, and an amended consolidated complaint on March 19, 2025. The consolidated complaint made similar factual allegations to the prior complaints regarding AAG’s financial outlook and certain commercial initiatives. AAG and the individual defendants filed a joint motion to dismiss on March 21, 2025. On November 15, 2025, the court granted AAG’s motion in full, dismissing the complaint with prejudice. The court entered final judgment in favor of defendants on November 18, 2025. Plaintiffs did not appeal the order, and the case is closed.
Additionally, on September 19, 2024, certain of AAG’s current and former directors and officers were named as defendants in a shareholder derivative lawsuit (in which AAG is a nominal defendant) filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, captioned Hollin v. Isom, et al. The Hollin complaint asserted violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, breach of fiduciary duty, and claims for unjust enrichment and corporate waste. On September 26, 2024, a second derivative complaint was filed in the same court, similarly naming certain of AAG’s current and former directors and officers (as well as AAG as a nominal defendant), captioned Leon v. Isom, et al. The Leon complaint asserted violations of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, breaches of fiduciary duty, claims of unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets, and a claim for contribution. The Hollin and Leon complaints generally alleged the same purported misconduct as alleged in the securities class action. On November 25, 2024, the Hollin and Leon complaints were consolidated into a single action bearing the caption In re American Airlines Group Inc. Stockholder Derivative Litigation. Plaintiffs and AAG filed a joint motion to voluntarily dismiss the consolidated derivative action without prejudice on February 5, 2026, and on February 6, 2026, the court granted AAG’s motion in full, dismissing all claims in the matter without prejudice and entering final judgment in favor of defendants.
American Eagle Flight 5342 Accident Litigation. On January 29, 2025, American Eagle flight 5342 was involved in a fatal accident in Washington, D.C. The Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft operated by PSA was en route to Washington, D.C. from Wichita, Kansas when it was involved in a midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Beginning on September 24, 2025, multiple wrongful death and survival actions have been filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia related to the accident. We expect additional actions will continue to be filed. All cases have been assigned to the same judge and are subject to streamlined pleading and discovery procedures. The court required plaintiffs to file a single consolidated Master Complaint (MC), with later joining plaintiffs to file short form complaints adopting the MC and adding any plaintiff-specific information. The MC alleges that the U.S. Government, American and PSA negligently caused or contributed to the accident. In December 2025, American and PSA filed motions to dismiss asserting several defenses. Briefing on the motions to dismiss is ongoing, with a hearing set for February 27, 2026. Discovery is ongoing pursuant to an expedited 18-month discovery and pre-trial calendar, which sets the trial date for April 12, 2027. We believe these lawsuits are without merit as to American and PSA and are defending against them vigorously.
General. In addition to the specifically identified legal proceedings, we and our subsidiaries are also engaged in other legal proceedings from time to time. Legal proceedings can be complex and take many months, or even years, to reach resolution, with the final outcome depending on a number of variables, some of which are not within our control. Therefore, although we will vigorously defend ourselves in each of the actions described above and such other legal proceedings, their ultimate resolution and potential financial and other impacts on us are uncertain but could be material.
(f) Guarantees and Indemnifications
We are party to many routine contracts in which we provide general indemnities in the normal course of business to third parties for various risks. We are not able to estimate the potential amount of any liability resulting from the indemnities. These indemnities are discussed in the following paragraphs.
In our aircraft financing agreements, we generally indemnify the financing parties, trustees acting on their behalf and other relevant parties against liabilities (including certain taxes) resulting from the financing, manufacture, design, ownership, operation and maintenance of the aircraft regardless of whether these liabilities (including certain taxes) relate to the negligence of the indemnified parties.
Our loan agreements and certain other financing transactions may obligate us to reimburse the applicable lender for incremental costs due to a change in law that imposes (i) any reserve or special deposit requirement against assets of, deposits with or credit extended by such lender related to the loan, (ii) any tax, duty or other charge with respect to the loan (except standard income tax) or (iii) capital adequacy requirements. In addition, our loan agreements and other financing arrangements typically contain a withholding tax provision that requires us to pay additional amounts to the applicable lender or other financing party, generally if withholding taxes are imposed on such lender or other financing party as a result of a change in the applicable tax law.
In certain transactions, including certain aircraft financing leases and loans, the lessors, lenders and/or other parties have rights to terminate the transaction based on changes in foreign tax law, illegality or certain other events or circumstances. In such a case, we may be required to make a lump sum payment to terminate the relevant transaction.
We have general indemnity clauses in many of our airport and other real estate leases where we as lessee indemnify the lessor (and related parties) against liabilities related to our use of the leased property. Generally, these indemnifications cover liabilities resulting from the negligence of the indemnified parties, but not liabilities resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the indemnified parties. In addition, we provide environmental indemnities in many of these leases for contamination related to our use of the leased property.
Under certain contracts with third parties, we indemnify the third-party against legal liability arising out of an action by the third-party, or certain other parties. The terms of these contracts vary and the potential exposure under these indemnities cannot be determined. We have liability insurance protecting us from some of the obligations we have undertaken under these indemnities.
American is required to make principal and interest payments for certain special facility revenue bonds issued by municipalities primarily to build or improve airport facilities and purchase equipment, which are leased to American. The payment of principal and interest of certain special facility revenue bonds is guaranteed by AAG. As of December 31, 2025, the remaining lease payments through 2040 guaranteeing the principal and interest on these bonds are $703 million and the current carrying amount of the associated operating lease liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet is $427 million.
As of December 31, 2025, AAG had issued guarantees covering approximately $14.1 billion of American’s debt (and interest thereon), including the Credit Facilities, the AAdvantage Financing, senior secured notes, certain equipment loans and special facility revenue bonds.
(g) Credit Card Processing Agreements
We have agreements with companies that process customer credit card transactions for the sale of air travel and other services. Our agreements allow these credit card processing companies, under certain conditions, to hold an amount of our cash (referred to as a holdback) equal to all or a portion of advance ticket sales that have been processed by that company, but for which we have not yet provided the air transportation. These holdback requirements can be implemented at the discretion of the credit card processing companies upon the occurrence of specific events, including material adverse changes in our financial condition or the triggering of a liquidity covenant. The imposition of holdback requirements would reduce our liquidity.
(h) Labor Contracts
As of December 31, 2025, we employed approximately 139,100 active full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, of which 33,100 were employed by our wholly-owned regional subsidiaries. Of the total active FTE employees,86% are covered by CBAs with various labor unions and 15% are covered by CBAs that are currently amendable or that will become amendable within one year.
- Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information and non-cash investing and financing activities are as follows (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Non-cash investing and financing activities: | |||
| ROU assets acquired through operating leases | $889 | $637 | $1,180 |
| Operating leases converted to finance leases | 269 | 293 | 5 |
| Finance leases converted to operating leases | 127 | 50 | 42 |
| Property and equipment acquired through debt, finance leases and other | 70 | 152 | 317 |
| Supplemental information: | |||
| Interest paid, net | 1,696 | 1,933 | 2,180 |
- Segment Disclosures
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker (CODM) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our Chief Executive Officer is considered to be our CODM. We are managed as a single operating segment that provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo, and includes our loyalty program. Along with our extensive domestic network, we provide international service to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, Qatar, China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. See Note 1(m) for our passenger revenue by geographic region. Managing the business activities on a consolidated basis allows us to benefit from an integrated revenue pricing and route network that includes American and our wholly-owned and third-party regional carriers that fly under capacity purchase agreements operating as American Eagle. The flight equipment of all these carriers is combined to form one fleet that is deployed through a single route scheduling system. Our tangible assets consist primarily of flight equipment, which are mobile across geographic markets and, therefore, have not been allocated by geographic region. The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheet as total consolidated assets.
Financial information and operational plans and forecasts are provided to and reviewed by our CODM at the consolidated level and are used to monitor forecast and budget versus actual results. Our CODM assesses performance and decides how to allocate resources based on net income which is reported on the statement of operations as consolidated net income. When making operational and resource allocation decisions, our CODM is indifferent to the results on a geographic region or on a mainline and regional carrier basis. The objective in making resource allocation decisions is to maximize consolidated financial results.
- Share-based Compensation
In May 2023, the stockholders of AAG approved the 2023 Incentive Award Plan (the 2023 Plan). The 2023 Plan replaces and supersedes AAG’s 2013 Incentive Award Plan (the 2013 Plan). No further awards will be granted under the 2013 Plan; however, the terms and conditions of the 2013 Plan will continue to govern any outstanding awards granted thereunder. The 2023 Plan provides that an award may be in the form of a stock option, including an incentive stock option and nonqualified stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock, restricted stock unit, performance bonus award, performance stock unit, other stock or cash-based award and dividend equivalent to eligible individuals.
The 2023 Plan authorizes the grant of awards for the issuance of 17.2 million shares less any shares granted under the 2013 Plan after March 22, 2023, the date the Board of Directors of AAG approved the 2023 Plan. Any shares underlying awards granted under the 2023 Plan or 2013 Plan that are forfeited, terminate or are settled in cash (in whole or in part) without the delivery of shares will again be available for grant under the 2023 Plan.
Share-based compensation expense for our equity awards, including awards settled in AAG common stock or cash, was $112 million, $130 million and $102 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and is included in salaries, wages and benefits on our consolidated statements of operations.
During 2025, 2024 and 2023, we withheld approximately 2.0 million,1.6 million and 1.5 million shares of AAG common stock, respectively, and paid approximately $28 million, $27 million and $23 million, respectively, in satisfaction of certain tax withholding obligations associated with employee equity awards.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards (RSUs)
We have granted RSUs with service conditions (time vested primarily over three years) and performance conditions. The grant-date fair value of these RSUs is equal to the market price of the underlying shares of AAG common stock on the date of grant. For time vested awards, the expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the entire award. For awards with performance conditions, the expense is recognized based on the expected achievement at each reporting period. Stock-settled RSUs are equity-classified as the vesting results in the issuance of shares of AAG common stock. Cash-settled restricted stock unit awards (CRSUs) are liability-classified as the vesting results in payment of cash by AAG.
Stock-settled RSU award activity for all plans for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 is as follows:
| Number of Shares | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | |
|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2022 | 10,263 | $17.51 |
| Granted | 9,834 | 14.54 |
| Vested and released | (5,161) | 17.81 |
| Forfeited | (701) | 20.49 |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | 14,235 | $15.18 |
| Granted | 2,580 | 15.76 |
| Modified (1) | (2,809) | 16.18 |
| Vested and released | (4,833) | 15.91 |
| Forfeited | (827) | 15.83 |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2024 | 8,346 | $15.59 |
| Granted | 5,073 | 14.11 |
| Vested and released | (3,949) | 15.27 |
| Forfeited | (2,337) | 15.33 |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2025 | 7,133 | $14.27 |
(1)In 2024, the settlement terms of 2.8 million stock-settled RSUs were modified from settlement in AAG common stock to settlement in cash. This change in award settlement method was the only modification to these awards, and the vesting, forfeiture and all other terms and conditions were unchanged. The modification resulted in a $20 million reclassification from additional paid-in capital to accrued salaries and wages on our consolidated balance sheet.
As of December 31, 2025, there was $51 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock-settled RSUs. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period ofone year. The total fair value of stock-settled RSUs vested during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 was $57 million, $69 million and $78 million, respectively.
CRSU award activity for all plans for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 is as follows:
| Number of Shares | Weighted Average Fair Value | |
|---|---|---|
| (In thousands) | ||
| Outstanding at December 31, 2023 | 37 | $13.74 |
| Granted | 5,634 | 17.43 |
| Modified (1) | 2,809 | 16.18 |
| Vested and released | (1,337) | 14.75 |
| Forfeited | (136) | 17.42 |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2024 | 7,007 | $17.43 |
| Granted | 6,009 | 15.33 |
| Vested and released | (2,606) | 16.43 |
| Forfeited | (547) | 15.60 |
| Outstanding at December 31, 2025 | 9,863 | $15.33 |
(1)In 2024, the settlement terms of 2.8 million stock-settled RSUs were modified from settlement in AAG common stock to settlement in cash. See table above for further discussion.
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the liability related to CRSUs was $53 million and $39 million, respectively. The CRSU related liability is remeasured at fair value at each reporting date until all awards are vested. As of December 31, 2025, there was $98 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to CRSUs. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period ofone year. The total cash paid for CRSUs vested during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was $37 million and $18 million, respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, CRSU award activity was nominal.
- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (in millions)
| Balance at Beginning of Year | Additions Charged to Statement of Operations Accounts | Deductions and Other | Balance atEnd of Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allowance for obsolescence of spare parts | ||||
| Year ended December 31, 2025 | $797 | $129 | $(26) | $900 |
| Year ended December 31, 2024 | 728 | 116 | (47) | 797 |
| Year ended December 31, 2023 | 616 | 98 | 14 | 728 |
- Subsequent Events
In the first quarter of 2026, American sent irrevocable notice of redemption to prepay the outstanding principal amount of its 8.50% Senior Secured Notes. American intends to fund these prepayments with proceeds from anticipated debt issuances and cash on hand.
AAdvantage Financing
On February 12, 2026, the AAdvantage Issuers entered into a fourth amendment to the term loan credit and guaranty agreement dated March 24, 2021 (the Fourth Amendment). As a result of the Fourth Amendment, the term loans outstanding under the 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility were replaced with new term loans in the same principal amount. Pursuant to the Fourth Amendment, the 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility bears interest at a base rate (subject to a floor of 0.00%) plus an applicable margin of 1.75% per annum or, at the AAdvantage Issuers’ option, the SOFR rate for a tenor of three months (subject to a floor of 0.00%), plus an applicable margin of 2.75% per annum. All other terms of the 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility remain substantially similar.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.