United Airlines Holdings Inc
For the period ended Mar 31, 2025. Filed Apr 16, 2025.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 31, 2025 · Filed Apr 16, 2025
UAL$112.74+2.0%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2024-09-30; filed 2024-10-16.
0000100517-24-000136
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-03-31; filed 2025-04-16.
0000100517-25-000091
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 115 previous paragraphs and 70 current paragraphs.
32 unchanged; 31 reworded; 5 added; 41 removed; 11 previous and 2 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 20 previous and 9 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Added paragraphs (5)
Current report
First Quarter 2025 Compared to First Quarter 2024
Current report
Passenger revenue increased $547 million, or 4.8%, in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to a 4.9% increase in capacity, a 3.8% increase in the number of passengers flown and a 1.2% increase in yield.
Current report
Salaries and related costs increased $223 million, or 5.7%, in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to increased pay as a result of the increase in flying activity, a 4.5% increase in headcount, and increase in pay rates for eligible employee groups.
Current report
Other operating expenses increased $178 million, or 8.3%, in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the year ago period, primarily due to an increase in flying activity, including increased costs for onboard catering and amenities, ground and cargo handling, airport lounge operations and passenger services, as well as expenditures related to employee uniforms and information technology projects and services.
Current report
Share repurchase. As part of our capital deployment program, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program in October 2024. In the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company repurchased, through open market purchases, approximately 4.0 million shares of UAL common stock for a total of approximately $0.4 billion as part of its share repurchase program. See Note 3 to the financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report and Note 3 to the financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of the 2024 Form 10-K for additional information on the share repurchase program.
Removed paragraphs (41)
Previous report
Third Quarter 2024 Compared to Third Quarter 2023
Previous report
Passenger revenue increased $212 million, or 1.6%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to a 4.1% increase in capacity, partially offset by lower yields in all geographic regions except Atlantic.
Previous report
Salaries and related costs increased $409 million, or 10.4%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due toannual wage rate increases across certain employee groups and a 4.4% increase in headcount largely due to increased flight activity.
Previous report
Depreciation expense increased $79 million, or 11.9%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to the induction of new aircraft and related spare parts, as well as certain aircraft improvements.
Previous report
Distribution expenses increased $58 million, or 11.2%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to $68 million of commissions that were recorded as contra-revenue in 2023.
Previous report
Details of the Company's special charges include the following for the three months ended September 30 (in millions):
Previous report
Other operating expenses increased $146 million, or 6.8%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year ago period, primarily due to increased flight activity and onboard passengers as well as the impacts of inflationary pressures. Other operating expenses include expenditures related to information technology projects and services, food and beverage offerings, passenger services, personnel-related costs and ground handling.
Previous report
Interest income decreased $47 million, or 20.1%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to lower balances in our short-term investment portfolio, which was partially offset by higher interest rates.
Previous report
Unrealized losses on investments, net, was $90 million in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to $54 million in the year-ago period, primarily due to the change in the market value of the Company's investments in equity securities. See Note 6 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for information related to these equity investments.
Previous report
Miscellaneous, net changed by $61 million in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to $75 million of charges related to the prepayment in full of the outstanding principal balance of its MileagePlus term loan in July 2024.
Previous report
First Nine Months 2024 Compared to First Nine Months 2023
Previous report
Passenger revenue increased $1.9 billion, or 5.3%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to a 7.0% increase in capacity as well as a 5.0% increase in passengers.
Previous report
Cargo revenue increased $129 million, or 11.8%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to higher tonnage, partially offset by lower yields.
Previous report
Salaries and related costs increased $1.4 billion, or 12.9%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to annual wage rate increases across certain employee groups and a 4.4% increase in headcount largely due to increased flight activity.
Previous report
Aircraft fuel expense decreased $256 million, or 2.7%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to a lower average price per gallon of fuel, partially offset by increased consumption from higher flight activity. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon in the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except percentage change and per gallon data):
Previous report
Landing fees and other rent increased $253 million, or 11.1%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to rate increases at various airports, terminal expansions and other increases in the number of airport gates and higher landed weight volume due to increased flight activity.
Previous report
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs increased $182 million, or 8.8%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to increased flight activity and increased volumes of engine overhauls, materials use and component repair costs.
Previous report
Depreciation expense increased $182 million, or 9.2%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to the induction of new aircraft and related spare parts, as well as certain aircraft improvements.
Previous report
Distribution expenses increased $274 million, or 19.5%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to higher credit card fees, travel agency commissions and global distribution fees driven by the overall increase in passenger revenue and $187 million of commissions that were recorded as contra-revenue in 2023.
Previous report
Details of the Company's special charges include the following for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions):
Previous report
Other operating expenses increased $674 million, or 11.3%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to increased flight activity and onboard passengers, as well as the impacts of inflationary pressures. Other operating expenses include expenditures related to information technology projects and services, food and beverage offerings, passenger services, personnel-related costs and ground handling.
Previous report
Nonoperating Income (Expense). The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in the Company's nonoperating income (expense) for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):
Previous report
Interest expense decreased $212 million, or 14.4%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to lower debt balances as a result of various debt prepayments and scheduled amortization combined with lower interest rates on refinanced debt.
Previous report
Interest income decreased $66 million, or 10.6%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to lower balances in our short-term investment portfolio, which were partially offset by higher interest rates.
Previous report
Interest capitalized increased $46 million, or 35.9%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to an increase in accumulated spend on capital projects and an increase in aircraft purchase deposit balances.
Previous report
Unrealized losses on investments, net, was $160 million in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to $54 million in unrealized gains in the year-ago period, primarily due to the change in the market value of the Company's investments in equity securities. See Note 6 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for information related to these equity investments.
Previous report
Table of Contents
Previous report
On April 14, 2024, the Company entered into confidential arrangements with Boeing with respect to compensation for financial damages incurred in the first quarter of 2024 due to the FAA grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, and a confidential agreement to accommodate certification delays for the Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft. The compensation provided by Boeing for the grounding damages and in connection with rescheduling deliveries was in the form of credit memos for use on future purchases from Boeing. The Company is accounting for these arrangements as a reduction to the cost basis of the previously-delivered Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and future deliveries of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 and Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, which will reduce future depreciation expense associated with these aircraft.
Previous report
The table below summarizes United's firm commitments as of September 30, 2024, which include aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and non-aircraft capital commitments. Aircraft commitments are based on contractual scheduled aircraft deliveries.
Previous report
Table of Contents
Previous report
In the third quarter of 2024, the Company entered into definitive agreements with major aircraft leasing companies to lease 40 Airbus A321neo aircraft with expected deliveries in 2026 and 2027. As of September 30, 2024, we had entered into leases with rental obligations of approximately $4.0 billion for several mainline aircraft, regional aircraft under CPAs, airport facilities and office space, none of which had commenced as of such date. These leases will commence between 2024 and 2027 with lease terms of up to 12 years.
Previous report
Share Repurchase Program
Previous report
As part of our capital deployment program, the Company announced on October 15, 2024 that its Board of Directors ("Board") authorized a new share repurchase program, allowing for purchases of up to $1.5 billion in the aggregate of outstanding UAL common stock and Warrants, subject to a limit of $500 million in the aggregate through 2024. Unless suspended or terminated earlier by the Board, this program has no set expiration date and will therefore terminate when the Company has completed all purchases authorized under the program, which it expects to complete by the end of 2025.
Previous report
Table of Contents
Previous report
Debt and Other Financing Liabilities Issuances. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company raised:
Previous report
•$2.5 billion under the new term loan facility;
Previous report
•$1.4 billion in equipment notes: On August 5, 2024, the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as subordination agent and pass through trustee (the "Trustee") under certain pass through trusts newly formed by the Company, entered into the Note Purchase Agreement (the "Note Purchase Agreement"). The Note Purchase Agreement provides for the issuance by the Company of equipment notes (the "Equipment Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of approximately$1.4 billion secured by 48 Boeing aircraft delivered new from the manufacturer from October 2010 to December 2023 (collectively, the "Aircraft"). Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, on August 5, 2024, the Trustee purchased Equipment Notes issued under a trust indenture and mortgage (each, an "Indenture" and, collectively, the "Indentures") with respect to each Aircraft entered into by the Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as mortgagee. Each Indenture provides for the issuance of Equipment Notes in two series: Series AA, bearing interest at the rate of 5.450% per annum, and Series A, bearing interest at the rate of 5.875% per annum, in aggregate principal amounts equal to$969 million and$385 million, respectively. The Equipment Notes were purchased by the Trustee, using the proceeds from the sale of Pass Through Certificates, Series 2024-1AA, and Pass Through Certificates, Series 2024-1A, issued by two pass through trusts newly-formed by the Company. The interest on the Equipment Notes is payable semi-annually on each February 15 and August 15, beginning on February 15, 2025. The principal payments on the Equipment Notes are scheduled on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2025 for certain Equipment Notes and August 15, 2025 for the remaining Equipment Notes. The final payments on the Equipment Notes will be due on or prior to February 15, 2037; and
Previous report
•$1.5 billion through the issuance of debt, not including the equipment notes, and other financial liabilities on aircraft.
Previous report
See Note 8 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on these financing activities.
Previous report
Table of Contents
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Reworded paragraphs (31)
Previous wording
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is provided as a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to enhance the understanding of our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Current wording
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is provided as a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to enhance the understanding of our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Previous wording
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "UAL" or the "Company") is a holding company and its wholly-owned subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "United").
Current wording
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "UAL" or the "Company") is a holding company incorporated in Delaware and its wholly-owned subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "United").
Previous wording
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL and United, including their respective consolidated financial statements. As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL, unless otherwise noted. United's operating revenues and operating expenses comprise nearly 100% of UAL's revenues and operating expenses. In addition, United comprises approximately the entire balance of UAL's assets, liabilities and operating cash flows. When appropriate, UAL and United are named specifically for their individual contractual obligations and related disclosures, and any significant differences between the operations and results of UAL and United are separately disclosed and explained. We sometimes use the words "we," "our," "us," and the "Company" in this report for disclosures that relate to all of UAL and United.
Current wording
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL and United, including their respective consolidated financial statements. As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL, unless otherwise noted. United comprises substantially all of UAL's operating revenues, operating expenses, assets, liabilities and operating cash flows. When appropriate, UAL and United are named specifically for their individual contractual obligations and related disclosures, and any significant differences between the operations and results of UAL and United are separately disclosed and explained. We sometimes use the words "we," "our," "us," and the "Company" in this report for disclosures that relate to all of UAL and United.
Previous wording
Our shared purpose is "Connecting People. Uniting the World." We have the most comprehensive route network among North American carriers, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The Company transports people and cargo through its mainline operations, which utilize jet aircraft with at least 126 seats, and regional operations, which utilize smaller aircraft that are operated under contract by United's regional carriers. The Company serves virtually every major market around the world, either directly or through participation in Star Alliance®, the world's largest airline alliance.
Current wording
Our shared purpose is "Connecting People. Uniting the World." We have the most comprehensive route network among North American carriers, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The Company transports people and cargo through its mainline operations, which utilize jet aircraft with at least 126 seats, and regional operations, which utilize smaller aircraft that are operated under contract by United's regional carriers. The Company serves virtually every major market around the world, either directly or through participation in Star Alliance®, the world's largest airline alliance network.
Previous wording
The airline industry is highly competitive, marked by significant competition with respect to routes, fares, schedules (both timing and frequency), services, products, customer service and frequent flyer programs. We, like other companies in our industry, have been subject to these and other industry-specific competitive dynamics. In addition, our operations, supply chain, partners and suppliers have been subject to various global macroeconomic factors. We expect to continue to remain vulnerable to a number of industry-specific and global macroeconomic factors that may cause our actual results of operations to differ from our historical results of operations or current expectations. The economic and market factors and trends that we currently believe are or will be most impactful to our results of operations and financial condition include the following: the execution risks associated with our United Next plan, especially relating to the growth in the scale of our operations as a result of the plan; the impact on the Company of significant operational challenges by third parties on which we rely; rising inflationary pressures; labor market and supply chain constraints and related costs affecting us and our partners; volatile fuel prices; aircraft delivery delays; increasing maintenance expenses; changes in interest rates; and changes in general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates, including an economic downturn leading to a decrease in demand for air travel or fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that may impact international travel demand. We continue to monitor the potential favorable or unfavorable impacts of these and other factors on our business, operations, financial condition, future results of operations, liquidity and financial flexibility, which are dependent on future developments, including as a result of those factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, of the 2023 Form 10-K. Our future results of operations may be subject to volatility and our growth plans may be delayed, particularly in the short term, due to the impact of the above factors and trends.
Current wording
The airline industry is highly competitive, marked by significant competition with respect to routes, fares, airline capacity, schedules (both timing and frequency), services, products, customer service and frequent flyer programs. We, like other companies in our industry, have been subject to these and other industry-specific competitive dynamics. In addition, our operations, supply chain, partners and suppliers have been subject to various global macroeconomic factors. We expect to continue to remain vulnerable to a number of industry-specific and global macroeconomic factors that may cause our actual results of operations to differ from our historical results of operations or current expectations. The economic and market factors and trends that we currently believe are or will be most impactful to our results of operations and financial condition include the following: the execution and effect of our business strategies, including our United Next plan, especially relating to our focus on expanding market and product opportunities and the growth in the scale of our operations; the impact on the Company of significant operational challenges by third parties on which we rely; aircraft delivery delays; rising inflationary pressures; labor market and supply chain constraints and related costs affecting us and our partners; volatile fuel prices; increasing maintenance expenses; changes in interest rates; changes in government travel patterns; and changes in general economic conditions in the markets in which the Company operates, including an economic downturn or macroeconomic uncertainty leading to a decrease in demand for air travel or fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that may impact international travel demand. We continue to monitor the potential favorable or unfavorable impacts of these and other factors on our business, operations, financial condition, future results of operations, liquidity and financial flexibility, which are dependent on future developments, including as a result of those factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, of the 2024 Form 10-K. Our future results of operations may be subject to volatility and our growth plans may be delayed, particularly in the short term, due to the impact of the above factors and trends.
Previous wording
implementation of new legal requirements and any failure to comply with such legal requirements could negatively impact our business, operations, financial condition, future results of operations, liquidity and financial flexibility by increasing the Company's costs, limiting the Company's ability to offer a product, service or feature to customers, impacting customer demand for the Company's products and services and requiring changes to the Company's supply chain and its business. Legal requirements that we currently believe are or will be most impactful to our results of operations and financial condition include the following: the closure of our flying airspace and termination of other operations due to regional conflicts, including the suspension of our overflying in Russian airspace as a result of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict and interruptions of our flying as a result of the military conflict in the Middle East, as well as any escalation of the broader economic consequences of these conflicts beyond their current scope; delays in aircraft certification (especially relating to the 737 MAX 10 aircraft); increased Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") oversight of the aircraft production process; and any legal requirement that would result in a reshaping of the benefits that we provide to our consumers through our loyalty program or the co-branded credit cards issued by our partner. Changes in existing applicable legal requirements or new applicable legal requirements as well as the related interpretations and enforcement practices regarding them, create uncertainty about how such laws and regulations will be understood and applied. As a result, the impact of changing and new legal requirements generally cannot be reasonably predicted and those requirements may ultimately require extensive system and operational changes, be difficult to implement, increase our operating costs and require significant capital expenditures.
Current wording
We operate in complex, highly regulated environments in the U.S., the European Union, the United Kingdom and other regions around the world. Compliance with laws, regulations, administrative practices and other restrictions or legal requirements in the countries in which we do business is onerous and expensive. In addition, changes to existing legal requirements or the implementation of new legal requirements and any failure to comply with such legal requirements could negatively impact our business, operations, financial condition, future results of operations, liquidity and financial flexibility by increasing the Company's costs, limiting the Company's ability to offer a product, service or feature to customers, impacting customer demand for the Company's products and services and requiring changes to the Company's supply chain and its business. Legal requirements that we currently believe are or will be most impactful to our results of operations and financial condition include the following: the closure of our flying airspace and termination of other operations due to regional conflicts, including the suspension of our overflying in Russian airspace as a result of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict and interruptions of our flying as a result of the military conflict in the Middle East, as well as any escalation of the broader economic consequences of these conflicts beyond their current scope; delays in aircraft certification (especially relating to the 737 MAX 10 aircraft); increased Federal Aviation Administration oversight of the aircraft production process; any legal requirement that would result in a reshaping of the benefits that we provide to our consumers through our loyalty program or the co-branded credit cards issued by our partner; the effect of trade tariffs and any potential changes to them that we are unable to mitigate; and certain rules and regulations proposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation that would impose additional costs and operational restrictions on airlines. Changes in existing applicable legal requirements or new applicable legal requirements as well as the related interpretations and enforcement practices regarding them, create uncertainty about how such laws and regulations will be understood and applied. As a result, the impact of changing and new legal requirements generally cannot be reasonably predicted and those requirements may ultimately require extensive system and operational changes, be difficult to implement, increase our operating costs and require significant capital expenditures.
Previous wording
The following discussion provides an analysis of our results of operations and reasons for material changes therein for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the corresponding period in 2023.
Current wording
The following discussion provides an analysis of our results of operations and reasons for material changes therein for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as compared to the corresponding period in 2024.
Previous wording
The Company recorded net income of $1.0 billion for the third quarter of 2024 as compared to net income of $1.1 billion for the third quarter of 2023. Significant components of the Company's operating results for the three months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):
Current wording
The Company recorded net income of $387 million for the first quarter of 2025 as compared to a net loss of $124 million for the first quarter of 2024. Significant components of the Company's operating results for the three months ended March 31 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):
Previous wording
The table below presents selected third quarter passenger revenue and operating data, broken out by geographic region, expressed as year-over-year changes:
Current wording
The table below presents selected passenger revenue and operating data, broken out by geographic region, expressed as year-over-year changes:
Previous wording
Cargo revenue increased $84 million, or 25.2%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to higher tonnage.
Current wording
Cargo revenue increased $38 million, or 9.7%, in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to higher tonnage and yields.
Previous wording
Other operating revenue increased $63 million, or 7.9%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to an increase in mileage revenue from non-airline partners, including credit card spending with our co-branded credit card partner, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as well as increases in the purchases of United Club memberships, visitor volume and purchases of one-time United Club passes.
Current wording
Other operating revenue increased $88 million, or 10.5%, in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to an increase in mileage revenue from non-airline partners, including credit card spending with our co-branded credit card partner, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as well as an increase in the purchases of United Club memberships.
Previous wording
Aircraft fuel expense decreased by $349 million, or 10.4%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, due to a lower average price per gallon of fuel, partially offset by increased consumption from higher flight activity. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon in the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except percentage change and per gallon data):
Current wording
Aircraft fuel decreased by $253 million, or 8.6%, in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the year-ago period, due to a lower average price per gallon of fuel, partially offset by increased consumption from higher flying activity.
Previous wording
Landing fees and other rent increased $65 million, or 8.1%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to rate increases at various airports, terminal expansions and other increases in the number of airport gates and higher landed weight volume due to increased flight activity.
Current wording
Landing fees and other rent increased $69 million, or 8.6%, in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to rate increases at various airports and higher landed weight volume due to increased flight activity.
Previous wording
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs increased $81 million, or 11.8%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to increased volumes of engine overhauls and component repair costs.
Current wording
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs decreased $42 million, or 5.4%, in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to lower volumes of engine overhauls.
Previous wording
Regional capacity purchase expense increased $59 million, or 10.0%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to an increase in regional capacity.
Current wording
Regional capacity purchase increased $65 million, or 11.1%, in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to an approximately 17% increase in regional capacity.
Previous wording
See Note 9 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on the Company's special charges.
Current wording
For details on the Company's Special charges (credits), see Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.
Previous wording
Interest expense decreased $114 million, or 23.1%, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to lower debt balances as a result of various debt prepayments and scheduled amortization combined with lower interest rates on refinanced debt.
Current wording
Interest expense decreased $98 million, or 21.6%, in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to lower debt balances as a result of various debt prepayments and scheduled amortization.
Previous wording
Miscellaneous, net changed by $113 million in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to debt extinguishment and modification fees related to the prepayment of the outstanding principal balance of its MileagePlus term loan and the refinancing of the Company's 2021 term loans, higher foreign exchange losses and a decrease in the benefit from the Company's net periodic benefit cost of its pension and postretirement benefit plans.
Current wording
Miscellaneous, net changed by $46 million in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to $35 million of debt extinguishment and modification fees related to the refinancing of the Company's 2021 term loans recorded in the year-ago period.
Previous wording
We deploy a disciplined and balanced approach to capital allocation, including returns to shareholders through potential share repurchases. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $14.2 billion in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as compared to $14.4 billion at December 31, 2023. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, together with cash generated from operations, will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated liquidity needs for the next twelve months, and we expect to meet our long-term liquidity needs with our anticipated access to the capital markets and projected cash from operations. We regularly assess our anticipated working capital needs, debt and leverage levels, debt maturities, capital expenditure requirements (including in connection with our capital commitments for our firm order aircraft and any changes to such commitments), planned UAL common stock or Warrant purchases under our share repurchase program and future investments or acquisitions in order to maximize shareholder return, efficiently finance our ongoing operations and maintain flexibility for future strategic transactions. We also regularly evaluate our liquidity and capital structure to efficiently manage financial risks, liquidity access and cost of capital.
Current wording
We deploy a disciplined and balanced approach to capital allocation, including returns to shareholders through potential share repurchases. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had $15.3 billion in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as compared to $14.5 billion at December 31, 2024. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, together with cash generated from operations, will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated liquidity needs for the next 12 months, and we expect to meet our long-term liquidity needs with our anticipated access to the capital markets and projected cash from operations.
Previous wording
On April 16, 2024, the Company increased its revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility") loan commitments by $100 million for a total amount of $2.965 billion as of September 30, 2024, of which $2.8 billion expires February 15, 2029 and $165 million expires April 21, 2025. The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by certain route authorities and airport slots and gates. No borrowings were outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2024.
Current wording
The Company has a $2.965 billion revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2025, of which $2.95 billion expires February 15, 2029 and $15 million expires April 21, 2025. The revolving credit facility is secured by certain route authorities and airport slots and gates. No borrowings were outstanding under the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2025.
Previous wording
We have a significant amount of fixed obligations, including debt, leases of aircraft, airport and other facilities, and pension funding obligations. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had approximately $33.4 billion of debt, finance lease, operating lease and other financial liabilities, including $3.9 billion that will become due in the next 12 months. In addition, we have substantial noncancelable commitments for capital expenditures, including the acquisition of certain new aircraft and related spare engines. Our debt agreements contain customary terms and conditions as well as various affirmative, negative and financial covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness and pay dividends or repurchase stock. As of September 30, 2024, UAL and United were in compliance with their respective debt covenants. As of September 30, 2024, a substantial portion of the Company's assets, principally aircraft and certain related assets, its loyalty program, certain route authorities and airport slots and gates, was pledged under various loan and other agreements. See Note 8 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on aircraft financing and other debt instruments.
Current wording
We have a significant amount of fixed obligations, including debt, leases of aircraft, airport and other facilities, and pension funding obligations. As of March 31, 2025, the Company had approximately $32.9 billion of debt, finance lease, operating lease and other financial liabilities, including $3.8 billion that will become due in the next 12 months. In addition, we have substantial noncancelable commitments for capital expenditures, including the acquisition of certain new aircraft and related spare engines. Our debt agreements contain customary terms and conditions as well as various affirmative, negative and financial covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries, under certain circumstances, to incur additional indebtedness and pay dividends or repurchase stock. As of March 31, 2025, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants under these agreements. As of March 31, 2025, a substantial portion of the Company's assets, principally aircraft and certain related assets, its loyalty program, certain route authorities and airport slots and gates, was pledged under various loan and other agreements. See Note 8 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on aircraft financing and other debt instruments.
Previous wording
The aircraft listed in the table above are scheduled for delivery through 2033. The amount and timing of the Company's future capital commitments could change to the extent that: (i) the Company and the aircraft manufacturers, with whom the Company has existing orders for new aircraft, agree to modify (or further modify) the contracts governing those orders; (ii) rights are exercised pursuant to the relevant agreements to cancel deliveries or modify the timing of deliveries; or (iii) the aircraft manufacturers are unable to deliver in accordance with the terms of those orders.
Current wording
The aircraft listed in the table above are scheduled for delivery through 2033. The amount and timing of the Company's future capital commitments could change to the extent that: (i) the Company and the aircraft manufacturers, with whom the Company has existing orders for new aircraft, agree to modify (or further modify) the contracts governing those orders; (ii) rights are
Previous wording
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions):
Current wording
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the three months ended March 31 (in millions):
Previous wording
Operating Activities. Cash flows provided by operating activities decreased $0.6 billion in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to changes in various working capital items, including higher payments for employee wages and incentives in 2024 as compared to 2023.
Current wording
Operating Activities. Cash flows provided by operating activities increased approximately $0.9 billion in the first three months of 2025 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to an operating income increase period-over-period and a net change in various working capital items.
Previous wording
Investing Activities. Cash flows used in investing activities decreased $4.4 billion in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to a decrease in the purchase of short-term and other investments.
Current wording
Investing Activities. Cash flows used in investing activities increased $2.9 billion in the first three months of 2025 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to a decrease in net proceeds of short-term and other investments.
Previous wording
Financing Activities. Significant financing events in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were as follows:
Current wording
Financing Activities. Significant financing events in the three months ended March 31, 2025 were as follows:
Previous wording
Debt, Finance Lease and Other Financing Liability Principal Payments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company made payments for debt, finance leases, and other financing liabilities of $8.8 billion, including the $3.9 billion prepayment of its 2021 term loan and the $1.8 billion prepayment of the outstanding principal balance of its MileagePlus term loan.
Current wording
Debt, Finance Lease and Other Financial Liability Principal Payments. During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Company made payments for debt, finance leases, and other financial liabilities of $1.0 billion.
Previous wording
These credit ratings are below investment grade levels; however, the Company has been able to secure financing with investment grade credit ratings for certain enhanced equipment trust certificates, term loans and secured bond financings. Downgrades from these rating levels, among other things, could restrict the availability, or increase the cost, of future financing for the Company as well as affect the fair market value of existing debt. A rating reflects only the view of a rating agency and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. Ratings can be revised upward or downward at any time by a rating agency if such rating agency decides that circumstances warrant such a change.
Current wording
The Company has been able to secure financing with investment grade credit ratings for certain enhanced equipment trust certificates ("EETCs"), term loans and secured bond financings. Downgrades from these rating levels, among other things, could restrict the availability, or increase the cost, of future financing for the Company as well as affect the fair market value of existing debt. A rating reflects only the view of a rating agency and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. Ratings can be revised upward or downward at any time by a rating agency if such rating agency decides that circumstances warrant such a change. Currently Moody's and Fitch have assigned the Company a positive outlook, while S&P maintains a stable outlook.
Previous wording
See the 2023 Form 10-K and Notes 6, 7 and 8 to the financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.
Current wording
See the 2024 Form 10-K and Notes 7, 8 and 9 to the financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.
Previous wording
capacity, fleet plan strategy, product development, ESG-related strategy initiatives and business strategy. Such forward-looking statements are based on historical performance and current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the Company's future financial results, goals, plans, commitments, strategies and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, known or unknown, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond the Company's control and could cause the Company's future financial results, goals, plans, commitments, strategies and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. Words such as "should," "could," "would," "will," "may," "expects," "plans," "intends," "anticipates," "indicates," "remains," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook," "goals," "targets," "pledge," "confident," "optimistic," "dedicated," "positioned," "on track" and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. All statements, other than those that relate solely to historical facts, are forward-looking statements.
Current wording
This report contains certain "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including in Part I, Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere, relating to, among other things, goals, plans and projections regarding the Company's financial position, results of operations, market position, airline capacity, fleet plan strategy, fares, booking trends, product development, corporate citizenship-related strategy initiatives and business strategy. Such forward-looking statements are based on historical performance and current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the Company's future financial results, goals, plans, commitments, strategies and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, known or unknown, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond the Company's control and could cause the Company's future financial results, goals, plans, commitments, strategies and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. Words such as "should," "could," "would," "will," "may," "expects," "plans," "intends," "anticipates," "indicates," "remains," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook," "goals," "targets," "pledge," "confident," "optimistic," "dedicated," "positioned," "on track" and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. All statements, other than those that relate solely to historical facts, are forward-looking statements.
Previous wording
Our actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the following: execution risks associated with our strategic operating plan; changes in our fleet and network strategy or other factors outside our control resulting in less economic aircraft orders, costs related to modification or termination of aircraft orders or entry into aircraft orders on less favorable terms, as well as any inability to accept or integrate new aircraft into our fleet as planned, including as a result of any mandatory groundings of aircraft; any failure to effectively manage, and receive anticipated benefits and returns from, acquisitions, divestitures, investments, joint ventures and other portfolio actions, or related exposures to unknown liabilities or other issues or underperformance as compared to our expectations; adverse publicity, harm to our brand, reduced travel demand, potential tort liability and operational restrictions as a result of an accident, catastrophe or incident involving us, our regional carriers, our codeshare partners or another airline; the highly competitive nature of the global airline industry and susceptibility of the industry to price discounting and changes in capacity, including as a result of alliances, joint business arrangements or other consolidations; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers to source a majority of our aircraft, engines and certain parts, and the impact of any failure to obtain timely deliveries, additional equipment or support from any of these suppliers; disruptions to our regional network and United Express flights provided by third-party regional carriers; unfavorable economic and political conditions in the United States and globally; reliance on third-party service providers and the impact of any significant failure of these parties to perform as expected, or interruptions in our relationships with these providers or their provision of services; extended interruptions or disruptions in service at major airports where we operate and space, facility and infrastructure constraints at our hubs or other airports; geopolitical conflict, terrorist attacks or security events (including the suspension of our overflying in Russian airspace as a result of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict and interruptions of our flying as a result of the military conflict in the Middle East, as well as any escalation of the broader economic consequences of these conflicts beyond their current scope); any damage to our reputation or brand image; our reliance on technology and automated systems to operate our business and the impact of any significant failure or disruption of, or failure to effectively integrate and implement, these technologies or systems; increasing privacy, data security and cybersecurity obligations or a significant data breach; increased use of social media platforms by us, our employees and others; the impacts of union disputes…
Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.
Current wording
Our actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the following: execution risks associated with our strategic operating plan; changes in our fleet and network strategy or other factors outside our control resulting in less economic aircraft orders, costs related to modification or termination of aircraft orders or entry into aircraft orders on less favorable terms, as well as any inability to accept or integrate new aircraft into our fleet as planned, including as a result of any mandatory groundings of aircraft; any failure to effectively manage, and receive anticipated benefits and returns from, acquisitions, divestitures, investments, joint ventures and other portfolio actions, or related exposures to unknown liabilities or other issues or underperformance as compared to our expectations; adverse publicity, increased regulatory scrutiny, harm to our brand, reduced travel demand, potential tort liability and operational restrictions as a result of an accident, catastrophe or incident involving us, our regional carriers, our codeshare partners or another airline; the highly competitive nature of the global airline industry and susceptibility of the industry to price discounting and changes in capacity, including as a result of alliances, joint business arrangements or other consolidations; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers to source a majority of our aircraft, engines and certain parts, and the impact of any failure to obtain timely deliveries, additional equipment or support from any of these suppliers; disruptions to our regional network and United Express flights provided by third-party regional carriers; unfavorable economic and political conditions in the United States and globally; reliance on third-party service providers and the impact of any significant failure of these parties to perform as expected, or interruptions in our relationships with these providers or their provision of services; extended interruptions or disruptions in service at major airports where we operate and space, facility and infrastructure constraints at our hubs or other airports; geopolitical conflict, terrorist attacks or security events (including the suspension of our overflying in Russian airspace as a result of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict and interruptions of our flying as a result of the military conflict in the Middle East, as well as any escalation of the broader economic consequences of these conflicts beyond their current scope); any damage to our reputation or brand image; our reliance on technology and automated systems to operate our business and the impact of any significant failure or disruption of, or failure to effectively integrate and implement, these technologies or systems; increasing privacy, data security and cybersecurity obligations or a significant data breach; increased use of social media platforms by us, our employees and others…
Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.
Rearranged current paragraphs (2)
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
exercised pursuant to the relevant agreements to cancel deliveries or modify the timing of deliveries; or (iii) the aircraft manufacturers are unable to deliver in accordance with the terms of those orders. See Note 9 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on these purchase commitments.
Current report — wording carried from elsewhere
common stock; the impacts of seasonality and other factors associated with the airline industry; increases in insurance costs or inadequate insurance coverage; risks relating to our repurchase program for UAL common stock and warrants; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors, of our 2024 Form 10-K, and under "Economic and Market Factors" and "Governmental Actions" in Part I, Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of this report, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports we file with the SEC.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (11)
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
We operate in complex, highly regulated environments in the U.S., the European Union, the United Kingdom and other regions around the world. Compliance with laws, regulations, administrative practices and other restrictions or legal requirements in the countries in which we do business is onerous and expensive. In addition, changes to existing legal requirements or the
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
The Company recorded net income of $2.2 billion in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to net income of $2.0 billion in the first nine months of 2023. Significant components of the Company's operating results for the nine months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Certain consolidated statistical information for the Company's operations for the nine months ended September 30 is as follows:
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Operating Revenue. The table below shows year-over-year comparisons by type of operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
The table below presents selected passenger revenue and operating data, broken out by geographic region, expressed as year-over-year changes for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023:
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Other operating revenue increased $219 million, or 9.2%, in the first nine months of 2024 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to an increase in mileage revenue from non-airline partners, including credit card spending with our co-branded credit card partner, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as well as increases in the purchases of United Club memberships, visitor volume and purchases of one-time United Club passes.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Operating Expenses. The table below includes data related to the Company's operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
See Note 9 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on the Company's special charges.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
Income Taxes. See Note 4 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for information related to income taxes.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
See Note 2 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.
Previous report — wording carried elsewhere
This report contains certain "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including in Part I, Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere, relating to, among other things, goals, plans and projections regarding the Company's financial position, results of operations, market position,