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Fair Value Measurements
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Assets (Liabilities) Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
(in millions)
June 30,
2017
Level 1
Level 2
Cash equivalents
$
1,720

$
1,720

$

Short-term investments
 
 

U.S. government and agency securities
103

96

7

Asset- and mortgage-backed securities
158


158

Corporate obligations
405


405

Other fixed income securities
81


81

Restricted cash equivalents and investments
63

63


Long-term investments
133

107

26

Hedge derivatives, net
 
 
 
Fuel hedge contracts
(203
)
(52
)
(151
)
Interest rate contract
(4
)

(4
)
Foreign currency exchange contracts
(7
)

(7
)
(in millions)
December 31,
2016
Level 1
Level 2
Cash equivalents
$
2,279

$
2,279

$

Short-term investments
 
 


U.S. government and agency securities
112

86

26

Asset- and mortgage-backed securities
68


68

Corporate obligations
295


295

Other fixed income securities
12


12

Restricted cash equivalents and investments
61

61


Long-term investments
139

115

24

Hedge derivatives, net
 
 
 
Fuel hedge contracts
(324
)
(26
)
(298
)
Interest rate contract
6


6

Foreign currency exchange contracts
27


27



Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Equivalents and Investments. Cash equivalents generally consist of money market funds. Restricted cash equivalents and investments generally consist of money market funds and time deposits, which primarily support letters of credit that relate to certain projected self-insurance obligations and airport commitments. The fair value of these investments is based on a market approach using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets.

Short-Term Investments. The fair values of short-term investments are based on a market approach using industry standard valuation techniques that incorporate observable inputs such as quoted market prices, interest rates, benchmark curves, credit ratings of the security and other observable information.

Long-Term Investments. Our long-term investments that have historically been measured at fair value primarily consist of equity investments in Grupo Aeroméxico, the parent company of Aeroméxico, and the parent company of GOL. During the March 2017 quarter, we completed a tender offer for additional shares of Grupo Aeroméxico. With the completion of the tender offer, our investment is accounted for under the equity method and is no longer measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Our derivative contracts that may be settled for shares of Grupo Aeroméxico continue to be measured at fair value. Shares of the parent company of GOL are traded on a public exchange and will continue to be valued based on quoted market prices. The investments are classified in other noncurrent assets.

Hedge Derivatives. A portion of our derivative contracts are negotiated over-the-counter with counterparties without going through a public exchange. Accordingly, our fair value assessments give consideration to the risk of counterparty default (as well as our own credit risk). Such contracts are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The remainder of our hedge contracts are comprised of futures contracts, which are traded on a public exchange. These contracts are classified within
Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Fuel Contracts. Our fuel hedge portfolio consists of options, swaps and futures. The hedge contracts include crude oil, diesel fuel and jet fuel, as these commodities are highly correlated with the price of jet fuel that we consume. Option contracts are valued under an income approach using option pricing models based on data either readily observable in public markets, derived from public markets or provided by counterparties who regularly trade in public markets. Volatilities used in these valuations ranged from 25% to 33% depending on the maturity dates, underlying commodities and strike prices of the option contracts. Swap contracts are valued under an income approach using a discounted cash flow model based on data either readily observable or provided by counterparties who regularly trade in public markets. Discount rates used in these valuations vary with the maturity dates of the respective contracts and are based on the London interbank offered rate ("LIBOR"). Futures contracts and options on futures contracts are traded on a public exchange and valued based on quoted market prices.

Interest Rate Contract. Our interest rate derivative is a swap contract, which is valued based on data readily observable in public markets.

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. Our foreign currency derivatives consist of Japanese yen and Canadian dollar forward contracts and are valued based on data readily observable in public markets.