Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis


(in millions)	September 30, 2021		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash equivalents	$	6,098	$	6,098	$	—	$	—
Restricted cash equivalents	874		874		—		—
Short-term investments	4,417		2,291		2,126		—
Long-term investments	1,659		1,525		37		97


(in millions)	December 31, 2020		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash equivalents	$	5,755	$	5,755	$	—	$	—
Restricted cash equivalents	1,747		1,747		—		—
Short-term investments	5,789		3,919		1,870		—
Long-term investments	1,417		948		38		431

Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Equivalents. Cash equivalents generally consist of money market funds. Restricted cash equivalents are recorded in prepaid expenses and other and cash restricted for airport construction on our Consolidated Balance Sheet ("balance sheet"). Restricted cash equivalents generally consist of money market funds, time deposits, commercial paper and negotiable certificates of deposit, which primarily relate to proceeds from debt issued to finance, among other things, a portion of the construction costs for our new terminal facilities at New York's LaGuardia Airport. The fair value of these cash equivalents is based on a market approach using prices generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets.

Short-Term Investments. Short-term investments consist of U.S. government and agency securities. The fair values of these 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.

As of September 30, 2021, the estimated fair value of our short-term investments was $4.4 billion. Of these investments, $3.7 billion are expected to mature in one year or less, with the remainder maturing by the first half of 2023. Investments with maturities beyond one year when purchased are classified as short-term investments if they are expected to be available to support our short-term liquidity needs.

Long-Term Investments. Our long-term investments measured at fair value primarily consist of equity investments, which are valued based on market prices or other observable transactions and inputs, and are recorded in equity investments on our balance sheet. In the September 2021 quarter, Wheels Up Experience Inc. ("Wheels Up") became publicly traded and, as of September 30, 2021, our investment in Wheels Up is classified as Level 1. In the June 2021 quarter, Clear Secure, Inc. ("CLEAR") became publicly traded and our investment is classified as Level 1. In addition, our equity investments in private companies are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as their equity is not traded on a public exchange and our valuations incorporate certain unobservable inputs, including non-public equity issuances and forecasts provided by our investees. Fair value measurement using unobservable inputs is inherently uncertain, and a change in significant inputs could result in different fair values. See Note 4, "Investments," for further information on our equity investments.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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