Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Each fair value measurement is classified into one of the following levels based on the information used in the valuation:

•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.

•Level 3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on the valuation techniques identified in the tables below. The valuation techniques are as follows:

(a)Market Approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by observable transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; and

(b)Income Approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques and option-pricing models).

Assets (Liabilities) Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis(1)


	December 31, 2021								Valuation Technique
(in millions)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash equivalents	$	5,450	$	5,450	$	—	$	—	(a)
Restricted cash equivalents	635		635		—		—		(a)
Short-term investments
U.S. Government securities	3,386		1,376		2,010		—		(a)
Long-term investments	1,459		1,326		36		97		(a)(b)
Hedge derivatives, net
Fuel hedge contracts	(18)		—		(18)		—		(a)(b)
Foreign currency exchange contracts	1		—		1		—		(a)


	December 31, 2020								Valuation Technique
(in millions)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash equivalents	$	5,755	$	5,755	$	—	$	—	(a)
Restricted cash equivalents	1,747		1,747		—		—		(a)
Short-term investments
U.S. Government securities	5,789		3,919		1,870		—		(a)



Long-term investments	1,417		948		38		431		(a)(b)
Hedge derivatives, net
Fuel hedge contracts	(9)		—		(9)		—		(a)(b)
Interest rate contracts	23		—		23		—		(a)
Foreign currency exchange contracts	(13)		—		(13)		—		(a)

(1)See Note 9, "Employee Benefit Plans," for fair value of benefit plan assets.

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 balance sheets and 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. The fair values of our 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.

As of December 31, 2021, the estimated fair value of our short-term investments was $3.4 billion. Of these investments, $2.8 billion are expected to mature in one year or less, with the remainder maturing by the second half of 2023.

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. During 2021, both Wheels Up Experience Inc. ("Wheels Up") and Clear Secure, Inc. ("CLEAR") became publicly traded and as of December 31, 2021, our investment in both of these are 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. During the year ended December 31, 2021 there were no material gains or losses as a result of fair value adjustments. See Note 4, "Investments," for further information on our long-term investments.

Hedge Derivatives. A portion of our derivative contracts may be 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 would be 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 Hedge Contracts. Our derivative contracts to hedge the financial risk from changing fuel prices are primarily related to Monroe’s inventory. Our fuel hedge portfolio may consist of a combination of options, swaps or futures. Option and swap contracts are valued under income approaches using option pricing models and discounted cash flow models, respectively, based on data either readily observable in public markets, derived from public markets or provided by counterparties who regularly trade in public markets. Futures contracts and options on futures contracts are traded on a public exchange and valued based on quoted market prices. We recognized losses of $146 million, gains of $85 million and losses of $41 million on our fuel hedge contracts for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

•Interest Rate Contracts. Our interest rate derivatives were swap contracts, which were valued based on data readily observable in public markets. We unwound our final interest rate contract in January 2021 and have no contracts open as of December 31, 2021.

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

- 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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