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Special Charges and Mark-to-Market ("MTM") Adjustments
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]  
SPECIAL CHARGES AND MARK-TO-MARKET (MTM) ADJUSTMENTS SPECIAL CHARGES AND MARK-TO-MARKET ("MTM") ADJUSTMENTS
For the three and nine months ended September 30, special charges and MTM adjustments consisted of the following (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Severance and benefit costs
$
2

 
$
9

 
$
14

 
$
34

Impairment of assets
—

 
11

 
69

 
145

(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges
25

 
(3
)
 
33

 
7

Total operating special charges
27

 
17

 
116

 
186

Nonoperating MTM (gains) losses on financial instruments
(21
)
 
(29
)
 
(72
)
 
61

Total special charges and MTM (gains) losses on financial instruments
6

 
(12
)
 
44

 
247

Income tax expense (benefit)
(2
)
 
3

 
(10
)
 
(55
)
Total special charges and MTM (gains) losses on financial instruments, net of income tax
$
4


$
(9
)
 
$
34

 
$
192


2019
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded management severance of $2 million and $12 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded $2 million of severance and benefit costs related to a voluntary early-out program for its technicians and related employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. In the first quarter of 2017, approximately 1,000 technicians and related employees elected to voluntarily separate from the Company and received a severance payment, with a maximum value of $100,000 per participant, based on years of service, with retirement dates through early 2019.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded a $47 million impairment for aircraft engines removed from operations, an $8 million fair value adjustment for aircraft purchased off lease, a $6 million charge for the early termination of several regional aircraft finance leases and $8 million in other miscellaneous impairments.
During the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded charges of $18 million for the settlement of certain legal matters and $15 million related to a contract termination, along with an $8 million gain primarily related to the sale and disposition of certain assets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded $8 million of losses on the sale of assets.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded gains of $25 million and $77 million, respectively, for the change in market value of certain of its equity investments, primarily Azul. Also, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded losses of $4 million and $5 million, respectively, for the change in fair value of the AVH Derivative Assets.
2018
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded $5 million and $19 million, respectively, of severance and benefit costs related to the early-out program described above and management severance of $4 million and $15 million, respectively.
In May 2018, the Brazil–United States open skies agreement was ratified, which provides air carriers with unrestricted access between the United States and Brazil. The Company determined that the approval of the open skies agreement impaired the entire value of its Brazil route authorities because the agreement removed all limitations or reciprocity requirements for flights between the United States and Brazil. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $105 million special charge to write off the entire value of the intangible asset associated with its Brazil routes. Also, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded $11 million and $40 million, respectively, of fair value adjustments for aircraft purchased off lease, write-off of unexercised aircraft purchase options and other impairments related to certain fleet types and international slots no longer in use.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded $3 million of gains primarily related to the sale of aircraft engines and $7 million of losses primarily related to contract termination of regional aircraft operations in Guam, respectively.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded gains of $29 million and losses of $61 million, respectively, for the change in market value of certain of its equity investments.