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Fair Value Measurements, Investments and Notes Receivable
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, INVESTMENTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, INVESTMENTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE
Fair Value Information. Accounting standards require us to use valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are described in Note 7 of this report. The table below presents disclosures about the fair value of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company's financial statements as of December 31 (in millions):
20232022
TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents$6,058 $6,058 $— $— $7,166 $7,166 $— $— 
Restricted cash - current (Note 1)31 31 — — 45 45 — — 
Restricted cash - non-current (Note 1)245 245 — — 210 210 — — 
Short-term investments:
U.S. government and agency notes8,257 — 8,257 — 8,914 — 8,914 — 
Asset-backed securities— — — — 325 — 325  
Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service ("CDARS")73 — 73 — — — — — 
Corporate debt— — — — — — 
Long-term investments:
Equity securities177 177 — — 189 189 — — 
Investments presented in the table above have the same fair value as their carrying value.
Short-term investmentsThe short-term investments shown in the table above are classified as available-for-sale and have remaining maturities of approximately 15 months or less.
Long-term investments: Equity securities — Represents equity and equity-linked securities (such as vested warrants) that make up United's investments in Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S.A., Archer Aviation Inc., Eve Holding, Inc., Mesa Air Group, Inc. ("Mesa") and Clear Secure, Inc.
Other fair value information - The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above as of December 31 (in millions). Carrying amounts include any related discounts, premiums and issuance costs:
20232022
Carrying AmountFair ValueCarrying AmountFair Value
TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Long-term debt$29,075 $28,302 $— $22,543 $5,759 $31,194 $29,371 $— $23,990 $5,381 
Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows:
DescriptionFair Value Methodology
Cash and cash equivalents and
Restricted cash (current and non-current)
The carrying amounts of these assets approximate fair value.
Short-term and Long-term investmentsFair value is based on (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar
instruments or (b) broker quotes obtained by third-party valuation services.
Long-term debt Fair values were based on either market prices or the discounted amount of future cash flows using our current incremental rate of borrowing for similar liabilities or assets.
Equity Method Investments. As of December 31, 2023, United holds investments, accounted for using the equity method, with a combined carrying value of approximately $230 million. Significant equity method investments are described below:
CommuteAir LLC. United owns a 40% minority ownership stake in CommuteAir LLC. CommuteAir currently operates 53 regional aircraft under a CPA that has a term through 2026.
Republic Airways Holdings Inc. United holds a 19% minority interest in Republic Airways Holdings Inc., which is the parent company of Republic Airways Inc. ("Republic"). Republic currently operates 66 regional aircraft under CPAs that have terms through 2035.
United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund (the "Fund"). During the first quarter of 2023, United launched, through its corporate venture capital arm, United Airlines Ventures, the Fund, an investment vehicle designed to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel by accelerating the research, production and technologies
associated with sustainable aviation fuel. As of December 31, 2023, the Company indirectly holds a 38% ownership interest in the Fund.
Other Investments. United has equity investments in Abra Group Limited, a multinational airline holding company, JetSuiteX, Inc., an independent air carrier doing business as JSX, as well as a number of companies with emerging technologies and sustainable solutions. None of these investments have readily determinable fair values. We account for these investments at cost less impairment, adjusted for observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. As of December 31, 2023, the carrying value of these investments was $401 million.
Notes Receivable. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has $103 million of notes receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, the majority of which is from certain of its regional carriers. The current portions of the notes receivable are recorded in Receivables, less allowance for credit losses and the long-term portions are recorded in Investments in affiliates and other, less allowance for credit losses on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.