10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2011

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

 

 

 

Commission

File Number

 

Exact Name of Registrant

as Specified in its Charter,

Principal Office Address

and Telephone Number

 

State of

Incorporation

 

I.R.S. Employer

Identification No

001-06033   United Continental Holdings, Inc.   Delaware   36-2675207
 

77 W. Wacker

Drive, Chicago,

Illinois 60601

   
  (312) 997-8000    
001-11355   United Air Lines, Inc.   Delaware   36-2675206
 

77 W. Wacker

Drive, Chicago,

Illinois 60601

   
  (312) 997-8000    
001-10323   Continental Airlines, Inc.   Delaware   74-2099724
 

1600 Smith Street,

Dept HQSEO,

Houston, Texas

77002

   
  (713) 324-2950    

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.    Yes  x    No  ¨       United Air Lines, Inc.    Yes  x    No ¨
Continental Airlines, Inc.    Yes  x    No  ¨         

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this Chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.    Yes  x    No  ¨       United Air Lines, Inc.    Yes  x    No  ¨
Continental Airlines, Inc.    Yes  x    No  ¨         

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.   Large accelerated filer  x   Accelerated filer  ¨   Non-accelerated filer  ¨   Smaller reporting company  ¨
United Air Lines, Inc.   Large accelerated filer  ¨   Accelerated filer  ¨   Non-accelerated filer  x   Smaller reporting company  ¨
Continental Airlines, Inc.   Large accelerated filer  ¨   Accelerated filer  ¨   Non-accelerated filer  x   Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.    Yes  ¨    No  x   
United Air Lines, Inc.    Yes  ¨    No  x   
Continental Airlines, Inc.    Yes  ¨    No  x   

The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of July 15, 2011 is shown below:

 

United Continental Holdings, Inc.   330,773,503 shares of common stock ($0.01 par value)
United Air Lines, Inc.  

205 (100% owned by United Continental Holdings, Inc.)

There is no market for United Air Lines, Inc. common stock.

Continental Airlines, Inc.  

1,000 (100% owned by United Continental Holdings, Inc.)

There is no market for Continental Airlines, Inc. common stock.

OMISSION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION

This combined Form 10-Q is separately filed by United Continental Holdings, Inc., United Air Lines, Inc. and Continental Airlines, Inc. United Air Lines, Inc. and Continental Airlines, Inc. meet the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and are therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format allowed under that General Instruction.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

United Air Lines, Inc.

Continental Airlines, Inc.

Report on Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2011

 

     Page  
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1. Financial Statements

  

United Continental Holdings, Inc.:

  

Statements of Consolidated Operations

     3   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     4   

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows

     6   

United Air Lines, Inc.:

  

Statements of Consolidated Operations

     7   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     8   

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows

     10   

Continental Airlines, Inc.:

  

Statements of Consolidated Operations

     11   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     12   

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows

     14   
Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(United Continental Holdings, Inc., United Air Lines, Inc. and Continental Airlines, Inc.)
     15   

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     37   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     53   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     53   
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     55   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     55   

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     57   

Item 6. Exhibits

     57   

Signatures

     58   

Exhibit Index

     59   


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Operating revenue:

        

Passenger:

        

Mainline

   $ 6,864      $ 3,532        12,627      $ 6,401   

Regional

     1,742        962        3,166        1,750   
                                

Total passenger revenue

     8,606        4,494        15,793        8,151   

Cargo

     316        190        599        347   

Special revenue item (Note 1)

     107        —          107        —     

Other operating revenue

     780        477        1,512        904   
                                
     9,809        5,161        18,011        9,402   
                                

Operating expenses:

        

Aircraft fuel

     3,227        1,486        5,899        2,693   

Salaries and related costs

     1,916        1,061        3,722        2,051   

Regional capacity purchase

     615        405        1,188        793   

Landing fees and other rent

     502        271        975        528   

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

     444        245        883        467   

Depreciation and amortization

     385        223        773        444   

Distribution expenses

     375        198        725        370   

Aircraft rent

     252        81        505        162   

Special charges (Note 10)

     146        106        223        124   

Other operating expenses

     1,139        644        2,276        1,253   
                                
     9,001        4,720        17,169        8,885   
                                

Operating income

     808        441        842        517   

Nonoperating income (expense):

        

Interest expense

     (250     (178     (504     (363

Interest income

     5        2        9        3   

Interest capitalized

     8        3        14        5   

Miscellaneous, net

     (29     3        (30     28   
                                
     (266     (170     (511     (327
                                

Income before income taxes

     542        271        331        190   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     4        (2     6        (1
                                

Net income

   $ 538      $ 273      $ 325      $ 191   
                                

Earnings per share, basic

   $ 1.63      $ 1.62      $ 0.98      $ 1.14   
                                

Earnings per share, diluted

   $ 1.39      $ 1.29      $ 0.88      $ 0.96   
                                

See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

 

     (Unaudited)        
     June 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,519      $ 8,069   

Short-term investments

     1,060        611   
                

Total unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

     8,579        8,680   

Restricted cash

     46        37   

Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2011 — $6; 2010 — $6)

     1,863        1,613   

Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2011 — $74; 2010 — $64)

     508        466   

Deferred income taxes

     622        591   

Prepaid expenses and other

     773        658   
                
     12,391        12,045   
                

Operating property and equipment:

    

Owned—

    

Flight equipment

     15,618        15,181   

Other property and equipment

     2,993        2,890   
                
     18,611        18,071   

Less — accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (3,421     (2,858
                
     15,190        15,213   
                

Purchase deposits for flight equipment

     304        230   

Capital leases—

    

Flight equipment

     1,474        1,741   

Other property and equipment

     221        217   
                
     1,695        1,958   

Less — accumulated amortization

     (499     (456
                
     1,196        1,502   
                
     16,690        16,945   
                

Other assets:

    

Goodwill

     4,523        4,523   

Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2011 — $587; 2010 — $504)

     4,815        4,917   

Restricted cash, cash equivalents and investments

     358        350   

Investments

     101        103   

Other, net

     816        715   
                
     10,613        10,608   
                
   $ 39,694      $ 39,598   
                

 

(continued on next page)

 

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Table of Contents

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

 

     (Unaudited)        
     June 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Advance ticket sales

   $ 4,497      $ 2,998   

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

     2,491        2,582   

Accounts payable

     1,999        1,805   

Accrued salaries and benefits

     1,229        1,470   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     1,389        2,411   

Current maturities of capital leases

     138        252   

Other

     1,019        1,127   
                
     12,762        12,645   
                

Long-term debt

     11,101        11,434   

Long-term obligations under capital leases

     970        1,036   

Other liabilities and deferred credits:

    

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

     3,355        3,491   

Postretirement benefit liability

     2,383        2,344   

Pension liability

     1,458        1,473   

Advanced purchase of miles

     1,545        1,159   

Deferred income taxes

     1,618        1,585   

Lease fair value adjustment, net

     1,246        1,371   

Other

     1,314        1,333   
                
     12,919        12,756   
                

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock

     —          —     

Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; outstanding 330,766,357 and 327,922,565 shares at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

     3        3   

Additional capital invested

     7,106        7,071   

Accumulated deficit

     (5,378     (5,703

Stock held in treasury, at cost

     (31     (31

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     242        387   
                
     1,942        1,727   
                
   $ 39,694      $ 39,598   
                

See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net income

   $ 325      $ 191   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities —

    

Depreciation and amortization

     773        444   

Amortization of debt and lease fair value adjustment

     (119     8   

Special items, non-cash portion (Notes 1 and 10)

     (48     90   

Increase in advance ticket sales

     1,499        808   

Decrease in frequent flyer deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles

     (89     (60

Increase in receivables

     (387     (324

Increase in accounts payable

     202        123   

Increase in other current assets

     (251     (83

Increase (decrease) in other accrued liabilities

     (224     90   

Net change in fuel hedge cash collateral

     (29     4   

Other, net

     106        65   
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     1,758        1,356   
                

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (350     (124

Aircraft purchase deposits paid, net

     (70     (42

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash

     (20     43   

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     54        25   

Purchases of short-term investments, net

     (443     —     

Other, net

     —          3   
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (829     (95
                

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     142        1,995   

Payments of long-term debt

     (1,477     (1,274

Principal payments under capital leases

     (176     (93

Other, net

     32        (25
                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (1,479     603   
                

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period

     (550     1,864   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

     8,069        3,042   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

   $ 7,519      $ 4,906   
                

Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:

    

Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt

   $ 97      $ —     

Reclassification of debt to advanced purchases of miles

     (270     —     

Reclassification of debt discount to other assets

     60        —     

8% Contingent Senior Unsecured Notes, net of discount

     49        —     

Interest paid in kind on UAL 6% Senior Notes

     18        17   

See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

UNITED AIR LINES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010  

Operating revenue:

        

Passenger:

        

Mainline

   $ 3,745      $ 3,532      $ 6,884      $ 6,401   

Regional

     1,046        962        1,937        1,750   
                                

Total passenger revenue

     4,791        4,494        8,821        8,151   

Cargo

     191        190        358        347   

Special revenue item (Note 1)

     88        —          88        —     

Other operating revenue

     500        479        979        908   
                                
     5,570        5,163        10,246        9,406   
                                

Operating expenses:

        

Aircraft fuel

     1,833        1,486        3,345        2,693   

Salaries and related costs

     1,038        1,061        2,025        2,051   

Regional capacity purchase

     401        405        783        793   

Landing fees and other rent

     275        271        527        528   

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

     290        245        582        467   

Depreciation and amortization

     229        223        456        444   

Distribution expenses

     199        198        386        370   

Aircraft rent

     80        81        161        162   

Special charges (Note 10)

     90        106        164        124   

Other operating expenses

     698        644        1,372        1,252   
                                
     5,133        4,720        9,801        8,884   
                                

Operating income

     437        443        445        522   

Nonoperating income (expense):

        

Interest expense

     (159     (173     (327     (353

Interest income

     3        2        5        3   

Interest capitalized

     3        3        6        5   

Miscellaneous, net

     (3     4        (8     29   
                                
     (156     (164     (324     (316
                                

Income before income taxes

     281        279        121        206   

Income tax benefit

     —          (2     —          (1
                                

Net income

   $ 281      $ 281      $ 121      $ 207   
                                

See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

UNITED AIR LINES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

 

     (Unaudited)        
     June 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,107      $ 4,665   

Short-term investments

     155        —     
                

Total unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

     4,262        4,665   

Restricted cash

     46        37   

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts (2011 — $5; 2010 — $5)

     1,103        1,004   

Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2011 — $67; 2010 — $61)

     243        321   

Receivables from related parties

     193        135   

Deferred income taxes

     350        373   

Prepaid expenses and other

     513        366   
                
     6,710        6,901   
                

Operating property and equipment:

    

Owned—

    

Flight equipment

     9,021        8,718   

Other property and equipment

     2,161        2,086   
                
     11,182        10,804   

Less — accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (3,032     (2,717
                
     8,150        8,087   
                

Purchase deposits for flight equipment

     54        51   

Capital leases—

    

Flight equipment

     1,474        1,741   

Other property and equipment

     52        49   
                
     1,526        1,790   

Less — accumulated amortization

     (489     (453
                
     1,037        1,337   
                
     9,241        9,475   
                

Other assets:

    

Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2011 — $503; 2010 — $473)

     2,313        2,343   

Restricted cash

     198        190   

Investments

     96        97   

Other, net

     602        622   
                
     3,209        3,252   
                
   $ 19,160      $ 19,628   
                

 

(continued on next page)

 

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Table of Contents

UNITED AIR LINES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

 

     (Unaudited)        
     June 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S DEFICIT

    

Current liabilities:

    

Advance ticket sales

   $ 2,451      $ 1,536   

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

     1,540        1,703   

Accounts payable

     1,161        907   

Accrued salaries and benefits

     772        938   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     635        1,546   

Current maturities of capital leases

     135        249   

Related party payables

     61        63   

Other

     751        950   
                
     7,506        7,892   
                

Long-term debt

     5,468        5,480   

Long-term obligations under capital leases

     792        858   

Other liabilities and deferred credits:

    

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

     2,184        2,321   

Postretirement benefit liability

     2,121        2,091   

Pension liability

     100        101   

Advanced purchase of miles

     1,275        1,159   

Deferred income taxes

     708        731   

Other

     956        972   
                
     7,344        7,375   
                

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholder’s deficit:

    

Common stock at par, $5 par value; authorized 1,000 shares; outstanding 205 shares at both June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010

     —          —     

Additional capital invested

     3,428        3,421   

Accumulated deficit

     (5,368     (5,489

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (10     91   
                
     (1,950     (1,977
                
   $ 19,160      $ 19,628   
                

See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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UNITED AIR LINES, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net income

   $ 121      $ 207   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities—

    

Depreciation and amortization

     456        444   

Amortization of debt and lease fair value adjustment

     8        8   

Special items, non-cash portion (Notes 1 and 10)

     (28     90   

Increase in advance ticket sales

     915        808   

Decrease in frequent flyer deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles

     (180     (60

Increase in receivables

     (257     (324

Increase in accounts payable

     251        123   

Increase in other current assets

     (77     (100

Increase (decrease) in other accrued liabilities

     (231     88   

Net change in fuel hedge cash collateral

     (29     4   

Other, net

     93        64   
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     1,042        1,352   
                

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (222     (124

Purchases of short-term investments, net

     (153     —     

Aircraft purchase deposits paid, net

     (3     (42

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash

     (20     43   

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     1        25   

Other, net

     —          3   
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (397     (95
                

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     —          1,995   

Payments of long-term debt

     (1,037     (1,273

Principal payments under capital leases

     (175     (93

Other, net

     9        (22
                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (1,203     607   
                

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period

     (558     1,864   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

     4,665        3,036   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

   $ 4,107      $ 4,900   
                

Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:

    

8% Contingent Senior Unsecured Notes, net of discount

   $ 49      $ —     

Interest paid in kind on UAL 6% Senior Notes

     18        17   

See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

     Successor     Predecessor     Successor     Predecessor  
     Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
    Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2010
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2010
 

Operating revenue:

        

Passenger:

        

Mainline

   $ 3,118      $ 2,635      $ 5,741      $ 4,892   

Regional

     696        616        1,229        1,117   
                                

Total passenger revenue

     3,814        3,251        6,970        6,009   

Cargo

     126        111        241        213   

Special revenue item (Note 1)

     19        —          19        —     

Other operating revenue

     325        329        612        632   
                                
     4,284        3,691        7,842        6,854   
                                

Operating expenses:

        

Aircraft fuel

     1,394        992        2,554        1,865   

Salaries and related costs

     864        822        1,669        1,618   

Regional capacity purchase

     214        205        406        402   

Landing fees and other rent

     228        215        448        428   

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

     154        131        303        273   

Depreciation and amortization

     156        122        317        256   

Distribution expenses

     177        161        340        306   

Aircraft rent

     173        230        345        459   

Special charges (Note 10)

     56        24        59        34   

Other operating expenses

     494        460        998        934   
                                
     3,910        3,362        7,439        6,575   
                                

Operating income

     374        329        403        279   
   

Nonoperating income (expense):

        

Interest expense

     (88     (92     (171     (187

Interest income

     2        2        4        4   

Interest capitalized

     4        6        8        13   

Miscellaneous, net

     (28     (12     (35     (21
                                
     (110     (96     (194     (191
                                
   

Income before income taxes

     264        233        209        88   

Income taxes

     2        —          4        1   
                                

Net income

   $ 262      $ 233      $ 205      $ 87   
                                
   

Earnings per share, basic

     $ 1.67        $ 0.62   
                    

Earnings per share, diluted

     $ 1.46        $ 0.60   
                    

See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

 

     Successor  
     (Unaudited)        
     June 30,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3,406      $ 3,398   

Short-term investments

     904        611   
                

Total unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments

     4,310        4,009   

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts (2011 — $1; 2010 — $1)

     760        609   

Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2011 — $7; 2010 — $3)

     265        246   

Deferred income taxes

     273        225   

Receivables from related parties

     —          3   

Prepaid expenses and other

     262        185   
                
     5,870        5,277   
                

Operating property and equipment:

    

Owned—

    

Flight equipment

     6,597        6,463   

Other property and equipment

     832        804   
                
     7,429        7,267   

Less — accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (389     (141
                
     7,040        7,126   

Purchase deposits for flight equipment

     250        178   

Capital leases — other property and equipment

     168        168   

Less — accumulated amortization

     (10     (3
                
     158        165   
                
     7,448        7,469   
                

Other assets:

    

Goodwill

     4,523        4,523   

Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2011 — $84; 2010 — $31)

     2,504        2,575   

Restricted cash, cash equivalents and investments

     160        160   

Other, net

     413        375   
                
     7,600        7,633   
                
   $ 20,918      $ 20,379   
                

 

(continued on next page)

 

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CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)

 

     Successor  
     (Unaudited)         
     June 30,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

     

Current liabilities:

     

Advance ticket sales

   $ 2,046       $ 1,463   

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

     951         879   

Accounts payable

     840         902   

Accrued salaries and benefits

     457         532   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     754         865   

Related party payables

     42         —     

Current maturities of capital leases

     3         3   

Other

     285         236   
                 
     5,378         4,880   
                 

Long-term debt

     5,219         5,536   

Long-term obligations under capital leases

     178         178   

Other liabilities and deferred credits:

     

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

     1,170         1,170   

Postretirement benefit liability

     262         253   

Pension liability

     1,357         1,372   

Lease fair value adjustment, net

     1,250         1,374   

Advanced purchase of miles

     270         —     

Deferred income taxes

     834         784   

Other

     500         522   
                 
     5,643         5,475   
                 

Commitments and contingencies

     

Stockholder’s equity:

     

Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized and outstanding 1,000 shares at both June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010

     —           —     

Additional capital invested

     4,144         4,115   

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

     110         (95

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     246         290   
                 
     4,500         4,310   
                 
   $ 20,918       $ 20,379   
                 

See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

 

     Successor           Predecessor  
     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2011
          Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2010
 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

         

Net income

   $ 205           $ 87   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities—

         

Depreciation and amortization

     317             256   

Special items, non-cash portion (Notes 1 and 10)

     (20          16   

Amortization of debt and lease fair value adjustment

     (127          —     

Increase in advance ticket sales

     583             654   

Increase in frequent flyer deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles

     91             98   

Increase in receivables

     (185          (180

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable

     (11          116   

Increase in other current assets

     (133          (184

Increase (decrease) in other accrued liabilities

     (34          118   

Other, net

     30             20   
                     

Net cash provided by operating activities

     716             1,001   
 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

         

Capital expenditures

     (127          (148

Aircraft purchase deposits paid, net

     (67          (84

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     52             25   

Purchases of short-term investments, net

     (291          (124

Other, net

     1             (3
                     

Net cash used in investing activities

     (432          (334
 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

         

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     142             225   

Payments of long-term debt

     (440          (411

Other, net

     22             20   
                     

Net cash used in financing activities

     (276          (166
                     

Increase in cash and cash equivalents during the period

     8             501   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

     3,398             2,546   
                     

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

   $ 3,406           $ 3,047   
                     
 

Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:

         

Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt

   $ 97           $ —     

Reclassification of debt to advanced purchases of miles

     (270          —     

Reclassification of debt discount to other assets

     60             —     

See accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.,

UNITED AIR LINES, INC. AND CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UAL”) is a holding company and its principal, wholly-owned subsidiaries are United Air Lines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “United”) and, effective October 1, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Continental”). All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL, United and Continental. We sometimes use the words “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” for disclosures that relate to all of UAL, United and Continental Successor (defined below). As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to United activities also apply to UAL; and, effective October 1, 2010, disclosures that relate to Continental Successor activities also apply to UAL. When appropriate, UAL, United and Continental are named specifically for their related activities and disclosures.

Continental Acquisition Accounting. As a result of the application of the acquisition method of accounting, Continental’s financial statements prior to October 1, 2010 are not comparable with Continental’s financial statements for periods on or after October 1, 2010. References to “Successor” refer to Continental on or after October 1, 2010, after giving effect to the application of acquisition accounting. References to “Predecessor” refer to Continental prior to October 1, 2010.

Interim Financial Statements. The UAL, United and Continental unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements shown here have been prepared as required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Some information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements that comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted as permitted by the SEC. The financial statements include all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments and other adjustments, which are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. The significant reclassifications are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (the “2010 Annual Report”). These reclassifications were made to conform the financial statement presentation of United and Continental. These financial statements should be read together with the information included in the 2010 Annual Report.

NOTE 1 - NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements

Frequent Flyer Awards. United and Continental have loyalty programs to increase customer loyalty. Program participants earn mileage credits (“miles”) by flying on United, Continental and certain other participating airlines. Program participants can also earn miles through purchases from other non-airline partners that participate in the Company’s loyalty programs. We sell miles to these partners, which include retail merchants, credit card issuers, hotels and car rental companies, among others. Miles can be redeemed for free, discounted or upgraded air travel and non-travel awards. The Company records its obligation for future award redemptions using a deferred revenue model.

In the case of the sale of air transportation services, the Company recognizes a portion of the ticket sales as revenue when the air transportation occurs and defers a portion of the ticket sale that represents the fair value of the miles, as described further below. In the case of miles sold to third parties, historically we have had two primary revenue elements: marketing and air transportation.

The adoption of the Accounting Standards Update 2009-13, “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force” (“ASU 2009-13”), as described below, resulted in the revision of the accounting for certain aspects of the frequent flyer accounting.

Passenger Tickets

Effective January 1, 2011, the Company began applying the provisions of ASU 2009-13, which resulted in a change to the Company’s accounting for passenger ticket sales that include the issuance of miles that may be redeemed for free travel or other products or services at a future date. Under the Company’s accounting policy prior to January 1, 2011, the Company estimated the weighted average fair value of miles that were issued in connection with the sale of air transportation. The fair value of the miles was deferred and the residual amount of ticket proceeds was recognized as revenue at the time the air transportation was provided.

 

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Effective January 1, 2011, the Company began applying the new guidance to determine the estimated selling price of the air transportation and miles as if each element were sold on a separate basis and allocating the total consideration to each of these elements on a pro rata basis. The estimated selling price of miles is computed using an estimated weighted average equivalent ticket value that is adjusted by a sales discount that considers a number of factors, including ultimate fulfillment expectations associated with miles sold in flight transactions to various customer groups.

As a result of the prospective adoption, the new accounting policy was only applied to new sales of air transportation in 2011. Generally, as compared to the historical accounting policy, for passenger tickets sold with miles earned, the new accounting policy decreases the value of miles that the Company records as deferred revenue and increases the passenger revenue recorded at the time air transportation is provided. Due to the average period from purchase of air transportation to the provision of air transportation, the new accounting policy was only applicable to a portion of the Company’s multiple element ticket transactions recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011. The application of the new accounting method resulted in the following increases to revenue (in millions, except per share amounts):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30, 2011
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2011
 
     UAL      United      Continental      UAL      United      Continental  

Revenue

   $ 106       $ 66       $ 40       $ 161       $ 104       $ 57   

Per basic share

   $ 0.32             $ 0.49         

Per diluted share

   $ 0.27             $ 0.42         

We estimate that application of the new accounting method in the remaining half of 2011 will increase UAL’s revenue as compared to revenue that would have been recorded under the historical method of accounting. The Company cannot reliably estimate the impact of ASU 2009-13 on its future revenue, because the impact depends on many factors, including the volume of air transportation sales with mileage credit components.

Co-branded Credit Card Partner Mileage Sales

United and Continental each had significant contracts to sell frequent flyer miles to their co-branded credit card partner, Chase Bank USA, N.A. (“Chase”). Miles can be redeemed for free, discounted or upgraded air travel and non-travel awards. On June 9, 2011, these contracts were modified and the Company entered into one agreement with Chase (the “Co-Brand Agreement”). The Company applied the provisions of ASU 2009-13 to the Co-Brand Agreement as a materially modified contract.

Under the Co-Brand Agreement and ASU 2009-13, we have identified five elements in the agreement: air transportation; use of the United brand and access to frequent flyer member lists; advertising; baggage services; and airport lounge usage. The fair value of the elements is determined using management’s estimated selling price of each element. The objective of using estimated selling price based methodology is to determine the price at which we would transact a sale if the product or service were sold on a stand-alone basis. Accordingly, we determine our best estimate of selling price considering multiple inputs and methods including, but not limited to, discounted cash flows, brand value, volume discounts, published selling prices, number of miles awarded and number of miles redeemed. The Company estimated the selling prices and volumes over the term of the modified agreement in order to determine the allocation of proceeds to each of the multiple elements to be delivered.

The new guidance changed the allocation of arrangement consideration to the number of units of accounting; however, the pattern and timing of revenue recognition for those units did not change. The Company records passenger revenue related to the air transportation element when the transportation is delivered. The other elements are generally recognized as other operating revenue when earned.

The application of the new accounting standard decreases the value of the air transportation deliverables related to the Co-Brand Agreement that the Company records as deferred revenue (and ultimately passenger revenue when redeemed awards are flown) and increases the value primarily of the marketing-related deliverables recorded in other revenue at the time these marketing-related deliverables are provided. Other than the effects disclosed in the “Special Revenue Item” section below, the impact of adoption of ASU 2009-13 did not have a significant impact on revenue during the second quarter of 2011 as compared to revenue that would have been recognized under the Company’s historical accounting method.

While revenue recognition is subject to fluctuation based on credit card sale volumes and frequent flyer redemption patterns, the Company expects, as a result of the Co-Brand Agreement, that other revenue will increase by approximately $70 million per quarter, with passenger revenue reduced by approximately $20 million per quarter for the remainder of the year. These estimates are subject to variability primarily depending on the volume of future transactions.

 

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Pending new or materially modified contracts after January 1, 2011, certain other non-airline partners who participate in the loyalty programs and to which we sell miles remain subject to our historical residual accounting method.

Special Revenue Item

The transition provisions of ASU 2009-13 require that the Company’s existing deferred revenue balance be adjusted retroactively to reflect the value of any undelivered element remaining at the date of contract modification as if we had been applying ASU 2009-13 since the Co-Brand Agreement contract initiation. We applied this transition provision by revaluing the undelivered transportation element using its new estimated selling price as determined in connection with the contract modification. This estimated selling price was lower than the rate at which the undelivered element had been deferred under the previous contracts and recorded the following one-time non-cash adjustment to decrease frequent flyer deferred revenue and increase special revenue (in millions):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30, 2011
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2011
 
     UAL      United      Continental      UAL      United      Continental  

Special revenue item

   $ 107       $ 88       $ 19       $ 107       $ 88       $ 19   

Per basic share

   $ 0.32             $ 0.33         

Per diluted share

   $ 0.27             $ 0.28         

 

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NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The table below represents the computation of UAL basic and diluted earnings per share amounts and the number of securities that have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share amounts, because they were antidilutive (in millions, except per share amounts):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010      2011     2010  

UAL basic earnings per share:

         

Net income

   $ 538      $ 273       $ 325      $ 191   

Less: Income allocable to participating securities

     (2     —           (1     —     
                                 

Earnings available to common stockholders

   $ 536      $ 273       $ 324      $ 191   
                                 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

     330        168         329        168   
                                 

Earnings per share, basic

   $ 1.63      $ 1.62       $ 0.98      $ 1.14   
                                 

UAL diluted earnings per share:

         

Earnings available to common stockholders

   $ 536      $ 273         324      $ 191   

Effect of UAL 4.5% Senior Limited-Subordination Convertible Notes

     11        21         —          —     

Effect of Continental 4.5% Convertible Notes

     2        —           4        —     

Effect of UAL 5% Senior Convertible Notes

     —          4         —          —     

Effect of Continental 6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures

     4        —           —          —     

Effect of UAL 6% Senior Convertible Notes

     5        5         9        10   
                                 

Earnings available to common stockholders including the effect of dilutive securities

   $ 558      $ 303       $ 337      $ 201   
                                 

UAL diluted shares outstanding:

         

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

     330        168         329        168   

Effect of employee stock options

     1        2         2        1   

Effect of UAL 4.5% Senior Limited-Subordination Convertible Notes

     13        22         —          —     

Effect of Continental 4.5% Convertible Notes

     12        —           12        —     

Effect of UAL 5% Senior Convertible Notes

     —          3         —          —     

Effect of Continental 6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures

     4        —           —          —     

Effect of UAL 6% Senior Convertible Notes

     40        40         40        40   
                                 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     400        235         383        209   
                                 

Earnings per share, diluted

   $ 1.39      $ 1.29       $ 0.88      $ 0.96   
                                 

UAL potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts:

         

Restricted stock and stock options

     7        5         6        6   

UAL 4.5% Senior Limited-Subordination Convertible Notes

     —          —           18        22   

Continental 6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures

     —          —           4        —     

UAL 5% Senior Convertible Notes (Note 9)

     —          —           —          3   

UAL’s 6% Senior Notes due 2031, with a principal amount of $633 million as of June 30, 2011, are callable at any time at 100% of par value and can be redeemed with either cash or shares of UAL common stock, or a combination thereof, at UAL’s option. These notes are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation as it is UAL’s intent to redeem these notes with cash, if UAL were to redeem the notes. During the second quarter of 2011, UAL repurchased at par value approximately $570 million of the $726 million outstanding principal amount of its 4.5% Senior Limited-Subordination Convertible Notes due 2021 with cash after the notes were put to UAL by the noteholders. The dilutive effect of the 4.5% Senior Limited-Subordination Convertible Notes due 2021 was excluded in the diluted earnings per share calculations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 from the date notice was given of the Company’s intent to pay the notes put to it in cash up to the repurchase date.

 

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The table below represents the computation of Continental Predecessor’s basic and diluted earnings per share amounts (in millions, except per share amounts):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2010      2010  

Continental Predecessor basic earnings per share:

     

Earnings available to common stockholders

   $ 233       $ 87   
                 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

     140         139   
                 

Earnings per share, basic

   $ 1.67       $ 0.62   
                 

Continental Predecessor diluted earnings per share:

     

Earnings available to common stockholders

   $ 233       $ 87   

Effect of 5% Convertible Notes

     4         —     

Effect of 6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures

     3         —     

Effect of 4.5% Convertible Notes

     3         5   
                 

Earnings available to common stockholders including the effect of dilutive securities

   $ 243       $ 92   
                 

Continental Predecessor diluted shares outstanding:

     

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

     140         139   

5% Convertible Notes

     9         —     

6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures

     4         —     

4.5% Convertible Notes

     12         12   

Employee stock options

     2         2   
                 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     167         153   
                 

Earnings per share, diluted

   $ 1.46       $ 0.60   
                 

Continental Predecessor potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts:

     

5% Convertible Notes

     —           9   

6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures

     —           4   

Employee stock options

     1         1   

NOTE 3 - INCOME TAXES

Our effective tax rates differ from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the following: changes in the valuation allowance, expenses that are not deductible for federal income tax purposes, and foreign and state income taxes. We are required to provide a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets in excess of deferred tax liabilities because we have concluded that it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will ultimately not be realized.

 

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NOTE 4 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. The Company’s net periodic benefit cost includes the following components (in millions):

 

     Pension Benefits
Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Other Postretirement
Benefits
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010  

UAL

        

Service cost

   $ 23      $ 2      $ 12      $ 8   

Interest cost

     45        3        32        29   

Expected return on plan assets

     (35     (3     —          (1

Amortization of unrecognized gain and prior service cost

     (7     (1     (1     (3
                                

Net periodic benefit costs

   $ 26      $ 1      $ 43      $ 33   
                                

United

        

Service cost

   $ 2      $ 2      $ 8      $ 8   

Interest cost

     3        3        28        29   

Expected return on plan assets

     (3     (3     —          (1

Amortization of unrecognized gain and prior service cost

     (1     (1     —          (3
                                

Net periodic benefit costs

   $ 1      $ 1      $ 36      $ 33   
                                

Continental (a)

        

Service cost

   $ 21      $ 16      $ 4      $ 3   

Interest cost

     42        40        4        3   

Expected return on plan assets

     (32     (28     —          —     

Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost

     (6     25        (1     4   
                                

Net periodic benefit costs

   $ 25      $ 53      $ 7      $ 10   
                                

 

(a) For Continental, the 2011 period represents Successor and the 2010 period represents Predecessor.

 

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Table of Contents
     Pension Benefits
Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Other Postretirement
Benefits
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011     2010  

UAL

        

Service cost

   $ 44      $ 3      $ 24      $ 15   

Interest cost

     89        5        63        58   

Expected return on plan assets

     (69     (5     (1     (1

Amortization of unrecognized gain and prior service cost

     (12     (1     (1     (6
                                

Net periodic benefit costs

   $ 52      $ 2      $ 85      $ 66   
                                

United

        

Service cost

   $ 3      $ 3      $ 17      $ 15   

Interest cost

     5        5        56        58   

Expected return on plan assets

     (5     (5     (1     (1

Amortization of unrecognized gain and prior service cost

     (1     (1     —          (6
                                

Net periodic benefit costs

   $ 2      $ 2      $ 72      $ 66   
                                

Continental (a)

        

Service cost

   $ 41      $ 33      $ 7      $ 5   

Interest cost

     84        79        7        7   

Expected return on plan assets

     (64     (55     —          —     

Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost

     (11     49        (1     8   
                                

Net periodic benefit costs

   $ 50      $ 106      $ 13      $ 20   
                                

 

(a) For Continental, the 2011 period represents Successor and the 2010 period represents Predecessor.

During the six months ended June 30, 2011, Continental contributed $71 million to its tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans. Continental contributed an additional $33 million to its tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans in July 2011.

Share-Based Compensation. In February 2011, UAL granted share-based compensation awards pursuant to the United Continental Holdings, Inc. 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan. These share-based compensation awards include approximately 0.5 million shares of restricted stock that vest pro-rata over three years on the anniversary of the grant date. These awards also include approximately 3.0 million performance-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) (equivalent to approximately 1.9 million RSUs at the target performance level), consisting of approximately 1.2 million RSUs that vest based on UAL’s return on invested capital for the period beginning January 1, 2011 and ending December 31, 2013 and 1.8 million RSUs that vest based on the achievement of merger-related goals. Vesting of a portion of the merger incentive RSUs is based on the achievement of certain merger-related milestones and vesting of the remainder of the merger incentive RSUs is based on the achievement of revenue and cost synergies over a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2013. The RSUs will be settled in cash. If the specified performance conditions are achieved, cash payments will be made shortly after the end of the performance period or achievement of the specified merger milestone, as applicable, based on the fair market value of UAL common stock. The Company accounts for the performance-based RSUs as liability awards. The table below presents information related to share-based compensation expense (in millions):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011      2010      2011      2010  

Share-based compensation expense

   $ 14       $ 8       $ 27       $ 21   

 

     June 30, 2011      December 31, 2010  

Unrecognized share-based compensation expense

   $ 63       $ 43   

 

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Profit Sharing Plans. Effective for 2011, substantially all employees participate in profit sharing plans, which pay 15% of total pre-tax earnings, excluding special items and stock compensation expense, to eligible employees when pre-tax profit excluding special items, profit sharing expense and stock-based compensation program expense exceeds $10 million. Eligible U.S. co-workers in each participating work group will receive a profit sharing payout using a formula based on the ratio of each qualified co-worker’s annual eligible earnings to the eligible earnings of all qualified co-workers in all domestic workgroups. The international profit sharing plan utilizes the same profit sharing payout percentage that is paid out to eligible U.S. co-workers. UAL recorded profit sharing and related payroll tax expense of $90 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2011. Profit sharing expense is recorded as a component of salaries and related costs in the consolidated statements of operations.

During 2010, United and Continental maintained separate employee profit sharing plans for the employees of each respective subsidiary. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, United and Continental Predecessor recorded profit sharing and related payroll tax expense of $63 million and $19 million, respectively.

 

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NOTE 5 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The table below presents disclosures about the financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s financial statements as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in millions):

 

     June 30, 2011     December 31, 2010  
     Total     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3     Total     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3  
     UAL  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,519      $ 7,519       $ —        $ —        $ 8,069      $ 8,069       $ —        $ —     

Short-term investments:

                  

Auction rate securities

     121        —           —          121        119        —           —          119   

CDARS

     196        196         —          —          45        45         —          —     

Asset-backed securities

     224        224         —          —          258        258         —          —     

Corporate debt

     397        397         —          —          135        135         —          —     

U.S. government and agency notes

     47        47         —          —          39        39         —          —     

Other fixed income securities

     75        75         —          —          15        15         —          —     

EETC

     65        —           —          65        66        —           —          66   

Fuel derivatives, net

     191        —           191        —          375        —           375        —     

Foreign currency derivatives

     (3     —           (3     —          (7     —           (7     —     

Restricted cash (a)

     160        160         —          —          160        160         —          —     
     United (a)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,107      $ 4,107       $ —        $ —        $ 4,665      $ 4,665       $ —        $ —     

Short-term investments:

                  

Asset-backed securities

     23        23         —          —          —          —           —          —     

Corporate debt

     124        124         —          —          —            

U.S. government and agency notes

     5        5         —          —          —          —           —          —     

Other fixed income securities

     3        3         —          —              

EETC

     65        —           —          65        66        —           —          66   

Fuel derivatives, net

     138        —           138        —          277        —           277        —     
     Continental Successor  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 3,406      $ 3,406       $ —        $ —        $ 3,398      $ 3,398       $ —        $ —     

Short-term investments:

                  

Auction rate securities

     121        —           —          121        119        —           —          119   

CDARS

     196        196         —          —          45        45         —          —     

Asset-backed securities

     201        201         —          —          258        258         —          —     

Corporate debt

     273        273         —          —          135        135         —          —     

U.S. government and agency notes

     41        41         —          —          39        39         —          —     

Other fixed income securities

     72        72         —          —          15        15         —          —     

Fuel derivatives, net

     53        —           53        —          98        —           98        —     

Foreign currency derivatives

     (3     —           (3     —          (7     —           (7     —     

Restricted cash

     160        160         —          —          160        160         —          —     

Convertible debt derivative asset

     251        —           —          251        286        —           —          286   

Convertible debt option liability

     (143     —           —          (143     (164     —           —          (164

 

(a) United’s restricted cash is recorded at cost.

 

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The tables below present disclosures about the activity for “Level Three” financial assets and financial liabilities for the three and six months ended June 30 (in millions):

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,  
     2011      2010  

UAL (a)

   Auction  Rate
Securities
     EETC      EETC  

Balance at March 31

   $ 120       $ 63       $ 58   

Settlements

     —           —           —     

Reported in earnings - unrealized

     1         —           —     

Reported in other comprehensive income

     —           2         3   
                          

Balance at June 30

   $ 121       $ 65       $ 61   
                          

 

(a) For 2010, amounts also represent United. For 2011, United’s only Level Three recurring measurements are the above EETCs.

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2011     2010  

UAL (a)

   Auction  Rate
Securities
     EETC     EETC  

Balance at January 1

   $ 119       $ 66      $ 51   

Settlements

     —           (2     (2

Reported in earnings - unrealized

     1         —          —     

Reported in other comprehensive income

     1         1        12   
                         

Balance at June 30

   $ 121       $ 65      $ 61   
                         

 

(a) For 2010, amounts also represent United. For 2011, United’s only Level Three recurring measurements are the above EETCs.

 

Continental

   Successor - 2011          Predecessor - 2010  
     Auction Rate
Securities
     Convertible
Debt
Supplemental
Derivative
Asset (a)
    Convertible
Debt
Conversion
Option
Liability (a)
         Auction Rate
Securities
    Auction Rate
Securities  Put Right
 

Balance at March 31

   $ 120       $ 262      $ (152       $ 164      $ 16   

Sales

     —           —          —              (64     —     

Gains (losses):

               

Reported in earnings:

               

Realized

     —           —          —              17        (16

Unrealized

     1         (11     9            —          —     

Reported in other comprehensive income

     —           —          —              —          —     
                                             

Balance at June 30

   $ 121       $ 251      $ (143       $ 117      $ —     
                                             

 

(a) These derivatives are not designated as hedges. The Convertible Debt Supplemental Derivative Asset is classified in “Other Asset - Other, net”, and the Convertible Debt Conversion Option Liability is classified in “Other liabilities and deferred credits - Other” in Continental’s consolidated balance sheets. The earnings impact is classified in “Nonoperating income (expense) - Miscellaneous, net” in Continental’s statements of consolidated operations.

 

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Table of Contents

Continental

   Successor - 2011           Predecessor - 2010  
     Auction Rate
Securities
     Convertible
Debt
Supplemental
Derivative
Asset (a)
    Convertible
Debt
Conversion
Option
Liability (a)
          Auction Rate
Securities
    Auction Rate
Securities Put Right
 

Balance at January 1

   $ 119       $ 286      $ (164        $ 201      $ 20   

Sales

     —           —          —               (106     —     

Gains (losses):

                

Reported in earnings:

                

Realized

     —           —          —               23        (21

Unrealized

     1         (35     21             —          1   

Reported in other comprehensive income (loss)

     1         —          —               (1     —     
                                              

Balance at June 30

   $ 121       $ 251      $ (143        $ 117      $ —     
                                              

 

(a) These derivatives are not designated as hedges. The Convertible Debt Supplemental Derivative Asset is classified in “Other Asset - Other, net”, and the Convertible Debt Conversion Option Liability is classified in “Other liabilities and deferred credits - Other” in Continental’s consolidated balance sheets. The earnings impact is classified in “Nonoperating income (expense) - Miscellaneous, net” in Continental’s statements of consolidated operations.

As of June 30, 2011, Continental’s auction rate securities, which had a par value of $145 million and unrealized gains of $2 million, were variable-rate debt instruments with contractual maturities generally greater than ten years and with interest rates that reset every 7, 28 or 35 days, depending on the terms of the particular instrument. These securities are secured by pools of student loans guaranteed by state-designated guaranty agencies and reinsured by the U.S. government. All of the auction rate securities that Continental holds are senior obligations under the applicable indentures authorizing the issuance of the securities.

During the first six months of 2010, Continental Predecessor sold, at par, auction rate securities having a par value of $106 million. Certain of these auction rate securities were subject to a put right granted to Continental by an institution permitting Continental to sell to the institution certain auction rate securities at their full par value. Continental classified the auction rate securities underlying the put right as trading securities and elected the fair value option under applicable accounting standards for the put right, with changes in the fair value of the put right and the underlying auction rate securities recognized in earnings currently. Continental recognized gains on the sales using the specific identification method. The gains were substantially offset by the cancellation of the related put rights. The net gains are included in miscellaneous nonoperating income (expense) in the Continental Predecessor statement of consolidated operations and were not material.

As of June 30, 2011, United’s enhanced equipment trust certificate (“EETC”) securities, which were repurchased in open market transactions in 2007, have an amortized cost basis of $68 million and unrealized losses of $3 million. As of June 30, 2011, these securities have been in an unrealized loss position for a period of over twelve months. However, United has not recognized an impairment loss in earnings related to these securities because it does not intend or expect to be required to sell the securities and expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis. All changes in the fair value of these investments have been classified within accumulated other comprehensive income.

The Continental Successor debt-related derivatives presented in the table above relate to (a) supplemental indenture agreements that provide that Continental’s convertible debt, which was previously convertible into shares of Continental common stock, is convertible into shares of UAL common stock upon the terms and conditions specified in the indentures, and (b) the embedded conversion options in Continental’s convertible debt that are required to be separated and accounted for as though they are free-standing derivatives as a result of the Continental debt becoming convertible into the common stock of a different reporting entity. These derivatives are reported in Continental’s separate financial statements and eliminated in consolidation for UAL. See the Company’s 2010 Annual Report for additional information.

The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in millions):

 

     June 30, 2011      December 31, 2010  
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 

UAL debt

   $ 12,490       $ 13,304       $ 13,845       $ 14,995   

United debt

     6,103         6,216         7,026         7,350   

Continental Successor debt

     5,973         6,133         6,401         6,663   

 

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Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows:

 

Description

  

Fair Value Methodology

Cash, Cash Equivalents, Investments and Restricted Cash

   The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these assets and liabilities. These assets have maturities of less than one year except for the EETCs, auction rate securities and corporate debt.
   Fair value is based on either (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar instruments, or (b) an income approach, which uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts into a single present amount based on current market expectations about those future amounts when observable trading prices are not available.

Fuel Derivatives

   Derivative contracts are privately negotiated contracts and are not exchange traded. Fair value measurements are estimated with option pricing models that employ observable inputs. Inputs to the valuation models include contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, fuel price curves and measures of volatility, among others.

Foreign Currency Derivatives

   Fair value is determined with a formula utilizing observable inputs. Significant inputs to the valuation models include contractual terms, risk-free interest rates and forward exchange rates.

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.

Convertible Debt Derivative Asset and Option Liability

   The Company used a binomial lattice model to value the conversion options and the supplemental derivative assets. Significant binomial model inputs that are not objectively determinable include volatility and discount rate.

NOTE 6 - HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Aircraft Fuel Hedges. The Company has a risk management strategy to hedge a portion of its price risk related to projected aircraft fuel requirements. The Company periodically enters into derivative contracts to mitigate the adverse financial impact of potential increases in the price of fuel. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for non-risk management purposes. Prior to April 1, 2010, United’s fuel hedges were not accounted for as fair value or cash flow hedges under accounting principles related to hedge accounting. Effective April 1, 2010, United designated substantially all of its outstanding fuel derivative contracts, which settle in periods subsequent to June 30, 2010, as cash flow hedges under applicable accounting standards. In addition, substantially all new fuel derivative contracts entered into subsequent to April 1, 2010 were designated as cash flow hedges.

For fuel derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the Company records the effective portion of periodic changes in the fair value of the derivatives in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) until the underlying fuel is consumed and recorded in fuel expense. Hedge ineffectiveness results when the change in the fair value of the derivative instrument exceeds the change in the value of the Company’s expected future cash outlay to purchase and consume fuel. To the extent that the periodic changes in the fair value of the derivatives are not effective, that ineffectiveness is recorded to miscellaneous nonoperating income (expense) in the statements of consolidated operations. Nonoperating income (expense) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 includes $34 million and $31 million, respectively, of expense resulting from ineffectiveness caused by a decrease in fuel hedge values in excess of the decrease in aircraft fuel prices during the quarter. The impact is concentrated in the fuel hedges entered into by Continental as a result of the redesignation of Continental’s fuel hedge portfolio under cash flow hedge accounting as of April 1, 2011 when the portfolio was fully integrated with United’s fuel hedge portfolio. This redesignation deferred certain gains on these contracts that will be recognized as part of fuel expense as these positions settle in the future, and therefore any impact is expected to be neutral to earnings over the full term of each contract, assuming current fuel prices.

 

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The Company records each derivative instrument as a derivative asset or liability (on a gross basis) in its consolidated balance sheets and, accordingly, records any related collateral on a gross basis.

As of June 30, 2011, our projected fuel requirements for the remainder of 2011 were hedged as follows:

 

     Maximum Price      Minimum Price  
     % of
Expected
Consumption
    Weighted
Average  Price

(per gallon)
     % of
Expected
Consumption
    Weighted
Average  Price
(per gallon)
 

UAL

         

Heating oil collars

     15   $ 3.32         15   $ 2.65   

Heating oil call options

     4        2.41         N/A        N/A   

Heating oil swaps

     3        2.24         3        2.24   

West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude oil call options

     13        2.32         N/A        N/A   

WTI crude oil swaps

     11        2.17         11        2.17   

Aircraft fuel call options

     4        3.15         N/A        N/A   

Aircraft fuel swaps

     1        3.14         1        3.14   
                     

Total

     51        30  
                     

 

As of June 30, 2011, United and Continental had hedged projected fuel requirements for the remainder of 2011 of 54% and 44%, respectively, consistent with the hedged instruments and underlyings presented in the table above for UAL. As of June 30, 2011, UAL, United and Continental had also hedged 13%, 16% and 8%, respectively, of projected first half 2012 fuel consumption.

The following tables present information about the financial statement classification of the Company’s derivatives (in millions):

 

Derivatives designated as hedges

        June 30, 2011      December 31, 2010  
    

Balance Sheet

Location

   UAL      United      Continental
Successor
     UAL      United      Continental
Successor
 

Assets:

                    

Fuel contracts due within one year

   Receivables    $ 194       $ 141       $ 53       $ 375       $ 277       $ 98   
                                                        

Liabilities:

                    

Fuel contracts due within one year

   Other Current Liabilities    $ 3       $ 3       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     
                                                        

 

Fuel contracts

   Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized
in AOCI on  Derivatives

(Effective portion)
    Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from
AOCI into Income
(Fuel Expense)
(Effective Portion)
    Amount of Gain  (Loss)
Recognized in
Income  (Nonoperating
Expense)
(Ineffective Portion)
 
     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010     2011      2010     2011     2010  

UAL

   $ (231   $ (146   $ 278       $ —        $ (34   $ (3

United

     (149     (146     213         —          (7     (3

Continental (a)

     (82     (53     65         (9     (27     (2

 

(a) For Continental, the 2011 period represents Successor and the 2010 period represents Predecessor.

 

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Fuel contracts

   Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized
in AOCI on Derivatives
(Effective portion)
    Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from
AOCI into Income
(Fuel Expense)
(Effective Portion)
    Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in

Income (Nonoperating
Expense)

(Ineffective Portion)
 
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011      2010     2011      2010     2011     2010  

UAL

   $ 293       $ (146   $ 432       $ —        $ (31   $ (3

United

     236         (146     338         —          (5     (3

Continental (a)

     57         (37     94         (6     (26     (2

 

(a) For Continental, the 2011 period represents Successor and the 2010 period represents Predecessor.

Derivative Credit Risk and Fair Value

The Company is exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to its derivative instruments. While the Company records derivative instruments on a gross basis, the Company monitors its net derivative position with each counterparty to monitor credit risk. Based on the fair value of our fuel derivative instruments, our counterparties may require us to post collateral when the price of the underlying commodity decreases, and we may require our counterparties to provide us with collateral when the price of the underlying commodity increases. The following table presents information related to the Company’s derivative credit risk as of June 30, 2011 (in millions):

 

     UAL     United     Continental  

Net derivative asset with counterparties

   $ 191      $ 138      $ 53   

Collateral held by the Company (a)

     (31     (31     —     

Collateral posted by the Company

     —          —          —     

Potential loss related to the failure of the Company’s counterparties to perform (b)

     160        107        53   

 

(a) Classified as an other current liability.
(b) Based on fair value at June 30, 2011 and collateral held.

 

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NOTE 7 - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended June 30 included the following (in millions):

 

     UAL     United     Continental
Successor (a)
          Continental
Predecessor (a)
 

Three Months Ended June 30,

   2011     2010     2011     2010     2011           2010  
 

Net income

   $ 538      $ 273      $ 281      $ 281      $ 262           $ 233   

Other comprehensive income (loss) adjustments, before tax:

                 

Investments

     2        3        2        3        —               —     

Fuel derivative financial instruments:

                 

Reclassification into earnings

     (278     —          (213     —          (65          9   

Change in fair value

     (231     (146     (149     (146     (82          (53

Employee benefit plans:

                 

Amortization of net actuarial (gains) losses

     (8     (3     (1     (3     (7          21   

Amortization of prior service cost

     —          —          —          —          —               8   

Other

     1        (3     —          (4     1             (3
                                                     

Comprehensive loss adjustments, before tax

     (514     (149     (361     (150     (153          (18
                                                     
 

Total comprehensive income (loss) (a)

   $ 24      $ 124      $ (80   $ 131      $ 109           $ 215   
                                                     

 

(a) There were no income tax effects for either period due to the recording of valuation allowance.

 

     UAL     United     Continental
Successor (a)
          Continental
Predecessor (a)
 

Six Months Ended June 30,

   2011     2010     2011     2010     2011           2010  
 

Net income

   $ 325      $ 191      $ 121      $ 207      $ 205           $ 87   

Other comprehensive income (loss) adjustments, before tax:

                 

Investments

     3        12        1        12        2             —     

Fuel derivative financial instruments:

                 

Reclassification into earnings

     (432     —          (338     —          (94          6   

Change in fair value

     293        (146     236        (146     57             (37

Employee benefit plans:

                 

Amortization of net actuarial (gains) losses

     (13     (6     (1     (6     (12          41   

Amortization of prior service cost

     —          —          —          —          —               16   

Other

     4        (4     1        (4     3             (3
                                                     

Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments, before tax

     (145     (144     (101     (144     (44          23   
                                                     
 

Total comprehensive income (a)

   $ 180      $ 47      $ 20      $ 63      $ 161           $ 110   
                                                     

 

(a) There were no income tax effects for either period due to the recording of valuation allowance.

NOTE 8 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

General Guarantees and Indemnifications. In the normal course of business, the Company enters into numerous real estate leasing and aircraft financing arrangements that have various guarantees included in the contracts. These guarantees are primarily in the form of indemnities under which the Company typically indemnifies the lessors and any tax/financing parties against tort liabilities that arise out of the use, occupancy, operation or maintenance of the leased premises or financed aircraft. Currently, the Company believes that any future payments required under these guarantees or indemnities would be immaterial, as most tort liabilities and related indemnities are covered by insurance (subject to deductibles). Additionally, certain leased premises such as fueling stations or storage facilities include indemnities of such parties for any environmental liability that may arise out of or relate to the use of the leased premises.

 

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Legal and Environmental Contingencies. The Company has certain contingencies resulting from litigation and claims incident to the ordinary course of business. Management believes, after considering a number of factors, including (but not limited to) the information currently available, the views of legal counsel, the nature of contingencies to which the Company is subject and prior experience, that the ultimate disposition of these contingencies will not materially affect the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

The Company records liabilities for legal and environmental claims when a loss is probable and reasonably estimable. These amounts are recorded based on the Company’s assessments of the likelihood of their eventual disposition. The amounts of these liabilities could increase or decrease in the near term, based on revisions to estimates relating to the various claims.

The Company believes that it will have no financial exposure for claims arising out of the events of September 11, 2001 in light of the provisions of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act of 2001 limiting claimants’ recoveries to insurance proceeds, the resolution of the majority of the wrongful death and personal injury cases by settlement and the withdrawal of all related proofs of claim from UAL Corporation’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Trans-Atlantic Joint Venture. Under the revenue-sharing joint venture agreement covering trans-Atlantic routes, payments among participants are based on a formula that compares current period unit revenue performance on trans-Atlantic routes to a historic period or “baseline,” which is reset annually. The payments are calculated on a quarterly basis and are subject to a cap. UAL recorded a decrease in passenger revenue of $44 million related to its estimated revenue sharing obligations through the six months ended June 30, 2011.

Contingent Senior Unsecured Notes. UAL would be obligated under an indenture to issue to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) up to $500 million aggregate principal amount of 8% Contingent Senior Notes (the “8% Notes”) in up to eight equal tranches of $62.5 million if certain financial triggering events occur (with each tranche issued no later than 45 days following the end of any applicable fiscal year). A triggering event occurs when UAL’s EBITDAR, as defined in the 8% Notes indenture, exceeds $3.5 billion over the prior 12 months ending June 30 or December 31 of any applicable fiscal year. The twelve month measurement periods began with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and will end with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. As of June 30, 2011, a triggering event under the 8% Notes indenture occurred and, as a result, UAL is obligated to issue one tranche of $62.5 million of the 8% Notes no later than February 14, 2012. This tranche will mature June 30, 2026, with interest accruing from the triggering event measurement date at a rate of 8% per annum that is payable in cash in semi-annual installments starting June 30, 2012. The tranche of 8% Notes will be callable, at UAL’s option, at any time at par, plus accrued and unpaid interest. UAL recorded a liability for the fair value of the $62.5 million tranche in the second quarter of 2011, which totaled $49 million. This $49 million charge is being classified as an integration cost as the financial results of UAL, excluding Continental’s results, would not have resulted in a triggering event under the indenture (see Note 10). The amount recorded is net of a discount applied to the future principal and interest payments using market interest rates for similar structured notes. This is the first such occurrence of UAL’s obligation to issue a tranche of 8% Notes.

Commitments. The table below summarizes the Company’s commitments as of June 30, 2011, which primarily relate to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and include other commitments primarily to acquire information technology services and assets (in millions):

 

     UAL      United      Continental
Successor
 

Last Six Months of 2011

   $ 517       $ 178       $ 339   

2012

     1,451         145         1,306   

2013

     925         59         866   

2014

     1,089         96         993   

2015

     1,533         377         1,156   

After 2015

     7,503         6,837         666   
                          
   $ 13,018       $ 7,692       $ 5,326   
                          

United Aircraft Commitments. As of June 30, 2011, United had firm commitments to purchase 25 Boeing 787 aircraft and 25 Airbus A350XWB aircraft for delivery from 2016 through 2019. United also has purchase options for 42 Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft and purchase rights for 50 Boeing 787 aircraft and 50 Airbus A350XWB aircraft.

United has secured considerable backstop financing commitments from its aircraft and engine manufacturers, subject to certain customary conditions. However, there is no guarantee that United will be able to obtain any or all of the backstop financing, or any other financing, for the aircraft and engines on acceptable terms when necessary or at all.

 

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Continental Aircraft Commitments. As of June 30, 2011, Continental had firm commitments to purchase 83 new aircraft (58 Boeing 737 aircraft and 25 Boeing 787 aircraft) scheduled for delivery from August 2011 through 2016. Continental took delivery of three Boeing 737 aircraft in the first six months of 2011 and is currently scheduled to take delivery of one additional Boeing 737 aircraft in the remainder of 2011. Continental also has options to purchase 89 additional Boeing aircraft.

Continental has a financing commitment for the Boeing 737 aircraft scheduled for delivery in August 2011 but does not have backstop financing or any other financing currently in place for the other Boeing aircraft on order. Further financing will be necessary to satisfy Continental’s capital commitments for its firm order aircraft and other related capital expenditures. Continental can provide no assurance that backstop financing or any other financing not already in place for aircraft deliveries will be available to Continental on acceptable terms when necessary or at all.

Credit Card Processing Agreements. United and Continental have agreements with financial institutions that process customer credit card transactions for the sale of air travel and other services. Under certain of United’s and Continental’s credit card processing agreements, the financial institutions either require, or under certain circumstances have the right to require, that United and Continental maintain a reserve equal to a portion of advance ticket sales that have been processed by that financial institution, but for which United and Continental have not yet provided the air transportation (referred to as “relevant advance ticket sales”).

Under United’s and Continental’s new combined credit card processing agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan Chase”) and Paymentech, LLC, United and Continental are required to provide a cash reserve, determined based on the amount of unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments (“unrestricted cash balance”) held by United and Continental. If United’s and Continental’s unrestricted cash balance is at or more than $3.5 billion as of any calendar month-end measurement date, the required cash reserve will be $25 million. However, if United’s and Continental’s unrestricted cash balance is less than $3.5 billion, their required reserve will increase to a percentage of relevant advance ticket sales as summarized in the following table:

 

Total Unrestricted Cash Balance of United and Continental

   Required% of
Relevant  Advance Ticket Sales (a)
 

Less than $3.5 billion

     25

Less than $3.0 billion

     50

 

(a) Represents percentage of advance ticket sales generated by bankcard transactions. As of June 30, 2011, approximately 50% of the combined company’s advance ticket sales is generated from bankcard transactions.

Based on United’s and Continental’s June 30, 2011 unrestricted cash balance, United and Continental were not required to provide cash collateral above the $25 million reserve balance. If the Company is required to post additional cash collateral under the new combined JPMorgan Chase credit card processing agreement as a result of an increase in the required reserve amount, Continental will be required to post additional collateral under its credit card processing agreement with American Express that could be significant.

An increase in the future reserve requirements and the posting of a significant amount of cash collateral as provided by the terms of any of the Company’s material credit card processing agreements could materially reduce the Company’s liquidity. See Note 17 of the 2010 Annual Report for additional information on the Company’s other credit card processing agreements.

 

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Guarantees and Off-Balance Sheet Financing. In the Company’s financing transactions that include loans, the Company typically agrees to reimburse lenders for any reduced returns with respect to the loans due to any change in capital requirements and, in the case of loans in which the interest rate is based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), for certain other increased costs that the lenders incur in carrying these loans as a result of any change in law, subject in most cases to certain mitigation obligations of the lenders. The following table contains information related to the Company’s outstanding debt at June 30, 2011 (in millions):

 

     UAL      United      Continental  

Floating rate debt (a)

   $ 3,182       $ 2,250       $ 932   

Fixed rate debt (a)

     444         213         231   

Carrying value of loans/leases from non-U.S. entities (b)

     3,499         2,461         1,038   

 

(a) Remaining terms of up to nine years, subject to these increased cost provisions.
(b) Remaining terms of up to 9 years; the Company bears the risk of any change in tax laws that would subject loan or lease payments thereunder to non-U.S. entities to withholding taxes, subject to customary exclusions.

United has guaranteed interest and principal payments on $270 million of the Denver International Airport bonds, which are due in 2032 unless United elects not to extend its equipment and ground lease, in which case the bonds are due in 2023. The bonds were issued in two tranches - approximately $170 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% discount bonds and $100 million aggregate principal amount of 5.75% premium bonds. The related lease obligation is accounted for as an operating lease with the associated expense recorded on a straight-line basis resulting in ratable accrual of the final $270 million lease obligation over the expected lease term through 2032.

Continental is contingently liable for US Airways’ obligations under a lease agreement between US Airways and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey related to the East End Terminal at LaGuardia Airport. These obligations include the payment of ground rentals to the Port Authority and the payment of other rentals in respect of the full amounts owed on special facilities revenue bonds issued by the Port Authority having an outstanding par amount of $95 million at June 30, 2011, and a final scheduled maturity in 2015. If US Airways defaults on these obligations, Continental would be obligated to cure the default and would have the right to occupy the terminal after US Airways’ interest in the lease had been terminated.

Continental is the lessee of real property under long-term leases at a number of airports where it is also the guarantor of approximately $1.7 billion of underlying debt and interest thereon. These leases are typically with municipalities or other governmental entities, which are excluded from the consolidation requirements concerning variable interest entities. To the extent Continental’s lease and related guarantee are with a separate legal entity other than a governmental entity, Continental is not the primary beneficiary because the lease terms are consistent with market terms at the inception of the lease and the lease does not include a residual value guarantee, fixed-price purchase option or similar feature. The leasing arrangements associated with approximately $1.5 billion of these obligations are accounted for as operating leases, and the leasing arrangements associated with approximately $190 million of these obligations are accounted for as capital leases.

Credit Facilities. United has a $255 million revolving loan commitment, which matures on February 1, 2012, available under its Amended and Restated Revolving Credit, Term Loan and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2007 (the “Amended Credit Facility”). United used $226 million and $253 million of the commitment capacity for letters of credit at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Unless this revolving loan commitment is amended or replaced, these letters of credit will be required to be backed with cash collateral by the fourth quarter of 2011. Through a separate arrangement, United has an additional $150 million available under an unused credit facility that expires in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Labor Negotiations. As of June 30, 2011, UAL and its subsidiaries had approximately 83,000 active employees, of whom approximately 74% were represented by various U.S. labor organizations. United and Continental had approximately 82% and 63%, respectively, of their active employees represented by various U.S. labor organizations. United has been in negotiations for amended collective bargaining agreements with all of its unions since 2009. Consistent with commitments contained in its current labor contracts, United has filed for mediation assistance in conjunction with four of its six unions - the Air Line Pilots Association (“ALPA”), the Association of Flight Attendants - Communication Workers of America (“AFA”), the International Association of Machinists (“IAM”) and the Aerospace Workers and the Professional Airline Flight Control Association. The only collective bargaining agreement at Continental that is amendable is with the pilot group.

After the Company’s May 2010 merger announcement, ALPA opted to suspend negotiations at both United and Continental to focus on joint negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement that would apply to the combined company. United and Continental reached agreement with ALPA on a Transition and Process Agreement that provides a framework for conducting pilot operations for the two employee groups until the parties reach agreement on a joint collective bargaining agreement and the carriers obtain a single operating certificate. In August 2010, United and Continental began joint negotiations with ALPA and those negotiations are presently ongoing. In December 2010, ALPA and the Company jointly applied to the National Mediation Board (the “NMB”) for mediation assistance for the joint pilot and flight instructor negotiations.

In June 2011, United’s maintenance technicians and related employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (the “Teamsters”) voted against a tentative agreement on a proposed collective bargaining agreement. The Company has since filed with the NMB to proceed with mediated negotiations for a joint collective bargaining agreement for all Teamsters-represented mechanic and related employees. The joint agreement would cover approximately 8,650 active mechanic and related employees located throughout the United States.

 

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Certain unions have filed applications seeking single carrier findings by the NMB for purposes of union representation. When the NMB determines that United and Continental are considered a single carrier, the NMB may order an election if there is a difference in union representation between the employee groups. Until the union representation issues are resolved, the incumbent unions will continue to represent those employee groups they currently represent. In December 2010, ALPA filed for a single carrier finding with the NMB although there is no dispute as to which union represents the pilot groups. There has been no decision on this filing to date. In January 2011, the IAM filed two separate applications seeking single carrier findings by the NMB for fleet service and stores/stock clerk employees. On April 28, 2011, the NMB issued its determination that a single carrier existed for fleet service employees at United and Continental, and on June 13, 2011, the NMB authorized an election for fleet service employees to elect a common representative. This election began on July 7, 2011 and will end on August 11, 2011. On July 2, 2011, the NMB extended the certification of the IAM to stores/stock clerk employees for the combined company due to the larger number of IAM-represented employees at United as compared to Continental.

In January 2011, the AFA filed a single carrier request with the NMB for United and Continental flight attendants. In April 2011, the NMB ruled that United and Continental are now operating as a single carrier for union representation of flight attendants which permitted the NMB to begin the union representation election process for that group. An election was held for the flight attendants and, on June 30, 2011, the NMB certified the AFA as the representative of flight attendants at the combined company. On July 2, 2011, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers filed for a single carrier finding for purposes of union representation among the engineers and related employees at the combined company.

The outcome of labor negotiations may materially impact the Company’s future financial results. However, it is too early in the process to assess the timing or magnitude of the impact, if any.

IAH Terminal B Redevelopment Project. In May 2011, UAL, in partnership with the Houston Airport System, announced that it is expected to begin construction of the first phase of a $1 billion terminal improvement project for Terminal B at Bush Intercontinental Airport (“IAH”) by the end of 2011. UAL’s initial commitment is to construct the first phase of the currently anticipated three-phase project that will create a new Terminal B south concourse dedicated to domestic regional jet operations. UAL’s cost of construction of phase one of the project is currently estimated to be approximately $100 million and is expected to be funded by special facilities bonds issued by the City of Houston, which bonds would be guaranteed by UAL and/or one of its subsidiaries and would be payable from the rentals paid by UAL or one of its subsidiaries under a special facilities lease agreement with the City of Houston, or cash. Construction of the remaining phases of the project will be based on demand over the next 7 to 10 years, with phase one currently expected to be completed in late 2013.

Based on a qualitative assessment of the IAH Terminal B Redevelopment Project, given the expectation that UAL and/or one of its subsidiaries would guarantee the special facilities bonds, and the requirement that UAL or one of its subsidiaries fund cost overruns with no stated limits would result in the Company paying more than 90% of the total project costs at a given time, UAL or one of its subsidiaries will be considered the owner of the property during the construction period. Because, for accounting purposes, UAL or one of its subsidiaries would also be considered the owner of the construction project upon its completion, the construction project will be treated as a financing transaction such that the property and related financing will remain on UAL’s consolidated balance sheet.

NOTE 9 - DEBT AND ADVANCED PURCHASE OF MILES

As of June 30, 2011, a substantial portion of our assets are pledged as collateral for our debt. These assets principally consist of aircraft and the related spare parts and engines, route authorities and, in the case of United, loyalty program intangible assets. As of June 30, 2011, UAL, United and Continental were in compliance with their respective debt covenants.

5% Convertible Notes. In the first quarter of 2011, UAL repurchased all of its $150 million face value 5% Senior Convertible Notes due in 2021 with cash after substantially all of the notes were put to UAL by the noteholders.

4.5% Senior Limited-Subordinated Convertible Notes. In the second quarter of 2011, UAL repurchased at par value approximately $570 million of the $726 million outstanding principal amount of its 4.5% Senior Limited-Subordination Convertible Notes due 2021 with cash after the notes were put to UAL by the noteholders. The remaining $156 million outstanding principal amount of the notes was reclassified from current maturities of long-term debt to long-term debt at June 30, 2011.

 

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Contingent Senior Unsecured Notes PBGC. As of June 30, 2011, UAL is obligated under the 8% Notes indenture to issue to the PBGC $62.5 million aggregate principal amount of 8% Notes no later than February 14, 2012. UAL recorded a liability for the fair value of the non-cash obligation of approximately $49 million in its condensed consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2011. See Note 8 of this report for additional information on the 8% Notes.

Chase Co-Brand Agreement. United and Continental each had significant contracts to sell frequent flyer miles to Chase through their separate co-branded agreements. As a result of the contract modification of these co-brand agreements, Continental’s pre-purchased credit and debit card miles liabilities that had been accounted for as long-term debt were reclassified to advanced purchase of miles as the terms related to the miles have been changed such that the pre-purchased miles no longer meet the definition of debt. As a result, Continental’s long-term debt decreased $210 million, advanced purchase of miles increased $270 million and other assets increased $60 million.

In July 2011, UAL sold an additional $165 million of pre-purchased miles to Chase and Continental rolled the remaining balance of the pre-paid miles under its previously existing co-branded agreement into the Co-Brand Agreement when it terminated its debit card co-brand agreement with Chase. UAL has the right, but is not required, to repurchase the pre-purchased miles from Chase during the term of the agreement. The Co-Brand Agreement contains termination penalties that may require United and Continental to make certain payments and repurchase outstanding pre-purchased miles in cases such as the Company’s insolvency, bankruptcy, false representations or other material breaches. The Company will record these amounts as advanced purchase of miles in the non-current liabilities section of the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The obligations of the UAL, United, Continental and Mileage Plus Holdings, LLC to Chase under the Co-Brand Agreement are joint and several. Certain of United’s obligations under the Co-Brand Agreement in an amount not more than $850 million are secured by a junior lien in all collateral pledged by United under its Amended Credit Facility. All of Continental’s obligations under the Co-Brand Agreement are secured by a junior lien in all collateral pledged by Continental to secure its 6.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2015. United also provides a first priority lien to Chase on its MileagePlus assets to secure certain of its obligations under the Co-Brand Agreement and its obligations under the new combined credit card processing agreement among Continental, United, Paymentech, LLC and JPMorgan Chase. After Continental’s OnePass Program is terminated on December 31, 2011, certain of the OnePass Program assets will be added as collateral to such MileagePlus assets. See Note 1 of this report for additional information related to the Co-Brand Agreement.

NOTE 10 - SPECIAL ITEMS

Special Revenue Item. As discussed in Note 1, during the second quarter of 2011, the Company modified the previously existing United and Continental co-branded credit card agreements with Chase as a result of the merger. This modification resulted in the following one-time adjustment to decrease frequent flyer deferred revenue and increase special revenue in accordance with ASU 2009-13 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 as follows (in millions):

 

     UAL      United      Continental  

Special revenue item

   $ 107       $ 88       $ 19   

 

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Special Charges. For the three and six months ended June 30, special charges consisted of the following (in millions):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

2011

   UAL      United      Continental
Successor
     UAL     United      Continental
Successor
 

Integration-related costs

   $ 145       $ 90       $ 55       $ 224      $ 164       $ 60   

Aircraft-related charges (gains), net

     1         —           1         (1     —           (1
                                                    

Total

   $ 146       $ 90       $ 56       $ 223      $ 164       $ 59   
                                                    

2010

   UAL      United      Continental
Predecessor
     UAL     United      Continental
Predecessor
 

Aircraft-related charges, net

   $ 73       $ 73       $ —         $ 90      $ 90       $ 6   

Merger-related costs

     28         28         18         28        28         18   

Other

     5         5         6         6        6         10   
                                                    

Total

   $ 106       $ 106       $ 24       $ 124      $ 124       $ 34   
                                                    

Integration-related costs include costs to terminate certain service contracts that will not be used by the Company, costs to write-off system assets that are no longer used or planned to be used by the Company, payments to third-party consultants to assist with integration planning and organization design, severance related costs primarily associated with administrative headcount reductions, relocation and training, and compensation costs related to the systems integration. In addition, as of June 30, 2011, UAL is obligated under the 8% Notes indenture to issue to the PBGC $62.5 million aggregate principal amount of 8% Notes no later than February 14, 2012. UAL recorded a liability for the fair value of the obligation of approximately $49 million as described above in Notes 8 and 9. This is being classified as an integration-related cost as the financial results of UAL, excluding Continental’s results, would not have resulted in a triggering event under the 8% Notes indenture. Other special charges include gains and losses on the disposal of aircraft and related spare parts.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, the charges related to UAL and United in the table above primarily related to asset impairment charges incurred as a result of a decrease in the value of certain aircraft-related assets. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, Continental Predecessor’s charges presented in the table above primarily consisted of aircraft-related charges related to grounded Boeing 737-300 aircraft, which is net of gains on the sale of two Boeing 737-500 aircraft. Merger-related costs related to third-party costs incurred for legal, finance, advisory, accounting and consultant fees and communication costs.

 

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Accrual Activity

Activity related to the accruals for severance and medical costs and future lease payments on permanently grounded aircraft is as follows (in millions):

 

2011 Activity

   Severance /  Medical
Costs
    Permanently Grounded
Aircraft
 
UAL     

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 102      $ 41   

Increase (decrease) in accrual

     (4     1   

Payments

     (28     (8
                

Balance at June 30, 2011

   $ 70      $ 34   
                
United     

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 42      $ 41   

Increase in accrual

     15        1   

Payments

     (17     (8
                

Balance at June 30, 2011

   $ 40      $ 34   
                
Continental - Successor     

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ 60     

Decrease in accrual

     (19  

Payments

     (11  
          

Balance at June 30, 2011

   $ 30     
          

The severance-related accrual as of June 30, 2011, which primarily relates to the integration of United and Continental, is expected to be paid through 2012. Lease payments for grounded aircraft are expected to be paid through 2013.

 

2010 Activity

   Severance/ Medical
Costs
    Permanently Grounded
Aircraft
 

UAL

    

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 45      $ 83   

Payments

     (22     (24
                

Balance at June 30, 2010

   $ 23      $ 59   
                

United

    

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 45      $ 83   

Payments

     (22     (24
                

Balance at June 30, 2010

   $ 23      $ 59   
                

Continental - Predecessor

    

Balance at December 31, 2009

   $ 14     

Increase in accrual

     2     

Payments

     (10  
          

Balance at June 30, 2010

   $ 6     
          

NOTE 11 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In July 2011, UAL repaid and extinguished at par value $106 million principal amount outstanding of equipment notes due July 2012 and floating rate debt due December 2011 secured by a total of 21 aircraft.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

Overview

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UAL”) is a holding company and its principal, wholly-owned subsidiaries are United Air Lines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “United”) and, effective October 1, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “Continental”). We sometimes use the words “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” in this Form 10-Q for disclosures that relate to all of UAL, United and Continental.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL, United, and Continental including their respective consolidated financial statements. As UAL consolidates United and Continental for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to United activities also apply to UAL and, effective October 1, 2010, disclosures that relate to Continental Successor activities also apply to UAL, unless otherwise noted. When appropriate, UAL, United and Continental are named specifically for their related activities and disclosures.

United and Continental transport people and cargo through their mainline operations, which utilize full-sized jet aircraft, and regional operations, which utilize smaller aircraft that are operated under contract by United Express, Continental Express and Continental Connection carriers. United and Continental together serve virtually every major market around the world, either directly or through participation in the Star Alliance®, the world’s largest airline network. Based on annual flight schedules as of July 1, 2011, the Company offers approximately 5,700 daily departures to 375 destinations through its United and Continental subsidiaries and their regional affiliates.

Second Quarter Financial Highlights

 

   

UAL’s second quarter 2011 net income was $577 million, or $1.49 diluted earnings per share, excluding $39 million of net special items. On a GAAP basis, UAL’s second quarter 2011 net income was $538 million, or $1.39 diluted loss per share.

 

   

UAL’s passenger revenue increased 6.6% during the second quarter of 2011 as compared to the second quarter of 2010, excluding the impact of Continental’s operations following the close of the merger.

 

   

Offsetting the improvement in revenue was a 23.4% year-over-year increase in UAL’s second quarter 2011 fuel cost, excluding the impact of the merger. This increase was primarily due to a 24.2% increase in the price of fuel.

 

   

UAL’s operating income was $808 million during the second quarter of 2011, resulting in an operating margin of 8.2%.

 

   

UAL’s unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $8.6 billion at June 30, 2011.

 

   

UAL made scheduled debt and net capital lease payments of $1.0 billion, including $570 million of the $726 million UAL 4.5% Senior Limited-Subordination Convertible Notes due 2021.

 

   

Profit sharing and related payroll tax expense accruals through the six months ended June 30, 2011 amounted to $90 million.

Second Quarter Operational Highlights

 

   

UAL’s consolidated traffic and capacity decreased 1.0% and 0.8%, respectively, during the second quarter of 2011 as compared to the second quarter of 2010.

 

   

For the quarter ended June 30, 2011, United and Continental recorded a U.S. Department of Transportation on-time arrival rate of 77.8% and 74.2%, respectively, and a completion factor of 98.6% and 99.7%, respectively.

Outlook

Due to significant increases in fuel prices, UAL plans to reduce consolidated capacity from its previous 2011 projections by reducing flight frequencies, indefinitely postponing the start of flights to certain markets and exiting less profitable routes. As compared to 2010 pro-forma capacity, UAL expects its full-year 2011 consolidated capacity to be roughly flat year-over-year, its full-year 2011 international capacity to be up 2% to 3% and full-year 2011 domestic capacity to be down 2% to 3% year-over-year. UAL is also analyzing the removal of certain less fuel-efficient aircraft from its fleet and will be taking other cost-saving measures.

 

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Integration

While United and Continental continued to operate as two separate airlines, the Company made progress toward integrating products, services and policies during the quarter. United’s and Continental’s check-in and ticket counter facilities are now co-located at 46 airports, and nearly half of the total fleet, or 601 aircraft, including the first Boeing 747-400, are now repainted in the new United livery. During the quarter, the Company announced that MileagePlus will be the loyalty program for the combined company beginning in 2012. Moving to a single loyalty program will be a significant milestone in the integration of the two airlines.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion provides an analysis of UAL’s results of operations and reasons for material changes therein for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 as compared to the corresponding period in 2010.

To provide a more meaningful comparison of UAL’s 2011 financial performance to 2010, we have quantified the increases relating to our operating results that are due to the inclusion of Continental’s operations after the merger date. The increases due to the merger, presented in the tables below, represent actual Continental results for the second quarter and first six months of 2011, net of eliminations. Intercompany transactions were immaterial.

Second Quarter 2011 Compared to Second Quarter 2010

UAL recorded net income of $538 million in the second quarter of 2011 as compared to net income of $273 million in the second quarter of 2010. Excluding special items, UAL had net income of $577 million in the second quarter of 2011 as compared to net income of $430 million in the second quarter of 2010. See “Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this item for additional information related to non-GAAP financial measures. We consider a key measure of our performance to be operating income, which was $808 million for the second quarter of 2011, as compared to $441 million for the second quarter of 2010. Significant components of our operating results for the three months ended June 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):

 

     2011     2010     $
Change
    $ Increase Due
to Merger
    Increase
(Decrease)
Excluding
Merger Impact
    % Change
Excluding
Merger
Impact
 

Operating Revenue

   $ 9,809      $ 5,161      $ 4,648      $ 4,284      $ 364        7.1   

Operating Expenses

     9,001        4,720        4,281        3,910        371        7.9   
                                          

Operating Income

     808        441        367        374        (7     (1.6

Nonoperating Expense

     (266     (170     (96     (110     14        (8.2

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

     4        (2     6        2        4        NM   
                                          

Net Income

   $ 538      $ 273      $ 265      $ 262      $ 3        1.1   
                                          

 

NM - Not meaningful

 

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Certain consolidated statistical information for UAL’s operations for the three months ended June 30 is as follows:

 

     2011 (a)     2010     Change     Increase due to
Merger
    Change Excluding
Merger Impact
    % Change
Excluding Merger
Impact
 

Passengers (thousands) (b)

     37,000        21,324        15,676        16,835        (1,159     (5.4

Revenue passenger miles (“RPMs”) (millions) (c)

     54,245        30,646        23,599        23,901        (302     (1.0

Available seat miles (“ASMs”) (millions) (d)

     65,006        36,365        28,641        28,944        (303     (0.8

Passenger load factor (e)

     84.1     84.3     (0.2 ) pts.      (a     (a     N/A   

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (“PRASM”) (cents)

     13.29        12.36        0.93        (a     (a     7.5   

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents) (f)

     15.79        14.66        1.13        (a     (a     7.7   

Cost per available seat mile (“CASM”) (cents)

     14.23        12.98        1.25        (a     (a     9.6   

Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes

   $ 3.03      $ 2.44      $ 0.59        (a     (a     24.2   

Fuel gallons consumed (millions)

     1,043        610        433        439        (6     (1.0

Average full-time equivalent employees

     81,100        42,700        38,400        38,600        (200     (0.5

 

(a) The per unit measures in the 2011 period represent United only measures to provide a better comparison to 2010 due to the impact of the merger.
(b) The number of revenue passengers measured by each flight segment flown.
(c) The number of scheduled miles flown by revenue passengers.
(d) The number of seats available for passengers multiplied by the number of scheduled miles those seats are flown.
(e) Revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles.
(f) The average passenger revenue received for each revenue passenger mile flown.

 

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Operating Revenue

The table below shows year-over-year comparisons by type of operating revenues for the three months ended June 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

 

     2011      2010      $
Change
     $ Increase
due to
Merger
     $ Change
Excluding
Merger
Impact
    % Change
Excluding
Merger
Impact
 

Passenger—Mainline

   $ 6,864       $ 3,532       $ 3,332       $ 3,118       $ 214        6.1   

Passenger—Regional

     1,742         962         780         696         84        8.7   
                                              

Total passenger revenue

     8,606         4,494         4,112         3,814         298        6.6   

Cargo

     316         190         126         126         —          —     

Special revenue item

     107         —           107         19         88        100.0   

Other operating revenue

     780         477         303         325         (22     (4.6
                                              
   $ 9,809       $ 5,161       $ 4,648       $ 4,284       $ 364        7.1   
                                              

The table below presents selected passenger revenues and operating data, excluding merger impacts, broken out by geographic region, expressed as second quarter year-over-year changes:

 

     Domestic     Pacific     Atlantic     Latin     Total
Mainline
    Regional     Consolidated  

Increase (decrease) from 2010:

              

Passenger revenue (in millions)

   $ 46      $ 31      $ 79      $ 58      $ 214      $ 84      $ 298   

Passenger revenue

     2.4     4.0     10.7     49.9     6.0     8.8     6.6

Average fare per passenger

     12.1     8.8     6.0     (3.6 )%      12.8     13.8     12.8

Yield (a)

     7.8     5.9     7.0     4.8     7.5     7.5     7.7

PRASM

     9.4     4.7     5.8     (0.3 )%      7.3     7.5     7.5

Average length of aircraft flight (miles)

     6.3     0.7     (16.7 )%      2.0     (4.7 )%      6.6     (4.2 )% 

Passengers

     (8.6 )%      (4.5 )%      4.4     55.5     (6.0 )%      (4.4 )%      (5.4 )% 

RPMs

     (5.0 )%      (1.8 )%      3.5     43.1     (1.3 )%      1.1     (1.0 )% 

ASMs

     (6.4 )%      (0.7 )%      4.6     50.4     (1.2 )%      1.2     (0.8 )% 

Passenger load factor (points)

     1.2        (0.9     (0.9     (3.8     (0.1     (0.1     (0.1

 

(a) Yield is a measure of the average price paid per passenger mile, which is calculated by dividing passenger revenue by RPMs.

Excluding the impact of the merger, consolidated passenger revenue in the second quarter of 2011 increased approximately $298 million as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to improved pricing as consolidated average fare per passenger and yield increased by 12.8% and 7.7%, respectively. The increase in pricing was due to strengthening economic conditions and capacity discipline. Higher volumes of both business travelers and international premium cabin passengers drove improvements in both average fare per passenger and yield. The average fare per passenger also increased in the 2011 period, as compared to the 2010 period, due to a number of fare increases implemented in response to higher fuel prices.

Effective January 1, 2011, UAL adopted the provisions of ASU 2009-13, which increased UAL passenger revenue associated with passenger ticket sales that include the issuance of frequent flyer mileage credits by approximately $106 million in the second quarter of 2011 as compared to the year-ago period, consisting of $66 million and $40 million for United and Continental, respectively, as compared to passenger revenue that would have been recorded under the historical method of accounting. During the second quarter of 2011, UAL modified the previously existing United and Continental co-branded credit card agreements with Chase as a result of the merger. This contract modification resulted in a one-time adjustment of $107 million, consisting of $88 million and $19 million for United and Continental, respectively, to decrease the deferred revenue balance and increase special revenue in accordance with ASU 2009-13. See Note 1 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information related to this accounting pronouncement.

Due to the decline in demand for travel to Japan following the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, UAL’s second quarter consolidated passenger revenue was impacted by approximately $100 million.

 

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Excluding the impact of the merger, other operating revenue in the second quarter of 2011 decreased approximately $22 million, or 5%, due to a decline in the number of passengers from which bag fees were being collected.

Operating Expenses

The table below includes data related to UAL’s operating expenses for the three months ended June 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

 

     2011      2010      $
Change
     $ Increase due to
Merger
     $ Change Excluding
Merger Impact
    % Change
Excluding Merger
Impact
 

Aircraft fuel

   $ 3,227       $ 1,486       $ 1,741       $ 1,394       $ 347        23.4   

Salaries and related costs

     1,916         1,061         855         864         (9     (0.8

Regional capacity purchase

     615         405         210         214         (4     (1.0

Landing fees and other rent

     502         271         231         228         3        1.1   

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

     444         245         199         154         45        18.4   

Depreciation and amortization

     385         223         162         156         6        2.7   

Distribution expenses

     375         198         177         177         —          —     

Aircraft rent

     252         81         171         173         (2     (2.5

Special charges

     146         106         40         56         (16     NM   

Other operating expenses

     1,139         644         495         494         1        0.2   
                                              
   $ 9,001       $ 4,720       $ 4,281       $ 3,910       $ 371        7.9   
                                              

Excluding the impact of the merger, aircraft fuel expense increased $347 million, or 23%, year-over-year due to a 44% increase in fuel prices, which was partially offset by a year-over-year increase in fuel hedge gains. As of June 30, 2011, UAL, including United and Continental, had $101 million in unrealized fuel hedge gains recorded as a component of AOCI. Such gains will be recognized in earnings within the next twelve months if the gains are not reversed through changes in market prices prior to expiration of the contracts. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon in the three month period ended June 30, 2011 as compared to the year-ago period, excluding merger impacts. See Note 6 to the financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details regarding fuel hedge gains.

 

     (In millions)            Average price per gallon  
     2011     2010      %
Change
    2011     2010      %
Change
 

Fuel purchase cost

   $ 2,046      $ 1,435         42.6      $ 3.39      $ 2.35         44.3   

Fuel hedge (gains) losses

     (213     51         NM        (0.36     0.09         NM   
                                      

Total aircraft fuel expense

   $ 1,833      $ 1,486         23.4      $ 3.03      $ 2.44         24.2   
                                      

Total fuel consumption (gallons)

     604        610         (1.0       

Excluding the impact of the merger, aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs increased $45 million, or 18%, in the second quarter of 2011 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to increased rates on aircraft maintenance and the timing of airframe routine maintenance work.

 

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Details of UAL’s special charges include the following for the three months ended June 30 (in millions):

 

     2011      2010  

Aircraft-related charges, net

   $ 1       $ 73   

Merger-related costs

     —           28   

Integration-related costs

     145         —     

Other

     —           5   
                 

Total special charges

   $ 146       $ 106   
                 

In the second quarter of 2011, UAL’s special charges of $146 million primarily relate to the integration of United’s and Continental’s operations, as further described in Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report. In the second quarter of 2010, UAL recorded asset impairments of $73 million which primarily relate to the decrease in value of aircraft-related assets and $28 million of merger-related costs.

Nonoperating Income (Expense). The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in UAL’s nonoperating income (expense) for the three months ended June 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

 

                 Favorable/(Unfavorable)  
     2011     2010     $
Change
    $ Merger Impact     $ Change Excluding
Merger Impact
    % Change
Excluding Merger
Impact
 

Interest expense

   $ (250   $ (178   $ (72   $ (88   $ 16        9.0   

Interest income

     5        2        3        2        1        50.0   

Interest capitalized

     8        3        5        4        1        33.3   

Miscellaneous, net

     (29     3        (32     (28     (4     NM   
                                          

Total

   $ (266   $ (170   $ (96   $ (110   $ 14        (8.2
                                          

Excluding the impact of the merger, interest expense decreased $16 million in the second quarter of 2011, or 9%, compared to the year-ago period primarily due to a decrease in debt outstanding during the second quarter of 2011 as compared to debt outstanding during the year-ago period.

During the second quarter of 2011, miscellaneous, net included fuel hedge ineffectiveness of $34 million primarily resulting from a decrease in fuel hedge values in excess of the decrease in aircraft fuel prices during the quarter, which is concentrated in the fuel hedges entered into by Continental as a result of the re-designation of Continental’s fuel hedge portfolio under cash flow hedge accounting as of April 1, 2011 when the portfolio was fully integrated with United’s fuel hedge portfolio.

Income Taxes. Our effective tax rates differ from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the following: changes in the valuation allowance, expenses that are not deductible for federal income tax purposes, and foreign and state income taxes. We are required to provide a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets in excess of deferred tax liabilities because management has concluded that it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will ultimately not be realized.

 

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First Six Months 2011 Compared to First Six Months 2010

UAL recorded net income of $325 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to net income of $191 million in the first six months of 2010. Excluding special items, UAL had net income of $441 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to net income of $338 million in the first six months of 2010. See “Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures” at the end of this item for additional information related to non-GAAP financial measures. We consider a key measure of our performance to be operating income, which was $842 million for the first six months of 2011, as compared to $517 million for the first six months of 2010. Significant components of our operating results for the six months ended June 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):

 

     2011     2010     $
Change
    $ Increase
Due to
Merger
    Increase
(Decrease)
Excluding
Merger
Impact
    %  Change
Excluding
Merger
Impact
 

Operating Revenue

   $ 18,011      $ 9,402      $ 8,609      $ 7,842      $ 767        8.2   

Operating Expenses

     17,169        8,885        8,284        7,439        845        9.5   
                                          

Operating Income

     842        517        325        403        (78     (15.1

Nonoperating Expense

     (511     (327     (184     (194     10        (3.1

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

     6        (1     7        4        3        NM   
                                          

Net Income (Loss)

   $ 325      $ 191      $ 134      $ 205      $ (71     (37.2
                                          

 

NM - Not meaningful

Certain consolidated statistical information for UAL’s operations for the six months ended June 30 is as follows:

 

    2011 (a)     2010     Change     Increase due to
Merger
    Change Excluding
Merger Impact
    % Change
Excluding Merger
Impact
 

Passengers (thousands) (b)

    69,589        40,142        29,447        31,330        (1,883     (4.7

Revenue passenger miles (“RPMs”) (millions) (c)

    101,209        57,126        44,083        44,563        (480     (0.8

Available seat miles (“ASMs”) (millions) (d)

    125,178        69,314        55,864        55,791        73        0.1   

Passenger load factor (e)

    81.6     82.4     (0.8 )pts.      (a     (a     N/A   

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (“PRASM”) (cents)

    12.71        11.76        0.95        (a     (a     8.1   

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents) (f)

    15.57        14.27        1.30        (a     (a     9.1   

Cost per available seat mile (“CASM”) (cents)

    14.13        12.82        1.31        (a     (a     10.2   

Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes

  $ 2.88      $ 2.33      $ 0.55        (a     (a     23.6   

Fuel gallons consumed (millions)

    2,003        1,158        845        843        2        0.2   

Average full-time equivalent employees

    81,700        42,800        38,900        39,000        (100     (0.2

 

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(a) The per unit measures in the 2011 period represent United only measures to provide a better comparison to 2010 due to the impact of the merger.
(b) The number of revenue passengers measured by each flight segment flown.
(c) The number of scheduled miles flown by revenue passengers.
(d) The number of seats available for passengers multiplied by the number of scheduled miles those seats are flown.
(e) Revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles.
(f) The average passenger revenue received for each revenue passenger mile flown.

Operating Revenue

The table below shows year-over-year comparisons by type of operating revenues for the six months ended June 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

 

     2011      2010      $
Change
     $ Increase
due to
Merger
     $ Change
Excluding
Merger
Impact
    %  Change
Excluding
Merger
Impact
 

Passenger—Mainline

   $ 12,627       $ 6,401       $ 6,226       $ 5,741       $ 485        7.6   

Passenger—Regional

     3,166         1,750         1,416         1,229         187        10.7   
                                              

Total passenger revenue

     15,793         8,151         7,642         6,970         672        8.2   

Cargo

     599         347         252         241         11        3.2   

Special revenue item

     107         —           107         19         88        100.0   

Other operating revenue

     1,512         904         608         612         (4     (0.4
                                              
   $ 18,011       $ 9,402       $ 8,609       $ 7,842       $ 767        8.2   
                                              

The table below presents selected passenger revenues and operating data, excluding merger impacts, broken out by geographic region, expressed as first six months year-over-year changes:

 

     Domestic     Pacific     Atlantic     Latin     Total
Mainline
    Regional     Consolidated  

Increase (decrease) from 2010:

              

Passenger revenue (in millions)

   $ 124      $ 128      $ 124      $ 109      $ 485      $ 187      $ 672   

Passenger revenue

     3.6     9.0     9.7     46.6     7.5     10.7     8.2

Average fare per passenger

     12.6     12.8     7.4     3.6     14.1     13.7     13.6

Yield (a)

     8.9     9.3     7.4     10.9     9.0     8.1     9.1

PRASM

     10.2     7.2     2.9     4.7     8.0     7.5     8.1

Average length of aircraft flight (miles)

     4.4     1.1     (9.8 )%      0.7     (2.5 )%      6.7     (2.1 )% 

Passengers

     (8.1 )%      (3.4 )%      2.2     41.4     (5.7 )%      (2.7 )%      (4.7 )% 

RPMs

     (4.9 )%      (0.3 )%      2.2     32.1     (1.4 )%      2.4     (0.8 )% 

ASMs

     (6.0 )%      1.7     6.7     40.0     (0.4 )%      3.0     0.1

Passenger load factor (points)

     1.0        (1.6     (3.4     (4.5     (0.8     (0.4     (0.8

 

(a) Yield is a measure of the average price paid per passenger mile, which is calculated by dividing passenger revenue by RPMs.

Excluding the impact of the merger, consolidated passenger revenue in the first six months of 2011 increased approximately $672 million as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to improved pricing as consolidated average fare per passenger and yield increased by 13.6% and 9.1%, respectively. The increase in pricing was due to strengthening economic conditions and capacity discipline. Higher volumes of both business travelers and international premium cabin passengers drove improvements in both average fare per passenger and yield. The average fare per passenger also increased in the 2011 period, as compared to the 2010 period, due to a number of fare increases implemented in response to higher fuel prices.

 

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Effective January 1, 2011, UAL adopted the provisions of ASU 2009-13, which increased UAL passenger revenue associated with passenger ticket sales that include the issuance of frequent flyer mileage credits by approximately $161 million in the first six months of 2011 as compared to the year-ago period, consisting of $104 million and $57 million for United and Continental, respectively, as compared to passenger revenue that would have been recorded under the historical method of accounting. During the second quarter of 2011, the Company modified the previously existing United and Continental co-branded credit card agreements with Chase as a result of the merger. This contract modification resulted in a one-time adjustment of $107 million, consisting of $88 million and $19 million for United and Continental, respectively, to decrease the deferred revenue balance and increase special revenue in accordance with ASU 2009-13. See Note 1 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information related to this accounting pronouncement.

Due to the decline in demand for travel to Japan following the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, UAL’s consolidated passenger revenue for the first six months of 2011 was impacted by approximately $130 million.

Excluding the impact of the merger, cargo revenues increased by $11 million, or 3.2%, in the first six months of 2011 as compared to the first six months of 2010 due to the effects of an improving economy and higher fuel surcharge rates, which were partially offset by lower volume.

Operating Expenses

The table below includes data related to UAL’s operating expenses for the six months ended June 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

 

     2011      2010      $
Change
     $ Increase due  to
Merger
     $ Change  Excluding
Merger Impact
    % Change
Excluding  Merger
Impact
 

Aircraft fuel

   $ 5,899       $ 2,693       $ 3,206       $ 2,554       $ 652        24.2   

Salaries and related costs

     3,722         2,051         1,671         1,669         2        0.1   

Regional capacity purchase

     1,188         793         395         406         (11     (1.4

Landing fees and other rent

     975         528         447         448         (1     (0.2

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

     883         467         416         303         113        24.2   

Depreciation and amortization

     773         444         329         317         12        2.7   

Distribution expenses

     725         370         355         340         15        4.1   

Aircraft rent

     505         162         343         345         (2     (1.2

Special charges

     223         124         99         59         40        NM   

Other operating expenses

     2,276         1,253         1,023         998         25        2.0   
                                              
   $ 17,169       $ 8,885       $ 8,284       $ 7,439       $ 845        9.5   
                                              

Excluding the impact of the merger, aircraft fuel expense increased $652 million, or 24%, year-over-year due to a 38% increase in fuel prices, which was partially offset by a year-over-year increase in fuel hedge gains. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon in the six months ended June 30, 2011 as compared to the year-ago period, excluding merger impacts. See Note 6 to the financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details regarding fuel hedge gains.

 

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     (In millions)             Average price per gallon  
     2011     2010      %
Change
     2011     2010      %
Change
 

Fuel purchase cost

   $ 3,683      $ 2,658         38.6       $ 3.17      $ 2.30         37.8   

Fuel hedge (gains) losses

     (338     35         NM         (0.29     0.03         NM   
                                       

Total aircraft fuel expense

   $ 3,345      $ 2,693         24.2       $ 2.88      $ 2.33         23.6   
                                       

Total fuel consumption (gallons)

     1,160        1,158         0.2           

Excluding the impact of the merger, aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs increased $113 million, or 24%, in the second quarter of 2011 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to increased rates on aircraft maintenance and the timing of airframe routine maintenance work.

Details of UAL’s special charges include the following for the six months ended June 30 (in millions):

 

     2011     2010  

Aircraft-related charges, net

   $ (1   $ 90   

Merger-related costs

     —          28   

Integration-related costs

     224        —     

Other

     —          6   
                

Total special charges

   $ 223      $ 124   
                

In the six months ended June 30, 2011, UAL’s special charges of $223 million primarily relate to the integration of United’s and Continental’s operations, as further described in Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report. In the six months ended June 30, 2010, UAL recorded asset impairments of $90 million which primarily relate to the decrease in value of aircraft-related assets and $28 million of merger-related costs.

Nonoperating Income (Expense). The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in UAL’s nonoperating income (expense) for the six months ended June 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):

 

                 Favorable/(Unfavorable)  
     2011     2010     $
Change
    $ Merger Impact     $ Change  Excluding
Merger Impact
    % Change
Excluding  Merger
Impact
 

Interest expense

   $ (504   $ (363   $ (141   $ (171   $ 30        8.3   

Interest income

     9        3        6        4        2        66.7   

Interest capitalized

     14        5        9        8        1        20.0   

Miscellaneous, net

     (30     28        (58     (35     (23     (82.1
                                          

Total

   $ (511   $ (327   $ (184   $ (194   $ 10        (3.1
                                          

Excluding the impact of the merger, interest expense decreased $30 million, or 8%, compared to the year-ago period primarily due to a decrease in debt outstanding during the first six months of 2011 as compared to debt outstanding during the year-ago period. During the first six months of 2011, miscellaneous, net included fuel hedge ineffectiveness of $31 million primarily resulting from a decrease in fuel hedge values in excess of the decrease in aircraft fuel prices during the three months ended June 30, 2011, which is concentrated in the fuel hedges entered into by Continental as a result of the re-designation of Continental’s fuel hedge portfolio under cash flow hedge accounting as of April 1, 2011 when the portfolio was fully integrated with United’s fuel hedge portfolio.

Excluding the impact of the merger, the unfavorable variance of miscellaneous, net in the first six months of 2011 as compared to the year-ago period was primarily due to the $21 million gain related to the repayment of certain EETC debt instruments during the first six months of 2010.

Income Taxes. Our effective tax rates differ from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the following: changes in the valuation allowance, expenses that are not deductible for federal income tax purposes, and foreign and state income taxes. We are required to provide a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets in excess of deferred tax liabilities because management has concluded that it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will ultimately not be realized.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Current Liquidity

As of June 30, 2011, UAL had $8.6 billion in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as compared to $8.7 billion at December 31, 2010. At June 30, 2011, UAL also had $404 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents, which is primarily collateral for performance bonds, letters of credit, credit card processing agreements and estimated future workers’ compensation claims.

As is the case with many of our principal competitors, we have a high proportion of debt compared to capital. We have a significant amount of fixed obligations, including debt, aircraft leases and financings, leases of airport property and other facilities and pension funding obligations. At June 30, 2011, UAL had approximately $13.6 billion of debt and capital lease obligations, including $1.5 billion that will become due in the next 12 months. In addition, we have substantial non-cancelable commitments for capital expenditures, including the acquisition of new aircraft and related spare engines.

In the second quarter of 2011, UAL repurchased at par value approximately $570 million of the $726 million outstanding principal amount of its 4.5% Senior Limited-Subordination Convertible Notes due 2021 with cash after the notes were put to UAL by the noteholders. The remaining $156 million outstanding principal amount of the notes were classified as long-term debt at June 30, 2011.

UAL would be obligated under an indenture to issue to the PBGC up to $500 million aggregate principal amount of 8% Notes in up to eight equal tranches of $62.5 million if certain financial triggering events occur (with each tranche issued no later than 45 days following the end of any applicable fiscal year). A triggering event occurs when UAL’s EBITDAR, as defined in the 8% Notes indenture, exceeds $3.5 billion over the prior 12 months ending June 30 or December 31 of any applicable fiscal year. The twelve month measurement periods began with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and will end with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. As of June 30, 2011, a triggering event under the 8% Notes indenture occurred and, as a result, UAL is obligated to issue one tranche of $62.5 million of the 8% Notes no later than February 14, 2012. This tranche will mature June 30, 2026, with interest accruing from the triggering event measurement date at a rate of 8% per annum that is payable in cash in semi-annual installments starting June 30, 2012. The tranche of 8% Notes will be callable, at UAL’s option, at any time at par, plus accrued and unpaid interest. UAL recorded a liability for the fair value of the $62.5 million tranche in the second quarter of 2011, which totaled $49 million. This $49 million charge is being classified as an integration cost as the financial results of UAL, excluding Continental’s results, would not have resulted in a triggering event under the 8% Notes indenture. The amount recorded is net of a discount applied to the future principal and interest payments using market interest rates for similar structured notes. This is the first such occurrence of UAL’s obligation to issue a tranche of 8% Notes.

United has a $255 million revolving loan commitment, which matures on February 1, 2012, available under its Amended Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2011, United had used $226 million of the commitment capacity for letters of credit. Unless this revolving loan commitment is amended or replaced, these letters of credit will be required to be backed with cash collateral by the fourth quarter of 2011. Through a separate arrangement, United has an additional $150 million available under an unused credit facility that expires in the fourth quarter of 2011.

As of June 30, 2011, United had firm commitments to purchase 25 Boeing 787 aircraft and 25 Airbus A350XWB aircraft for delivery from 2016 through 2019. United also has purchase options for 42 Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft and purchase rights for 50 Boeing 787 aircraft and 50 Airbus A350XWB aircraft.

United has secured considerable backstop financing commitments from its aircraft and engine manufacturers, subject to certain customary conditions. However, there is no guarantee that United will be able to obtain any or all of the backstop financing, or any other financing, for the aircraft and engines on acceptable terms when necessary or at all.

As of June 30, 2011, Continental had firm commitments to purchase 83 new aircraft (58 Boeing 737 aircraft and 25 Boeing 787 aircraft) scheduled for delivery from August 2011 through 2016. Continental took delivery of three Boeing 737 aircraft in the first six months of 2011 and is currently scheduled to take delivery of one additional Boeing 737 aircraft in the remainder of 2011. Continental also has options to purchase 89 additional Boeing aircraft.

Continental has a financing commitment for the Boeing 737 aircraft scheduled for delivery in August 2011 but does not have backstop financing or any other financing currently in place for the other Boeing aircraft on order. Further financing will be

 

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necessary to satisfy Continental’s capital commitments for its firm order aircraft and other related capital expenditures. Continental can provide no assurance that backstop financing or any other financing not already in place for aircraft deliveries will be available to Continental on acceptable terms when necessary or at all.

As of June 30, 2011, a substantial portion of UAL’s assets, principally aircraft, spare engines, aircraft spare parts, route authorities and certain other intangible assets were pledged under various loan and other agreements. The Company has limited undrawn lines of credit and most of our otherwise readily financeable assets are encumbered. The global economic recession severely disrupted the global capital markets, resulting in a diminished availability of financing and a higher cost for financing that was obtainable. Although access to the capital markets has improved, as evidenced by financing transactions in 2010, we cannot give any assurances that we will be able to obtain additional financing or otherwise access the capital markets in the future on acceptable terms (or at all). We must sustain our profitability and/or access the capital markets to meet our significant long-term debt and capital lease obligations and future commitments for capital expenditures, including the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines.

Credit Ratings. As of the filing date of this report, UAL, United and Continental had the following corporate credit ratings:

 

     S&P    Moody’s    Fitch

UAL

   B    B2    B- (outlook positive)

United

   B    B2    B- (outlook positive)

Continental

   B    B2    B- (outlook positive)

These credit ratings are below investment grade levels. Downgrades from these rating levels, among other things, could restrict the availability, or increase the cost of future financing for the Company, and/or increase the amount of reserves required under the Company’s card processing agreement with JPMorgan Chase and its affiliates, as discussed in Note 8 to the financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Operating Activities. UAL’s cash flows provided by operations for the six months ended June 30, 2011 were $1.8 billion compared to $1.4 billion in the same period in 2010. Including the impact of Continental, UAL’s cash flows from operations increased by $402 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. The increase is attributable to an increase in net income and cash flow impact of certain working capital items. The increase is also due to increased future bookings and higher fares related to advance ticket sales. The increase was partially offset by payments of $242 million in United profit sharing and related payroll taxes during the first quarter of 2011.

Investing Activities. UAL’s capital expenditures were $350 million and $124 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Capital expenditures for the six months ended June 30, 2011 included $61 million related to the acquisition of six aircraft which were being operated under leases and which were immediately sold to third parties upon acquisition for proceeds of $48 million. UAL’s capital expenditures in the first six months of 2011 were also higher, as compared to the year-ago period, due to the impact of Continental’s capital expenditures and expenditures for integration-related projects. In addition to capital expenditures during the six months ended June 30, 2011, UAL acquired three aircraft through the issuance of debt, as discussed under Financing Activities below. The purchase of short-term investments increased by $443 million in the first six months of 2011 due to the investment of higher cash balances as compared to the year-ago period.

Financing Activities. During the first six months of 2011, UAL made debt and capital lease payments of $1.7 billion. These payments include $150 million related to UAL’s 5% Senior Convertible Notes and $570 million related to UAL’s 4.5% Senior Limited-Subordination Convertible Notes, as discussed in Note 9 to the financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

UAL received $239 million during the first six months of 2011 from Continental’s December 2010 pass-through trust financing. The proceeds in the first six months of 2011 related to the financing of three new and seven currently owned aircraft. The proceeds related to the seven currently owned aircraft were used for general corporate purposes. As noted in Investing Activities above, the financing proceeds related to the acquisition of three new aircraft are not reflected as a financing activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows as the funds are distributed directly to the aircraft supplier. See the 2010 Annual Report for additional information related to this financing.

In January 2010, United issued the remaining $612 million of equipment notes related to the Series 2009-1 EETCs. Proceeds of $568 million from this financing were used to complete the prepayment of the remaining principal of the equipment notes

 

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issued in connection with the Series 2001-1 EETCs and the remaining proceeds of $44 million were primarily used for general corporate purposes. UAL also received cash proceeds of $21 million from the distribution of United’s Series 2001-1 EETC trust assets upon repayment of the note obligations.

In January 2010, United issued the remaining $696 million of equipment notes related to the Series 2009-2 EETCs. Proceeds of $493 million from this financing were used to prepay the remaining principal of the equipment notes issued in connection with the Series 2000-2 EETCs and the remaining proceeds of $203 million were primarily used for general corporate purposes.

Commitments, Contingencies and Liquidity Matters

As described in the Company’s 2010 Annual Report, the Company’s liquidity may be adversely impacted by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, obligations associated with fuel hedge settlements and related collateral requirements, pension funding obligations, reserve requirements associated with credit card processing agreements, guarantees, commitments and contingencies. See the Company’s 2010 Annual Report and Notes 4, 6 and 8 to the financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this report for information related to these matters.

United and Continental - Results of Operations

United

The following table presents information related to United’s results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30 (in millions, except percentage changes):

 

     Three Months Ended
June  30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2011     2010     %
Change
    2011     2010     %
Change
 

Operating Revenue:

            

Passenger revenue

   $ 4,791      $ 4,494        6.6      $ 8,821      $ 8,151        8.2   

Special revenue item

     88        —          NM        88        —          NM   

Cargo and other revenue

     691        669        3.3        1,337        1,255        6.5   
                                    

Total revenue

   $ 5,570      $ 5,163        7.9      $ 10,246      $ 9,406        8.9   
                                    

Operating Expenses:

            

Aircraft fuel

   $ 1,833      $ 1,486        23.4      $ 3,345      $ 2,693        24.2   

Salaries and related costs

     1,038        1,061        (2.2     2,025        2,051        (1.3

Regional capacity purchase

     401        405        (1.0     783        793        (1.3

Landing fees and other rent

     275        271        1.5        527        528        (0.2

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

     290        245        18.4        582        467        24.6   

Depreciation and amortization

     229        223        2.7        456        444        2.7   

Distribution expenses

     199        198        0.5        386        370        4.3   

Aircraft rent

     80        81        (1.2     161        162        (0.6

Special charges

     90        106        (15.1     164        124        32.3   

Other operating expenses

     698        644        8.4        1,372        1,252        9.6   
                                    

Total operating expenses

   $ 5,133      $ 4,720        8.8      $ 9,801      $ 8,884        10.3   
                                    

Operating income

   $ 437      $ 443        (1.4   $ 445      $ 522        (14.8

Nonoperating expense

     (156     (164     (4.9     (324     (316     2.5   

United had net income of $281 million and $121 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2011, respectively, as compared to net income of $281 million and $207 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2010, respectively. Excluding the impact of the merger on UAL’s results of operations, United’s results of operations were consistent with UAL’s results discussed above. Prior to the merger, United was UAL’s only significant operating subsidiary. As compared to the second quarter of 2010, United’s consolidated revenue increased $407 million, or 8%, to $5.6 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2011. Similarly, United’s consolidated revenue increased $840 million, or 9%, to $10.2 billion for the six months ended

 

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June 30, 2011 as compared to the year-ago period. These increases were primarily due to an improvement in global economic conditions, which in turn resulted in higher average fares, as discussed in UAL’s results of operations above. Average fares were also higher due to fare increases implemented in response to higher fuel prices.

During the second quarter of 2011, the Company modified the United and Continental co-branded credit card agreements with Chase as a result of the merger. This contract modification resulted in a one-time adjustment of $88 million for United to decrease the deferred revenue balance and increase special revenue in accordance with ASU 2009-13. See Note 1 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information related to this accounting pronouncement.

Aircraft fuel expense increased 23% and 24% in the second quarter and first six months of 2011, respectively, as compared to the year-ago period, which was primarily driven by increased market prices for aircraft fuel, as highlighted in the fuel table in Operating Expenses, above. Fuel hedge (gains) losses were $(213) million and $51 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $(338) million and $35 million for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Hedge gains were higher as a result of increases in the price of fuel above the prices in United’s hedge contracts.

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs increased $45 million, or 18%, in the second quarter of 2011 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to increased rates and volume on aircraft maintenance. Similarly, aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs increased $115 million, or 25%, in the first six months of 2011 as compared to the year-ago period.

Special charges decreased $16 million, or 15%, in the second quarter of 2011 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to a decline in asset impairments recorded related to a decrease in the value of aircraft-related assets. Special charges increased $40 million, or 32%, in the first six months of 2011 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to costs associated with the integration of United and Continental, as discussed above.

United’s nonoperating expense decreased $8 million, or 5%, in the second quarter of 2011 as compared to the year-ago period, and increased $8 million, or 3%, in the first six months of 2011 as compared to 2010. Excluding the merger impact discussed above, United’s interest expense is consistent with UAL’s interest expense, except for approximately $5 million of interest expense from UAL’s $345 million 6% Senior Convertible Notes due 2029 that are not outstanding at United.

 

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Continental

As a result of the application of acquisition accounting effective October 1, 2010, the financial statements prior to October 1, 2010 are not comparable with the financial statements after October 1, 2010. The following table presents information related to Continental’s results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30 (in millions, except percentage changes):

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     Successor
2011
          Predecessor
2010
    %
Change
    Successor
2011
          Predecessor
2010
    %
Change
 

Operating Revenue:

                      

Passenger revenue

   $ 3,814           $ 3,251        17.3      $ 6,970           $ 6,009        16.0   

Special revenue item

     19             —          NM        19             —          NM   

Cargo and other revenue

     451             440        2.5        853             845        0.9   
                                              

Total revenue

   $ 4,284           $ 3,691        16.1      $ 7,842           $ 6,854        14.4   
                                              
   

Operating Expenses:

                      

Aircraft fuel

   $ 1,394           $ 992        40.5      $ 2,554           $ 1,865        36.9   

Salaries and related costs

     864             822        5.1        1,669             1,618        3.2   

Regional capacity purchase

     214             205        4.4        406             402        1.0   

Landing fees and other rent

     228             215        6.0        448             428        4.7   

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

     154             131        17.6        303             273        11.0   

Depreciation and amortization

     156             122        27.9        317             256        23.8   

Distribution expenses

     177             161        9.9        340             306        11.1   

Aircraft rent

     173             230        (24.8     345             459        (24.8

Special charges

     56             24        NM        59             34        NM   

Other operating expenses

     494             460        7.4        998             934        6.9   
                                              

Total operating expenses

   $ 3,910           $ 3,362        16.3      $ 7,439           $ 6,575        13.1   
                                              
   

Operating income

   $ 374           $ 329        13.7      $ 403           $ 279        44.4   

Nonoperating expense

     (110          (96     14.6        (194          (191     1.6   

Continental’s operating income and net income in the second quarter of 2011 were $374 million and $262 million, respectively, as compared to operating income and net income of $329 million and $233 million, respectively, in the second quarter of 2010. Similarly, Continental’s operating income and net income in the first six months of 2011 were $403 million and $205 million, respectively, as compared to operating income and net income of $279 million and $87 million, respectively, in the first six months of 2010. These improvements were largely due to the improvement in global economic conditions following the severe recession in 2009, consistent with the improvement in UAL’s and United’s results described above.

During the second quarter of 2011, the Company modified the United and Continental co-branded credit card agreements with Chase as a result of the merger. This contract modification resulted in a one-time adjustment of $19 million for Continental to decrease the deferred revenue balance and increase special revenue in accordance with ASU 2009-13. See Note 1 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information related to this accounting pronouncement.

Aircraft fuel expense increased approximately 41% and 37% in both the second quarter and first six months as compared to 2010, primarily due to an increase in the market prices of aircraft fuel. Fuel hedge gains were $65 million and $94 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2011, respectively. Similarly, fuel hedge losses were $9 million and $6 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2010, respectively.

Aircraft rent decreased 25% in both the second quarter and first six months of 2011 as compared to 2010, primarily due to the amortization of a lease fair value adjustment which was recorded as part of acquisition accounting.

Continental’s nonoperating expense in both the second quarter and first six months of 2011 includes a net loss of $2 million and $14 million, respectively, associated with marking to market the fair value of Continental’s derivative assets and liabilities related to agreements that provide for Continental’s convertible debt to be settled with UAL common stock. This net loss and the related derivatives are only reflected in the Continental stand-alone financial statements. See Note 5 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

 

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RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The non-GAAP financial measures in this report are presented because they provide management and investors the ability to measure and monitor UAL’s performance on a consistent basis. Special items relate to activities that are not central to our ongoing operations. A reconciliation of net income and diluted earnings per share to the non-GAAP financial measure of net income and diluted earnings per share, excluding special items, for the three and six months ended June 30 is as follows (in millions, except per share amounts):

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,      Six Months Ended June 30,  
     Net Income     Diluted
Earnings
per Share
    Net Income      Net Income     Diluted
Earnings
per Share
    Net
Income
 
     2011     2011     2010      2011     2011     2010  

Net income - GAAP

   $ 538      $ 1.39      $ 273       $ 325      $ 0.88      $ 191   

Special revenue item

     (107     (0.27     —           (107     (0.28     —     

Special charges

     146        0.37        106         223        0.58        124   

Operating non-cash MTM losses

     —          —          37         —          —          6   

Other items

     —          —          14         —          —          17   
                                                 

Net income excluding special items - non-GAAP

   $ 577      $ 1.49      $ 430       $ 441      $ 1.18      $ 338   
                                                 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

See Critical Accounting Policies in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the 2010 Annual Report for a discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies. Also see Note 1 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for a discussion of changes in accounting for revenue due to the adoption of new accounting policies.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this report are forward-looking and thus reflect our current expectations and beliefs with respect to certain current and future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be subject to many risks and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “will,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “believes,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Additionally, forward-looking statements include statements that do not relate solely to historical facts, such as statements which identify uncertainties or trends, discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties, or which indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed or assured. All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information available to us on the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

The Company’s actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the following: its ability to comply with the terms of its various financing arrangements; the costs and availability of financing; its ability to maintain adequate liquidity; its ability to execute its operational plans; its ability to control its costs, including realizing benefits from its resource optimization efforts, cost reduction initiatives and fleet replacement programs; its ability to utilize its net operating losses; its ability to attract and retain customers; demand for transportation in the markets in which it operates; an outbreak of a disease that affects travel demand or travel behavior; demand for travel and the impact that global economic conditions have on customer travel patterns; excessive taxation and the inability to offset future taxable income; general economic conditions (including interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, investment or credit market conditions, crude oil prices, costs of aviation fuel and energy refining capacity in relevant markets); its ability to cost-effectively

 

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hedge against increases in the price of aviation fuel; any potential realized or unrealized gains or losses related to fuel or currency hedging programs; the effects of any hostilities, act of war or terrorist attack; the ability of other air carriers with whom the Company has alliances or partnerships to provide the services contemplated by the respective arrangements with such carriers; the costs and availability of aviation and other insurance; the costs associated with security measures and practices; industry consolidation or changes in airline alliances; competitive pressures on pricing and on demand; its capacity decisions and the capacity decisions of its competitors; U.S. or foreign governmental legislation, regulation and other actions (including open skies agreements); labor costs; its ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and the results of the collective bargaining agreement process with its union groups; any disruptions to operations due to any potential actions by its labor groups; weather conditions; the possibility that expected merger synergies will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under Item 1A., Risk Factors of the 2010 Annual Report, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports the Company files with the SEC. Consequently, forward-looking statements should not be regarded as representations or warranties by the Company that such matters will be realized.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our 2010 Annual Report except as follows:

Aircraft Fuel. As of June 30, 2011, UAL’s projected consolidated fuel requirements for the remainder of 2011 were hedged as follows:

 

     Maximum Price      Minimum Price  
     % of
Expected
Consumption
    Weighted
Average
price

(per gallon)
     % of
Expected
Consumption
    Weighted
Average
price
(per gallon)
 

Remainder of 2011

         

Heating oil collars

     15   $ 3.32         15   $ 2.65   

Heating oil call options

     4        2.41         N/A        N/A   

Heating oil swaps

     3        2.24         3        2.24   

WTI crude oil call options

     13        2.32         N/A        N/A   

WTI crude oil swaps

     11        2.17         11        2.17   

Aircraft fuel call options

     4        3.15         N/A        N/A   

Aircraft fuel swaps

     1        3.14         1        3.14   
                     

Total

     51        30  
                     

As of June 30, 2011, UAL had hedged 13% of the projected first half 2012 fuel consumption.

At June 30, 2011, UAL fuel derivatives were in a net asset position of $191 million. See Note 6 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information related to fuel hedges.

Disclosures for United and Continental are omitted under the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction H (2) of Form 10-Q.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

UAL, United and Continental each maintain controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted by UAL, United and Continental to the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The management of UAL, United and Continental, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation to conclude with reasonable assurance that UAL’s, United’s and Continental’s disclosure controls and procedures were designed and operating effectively to report the information each company is required to disclose in the reports they file with the SEC on a timely basis. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of UAL, United and Continental have concluded that as of June 30, 2011, disclosure controls and procedures of each company were effective.

 

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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting during the Quarter Ended June 30, 2011

Except as set forth below, during the three months ended June 30, 2011, there were no changes in UAL’s, United’s or Continental’s internal control over financial reporting during their most recent fiscal quarter that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, their internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

On October 1, 2010, UAL and Continental completed the merger transaction. We are currently integrating policies, processes, employees, technology and operations for the combined company. Management will continue to evaluate our internal control over financial reporting as we execute merger integration activities.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

In addition to the legal proceedings below, UAL, United and Continental are parties to other legal proceedings as described in the Company’s 2010 Annual Report and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Litigation Related to the Merger Transaction

On June 29, 2010, forty-nine purported purchasers of airline tickets filed an antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Continental and UAL Corporation in connection with the merger. The plaintiffs alleged that the merger may substantially lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly in the transportation of airline passengers in the United States and the transportation of airline passengers to and from the United States on international flights, in violation of Section 7 of the Clayton Act. On August 9, 2010, the plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary injunction pursuant to Section 16 of the Clayton Act, seeking to enjoin the merger. On September 27, 2010, the court denied the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction, which allowed the merger to close. After the closing of the merger, the plaintiffs appealed the court’s ruling to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and moved for a “hold separate” order pending the appeal, which was denied. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the District Court’s denial of the preliminary injunction on May 23, 2011 and, on July 8, 2011, denied the plaintiffs’ motions for rehearing and for rehearing en banc.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

See Part I, Item 1A., “Risk Factors,” of the 2010 Annual Report for a detailed discussion of the risk factors affecting UAL, United and Continental. The discussion below includes updates to certain risk factor disclosures included in the 2010 Annual Report, which are in addition to, and not in lieu of, those contained in the 2010 Annual Report.

The Company may be unable to continue to comply with certain covenants in agreements with financial institutions that process customer credit card transactions, which, if not complied with, could materially and adversely affect the Company’s liquidity.

United and Continental have agreements with financial institutions that process customer credit card transactions for the sale of air travel and other services. Under certain of United’s and Continental’s credit card processing agreements, the financial institutions either require, or under certain circumstances have the right to require, that United and Continental maintain a reserve equal to a portion of advance ticket sales that have been processed by that financial institution, but for which United and Continental have not yet provided the air transportation.

Under United’s and Continental’s new combined credit card processing agreement with Paymentech, LLC and JPMorgan Chase, United and Continental are required to provide a cash reserve determined based on the unrestricted cash balance held by United and Continental. If United’s and Continental’s unrestricted cash balance is at or more than $3.5 billion as of any calendar month-end measurement date, the required reserve will remain at $25 million. However, if United’s and Continental’s unrestricted cash balance is less than $3.5 billion, their required reserve will increase to a percentage of relevant advance ticket sales that could be significant. Based on United’s and Continental’s June 30, 2011 unrestricted cash balance, United and Continental were not required to provide cash collateral above the $25 million reserve balance. If Continental is required to post additional cash collateral under the new combined JPMorgan Chase credit card processing agreement as a result of an increase in the required reserve amount, Continental will also be required to post additional collateral under its credit card processing agreement with American Express that could be significant.

Under United’s credit card processing agreement with American Express, in addition to certain other risk protections provided to American Express, United is required to provide reserves based primarily on its unrestricted cash balance and net current exposure as of any calendar month-end measurement date with United’s required reserves increasing to stated percentages of net current exposure that could be significant as United’s unrestricted cash balance falls below certain minimum cash amounts. The agreement with American Express permits United to provide certain replacement collateral in lieu of cash collateral, as long as United’s unrestricted cash balance is above $1.35 billion. Such replacement collateral may be pledged for any amount of the required reserve up to the full amount thereof, with the stated value of such collateral determined according to the agreement. Replacement collateral may be comprised of aircraft, slots and routes, real estate or other collateral as agreed between the parties. Based on United’s unrestricted cash balance at June 30, 2011, United was not required to provide any reserves under this agreement.

An increase in the future reserve requirements and the posting of a significant amount of cash collateral, as provided by the terms of any or all of United’s and Continental’s material credit card processing agreements, could materially reduce the Company’s liquidity. See Note 8 of this report and Note 17 of the 2010 Annual Report for a more detailed discussion of our obligations under the Company’s credit card processing agreements.

 

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Extensive government regulation could materially increase the Company’s operating costs and restrict its ability to conduct its business.

Airlines are subject to extensive regulatory and legal compliance requirements that result in significant costs and may have adverse effects. Laws, regulations, taxes and airport rates and charges, both domestically and internationally, have been proposed from time to time that could significantly increase the cost of airline operations or reduce airline revenue. The Company cannot provide any assurance that current laws and regulations, or laws or regulations enacted in the future, will not adversely affect its financial condition or results of operations.

Each of United and Continental operates under a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Department of Transportation (the “DOT”). If the DOT altered, amended, modified, suspended or revoked these certificates, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. The Federal Aviation Administration (the “FAA”) from time to time also issues directives and other regulations relating to the maintenance and operation of aircraft that require material expenditures or operational restrictions by the Company, and which could include the temporary grounding of an entire aircraft type if the FAA identifies design, manufacturing, maintenance or other issues requiring immediate corrective action. FAA requirements cover, among other things, retirement of older aircraft, security measures, collision avoidance systems, airborne windshear avoidance systems, noise abatement and other environmental concerns, aircraft operation and safety and increased inspections and maintenance procedures to be conducted on older aircraft. These FAA directives or requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

In addition, the Company’s operations may be adversely impacted due to the existing antiquated air traffic control (“ATC”) system utilized by the U.S. government. During peak travel periods in certain markets, the current ATC system’s inability to handle existing travel demand has led to short-term capacity constraints imposed by government agencies and resulted in delays and disruptions of air traffic. In addition, the current system will not be able to effectively handle projected future air traffic growth. Imposition of these ATC constraints on a long-term basis may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Failure to update the ATC system in a timely manner, and the substantial funding requirements of a modernized ATC system that may be imposed on air carriers may have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

The airline industry is subject to extensive federal, state and local taxes and fees that increase the cost of the Company’s operations. In addition to taxes and fees that the Company is currently subject to, proposed taxes and fees are currently pending and if imposed, would increase the Company’s operating expenses.

Access to landing and take-off rights, or “slots,” at several major U.S. airports and many foreign airports served by the Company are, or recently have been, subject to government regulation. Certain of the Company’s major hubs are among increasingly congested airports in the United States and have been or could be the subject of regulatory action that might limit the number of flights and/or increase costs of operations at certain times or throughout the day. The FAA may limit the Company’s airport access by limiting the number of departure and arrival slots at high density traffic airports, which could affect the Company’s ownership and transfer rights, and local airport authorities may have the ability to control access to certain facilities or the cost of access to its facilities, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business. In addition, in 2008, the FAA planned to withdraw and auction a certain number of slots held by airlines at the three primary New York area airports, which the airlines challenged and the FAA terminated in 2009. If the FAA were to plan another auction that survived legal challenge by the airlines, the Company could incur substantial costs to obtain such slots. Further, the Company’s operating costs at airports at which it operates, including the Company’s major hubs, may increase significantly because of capital improvements at such airports that the Company may be required to fund, directly or indirectly. In some circumstances, such costs could be imposed by the relevant airport authority without the Company’s approval and may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.

The ability of U.S. carriers to operate international routes is subject to change because the applicable arrangements between the United States and foreign governments may be amended from time to time, or because appropriate slots or facilities may not be made available. The Company currently operates on a number of international routes under government arrangements that limit the number of carriers permitted to operate on the route, the capacity of the carriers providing services on the route, or the number of carriers allowed access to particular airports. If an open skies policy were to be adopted for any of these routes, such an event could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations and could result in the impairment of material amounts of related tangible and intangible assets. In addition, competition from revenue-sharing joint ventures and other alliance arrangements by and among other airlines could impair the value of the Company’s business and assets on the open skies routes.

 

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The Company’s plans to enter into or expand U.S. antitrust immunized alliances and joint ventures on various international routes are subject to receipt of approvals from applicable U.S. federal authorities and obtaining other applicable foreign government clearances or satisfying the necessary applicable regulatory requirements. There can be no assurance that such approvals and clearances will be granted or continued in effect upon further regulatory review or that changes in regulatory requirements or standards can be satisfied.

Many aspects of the Company’s operations are also subject to increasingly stringent federal, state, local and international laws protecting the environment. Future environmental regulatory developments, such as climate change regulations in the United States and abroad could adversely affect operations and increase operating costs in the airline industry. There are certain climate change laws and regulations that have already gone into effect and that apply to the Company, including the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (subject to legal challenge), the State of California’s cap and trade regulations, environmental taxes for certain international flights, limited greenhouse gas reporting requirements and land-use planning laws which could apply to airports and could affect airlines in certain circumstances. In addition, there is the potential for additional regulatory actions in regard to the emission of greenhouse gases by the aviation industry. The precise nature of future requirements and their applicability to the Company are difficult to predict, but the financial impact to the Company and the aviation industry would likely be adverse and could be significant.

See Item 1, Business-Industry Regulation, in the Company’s 2010 Annual Report for further information on government regulation impacting the Company.

The issuance of UAL’s 8% Contingent Senior Notes could adversely impact the Company’s results of operations, liquidity and financial position.

UAL would be obligated under an indenture to issue to the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (“PBGC”) up to $500 million aggregate principal amount of 8% Contingent Senior Notes (the “8% Notes”) if certain financial triggering events occur. The 8% Notes would be issued in up to eight equal tranches of $62.5 million (with each tranche issued no later than 45 days following the end of any applicable fiscal year). A triggering event occurs when UAL’s EBITDAR (as defined in the 8% Notes indenture) exceeds $3.5 billion over the prior twelve months ending June 30 or December 31 of any applicable fiscal year. The twelve-month measurement periods began with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and will end with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.

If the issuance of a tranche would cause a default under any other securities then existing, UAL may satisfy its obligations with respect to such tranche by issuing UAL common stock having a market value equal to $62.5 million. Each issued tranche will mature 15 years from its respective triggering event date, with interest payable in cash in semi-annual installments, and will be callable, at UAL’s option, at any time at par, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Because Continental’s EBITDAR will be included in the calculation for periods subsequent to the closing of the merger, the merger increases the likelihood that all or a portion of the 8% Notes will be issued, as well as the likelihood that the timing of any such issuances would be accelerated.

As of June 30, 2011, a triggering event occurred under the 8% Notes indenture and, as a result, UAL is obligated to issue one tranche of $62.5 million of the 8% Notes to the PBGC no later than February 14, 2012. This is the first such tranche of 8% Notes to be issued by UAL under the 8% Notes indenture. Because the issuance of subsequent tranches of the 8% Notes is based upon future operating results, UAL cannot predict whether future issuances will occur or the timing of any such issuances. The first issuance and any future issuances of the 8% Notes could adversely impact the Company’s results of operations because of increased charges to earnings for the principal amount of the notes issued and increased interest expense related to the 8% Notes. Issuance of such notes could adversely impact the Company’s liquidity due to increased cash required to meet interest and principal payments.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

A list of exhibits included as part of this Form 10-Q is set forth in an Exhibit Index that immediately precedes the exhibits.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. The signature for each undersigned company shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to such company or its subsidiaries.

 

    United Continental Holdings, Inc.
    (Registrant)
Date: July 25, 2011     By:  

/s/ Zane C. Rowe

     

Zane C. Rowe

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer)

Date: July 25, 2011     By:  

/s/ Chris Kenny

     

Chris Kenny

Vice President and Controller

(principal accounting officer)

    United Air Lines, Inc.
    (Registrant)
Date: July 25, 2011     By:  

/s/ Zane C. Rowe

     

Zane C. Rowe

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer)

Date: July 25, 2011     By:  

/s/ Chris Kenny

     

Chris Kenny

Vice President and Controller

(principal accounting officer)

    Continental Airlines, Inc.
    (Registrant)
Date: July 25, 2011     By:  

/s/ Zane C. Rowe

     

Zane C. Rowe

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer)

Date: July 25, 2011     By:  

/s/ Chris Kenny

     

Chris Kenny

Vice President and Controller

(principal accounting officer)

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

    †10.1   Separation Agreement, dated April 30, 2011, by and among United Continental Holdings, Inc., United Air Lines, Inc. and R. Keith Halbert
    †10.2   Employment Agreement, dated May 1, 2011, by and among United Continental Holdings, Inc., Continental Airlines, Inc. and Robert S. Edwards
    †10.3   United Continental Holdings, Inc. 2006 Director Equity Incentive Plan (as amended and restated, effective June 9, 2011)
    †10.4   Form of Share Unit Award Notice pursuant to the United Continental Holdings, Inc. 2006 Director Equity Incentive Plan
      31.1   Certification of the Principal Executive Officer of UAL Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
      31.2   Certification of the Principal Financial Officer of UAL Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
      31.3   Certification of the Principal Executive Officer of United Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
      31.4   Certification of the Principal Financial Officer of United Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
      31.5   Certification of the Principal Executive Officer of Continental Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
      31.6   Certification of the Principal Financial Officer of Continental Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
      32.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of UAL Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
      32.2   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of United Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
      32.3   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Continental Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
**101.1   XBRL Instance Document
**101.2   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
**101.3   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
**101.4   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
**101.5   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
**101.6   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

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** XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

 

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