XML 36 R22.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.24.1.u1
Fair value measurements, investments and notes receivable
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, INVESTMENTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, INVESTMENTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE
The table below presents disclosures about the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in UAL's financial statements (in millions):
March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents$8,401 $8,401 $— $— $6,058 $6,058 $— $— 
Restricted cash — current40 40 — — 31 31 — — 
Restricted cash — non-current244 244 — — 245 245 — — 
Short-term investments:
U.S. government and agency notes5,518 — 5,518 — 8,257 — 8,257 — 
Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service ("CDARS")73 — 73 — 73 — 73 — 
Long-term investments:
Equity securities116 116 — — 177 177 — — 
Investments presented in the table above have the same fair value as their carrying value.
Restricted cash - current — Primarily includes amounts to be used for the payment of fees, principal and interest on senior secured notes and a secured term loan facility (the "MileagePlus Financing") secured by substantially all of the assets of Mileage Plus Holdings, LLC, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of United.
Restricted cash - non-current — Primarily includes collateral associated with the MileagePlus Financing, collateral for letters of credit and collateral associated with facility leases and other insurance-related obligations.
Short-term investments — The short-term investments shown in the table above are classified as available-for-sale and have remaining maturities of 17 months or less.
Long-term investments: Equity securities — Represents equity and equity-linked securities (such as vested warrants) that make up United's investments in Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S.A., Archer Aviation Inc., Eve Holding, Inc. and Mesa Air Group, Inc.
Other fair value information. The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above (in millions). Carrying amounts include any related discounts, premiums and issuance costs:
March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Carrying AmountFair ValueCarrying AmountFair Value
TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Long-term debt$27,017 $26,480 $— $20,319 $6,161 $29,075 $28,302 $— $22,543 $5,759 
Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows:
DescriptionFair Value Methodology
Cash and cash equivalents and Restricted cash (current and non-current)The carrying amounts of these assets approximate fair value.
Short-term and Long-term investmentsFair value is based on (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar instruments or (b) broker quotes obtained by third-party valuation services.
Long-term debtFair values were based on either market prices or the discounted amount of future cash flows using our current incremental rate of borrowing for similar liabilities or assets.
Equity Method Investments. As of March 31, 2024, United holds investments, accounted for using the equity method, with a combined carrying value of approximately $230 million. Significant equity method investments are described below:
•Republic Airways Holdings Inc. United holds a 19% minority interest in Republic Airways Holdings Inc., which is the parent company of Republic Airways Inc. ("Republic"). Republic currently operates 66 regional aircraft under capacity purchase agreements ("CPAs") that have terms through 2035.
•CommuteAir LLC. United owns a 40% minority ownership stake in CommuteAir LLC. CommuteAir currently operates 53 regional aircraft under a CPA that has a term through 2026.
•United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund (the "Fund"). During the first quarter of 2023, United launched, through its corporate venture capital arm, United Airlines Ventures, Ltd., an investment vehicle designed to support start-ups focused on decarbonizing air travel by accelerating the research, production and technologies associated with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). As of March 31, 2024, the Company indirectly holds a 33% ownership interest in the Fund.
Other Investments. As of March 31, 2024, United has equity investments in Abra Group Limited, a multinational airline holding company, JetSuiteX, Inc., an independent air carrier doing business as JSX, as well as a number of companies with emerging technologies and sustainable solutions. None of these investments have readily determinable fair values. We account for these investments at cost less impairment, adjusted for observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. As of March 31, 2024, the carrying value of these investments was $421 million.
Notes Receivable. As of March 31, 2024, the Company has $86 million of notes receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, the majority of which is from certain of its regional carriers. The current portions of the notes receivable are recorded in Receivables, less allowance for credit losses. The long-term portion of the notes receivable is recorded in Investments in affiliates and other, less allowance for credit losses on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.