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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "UAL" or the "Company") is a holding company incorporated in Delaware and its wholly-owned subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "United"). As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL, unless otherwise noted. United comprises substantially all of UAL's operating revenues, operating expenses, assets, liabilities and operating cash flows. When appropriate, UAL and United are named specifically for their individual contractual obligations and related disclosures and any significant differences between the operations and results of UAL and United are separately disclosed and explained. The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The Company consolidates variable interest entities where it has been determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary of those entities' operations. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Segments Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise with separate financial information, which are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker ("CODM") and are used in resource allocation and performance assessments. T he Company manages it operations as one segment. Managing the Company as one segment allows management the opportunity to maximize the value of its route network and maximize the Company's consolidated financial results. The Company deploys its aircraft across its route network through a single route scheduling system to maximize its value. The Company's chief executive officer is its CODM. When making resource allocation decisions for the network, the Company's CODM evaluates flight profitability data, which considers aircraft type and route economics. The CODM assesses performance of the Company and makes resource allocation decisions based on net income as reported in the Company's statement of consolidated operations. The measure of segment assets is reported on the consolidated balance sheet as Total assets. Within the statement of consolidated operations, Other expenses represent various purchased services related to the operations of the airline such as ground handling, passenger services, food and beverage offerings, navigation fees, personnel-related costs and information technology projects. Significant Accounting Policies Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash. Highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less on their acquisition date are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash is classified as current or noncurrent in the consolidated balance sheets based on the expected timing of return of the assets to the Company or payment to an outside party. The restricted cash balances primarily include collateral associated with the senior secured notes (the "MileagePlus Senior Secured Notes") secured by substantially all of the assets of Mileage Plus Holdings, LLC ("MPH"), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of United, collateral for letters of credit and collateral associated with facility leases and certain insurance-related obligations. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statements of consolidated cash flows (in millions):
| At December 31,
| 2024 |  | 2023 |  | 2022
Current assets: |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 8,769 |  |  | $ | 6,058 |  |  | $ | 7,166 |
Restricted cash in Prepaid expenses and other | 11 |  |  | 31 |  |  | 45 |
Noncurrent assets: |  |  |  |  |
Restricted cash in Investments in affiliates and other, net | 166 |  |  | 245 |  |  | 210 |
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 8,946 |  |  | $ | 6,334 |  |  | $ | 7,421 |
Investments. Highly liquid investments with maturities of greater than three months, but not beyond one year, at the time of purchase are classified as short-term investments and are stated at fair value. Investments with maturities beyond one year when purchased are classified as short-term investments if they are expected to be available to support our short-term liquidity needs. Our short-term investments in debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are stated at fair value. Realized gains and losses on sales of these investments are reflected in Interest income in the statements of consolidated operations. Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt securities are reflected as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Equity investments are accounted for under the equity method if we are able to exercise significant influence over the investee. Equity investments for which we do not have significant influence are recorded at fair value or at cost, if fair value is not readily determinable, with adjustments for observable changes in price or impairments (referred to as the measurement alternative). Changes in fair value are recorded in Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net in the statements of consolidated operations. See Note 9 of this report for additional information related to investments. Accounts Receivable. Accounts receivable primarily consist of amounts due from credit card companies, non-airline partners, and cargo customers. We provide an allowance for credit losses expected to be incurred. We base our allowance on various factors including, but not limited to, aging, payment history, write-offs, macro-economic indicators and other credit monitoring indicators. Credit loss expense and write-offs related to trade receivables were not material for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. Aircraft Fuel, Spare Parts and Supplies. The Company accounts for aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies at average cost and provides an obsolescence allowance for aircraft spare parts with an assumed residual value of 10% of original cost. Allowance for obsolescence was $739 million and $689 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Obsolescence expense was $175 million, $102 million, and $73 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and is included in Depreciation and amortization expense in the statements of consolidated operations. Property and Equipment. The Company records additions to owned operating property and equipment at cost when acquired. Costs related to modifications that enhance the operating performance or extend the useful lives of airframes or engines are capitalized as property and equipment. We periodically receive credits in connection with the acquisition of aircraft and engines as well as contractual damages related to delays in delivery or operating performance issues. These credits are generally deferred and are recognized as a reduction to the cost of the related equipment. Depreciation and amortization is recognized on a straight-line basis over the assets' estimated useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the remaining term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the related asset. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment are as follows:
|  | Estimated Useful Life (in years)
Aircraft, spare engines and related rotable parts |  | 25 to 30
Aircraft seats |  | 10 to 15
Buildings |  | 25 to 45
Other property and equipment |  | 3 to 15
Computer software |  | 5 to 15
Building improvements |  | 1 to 40
Operating property and equipment, net at December 31 was as follows (in millions):
|  | 2024 |  | 2023
Flight equipment |  | $ | 52,696 |  |  | $ | 48,448 |
Other property and equipment |  | 11,908 |  |  | 10,527 |
Purchase deposits for flight equipment |  | 3,427 |  |  | 3,550 |
Total operating property and equipment |  | 68,031 |  |  | 62,525 |
Less—Accumulated depreciation and amortization |  | (25,123) |  |  | (22,710) |
Total operating property and equipment, net |  | $ | 42,908 |  |  | $ | 39,815 |
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had a carrying value of computer software of $456 million and $453 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company's amortization expense related to computer software was $155 million, $168 million and $166 million, respectively. Aircraft, spare engines and related rotable parts were assumed to have residual values of approximately 10% of original cost, and other categories of property and equipment were assumed to have no residual value. Leases. The Company enters into various leases as a lessee for assets including, but not limited to, airport facilities, airport gates, hanger sites, administrative offices, aircraft, and various other facilities and equipment to support its operations. The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception. A lease exists when the arrangement conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset over the lease term. Upon lease commencement, the Company records a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and right-of-use ("ROU") asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term in the consolidated balance sheets. The lease liability is measured at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments not yet paid over the lease term, which includes extension and renewal options that are reasonably certain of being exercised, discounted using an incremental borrowing rate that reflects the term of the lease and the particular economic environment at lease commencement. The ROU asset is based on the lease liability, adjusted for lease prepayments, lease incentives received, and the lessee's initial direct costs. The Company does not record a right-of-use asset or lease liability for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less. Lease and non-lease components are combined for all classes of underlying assets, except for capacity purchase agreements ("CPAs") which contain embedded leases for regional aircraft. For these CPAs, the Company allocates consideration to the lease and non-lease components based on their relative standalone values. Many of the Company's leases include variable lease payments, which are not included in the measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liability. Finance lease right-of-use assets are presented together with Operating property and equipment on the consolidated balance sheets and the related amortization is included in Depreciation and amortization expense. Long-Lived Asset Impairments. The Company evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets subject to amortization whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may exist. For purposes of this testing, the Company has generally identified the aircraft fleet type as the lowest level of identifiable cash flows for its mainline fleet and the contract level for its regional fleet under CPAs. An impairment charge is recognized when the asset's carrying value exceeds its net undiscounted future cash flows. The amount of the charge is the difference between the asset's carrying value and fair market value. Intangible Assets. The Company has finite-lived and indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are assessed for impairment on an annual basis as of October 1, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. The Company typically determines fair value using either market or a variation of the income approach valuation techniques. These measurements include the following key assumptions: (1) forecasted revenues, expenses, margin and cash flows, (2) terminal period growth rate, (3) an estimated weighted average cost of capital, (4) asset-specific risk factor and (5) a tax rate. These assumptions are consistent with those that hypothetical market participants would use. We recognize an impairment when the fair value of an intangible asset is less than its carrying value. For the Company's China route authority, the Company performed a quantitative assessment which involved determining the fair value of the asset and comparing that amount to the asset's carrying value. For all other intangible assets, the Company performed a qualitative assessment of whether it was more likely than not that an impairment had occurred. To determine fair value of the China route authority, the Company used a discounted cash flow method. Key assumptions used in the valuation model included forecasted revenues, margin and an overall discount rate. These assumptions are inherently uncertain as they relate to future events and circumstances. The following table presents information about the Company's goodwill and other intangible assets at December 31 (in millions):
|  | 2024 |  | 2023
|  | Gross Carrying Amount |  | Accumulated Amortization |  | Gross Carrying Amount |  | Accumulated Amortization
Goodwill |  | $ | 4,527 |  |  |  |  | $ | 4,527 |  |  |
Indefinite-lived intangible assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
China route authority |  | $ | 1,020 |  |  |  |  | $ | 1,020 |  |  |
Airport slots |  | 564 |  |  |  |  | 574 |  |  |
Tradenames and logos |  | 593 |  |  |  |  | 593 |  |  |
Alliances |  | 404 |  |  |  |  | 404 |  |  |
Total |  | $ | 2,581 |  |  |  |  | $ | 2,591 |  |  |
Finite-lived intangible assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Frequent flyer database |  | $ | 1,177 |  |  | $ | 1,092 |  |  | $ | 1,177 |  |  | $ | 1,068 |
Hubs |  | 145 |  |  | 138 |  |  | 145 |  |  | 131 |
Other |  | 143 |  |  | 133 |  |  | 307 |  |  | 296 |
Total |  | $ | 1,465 |  |  | $ | 1,363 |  |  | $ | 1,629 |  |  | $ | 1,495 |
Amortization expense in 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $32 million, $37 million and $41 million, respectively. Projected amortization expense in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 is $28 million, $18 million, $11 million, $10 million and $8 million, respectively. Labor Costs. The Company records expenses associated with new or amendable labor agreements when the amounts are probable and estimable. These could include costs associated with retro-active lump sum cash payments made in conjunction with the ratification of labor agreements. To the extent these upfront costs are in lieu of future pay increases, they would be capitalized and amortized over the term of the labor agreements. If not, these amounts would be expensed. Share-Based Compensation. The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. The resulting cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which is usually the vesting period. Obligations for cash-settled restricted stock units ("RSUs") are remeasured at fair value throughout the requisite service period at the close of the reporting period based upon UAL's stock price. In addition to the service requirement, certain RSUs have performance metrics that must be achieved prior to vesting. These awards are accrued based on the expected level of achievement at each reporting period. An adjustment is recorded each reporting period to adjust compensation expense based on the then current level of expected performance achievement for the performance-based awards. See Note 5 of this report for additional information on UAL's share-based compensation plans. Maintenance and Repairs. The cost of maintenance and repairs, including the cost of minor replacements, is charged to expense as incurred, except for costs incurred under our power-by-the-hour ("PBTH") engine maintenance agreements. PBTH contracts transfer certain risk to third-party service providers and fix the amount we pay per flight hour or per cycle to the service provider in exchange for maintenance and repairs under a predefined maintenance program. Under PBTH agreements, the Company recognizes expense at a level rate per engine hour, unless the level of service effort and the related payments during the period are substantially consistent, in which case the Company recognizes expense based on the amounts paid. Advertising. Advertising costs, which are included in Other operating expenses, are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses were $235 million, $221 million and $165 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Third-Party Business. The Company has third-party business activity that includes ground handling, maintenance services, flight academy and frequent flyer award non-travel redemptions. Third-party business revenue is recorded in Other operating revenue. Expenses associated with these third-party business activities are recorded in Other operating expenses, except for non-travel mileage redemption. Non-travel mileage redemption expenses are recorded to Other operating revenue. Uncertain Income Tax Positions. The Company has recorded reserves for income taxes and associated interest that may become payable in future years. Although management believes that its positions taken on income tax matters are reasonable, the Company nevertheless established tax and interest reserves in recognition that various taxing authorities may challenge certain of the positions taken by the Company, potentially resulting in additional liabilities for taxes and interest. The Company's uncertain tax position reserves are reviewed periodically and are adjusted as events occur that affect its estimates, such as the availability of new information, the lapsing of applicable statutes of limitation, the conclusion of tax audits, the measurement of additional estimated liability, the identification of new tax matters, the release of administrative tax guidance affecting its estimates of tax liabilities, or the rendering of relevant court decisions. The Company records penalties and interest relating to uncertain tax positions as part of income tax expense in its statements of consolidated operations. See Note 7 of this report for additional information on UAL's uncertain tax positions. Fair Value Measurements. The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, and certain non-financial assets and liabilities on a nonrecurring basis. The Company uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized as follows: •Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for assets or liabilities identical to those to be reported at fair value •Level 2 - Other inputs that are observable directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or market-corroborated inputs •Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which require us to develop our own assumptions about how market participants would price the assets or liabilities. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Income Taxes. In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2023-09, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures." This ASU enhances disclosures related to income taxes, including the rate reconciliation and information on income taxes paid. This ASU becomes effective for us on January 1, 2025. We are assessing the impact of this ASU and upon adoption may be required to include certain additional disclosures. Expense Disaggregation. In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, "Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses." This ASU requires disclosing disaggregated information about certain income statement expense captions but does not change the presentation of expense information or expense captions reported on the face of the income statement. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027; early adoption is permitted. We are assessing the impact of this ASU and upon adoption may be required to include certain additional disclosures.

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