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LEASES | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2023
Leases [Abstract] |
LEASES | LEASES The Company enters into leases for aircraft, property, and other types of equipment in the normal course of business. As allowed under ASC 842, Leases, the Company has elected a practical expedient to exclude from recognition lease assets and lease liabilities associated with leases that have an initial term of twelve months or less. Such expense was not material for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. As of December 31, 2023, the Company held aircraft leases with remaining terms extending up to 10 years. The aircraft leases generally can be renewed for three months to three years at rates based on the fair market value at the end of the lease term. Residual value guarantees included in the Company's lease agreements are not material. In fourth quarter 2022, the Company signed an aircraft sale agreement with AerCap Ireland Limited (“AerCap”) to purchase 39 -700 aircraft, all of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms. As each aircraft purchase was finalized, the Company relieved its related lease liability and continued to recognize the cost of the aircraft within Property a nd equipment section in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company completed the purchase of 31 of these aircraft during fourth quarter 2022, and the remaining eight aircraft during first quarter 2023. The Company paid the lessor $365 million and $88 million in fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2023, respectively, as part of this transaction, of which $191 million and $50 million were recorded as the elimination of the Company’s remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $174 million and $38 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company’s Capital expenditures for fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2023, respectively. In second and third quarter 2023, the Company also entered into additional transactions with third parties to purchase four -700 aircraft, all of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms. The Company paid the lessors $44 million in 2023, of which $3 million was recorded as the elimination of the Company's remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $41 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company's Capital expenditures for 2023. There was no gain or loss recorded as a result of these transactions. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has 24 finance leased aircraft remaining. At each airport where the Company conducts flight operations, the Company has lease agreements, generally with a governmental unit or authority, for the use of airport terminals, airfields, office space, cargo warehouses, gates, and/or maintenance facilities. These leases are classified as operating lease agreements and have remaining lease terms extending up to 37 years. Certain leases can be renewed from one year to 11 years. The majority of the airport terminal leases contain certain provisions for periodic adjustments to rates that depend upon airport operating costs or use of the facilities, and are reset at least annually. Because of the variable nature of these rates, these leases are not recorded as a right-of-use asset or a lease liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company also leases certain technology assets, fuel storage tanks, and various other equipment that qualify as leases under the applicable accounting guidance with lease terms extending up to three years. Certain leases can be renewed from six months to one year. Lease-related assets and liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows:
(in millions) | Balance Sheet location | December 31, 2023 |  | December 31, 2022
Assets |  |  |  |
Operating | Operating lease right-of-use assets (net) | $ | 1,223 |  |  | $ | 1,394 |
Finance | Property and equipment (net of allowance for depreciation and amortization of $477 million and $634 million) | 125 |  |  | 297 |
Total lease assets |  | $ | 1,348 |  |  | $ | 1,691 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Current |  |  |  |
Operating | Current operating lease liabilities | $ | 208 |  |  | $ | 225 |
Finance | Current maturities of long-term debt | 29 |  |  | 42 |
Noncurrent |  |  |  |
Operating | Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 985 |  |  | 1,118 |
Finance | Long-term debt less current maturities | 75 |  |  | 147 |
Total lease liabilities |  | $ | 1,297 |  |  | $ | 1,532 |
The components of lease costs, included in the Consolidated Statement of Income, were as follows:
(in millions) | Year ended December 31, 2023 |  | Year ended December 31, 2022 |  | Year ended December 31, 2021
Operating lease cost - aircraft (a) | $ | 186 |  |  | $ | 188 |  |  | $ | 204 |
Operating lease cost - other | 89 |  |  | 84 |  |  | 81 |
Short-term lease cost | 2 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 1 |
Variable lease cost | 1,733 |  |  | 1,447 |  |  | 1,406 |
Amortization of finance lease liabilities | 44 |  |  | 106 |  |  | 112 |
Interest on finance lease liabilities | 5 |  |  | 15 |  |  | 19 |
Total net lease cost | $ | 2,059 |  |  | $ | 1,842 |  |  | $ | 1,823 |
(a) Net of sublease income of $7 million, $17 million, and $41 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. Supplemental cash flow information related to leases, included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, was as follows:
(in millions) | Year ended December 31, 2023 |  | Year ended December 31, 2022 |  | Year ended December 31, 2021
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: |  |  |  |  |
Operating cash flows for operating leases | $ | 251 |  |  | $ | 303 |  |  | $ | 346 |
Operating cash flows for finance leases | 5 |  |  | 16 |  |  | 19 |
Financing cash flows for finance leases | 32 |  |  | 78 |  |  | 83 |
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: |  |  |  |  |
Operating leases | 82 |  |  | 58 |  |  | 327 |
As of December 31, 2023, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
(in millions) | Operating leases |  | Finance leases |  |  |  |
2024 | $ | 242 |  |  | $ | 33 |  |  |  |  |
2025 | 201 |  |  | 24 |  |  |  |  |
2026 | 186 |  |  | 16 |  |  |  |  |
2027 | 179 |  |  | 16 |  |  |  |  |
2028 | 168 |  |  | 12 |  |  |  |  |
Thereafter | 431 |  |  | 13 |  |  |  |  |
Total lease payments | $ | 1,407 |  |  | $ | 114 |  |  |  |  |
Less imputed interest | (214) |  |  | (10) |  |  |  |  |
Total lease obligations | 1,193 |  |  | 104 |  |  |  |  |
Less current obligations | (208) |  |  | (29) |  |  |  |  |
Long-term lease obligations | $ | 985 |  |  | $ | 75 |  |  |  |  |
The table below presents additional information related to the Company's leases:
Weighted average remaining lease term | December 31, 2023 |  | December 31, 2022
Operating leases | 8 years |  | 8 years
Finance leases | 5 years |  | 6 years
Weighted average discount rate |  |  |
Operating leases | 4.0 | % |  | 3.6 | %
Finance leases | 3.9 | % |  | 3.9 | %
LEASES | LEASES The Company enters into leases for aircraft, property, and other types of equipment in the normal course of business. As allowed under ASC 842, Leases, the Company has elected a practical expedient to exclude from recognition lease assets and lease liabilities associated with leases that have an initial term of twelve months or less. Such expense was not material for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. As of December 31, 2023, the Company held aircraft leases with remaining terms extending up to 10 years. The aircraft leases generally can be renewed for three months to three years at rates based on the fair market value at the end of the lease term. Residual value guarantees included in the Company's lease agreements are not material. In fourth quarter 2022, the Company signed an aircraft sale agreement with AerCap Ireland Limited (“AerCap”) to purchase 39 -700 aircraft, all of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms. As each aircraft purchase was finalized, the Company relieved its related lease liability and continued to recognize the cost of the aircraft within Property a nd equipment section in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company completed the purchase of 31 of these aircraft during fourth quarter 2022, and the remaining eight aircraft during first quarter 2023. The Company paid the lessor $365 million and $88 million in fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2023, respectively, as part of this transaction, of which $191 million and $50 million were recorded as the elimination of the Company’s remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $174 million and $38 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company’s Capital expenditures for fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2023, respectively. In second and third quarter 2023, the Company also entered into additional transactions with third parties to purchase four -700 aircraft, all of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms. The Company paid the lessors $44 million in 2023, of which $3 million was recorded as the elimination of the Company's remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $41 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company's Capital expenditures for 2023. There was no gain or loss recorded as a result of these transactions. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has 24 finance leased aircraft remaining. At each airport where the Company conducts flight operations, the Company has lease agreements, generally with a governmental unit or authority, for the use of airport terminals, airfields, office space, cargo warehouses, gates, and/or maintenance facilities. These leases are classified as operating lease agreements and have remaining lease terms extending up to 37 years. Certain leases can be renewed from one year to 11 years. The majority of the airport terminal leases contain certain provisions for periodic adjustments to rates that depend upon airport operating costs or use of the facilities, and are reset at least annually. Because of the variable nature of these rates, these leases are not recorded as a right-of-use asset or a lease liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company also leases certain technology assets, fuel storage tanks, and various other equipment that qualify as leases under the applicable accounting guidance with lease terms extending up to three years. Certain leases can be renewed from six months to one year. Lease-related assets and liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows:
(in millions) | Balance Sheet location | December 31, 2023 |  | December 31, 2022
Assets |  |  |  |
Operating | Operating lease right-of-use assets (net) | $ | 1,223 |  |  | $ | 1,394 |
Finance | Property and equipment (net of allowance for depreciation and amortization of $477 million and $634 million) | 125 |  |  | 297 |
Total lease assets |  | $ | 1,348 |  |  | $ | 1,691 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Current |  |  |  |
Operating | Current operating lease liabilities | $ | 208 |  |  | $ | 225 |
Finance | Current maturities of long-term debt | 29 |  |  | 42 |
Noncurrent |  |  |  |
Operating | Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 985 |  |  | 1,118 |
Finance | Long-term debt less current maturities | 75 |  |  | 147 |
Total lease liabilities |  | $ | 1,297 |  |  | $ | 1,532 |
The components of lease costs, included in the Consolidated Statement of Income, were as follows:
(in millions) | Year ended December 31, 2023 |  | Year ended December 31, 2022 |  | Year ended December 31, 2021
Operating lease cost - aircraft (a) | $ | 186 |  |  | $ | 188 |  |  | $ | 204 |
Operating lease cost - other | 89 |  |  | 84 |  |  | 81 |
Short-term lease cost | 2 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 1 |
Variable lease cost | 1,733 |  |  | 1,447 |  |  | 1,406 |
Amortization of finance lease liabilities | 44 |  |  | 106 |  |  | 112 |
Interest on finance lease liabilities | 5 |  |  | 15 |  |  | 19 |
Total net lease cost | $ | 2,059 |  |  | $ | 1,842 |  |  | $ | 1,823 |
(a) Net of sublease income of $7 million, $17 million, and $41 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. Supplemental cash flow information related to leases, included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, was as follows:
(in millions) | Year ended December 31, 2023 |  | Year ended December 31, 2022 |  | Year ended December 31, 2021
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: |  |  |  |  |
Operating cash flows for operating leases | $ | 251 |  |  | $ | 303 |  |  | $ | 346 |
Operating cash flows for finance leases | 5 |  |  | 16 |  |  | 19 |
Financing cash flows for finance leases | 32 |  |  | 78 |  |  | 83 |
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: |  |  |  |  |
Operating leases | 82 |  |  | 58 |  |  | 327 |
As of December 31, 2023, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
(in millions) | Operating leases |  | Finance leases |  |  |  |
2024 | $ | 242 |  |  | $ | 33 |  |  |  |  |
2025 | 201 |  |  | 24 |  |  |  |  |
2026 | 186 |  |  | 16 |  |  |  |  |
2027 | 179 |  |  | 16 |  |  |  |  |
2028 | 168 |  |  | 12 |  |  |  |  |
Thereafter | 431 |  |  | 13 |  |  |  |  |
Total lease payments | $ | 1,407 |  |  | $ | 114 |  |  |  |  |
Less imputed interest | (214) |  |  | (10) |  |  |  |  |
Total lease obligations | 1,193 |  |  | 104 |  |  |  |  |
Less current obligations | (208) |  |  | (29) |  |  |  |  |
Long-term lease obligations | $ | 985 |  |  | $ | 75 |  |  |  |  |
The table below presents additional information related to the Company's leases:
Weighted average remaining lease term | December 31, 2023 |  | December 31, 2022
Operating leases | 8 years |  | 8 years
Finance leases | 5 years |  | 6 years
Weighted average discount rate |  |  |
Operating leases | 4.0 | % |  | 3.6 | %
Finance leases | 3.9 | % |  | 3.9 | %
LEASES | LEASES The Company enters into leases for aircraft, property, and other types of equipment in the normal course of business. As allowed under ASC 842, Leases, the Company has elected a practical expedient to exclude from recognition lease assets and lease liabilities associated with leases that have an initial term of twelve months or less. Such expense was not material for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. As of December 31, 2023, the Company held aircraft leases with remaining terms extending up to 10 years. The aircraft leases generally can be renewed for three months to three years at rates based on the fair market value at the end of the lease term. Residual value guarantees included in the Company's lease agreements are not material. In fourth quarter 2022, the Company signed an aircraft sale agreement with AerCap Ireland Limited (“AerCap”) to purchase 39 -700 aircraft, all of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms. As each aircraft purchase was finalized, the Company relieved its related lease liability and continued to recognize the cost of the aircraft within Property a nd equipment section in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company completed the purchase of 31 of these aircraft during fourth quarter 2022, and the remaining eight aircraft during first quarter 2023. The Company paid the lessor $365 million and $88 million in fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2023, respectively, as part of this transaction, of which $191 million and $50 million were recorded as the elimination of the Company’s remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $174 million and $38 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company’s Capital expenditures for fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2023, respectively. In second and third quarter 2023, the Company also entered into additional transactions with third parties to purchase four -700 aircraft, all of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms. The Company paid the lessors $44 million in 2023, of which $3 million was recorded as the elimination of the Company's remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $41 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company's Capital expenditures for 2023. There was no gain or loss recorded as a result of these transactions. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has 24 finance leased aircraft remaining. At each airport where the Company conducts flight operations, the Company has lease agreements, generally with a governmental unit or authority, for the use of airport terminals, airfields, office space, cargo warehouses, gates, and/or maintenance facilities. These leases are classified as operating lease agreements and have remaining lease terms extending up to 37 years. Certain leases can be renewed from one year to 11 years. The majority of the airport terminal leases contain certain provisions for periodic adjustments to rates that depend upon airport operating costs or use of the facilities, and are reset at least annually. Because of the variable nature of these rates, these leases are not recorded as a right-of-use asset or a lease liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company also leases certain technology assets, fuel storage tanks, and various other equipment that qualify as leases under the applicable accounting guidance with lease terms extending up to three years. Certain leases can be renewed from six months to one year. Lease-related assets and liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows:
(in millions) | Balance Sheet location | December 31, 2023 |  | December 31, 2022
Assets |  |  |  |
Operating | Operating lease right-of-use assets (net) | $ | 1,223 |  |  | $ | 1,394 |
Finance | Property and equipment (net of allowance for depreciation and amortization of $477 million and $634 million) | 125 |  |  | 297 |
Total lease assets |  | $ | 1,348 |  |  | $ | 1,691 |
Liabilities |  |  |  |
Current |  |  |  |
Operating | Current operating lease liabilities | $ | 208 |  |  | $ | 225 |
Finance | Current maturities of long-term debt | 29 |  |  | 42 |
Noncurrent |  |  |  |
Operating | Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 985 |  |  | 1,118 |
Finance | Long-term debt less current maturities | 75 |  |  | 147 |
Total lease liabilities |  | $ | 1,297 |  |  | $ | 1,532 |
The components of lease costs, included in the Consolidated Statement of Income, were as follows:
(in millions) | Year ended December 31, 2023 |  | Year ended December 31, 2022 |  | Year ended December 31, 2021
Operating lease cost - aircraft (a) | $ | 186 |  |  | $ | 188 |  |  | $ | 204 |
Operating lease cost - other | 89 |  |  | 84 |  |  | 81 |
Short-term lease cost | 2 |  |  | 2 |  |  | 1 |
Variable lease cost | 1,733 |  |  | 1,447 |  |  | 1,406 |
Amortization of finance lease liabilities | 44 |  |  | 106 |  |  | 112 |
Interest on finance lease liabilities | 5 |  |  | 15 |  |  | 19 |
Total net lease cost | $ | 2,059 |  |  | $ | 1,842 |  |  | $ | 1,823 |
(a) Net of sublease income of $7 million, $17 million, and $41 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. Supplemental cash flow information related to leases, included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, was as follows:
(in millions) | Year ended December 31, 2023 |  | Year ended December 31, 2022 |  | Year ended December 31, 2021
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: |  |  |  |  |
Operating cash flows for operating leases | $ | 251 |  |  | $ | 303 |  |  | $ | 346 |
Operating cash flows for finance leases | 5 |  |  | 16 |  |  | 19 |
Financing cash flows for finance leases | 32 |  |  | 78 |  |  | 83 |
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: |  |  |  |  |
Operating leases | 82 |  |  | 58 |  |  | 327 |
As of December 31, 2023, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
(in millions) | Operating leases |  | Finance leases |  |  |  |
2024 | $ | 242 |  |  | $ | 33 |  |  |  |  |
2025 | 201 |  |  | 24 |  |  |  |  |
2026 | 186 |  |  | 16 |  |  |  |  |
2027 | 179 |  |  | 16 |  |  |  |  |
2028 | 168 |  |  | 12 |  |  |  |  |
Thereafter | 431 |  |  | 13 |  |  |  |  |
Total lease payments | $ | 1,407 |  |  | $ | 114 |  |  |  |  |
Less imputed interest | (214) |  |  | (10) |  |  |  |  |
Total lease obligations | 1,193 |  |  | 104 |  |  |  |  |
Less current obligations | (208) |  |  | (29) |  |  |  |  |
Long-term lease obligations | $ | 985 |  |  | $ | 75 |  |  |  |  |
The table below presents additional information related to the Company's leases:
Weighted average remaining lease term | December 31, 2023 |  | December 31, 2022
Operating leases | 8 years |  | 8 years
Finance leases | 5 years |  | 6 years
Weighted average discount rate |  |  |
Operating leases | 4.0 | % |  | 3.6 | %
Finance leases | 3.9 | % |  | 3.9 | %

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- Definition The entire disclosure for finance leases of lessee. Includes, but is not limited to, description of lessee's finance lease and maturity analysis of finance lease liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 842 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//842-20/tableOfContent + Details
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- Definition The entire disclosure for operating leases of lessee. Includes, but is not limited to, description of operating lease and maturity analysis of operating lease liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 842 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//842-20/tableOfContent + Details
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- Definition The entire disclosure for lessor's operating leases. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 842 -SubTopic 30 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//842-30/tableOfContent + Details
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