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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation JetBlue provides air transportation services across the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, and include the accounts of JetBlue and our subsidiaries. All majority-owned subsidiaries are consolidated with all intercompany transactions and balances being eliminated. Use of Estimates The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Fair Value The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification®, or Codification, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. This topic clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The topic also requires disclosure about how fair value is determined for assets and liabilities and establishes a hierarchy for which these assets and liabilities must be grouped, based on significant levels of inputs. Refer to Note 14 to o ur consolidated financial statements for more information. Cash and Cash Equivalents Our cash and cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments which are readily convertible into cash. These investments include money market securities, commercial paper, and time deposits with maturities of three months or less when purchased. Restricted Cash Restricted cash pri marily consists of se curity deposits, funds held in escrow for estimated workers’ compensation obligations, and performance bonds for aircraft and facility leases. Accounts and Other Receivables Accounts and other receivables are carried at cost. They primarily consist of amounts due from credit card companies associated with sales of tickets for future travel. We estimate an allowance for doubtful accounts based on known troubled accounts, if any, and historical experience of losses incurred, as well as current and expected conditions. Investment Securities Investment securities consist of available-for-sale investment securities and held-to-maturity investment securities. When sold, we use a specific identification method to determine the cost of the securities. Available-for-sale investment securities Our available-for-sale investment securities include highly liquid investments such as time deposits, U.S. Treasury bills with maturities between three and twelve months, commercial paper, and convertible debt securities which are stated at fair value. Held-to-maturity investment securities Our held-to-maturity investments consist of investment-grade interest bearing instruments, such as corporate bonds and U.S. Treasury notes, which are stated at amortized cost. We do not intend to sell these investment securities and the contractual maturities are not greater than 24 months. Those with maturities less than twelve months are included in short-term investments on our consolidated balance sheets. Those with remaining maturities in excess of twelve months are included in long-term investments on our consolidated balance sheets. We did not record any material gains or losses on these securities during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 or 2018. The estimated fair value of these investments approximated their carrying value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. The carrying values of investment securities consisted of the following at December 31, 2020 and 2019 (in millions):
|  | December 31, 2020 |  | December 31, 2019
Available-for-sale securities |  |  |  |
Time deposits |  | $ | 1,130 |  |  | $ | 325 |
Commercial paper |  | — |  |  | 20 |
Debt securities |  | 7 |  |  | 6 |
Total available-for-sale securities |  | 1,137 |  |  | 351 |
Held-to-maturity securities |  |  |  |
Corporate bonds |  | — |  |  | 21 |
Total held-to-maturity securities |  | — |  |  | 21 |
Total investment securities |  | $ | 1,137 |  |  | $ | 372 |
Equity Method Investments Investments in which we can exercise significant influence are accounted for using the equity method in accordance with Topic 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures of the Codification. The carrying amount of our equity method investments, which is recorded within other assets on our consolidated balance sheets, was $34 million and $38 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. In September 2019, we recognized a gain of $15 million on one of our equity method investments related to its fair value measurement upon the closing of a subsequent financing round. Other Investments Our wholly-owned subsidiary, JetBlue Technology Ventures, LLC, or JTV, has equity investments in emerging companies which do not have readily determinable fair values. In accordance with Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, we account for these investments using a measurement alternative which allows entities to measure these investments at cost, less any impairment, adjusted for changes from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identifiable or similar investments of the same issuer. The carrying amount of these investments was $40 million and $41 million as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. We have an approximate 10% ownership interest in the TWA Flight Center Hotel at John F. Kennedy International Airport and it is also accounted for under the measurement alternative. The carrying amount of this investment was $14 million and $13 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Derivative Instruments Our derivative instruments include fuel hedge contracts, such as jet fuel call options and call option spreads, which are stated at fair value, net of any collateral po stings. Derivative instruments are included in other current assets and other current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 13 to our c o nsolidated financial statements for more information. Inventories Inventories consist of expendable aircraft spare parts and supplies that are stated at average cost, as well as aircraft fuel that is accounted for on a first-in, first-out basis. These items are expensed when used or consumed. An allowance for obsolescence on aircraft spare parts and supplies is provided over the remaining useful life of the related aircraft fleet. Property and Equipment We record our property and equipment at cost and depreciate these assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. We capitalize additions, modifications enhancing the operating performance of our assets, as well as the interest related to pre-delivery deposits used to acquire new aircraft and the construction of our facilities. Estimated useful lives and residual values for our property and equipment are as follows:
Property and Equipment Type |  | Estimated Useful Life |  | Residual Value
Aircraft |  | 25 years |  | 20 | %
Inflight entertainment systems |  | 5-10 years |  | 0 | %
Aircraft parts |  | Fleet life |  | 10 | %
Flight equipment leasehold improvements |  | Lower of lease term or economic life |  | 0 | %
Ground property and equipment |  | 2-10 years |  | 0 | %
Leasehold improvements—other |  | Lower of lease term or economic life |  | 0 | %
Buildings on leased land |  | Lease term |  | 0 | %
Property under finance leases is initially recorded at an amount equal to the present value of future minimum lease payments which is computed on the basis of our incremental borrowing rate or, when known, the interest rate implicit in the lease. Amortization of property under finance leases is on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life to their estimated residual values and is included in depreciation and amortization expense. We record impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate the assets may be impaired and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by the assets are less than the assets’ net book value. If impairment occurs, the loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the asset to its carrying amount. Software We capitalize certain costs related to the acquisition and development of computer software. We amortize these costs using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, which is generally five years. The net book value of computer software, which is included in intangible assets on our consolidated balance sheets, was $121 million and $102 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amortization expense related to computer software was $44 million, $52 million and $46 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, amortization expense related to computer software is expected to be approximately $38 million in 2021, $34 million in 2022, $27 million in 2023, $16 million in 2024, and $6 million in 2025. Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Our indefinite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of acquired Slots at certain High Density Airports which result in no amortization expense. Slots are the rights to take-off or land at a specific airport during a specific time period of the day and are a means by which airport capacity and congestion can be managed. We evaluate our indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually or when events and circumstances indicate they may be impaired. Indicators include operating or cash flow losses as well as various market factors to determine if events and circumstances could reasonably have affected the fair value. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, our indefinite-lived intangible assets, which are included in intangible assets on our consolidated balance sheets, were $139 million. We performed an impairment assessment as of December 31, 2020 and determined our indefinite-lived intangible assets were not impaired. Passenger Revenue Ticket sales and the fees collected for related ancillary services are initially deferred in air traffic liability. Air traffic liability represents tickets sold but not yet flown, credits which can be used for future travel, and a portion of the liability related to our TrueBlue® loyalty program. We allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation identified in a passenger ticket on a relative standalone basis. Passenger revenue, including certain ancillary fees directly related to passenger tickets, is recognized when the transportation is provided. Taxes that we are required to collect from our customers, including foreign and U.S. federal transportation taxes, security taxes, and airport facility charges, are excluded from passenger revenue. Those taxes and fees are recorded as a liability upon collection and are relieved from the liability upon remittance to the applicable governmental agency. The majority of the tickets sold are non-refundable. Non-refundable fares may be canceled prior to the scheduled departure date for a credit for future travel. Refundable fares may be canceled at any time prior to the scheduled departure date. Failure to cancel a refundable fare prior to departure will result in the cancellation of the original ticket and an issuance of a credit for future travel. Passenger credits can be used for future travel up to a year from the date of issuance. Passenger breakage revenue from unused tickets and passenger credits will be recognized in proportion to flown revenue based on estimates of expected expiration when the likelihood of the customer exercising his or her remaining rights becomes remote. Breakage revenue consists of non-refundable tickets that remain unused past the departure date, have continued validity, and are expected to ultimately expire unused, as well as passenger credits that are not expected to be redeemed prior to expiration. JetBlue uses estimates based on historical experience of expired tickets and credits and considers other factors that could impact future expiration patterns of tickets and credits. Tickets which do not have continued validity past the departure date are recognized as revenue after the scheduled departure date has lapsed. Passenger ticket costs primarily include credit card fees, commissions paid, and global distribution systems booking fees. Costs are allocated entirely to the purchased travel services and are capitalized until recognized when travel services are provided to the customer. In response to the impact of COVID-19 on air travel, we extended the expiration dates for travel credits issued from February 27, 2020 through June 30, 2020 to a 24-month period. The air traffic liability classified as non-current as of December 31, 2020 represents our current estimate of tickets and credits to be used or refunded beyond one year, while the balance classified as current represents our current estimate of tickets and credits to be used or refunded within one year. We will continue to monitor our customers' travel behavior and may adjust our estimates in the future. Loyalty Program Customers may earn points under our customer loyalty program, TrueBlue®, based on the fare paid and fare product purchased for a flight. Customers can also earn points through business partners such as credit card companies, hotels, car rental companies, and our participating airline partners. Points Earned From a Ticket Purchase. When a TrueBlue® member travels, we recognize a portion of the fare as revenue and defer in air traffic liabilities the portion that represents the value of the points net of spoilage, or breakage. We allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative standalone basis. We determine the standalone selling price of TrueBlue® points issued using the redemption value approach. To maximize the use of observable inputs, we utilize the actual ticket value of the tickets purchased with TrueBlue® points. The liability is relieved and passenger revenue is recognized when the points are redeemed and the free travel is provided. Points Sold to TrueBlue® Partners. Our most significant contract to sell TrueBlue® points is with our co-branded credit card partner. Co-branded credit card partnerships have the following identified performance obligations: air transportation; use of the JetBlue brand name and access to our frequent flyer customer lists; advertising; and other airline benefits. In determining the estimated selling price, JetBlue considered multiple inputs, methods and assumptions, including: discounted cash flows; estimated redemption value, net of fulfillment discount; points expected to be awarded and redeemed; estimated annual spending by cardholders; estimated annual royalty for use of JetBlue's frequent flyer customer lists; and estimated utilization of other airline benefits. Payments are typically due monthly based on the volume of points sold during the period, and the terms of our contracts are generally from one to seven years. The overall consideration received is allocated to each performance obligation based on their standalone relative selling prices. The air transportation element is deferred and recognized as passenger revenue when the points are utilized. The other elements are recognized as other revenue when the performance obligation related to those services are satisfied, which is generally the same period as when consideration is received from the participating company. Amounts allocated to the air transportation element which are initially deferred include a portion that are expected to be redeemed during the following twelve months (classified as a component of Air traffic liability), and a portion that are not expected to be redeemed during the following twelve months (classified as Air traffic liability - non-current). We periodically update this analysis and adjust the split between current and non-current liabilities as appropriate. Points earned by TrueBlue® members never expire. TrueBlue® members can pool points between small groups of people, branded as Points Pooling™. Breakage is estimated using historical redemption patterns to determine a breakage rate. Breakage rates used to estimate breakage revenue are evaluated annually. Changes to breakage estimates impact revenue recognition prospectively. Airframe and Engine Maintenance and Repair Regular airframe maintenance for owned and leased flight equipment is charged to expense as incurred unless covered by a third-party long-term flight hour service agreement. We have separate service agreements in place covering scheduled and unscheduled repairs of certain airframe line replacement unit components as well as the engines in our fleet. Certain of these agreements require monthly payments at rates based either on the number of cycles each aircraft was operated during each month or the number of flight hours each engine was operated during each month, subject to annual escalations. These power by the hour agreements transfer certain risks, including cost risks, to the third-party service providers. They generally fix the amount we pay per flight hour or number of cycles in exchange for maintenance and repairs under a predefined maintenance program, which are representative of the time and materials that would be consumed. These costs are expensed as the related flight hours or cycles are incurred. Advertising Costs Advertising costs, which are included in sales and marketing, are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $45 million i n 2020, $66 million in 2019 and $72 million in 2018. Share-Based Compensation We record compensation expense for share-based awards based on the grant date fair value of those awards. Share-based compensation expense includes an estimate for pre-vesting forfeitures and is recognized over the requisite service periods of the awards on a straight-line basis. Income Taxes We account for income taxes utilizing the liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax and financial statement reporting bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is provided unless realization of the asset is judged by us to be more likely than not. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Recently Issued Accounting Standards New accounting rules and disclosure requirements can impact our financial results and the comparability of our financial statements. The authoritative literature which has recently been issued and that we believe will impact our consolidated financial statements is described below. There are also several new proposals under development. If and when enacted, these proposals may have a significant impact on our financial statements. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The update eliminates, clarifies, and modifies certain guidance related to the accounting for income taxes. This update also removed the requirement to calculate income tax expense for standalone financial statements of wholly-owned subsidiaries. ASU 2019-12 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020. We have substantially completed our assessment of the new standard and do not expect its adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The update requires the use of an "expected loss" model on certain types of financial instruments and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to calculate credit loss estimates. For trade receivables, loans, and held-to-maturity debt securities, entities are required to estimate lifetime expected credit losses. For available-for-sale debt securities, entities will be required to recognize an allowance for credit losses rather than a reduction to the carrying value of the asset. We adopted the requirements of ASU 2016-13 as of January 1, 2020 using a modified retrospective transition approach. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The update eliminates, adds, and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. We adopted the requirements of ASU 2018-13 as of January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statement disclosures.

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