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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023
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, Latin America, Canada, and Europe. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), and include the accounts of JetBlue and our subsidiaries. All majority-owned subsidiaries are consolidated with all intercompany transactions and balances being eliminated. Unless otherwise noted, all amounts disclosed are stated before consideration of income taxes. 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 (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification® (“ASC” or the “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 in puts. Refer to Note 13 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 letters of credit, including a $65 million letter of credit for a 5% ownership in JFK Millennium Partners (“JMP”) as well as estimated workers’ compensation obligations. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are carried at cost, which primarily consist of amounts due from credit card companies related to sales of tickets for future travel and amounts due from our co-branded credit card partners. 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 in Debt Securities Investments in debt 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. Refer to Note 13 for an explanation of the fair value hierarchy structure and Note 14 for more information. Investment in Equity Securities Equity method investments. Investments in which we can exercise significant influence are accounted for using the equity method in accordance with ASC Topic 323, Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures of the Codification. Equity investment securities. Our equity investment securities include investments in common stocks of publicly traded companies which are stated at fair value. Equity investments. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, JetBlue Ventures (“JBV”), has equity investments in emerging companies which do not have readily determinable fair values and are accounted for using a measurement alternative. TWA Hotel. 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 in other assets section of the consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 14 for more information. 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 postings. Derivative instruments are included in other current assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 12 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 property and equipment at cost and depreciate to an estimated residual value on a straight-line basis over the asset's estimated useful life. We capitalize additions, asset modifications which extend the useful life or enhance performance, as well as interest related to pre-delivery deposits used to acquire new aircraft and the construction of our facilities. Estimated useful lives and residual values for property and equipment are summarized as follows:
Property and Equipment Type |  | Estimated Useful Life |  | Residual Value
Aircraft (1) |  | 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 | %
(1) The estimated remaining useful life of our Embraer E190 fleet ranges from 0-2 years with an average residual value of 12%. In addition, five Airbus A320 airframe were extended to an estimated useful life of between 26 to 27 years with an average residual value of $1.5 million. 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 $157 million and $123 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Amortization expense related to computer software was $62 million, $51 million, and $45 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, amortization expense related to computer software is expected to be as follows (in millions):
|  | Amortization Expense
2024 |  | $ | 57 |
2025 |  | 43 |
2026 |  | 30 |
2027 |  | 21 |
2028 |  | 5 |
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Our indefinite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of acquired slots at certain high density airports which results in no amortization of expense. Slots are the rights to take-off or land at a specific airport during a specified time of day and are a means by which airport capacity and congestion can be managed. We evaluate our indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently as needed when events and circumstances indicate an impairment may exist. Impairment 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, 2023 and 2022, 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, 2023 and determined our indefinite-lived intangible assets were not impaired. Passenger Revenue Ticket sales and related ancillary fees 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. The transaction price is allocated 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 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 passenger 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 booking. 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 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. 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 liability the portion that represents the value of the points net of spoilage, or breakage. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation on a relative standalone basis. We determine the relative 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 points are redeemed and 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 relative standalone selling price for co-brand credit card arrangements, 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 ten years. The overall consideration received is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The air transportation element is deferred and recognized as passenger revenue when the points are redeemed. The other elements are recognized as other revenue when the performance obligations 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 (included within air traffic liability), and a portion that are not expected to be redeemed during the following twelve months (included within 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 Repairs Regular airframe maintenance for owned and leased flight equipment is expensed 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 engines in our fleet. Certain of these agreements are under a power-by-the-hour agreement, which requires monthly payments at rates based on either the number of operating aircraft cycles or engine flight hours each month in exchange for a predetermined maintenance program. These power-by-the-hour agreements, if they meet certain criteria, transfer risk to the third-party service provider and therefore, are expensed based on actual flight hours or aircraft cycles occurring each period. Advertising Costs Advertising costs, which are included in sales and marketing, are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $66 million i n 2023, $59 million in 2022, and $45 million in 2021. 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. Refer to Note 7 for more information. 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. Refer to Note 8 for more information. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Standards Update 2023-09—Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (ASU 2023-09) ASU 2023-09 requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity's effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid. Income taxes paid (net of refunds received) will be required to be disaggregated by federal, state and foreign jurisdictions. The disaggregation is based on a quantitative threshold of 5% of total income taxes paid, net of refunds received. Income (loss) before income tax benefit (expense) is also required to be disaggregated between domestic and foreign jurisdictions. ASU 2023-09 eliminates the requirement to disclose the cumulative amounts of temporary differences not recognized due to deferred tax liabilities. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The standard will be applied prospectively, with the option to apply on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. We do not intend to early adopt this standard. Accounting Standards Update 2023-07—Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures (ASU 2023-07) ASU 2023-07 requires a reporting entity to disclose significant segment expense categories and other segment items for each reportable segment on an annual and interim basis. Annual disclosures about a segments income (loss) will be required on an interim basis. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2024. The standard will be applied on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. We do not intend to early adopt this standard.

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