Edgar Filing: United Continental Holdings, Inc.

10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

LOGO


Commission File Number	Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter, Principal Executive Office Address and Telephone Number	State of Incorporation	I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
001-06033	United Continental Holdings, Inc. 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 (872) 825-4000	Delaware	36-2675207
001-10323	United Airlines, Inc. 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 (872) 825-4000	Delaware	74-2099724

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.


		United Continental Holdings, Inc.		Yes ☒ No ☐
		United Airlines, Inc.		Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this Chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).


		United Continental Holdings, Inc.		Yes ☒ No ☐
		United Airlines, Inc.		Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


United Continental Holdings, Inc.	Large accelerated filer ☒	Accelerated filer ☐	Non-accelerated filer ☐	Smaller reporting company ☐	Emerging growth company ☐
United Airlines, Inc.	Large accelerated filer ☐	Accelerated filer ☐	Non-accelerated filer ☒	Smaller reporting company ☐	Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.


		United Continental Holdings, Inc.		☐
		United Airlines, Inc.		☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).


		United Continental Holdings, Inc.		Yes ☐ No ☒
		United Airlines, Inc.		Yes ☐ No ☒

The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of October 12, 2017 is shown below:

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

296,252,435 shares of common stock ($0.01 par value)

United Airlines, Inc.

1,000 (100% owned by United Continental Holdings, Inc.)

There is no market for United Airlines, Inc. common stock.

OMISSION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION

This combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is separately filed by United Continental Holdings, Inc. and United Airlines, Inc. United Airlines, Inc. meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format allowed under that General Instruction.

United Continental Holdings, Inc.

United Airlines, Inc.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2017


		Page

	PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	United Continental Holdings, Inc.:
	Statements of Consolidated Operations		3
	Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)		4
	Consolidated Balance Sheets		5
	Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows		7
	United Airlines, Inc.:
	Statements of Consolidated Operations		8
	Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss)		9
	Consolidated Balance Sheets		10
	Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows		12
	Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (United Continental Holdings, Inc. and United Airlines, Inc.)		13
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		25
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		37
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		38

	PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		39
Item 1A.	Risk Factors		39
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		39
Item 6.	Exhibits		39
Exhibit Index			40
Signatures			41

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions, except per share amounts)


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Operating revenue:
Passenger—Mainline	$	7,083	$	7,017	$	19,970	$	19,119
Passenger—Regional		1,445		1,586		4,354		4,577

Total passenger revenue		8,528		8,603		24,324		23,696
Cargo		257		224		731		626
Other operating revenue		1,093		1,086		3,243		3,182

Total operating revenue		9,878		9,913		28,298		27,504

Operating expense:
Salaries and related costs		2,812		2,625		8,341		7,707
Aircraft fuel		1,809		1,603		5,038		4,258
Landing fees and other rent		585		546		1,670		1,612
Regional capacity purchase		567		572		1,652		1,645
Depreciation and amortization		556		503		1,610		1,473
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs		451		451		1,377		1,301
Distribution expenses		352		345		1,021		987
Aircraft rent		145		168		476		521
Special charges (Note 10)		50		45		145		669
Other operating expenses		1,459		1,431		4,199		3,998

Total operating expenses		8,786		8,289		25,529		24,171

Operating income		1,092		1,624		2,769		3,333

Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense		(164)		(150)		(472)		(466)
Interest capitalized		20		20		64		48
Interest income		17		14		41		31
Miscellaneous, net (Note 10)		15		2		(3)		(11)

Total nonoperating expense, net		(112)		(114)		(370)		(398)

Income before income taxes		980		1,510		2,399		2,935
Income tax expense		343		545		848		1,069

Net income	$	637	$	965	$	1,551	$	1,866

Earnings per share, basic	$	2.12	$	3.02	$	5.06	$	5.57

Earnings per share, diluted	$	2.12	$	3.01	$	5.04	$	5.57

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Net income	$	637	$	965	$	1,551	$	1,866

Other comprehensive income (loss), net change related to:
Fuel derivative financial instruments, net of taxes		—		12		1		123
Employee benefit plans, net of taxes		3		(75)		(1)		(89)
Investments and other, net of taxes		17		(1)		5		(1)

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net		20		(64)		5		33


Total comprehensive income, net	$	657	$	901	$	1,556	$	1,899

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)


	(Unaudited) September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,870	$	2,179
Short-term investments		2,458		2,249
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2017 — $11; 2016 — $10)		1,603		1,176
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2017 — $342; 2016 — $295)		937		873
Prepaid expenses and other		1,009		832

Total current assets		7,877		7,309

Operating property and equipment:
Owned—
Flight equipment		29,043		25,873
Other property and equipment		6,186		5,652

Total owned property and equipment		35,229		31,525
Less — Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(11,358)		(9,975)

Total owned property and equipment, net		23,871		21,550


Purchase deposits for flight equipment		1,044		1,059

Capital leases—
Flight equipment		1,136		1,319
Other property and equipment		488		331

Total capital leases		1,624		1,650
Less — Accumulated amortization		(910)		(941)

Total capital leases, net		714		709

Total operating property and equipment, net		25,629		23,318

Other assets:
Goodwill		4,523		4,523
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2017 — $1,294; 2016 — $1,234)		3,558		3,632
Deferred income taxes		—		655
Restricted cash		96		124
Investments in affiliates and other, net		882		579

Total other assets		9,059		9,513

Total assets	$	42,565	$	40,140

(continued on next page)

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)


	(Unaudited) September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Advance ticket sales	$	4,537	$	3,730
Accounts payable		2,231		2,139
Frequent flyer deferred revenue		1,992		2,135
Accrued salaries and benefits		1,983		2,307
Current maturities of long-term debt		1,516		849
Current maturities of capital leases		125		116
Other		703		1,010

Total current liabilities		13,087		12,286


Long-term debt		11,334		9,918
Long-term obligations under capital leases		968		822

Other liabilities and deferred credits:
Frequent flyer deferred revenue		2,793		2,748
Postretirement benefit liability		1,588		1,581
Pension liability		1,631		1,892
Deferred income taxes		253		—
Advanced purchase of miles		106		430
Lease fair value adjustment, net		219		277
Other		1,616		1,527

Total other liabilities and deferred credits		8,206		8,455

Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock		—		—
Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; outstanding 296,252,431 and 314,612,744 shares at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively		3		3
Additional capital invested		6,591		6,569
Retained earnings		4,991		3,427
Stock held in treasury, at cost		(1,791)		(511)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(824)		(829)

Total stockholders’ equity		8,970		8,659

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	42,565	$	40,140

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	2,685	$	4,884

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures		(2,900)		(2,343)
Purchases of short-term and other investments		(2,584)		(1,989)
Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments		2,380		1,957
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		8		24
Investment in and loans to affiliates		—		(8)
Other, net		142		(5)

Net cash used in investing activities		(2,954)		(2,364)


Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt and airport construction financing		2,119		510
Repurchases of common stock		(1,291)		(2,442)
Payments of long-term debt		(722)		(911)
Principal payments under capital leases		(84)		(95)
Other, net		(77)		(40)

Net cash used in financing activities		(55)		(2,978)

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(324)		(458)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period		2,303		3,212

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period (a)	$	1,979	$	2,754


Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt and capital leases	$	918	$	115
Airport construction financing		41		68
Operating lease conversions to capital lease		—		12

(a) The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to amounts reported within the consolidated balance sheet:


Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,870	$	2,630
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other		13		1
Other assets:
Restricted cash		96		123

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	1,979	$	2,754

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Operating revenue:
Passenger—Mainline	$	7,083	$	7,017	$	19,970	$	19,119
Passenger—Regional		1,445		1,586		4,354		4,577

Total passenger revenue		8,528		8,603		24,324		23,696
Cargo		257		224		731		626
Other operating revenue		1,093		1,086		3,243		3,182

Total operating revenue		9,878		9,913		28,298		27,504

Operating expense:
Salaries and related costs		2,812		2,625		8,341		7,707
Aircraft fuel		1,809		1,603		5,038		4,258
Landing fees and other rent		585		546		1,670		1,612
Regional capacity purchase		567		572		1,652		1,645
Depreciation and amortization		556		503		1,610		1,473
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs		451		451		1,377		1,301
Distribution expenses		352		345		1,021		987
Aircraft rent		145		168		476		521
Special charges (Note 10)		50		45		145		669
Other operating expenses		1,459		1,431		4,198		3,997

Total operating expense		8,786		8,289		25,528		24,170

Operating income		1,092		1,624		2,770		3,334

Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense		(164)		(150)		(472)		(466)
Interest capitalized		20		20		64		48
Interest income		17		14		41		31
Miscellaneous, net (Note 10)		15		2		(3)		(11)

Total nonoperating expense, net		(112)		(114)		(370)		(398)

Income before income taxes		980		1,510		2,400		2,936
Income tax expense		343		545		848		1,069

Net income	$	637	$	965	$	1,552	$	1,867

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Net income	$	637	$	965	$	1,552	$	1,867

Other comprehensive income (loss), net change related to:
Fuel derivative financial instruments, net of taxes		—		12		1		123
Employee benefit plans, net of taxes		3		(75)		(1)		(89)
Investments and other, net of taxes		17		(1)		5		(1)

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net		20		(64)		5		33


Total comprehensive income, net	$	657	$	901	$	1,557	$	1,900

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)


	(Unaudited)
	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,864	$	2,173
Short-term investments		2,458		2,249
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2017 — $11; 2016 — $10)		1,603		1,176
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2017 — $342; 2016 — $295)		937		873
Prepaid expenses and other		1,008		832

Total current assets		7,870		7,303

Operating property and equipment:
Owned—
Flight equipment		29,043		25,873
Other property and equipment		6,186		5,652

Total owned property and equipment		35,229		31,525
Less — Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(11,358)		(9,975)

Total owned property and equipment, net		23,871		21,550


Purchase deposits for flight equipment		1,044		1,059

Capital leases—
Flight equipment		1,136		1,319
Other property and equipment		488		331

Total capital leases		1,624		1,650
Less — Accumulated amortization		(910)		(941)

Total capital leases, net		714		709

Total operating property and equipment, net		25,629		23,318

Other assets:
Goodwill		4,523		4,523
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2017 — $1,294; 2016 — $1,234)		3,558		3,632
Deferred income taxes		—		612
Restricted cash		96		124
Investments in affiliates and other, net		882		579

Total other assets		9,059		9,470

Total assets	$	42,558	$	40,091

(continued on next page)

UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except shares)


	(Unaudited)
	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Advance ticket sales	$	4,537	$	3,730
Accounts payable		2,231		2,144
Frequent flyer deferred revenue		1,992		2,135
Accrued salaries and benefits		1,983		2,307
Current maturities of long-term debt		1,516		849
Current maturities of capital leases		125		116
Other		707		1,009

Total current liabilities		13,091		12,290


Long-term debt		11,334		9,918
Long-term obligations under capital leases		968		822

Other liabilities and deferred credits:
Frequent flyer deferred revenue		2,793		2,748
Postretirement benefit liability		1,588		1,581
Pension liability		1,631		1,892
Deferred income taxes		297		—
Advanced purchase of miles		106		430
Lease fair value adjustment, net		219		277
Other		1,616		1,527

Total other liabilities and deferred credits		8,250		8,455

Commitments and contingencies
Stockholder’s equity:
Common stock at par, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,000 shares at both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016		—		—
Additional capital invested		2,325		3,573
Retained earnings		7,504		5,937
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(824)		(829)
Receivable from related parties		(90)		(75)

Total stockholder’s equity		8,915		8,606

Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity	$	42,558	$	40,091

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	2,671	$	4,878

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures		(2,900)		(2,343)
Purchases of short-term investments and other investments		(2,584)		(1,989)
Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments		2,380		1,957
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		8		24
Investment in and loans to affiliates		—		(8)
Other, net		142		(5)

Net cash used in investing activities		(2,954)		(2,364)


Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt and airport construction financing		2,119		510
Dividend to UAL		(1,291)		(2,442)
Payments of long-term debt		(722)		(911)
Principal payments under capital leases		(84)		(95)
Other, net		(63)		(34)

Net cash used in financing activities		(41)		(2,972)

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(324)		(458)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period		2,297		3,206

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period (a)	$	1,973	$	2,748


Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt and capital leases	$	918	$	115
Airport construction financing		41		68
Operating lease conversions to capital lease		—		12

(a) The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to amounts reported within the consolidated balance sheet:


Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,864	$	2,624
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other		13		1
Other assets:
Restricted cash		96		123

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	1,973	$	2,748

The accompanying Combined Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND UNITED AIRLINES, INC.

COMBINED NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UAL” or the “Company”) is a holding company and its principal, wholly-owned subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “United”). This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL and United, including their respective consolidated financial statements. As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL, unless otherwise noted. United’s operating revenues and operating expenses comprise nearly 100% of UAL’s revenues and operating expenses. In addition, United comprises approximately the entire balance of UAL’s 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. We sometimes use the words “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” in this report for disclosures that relate to all of UAL and United.

The UAL and United unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements shown here have been prepared as required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Some information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements that comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted as permitted by the SEC. The financial statements include all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments and other adjustments, which are considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations. The UAL and United financial statements should be read together with the information included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company’s quarterly financial data is subject to seasonal fluctuations and historically its second and third quarter financial results, which reflect higher travel demand, are better than its first and fourth quarter financial results.

NOTE 1 - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This amendment prescribes that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendment supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Accounting Standards Codification. The Company will use the full-retrospective approach in adopting this standard on January 1, 2018. We have reached conclusions on the applicability of the standard on accounting for contracts with customers. The standard impacts the classification of certain revenue streams and affects the timing of revenue and expense recognition for others. The most significant impact is the reclassification of certain ancillary fees from other operating revenue into passenger revenue on the statement of consolidated operations. For 2016, the amount to be reclassified at adoption of the new standard from other operating revenue into passenger revenue under Topic 606 is approximately $2.0 billion. These ancillary fees are directly related to passenger travel, such as ticket change fees and baggage fees and will no longer be considered distinct performance obligations separate from the passenger travel component. In addition, the ticket change fees, which were previously recognized when received, will be recognized when transportation is provided. While the classification of certain transactions within operating revenue and between operating revenue and operating expenses will change, the Company believes that the adoption of the standard will not have a material impact on its earnings.

In February 2016, the FASB amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 842, Leases (“Topic 842”). The guidance requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date and recognize expenses on their income statements similar to the current Topic 840, Leases. It is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. Lessees and lessors are required to adopt Topic 842 using a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at or commencing after the date of initial application with an option to use certain practical expedients. We have not completed our evaluation of the impact but believe this standard will have a significant impact on our consolidated balance sheets but is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows. The primary effect of adopting the new standard will be to record assets and obligations for its operating leases.

In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10) (“ASU 2016-01”). This standard makes several changes, including the elimination of the available-for-sale classification of equity investments, and requires equity investments with readily determinable fair values to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. It is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Based on its portfolio of investments as of September 30, 2017, the Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (“ASU 2017-07”). The update requires employers to present the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The other components of net benefit cost, including interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service cost/credit and actuarial gain/loss, and settlement and curtailment effects, are to be presented outside of any subtotal of operating income. Employers will have to disclose the line(s) used to present the other components of net periodic benefit cost, if the components are not presented separately in the income statement. ASU 2017-07 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-07 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The computations of UAL’s basic and diluted earnings per share are set forth below (in millions, except per share amounts):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Earnings available to common stockholders	$	637	$	965	$	1,551	$	1,866

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		299.8		320.0		306.8		334.9
Effect of employee stock awards		0.8		0.4		0.8		0.3

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding		300.6		320.4		307.6		335.2

Earnings per share, basic	$	2.12	$	3.02	$	5.06	$	5.57
Earnings per share, diluted	$	2.12	$	3.01	$	5.04	$	5.57

The number of antidilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share amounts was not material.

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, UAL repurchased approximately 8 million and 18 million shares of UAL common stock in open market transactions, respectively, for $0.6 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had approximately $0.6 billion remaining to purchase shares under its existing share repurchase authority. UAL may repurchase shares through the open market, privately negotiated transactions, block trades or accelerated share repurchase transactions from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws. UAL will repurchase shares of UAL common stock subject to prevailing market conditions, and may discontinue such repurchases at any time. See Part II, Item 2., “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” of this report for additional information.

NOTE 3 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The tables below present the components of the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (“AOCI”) (in millions):


							Deferred Taxes
UAL	Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities		Fuel Derivative Contracts		Investments and Other		Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities		Fuel Derivative Contracts		Investments and Other		Total
Balance at June 30, 2017	$	(860)	$	—	$	(16)	$	26	$	—	$	6	$	(844)
Changes in value		(9)		—		26		3		—		(9)		11
Amounts reclassified to earnings		14		—		—		(5)		—		—		9

Net change		5		—		26		(2)		—		(9)		20

Balance at September 30, 2017	$	(855)	$	—	$	10	$	24	$	—	$	(3)	$	(824)

Balance at December 31, 2016	$	(854)	$	(2)	$	1	$	24	$	1	$	1	$	(829)
Changes in value		(42)		—		9		15		—		(3)		(21)
Amounts reclassified to earnings		41		2		—		(15)		(1)		(1)		26

Net change		(1)		2		9		—		(1)		(4)		5

Balance at September 30, 2017	$	(855)	$	—	$	10	$	24	$	—	$	(3)	$	(824)


							Deferred Taxes
UAL	Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities		Fuel Derivative Contracts		Investments and Other		Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities		Fuel Derivative Contracts		Investments and Other		Total
Balance at June 30, 2016	$	(385)	$	(41)	$	3	$	(146)	$	(165)	$	—	$	(734)
Changes in value		(124)		(6)		1		45		2		(1)		(83)
Amounts reclassified to earnings		6		24		(2)		(2)		(8)		1		19

Net change		(118)		18		(1)		43		(6)		—		(64)

Balance at September 30, 2016	$	(503)	$	(23)	$	2	$	(103)	$	(171)	$	—	$	(798)

Balance at December 31, 2015	$	(363)	$	(215)	$	3	$	(154)	$	(102)	$	—	$	(831)
Changes in value		(157)		(5)		1		57		2		(1)		(103)
Amounts reclassified to earnings		17		197		(2)		(6)		(71)		1		136

Net change		(140)		192		(1)		51		(69)		—		33

Balance at September 30, 2016	$	(503)	$	(23)	$	2	$	(103)	$	(171)	$	—	$	(798)


Details about AOCI Components	Amount Reclassified from AOCI to Income								Affected Line Item in the Statements of Consolidated Operations
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Pension and other postretirement liabilities
Amortization of unrecognized losses and prior service cost (a)		$ 14		$ 6		$ 41		$ 17		Salaries and related costs
Fuel derivative contracts
Reclassifications of losses into earnings		—		24		2		197		Aircraft fuel
Investments and other
Reclassifications of gains into earnings		—		(2)		—		(2)		Miscellaneous, net

(a) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs (see Note 5 of this report for additional information).

NOTE 4 - INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was 35.0% and 35.3%, respectively, and the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was 36.1% and 36.4%, respectively. The effective tax rates represented a blend of federal, state and foreign taxes and included the impact of certain nondeductible items. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 also reflects the impact of a change in the mix of domestic and foreign earnings.

NOTE 5 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. The Company’s net periodic benefit cost includes the following components (in millions):


	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Service cost	$	48	$	29	$	4	$	4
Interest cost		55		50		16		22
Expected return on plan assets		(61)		(54)		—		—
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)		32		19		(18)		(13)
Settlement loss		3		2		—		—
Curtailment gain		—		—		—		(47)

Total	$	77	$	46	$	2	$	(34)


	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	Nine Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Service cost	$	146	$	84	$	10	$	14
Interest cost		165		151		50		66
Expected return on plan assets		(182)		(162)		(1)		(1)
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)		95		57		(54)		(40)
Settlement loss		5		4		—		—
Curtailment gain		—		—		—		(47)

Total	$	229	$	134	$	5	$	(8)

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company contributed $160 million and $400 million, respectively, to its U.S. domestic tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans.

Share-Based Compensation. During the first nine months of 2017, UAL’s Board of Directors and stockholders approved the United Continental Holdings, Inc. 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2017 Plan”). The 2017 Plan is an incentive compensation plan that allows the Company to use different forms of long-term equity incentives to attract, retain, and reward officers and employees (including prospective officers and employees). The 2017 Plan replaced the United Continental Holdings, Inc. 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2008 Plan”). Any awards granted under the 2008 Plan prior to the approval of the 2017 Plan remain in effect pursuant to their terms. Awards may not be granted under the 2017 Plan after May 24, 2027. Under the 2017 Plan, the Company may grant: non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted share units (“RSUs”), performance compensation awards, performance units, cash incentive awards, other equity-based and equity-related awards, and dividends and dividend equivalents.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, UAL granted share-based compensation awards pursuant to both the 2008 Plan and the 2017 Plan. These share-based compensation awards include 1.5 million RSUs, consisting of 0.9 million time-vested RSUs and 0.6 million performance-based RSUs, and 36,000 stock options. The time-vested RSUs vest pro-rata, on February 28th of each year, over a three year period from the date of grant. These RSUs are generally equity awards settled in stock for domestic employees and liability awards settled in cash for international employees. The cash payments are based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date. The performance-based RSUs vest based on the Company’s relative improvement in pre-tax margin for the three years ending December 31, 2019. If this performance condition is achieved, cash payments will be made after the end of the performance period based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date. The Company accounts for the performance-based RSUs as liability awards.

The table below presents information related to share-based compensation (in millions):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Share-based compensation expense	$	10	$	23	$	66	$	36

	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Unrecognized share-based compensation	$	90	$	65

NOTE 6 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

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):


	September 30, 2017								December 31, 2016
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,870	$	1,870	$	—	$	—	$	2,179	$	2,179	$	—	$	—
Short-term investments:
Corporate debt		959		—		959		—		835		—		835		—
Asset-backed securities		891		—		891		—		792		—		792		—
Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (“CDARS”)		142		—		142		—		246		—		246		—
U.S. government and agency notes		112		—		112		—		140		—		140		—
Other fixed-income securities		171		—		171		—		54		—		54		—
Other investments measured at NAV		183		—		—		—		182		—		—		—
Restricted cash		109		109		—		—		124		124		—		—
Long-term investments:
Equity securities		114		114		—		—		—		—		—		—
Enhanced equipment trust certificates (“EETC”)		21		—		—		21		23		—		—		23

Available-for-sale investment maturities - The short-term investments shown in the table above are classified as available-for-sale. As of September 30, 2017, asset-backed securities have remaining maturities of less than one year to approximately 17 years, corporate debt securities have remaining maturities of less than one year to approximately three years and CDARS have maturities of less than one year. U.S. government and other securities have maturities of less than one year to approximately two years. The EETC securities mature in 2019.

Restricted cash - Restricted cash primarily includes collateral for letters of credit and collateral associated with workers’ compensation obligations.

Equity securities - Equity securities represent United’s investment in Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras S.A. (“Azul”), which was previously accounted for as a cost-method investment. The fair value of Azul’s shares became readily determinable in the second quarter of 2017 upon its initial public offering and is now accounted for as an available-for-sale investment.

Investments presented in the table above have the same fair value as their carrying value. The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above (in millions):


	Fair Value of Debt by Fair Value Hierarchy Level
	September 30, 2017										December 31, 2016
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value								Carrying Amount		Fair Value
			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3				Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Long-term debt	$	12,850	$	13,217	$	—	$	9,640	$	3,577	$	10,767	$	11,055	$	—	$	8,184	$	2,871

Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows:


Description		Fair Value Methodology
Cash and cash equivalents		The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these assets.

Short-term investments, Equity securities, EETC and Restricted cash		Fair value is based on (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar instruments, (b) an income approach, which uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts into a single present amount based on current market expectations about those future amounts when observable trading prices are not available, or (c) broker quotes obtained by third-party valuation services.

Other investments measured at NAV		In accordance with the relevant accounting standards, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in the table above are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the statement of financial position. The investments measured using NAV are shares of mutual funds that invest in fixed-income instruments including bonds, debt securities, and other similar instruments issued by various U.S. and non-U.S. public- or private-sector entities. The Company can redeem its shares at any time at NAV subject to a three-day settlement period.

Long-term debt		Fair 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.

NOTE 7 - HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Fuel Derivatives

As of September 30, 2017, the Company did not have any fuel hedging contracts outstanding to hedge its fuel consumption. The last of the Company’s fuel hedge derivatives designated for cash flow hedge accounting expired in December 2016. The Company’s current strategy is to not enter into transactions to hedge its fuel consumption, although the Company regularly reviews its strategy based on market conditions and other factors.

The following table presents the impact of derivative instruments and their location within the Company’s unaudited statements of consolidated operations (in millions):

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges


	Amount of Loss Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)				Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Fuel Expense
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Fuel contracts	$	—	$	(6)	$	—	$	(24)

	Amount of Loss Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)				Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Fuel Expense (a)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Fuel contracts	$	—	$	(5)	$	(2)	$	(197)

(a) The 2017 loss reclassified from AOCI into fuel expense represents hedge losses on December 2016 settled trades, but for which the associated fuel purchased in December was not consumed until January 2017.

NOTE 8 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments. As of September 30, 2017, United had firm commitments and options to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”), and Embraer S.A. (“Embraer”) presented in the table below:


Aircraft Type	Number of Firm Commitments (a)
Airbus A350		45
Boeing 737 MAX		161
Boeing 777-300ER		4
Boeing 787		18
Embraer E175		5
(a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft.

The aircraft listed in the table above are scheduled for delivery through 2027. To the extent the Company and the aircraft manufacturers with whom the Company has existing orders for new aircraft agree to modify the contracts governing those orders, the amount and timing of the Company’s future capital commitments could change. For the remainder of 2017, United expects to take delivery of five Embraer E175 aircraft. Additionally, the Company also currently expects to take delivery of four used Airbus A319s and two used Airbus A320s for the remainder of 2017.

The table below summarizes United’s commitments as of September 30, 2017, which primarily relate to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and include other capital purchase commitments. Any new firm aircraft orders, including through the exercise of purchase options and purchase rights, will increase the total future capital commitments of the Company.


	(in billions)
Last three months of 2017	$	0.9
2018		3.0
2019		3.1
2020		2.2
2021		1.4
After 2021		11.4

	$	22.0

United secured individual bank financing for five Embraer E175 aircraft to be delivered in the last three months of 2017. See Note 9 of this report for additional information on aircraft financing. The Company has also secured backstop financing commitments from certain of its aircraft manufacturers for a limited number of its future aircraft deliveries, subject to certain customary conditions. Financing may be necessary to satisfy the Company’s capital commitments for its firm order aircraft and other related capital expenditures.

Regional CPAs. In February 2017, United entered into a five-year capacity purchase agreement (“CPA”) with Air Wisconsin Airlines for regional service under the United Express brand to operate up to 65 CRJ 200 aircraft.

In the third quarter of 2017, United reached agreements with certain of its regional air partners to accelerate the retirement of 21 turboprop aircraft from service, modify some aircraft service entry and exit dates, as well as extend the term of up to approximately 125 aircraft under an existing CPA through December 31, 2022. The future commitments have been incorporated into the table below.

The table below summarizes the Company’s future payments through the end of the terms of our CPAs, excluding variable pass-through costs such as fuel and landing fees, among others.


	(in billions)
Last three months of 2017	$	0.5
2018		2.0
2019		1.8
2020		1.6
2021		1.5
After 2021		4.6

	$	12.0

Guarantees. As of September 30, 2017, United is the guarantor of approximately $1.8 billion in aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds and interest thereon. These bonds, issued by various airport municipalities, are payable solely from rentals paid under long-term agreements with the respective governing bodies. The leasing arrangements associated with $1.4 billion of these obligations are accounted for as operating leases with the associated expense recorded on a straight-line basis resulting in ratable accrual of the lease obligation over the expected lease term. The leasing arrangements associated with approximately $441 million of these obligations are accounted for as capital leases. All of these bonds are due between 2019 and 2038.

In the Company’s financing transactions that include loans, the Company typically agrees to reimburse lenders for any reduced returns with respect to the loans due to any change in capital requirements and, in the case of loans in which the interest rate is based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), for certain other increased costs that the lenders incur in carrying these loans as a result of any change in law, subject, in most cases, to obligations of the lenders to take certain limited steps to mitigate the requirement for, or the amount of, such increased costs. At September 30, 2017, the Company had $3.3 billion of floating rate debt and $68 million of fixed rate debt, with remaining terms of up to 11 years, that are subject to these increased cost provisions. In several financing transactions involving loans or leases from non-U.S. entities, with remaining terms of up to 11 years and an aggregate balance of $3.2 billion, the Company bears the risk of any change in tax laws that would subject loan or lease payments thereunder to non-U.S. entities to withholding taxes, subject to customary exclusions.

As of September 30, 2017, United is the guarantor of $159 million of aircraft mortgage debt issued by one of United’s regional carriers. The aircraft mortgage debt is subject to similar increased cost provisions as described above for the Company’s debt and the Company would potentially be responsible for those costs under the guarantees.

Labor Negotiations. As of September 30, 2017, United had approximately 89,700 employees, of whom approximately 80% were represented by various U.S. labor organizations.

NOTE 9 - DEBT

2017 Credit and Guaranty Agreement. On March 29, 2017, United and UAL, as borrower and guarantor, respectively, entered into an Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “2017 Credit Agreement”). The 2017 Credit Agreement consists of a $1.5 billion term loan due April 1, 2024, which (i) was used to retire the entire principal balance of the term loans under the credit and guaranty agreement, dated March 27, 2013 (as amended, the “2013 Credit Agreement”), and (ii) increased the term loan balance by approximately $440 million, and a $2.0 billion revolving credit facility available for drawing until April 1, 2022, which increased the available capacity under the revolving credit facility of the 2013 Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2017, United had its entire capacity of $2.0 billion available under the revolving credit facility. The obligations of United under the 2017 Credit Agreement are secured by liens on certain international route authorities, certain take-off and landing rights and related assets of United.

Borrowings under the 2017 Credit Agreement bear interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR, subject to a 0% floor, plus a margin of 2.25% per annum, or another rate based on certain market interest rates, plus a margin of 1.25% per annum. The principal amount of the term loan must be repaid in consecutive quarterly installments of 0.25% of the original principal amount thereof, commencing on June 30, 2017, with any unpaid balance due on April 1, 2024. United may prepay all or a portion of the loan from time to time, at par plus accrued and unpaid interest. United pays a commitment fee equal to 0.75% per annum on the undrawn amount available under the revolving credit facility.

The 2017 Credit Agreement includes covenants that, among other things, require the Company to maintain at least $2.0 billion of unrestricted liquidity and a minimum ratio of appraised value of collateral to the outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement of 1.60 to 1.0. The 2017 Credit Agreement contains events of default customary for this type of financing, including a cross default and cross acceleration provision to certain other material indebtedness of the Company. Under the provisions of the 2017 Credit Agreement, UAL’s ability to make investments and to pay dividends on, or repurchase, UAL’s common stock is restricted.

EETCs. In September 2016 and June 2016, United created EETC pass-through trusts, each of which issued pass-through certificates. The proceeds of the issuance of the pass-through certificates are used to purchase equipment notes issued by United and secured by its aircraft. The Company records the debt obligation upon issuance of the equipment notes rather than upon the initial issuance of the pass-through certificates. The pass-through certificates represent fractional undivided interests in the respective pass-through trusts and are not obligations of United. The payment obligations under the equipment notes are those of United. Proceeds received from the sale of pass-through certificates are initially held by a depositary in escrow for the benefit of the certificate holders until United issues equipment notes to the trust, which purchases such notes with a portion of the escrowed funds. These escrowed funds are not guaranteed by United and are not reported as debt on our consolidated balance sheet because the proceeds held by the depositary are not United’s assets. Certain details of the pass-through trusts with proceeds received from issuance of debt in 2017 are as follows (in millions, except stated interest rate):


EETC Date	Class	Principal		Final expected distribution date	Stated interest rate		Total debt recorded as of September 30, 2017		Proceeds received from issuance of debt during 2017
September 2016	AA	$	637	October 2028		2.875%	$	637	$	557
September 2016	A		283	October 2028		3.10%		283		247
June 2016	AA		729	July 2028		3.10%		729		319
June 2016	A		324	July 2028		3.45%		324		142

		$	1,973				$	1,973	$	1,265

Secured Notes Payable. In the first nine months of 2017, United borrowed approximately $392 million aggregate principal amount from various financial institutions to finance the purchase of several aircraft delivered in 2017. The notes evidencing these borrowings, which are secured by the related aircraft, mature in 2027 and each has an interest rate comprised of LIBOR plus a specified margin.

4.25% Senior Notes due 2022. In September 2017, UAL issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% Senior Notes due October 1, 2022 (the “4.25% Senior Notes due 2022”). These notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed and recorded by United on its balance sheet as debt. The indenture for the 4.25% Senior Notes due 2022 requires UAL to offer to repurchase the notes for cash at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest if certain changes of control of UAL occur.

5% Senior Notes due 2024. In January 2017, UAL issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2024 (the “5% Senior Notes due 2024”). These notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed and recorded by United on its balance sheet as debt. The indenture for the 5% Senior Notes due 2024 requires UAL to offer to repurchase the notes for cash at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest if certain changes of control of UAL occur.

The table below presents the Company’s contractual principal payments (not including debt discount or debt issuance costs) at September 30, 2017 under then-outstanding long-term debt agreements (in millions):


Last three months of 2017	$	184
2018		1,527
2019		1,115
2020		1,120
2021		1,107
After 2021		7,963

	$	13,016

NOTE 10 - SPECIAL CHARGES

For the three and nine months ended September 30, special charges consisted of the following (in millions):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Operating:	2017		2016		2017		2016
Severance and benefit costs	$	23	$	13	$	101	$	27
Impairment of assets		15		—		15		412
Labor agreement costs		—		14		—		124
Cleveland airport lease restructuring		—		—		—		74
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges		12		18		29		32

Special charges		50		45		145		669
Nonoperating:
Other (gain) loss		—		—		—		(1)

Special charges before income taxes		50		45		145		668
Income tax benefit related to special charges		(18)		(16)		(52)		(241)

Total special charges, net of tax	$	32	$	29	$	93	$	427

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded $16 million ($10 million net of taxes) and $73 million ($47 million net of taxes), respectively, of severance and benefit costs related to a voluntary early-out program for its technicians and related employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (the “IBT”). In the first quarter of 2017, approximately 1,000 technicians and related employees elected to voluntarily separate from the Company and will receive a severance payment, with a maximum value of $100,000 per participant, based on years of service, with retirement dates through early 2019. Also during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded $7 million ($5 million net of taxes) and $28 million ($18 million net of taxes), respectively, of severance primarily related to its management reorganization initiative.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded $13 million ($8 million net of taxes) and $27 million ($17 million net of taxes), respectively, of severance and benefit costs primarily related to a voluntary early-out program for its flight attendants.

During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded a $15 million ($10 million net of taxes) intangible asset impairment charge related to a maintenance service agreement.

In April 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) announced that, effective October 30, 2016, it would designate Newark Liberty International Airport (“Newark”) as a Level 2 schedule-facilitated airport under the International Air Transport Association Worldwide Slot Guidelines. The designation was associated with an updated demand and capacity analysis of Newark by the FAA. In the second quarter of 2016, the Company determined that the FAA’s action impaired the entire value of its Newark slots because the slots are no longer the mechanism that governs take-off and landing rights. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $412 million special charge ($264 million net of taxes) to write off the intangible asset.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the fleet service, passenger service, storekeeper and other employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (the “IAM”) ratified seven new contracts with the Company which extended the contracts through 2021. The Company also reached a tentative agreement with the IBT during the same time period. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded $61 million ($39 million net of taxes) and $171 million ($109 million net of taxes), respectively, of special charges primarily for payments in conjunction with the IAM and IBT agreements described above. Also, as part of its contract with the Association of Flight Attendants, the Company amended two of its flight attendant postretirement medical plans. The amendments triggered curtailment accounting, resulting in the recognition of a one-time $47 million gain ($30 million net of taxes) for accelerated recognition of a prior service credit.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the City of Cleveland agreed to amend the Company’s lease, which runs through 2029, associated with certain excess airport terminal space (principally Terminal D) and related facilities at Hopkins International Airport. The Company recorded an accrual for remaining payments under the lease for facilities that the Company

no longer uses and will continue to incur costs under the lease without economic benefit to the Company. This liability was measured and recorded at its fair value when the Company ceased its right to use such facilities leased to it pursuant to the lease. The Company recorded a special charge of $74 million ($47 million net of taxes) related to the amended lease.

Accrual

The accrual balance for severance and benefits was $31 million as of September 30, 2017, compared to $34 million as of September 30, 2016. The severance-related accrual as of September 30, 2017 is expected to be mostly paid through early 2019. The accrual balance for future lease payments on permanently grounded aircraft was $28 million as of September 30, 2017, compared to $41 million as of September 30, 2016. The grounded aircraft related accrual as of September 30, 2017 is expected to be mostly paid through 2025. The following is a reconciliation of severance and permanently grounded aircraft accrual activity for the nine months ended September 30:


	Severance and Benefits		Permanently Grounded Aircraft
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	14	$	41
Accrual		101		—
Payments		(84)		(13)

Balance at September 30, 2017	$	31	$	28


	Severance and Benefits		Permanently Grounded Aircraft
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	27	$	78
Accrual		27		(17)
Payments		(20)		(20)

Balance at September 30, 2016	$	34	$	41

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

Overview

United Continental Holdings, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UAL” or the “Company”) is a holding company and its principal, wholly-owned subsidiary is United Airlines, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “United”). This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of UAL and United including their respective consolidated financial statements. As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL, unless otherwise noted. United’s operating revenues and operating expenses comprise nearly 100% of UAL’s revenues and operating expenses. In addition, United comprises approximately the entire balance of UAL’s 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. We sometimes use the words “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” in this report for disclosures that relate to all of UAL and United.

The Company transports people and cargo through its mainline operations, which utilize jet aircraft with at least 118 seats, and regional operations, which utilize smaller aircraft that are operated under contract by United Express carriers. The Company serves virtually every major market around the world, either directly or through participation in Star Alliance^®, the world’s largest airline alliance. UAL, through United and its regional carriers, operates approximately 4,500 flights a day to 337 airports across five continents.

Third Quarter Financial Highlights

•

Third quarter 2017 net income was $637 million, or $2.12 diluted earnings per share, as compared to net income of $965 million, or diluted earnings per share of $3.01, in the third quarter of 2016.

•

During the quarter, the Company canceled approximately 8,300 flights as a result of severe weather in southeast Texas, Florida and parts of the Caribbean. The operational disruption reduced third quarter income before income taxes by an estimated $185 million.

•

Passenger revenue decreased 0.9% to $8.5 billion during the third quarter of 2017 as compared to the third quarter of 2016. Revenue was impacted by an estimated $210 million due to the operational disruption.

•

Third quarter 2017 aircraft fuel cost increased $206 million, 12.9% year-over-year.

•

Unrestricted liquidity at September 30, 2017 was $6.3 billion, including $2.0 billion of undrawn commitments under the Company’s revolving credit facility.

•

In the three months ended September 30, 2017, UAL repurchased approximately 8 million of its common stock in open market transactions for $0.6 billion. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had $0.6 billion remaining to purchase shares under its existing share repurchase authority.

Third Quarter Operational Highlights

•

United achieved the best-ever third-quarter consolidated on-time departures in its history.

•

Consolidated traffic increased 1.7% and consolidated capacity increased 3% during the third quarter of 2017 as compared to the third quarter of 2016. The Company’s load factor for the third quarter of 2017 was 84.4%.

•

The Company took delivery of one Boeing 787-9 aircraft, four Boeing 737-800 aircraft and nine Embraer E175 aircraft during the third quarter of 2017.

Outlook

The Company expects full-year 2017 consolidated capacity to increase approximately 3.5% year-over-year. Domestic capacity is expected to increase approximately 4.5% year-over-year and international capacity is expected to increase approximately 2.0% year-over-year.

As outlined at our November 2016 Investor Day presentation, the Company expects to drive significant incremental value by 2020 relative to 2015. United anticipates capturing this value through a variety of initiatives including a re-fleeting and upgauge program, additional customer choice through segmentation, improvements to the revenue management systems, ongoing sensible cost management, realizing our full network potential through improved schedule quality and enhancements to the MileagePlus program. In addition, the Company will continue to focus on improving reliability while increasing the efficiency of the operation.

The price of jet fuel remains volatile. Based on projected fuel consumption in 2017, a one dollar change in the price of a barrel of crude oil would change the Company’s annual fuel expense by approximately $95 million.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion provides an analysis of results of operations and reasons for material changes therein for the three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the corresponding period in 2016.

Third Quarter 2017 Compared to Third Quarter 2016

The Company recorded net income of $637 million in the third quarter of 2017 as compared to net income of $965 million in the third quarter of 2016. The Company considers a key measure of its performance to be operating income, which was $1.1 billion for the third quarter of 2017, as compared to $1.6 billion for the third quarter of 2016, a $532 million decrease year-over-year. Third quarter 2017 income before income taxes was negatively impacted by an estimated $185 million as a result of severe weather in southeast Texas, Florida and parts of the Caribbean. Significant components of the Company’s operating results for the three months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):


	2017		2016		Increase (Decrease)		% Increase (Decrease)
Operating revenue	$	9,878	$	9,913	$	(35)		(0.4)
Operating expense		8,786		8,289		497		6.0

Operating income		1,092		1,624		(532)		(32.8)
Nonoperating expense		(112)		(114)		(2)		(1.8)
Income tax expense		343		545		(202)		(37.1)

Net income	$	637	$	965	$	(328)		(34.0)

Certain consolidated statistical information for the Company’s operations for the three months ended September 30 is as follows:


	2017		2016		Increase (Decrease)		% Increase (Decrease)
Passengers (thousands) (a)		39,302		38,651		651		1.7
Revenue passenger miles (“RPMs”) (millions) (b)		59,145		58,172		973		1.7
Available seat miles (“ASMs”) (millions) (c)		70,083		68,074		2,009		3.0
Passenger load factor (d)		84.4%		85.5%		(1.1) pts.		N/A
Passenger revenue per available seat mile (“PRASM”) (cents)		12.17		12.64		(0.47)		(3.7)
Average yield per revenue passenger mile (“Yield”) (cents) (e)		14.42		14.79		(0.37)		(2.5)
Cost per available seat mile (“CASM”) (cents)		12.54		12.18		0.36		3.0
Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes	$	1.70	$	1.52	$	0.18		11.8
Fuel gallons consumed (millions)		1,065		1,057		8		0.8
Average full-time equivalent employees		87,300		85,100		2,200		2.6

(a) The number of revenue passengers measured by each flight segment flown.

(b) The number of scheduled miles flown by revenue passengers.

(d) Revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles.

(e) The average passenger revenue received for each revenue passenger mile flown.

Operating Revenue

The table below shows year-over-year comparisons by type of operating revenue for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):


	2017		2016		Increase (Decrease)		% Change
Passenger—Mainline	$	7,083	$	7,017	$	66		0.9
Passenger—Regional		1,445		1,586		(141)		(8.9)

Total passenger revenue		8,528		8,603		(75)		(0.9)
Cargo		257		224		33		14.7
Other operating revenue		1,093		1,086		7		0.6

Total operating revenue	$	9,878	$	9,913	$	(35)		(0.4)

The table below presents selected third quarter passenger revenue and operating data, broken out by geographic region, expressed as year-over-year changes:


	Domestic		Atlantic		Pacific		Latin		Total Consolidated		Mainline		Regional
Increase (decrease) from 2016:
Passenger revenue (in millions)	$	(2)	$	3	$	(109)	$	33	$	(75)	$	66	$	(141)
Passenger revenue		— %		0.2 %		(9.3)%		4.7 %		(0.9)%		0.9 %		(8.9)%
Average fare per passenger		(2.2)%		(0.1)%		(6.0)%		3.8 %		(2.5)%		(4.9)%		0.4 %
Yield		(3.2)%		(0.9)%		(6.6)%		3.4 %		(2.5)%		(2.1)%		1.9 %
PRASM		(4.4)%		(0.4)%		(10.4)%		3.5 %		(3.7)%		(3.1)%		(1.8)%
Passengers		2.2 %		0.3 %		(3.5)%		0.9 %		1.7 %		6.1 %		(9.2)%
RPMs (traffic)		3.3 %		1.1 %		(2.9)%		1.3 %		1.7 %		3.2 %		(10.6)%
ASMs (capacity)		4.6 %		0.6 %		1.2 %		1.3 %		3.0 %		4.2 %		(7.2)%
Passenger load factor (points)		(1.1)		0.4		(3.5)		—		(1.1)		(0.9)		(3.0)

Consolidated passenger revenue in the third quarter of 2017 decreased $75 million, or 0.9%, as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to a 1.1 percentage point decrease in load factor. Third quarter 2017 consolidated PRASM and consolidated yield decreased 3.7% and 2.5%, respectively, compared to the third quarter of 2016. The Pacific region experienced a 10.4% decline in PRASM in the third quarter of 2017 as compared to the year-ago period due to unfavorable supply and demand dynamics in China. The Domestic region experienced a 4.4% and a 3.2% decline in PRASM and yield, respectively, as compared to the year-ago period due to severe weather in southeast Texas, Florida, and parts of the Caribbean, uncompetitive Basic Economy pricing, and competitive pricing environment with ultra-low-cost carriers.

Cargo revenue increased $33 million, or 14.7%, in the third quarter of 2017 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to higher international freight volume.

Operating Expenses

The table below includes data related to the Company’s operating expenses for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):


	2017		2016		Increase (Decrease)		% Change
Salaries and related costs	$	2,812	$	2,625	$	187		7.1
Aircraft fuel		1,809		1,603		206		12.9
Landing fees and other rent		585		546		39		7.1
Regional capacity purchase		567		572		(5)		(0.9)
Depreciation and amortization		556		503		53		10.5
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs		451		451		—		—
Distribution expenses		352		345		7		2.0
Aircraft rent		145		168		(23)		(13.7)
Special charges		50		45		5		NM
Other operating expenses		1,459		1,431		28		2.0

Total operating expenses	$	8,786	$	8,289	$	497		6.0

Salaries and related costs increased $187 million, or 7.1%, in the third quarter of 2017 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to higher pay rates and benefit expenses driven by collective bargaining agreements finalized in 2016, and a 2.6% increase in average full-time equivalent employees, partially offset by a decrease in profit sharing and other employee incentive programs expense.

Aircraft fuel expense increased $206 million, or 12.9%, year-over-year primarily due to an 11.8% increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the year-ago period. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon in the three month period ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the year-ago period:


	(In millions)						Average price per gallon
	2017		2016		% Change		2017		2016		% Change
Total aircraft fuel purchase cost excluding fuel hedge impacts	$	1,809	$	1,579		14.6	$	1.70	$	1.49		14.1
Hedge losses reported in fuel expense		—		24		NM		—		0.03		NM

Fuel expense	$	1,809	$	1,603		12.9	$	1.70	$	1.52		11.8

Total fuel consumption (gallons)		1,065		1,057		0.8

Landing fees and other rent increased $39 million, or 7.1%, in the third quarter of 2017 as compared to the year-ago period due to higher rental rates and a 3% increase in consolidated capacity.

Depreciation and amortization increased $53 million, or 10.5%, in the third quarter of 2017 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to additions of new aircraft, aircraft improvements and increases in information technology assets.

Aircraft rent decreased $23 million, or 13.7%, in the third quarter of 2017 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to the purchase of leased aircraft and lower lease renewal rates.

Details of the Company’s special charges include the following for the three months ended September 30 (in millions):


	2017		2016
Severance and benefit costs	$	23	$	13
Impairment of assets		15		—
Labor agreement costs		—		14
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges		12		18

Special charges	$	50	$	45

See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

Nonoperating Income (Expense). The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in the Company’s nonoperating income (expense) for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):


	2017		2016		Increase (Decrease)		% Change
Interest expense	$	(164)	$	(150)	$	14		9.3
Interest capitalized		20		20		—		—
Interest income		17		14		3		21.4
Miscellaneous, net		15		2		13		NM

Total	$	(112)	$	(114)	$	(2)		(1.8)

Income Taxes. See Note 4 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for information related to income taxes.

First Nine Months 2017 Compared to First Nine Months 2016

The Company recorded net income of $1.6 billion in the first nine months of 2017 as compared to net income of $1.9 billion in the first nine months of 2016. The Company considers a key measure of its performance to be operating income, which was $2.8 billion for the first nine months of 2017 as compared to $3.3 billion for the first nine months of 2016, a $564 million decrease year-over-year. Income before income taxes for the first nine months of 2017 was negatively impacted by an estimated $185 million as a result of severe weather in southeast Texas, Florida and parts of the Caribbean. Significant components of the Company’s operating results for the nine months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):


	2017		2016		Increase (Decrease)		% Increase (Decrease)
Operating revenue	$	28,298	$	27,504	$	794		2.9
Operating expense		25,529		24,171		1,358		5.6

Operating income		2,769		3,333		(564)		(16.9)
Nonoperating expense		(370)		(398)		(28)		(7.0)
Income tax expense		848		1,069		(221)		(20.7)

Net income	$	1,551	$	1,866	$	(315)		(16.9)

Certain consolidated statistical information for the Company’s operations for the nine months ended September 30 is as follows:


	2017		2016		Increase (Decrease)		% Increase (Decrease)
Passengers (thousands) (a)		110,654		107,154		3,500		3.3
RPMs (millions) (b)		163,112		158,771		4,341		2.7
ASMs (millions) (c)		197,358		191,072		6,286		3.3
Passenger load factor (d)		82.6%		83.1%		(0.5) pts.		N/A
PRASM (cents)		12.32		12.40		(0.08)		(0.6)
Yield (cents) (e)		14.91		14.92		(0.01)		(0.1)
CASM (cents)		12.94		12.65		0.29		2.3
Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes	$	1.68	$	1.45	$	0.23		15.9
Fuel gallons consumed (millions)		2,998		2,942		56		1.9
Average full-time equivalent employees		86,200		83,600		2,600		3.1

(a) The number of revenue passengers measured by each flight segment flown.

(b) The number of scheduled miles flown by revenue passengers.

(d) Revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles.

(e) The average passenger revenue received for each revenue passenger mile flown.

Operating Revenue

The table below shows year-over-year comparisons by type of operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):


	2017		2016		Increase (Decrease)		% Change
Passenger—Mainline	$	19,970	$	19,119	$	851		4.5
Passenger—Regional		4,354		4,577		(223)		(4.9)

Total passenger revenue		24,324		23,696		628		2.7
Cargo		731		626		105		16.8
Other operating revenue		3,243		3,182		61		1.9

Total operating revenue	$	28,298	$	27,504	$	794		2.9

The table below presents selected passenger revenue and operating data, broken out by geographic region, expressed as year-over-year changes for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016:


	Domestic		Atlantic		Pacific		Latin		Total Consolidated		Mainline		Regional
Increase (decrease) from 2016:
Passenger revenue (in millions)	$	523	$	37	$	(84)	$	152	$	628	$	851	$	(223)
Passenger revenue		3.7 %		0.9 %		(2.7)%		7.2 %		2.7 %		4.5 %		(4.9)%
Average fare per passenger		(0.2)%		1.2 %		(1.6)%		4.1 %		(0.6)%		(2.9)%		2.1 %
Yield		(0.6)%		0.7 %		(3.2)%		4.7 %		(0.1)%		0.4 %		2.7 %
PRASM		(0.8)%		1.5 %		(6.8)%		4.5 %		(0.6)%		— %		0.5 %
Passengers		3.8 %		(0.3)%		(1.1)%		2.9 %		3.3 %		7.5 %		(6.9)%
RPMs (traffic)		4.3 %		0.1 %		0.5 %		2.3 %		2.7 %		4.0 %		(7.4)%
ASMs (capacity)		4.5 %		(0.6)%		4.4 %		2.5 %		3.3 %		4.4 %		(5.4)%
Passenger load factor (points)		(0.2)		0.6		(3.2)		(0.1)		(0.5)		(0.3)		(1.7)

Consolidated passenger revenue in the first nine months of 2017 increased $628 million, or 2.7%, as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to a 2.7% increase in traffic. Consolidated PRASM and consolidated yield for the first nine months of 2017 decreased 0.6% and 0.1%, respectively, as compared to the first nine months of 2016. The Pacific region experienced a 6.8% decline in PRASM in the first nine months of 2017 as compared to the year-ago period due to unfavorable supply and demand dynamics in China. The Domestic region experienced a 0.8% and a 0.6% decline in PRASM and yield, respectively, as compared to the year-ago period due to severe weather in southeast Texas, Florida and parts of the Caribbean, uncompetitive Basic Economy pricing, and competitive pricing environment with ultra-low-cost carriers.

Cargo revenue increased $105 million, or 16.8%, in the first nine months of 2017 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to higher international freight volume.

Operating Expenses

The table below includes data related to the Company’s operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):


	2017		2016		Increase (Decrease)		% Change
Salaries and related costs	$	8,341	$	7,707	$	634		8.2
Aircraft fuel		5,038		4,258		780		18.3
Landing fees and other rent		1,670		1,612		58		3.6
Regional capacity purchase		1,652		1,645		7		0.4
Depreciation and amortization		1,610		1,473		137		9.3
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs		1,377		1,301		76		5.8
Distribution expenses		1,021		987		34		3.4
Aircraft rent		476		521		(45)		(8.6)
Special charges		145		669		(524)		NM
Other operating expenses		4,199		3,998		201		5.0

Total operating expenses	$	25,529	$	24,171	$	1,358		5.6

Salaries and related costs increased $634 million, or 8.2%, in the first nine months of 2017 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to higher pay rates and benefit expenses driven by collective bargaining agreements finalized in 2016, and a 3.1% increase in average full-time equivalent employees, partially offset by a decrease in profit sharing and other employee incentive programs expense.

Aircraft fuel expense increased $780 million, or 18.3%, year-over-year primarily due to a 15.9% increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel in the first nine months of 2017 compared to the year-ago period. The table below presents the significant changes in aircraft fuel cost per gallon in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the year-ago period:


	(In millions)						Average price per gallon
	2017		2016		% Change		2017		2016		% Change
Total aircraft fuel purchase cost excluding fuel hedge impacts	$	5,036	$	4,061		24.0	$	1.68	$	1.38		21.7
Hedge losses reported in fuel expense		2		197		NM		—		0.07		NM

Fuel expense	$	5,038	$	4,258		18.3	$	1.68	$	1.45		15.9

Total fuel consumption (gallons)		2,998		2,942		1.9

Depreciation and amortization increased $137 million, or 9.3%, in the first nine months of 2017 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to additions of new aircraft, aircraft improvements, accelerated depreciation of assets related to certain fleet types and increases in information technology assets.

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs increased $76 million, or 5.8%, in the first nine months of 2017 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to an increase in airframe and engine maintenance visits due to the cyclical timing of these events.

Aircraft rent decreased $45 million, or 8.6%, in the first nine months of 2017 as compared to the year-ago period, primarily due to the purchase of leased aircraft and lower lease renewal rates.

Other operating expenses increased $201 million, or 5.0%, in the first nine months of 2017 as compared to the year-ago period primarily due to increases in purchased services and technology initiatives, as well as increases in food and other amenities associated with the Company’s customer experience initiatives.

Details of the Company’s special charges include the following for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions):


	2017		2016
Severance and benefit costs	$	101	$	27
Impairment of assets		15		412
Labor agreement costs		—		124
Cleveland airport lease restructuring		—		74
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges		29		32

Special charges	$	145	$	669

See Note 10 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

Nonoperating Income (Expense). The following table illustrates the year-over-year dollar and percentage changes in the Company’s nonoperating income (expense) for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except for percentage changes):


	2017		2016		Increase (Decrease)		% Change
Interest expense	$	(472)	$	(466)	$	6		1.3
Interest capitalized		64		48		16		33.3
Interest income		41		31		10		32.3
Miscellaneous, net		(3)		(11)		(8)		(72.7)

Total	$	(370)	$	(398)	$	(28)		(7.0)

Income Taxes. See Note 4 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for information related to income taxes.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Current Liquidity

As of September 30, 2017, the Company had $4.3 billion in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as compared to $4.4 billion at December 31, 2016. At September 30, 2017, the Company also had $109 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents, which is primarily collateral for letters of credit and estimated future workers’ compensation claims. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had its entire commitment capacity of $2.0 billion under the revolving credit facility of the Company’s Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2017 (the “2017 Credit Agreement”) available for borrowings.

As is the case with many of our principal competitors, we have a high proportion of debt compared to capital and a deficit in working capital. We have a significant amount of fixed obligations, including debt, aircraft leases and financings, leases of airport property and other facilities, and pension funding obligations. At September 30, 2017, the Company had approximately $13.9 billion of debt and capital lease obligations, including $1.6 billion that will become due in the next 12 months. In addition, we have substantial noncancelable commitments for capital expenditures, including the acquisition of certain new aircraft and related spare engines. As of September 30, 2017, our current liabilities exceeded our current assets by approximately $5.2 billion. However, approximately $6.5 billion of our current liabilities are related to our advance ticket sales and frequent flyer deferred revenue, both of which largely represent revenue to be recognized for travel in the near future and not actual cash outlays. The deficit in working capital does not have an adverse impact to our cash flows, liquidity or operations.

As of September 30, 2017, United had firm commitments and options to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”) and Embraer S.A. (“Embraer”) presented in the table below:


Aircraft Type	Number of Firm Commitments (a)
Airbus A350		45
Boeing 737 MAX		161
Boeing 777-300ER		4
Boeing 787		18
Embraer E175		5
(a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft.

As of September 30, 2017, UAL and United have total capital commitments primarily related to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and include other capital purchase commitments for approximately $22.0 billion, of which approximately $0.9 billion, $3.0 billion, $3.1 billion, $2.2 billion, $1.4 billion and $11.4 billion are due in the last three months of 2017 and for the full year for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and thereafter, respectively. Any new firm aircraft orders, including through the exercise of purchase options and purchase rights, will increase the total future capital commitments of the Company.

United secured individual bank financing for five Embraer E175 aircraft to be delivered in the last three months of 2017. See Note 9 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information on aircraft financing. The Company has also secured backstop financing commitments from certain of its aircraft manufacturers for a limited number of its future aircraft deliveries, subject to certain customary conditions. Financing may be necessary to satisfy the Company’s capital commitments for its firm order aircraft and other related capital expenditures.

As of September 30, 2017, a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, principally aircraft, route authorities, airport slots and loyalty program intangible assets, was pledged under various loan and other agreements. We must sustain our profitability and/or access the capital markets to meet our significant long-term debt and capital lease obligations and future commitments for capital expenditures, including the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines.

Credit Ratings. As of the filing date of this report, UAL and United had the following corporate credit ratings:


	S&P	Moody’s	Fitch
UAL	BB-	Ba2	BB
United	BB-	*	BB
* The credit agency does not issue corporate credit ratings for subsidiary entities.

These credit ratings are below investment grade levels. Downgrades from these rating levels, among other things, could restrict the availability or increase the cost of future financing for the Company.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Operating Activities. Cash flow provided by operations was $2.7 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $4.9 billion in the same period in 2016. Operating income for the first nine months of 2017 was $2.8 billion compared to $3.3 billion versus the year-ago period. Excluding the non-cash impairment of the Newark slots, operating income for the first nine months of 2017 was approximately $1.0 billion lower than the first nine months of 2016. Additionally, there were approximately $1.2 billion of changes in working capital items primarily related to $0.5 billion decrease in advanced purchase of miles due to increased utilization of pre-purchased miles, $0.4 billion increase in prepayments for maintenance contracts, and $0.2 billion decrease related to timing of accounts payable.

Investing Activities. Capital expenditures were $2.9 billion and $2.3 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were primarily attributable to additions of new aircraft, aircraft improvements, and increases in information technology assets.

Financing Activities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company made debt and capital lease payments of $0.8 billion.

On March 29, 2017, United and UAL, as borrower and guarantor, respectively, entered into the 2017 Credit Agreement. The 2017 Credit Agreement consists of a $1.5 billion term loan due April 1, 2024, which (i) was used to retire the entire principal balance of the term loans under the credit and guaranty agreement, dated March 27, 2013 (as amended, the “2013 Credit Agreement”), and (ii) increased the term loan balance by approximately $440 million, and a $2.0 billion revolving credit facility available for drawing until April 1, 2022, which increased the available capacity under the revolving credit facility of the 2013 Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2017, United had its entire capacity of $2.0 billion available under the revolving credit facility. The obligations of United under the 2017 Credit Agreement are secured by liens on certain international route authorities, certain take-off and landing rights and related assets of United. See Note 9 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, United received and recorded $1.3 billion of proceeds as debt from the two EETC pass-through trusts established in 2016. See Note 9 to the financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, United borrowed approximately $392 million aggregate principal amount from various financial institutions to finance the purchase of several aircraft delivered in 2017. The notes evidencing these borrowings, which are secured by the related aircraft, mature in 2027 and each has an interest rate comprised of LIBOR plus a specified margin.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, UAL received and recorded $400 million proceeds of the 4.25% Senior Notes due October 1, 2022, and $300 million proceeds of the 5% Senior Notes due February 1, 2024.

Share Repurchase Programs. In the nine months ended September 30, 2017, UAL repurchased approximately 18 million shares of UAL common stock in open market transactions for $1.3 billion. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had approximately $0.6 billion remaining to purchase shares under its existing share repurchase authority.

UAL may repurchase shares through the open market, privately negotiated transactions, block trades or accelerated share repurchase transactions from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws. UAL will repurchase shares of UAL common stock subject to prevailing market conditions, and may discontinue such repurchases at any time. See Part II, Item 2, “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” of this report for additional information.

Commitments, Contingencies and Liquidity Matters. As described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (“2016 Annual Report”), the Company’s liquidity may be adversely impacted by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, pension funding obligations, reserve requirements associated with credit card processing agreements, guarantees, commitments and contingencies.

See the 2016 Annual Report and Notes 5, 7, 8 and 9 to the financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

See “Critical Accounting Policies” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the 2016 Annual Report and Note 1 to the financial statements contained in Part 1, Item 1 of this report for a discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this report are forward-looking and thus reflect our current expectations and beliefs with respect to certain current and future events and anticipated financial and operating performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be subject to many risks and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “will,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “believes,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “goals” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Additionally, forward-looking statements include statements that do not relate solely to historical facts, such as statements which identify uncertainties or trends, discuss the possible future effects of current known trends or uncertainties, or which indicate that the future effects of known trends or uncertainties cannot be predicted, guaranteed or assured. All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information available to us on the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Our actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the following: our ability to comply with the terms of our various financing arrangements; the costs and availability of financing; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity; our ability to execute our operational plans and revenue-generating initiatives, including optimizing our revenue; our ability to control our costs, including realizing benefits from our resource optimization efforts, cost reduction initiatives and fleet replacement programs; costs associated with any modification or termination of our aircraft orders; our ability to utilize our net operating losses; our ability to attract and retain customers; potential reputational or other impact from adverse events in our operations; demand for transportation in the markets in which we operate; an outbreak of a disease that affects travel demand or travel behavior; demand for travel and the impact that global economic and political conditions have on customer travel patterns; excessive taxation and the inability to offset future taxable income; general economic conditions (including interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, investment or credit market conditions, crude oil prices, costs of aircraft fuel and energy refining capacity in relevant markets); economic and political instability and other risks of doing business globally; our ability to cost-effectively hedge against increases in the price of aircraft fuel if we decide to do so; any potential realized or unrealized gains or losses related to fuel or currency hedging programs; the effects of any hostilities, act of war or terrorist attack; the ability of other air carriers with whom we have alliances or partnerships to provide the services contemplated by the respective arrangements with such carriers; the effects of any technology failures or cybersecurity breaches; disruptions to our regional network; the costs and availability of aviation and other insurance; industry consolidation or changes in airline alliances; the success of our investments in airlines in other parts of the world; competitive pressures on pricing and on demand; our capacity decisions and the capacity decisions of our competitors; U.S. or foreign governmental legislation, regulation and other actions (including Open Skies agreements and environmental regulations); the impact of regulatory, investigative and legal proceedings and legal compliance risks; the impact of any management changes; labor costs; our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and the results of any collective bargaining agreement process with our union groups; any disruptions to operations due to any potential actions by our labor groups; weather conditions; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under Part I, Item 1A., “Risk Factors” of our 2016 Annual Report, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in Part II, Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our 2016 Annual Report.

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Control and Procedures

The Company maintains controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted to the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation to conclude with reasonable assurance that UAL’s and United’s disclosure controls and procedures were designed and operating effectively to report the information each company is required to disclose in the reports they file with the SEC on a timely basis. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of UAL and United have concluded that as of September 30, 2017, disclosure controls and procedures of each of UAL and United were effective.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting during the Quarter Ended September 30, 2017

During the three months ended September 30, 2017, there were no changes in UAL’s or United’s internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, their internal control over financial reporting (as defined in rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Part I, Item 3., “Legal Proceedings” of the 2016 Annual Report for a description of legal proceedings.

Item 1A.

RISK FACTORS

See Part I, Item 1A., “Risk Factors,” of the 2016 Annual Report for a detailed discussion of the risk factors affecting UAL and United.

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

(a) None

(b) None


Period	Total number of shares purchased (a)(b)		Average price paid per share (b)(c)		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (a)		Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (in millions) (a)
July 2017		2,537,939	$	73.35		2,537,939	$	923
August 2017		3,592,802		66.80		3,592,802		683
September 2017		2,159,408		60.20		2,159,408		553

Total		8,290,149				8,290,149

(a) In July 2016, UAL’s Board of Directors authorized a $2 billion share repurchase program. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had approximately $0.6 billion remaining to purchase shares under its share repurchase program. UAL may repurchase shares through the open market, privately negotiated transactions, block trades or accelerated share repurchase transactions from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws.

(b) The table does not include shares withheld from employees to satisfy certain tax obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units. The United Continental Holdings, Inc. 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan, which replaced the United Continental Holdings, Inc. 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan on May 24, 2017, provides for the withholding of shares to satisfy tax obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock. However, this plan does not specify a maximum number of shares that may be withheld for this purpose. A total of 8,457 shares were withheld under this plan in the third quarter of 2017 at an average share price of $67.88. These shares of common stock withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations may be deemed to be “issuer purchases” of shares that are required to be disclosed pursuant to this Item.

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS.

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.	Registrant	Exhibit
*4.1	UAL United	Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 29, 2017, among United Continental Holdings, Inc., United Airlines, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 4, 2017)
^10.1	UAL United	Amended and Restated A350-900 Purchase Agreement, dated September 1, 2017, including letter agreements related thereto, between Airbus S.A.S. and United Airlines, Inc.
12.1	UAL	United Continental Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
12.2	United	United Airlines, Inc. and Subsidiary Companies Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
31.1	UAL	Certification of the Principal Executive Officer of United Continental Holdings, Inc. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
31.2	UAL	Certification of the Principal Financial Officer of United Continental Holdings, Inc. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
31.3	United	Certification of the Principal Executive Officer of United Airlines, Inc. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
31.4	United	Certification of the Principal Financial Officer of United Airlines, Inc. Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 78m(a) or 78o(d) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
32.1	UAL	Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of United Continental Holdings, Inc. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
32.2	United	Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of United Airlines, Inc. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
101.1	UAL United	XBRL Instance Document
101.2	UAL United	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.3	UAL United	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.4	UAL United	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.5	UAL United	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.6	UAL United	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

^ Confidential portion of this exhibit has been omitted and filed separately with the SEC pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.

* Previously Filed

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. The signature for each undersigned company shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to such company or its subsidiaries.


	United Continental Holdings, Inc.
	(Registrant)

Date: October 19, 2017	By:	/s/ Andrew C. Levy

		Andrew C. Levy
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)

Date: October 19, 2017	By:	/s/ Chris Kenny

		Chris Kenny
		Vice President and Controller (principal accounting officer)

	United Airlines, Inc.
	(Registrant)

Date: October 19, 2017	By:	/s/ Andrew C. Levy

		Andrew C. Levy
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)

Date: October 19, 2017	By:	/s/ Chris Kenny

		Chris Kenny
		Vice President and Controller (principal accounting officer)