United Announces Full-Year and Fourth-Quarter 2014 Profit
- UAL earned a 12.9 percent return on invested capital in 2014.
- United's consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased 1.6 percent for full-year 2014 compared to full-year 2013.
- Full-year 2014 consolidated unit costs (CASM), excluding special charges, third-party business expenses, fuel and profit sharing, increased 1.3 percent year-over-year on a consolidated capacity increase of 0.3 percent. Full-year 2014 CASM, including those items, decreased 1.6 percent year-over-year.
- In 2014, United returned approximately $320 million to shareholders as part of its previously announced $1 billion share buyback program. In addition, throughout the year, United spent $310 million to retire convertible debt that was convertible into approximately 5.8 million shares of UAL common stock.
- Employees earned $235 million in profit sharing for full-year 2014, which will be distributed on Feb. 13.
- UAL ended the year with $5.7 billion in unrestricted liquidity.
"Thanks to the good work of the United team, we reported a $2 billion profit for 2014, excluding special items," said Jeff Smisek, UAL's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We're starting 2015 as a better airline, and we expect to generate far better results. I'm excited about what we will do this year to improve our operations, our product, and our customer service, focusing on growing our core earnings and margins. For the first quarter, we expect our pre-tax margin to be between 5 and 7 percent, excluding special items."
Fourth-Quarter Revenue and Capacity
For the fourth quarter of 2014, total revenue was $9.3 billion, a decrease of 0.2 percent year-over-year. Fourth-quarter consolidated passenger revenue increased 1.3 percent to $8.1 billion, compared to the same period in 2013. Ancillary revenue per passenger in the fourth quarter increased 9.7 percent year-over-year to more than $22 per passenger. Fourth-quarter cargo revenue grew 18.2 percent to $260 million driven by higher volumes year-over-year, as cargo traffic recovered from the prior year's lower bookings. Other revenue in the fourth quarter decreased 14.3 percent year-over-year to $970 million mostly due to the company choosing to discontinue an agreement to sell fuel to a third party. The corresponding expense decline appears in third-party business expense.
Consolidated revenue passenger miles increased 0.1 percent and consolidated available seat miles increased 0.9 percent year-over-year for the fourth quarter, resulting in a fourth-quarter consolidated load factor of 81.7 percent.
Fourth-quarter 2014 consolidated PRASM increased 0.4 percent and consolidated yield increased 1.3 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2013.
Passenger revenue for the fourth quarter of 2014 and period-to-period comparisons of related statistics for UAL's mainline and regional operations are as follows:
|
4Q 2014 Passenger Revenue (millions) |
Passenger Revenue vs. 4Q 2013 |
PRASM vs. 4Q 2013 |
Yield vs. 4Q 2013 |
Available Seat Miles vs. 4Q 2013 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | $3,219 | 1.9% | 3.5% | 4.4% | (1.6%) |
| Atlantic | 1,357 | 4.5% | 6.9% | 6.1% | (2.2%) |
| Pacific | 1,107 | (1.5%) | (5.9%) | (3.8%) | 4.7% |
| Latin America | 692 | 11.3% | (4.4%) | (3.7%) | 16.4% |
| International | 3,156 | 3.6% | (0.2%) | 0.5% | 3.8% |
| Mainline | 6,375 | 2.7% | 1.7% | 2.5% | 1.0% |
| Regional | 1,708 | (3.6%) | (3.5%) | (2.9%) | (0.1%) |
| Consolidated | $8,083 | 1.3% | 0.4% | 1.3% | 0.9% |
Fourth-Quarter Costs
Fourth-quarter consolidated CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expense, fuel and profit sharing, increased 1.2 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. Fourth-quarter consolidated CASM including those items decreased 5.3 percent.
Fourth-quarter total operating expenses, excluding special charges, decreased $420 million, or 4.7 percent, year-over-year. Including special charges, total operating expenses decreased $406 million, or 4.5 percent, in the fourth quarter versus the same period in 2013.
Fourth-Quarter Liquidity and Cash Flow
UAL ended the fourth quarter with $5.7 billion in unrestricted liquidity, including $1.35 billion of undrawn commitments under its revolving credit facility. During the fourth quarter, the company had gross capital expenditures of $1 billion, excluding fully reimbursable projects. The company made debt and capital lease principal payments of $534 million in the fourth quarter, including prepayment of $248 million of convertible debt that was convertible into approximately 4.3 million shares of United common stock.
As part of United's $1 billion share buyback program, the company spent approximately $100 million in share repurchases in the fourth quarter. For the year, United returned a total of approximately $320 million to shareholders through share repurchases and open market transactions. In addition, for the year the company spent $310 million to retire convertible debt that was convertible into approximately 5.8 million shares.
For the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2014, the company's return on invested capital was 12.9 percent.
"In 2014 we made significant progress towards creating long-term value for our investors while providing a better experience for our customers," said John Rainey, UAL's executive vice president and chief financial officer. "Our solid cost performance in 2014 was driven by executing on our Project Quality efficiency initiatives. As our cost initiatives mature throughout 2015, we anticipate that 2015 consolidated CASM, excluding fuel and third-party business expense, will be approximately flat."
For more information on United's first-quarter 2015 guidance, please visit ir.united.com for the company's investor update.
About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of 5,055 flights a day to 373 airports across six continents. In 2014, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 138 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 34 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 and the 737-900ER. United is also welcoming 49 new Embraer 175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 193 countries via 27 member airlines. More than 84,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements included in this release are forward-looking and thus reflect our current expectations and beliefs with respect to certain current and future events and financial 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" 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, 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; our ability to utilize our net operating losses; our ability to attract and retain customers; 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 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); our ability to cost-effectively hedge against increases in the price of aircraft fuel; 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 costs and availability of aviation and other insurance; industry consolidation or changes in airline alliances; 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); labor costs; our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and the results of the collective bargaining agreement process with our union groups; any disruptions to operations due to any potential actions by our labor groups; weather conditions; the possibility that expected merger synergies will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under Item 1A., Risk Factors, of UAL's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports we file with the SEC.
-tables attached-
| Three Months Ended December 31, 2014(In millions, except per share data) |
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013(In millions, except per share data) |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
Year Ended December 31, 2014(In millions, except per share data) |
Year Ended December 31, 2013(In millions, except per share data) |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating revenue: Passenger: Mainline |
$6,375 | $6,205 | 2.7 | $26,785 | $25,997 | 3.0 |
| Operating revenue: Passenger: Regional | 1,708 | 1,772 | (3.6) | 6,977 | 7,125 | (2.1) |
| Operating revenue: Passenger: Total passenger revenue | 8,083 | 7,977 | 1.3 | 33,762 | 33,122 | 1.9 |
| Operating revenue: Cargo | 260 | 220 | 18.2 | 938 | 882 | 6.3 |
| Operating revenue: Other operating revenue | 970 | 1,132 | (14.3) | 4,201 | 4,275 | (1.7) |
| Operating revenue:Total operating revenue | 9,313 | 9,329 | (0.2) | 38,901 | 38,279 | 1.6 |
| Operating expense: Aircraft fuel(A) |
2,530 | 2,965 | (14.7) | 11,675 | 12,345 | (5.4) |
| Operating expense: Salaries and related costs | 2,251 | 2,114 | 6.5 | 8,935 | 8,625 | 3.6 |
| Operating expense: Regional capacity purchase | 597 | 582 | 2.6 | 2,344 | 2,419 | (3.1) |
| Operating expense: Landing fees and other rent | 568 | 546 | 4.0 | 2,274 | 2,090 | 8.8 |
| Operating expense: Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs | 415 | 431 | (3.7) | 1,779 | 1,821 | (2.3) |
| Operating expense: Depreciation and amortization | 431 | 421 | 2.4 | 1,679 | 1,689 | (0.6) |
| Operating expense: Distribution expenses | 334 | 338 | (1.2) | 1,373 | 1,390 | (1.2) |
| Operating expense: Aircraft rent | 215 | 230 | (6.5) | 883 | 936 | (5.7) |
| Operating expense: Special charges (B) | 179 | 165 | NM1 | 443 | 520 | NM1 |
| Operating expense: Other operating expenses | 1,168 | 1,302 | (10.3) | 5,143 | 5,195 | (1.0) |
| Operating expense: Other Operating Expenses: Total operating expenses | 8,688 | 9,094 | (4.5) | 36,528 | 37,030 | (1.4) |
| Operating income | 625 | 235 | 166.0 | 2,373 | 1,249 | 90.0 |
| Nonoperating income (expense): Interest expense |
(176) | (193) | (8.8) | (735) | (783) | (6.1) |
| Nonoperating income (expense): Interest capitalized | 12 | 14 | (14.3) | 52 | 49 | 6.1 |
| Nonoperating income (expense): Interest income | 5 | 5 | - | 22 | 21 | 4.8 |
| Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net (B) | (443) | 51 | NM1 | (584) | 3 | NM1 |
| Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net (B): Total nonoperating expense | (602) | (123) | 389.4 | (1,245) | (710) | 75.4 |
| Income before income taxes: Income before income taxes | 23 | 112 | (79.5) | 1,128 | 539 | 109.3 |
| Income tax expense: Income tax expense (benefit) (C) | (5) | (28) | (82.1) | (4) | (32) | (87.5) |
| Net income: Net income | $28 | $140 | (80.0) | $1,132 | $571 | 98.2 |
| Earnings per share: Earnings per share, basic | $0.08 | $0.39 | (79.5) | $3.05 | $1.64 | 86.0 |
| Earnings per share: Earnings per share, diluted | $0.07 | $0.37 | (81.1) | $2.93 | $1.53 | 91.5 |
| Weighted average shares: Weighted average shares, basic | 372 | 361 | 3.0 | 371 | 348 | 6.6 |
| Weighted average shares: Weighted average shares, diluted | 376 | 391 | (3.8) | 390 | 391 | (0.3) |
|
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| Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 (In millions, except per gallon) |
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 (In millions, except per gallon) |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
Year Ended December 31, 2014 (In millions, except per gallon) |
Year Ended December 31, 2013 (In millions, except per gallon) |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainline fuel expense excluding hedge impacts Mainline fuel expense excluding hedge impacts | $1,982 | $2,404 | (17.6) | $9,408 | $10,008 | (6.0) |
| Hedge losses reported in fuel expense 2 | (85) | 22 | NM1 | (89) | 18 | NM1 |
| Total mainline fuel expenseTotal mainline fuel expense | 2,067 | 2,382 | (13.2) | 9,497 | 9,990 | (4.9) |
| Regional fuel expense Regional fuel expense | 463 | 583 | (20.6) | 2,178 | 2,355 | (7.5) |
| Consolidated fuel expenseConsolidated fuel expense | 2,530 | 2,965 | (14.7) | 11,675 | 12,345 | (5.4) |
| Cash paid on settled hedges that did not qualify for hedge accounting 3 | (151) | 4 | NM1 | (138) | 39 | NM1 |
| Fuel expense including all losses from settled hedges | $2,681 | $2,961 | (9.5) | $11,813 | $12,306 | (4.0) |
| Mainline fuel consumption (gallons) | 769 | 777 | (1.0) | 3,183 | 3,204 | (0.7) |
| Mainline average aircraft fuel price per gallon excluding hedge losses recorded in fuel expense | $2.58 | $3.09 | (16.5) | $2.96 | $3.12 | (5.1) |
| Mainline average aircraft fuel price per gallon | $2.69 | $3.07 | (12.4) | $2.98 | $3.12 | (4.5) |
| Mainline average aircraft fuel price per gallon including cash paid on settled hedges that did not qualify for hedge accounting | $2.88 | $3.06 | (5.9) | $3.03 | $3.11 | (2.6) |
| Regional fuel consumption (gallons) | 179 | 184 | (2.7) | 722 | 743 | (2.8) |
| Regional average aircraft fuel price per gallon | $2.59 | $3.17 | (18.3) | $3.02 | $3.17 | (4.7) |
| Consolidated fuel consumption (gallons) | 948 | 961 | (1.4) | 3,905 | 3,947 | (1.1) |
| Consolidated average aircraft fuel price per gallon excluding hedge losses recorded in fuel expense | $2.58 | $3.11 | (17.0) | $2.97 | $3.13 | (5.1) |
| Consolidated average aircraft fuel price per gallon | $2.67 | $3.09 | (13.6) | $2.99 | $3.13 | (4.5) |
| Consolidated average aircraft fuel price per gallon including cash paid on settled hedges that did not qualify for hedge accounting | $2.83 | $3.08 | (8.1) | $3.03 | $3.12 | (2.9) |
|
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| Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 (In millions) |
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 (In millions) |
Year Ended December 31, 2014 (In millions) |
Year Ended December 31, 2013 (In millions) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating: Severance and benefit costs |
$141 | $91 | $199 | $105 |
| Operating:Integration-related costs | 17 | 40 | 96 | 205 |
| Operating:Impairment of assets | 16 | 33 | 49 | 33 |
| Operating:Costs associated with permanently grounding Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft | - | - | 66 | - |
| Operating:Labor agreement costs | - | - | - | 127 |
| Operating:Losses on sale of assets and other special (gains) losses, net | 5 | 1 | 33 | 50 |
| Operating:Special charges | $179 | $165 | $443 | $520 |
| Nonoperating: Loss on extinguishment of debt and other, net |
$53 | $- | $74 | $- |
| Nonoperating: Income tax benefit | (6) | (7) | (10) | (7) |
| Nonoperating:Total operating and nonoperating special charges, net of income taxes | $226 | $158 | $507 | $513 |
| Nonoperating:Mark-to-market (MTM) losses from fuel derivative contracts settling in future periods | $225 | $(59) | $244 | $(84) |
| Nonoperating:Prior period gains (losses) on fuel derivative contracts settled in the current period | (18) | 9 | 83 | 39 |
| Nonoperating:Total special items, net of income taxes | $433 | $108 | $834 | $468 |
|
2014 - Special items |
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Severance and benefit costs: During the fourth quarter of 2014, the company recorded $141 million of costs related primarily to a voluntary early-out program for its flight attendants. More than 2,500 participants elected a one-time opportunity 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 from November 30, 2014 through the end of 2015. The company will record additional expense associated with this program through 2015 over the remaining required service periods. In addition to the fourth quarter item, during the year ended December 31, 2014, the company recorded $58 million of severance and benefits primarily related to reductions of management and front-line employees, including from Cleveland airport, as part of its cost savings initiatives. The company is currently evaluating its options regarding its long-term contractual commitments at Cleveland. The capacity reductions at Cleveland may result in further special charges, which could be significant, related to our contractual commitments. |
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Integration-related costs: Integration-related costs include compensation costs related to systems integration, training, severance and relocation for employees.
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Impairment of assets: During the fourth quarter of 2014, the company recorded a charge of $16 million ($10 million net of related income tax benefits) related to its annual assessment of impairment of its indefinite-lived intangible assets (primarily international Pacific routes). In addition to the fourth quarter item, during the year ended December 31, 2014, the company recorded $33 million for charges related primarily to impairment of its flight equipment held for disposal associated with its Boeing 737-300 and 737-500 fleets. |
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Costs associated with permanently grounding Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft: During the year ended December 31, 2014, the company recorded $66 million for the permanent grounding of 21 of the company's Embraer ERJ 135 regional aircraft under lease through 2018, which includes an accrual for remaining lease payments and an amount for maintenance return conditions. As a result of the current fuel prices, new Embraer 175 regional jet deliveries and impact of pilot shortages at regional carriers, the company decided to permanently ground these 21 Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft. The company continues to operate nine Embraer ERJ 135 aircraft and will assess the possibility of grounding those aircraft when the term of the current capacity purchase contract ends. |
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Loss on extinguishment of debt and other special charges, net: On October 10, 2014, United used cash to retire, at par, the entire $248 million principal balance of the 6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures and the 6% Convertible Preferred Securities, Term Income Deferrable Equity Securities (TIDES). The $53 million expense is primarily associated with the write-off of non-cash debt discounts recorded on the TIDES due to purchase accounting during the merger with Continental Airlines in 2010. |
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MTM losses from fuel hedges settling in future periods and prior period gains (losses) on fuel contracts settled in the current period: The company utilizes certain derivative instruments that are economic hedges but do not qualify for hedge accounting under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The company records changes in the fair value of these economic hedges to Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations. During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the company recorded $225 million and $244 million, respectively, in MTM losses on economic hedges that will settle in future periods. For economic hedges that settled in the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the company recorded MTM gains (losses) of ($18) million and $83 million, respectively, in prior periods. The figures above also include an insignificant amount of ineffectiveness on hedges that are designated for hedge accounting. |
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2013 - Special items |
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Severance and benefit costs: During the fourth quarter of 2013, the company recorded a $91 million severance and benefit special charge. The company offered a voluntary retirement program for its fleet service, passenger service, storekeeper and pilot workgroups. Approximately 1,200 employees volunteered during the fourth quarter and United recorded approximately $64 million of costs for the programs. The company also offered a voluntary leave of absence program that approximately 1,100 flight attendants accepted, which allowed for continued medical coverage during the leave of absence period, resulting in a charge of approximately $12 million. The remaining $15 million of severance and benefit costs is related to involuntary severance programs associated with other workgroups. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the company recorded a $14 million charge associated with a voluntary program offered by United in which flight attendants took an unpaid 13-month leave of absence. The flight attendants received medical benefits and other company benefits while on leave under this program. Approximately 1,300 flight attendants opted to participate in the program. |
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Integration-related costs: Integration-related costs included compensation costs related to systems integration and training, branding activities, new uniforms, write-off or acceleration of depreciation on systems and facilities that were no longer used or planned to be used for significantly shorter periods, relocation for employees and severance primarily associated with administrative headcount reductions. |
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Impairment of assets: During the year ended December 31, 2013, the company recorded $32 million of charges related primarily to impairment of its flight equipment held for disposal associated with its 737-300 and 737-500 fleets and a $1 million charge associated with a route to Manila to reflect the estimated fair value of this asset as part of its annual impairment test of indefinite-lived intangible assets. |
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Labor agreements costs: On September 26, 2013, the company announced that it had reached tentative agreements with respect to joint collective bargaining agreements with the International Association of Machinists for the fleet service, passenger service and storekeeper workgroups. The company recorded a $127 million special charge associated with lump sum cash payments that would be made in conjunction with the ratification of the agreements. The agreements were ratified and the payments were made in the fourth quarter of 2013. |
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Losses on sale of assets and other special (gains) losses, net: During the year ended December 31, 2013, the company recorded $18 million associated with the temporary grounding of its Boeing 787 aircraft. The charges were comprised of aircraft depreciation expense and dedicated personnel costs that the company incurred while the aircraft were grounded. The aircraft returned to service in May 2013. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the company recorded approximately $11 million in accruals for future rent associated with the early retirement of four leased 757-200 aircraft, offset by $5 million in gains on the sale of aircraft and a $5 million adjustment in legal reserves. In addition to the fourth quarter items, during the year ended December 31, 2013, the company adjusted its reserves for certain legal matters by $34 million, recorded a $5 million gain related to a contract termination and recorded $2 million in losses on the sale of assets. |
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MTM gains from fuel hedges settling in future periods and prior period gains on fuel contracts settled in the current period: During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2013, the company recorded $59 million and $84 million, respectively, in MTM gains on economic hedges that settled in later periods. For economic hedges that settled in the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2013, the company recorded MTM gains of $9 million and $39 million, respectively, in prior periods. The figures above also include an insignificant amount of ineffectiveness on hedges that are designated for hedge accounting. |
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© |
No federal income tax expense was recognized related to the company's pretax income for the three months ended December 31, 2014, and 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2014, and 2013 due to the utilization of book net operating loss carry forwards for which no benefit has previously been recognized. The company is required to provide a valuation allowance for its deferred tax assets in excess of deferred tax liabilities because UAL concluded that it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will ultimately not be realized. |
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| Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 |
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
Year Ended December 31, 2014 |
Year Ended December 31, 2013 |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainline: Passengers (thousands) |
22,087 | 22,155 | (0.3) | 91,475 | 91,329 | 0.2 |
| Mainline:Revenue passenger miles (millions) | 42,609 | 42,531 | 0.2 | 179,015 | 178,578 | 0.2 |
| Mainline:Available seat miles (millions) | 52,197 | 51,670 | 1.0 | 214,105 | 213,007 | 0.5 |
| Mainline:Cargo ton miles (millions) | 674 | 599 | 12.5 | 2,487 | 2,213 | 12.4 |
| Mainline:Passenger load factor: Mainline |
81.6% | 82.3% | (0.7) pts. | 83.6% | 83.8% | (0.2) pts. |
| Mainline:Domestic | 84.1% | 84.8% | (0.7) pts. | 86.0% | 85.7% | 0.3 pts. |
| Mainline:International | 79.2% | 79.7% | (0.5) pts. | 81.3% | 81.9% | (0.6) pts. |
| Mainline:Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents) | 12.21 | 12.01 | 1.7 | 12.51 | 12.20 | 2.5 |
| Mainline:Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents) | 14.96 | 14.59 | 2.5 | 14.96 | 14.56 | 2.7 |
| Mainline:Average aircraft fuel price per gallon excluding hedge losses recorded in fuel expense | $2.58 | $3.09 | (16.5) | $2.96 | $3.12 | (5.1) |
| Mainline:Average aircraft fuel price per gallon | $2.69 | $3.07 | (12.4) | $2.98 | $3.12 | (4.5) |
| Mainline:Average aircraft fuel price per gallon including cash received (paid) on settled hedges that did not qualify for hedge accounting | $2.88 | $3.06 | (5.9) | $3.03 | $3.11 | (2.6) |
| Mainline:Fuel gallons consumed (millions) | 769 | 777 | (1.0) | 3,183 | 3,204 | (0.7) |
| Mainline:Aircraft in fleet at end of period | 691 | 693 | (0.3) | 691 | 693 | (0.3) |
| Mainline:Average stage length (miles) | 1,936 | 1,916 | 1.0 | 1,958 | 1,934 | 1.2 |
| Mainline:Average daily utilization of each aircraft (hours) | 10:11 | 10:07 | 0.7 | 10:26 | 10:28 | (0.3) |
| Regional: Passengers (thousands) |
11,470 | 11,952 | (4.0) | 46,554 | 47,880 | (2.8) |
| Regional:Revenue passenger miles (millions) | 6,602 | 6,648 | (0.7) | 26,544 | 26,589 | (0.2) |
| Regional:Available seat miles (millions) | 8,016 | 8,021 | (0.1) | 31,916 | 32,347 | (1.3) |
| Regional:Passenger load factor | 82.4% | 82.9% | (0.5) pts. | 83.2% | 82.2% | 1.0 pts. |
| Regional:Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents) | 21.31 | 22.09 | (3.5) | 21.86 | 22.03 | (0.8) |
| Regional:Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents) | 25.87 | 26.65 | (2.9) | 26.28 | 26.80 | (1.9) |
| Regional:Aircraft in fleet at end of period | 566 | 572 | (1.0) | 566 | 572 | (1.0) |
| Regional:Average stage length (miles) | 570 | 544 | 4.8 | 561 | 542 | 3.5 |
| Consolidated (Mainline and Regional): Passengers (thousands) |
33,557 | 34,107 | (1.6) | 138,029 | 139,209 | (0.8) |
| Consolidated (Mainline and Regional)Revenue passenger miles (millions) | 49,211 | 49,179 | 0.1 | 205,559 | 205,167 | 0.2 |
| Consolidated (Mainline and Regional)Available seat miles (millions) | 60,213 | 59,691 | 0.9 | 246,021 | 245,354 | 0.3 |
| Consolidated (Mainline and Regional)Passenger load factor | 81.7% | 82.4% | (0.7) pts. | 83.6% | 83.6% | - pts. |
| Consolidated (Mainline and Regional)Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents) | 13.42 | 13.36 | 0.4 | 13.72 | 13.50 | 1.6 |
| Consolidated (Mainline and Regional)Total revenue per available seat mile (cents) | 15.47 | 15.63 | (1.0) | 15.81 | 15.60 | 1.3 |
| Consolidated (Mainline and Regional)Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents) | 16.43 | 16.22 | 1.3 | 16.42 | 16.14 | 1.7 |
| Consolidated (Mainline and Regional)Average aircraft fuel price per gallon excluding hedge losses recorded in fuel expense 4 | $2.58 | $3.11 | (17.0) | $2.97 | $3.13 | (5.1) |
| Consolidated (Mainline and Regional)Average aircraft fuel price per gallon 4 | $2.67 | $3.09 | (13.6) | $2.99 | $3.13 | (4.5) |
| Consolidated (Mainline and Regional)Average aircraft fuel price per gallon including cash received (paid) on settled hedges that did not qualify for hedge accounting 4 | $2.83 | $3.08 | (8.1) | $3.03 | $3.12 | (2.9) |
| Consolidated (Mainline and Regional)Fuel gallons consumed (millions) | 948 | 961 | (1.4) | 3,905 | 3,947 | (1.1) |
| Consolidated (Mainline and Regional)Average full-time equivalent employees (thousands) | 80.5 | 82.2 | (2.1) | 82.0 | 84.2 | (2.6) |
|
||||||
|
UNITED CONTINENTAL HOLDINGS, INC. |
|
UAL evaluates its financial performance utilizing various accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and Non-GAAP financial measures, including income before income taxes excluding special items, net earnings/loss per share excluding special items, and CASM, among others. CASM is a common metric used in the airline industry to measure an airline's cost structure and efficiency. Pursuant to SEC Regulation G, UAL has included the following reconciliation of reported Non-GAAP financial measures to comparable financial measures reported on a GAAP basis. UAL believes that adjusting for special items is useful to investors because special charges are non-recurring charges not indicative of UAL's ongoing performance. In addition, the company believes that adjusting for MTM gains and losses from fuel hedges settling in future periods and prior period gains and losses on fuel contracts settled in the current period is useful because the adjustments allow investors to better understand the cash impact of settled hedges in a given period. UAL also believes that excluding third-party business expenses, such as maintenance, ground handling and catering services for third parties, fuel sales and non-air mileage redemptions, provides more meaningful disclosure because these expenses are not directly related to UAL's core business. UAL also believes that excluding fuel costs from certain measures is useful to investors because it provides an additional measure of management's performance excluding the effects of a significant cost item over which management has limited influence. UAL excludes profit sharing because this exclusion allows investors to better understand and analyze our recurring cost performance and provides a more meaningful comparison of our core operating costs to the airline industry. |
| Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 (In millions) |
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 (In millions) |
$ Increase/ (Decrease) |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
Year Ended December 31, 2014 (In millions) |
Year Ended December 31, 2013 (In millions) |
$ Increase/ (Decrease) |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating expenses | $8,688 | $9,094 | $(406) | (4.5) | $36,528 | $37,030 | $(502) | (1.4) |
| Operating expensesLess: Special charges (B) | 179 | 165 | 14 | NM1 | 443 | 520 | (77) | NM1 |
| Operating expenses, excluding special charges | 8,509 | 8,929 | (420) | (4.7) | 36,085 | 36,510 | (425) | (1.2) |
| Operating expenses, excluding special chargesLess: Third-party business expenses | 65 | 198 | (133) | (67.2) | 534 | 694 | (160) | (23.1) |
| Operating expenses, excluding special chargesLess: Fuel expense | 2,530 | 2,965 | (435) | (14.7) | 11,675 | 12,345 | (670) | (5.4) |
| Operating expenses, excluding special chargesLess: Profit sharing, including taxes | 53 | 28 | 25 | 89.3 | 235 | 190 | 45 | 23.7 |
| Operating expenses, excluding fuel, profit sharing, special charges and third-party business expenses | $5,861 | $5,738 | $123 | 2.1 | $23,641 | $23,281 | $360 | 1.5 |
| Income before income taxes | $23 | $112 | $(89) | (79.5) | $1,128 | $539 | $589 | 109.3 |
| Income before income taxesLess: Special items before income tax benefit | 439 | 115 | 324 | 281.7 | 844 | 475 | 369 | 77.7 |
| Income before income taxes and excluding special items | $462 | $227 | $235 | 103.5 | $1,972 | $1,014 | $958 | 94.5 |
| Net income | $28 | $140 | $(112) | (80.0) | $1,132 | $571 | $561 | 98.2 |
| Net incomeLess: special items, net of tax (B) | 433 | 108 | 325 | NM1 | 834 | 468 | 366 | NM1 |
| Net income, excluding special items | $461 | $248 | $213 | 85.9 | $1,966 | $1,039 | $927 | 89.2 |
| Diluted earnings per shareDiluted earnings per share | $0.07 | $0.37 | $(0.30) | (81.1) | $2.93 | $1.53 | $1.40 | 91.5 |
| Diluted earnings per shareAdd back: Special items, net of tax | 1.12 | 0.28 | 0.84 | NM1 | 2.12 | 1.20 | 0.92 | NM1 |
| Diluted earnings per shareAdd back: Impact of dilution, net | 0.01 | - | 0.01 | NM1 | 0.01 | - | 0.01 | NM1 |
| Diluted earnings per share, excluding special items | $1.20 | $0.65 | $0.55 | 84.6 | $5.06 | $2.73 | $2.33 | 85.3 |
| Weighted average shares, diluted |
| Three Months Ended December 31, 2014 in cents |
Three Months Ended December 31, 2013 in cents |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
Year Ended December 31, 2014 in cents |
Year Ended December 31, 2013 in cents |
% Increase/ (Decrease) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASM Mainline Operations (cents) Cost per available seat mile (CASM) |
13.68 | 14.41 | (5.1) | 14.03 | 14.31 | (2.0) |
| CASM Mainline Operations (cents): Cost per available seat mile (CASM)Less: Special charges (B) | 0.34 | 0.31 | NM1 | 0.21 | 0.24 | NM1 |
| CASM Mainline Operations (cents): Cost per available seat mile (CASM)CASM, excluding special charges | 13.34 | 14.10 | (5.4) | 13.82 | 14.07 | (1.8) |
| CASM Mainline Operations (cents): CASM, excluding special chargesLess: Third-party business expenses | 0.12 | 0.39 | (69.2) | 0.25 | 0.33 | (24.2) |
| CASM Mainline Operations (cents):CASM, excluding special charges and third-party business expenses | 13.22 | 13.71 | (3.6) | 13.57 | 13.74 | (1.2) |
| CASM Mainline Operations (cents): CASM, excluding special charges and third-party business expensesLess: Fuel expense | 3.96 | 4.61 | (14.1) | 4.44 | 4.69 | (5.3) |
| CASM Mainline Operations (cents): CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses and fuel | 9.26 | 9.10 | 1.8 | 9.13 | 9.05 | 0.9 |
| CASM Mainline Operations (cents): CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses and fuelLess: Profit sharing per available seat mile | 0.10 | 0.05 | 100.0 | 0.11 | 0.09 | 22.2 |
| CASM Mainline Operations (cents): CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses, fuel, and profit sharing | 9.16 | 9.05 | 1.2 | 9.02 | 8.96 | 0.7 |
| CASM Consolidated Operations (cents) Cost per available seat mile (CASM) |
14.43 | 15.24 | (5.3) | 14.85 | 15.09 | (1.6) |
| CASM Consolidated Operations (cents): Cost per available seat mile (CASM):Less: Special charges (B) | 0.30 | 0.28 | NM1 | 0.18 | 0.21 | NM1 |
| CASM Consolidated Operations (cents): CASM, excluding special charges | 14.13 | 14.96 | (5.5) | 14.67 | 14.88 | (1.4) |
| CASM Consolidated Operations (cents): CASM, excluding special charges: Less: Third-party business expenses | 0.11 | 0.33 | (66.7) | 0.22 | 0.28 | (21.4) |
| CASM Consolidated Operations (cents): CASM, excluding special charges and third-party business expenses | 14.02 | 14.63 | (4.2) | 14.45 | 14.60 | (1.0) |
| CASM Consolidated Operations (cents): CASM, excluding special charges and third-party business expenses:Less: Fuel expense | 4.20 | 4.97 | (15.5) | 4.75 | 5.03 | (5.6) |
| CASM Consolidated Operations (cents): CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses and fuel | 9.82 | 9.66 | 1.7 | 9.70 | 9.57 | 1.4 |
| CASM Consolidated Operations (cents): CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses and fuel: Less: Profit sharing per available seat mile | 0.09 | 0.05 | 80.0 | 0.09 | 0.08 | 12.5 |
| CASM Consolidated Operations (cents): CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses, fuel, and profit sharing | 9.73 | 9.61 | 1.2 | 9.61 | 9.49 | 1.3 |
| Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014 (in millions) |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Operating Profit After Tax (NOPAT) Pre-tax income excluding special items 5 |
$1,972 | ||||
| Net Operating Profit After Tax (NOPAT): Add: Interest expense 6 | 733 | ||||
| Net Operating Profit After Tax (NOPAT): Add: Interest component of capitalized aircraft rent 6 | 431 | ||||
| Net Operating Profit After Tax (NOPAT): Add: Net interest on pension 6 | 107 | ||||
| Net Operating Profit After Tax (NOPAT): Less: Income tax expense | (6) | ||||
| Net Operating Profit After Tax (NOPAT): NOPAT | $3,237 | ||||
| Net Operating Profit After Tax (NOPAT): Effective tax rate 7 | 0.3% | ||||
| Invested Capital (five-quarter average) Total assets |
$37,560 | ||||
| Invested Capital (five-quarter average): Total assetsAdd: Capitalized aircraft rent (@7.0x) | 6,362 | ||||
| Invested Capital (five-quarter average): Total assetsLess: Advance ticket sales |
(4,290) | ||||
| Invested Capital (five-quarter average): Total assets: Less:Frequent flyer deferred revenue | (6,345) | ||||
| Invested Capital (five-quarter average): Total assets: Less:Deferred incomes taxes | 2,477 | ||||
| Invested Capital (five-quarter average): Total assets: Less:Tax valuation allowance | (4,076) | ||||
| Invested Capital (five-quarter average): Total assets: Less:Other non-interest bearing liabilities | (6,615) | ||||
| Invested Capital (five-quarter average): Average Invested Capital | $25,073 | ||||
| Invested Capital (five-quarter average): Return on Invested Capital | 12.9% | ||||
|
|||||
| Notes: | Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014 |
||||
| Pre-tax income | $1,128 | ||||
| Return On Invested CapitalAdd: Special items | 844 | ||||
| Return On Invested CapitalPre-tax income excluding special items | $1,972 | ||||
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141016/429327-INFO
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130404/MM89155LOGO
SOURCE United Airlines
For further information: United Airlines Worldwide Media Relations, +1-872-825-8640, media.relations@united.com
NEW YORK, January 24, 2020 – United is teaming up with famed New York community and cultural center, the 92nd Street Y (92Y), to serve as the official airline of the nonprofit's renowned Recanati-Kaplan Talks Series for 2020. For decades, 92Y has been home to New York City's largest and most successful talks series, featuring prominent artists, entertainers, musicians, scientists, comedians, political figures, fashion designers, dancers, economists and many others.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
"United's shared purpose drives us to unite the world by connecting people to what matters most, which is why we are thrilled to be aligned with an organization such as the 92nd Street Y which embodies our brand's commitment," said Jill Kaplan, President, New York / New Jersey for United Airlines. "We are extremely proud to join this iconic institution in treating New Yorkers to another season of compelling commentary and captivating stories that will lift hearts, illuminate minds and bring our community together."
"We are delighted to collaborate with United Airlines for our 2020 season of Recanati-Kaplan Talks," said Susan Engel, executive director of 92Y Talks. "Their generosity helps us to continue to present unforgettable events with some of the most interesting and culturally significant speakers of our times."
Talks for the 2020 season include Larry David, the cast of Schitt's Creek, John Mulaney, Jeffrey Toobin, Paul Krugman, Samantha Bee, Queer Eye's Antoni Porowski, Diane Keaton, Issa Rae, Edie Falco, Seth Rogen, the cast of Outlander, Kevin Kline, Pod Save America's Dan Pfeiffer, Roy Wood Jr., Ronny Chieng, Noah Centineo, Ezra Klein, Malcolm Gladwell, Fareed Zakaria, Ramit Sethi, Glennon Doyle, Nicholas Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn and many more.
Every customer. Every flight. Every day.
United continues to strengthen its commitment to its customers, looking at every aspect of its business to ensure that the carrier keeps customers' best interests at the heart of its service. In addition to today's announcement, United recently:
- Announced that MileagePlus award miles will never expire
- Committed $40 million toward a new investment initiative focused on accelerating the development of sustainable aviation fuels and other decarbonization technologies
- Established Miles on a Mission, a first-of-its-kind crowdsourcing platform which gives customers a simple way to donate miles to non-profit organizations and charities in need of air travel
- Launched ConnectionSaver, a digital tool dedicated to improving the experience for customers with connecting flights
- Instituted PlusPoints, new upgrade benefits for MileagePlus Premier members
- Gave Economy customers a choice of complimentary snacks on domestic flights
- Made DIRECTV free for every customer on more than 200 aircraft
About United
United's shared purpose is "Connecting People. Uniting the World." We are more focused than ever on our commitment to customers through a series of innovations and improvements designed to help build a great experience: Every customer. Every flight. Every day. Together, United and United Express operate approximately 5,000 flights a day to 362 airports across five continents. In 2019, United and United Express operated more than 1.7 million flights carrying more than 162 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates 791 mainline aircraft and the airline's United Express partners operate 579 regional aircraft. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 26 member airlines. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter and Instagram or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Airlines Holdings, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".
About 92Y
92nd Street Y is a world-class, nonprofit cultural and community center that fosters the mental, physical and spiritual health of people throughout their lives, offering: wide-ranging conversations with the world's best minds; an outstanding range of programming in the performing, visual and literary arts; fitness and sports programs; and activities for children and families. 92Y is reimagining what it means to be a community center in the digital age with initiatives like the award-winning #GivingTuesday, launched by 92Y in 2012 and now recognized across the US and in a growing number of regions worldwide as a day to celebrate and promote giving. These kinds of initiatives are transforming the way people share ideas and translate them into action both locally and around the world. More than 300,000 people visit 92Y annually; millions more participate in 92Y's digital and online initiatives. A proudly Jewish organization since its founding in 1874, 92Y embraces its heritage and welcomes people of all backgrounds and perspectives. For more information, visit www.92Y.org.
CHICAGO, Jan. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines is offering football fans across the United States more options to get to Miami for the Big Game. United is offering fans more than 5,600 seats through 29 additional nonstop flights to Miami from its seven U.S. hubs including Los Angeles and seven special point-to-point flights between Kansas City and Miami. Tickets are now available for purchase on united.com.
"This year we're offering football fans from every corner of the country more opportunities than ever to get to Miami for the Big Game including extra flights between San Francisco and Miami and new service between Kansas City and Miami," said Ankit Gupta, United's vice president of Domestic Network Planning. "In addition to our expanded network to Miami for the game, travelers can easily get to Miami via United's 25 daily flights to Fort Lauderdale's Hollywood International Airport from Chicago, Denver, Houston, New York/Newark, San Francisco, Washington Dulles and Cleveland."
United's Big Game Service to Miami | |||
Day | From | To | Frequency |
Friday | San Francisco | Miami | 3 Flights |
Friday | Kansas City | Miami | 2 Flights |
Friday | Chicago | Miami | 5 Flights |
Friday | Denver | Miami | 1 Flight |
Friday | Houston | Miami | 5 Flights |
Friday | Los Angeles | Miami | 1 Flight |
Friday | New York/Newark | Miami | 8 Flights |
Friday | Washington Dulles | Miami | 2 Flights |
Saturday | San Francisco | Miami | 3 Flights |
Saturday | Kansas City | Miami | 2 Flights |
Saturday | Chicago | Miami | 5 Flights |
Saturday | Denver | Miami | 1 Flight |
Saturday | Houston | Miami | 6 Flights |
Saturday | New York/Newark | Miami | 6 Flights |
Saturday | Washington Dulles | Miami | 2 Flights |
Monday | Miami | San Francisco | 5 Flights |
Monday | Miami | Kansas City | 3 Flights |
Monday | Miami | Chicago | 4 Flights |
Monday | Miami | Denver | 1 Flight |
Monday | Miami | Houston | 5 Flights |
Monday | Miami | Los Angeles | 2 Flights |
Monday | Miami | New York/Newark | 9 Flights |
Monday | Miami | Washington Dulles | 3 Flights |
Every customer. Every flight. Every day.
United continues to strengthen its commitment to its customers, looking at every aspect of its business to ensure that the carrier keeps customers' best interests at the heart of its service. In addition to today's announcement, United recently:
- Announced that MileagePlus award miles will never expire
- Committed $40 million toward a new investment initiative focused on accelerating the development of sustainable aviation fuels and other decarbonization technologies
- Established Miles on a Mission, a first-of-its-kind crowdsourcing platform which gives customers a simple way to donate miles to non-profit organizations and charities in need of air travel
- Launched ConnectionSaver, a digital tool dedicated to improving the experience for customers with connecting flights
- Instituted PlusPoints, new upgrade benefits for MileagePlus Premier members
- Gave Economy customers a choice of complimentary snacks on domestic flights
- Made DIRECTV free for every customer on more than 200 aircraft
About United
United's shared purpose is "Connecting People. Uniting the World." We are more focused than ever on our commitment to customers through a series of innovations and improvements designed to help build a great experience: Every customer. Every flight. Every day. Together, United and United Express operate approximately 4,900 flights a day to 362 airports across six continents. In 2019, United and United Express operated more than 1.7 million flights carrying more than 162 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates 791 mainline aircraft and the airline's United Express partners operate 581 regional aircraft. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 26 member airlines. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter and Instagram or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Airlines Holdings, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".
SOURCE United Airlines
For further information: United Airlines Worldwide Media Relations, 872-825-8640, media.relations@united.com