American Airlines awards scholarships to the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals



L to R: Evie Garces, American’s Vice President of Line Maintenance; AIM – Chicago scholarship recipients Faith Rono, Raul Cancino, Eddina Bills, Szymon Lysek, Jose Aqunio and Blake Simone; and Dr. Joel English, President – AIM.



L to R: Edgardo and Julio Sanchez Casillas.

CHICAGO — American Airlines continues to help students find their path from the classroom to the hangar through recent scholarship awards. The airline recently awarded eight scholarships to students at events last week, helping them achieve their dreams of becoming aviation maintenance technicians.

“Supporting and mentoring the next generation of aviation maintenance technicians is not only our honor, but our duty,” said Evie Garces, Vice President of Line Maintenance at American Airlines. “These scholarships not only provide access to educational opportunities, but they also open doors to lucrative careers. We’re proud to care for these talented students on their educational journeys and hope to see them in an American uniform after graduation.”

At a ceremony held at the Aviation Maintenance Institute (AIM) – Chicago campus, the airline awarded six $1,000 scholarships to students enrolled in the school’s Aviation Maintenance Technician program:

  • Eddina Bills, Chicago
  • Raul Cancino, Chicago
  • Szymon Lysek, Saint John, Illinois
  • Jose Aquino, Maywood, Illinois
  • Faith Rono, Chicago
  • Blake Simone, Chicago

American announced a partnership with AIM – Chicago in 2022 which provides students access to the airline’s maintenance facilities and aircraft maintenance professionals through engagement opportunities. For the past two years, aviation maintenance technicians from the carrier’s Chicago (ORD) hub have also mentored student teams from AIM – Chicago for the annual Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition (AMC), held this year in Chicago in conjunction with Aviation Week’s MRO Americas conference.

American also awarded scholarships to two brothers who attend the Puerto Rico Aviation Maintenance Institute in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, at the AMC awards ceremony. Julio and Edgardo Sanchez Casillas, both of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, were each awarded $2,500 Phoebe Omlie scholarships, named after the first female to receive an aircraft mechanic license. Julio and Edgardo are students in the school’s aviation maintenance program.

About American Airlines Group
To Care for People on Life’s Journey®. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL and the company’s stock is included in the S&P 500. Learn more about what’s happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.

American Airlines Group announces webcast of first-quarter 2024 financial results

FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL) will webcast a live audio feed of its first-quarter 2024 financial results conference call with financial analysts and journalists on Thursday, April 25, at 7:30 a.m. CT.

The webcast will be available to the public on a listen-only basis at aa.com/investorrelations. An archive of the call will be available on the website through May 25.

About American Airlines Group
To Care for People on Life’s Journey®. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL and the company’s stock is included in the S&P 500. Learn more about what’s happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.

American Airlines, Make-A-Wish® and Disney host Wish Flight in support of 28 children battling critical illnesses

    Wish Flight is part of the month-long celebration leading up to World Wish Day® on April 29

FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines, Make-A-Wish and Disney will grant the wishes of children battling critical illnesses in celebration of World Wish Month. On April 17, 28 wish families will board the Wish Flight and fly on a one-of-a-kind, chartered plane from Dallas-Fort Worth to Orlando, Florida, to fulfill their wishes to go to Walt Disney World Resort®.

American recently hosted a special wish reveal celebration at its Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters with local wish families. Team members came together to cheer on the wish kids with congratulatory signs, refreshments and photo stations as the children learned about the extraordinary Wish Flight they will be taking in April.

Wish Flight will be full of unforgettable experiences, beginning with a pre-flight celebration at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, complete with a breakfast bar and a special send-off by WishMakers who make wishes possible. The party will continue with an epic inflight experience and magical moments provided by American, sending these wish kids and their families off on a trip that will be sure to transform their lives.

In addition to interactive games, the flight will feature a special snack menu and surprise moments including live entertainment. The chartered Wish Flight will land at Orlando International Airport, and families will be welcomed by WishMakers cheering their arrival.

The families will then enjoy a welcome reception at Give Kids The World Village, a whimsical nonprofit resort where they will stay for six days and five nights as part of their wish trip. All of the children’s wishes are to visit Walt Disney World Resort®, and together with Make-A-Wish, Disney has helped grant more than 155,000 life-changing wishes like these since 1980.

“As long-time WishMakers, American Airlines and Disney know what it takes to deliver hope, strength and joy to children with critical illnesses and their families,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “In the case of Wish Flight, they will provide wish families with an experience unlike any other that is sure to create unforgettable memories before they even step foot off the plane to begin their wish trips.”

Make-A-Wish needs almost 3 billion airline miles to fulfill travel wishes for children battling critical illnesses each year, making it a critical resource to grant the wish of every eligible child waiting. As the organization’s longest-standing airline partner, American generously donated the chartered aircraft and continues to donate millions of AAdvantage® miles yearly to make wish travel possible.

American will direct all AAdvantage® miles donated to Miles for Global Health and Well-Being during the month of April to Make-A-Wish, up to 50 million miles.

“At American, we’re in the business of connecting people and creating experiences through the joy of travel. We hope these kids and their families can feel the support, strength and excitement of our team members as they embark on this heartwarming journey with us,” said Caroline Clayton, Vice President of Communications and Marketing at American Airlines. “As a partner of Make-A-Wish for more than 35 years, we are grateful to help uplift our community by helping to make wishes come true for those who need it most.”

Wishes wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and generosity of WishMakers. From individual donors to corporate partners, from everyday people to celebrities, everyone has the power to become a WishMaker. But more WishMakers are needed in order for Make-A-Wish to achieve its goal to bring the life-changing impact of a wish to every eligible child.

During World Wish Month in April, Make-A-Wish chapters and affiliates worldwide are inviting communities to join the movement and become a WishMaker between now and the end of World Wish month. The Wish Flight is a perfect example of the impact that’s possible when communities unite to make wishes happen.

Make-A-Wish and American invite anyone who would like to make a difference in the lives of wish kids to learn how to make wishes come true and become a WishMaker at wishmaker.org.

About American Airlines Group
To Care for People on Life’s Journey®. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL and the company’s stock is included in the S&P 500. Learn more about what’s happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.

About Make-A-Wish®
Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the #1 most trusted nonprofit operating locally in all 50 states throughout the U.S. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 20,000 volunteers across the country, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish aims to bring the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 585,000 wishes in 50 countries worldwide; more than 375,000 wishes in the U.S. and its territories alone. For more information about Make-A-Wish America, visit wish.org.

About Disney
At The Walt Disney Company, we inspire a better world through the power of stories. A world filled with hope and promise, especially for children. As part of these efforts, Disney is committed to delivering joy and comfort to children facing serious illness, and to the people who care for them.
This includes Disney’s efforts with Make-A-Wish® and nearly 100 other wish-granting organizations around the world. Through Disney’s collaboration with Make-A-Wish, we’ve helped grant more than 155,000 life-changing wishes since the first wish was granted more than 40 years ago at Disneyland Resort. Wishes range from theme park visits to movie premieres, character meet-and-greets to sports events. All with the goal of helping kids feel like kids, while creating special memories with their families.
Learn more about our commitment to delivering joy when it’s needed most at joy.disney.com.

About Give Kids The World
One of less than 1% of all U.S. charities to receive Charity Navigator’s highest rating 17 years in a row, Give Kids The World Village is an 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides children with critical illnesses and their families from around the world with magical week-long wish vacations. From life’s simple pleasures to the stuff that dreams are made of, every wish family is treated to an all-inclusive experience including private villa accommodations; all meals and snacks; nightly entertainment; daily gifts; and non-stop fun at the Village, a storybook destination featuring an array of accessible rides and attractions. Since 1986, nearly 200,000 wish families from all 50 states and 77 countries have been welcomed to the Village to laugh together, play together, and create priceless memories away from hospital stays and medical treatments. Give Kids The World’s mission to create the happiness that inspires hope for wish families is made possible by the generosity of caring corporate partners, individual donors and caring volunteers. For more information, visit www.gktw.org.

American Airlines enhances inflight connectivity and entertainment, will introduce AAdvantage redemption

  • AAdvantage® members will soon be able to use their miles in even more ways with a new option to redeem for Wi-Fi on board.
  • All customers can enjoy ad-sponsored Wi-Fi available across 100% of American’s Viasat domestic narrowbody fleet.
  • Regional high-speed Wi-Fi installations kick off this summer, bringing high-speed Wi-Fi to nearly 500 dual-class regional aircraft.
  • New inflight content and specially curated channels further enhance entertainment offerings.

American continues to make its high-speed inflight Wi-Fi more accessible and easier to use, whether customers connect to work or browse the internet. From introducing a new way for AAdvantage® members to use their miles to consistently improving the inflight connectivity and entertainment experience, customers can look forward to making the most of their time onboard.

Coming soon: redeem miles for Wi-Fi in flight

AAdvantage® members will soon be able to use miles to pay for Wi-Fi on board. American will start rolling out this new ability to redeem miles in the next few weeks on a couple select aircraft. By the summer travel season, all of the airline’s Viasat-equipped narrowbody aircraft will offer this ability to unlock Wi-Fi in exchange for miles. With this enhancement to help loyalty go even further, American continues to deliver on the commitment that travel is better as an AAdvantage® member.

Taking Wi-Fi connectivity to new heights

Once connected, customers can enjoy Wi-Fi even longer with gate-to-gate connectivity on most mainline aircraft, allowing customers to stay connected from the minute they find their seat to when they’re deplaning. and connectivity is only going up from here. Customers looking for a free Wi-Fi option can enjoy ad-sponsored Wi-Fi across 100% of American’s Viasat domestic narrowbody aircraft.

All Wi-Fi connectivity enhancements will be powered by a new design for the Wi-Fi portal that customers use inflight, rolling out throughout the year. The new Wi-Fi portal design will further enhance the customer experience by making Wi-Fi offerings even more accessible for customers with a user-friendly Wi-Fi purchase process with fewer clicks and effective direct-to-customer communication through strategic pop-up messaging. The portal will also make content easier to navigate through a sleeker design, providing an aesthetically pleasing experience that highlights American’s Wi-Fi, entertainment and partner offers on a single page.

Traveling on a regional aircraft? This summer, American and Intelsat will begin installation of high-speed Wi-Fi on nearly 500 dual-class regional aircraft — helping even more customers have a consistent and connected inflight experience.

Staying entertained on board

American is the first airline to offer streaming capabilities on 100% of its mainline fleet, allowing customers to stream video content from their favorite streaming platform. Customers can continue accessing one of the regularly updated 1,500 pieces of free content on inflight entertainment.

Customers can discover fresh and free content, as American updates approximately 200 titles monthly inspired by current entertainment trends, customer feedback and data analysis to create a robust content offering that includes Movies, TV Shows, Audio and Lifestyle options such as:

  • A chance to catch up on all the 2024 winners and nominees by checking out the Award Nominated channel.
  • A Women’s Stories channel, with female voices, from actresses and directors to writers and singers.
  • A Paramount Scares channel featuring specially curated horror and scary movies.

American is committed to a premium customer experience, and this includes creating a fun experience for all travelers. Customers can enjoy options such as:

  • Our youngest flyers can enjoy baby sensory videos through our new exclusive partnership with Hey Bear Sensory to captivate the attention of little ones contributing to a calm and stress-free journey for parents and nearby passengers.
  • Customers looking for wellness options can find custom content like meditation, affirmations, seated stretches, self-care and more wellness categories on their flight through our new partnership with FitOn.
  • Music fans can enjoy exclusive access to some of the most exciting artists around today through Center Stage. Each episode features in-depth interviews with emerging and established artists.

Looking for unique offers from American’s partners? American continues to provide even more value for customers via the partners page, where customers can discover special offers from our partners like Apple TV+, where new customers can get a free two-month subscription to continue watching Apple Originals they’ve discovered in flight.

New year, new goals: How to get the new AAdvantage year off to a rewarding start

The new AAdvantage® status qualification year is underway. With many ways to earn Loyalty Points, the journey to status and rewards is simple.

Loyalty Points are earned toward status and can also unlock Loyalty Point Rewards starting at 15,000 Loyalty Points. The Loyalty Points balance resets to zero every March 1. This doesn’t impact AAdvantage® miles balances, which can still be used on future travel and experiences.

Each year, the Loyalty Points balance resets to zero March 1. Let the games begin: Members have 12 months to earn toward status and Loyalty Point Rewards.

Travel is better as an AAdvantage® member, and it’s even better with status. Reaching AAdvantage® status and Loyalty Point Rewards can level up travel with Priority boarding, complimentary upgrades, free checked bags and more.

This guide explores five easy ways to turn everyday spending into Loyalty Points and miles in addition to traveling on American and eligible partner airlines.

The AAdvantage program is the ultimate rewarding travel companion. If you aren’t already a member, sign up for free on aa.com.

5 ways to turn everyday spending into Loyalty Points and miles

Put everyday spending on an AAdvantage® credit card: Start earning miles and Loyalty Points1 with one of these credit cards to accelerate the path to AAdvantage® status by spending on the card. Cardmembers enjoy mileage multipliers in select categories based on the card they use.

Shop: Groceries, home renovations, pre-vacation shopping or even spending on upcoming nuptials are great ways to earn Loyalty Points and miles toward the trip of a lifetime. With the AAdvantage eShopping™ program, shop at more than 1,200 online stores and earn Loyalty Points and miles on every dollar spent. With SimplyMiles™, earn even more miles with a linked Mastercard® on purchases from select brands in store and online.

Dine out: With the AAdvantage Dining™program, dine and pay with a linked credit or debit card and earn Loyalty Points and miles for every dollar spent at restaurants. Pro tip: Earn even more when offering to pay for the bill when dining out with family and friends, and they can pay back their share.

Book a hotel: Book hotels worldwide and earn up to 15,000 Loyalty Points and miles for every stay. Learn more about AAdvantage Hotels™.

Get tickets to concerts, sporting events, theatre and more: The more events attended, the closer members can get to status or a dream vacation. AAdvantage® members can earn Loyalty Points and miles on entertainment when purchasing tickets for events on aadvantageevents.com. The new platform gives access to everything Ticketmaster has to offer, like sports, concerts, theater and other ticketed events.

Make the status journey more rewarding with Loyalty Point Rewards

American introduced Loyalty Point Rewards in 2023 to give members more rewards before, between and beyond status levels. Loyalty Point Reward levels help members customize their rewards to what they care about most, such as systemwide upgrades, complimentary status with travel partners and more.

Now members can choose Loyalty Points as their Loyalty Point Reward and speed up progress toward status and even more rewards. Loyalty Points are available as a reward choice at the 15,000, 175,000 and 250,000 Loyalty Point Reward levels.

Learn more about the different ways to enjoy the best of travel when reaching new Loyalty Point Rewards and AAdvantage® status tiers on aa.com.

Download the American Airlines mobile app to track your progress toward AAdvantage® status. AAdvantage® program participation is subject to the AAdvantage® terms and conditions, available at aa.com.

1Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for each American Airlines AAdvantage® Mastercard® credit card for more details..

United Plans Largest Transatlantic Expansion in its History, Including 10 New Flights and Five New Destinations Debuting Summer 2022

As part of the agreement, United is committing to purchase 1.5 billion gallons of SAF from Alder when produced to United’s requirements. United’s purchase agreement, which is one and a half times the size of the known purchase commitments of all global airlines combined, makes this easily the largest publicly announced SAF agreement in aviation history. United’s purchase agreement with Alder also surpasses the previous record set by the airline in 2015 through its investment in Fulcrum BioEnergy with its option to purchase up to 900 million gallons of SAF.

“Since announcing our 100% green commitment in 2020, United has stayed focused on decarbonizing without relying on the use of traditional carbon offsets. Part of that commitment means increasing SAF usage and availability since it’s the fastest way to reduce emissions across our fleet. However, to scale SAF as quickly as necessary, we need to look beyond existing solutions and invest in research and development for new pathways like the one Alder is developing,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “United has come further than any other airline making sustainable travel a reality by using SAF to power flights. Our leadership gives customers confidence that they are flying with an airline that recognizes the responsibility we have to help solve climate change.”

“As a pioneer of the SAF market with UOP Ecofining™ technology, our work with United and Alder on this new technology will help transform the industry and support the growth of a zero-carbon economy,” said Darius Adamczyk, Honeywell chairman and chief executive officer. “This solution will not only advance United’s SAF commitment but can help the aviation industry meet its commitments to decouple increases in carbon emissions from growth in passengers.”

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. forestry residues and agricultural residues alone could provide enough biomass energy to generate more than 17 billion gallons of jet fuel and displace 75% of U.S. aviation fuel consumption. If the U.S. were to broadly adopt regenerative agricultural practices, which capture more carbon in healthier soil compared to traditional methods, the U.S. could generate an additional seven billion gallons of SAF, which would completely replace the U.S.’s current fossil jet fuel consumption.

Alder’s technology and demand for its fuel from the aviation industry create a large new market for biomass from regenerative practices. Use of this biomass further enables Alder’s production process to be carbon negative over the fuel’s lifecycle.

“Aviation poses one of the greatest technology challenges for addressing climate change and SAF has demonstrated the greatest potential. However, there is insufficient raw material to meet demand,” said Bryan Sherbacow, CEO of Alder Fuels and senior advisor to World Energy, the company that owns and operates the world’s first SAF refinery. “Alder’s technology revolutionizes SAF production by enabling use of widely available, low-cost and low-carbon feedstock. The industry is now a major step closer to using 100% SAF with our drop-in fuel that accelerates the global transition to a zero-carbon economy.”

Prior to founding Alder, Sherbacow built the world’s first SAF refinery utilizing Honeywell’s technology and subsequently contracted with United, enabling the airline to become the first globally to use SAF in regular operations on a continuous basis. Since then, United has purchased more SAF than any other airline and, with this agreement now, has more than 70% of the airline industry’s publicly announced SAF commitments. Alder’s research is supported by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency, the DOE and a partnership with DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), focused on developing technology to process organic waste and sustainable, non-food plant material into carbon-negative transportation fuels.

Honeywell innovation established the SAF market with its UOP Ecofining process, which is the first technology used to maximize SAF production for commercial aviation. Building on Honeywell’s focus to create sustainable technology, Honeywell will utilize its expertise and proven process of developing sustainable fuels alongside Alder, applying proprietary hydroprocessing design to the process to jointly commercialize the technology. Commercialization is expected by 2025. This announcement is a clear example of how Honeywell’s Sustainable Technology Solutions business can partner with early-stage companies and help them scale faster, access customers and advance research and development to help drive sustainability at the global level.

United’s joint investment in Alder is the latest by United Airlines Ventures, a venture fund launched earlier this year that focuses on startups, upcoming technologies, and sustainability concepts that will complement United’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050 — without relying on traditional carbon offsets. In 2020, United became the first airline to announce a commitment to invest in carbon capture and sequestration and has since followed with investments in electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and 19-seat electric aircraft that have the potential to fly customers up to 250 miles before the decade’s end.

About United

United’s shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter and Instagram or connect on Facebook. The common stock of UAL is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL”.

About United Airlines Ventures

United’s corporate venture capital fund, United Airlines Ventures, allows the airline to continue investing in emerging companies that have the potential to influence the future of travel. The new fund will concentrate on sustainability concepts that will complement United’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050 — without relying on traditional carbon offsets — as well as revolutionary aerospace developments and innovative technologies that are expected to create value for customers and United’s operation. For more information about United Airlines Ventures, please visit https://www.united.com/ventures.

About Honeywell

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

About Alder Fuels

Alder Fuels, founded by biofuel and aviation industry entrepreneur Bryan Sherbacow, is a process technology and project development company in the low-carbon energy industry. Alder is commercializing a process to produce crude oil that is carbon negative, scalable and cost-competitive with the petroleum it replaces. Critical to rapid, world-scale deployment, the process will be compatible with the existing petroleum refining and logistics infrastructure. The company’s collaboration with United Airlines and Honeywell UOP is expected to propel use of new forms of biomass to power commercial aircraft, reduce fossil fuel consumption and commercialize technologies benefiting the flying public. It builds upon a decade-old relationship among the stakeholders in pioneering commercialization of industry-leading SAF technology. For more information about Alder Fuels, visit http://www.alderfuel.com/.

Forward Looking Statement

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this press release 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 United’s and Honeywell’s 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,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “remains,” “believes,” “estimates,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “goals,” “targets” 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 press release are based upon information available to us on the date of this press release. Neither United nor Honeywell undertakes any 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. United’s and Honeywell’s actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties set forth under Part II, Item 1A., “Risk Factors,” of United Airlines Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 and Honeywell’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports United Airlines Holdings, Inc. and Honeywell file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE United Airlines

For further information: United Airlines Worldwide Media Relations, +1-872-825-8640, media.relations@united.com; Honeywell, Mike Hockey, Mike.hockey@honeywell.com, 832 285 4933; Alder Fuels, Alex Gibson, 803-361-3016, agibson@apcoworldwide.com

United Plans Largest Domestic Schedule Since March 2020

As part of the agreement, United is committing to purchase 1.5 billion gallons of SAF from Alder when produced to United’s requirements. United’s purchase agreement, which is one and a half times the size of the known purchase commitments of all global airlines combined, makes this easily the largest publicly announced SAF agreement in aviation history. United’s purchase agreement with Alder also surpasses the previous record set by the airline in 2015 through its investment in Fulcrum BioEnergy with its option to purchase up to 900 million gallons of SAF.

“Since announcing our 100% green commitment in 2020, United has stayed focused on decarbonizing without relying on the use of traditional carbon offsets. Part of that commitment means increasing SAF usage and availability since it’s the fastest way to reduce emissions across our fleet. However, to scale SAF as quickly as necessary, we need to look beyond existing solutions and invest in research and development for new pathways like the one Alder is developing,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “United has come further than any other airline making sustainable travel a reality by using SAF to power flights. Our leadership gives customers confidence that they are flying with an airline that recognizes the responsibility we have to help solve climate change.”

“As a pioneer of the SAF market with UOP Ecofining™ technology, our work with United and Alder on this new technology will help transform the industry and support the growth of a zero-carbon economy,” said Darius Adamczyk, Honeywell chairman and chief executive officer. “This solution will not only advance United’s SAF commitment but can help the aviation industry meet its commitments to decouple increases in carbon emissions from growth in passengers.”

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. forestry residues and agricultural residues alone could provide enough biomass energy to generate more than 17 billion gallons of jet fuel and displace 75% of U.S. aviation fuel consumption. If the U.S. were to broadly adopt regenerative agricultural practices, which capture more carbon in healthier soil compared to traditional methods, the U.S. could generate an additional seven billion gallons of SAF, which would completely replace the U.S.’s current fossil jet fuel consumption.

Alder’s technology and demand for its fuel from the aviation industry create a large new market for biomass from regenerative practices. Use of this biomass further enables Alder’s production process to be carbon negative over the fuel’s lifecycle.

“Aviation poses one of the greatest technology challenges for addressing climate change and SAF has demonstrated the greatest potential. However, there is insufficient raw material to meet demand,” said Bryan Sherbacow, CEO of Alder Fuels and senior advisor to World Energy, the company that owns and operates the world’s first SAF refinery. “Alder’s technology revolutionizes SAF production by enabling use of widely available, low-cost and low-carbon feedstock. The industry is now a major step closer to using 100% SAF with our drop-in fuel that accelerates the global transition to a zero-carbon economy.”

Prior to founding Alder, Sherbacow built the world’s first SAF refinery utilizing Honeywell’s technology and subsequently contracted with United, enabling the airline to become the first globally to use SAF in regular operations on a continuous basis. Since then, United has purchased more SAF than any other airline and, with this agreement now, has more than 70% of the airline industry’s publicly announced SAF commitments. Alder’s research is supported by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency, the DOE and a partnership with DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), focused on developing technology to process organic waste and sustainable, non-food plant material into carbon-negative transportation fuels.

Honeywell innovation established the SAF market with its UOP Ecofining process, which is the first technology used to maximize SAF production for commercial aviation. Building on Honeywell’s focus to create sustainable technology, Honeywell will utilize its expertise and proven process of developing sustainable fuels alongside Alder, applying proprietary hydroprocessing design to the process to jointly commercialize the technology. Commercialization is expected by 2025. This announcement is a clear example of how Honeywell’s Sustainable Technology Solutions business can partner with early-stage companies and help them scale faster, access customers and advance research and development to help drive sustainability at the global level.

United’s joint investment in Alder is the latest by United Airlines Ventures, a venture fund launched earlier this year that focuses on startups, upcoming technologies, and sustainability concepts that will complement United’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050 — without relying on traditional carbon offsets. In 2020, United became the first airline to announce a commitment to invest in carbon capture and sequestration and has since followed with investments in electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and 19-seat electric aircraft that have the potential to fly customers up to 250 miles before the decade’s end.

About United

United’s shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter and Instagram or connect on Facebook. The common stock of UAL is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL”.

About United Airlines Ventures

United’s corporate venture capital fund, United Airlines Ventures, allows the airline to continue investing in emerging companies that have the potential to influence the future of travel. The new fund will concentrate on sustainability concepts that will complement United’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050 — without relying on traditional carbon offsets — as well as revolutionary aerospace developments and innovative technologies that are expected to create value for customers and United’s operation. For more information about United Airlines Ventures, please visit https://www.united.com/ventures.

About Honeywell

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

About Alder Fuels

Alder Fuels, founded by biofuel and aviation industry entrepreneur Bryan Sherbacow, is a process technology and project development company in the low-carbon energy industry. Alder is commercializing a process to produce crude oil that is carbon negative, scalable and cost-competitive with the petroleum it replaces. Critical to rapid, world-scale deployment, the process will be compatible with the existing petroleum refining and logistics infrastructure. The company’s collaboration with United Airlines and Honeywell UOP is expected to propel use of new forms of biomass to power commercial aircraft, reduce fossil fuel consumption and commercialize technologies benefiting the flying public. It builds upon a decade-old relationship among the stakeholders in pioneering commercialization of industry-leading SAF technology. For more information about Alder Fuels, visit http://www.alderfuel.com/.

Forward Looking Statement

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this press release 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 United’s and Honeywell’s 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,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “remains,” “believes,” “estimates,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “goals,” “targets” 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 press release are based upon information available to us on the date of this press release. Neither United nor Honeywell undertakes any 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. United’s and Honeywell’s actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties set forth under Part II, Item 1A., “Risk Factors,” of United Airlines Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 and Honeywell’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports United Airlines Holdings, Inc. and Honeywell file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE United Airlines

For further information: United Airlines Worldwide Media Relations, +1-872-825-8640, media.relations@united.com; Honeywell, Mike Hockey, Mike.hockey@honeywell.com, 832 285 4933; Alder Fuels, Alex Gibson, 803-361-3016, agibson@apcoworldwide.com

United Becomes First Airline to Introduce PayPal QR Codes as Inflight Payment Option

As part of the agreement, United is committing to purchase 1.5 billion gallons of SAF from Alder when produced to United’s requirements. United’s purchase agreement, which is one and a half times the size of the known purchase commitments of all global airlines combined, makes this easily the largest publicly announced SAF agreement in aviation history. United’s purchase agreement with Alder also surpasses the previous record set by the airline in 2015 through its investment in Fulcrum BioEnergy with its option to purchase up to 900 million gallons of SAF.

“Since announcing our 100% green commitment in 2020, United has stayed focused on decarbonizing without relying on the use of traditional carbon offsets. Part of that commitment means increasing SAF usage and availability since it’s the fastest way to reduce emissions across our fleet. However, to scale SAF as quickly as necessary, we need to look beyond existing solutions and invest in research and development for new pathways like the one Alder is developing,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “United has come further than any other airline making sustainable travel a reality by using SAF to power flights. Our leadership gives customers confidence that they are flying with an airline that recognizes the responsibility we have to help solve climate change.”

“As a pioneer of the SAF market with UOP Ecofining™ technology, our work with United and Alder on this new technology will help transform the industry and support the growth of a zero-carbon economy,” said Darius Adamczyk, Honeywell chairman and chief executive officer. “This solution will not only advance United’s SAF commitment but can help the aviation industry meet its commitments to decouple increases in carbon emissions from growth in passengers.”

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. forestry residues and agricultural residues alone could provide enough biomass energy to generate more than 17 billion gallons of jet fuel and displace 75% of U.S. aviation fuel consumption. If the U.S. were to broadly adopt regenerative agricultural practices, which capture more carbon in healthier soil compared to traditional methods, the U.S. could generate an additional seven billion gallons of SAF, which would completely replace the U.S.’s current fossil jet fuel consumption.

Alder’s technology and demand for its fuel from the aviation industry create a large new market for biomass from regenerative practices. Use of this biomass further enables Alder’s production process to be carbon negative over the fuel’s lifecycle.

“Aviation poses one of the greatest technology challenges for addressing climate change and SAF has demonstrated the greatest potential. However, there is insufficient raw material to meet demand,” said Bryan Sherbacow, CEO of Alder Fuels and senior advisor to World Energy, the company that owns and operates the world’s first SAF refinery. “Alder’s technology revolutionizes SAF production by enabling use of widely available, low-cost and low-carbon feedstock. The industry is now a major step closer to using 100% SAF with our drop-in fuel that accelerates the global transition to a zero-carbon economy.”

Prior to founding Alder, Sherbacow built the world’s first SAF refinery utilizing Honeywell’s technology and subsequently contracted with United, enabling the airline to become the first globally to use SAF in regular operations on a continuous basis. Since then, United has purchased more SAF than any other airline and, with this agreement now, has more than 70% of the airline industry’s publicly announced SAF commitments. Alder’s research is supported by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency, the DOE and a partnership with DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), focused on developing technology to process organic waste and sustainable, non-food plant material into carbon-negative transportation fuels.

Honeywell innovation established the SAF market with its UOP Ecofining process, which is the first technology used to maximize SAF production for commercial aviation. Building on Honeywell’s focus to create sustainable technology, Honeywell will utilize its expertise and proven process of developing sustainable fuels alongside Alder, applying proprietary hydroprocessing design to the process to jointly commercialize the technology. Commercialization is expected by 2025. This announcement is a clear example of how Honeywell’s Sustainable Technology Solutions business can partner with early-stage companies and help them scale faster, access customers and advance research and development to help drive sustainability at the global level.

United’s joint investment in Alder is the latest by United Airlines Ventures, a venture fund launched earlier this year that focuses on startups, upcoming technologies, and sustainability concepts that will complement United’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050 — without relying on traditional carbon offsets. In 2020, United became the first airline to announce a commitment to invest in carbon capture and sequestration and has since followed with investments in electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and 19-seat electric aircraft that have the potential to fly customers up to 250 miles before the decade’s end.

About United

United’s shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter and Instagram or connect on Facebook. The common stock of UAL is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL”.

About United Airlines Ventures

United’s corporate venture capital fund, United Airlines Ventures, allows the airline to continue investing in emerging companies that have the potential to influence the future of travel. The new fund will concentrate on sustainability concepts that will complement United’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050 — without relying on traditional carbon offsets — as well as revolutionary aerospace developments and innovative technologies that are expected to create value for customers and United’s operation. For more information about United Airlines Ventures, please visit https://www.united.com/ventures.

About Honeywell

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

About Alder Fuels

Alder Fuels, founded by biofuel and aviation industry entrepreneur Bryan Sherbacow, is a process technology and project development company in the low-carbon energy industry. Alder is commercializing a process to produce crude oil that is carbon negative, scalable and cost-competitive with the petroleum it replaces. Critical to rapid, world-scale deployment, the process will be compatible with the existing petroleum refining and logistics infrastructure. The company’s collaboration with United Airlines and Honeywell UOP is expected to propel use of new forms of biomass to power commercial aircraft, reduce fossil fuel consumption and commercialize technologies benefiting the flying public. It builds upon a decade-old relationship among the stakeholders in pioneering commercialization of industry-leading SAF technology. For more information about Alder Fuels, visit http://www.alderfuel.com/.

Forward Looking Statement

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this press release 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 United’s and Honeywell’s 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,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “remains,” “believes,” “estimates,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “goals,” “targets” 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 press release are based upon information available to us on the date of this press release. Neither United nor Honeywell undertakes any 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. United’s and Honeywell’s actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties set forth under Part II, Item 1A., “Risk Factors,” of United Airlines Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021 and Honeywell’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth from time to time in the reports United Airlines Holdings, Inc. and Honeywell file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE United Airlines

For further information: United Airlines Worldwide Media Relations, +1-872-825-8640, media.relations@united.com; Honeywell, Mike Hockey, Mike.hockey@honeywell.com, 832 285 4933; Alder Fuels, Alex Gibson, 803-361-3016, agibson@apcoworldwide.com

United Airlines and Airlink Announce Commercial Agreement to Help Customers Explore Southern Africa

“Thanks to the professionalism and perseverance of the United employees who have worked so hard to take care of our customers through the pandemic, our airline has reached a meaningful turning point: we’re expecting to be back to making a profit once again,” said United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. “As we emerge from the most disruptive crisis our company has faced, we’re now focused squarely on our United Next strategy that will transform our customers’ onboard experience and help fulfill United’s incredible potential.”

*For purposes of this release, profitability refers to positive adjusted pre-tax income, which is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated as pre-tax income excluding special charges (credits), unrealized gains and losses on investments, net. We are not providing a target for or a reconciliation to pre-tax income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, because we are unable to predict certain items contained in the GAAP measure without unreasonable efforts.

Second Quarter Financial Results

  • Reported second quarter 2021 capacity down 46% compared to second quarter 2019.
  • Reported second quarter 2021 net loss of $0.4 billion, adjusted net loss3 of $1.3 billion.
  • Reported second quarter 2021 total operating revenue of $5.5 billion, down 52% compared to second quarter 2019.
  • Reported second quarter 2021 Total Revenue per Available Seat Mile (TRASM) of down 11.3% compared to second quarter 2019.
  • Reported second quarter 2021 operating expenses down 42%, down 32% excluding special charges (credits)4, compared to second quarter 2019.
  • Reported second quarter 2021 pre-tax margin of negative 10.3%, negative 29.2% on an adjusted5 basis.
  • Reported second quarter 2021 adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) margin6 of negative 10.7%.
  • Raised secured financing collateralized by substantially all of United’s network of slots, routes, and gates — made up of $4 billion in a private offering of bonds, a $5 billion term loan, and a $1.75 billion revolving credit facility. This is a first of its kind financing and the largest non-merger financing transaction in airline history.
  • Reported second quarter 2021 ending available liquidity7 of approximately $23 billion.

Outlook

  • Expects third quarter 2021 capacity to be down around 26% compared to third quarter 2019, up 39% quarter over quarter.
  • Based on current trends, the company expects third quarter 2021 TRASM growth to be positive compared to the third quarter 2019, the first quarter of positive TRASM growth since the second quarter of 2020.
  • Expects third quarter 2021 cost per available seat mile, excluding fuel, profit sharing, third-party business expenses, and special charges (CASM-ex)2 to be up approximately 17% compared to third quarter 2019 (includes a 6-point headwind largely driven by lower stage length and lower gauge of our network, including the temporary grounding of 52 Boeing Pratt & Whitney powered 777 widebody aircraft).
  • Third quarter 2021 estimated fuel price of approximately $2.17 per gallon.
  • Expects third quarter 2021 adjusted pre-tax income1 to be positive, the first quarter of positive adjusted pre-tax income since fourth quarter 2019. Additionally, expects fourth quarter 2021 adjusted pre-tax income1 to be positive.
  • Expects 2022 cost per available seat mile, excluding fuel, profit sharing, third-party business expenses, and special charges (CASM-ex)2 to be lower than 2019.

Key Highlights

  • Announced the purchase of 270 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft – the largest combined order in the airline’s history and the biggest by an individual carrier in the last decade.
  • As part of “United Next” announced plans to retrofit 100% of the mainline, narrow-body fleet to transform the customer experience and create a new signature interior with a roughly 75% increase in premium seats per departure, larger overhead bins, seatback entertainment in every seat and the industry’s fastest available WiFi.
  • Established a new diversity goal by striving to have 50% of students at the new United Aviate Academy be women and people of color.
  • Launched the first-of-its-kind Eco-Skies Alliance℠ program through which corporate customers contributed to the purchase of approximately 3.4 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in 2021.
  • Entered into a commercial agreement with Denver-based aerospace company Boom Supersonic to add aircraft to United’s global fleet as well as a cooperative sustainability initiative — a move that facilitates a leap forward in returning supersonic speeds to aviation.
  • Provided customers the ability to schedule COVID-19 tests and have results reviewed in advance through United’s industry-leading Travel-Ready Center.
  • Teamed up with more than a dozen new environmental, nonprofit partners to strengthen the company’s sustainability commitment to become 100% green by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions 100% by 2050.
  • Launched a new, corporate venture fund – United Airlines Ventures – which will allow the airline to continue investing in emerging companies that have the potential to influence the future of travel.
  • Offered loyalty program members the chance to win free flights for a year’s worth of travel through “Your Shot to Fly” sweepstakes to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations in support of the Biden administration’s national effort to encourage people to get vaccinated.
  • Announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration to use Abbott’s BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Home Test and Abbott’s NAVICA app to help make the international travel experience more seamless.

Taking Care of Our Customers

  • Introduced three new promotions that let eligible MileagePlus® Premier® members “Pick Your Path” depending on their upcoming travel plan giving members the chance to fast track their Premier status or earn bonus miles.
  • Expanded beer, wine, and snacks to nearly all flights over two hours including new options like White Claw® Hard Seltzer, Breckenridge Brewery Juice Drop Hazy IPA, and Kona Brewing Co. Big Wave Golden Ale.

Reimagining the Route Network

  • Announced seven new domestic routes and three new international routes and launched 39 domestic routes and five international routes, with 10 more international routes planned to launch in 2021.
  • New route announcements included Dubrovnik, Croatia to Newark/New York; Athens, Greece to Washington, D.C.; and Reykjavik, Iceland to Chicago.
  • New route launches included two new long-haul international routes from Accra, Ghana to Washington, DC, and Johannesburg, South Africa to Newark/New York, and three new routes to Hawaii including Maui/Kahului to Newark/New York, Honolulu to Orange County, and Kona to Chicago.
  • Resumed nonstop service on 33 domestic routes and 14 international routes compared to the first quarter of 2021.
  • Compared to March 2021, United had nonstop service in 55 more domestic and 24 more international routes in June 2021.
  • Announced plans to fly roughly 80% of its full schedule in July 2021 compared to July 2019.

Assisting the Communities We Serve

  • Announced a program with the Golden State Warriors to launch the Franchise Fund, a program designed to support minority-owned Bay Area small businesses.
  • More than 5 million miles donated from United’s customers to charities in need of travel through United’s Miles on a Mission program.
  • Over 18,200 pounds of food and beverages ($66,400 value) donated to local food banks.
  • Over $326,000 raised for Airlink, World Central Kitchen, Americares, and Global Giving via CrowdRising to support COVID-19 relief efforts in India, including a $40,000 donation by United Airlines.

Additional Noteworthy Accomplishments

  • Celebrated the 40th anniversary of the MileagePlus program by giving away 4 million miles to essential healthcare workers.
  • Recently redesigned United mobile app was voted the Best Travel App in the 25th annual Webby Awards.
  • Joined forces with Chase and Visa to offer eligible United MileagePlus Visa cardmembers the ability to earn five total miles for every dollar donated to select charities supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Became the first corporation in at least five years to be presented with the “Volunteer Group of the Year” award from Food Bank of the Rockies. Also, helped Food Bank of the Rockies raise the equivalent of 30,400 meals via a fundraiser.
  • In the second quarter of 2021, through a combination of cargo-only flights and passenger flights, United has transported nearly 298 million pounds of freight, which includes nearly 48 million pounds of vital shipments, such as medical kits, PPE, pharmaceuticals, and medical equipment, and more than 765,000 pounds of military mail and packages.
  • In the second quarter of 2021, there was an uptick in COVID-19 vaccine shipments, where United shipped 225,000 pounds of vaccines.

_________________________________________________________________________

1. Adjusted pre-tax income is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated as pre-tax income excluding special charges (credits), unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net. We are not providing a target for or a reconciliation to pre-tax income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, because we are unable to predict certain items contained in the GAAP measure without unreasonable efforts.

2. CASM-ex (adjusted operating expense per available seat mile) is a non-GAAP measure that excludes fuel, profit sharing, third-party business expense and special charges. We are not providing a target or reconciliation to CASM, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, because we are unable to predict certain items contained in the GAAP measure without unreasonable efforts.

3. Excludes special charges (credits), unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net, debt extinguishment and modification fees and special termination benefits. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in the tables accompanying this release.

4. Excludes operating special charges (credits). Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in the tables accompanying this release. Second quarter 2019 operating expenses were $9.859 billion, excluding $71 million of special charges.

5. Adjusted to exclude special charges (credits), unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net, debt extinguishment and modification fees and special termination benefits. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in the tables accompanying this release.

6. Adjusted EBITDA margin is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated as Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA), excluding special charges and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, divided by total operating revenue. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included in the tables accompanying this release.

7. Includes cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and undrawn credit facilities.

Earnings Call

UAL will hold a conference call to discuss second-quarter 2021 financial results as well as its financial and operational outlook for the third-quarter 2021 and beyond, on Wednesday, July 21, at 9:30 a.m. CT/10:30 a.m. ET. A live, listen-only webcast of the conference call will be available at ir.united.com.

The webcast will be available for replay within 24 hours of the conference call and then archived on the website for three months.

About United

United’s shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” 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”.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this release, including statements regarding our outlook for the remainder of 2021, 2022 and 2023, 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,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “remains,” “believes,” “estimates,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “goals,” “targets” 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 conditional statements, 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 release are based upon information available to us on the date of this release. 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: the adverse impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, and possible outbreaks of another disease or similar public health threat in the future, on our business, operating results, financial condition, liquidity and near-term and long-term strategic operating plan, including possible additional adverse impacts resulting from the duration and spread of the pandemic; unfavorable economic and political conditions in the United States and globally; the highly competitive nature of the global airline industry and susceptibility of the industry to price discounting and changes in capacity; high and/or volatile fuel prices or significant disruptions in the supply of aircraft fuel; our reliance on technology and automated systems to operate our business and the impact of any significant failure or disruption of, or failure to effectively integrate and implement, the technology or systems; our reliance on third-party service providers and the impact of any significant failure of these parties to perform as expected, or interruptions in our relationships with these providers or their provision of services; adverse publicity, harm to our brand; reduced travel demand, potential tort liability and voluntary or mandatory operational restrictions as a result of an accident, catastrophe or incident involving us, our regional carriers, our codeshare partners, or another airline; terrorist attacks, international hostilities or other security events, or the fear of terrorist attacks or hostilities, even if not made directly on the airline industry; increasing privacy and data security obligations or a significant data breach; disruptions to our regional network and United Express flights provided by third-party regional carriers; the failure of our significant investments in other airlines, equipment manufacturers and other aviation industry participants to produce the returns or results we expect; further changes to the airline industry with respect to alliances and joint business arrangements or due to consolidations; changes in our network strategy or other factors outside our control resulting in less economic aircraft orders, costs related to modification or termination of aircraft orders or entry into less favorable aircraft orders, as well as any inability to accept or integrate new aircraft into our fleet as planned; our reliance on single suppliers to source a majority of our aircraft and certain parts, and the impact of any failure to obtain timely deliveries, additional equipment or support from any of these suppliers; the impacts of union disputes, employee strikes or slowdowns, and other labor-related disruptions on our operations; extended interruptions or disruptions in service at major airports where we operate; the impacts of seasonality and other factors associated with the airline industry; our failure to realize the full value of our intangible assets or our long-lived assets, causing us to record impairments; any damage to our reputation or brand image; the limitation of our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes to offset future taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes; the costs of compliance with extensive government regulation of the airline industry; costs, liabilities and risks associated with environmental regulation and climate change; the impacts of our significant amount of financial leverage from fixed obligations, the possibility we may seek material amounts of additional financial liquidity in the short-term and the impacts of insufficient liquidity on our financial condition and business; failure to comply with the covenants in the MileagePlus financing agreements, resulting in the possible acceleration of the MileagePlus indebtedness, foreclosure upon the collateral securing the MileagePlus indebtedness or the exercise of other remedies; failure to comply with financial and other covenants governing our other debt; changes in, or failure to retain, our senior management team or other key employees; current or future litigation and regulatory actions, or failure to comply with the terms of any settlement, order or arrangement relating to these actions; increases in insurance costs or inadequate insurance coverage; and other risks and uncertainties set forth under Part II, Item 1A., “Risk Factors,” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, 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.

-tables attached-

UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

Three Months Ended

June 30,

%

Increase/

(Decrease)

Six Months Ended

June 30,

%

Increase/

(Decrease)

(In millions, except per share data)

2021

2020

2021

2020

Operating revenue:

Passenger revenue

$

4,366

$

681

541.1

$

6,682

$

7,746

(13.7)

Cargo

606

402

50.7

1,103

666

65.6

Other operating revenue

499

392

27.3

907

1,042

(13.0)

Total operating revenue

5,471

1,475

270.9

8,692

9,454

(8.1)

Operating expense:

Salaries and related costs

2,276

2,170

4.9

4,500

5,125

(12.2)

Aircraft fuel

1,232

240

413.3

2,083

1,966

6.0

Depreciation and amortization

620

618

0.3

1,243

1,233

0.8

Landing fees and other rent

564

429

31.5

1,083

1,052

2.9

Regional capacity purchase

547

388

41.0

1,026

1,125

(8.8)

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs

302

110

174.5

571

544

5.0

Distribution expenses

139

31

348.4

224

326

(31.3)

Aircraft rent

52

47

10.6

107

97

10.3

Special charges (credits)

(948)

(1,449)

NM

(2,325)

(1,386)

NM

Other operating expenses

957

528

81.3

1,831

1,981

(7.6)

Total operating expense

5,741

3,112

84.5

10,343

12,063

(14.3)

Operating loss

(270)

(1,637)

(83.5)

(1,651)

(2,609)

(36.7)

Nonoperating income (expense):

Interest expense

(426)

(196)

117.3

(779)

(367)

112.3

Interest capitalized

22

17

29.4

39

38

2.6

Interest income

12

11

9.1

19

37

(48.6)

Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net

147

9

NM

125

(310)

NM

Miscellaneous, net

(49)

(207)

(76.3)

(68)

(906)

(92.5)

Total nonoperating expense, net

(294)

(366)

(19.7)

(664)

(1,508)

(56.0)

Loss before income tax benefit

(564)

(2,003)

(71.8)

(2,315)

(4,117)

(43.8)

Income tax benefit

(130)

(376)

(65.4)

(524)

(786)

(33.3)

Net loss

$

(434)

$

(1,627)

(73.3)

$

(1,791)

$

(3,331)

(46.2)

Diluted loss per share

$

(1.34)

$

(5.79)

(76.9)

$

(5.60)

$

(12.59)

(55.5)

Diluted weighted average shares

323.6

280.7

15.3

320.1

264.6

21.0

NM Not meaningful

UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC.

PASSENGER REVENUE INFORMATION AND STATISTICS

Passenger revenue information is as follows (in millions, except for percentage changes):

2Q 2021

Passenger

Revenue

Passenger

Revenue

vs.

2Q 2020

PRASM vs.
2Q 2020

PRASM vs.
2Q 2019

Yield vs.
2Q 2020

Available

Seat Miles

vs.

2Q 2020

Available

Seat Miles

vs.

2Q 2019

2Q 2021
Available
Seat Miles

2Q 2021
Revenue
Passenger
Miles

Domestic

$

3,288

506.6%

57.0%

(15.7%)

(32.7%)

286.1%

(40.4%)

24,717

20,587

Atlantic

323

466.7%

14.4%

(61.0%)

(35.2%)

396.3%

(57.0%)

6,065

2,827

Pacific

132

288.2%

42.7%

(48.8%)

13.8%

172.1%

(77.3%)

2,438

587

Latin America

623

1,197.9%

(10.1%)

(23.4%)

(44.8%)

1,343.1%

(7.2%)

6,393

4,513

International

1,078

675.5%

33.3%

(41.6%)

(32.8%)

481.6%

(53.1%)

14,896

7,927

Consolidated

$

4,366

541.1%

45.0%

(23.0%)

(33.2%)

342.0%

(45.9%)

39,613

28,514

Select operating statistics are as follows:

Three Months Ended

June 30,

%

Increase/

(Decrease)

Six Months Ended

June 30,

%

Increase/

(Decrease)

2021

2020

2021

2020

Passengers (thousands)

23,909

2,813

749.9

38,583

33,172

16.3

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

28,514

2,970

860.1

45,762

46,199

(0.9)

Available seat miles (millions)

39,613

8,963

342.0

69,983

69,901

0.1

Passenger load factor:

Consolidated

72.0

%

33.1

%

38.9

pts.

65.4

%

66.1

%

(0.7)

pts.

Domestic

83.3

%

35.7

%

47.6

pts.

75.4

%

65.6

%

9.8

pts.

International

53.2

%

26.8

%

26.4

pts.

48.8

%

66.8

%

(18.0)

pts.

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

11.02

7.60

45.0

9.55

11.08

(13.8)

Total revenue per available seat mile (cents)

13.81

16.46

(16.1)

12.42

13.52

(8.1)

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents)

15.31

22.93

(33.2)

14.60

16.77

(12.9)

Cargo revenue ton miles (millions)

892

496

79.8

1,657

1,191

39.1

Aircraft in fleet at end of period

1,315

1,307

0.6

1,315

1,307

0.6

Average stage length (miles)

1,309

1,075

21.8

1,297

1,347

(3.7)

Employee headcount, as of June 30 (in thousands) (a)

84.4

91.8

(8.1)

84.4

91.8

(8.1)

Average aircraft fuel price per gallon

$

1.97

$

1.18

66.9

$

1.87

$

1.76

6.3

Fuel gallons consumed (millions)

625

204

206.4

1,115

1,114

0.1

(a) The 2021 employee headcount includes approximately 4,500 employees who participated in the Company’s voluntary leave programs

Note: See Part II, Item 6, Selected Financial Data, of UAL’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, for definitions of these statistics.

UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL RECONCILIATION

UAL evaluates its financial performance utilizing various accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and Non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (adjusted EBITDA), adjusted operating income (loss), adjusted operating margin, adjusted pre-tax income (loss), adjusted pre-tax margin, adjusted net income (loss), adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share, CASM, excluding special charges, third-party business expenses, fuel, and profit sharing (CASM-ex), and operating expenses excluding special charges, among others. UAL believes that adjusting for special charges (credits), nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees, nonoperating special termination benefits and settlement losses and nonoperating credit losses is useful to investors because these items are not indicative of UAL’s ongoing performance. UAL believes that adjusting for unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net is useful to investors because those unrealized gains or losses may not ultimately be realized on a cash basis.

CASM is a common metric used in the airline industry to measure an airline’s cost structure and efficiency. UAL reports CASM excluding special charges (credits), third-party business expenses, fuel and profit sharing. UAL believes that adjusting for special charges (credits) is useful to investors because special charges (credits) are not indicative of UAL’s ongoing performance. UAL also believes that excluding third-party business expenses, such as maintenance, ground handling and catering services for third parties, 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 operating cost performance and provides a more meaningful comparison of our core operating costs to the airline industry.

Reconciliations of reported non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included below.

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

Year Ended
December 31,

2021

2020

2019

2021

2020

2019

2019

CASM (cents)

Cost per available seat mile (CASM) (GAAP)

14.49

34.72

13.56

14.78

17.26

13.70

13.67

Special charges (credits)

(2.40)

(16.17)

0.10

(3.32)

(1.98)

0.07

0.09

Third-party business expenses

0.08

0.65

0.05

0.08

0.15

0.05

0.06

Fuel expense

3.11

2.68

3.26

2.97

2.81

3.17

3.14

Profit sharing

0.22

0.14

0.17

CASM, excluding special charges (credits), third-party business
expenses, fuel, and profit sharing (Non-GAAP)

13.70

47.56

9.93

15.05

16.28

10.27

10.21

Adjusted EBITDA

June

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2021

2021

2020

2019

2021

2020

2019

Net income (loss)

$

183

$

(434)

$

(1,627)

$

1,052

$

(1,791)

$

(3,331)

1,344

Adjusted for:

Depreciation and amortization

207

620

618

560

1,243

1,233

1,107

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest and interest income

133

392

168

132

721

292

269

Income tax expense (benefit)

41

(130)

(376)

302

(524)

(786)

377

Special charges (credits)

(245)

(948)

(1,449)

71

(2,325)

(1,386)

89

Nonoperating unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net

(107)

(147)

(9)

(34)

(125)

310

(51)

Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees

62

62

Nonoperating special termination benefits and settlement losses

231

46

231

Nonoperating credit loss on BRW term loan and guarantee

697

Adjusted EBITDA, excluding operating and
nonoperating special charges (credits) and
unrealized (gains) losses on investments

$

212

$

(585)

$

(2,444)

$

2,083

$

(2,693)

$

(2,740)

$

3,135

Adjusted EBITDA margin

9.2

%

(10.7)

%

(165.7)

%

18.3

%

(31.0)

%

(29.0)

%

14.9

%

NM Not Meaningful

UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL RECONCILIATION (Continued)

UAL believes that adjusting capital expenditures for assets acquired through the issuance of debt, finance leases and other financial liabilities is useful to investors in order to appropriately reflect the total amounts spent on capital expenditures. UAL also believes that adjusting net cash provided by operating activities for capital expenditures, adjusted capital expenditures, and aircraft operating lease additions is useful to allow investors to evaluate the company’s ability to generate cash that is available for debt service or general corporate initiatives.

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

Capital Expenditures (in millions)

2021

2020

2021

2020

Capital expenditures, net of flight equipment purchase deposit returns (GAAP)

$

861

$

39

$

1,305

$

1,998

Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt, finance leases,
and other financial liabilities

252

498

761

626

Adjustment to property and equipment acquired through other financial
liabilities (a)

26

(53)

(14)

(53)

Adjusted capital expenditures (Non-GAAP)

$

1,139

$

484

$

2,052

$

2,571

Free Cash Flow (in millions)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (GAAP)

$

2,675

$

(130)

$

3,122

$

(67)

Less capital expenditures, net of flight equipment purchase deposit returns

861

39

1,305

1,998

Free cash flow, net of financings (Non-GAAP)

$

1,814

$

(169)

$

1,817

$

(2,065)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (GAAP)

$

2,675

$

(130)

$

3,122

$

(67)

Less adjusted capital expenditures (Non-GAAP)

1,139

484

2,052

2,571

Less aircraft operating lease additions

33

12

175

33

Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)

$

1,503

$

(626)

$

895

$

(2,671)

(a) United entered into agreements with third parties to finance through sale and leaseback transactions new Boeing model 787 aircraft and Boeing model 737 MAX aircraft subject to purchase agreements between United and Boeing. In connection with the delivery of each aircraft from Boeing, United assigned its right to purchase such aircraft to the buyer, and simultaneous with the buyer’s purchase from Boeing, United entered into a long-term lease for such aircraft with the buyer as lessor. Eleven Boeing model aircraft were delivered in 2021 under these transactions (and each is presently subject to a long-term lease to United). Upon delivery, the company accounted for the aircraft, which have a repurchase option at a price other than fair value, as part of Flight equipment on the company’s balance sheet and the related obligation as Other current liabilities and Other financial liabilities from sale-leasebacks (noncurrent) since they do not qualify for sale recognition. If the repurchase option is not exercised, these aircraft will be accounted for as leased assets at the time of the option expiration and the related assets and liabilities will be adjusted to the present value of the remaining lease payments at that time. This adjustment reflects the difference between the recorded amounts and the present value of future lease payments at inception.

UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL RECONCILIATION (Continued)

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Increase/

(Decrease)

%

Increase/

(Decrease)

Six Months Ended

June 30,

Increase/

(Decrease)

%

Increase/

(Decrease)

(in millions)

2021

2020

2021

2020

Operating expenses (GAAP)

$

5,741

$

3,112

$

2,629

84.5

$

10,343

$

12,063

$

(1,720)

(14.3)

Special charges (credits)

(948)

(1,449)

(501)

NM

(2,325)

(1,386)

939

NM

Operating expenses, excluding special charges
(credits)

6,689

4,561

2,128

46.7

12,668

13,449

(781)

(5.8)

Adjusted to exclude:

Third-party business expenses

30

58

(28)

(48.3)

56

102

(46)

(45.1)

Fuel expense

1,232

240

992

413.3

2,083

1,966

117

6.0

Adjusted operating expenses (Non-GAAP)

$

5,427

$

4,263

$

1,164

27.3

$

10,529

$

11,381

$

(852)

(7.5)

Operating loss (GAAP)

$

(270)

$

(1,637)

$

(1,367)

(83.5)

$

(1,651)

$

(2,609)

(958)

(36.7)

Adjusted to exclude:

Special charges (credits)

(948)

(1,449)

$

(501)

NM

(2,325)

(1,386)

939

NM

Adjusted operating loss (Non-GAAP)

$

(1,218)

$

(3,086)

$

(1,868)

(60.5)

$

(3,976)

$

(3,995)

$

(19)

(0.5)

Operating margin

(4.9)

%

(111.0)

%

106.1

pts.

(19.0)

%

(27.6)

%

8.6

pts.

Adjusted operating margin (Non-GAAP)

(22.3)

%

(209.2)

%

186.9

pts.

(45.7)

%

(42.3)

%

(3.4)

pts.

Pre-tax loss (GAAP)

$

(564)

$

(2,003)

$

(1,439)

(71.8)

$

(2,315)

$

(4,117)

$

(1,802)

(43.8)

Adjusted to exclude:

Special charges (credits)

(948)

(1,449)

(501)

NM

(2,325)

(1,386)

939

NM

Unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net

(147)

(9)

138

NM

(125)

310

(435)

NM

Debt extinguishment and modification fees

62

62

NM

62

62

NM

Special termination benefits

231

(231)

NM

46

231

(185)

NM

Credit loss on BRW term loan and guarantee

NM

697

(697)

NM

Adjusted pre-tax loss (Non-GAAP)

$

(1,597)

$

(3,230)

$

(1,633)

(50.6)

$

(4,657)

$

(4,265)

$

392

9.2

Pre-tax margin

(10.3)

%

(135.8)

%

125.5

pts.

(26.6)

%

(43.5)

%

16.9

pts.

Adjusted pre-tax margin (Non-GAAP)

(29.2)

%

(219.0)

%

189.8

pts.

(53.6)

%

(45.1)

%

(8.5)

pts.

Net loss (GAAP)

$

(434)

$

(1,627)

$

(1,193)

(73.3)

$

(1,791)

$

(3,331)

$

(1,540)

(46.2)

Adjusted to exclude:

Special charges (credits)

(948)

(1,449)

(501)

NM

(2,325)

(1,386)

939

NM

Unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net

(147)

(9)

138

NM

(125)

310

(435)

NM

Debt extinguishment and modification fees

62

62

NM

62

62

NM

Special termination benefits

231

(231)

NM

46

231

(185)

NM

Credit loss on BRW term loan and guarantee

NM

697

(697)

NM

Income tax expense related to adjustments
above, net of valuation allowance

203

241

(38)

NM

494

227

267

NM

Adjusted net loss (Non-GAAP)

$

(1,264)

$

(2,613)

$

(1,349)

(51.6)

$

(3,639)

$

(3,252)

$

387

11.9

Diluted loss per share (GAAP)

$

(1.34)

$

(5.79)

$

(4.45)

(76.9)

$

(5.60)

$

(12.59)

$

(6.99)

(55.5)

Adjusted to exclude:

Special charges (credits)

(2.93)

(5.17)

(2.24)

NM

(7.26)

(5.24)

$

2.02

NM

Unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net

(0.46)

(0.03)

0.43

NM

(0.39)

1.17

(1.56)

NM

Debt extinguishment and modification fees

0.19

0.19

NM

0.19

0.19

NM

Special termination benefits

0.82

(0.82)

NM

0.15

0.87

(0.72)

NM

Credit loss on BRW term loan and guarantee

NM

2.64

(2.64)

NM

Income tax expense (benefit) related to
adjustments, net of valuation allowance

0.63

0.86

(0.23)

NM

1.54

0.86

0.68

NM

Adjusted diluted loss per share (Non-GAAP)

$

(3.91)

$

(9.31)

$

(5.40)

(58.0)

$

(11.37)

$

(12.29)

$

(0.92)

(7.5)

NM Not Meaningful

UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

June 30, 2021

December 31, 2020

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

20,838

$

11,269

Short-term investments

230

414

Restricted cash

254

255

Receivables, less allowance for credit losses (2021 — $71; 2020 — $78)

1,793

1,295

Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2021 — $518; 2020 — $478)

912

932

Prepaid expenses and other

646

635

Total current assets

24,673

14,800

Total operating property and equipment, net

32,331

31,466

Operating lease right-of-use assets

4,421

4,537

Other assets:

Goodwill

4,527

4,527

Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2021 — $1,519; 2020 — $1,495)

2,827

2,838

Restricted cash

216

218

Deferred income taxes

647

131

Investments in affiliates and other, less allowance for credit losses (2021 — $606; 2020 — $522)

1,407

1,031

Total other assets

9,624

8,745

Total assets

$

71,049

$

59,548

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

2,218

$

1,595

Accrued salaries and benefits

2,228

1,960

Advance ticket sales

6,960

4,833

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

2,099

908

Current maturities of long-term debt

1,881

1,911

Current maturities of operating leases

583

612

Current maturities of finance leases

144

182

Payroll Support Program deferred credit

1,132

Other

819

724

Total current liabilities

18,064

12,725

Long-term liabilities and deferred credits:

Long-term debt

32,303

24,836

Long-term obligations under operating leases

4,920

4,986

Long-term obligations under finance leases

250

224

Frequent flyer deferred revenue

4,086

5,067

Pension liability

2,501

2,460

Postretirement benefit liability

988

994

Other financial liabilities from sale-leasebacks

1,683

1,140

Other

1,350

1,156

Total long-term liabilities and deferred credits

48,081

40,863

Total stockholders’ equity

4,904

5,960

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

71,049

$

59,548

UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(In millions)

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2021

2020

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$

3,122

$

(67)

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

Capital expenditures, net of flight equipment purchase deposit returns

(1,305)

(1,998)

Purchases of short-term investments

(550)

Proceeds from sale of short-term investments

184

1,774

Other, net

11

14

Net cash used in investing activities

(1,110)

(760)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of discounts and fees

11,116

4,371

Proceeds from equity issuance

532

1,135

Payments of long-term debt, finance leases and other financing liabilities

(4,072)

(564)

Repurchases of common stock

(353)

Other, net

(22)

(18)

Net cash provided by financing activities

7,554

4,571

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

9,566

3,744

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period

11,742

2,868

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period

$

21,308

$

6,612

Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:

Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt, finance leases and other

$

761

$

626

Lease modifications and lease conversions

59

470

Right-of-use assets acquired through operating leases

214

48

Notes receivable and warrants received for entering into agreements

139

UNITED AIRLINES HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES (UNAUDITED)

Special charges (credits) and unrealized (gains) and losses on investments, net include the following:

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

(In millions)

2021

2020

2021

2020

Operating:

CARES Act grant

$

(1,079)

$

(1,589)

$

(2,889)

$

(1,589)

Impairment of assets

59

80

59

130

Severance and benefit costs

11

63

428

63

(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges

61

(3)

77

10

Total operating special charges (credits)

(948)

(1,449)

(2,325)

(1,386)

Nonoperating unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net

(147)

(9)

(125)

310

Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees

62

62

Nonoperating special termination benefits and settlement losses

231

46

231

Nonoperating credit loss on BRW Aviation Holding LLC and BRW Aviation LLC (“BRW”) term loan and
related guarantee

697

Total nonoperating special charges and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net

(85)

222

(17)

1,238

Total operating and nonoperating special charges (credits) and unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net

(1,033)

(1,227)

(2,342)

(148)

Income tax expense, net of valuation allowance

203

241

494

227

Total operating and non-operating special charges (credits) and unrealized (gains) losses on
investments, net of income taxes

$

(830)

$

(986)

$

(1,848)

$

79

CARES Act grant: During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the company received approximately $5.8 billion in funding pursuant to certain Payroll Support Programs under the CARES Act (“PSP2” and “PSP3”) which included an approximately $1.7 billion unsecured loan. The company recorded $1.1 billion and $2.9 billion as grant income during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively. The company also recorded $52 million and $99 million for the related warrants issued to United States Treasury (“Treasury”) as part of the agreements related to PSP2 and PSP3, within stockholders’ equity, as an offset to the grant income in the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively. The company deferred recognition of $1.1 billion of the funds received under the PSP3 program as of June 30, 2021 as the funds can only be used for the payment of eligible salaries, wages and benefits. The company expects the remainder of the PSP3 funds will be recognized as income in the third quarter of 2021.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the company received approximately $4.5 billion in funding pursuant to a separate Payroll Support Program under the CARES Act, which consisted of a $3.2 billion grant and a $1.3 billion unsecured loan. The company recognized $1.6 billion of the grant as a credit to Special charges (credit) and $57 million in warrants issued to Treasury, within stockholder’s equity, as an offset to the grant income.

Impairment of assets: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the company recorded $59 million of impairments primarily related to 64 Embraer EMB 145LR aircraft and related engines that United retired from its regional aircraft fleet.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the company recorded impairment charges of $80 million and $130 million, respectively, for its China routes, which was primarily caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the company’s subsequent suspension of flights to China.

Severance and benefit costs: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the company recorded charges of $11 million and $428 million, respectively, related to pay continuation and benefits-related costs provided to employees who chose to voluntarily separate from the company. The company offered, based on employee group, age and completed years of service, pay continuation, health care coverage, and travel benefits. Approximately 4,500 employees elected to voluntarily separate from the company.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the company recorded $63 million related to pay continuation and benefits provided to employees who chose to voluntarily separate from the company.

(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the company recorded charges of $61 million and $77 million, respectively, primarily related to incentives for certain of its front-line employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and the termination of the lease associated with three floors of its headquarters at the Willis Tower in Chicago in the first quarter of 2021.

Nonoperating unrealized gains and losses on investments, net: During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the company recorded $90 million of gains related to its equity investments and warrants in the equity of Clear Secure, Inc. (formerly, Alclear, Inc.). Clear Secure, Inc. undertook its initial public stock offering in June 2021. Also during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the company recorded gains of $57 million and $35 million, respectively, primarily for the change in the market value of its investment in Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S.A. (“Azul”).

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the company recorded gains of $9 million and losses of $310 million, respectively. The losses in the six months ended June 30, 2020 were primarily due to a $284 million decrease in the market value of the company’s investment in Azul and a $24 million decrease in the fair value of the Avianca Holdings S.A. (“AVH”) share call options, AVH share appreciation rights and AVH share-based upside sharing agreement.

Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees: On April 21, 2021, United issued, through a private offering to eligible purchasers, $4.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of two series of notes, consisting of $2.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 4.375% senior secured notes due 2026 and $2.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 4.625% senior secured notes due 2029. United used the net proceeds from the offering of the notes and borrowings under a new $5.0 billion term loan facility to repay in full the $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding under the then-existing term loan facility included in the Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2017 (the “Existing Credit Agreement”), the $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding under the revolving credit facility included in the Existing Credit Agreement and the $520 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under the CARES Act loan. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the company recorded $62 million of charges for fees and discounts related to the issuance of new debt and the prepayment of these debt agreements.

Nonoperating special termination benefits and settlement losses: During the six months ended June 30, 2021, as part of a first quarter voluntary separation program, the company recorded $46 million of special termination benefits in the form of additional subsidies for retiree medical costs for certain U.S.-based front-line employees. The subsidies were in the form of a one-time contribution into the employee’s Retiree Health Account of $125,000 for full-time employees and $75,000 for part-time employees.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the company recorded $231 million of settlement losses related to the company’s primary defined benefit pension plans covering certain U.S. non-pilot employees, and special termination benefits offered under voluntary separation programs to certain U.S. based front-line employees participating in the non-pilot defined benefit pension plan and postretirement medical programs.

Nonoperating credit loss on BRW term loan and related guarantee: During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the company recorded a $697 million expected credit loss allowance for the company’s Term Loan Agreement (the “BRW Term Loan”), with, among others, BRW Aviation Holding LLC and BRW Aviation LLC, and the related guarantee. BRW’s equity and BRW’s holdings of AVH equity are secured as a pledge under the BRW Term Loan, which is currently in default.

Effective tax rate:

The company’s effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 were 23.0% and 22.6%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 were 18.8% and 19.1%, respectively. The provision for income taxes is based on the estimated annual effective tax rate which represents a blend of federal, state and foreign taxes and includes the impact of certain nondeductible items. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 were impacted by $74 million and $79 million, respectively, of valuation allowance related to unrealized capital losses and state attributes. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 were impacted by $64 million and $130 million, respectively, of valuation allowance related to unrealized capital losses.

SOURCE United Airlines

For further information: United Airlines Worldwide Media Relations, 872.825.8640, media.relations@united.com

United Makes it Easier for Customers to Find and Use Travel Credits

CHICAGO, Sept. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — United today announced it is giving customers even more flexibility when they need to rebook their travel by helping them to find and use their travel credits. United is the only airline to make it easy for customers to use their credits by automatically displaying them as a payment option during the checkout process. This functionality will be available for MileagePlus® members first and the airline is working to roll it out to all customers in the near future. Also, beginning next week, United will be the first to let customers use their travel credits for extra legroom seats and to pre-pay for checked baggage.


These industry firsts, along with other new options like the ability to combine multiple travel credits and use them on partner airlines, give United customers more flexibility than any other airline. For customers who have travel credits issued on or before August 31, 2021, United is also allowing a one-time opportunity to share these credits with friends and family.

This represents the continuation of the customer experience transformation underway at United, putting the customer first every step of the way. United continues to invest in ways to enhance the travel experience including introducing new policies to encourage and make it simple for customers to return to travel.

“Unlike most airlines where travel credits are difficult to use, at United we’re doing something different,” said Toby Enqvist, chief customer office for United. “We’re showing our customers they have credits – and we’re making them easier than ever to use. It’s not just the right thing to do for our customers, but it’s also the right way to re-introduce more customers to the United travel experience, which we’re convinced will make them more likely to fly with us in the future.”

Using the United app or United.com, customers with an electronic travel certificate (ETC) or a future flight credit (FFC), can enjoy more options and flexibility than ever including the ability to:

  • Automatically see and apply available travel credits on the check-out page when rebooking travel – this is will be available to MileagePlus members first with availability for all customers in the near future
  • Combine multiple travel credits to apply when booking new travel plans (customers can now combine multiple Future Flight Credits (FFCs) or Electronic Travel Certificates (ETCs), and will soon be able to combine ETCs and FTCs together)
  • Book travel on partner airlines
  • Purchase extra legroom seats and pre-pay for checked baggage at time of check-out
  • Share travel credits with a friend or family member from wholly unused travel credits issued on or before August 31, 2021 by applying travel credits as payment on check-out screen

As customers return to flying with United, they will notice other new service upgrades including the option to pre-order snacks and beverages online and through United’s app. And customers can book trips with confidence knowing that if their plans change, they have the flexibility to adjust their travel with no change fees. United was the first global U.S. airline to eliminate change fees on most tickets and to allow all customers to fly standby for free on the same day of travel to the same destination.

United Next

United is more focused than ever on its commitment to customers and employees. In addition to today’s announcement, United has recently:

  • Launched an ambitious plan to transform the United customer experience by adding and upgrading hundreds of aircraft as well as investing in features like larger overhead bins, seatback entertainment in every seat and the industry’s fastest available Wi-Fi.
  • Announced a goal to create 25,000 unionized jobs by 2026 that includes careers as pilots, flight attendants, agents, technicians, and dispatchers.
  • Announced that United will train at least 5,000 pilots by 2030 through the United Aviate Academy, with the plan of at least half being women and people of color.
  • Required all U.S. employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
  • Became the first airline to offer customers the ability to check their destination’s travel requirements, schedule COVID-19 tests and more on its mobile app and website.
  • Invested in emerging technologies that are designed to decarbonize air travel, like an agreement to work with urban air mobility company Archer, an investment in aircraft startup Heart Aerospace and a purchase agreement with Boom Supersonic.
  • Committed to going 100% green by 2050 by reducing 100% of our greenhouse gas emissions without relying on traditional carbon offsets, including a recent agreement to purchase one and a half times the amount of all of the rest of the world’s airlines’ publicly announced Sustainable Aviation Fuel commitments combined.
  • Eliminated change fees for all economy and premium cabin tickets for travel within the U.S.

About United

United’s shared purpose is “Connecting People. Uniting the World.” In 2019, United and United Express® carriers operated more than 1.7 million flights carrying more than 162 million customers. United has the most comprehensive route network among North American carriers, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. For more about how to join the United team, please visit united.com/careers and more information about the company is at united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol “UAL”.

SOURCE United Airlines

For further information: United Airlines Worldwide Media Relations, +1-872-825-8640, media.relations@united.com