American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL)
SIC breadcrumb: Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services > SIC Major Group 45 > SIC 4512 Air Transportation, Scheduled
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=6201. Latest filing source: 0000006201-26-000014.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read AAL's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read AAL's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Peer comparisons including AAL
- U.S. passenger airlines: peer review · market-risk page
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 54,633,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-18 |
| Net income | 111,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-18 |
| Assets | 61,774,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-18 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-18. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000006201.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 40,142,000,000 | 42,622,000,000 | 44,541,000,000 | 45,768,000,000 | 17,337,000,000 | 29,882,000,000 | 48,971,000,000 | 52,788,000,000 | 54,211,000,000 | 54,633,000,000 |
| Net income | 2,584,000,000 | 1,282,000,000 | 1,412,000,000 | 1,686,000,000 | -8,885,000,000 | -1,993,000,000 | 127,000,000 | 822,000,000 | 846,000,000 | 111,000,000 |
| Operating income | 5,060,000,000 | 4,231,000,000 | 2,656,000,000 | 3,065,000,000 | -10,421,000,000 | -1,059,000,000 | 1,607,000,000 | 3,034,000,000 | 2,614,000,000 | 1,467,000,000 |
| Diluted EPS | 4.65 | 2.61 | 3.03 | 3.79 | -18.36 | -3.09 | 0.19 | 1.21 | 1.24 | 0.17 |
| Operating cash flow | 6,524,000,000 | 4,744,000,000 | 3,533,000,000 | 3,815,000,000 | -6,543,000,000 | 704,000,000 | 2,173,000,000 | 3,803,000,000 | 3,983,000,000 | 3,099,000,000 |
| Capital expenditures | 5,731,000,000 | 5,971,000,000 | 3,745,000,000 | 4,268,000,000 | 1,958,000,000 | 208,000,000 | 2,546,000,000 | 2,596,000,000 | 2,683,000,000 | 3,779,000,000 |
| Assets | 51,274,000,000 | 52,785,000,000 | 60,580,000,000 | 59,995,000,000 | 62,008,000,000 | 66,467,000,000 | 64,716,000,000 | 63,058,000,000 | 61,783,000,000 | 61,774,000,000 |
| Stockholders' equity | -284,000,000 | -780,000,000 | -169,000,000 | -118,000,000 | -6,867,000,000 | -7,340,000,000 | -5,799,000,000 | -5,202,000,000 | -3,977,000,000 | -3,727,000,000 |
| Free cash flow | 793,000,000 | -1,227,000,000 | -212,000,000 | -453,000,000 | -8,501,000,000 | 496,000,000 | -373,000,000 | 1,207,000,000 | 1,300,000,000 | -680,000,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 6.44% | 3.01% | 3.17% | 3.68% | -51.25% | -6.67% | 0.26% | 1.56% | 1.56% | 0.20% |
| Operating margin | 12.61% | 9.93% | 5.96% | 6.70% | -60.11% | -3.54% | 3.28% | 5.75% | 4.82% | 2.69% |
| Return on assets | 5.04% | 2.43% | 2.33% | 2.81% | -14.33% | -3.00% | 0.20% | 1.30% | 1.37% | 0.18% |
| Current ratio | 0.74 | 0.60 | 0.48 | 0.45 | 0.67 | 0.91 | 0.71 | 0.62 | 0.54 | 0.50 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0000006201-26-000014; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0000006201-26-000014; concept PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets | Free cash flow: accession 0000006201-26-000014; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000006201-26-000014; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000006201-26-000014; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000006201-26-000014; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000006201-26-000014; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000006201-26-000014; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000006201-26-000014; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000006201-26-000014; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000006201-26-000014; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0000006201-26-000014; filed 2026-02-18. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-07-23. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000006201.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | 0.69 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | 0.02 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 1.88 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-06-30 | 1,338,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 13,482,000,000 | -0.83 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 13,062,000,000 | 19,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 12,570,000,000 | -312,000,000 | -0.48 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-03-31 | -312,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 14,334,000,000 | 1.01 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-06-30 | 717,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 13,647,000,000 | -0.23 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 13,660,000,000 | 590,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 12,551,000,000 | -473,000,000 | -0.72 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-03-31 | -473,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 14,392,000,000 | 0.91 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-06-30 | 599,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 13,691,000,000 | -0.17 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 13,999,000,000 | 99,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 13,912,000,000 | -382,000,000 | -0.58 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2026-Q2 | 2026-03-31 | -382,000,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2026-Q2 | 2026-06-30 | 16,735,000,000 | 0.11 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-06-30; accession 0000006201-26-000052; filed 2026-07-23. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0000006201-26-000032; filed 2026-04-23. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-06-30; accession 0000006201-26-000052; filed 2026-07-23. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0000006201-26-000052.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Part I, Item 2 of this report should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 7 of AAG’s and American’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 (2025 Form 10-K). The information contained herein is not a comprehensive discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of AAG and American, but rather updates disclosures made in the 2025 Form 10-K.
Financial Overview
Business and Macroeconomic Conditions
Worldwide macroeconomic, political and military events, including war, terrorist activity, and conflict in the Middle East (particularly if it intensifies or is prolonged) and in Ukraine, have contributed, and are likely to continue to contribute, to oil and natural gas price volatility. These factors, along with changes in U.S. or international trade policies and continued uncertainty surrounding such policies, could lead to weakened business conditions for the transportation industry, which may adversely impact our operations through increased supply chain challenges, commodity price volatility and a decline in discretionary spending and consumer confidence, among others.
Our operating results are materially impacted by changes in the availability, price volatility and cost of aircraft fuel, which represents one of the largest single cost items in our business. Because of the amount of fuel needed to operate our business, even a relatively small increase or decrease in the price of aircraft fuel can have a material effect on our operating results and liquidity. Market prices for aircraft fuel have fluctuated substantially during the first six months of 2026 and prices continue to be highly volatile, with market spot prices ranging from a low of approximately $1.86 per gallon to a high of approximately $4.78 per gallon during the first six months of 2026.
AAG’s Second Quarter 2026 Results
The selected financial data presented below is derived from AAG’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1A of this report and should be read in conjunction with those financial statements and the related notes thereto.
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue | $ | 15,214 | $ | 13,123 | $ | 2,091 | 15.9 | ||||||
| Cargo revenue | 273 | 211 | 62 | 29.7 | |||||||||
| Other operating revenue | 1,248 | 1,058 | 190 | 17.9 | |||||||||
| Total operating revenues | 16,735 | 14,392 | 2,343 | 16.3 | |||||||||
| Aircraft fuel and related taxes | 4,881 | 2,663 | 2,218 | 83.3 | |||||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 4,639 | 4,382 | 257 | 5.9 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 16,289 | 13,257 | 3,032 | 22.9 | |||||||||
| Operating income | 446 | 1,135 | (689) | (60.7) | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income | 107 | 838 | (731) | (87.2) | |||||||||
| Income tax provision | 36 | 239 | (203) | (84.9) | |||||||||
| Net income | 71 | 599 | (528) | (88.2) | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income – GAAP | $ | 107 | $ | 838 | $ | (731) | (87.2) | ||||||
| Adjusted for: pre-tax net special items (1) | 37 | 31 | 6 | 16.5 | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income excluding net special items | $ | 144 | $ | 869 | $ | (725) | (83.5) |
(1)See “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below and Note 2 to AAG’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1A for details on the components of net special items.
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Pre-Tax Income and Net Income
Pre-tax income and net income were $107 million and $71 million, respectively, in the second quarter of 2026. This compares to second quarter of 2025 pre-tax income and net income of $838 million and $599 million, respectively. Excluding the effects of pre-tax net special items, pre-tax income was $144 million and $869 million in the second quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively.
The period-over-period decrease in pre-tax income on both a GAAP basis and excluding pre-tax net special items was principally driven by increases in certain operating expenses including aircraft fuel and related taxes, salaries, wages and benefits and other operating expenses, offset in part by an increase in passenger revenue.
Revenue
In the second quarter of 2026, we reported total operating revenues of $16.7 billion, an increase of $2.3 billion, or 16.3%, from the second quarter of 2025. Passenger revenue was $15.2 billion in the second quarter of 2026, an increase of $2.1 billion, or 15.9%, from the second quarter of 2025. Passenger revenue performance improved in the second quarter of 2026, primarily due to strong domestic and international demand for air travel. Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased 10.0% compared to the second quarter of 2025, primarily driven by higher passenger yield, which increased 11.9% year over year.
Cargo revenue increased $62 million, or 29.7%, in the second quarter of 2026 from the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to a 22.5% increase in cargo ton miles and a 5.8% increase in cargo yield.
Other operating revenue increased $190 million, or 17.9%, in the second quarter of 2026 from the second quarter of 2025, driven primarily by higher revenue associated with our loyalty program. During the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, cash payments from co-branded credit card and other partners were $1.8 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively.
Our total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) was 20.45 cents in the second quarter of 2026, a 10.3% increase as compared to 18.54 cents in the second quarter of 2025.
Fuel
Aircraft fuel and related taxes was $4.9 billion in the second quarter of 2026, which was $2.2 billion, or 83.3%, higher as compared to the second quarter of 2025. This was primarily due to a 77.1% increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel including related taxes to $4.05 in the second quarter of 2026 compared to $2.29 in the second quarter of 2025 and a 3.5% increase in gallons of fuel consumed due to increased capacity.
As of June 30, 2026, we did not have any fuel hedging contracts outstanding to hedge our fuel consumption. Our current policy is not to enter into transactions to hedge our fuel consumption, although we review this policy from time to time based on market conditions and other factors. As such, and assuming we do not enter into any future transactions to hedge our fuel consumption, we will continue to be fully exposed to fluctuations in fuel prices. See Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors – “Our business is very dependent on the price and availability of aircraft fuel. Continued periods of high volatility in fuel costs, increased fuel prices or significant disruptions in the supply of aircraft fuel could have a significant negative impact on consumer demand, our operating results and liquidity” in our 2025 Form 10-K.
Other Costs
We remain committed to actively managing our cost structure, which we believe is necessary in an industry whose economic prospects are heavily dependent upon two variables we cannot control: general economic conditions and the price of fuel. Additionally, we continue to focus on initiatives to reengineer our business through the use of digital solutions, process enhancements and procurement transformation and we intend to continue to invest in reengineering our business through the remainder of 2026 and beyond to build an even more efficient airline and continue to manage costs while delivering a better experience for our customers and team.
Our 2026 second quarter total operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) was 19.90 cents, an increase of 16.5% compared to 17.08 cents in the second quarter of 2025. The increase in CASM was primarily driven by higher costs for aircraft fuel, maintenance, materials and repairs and other operating expenses.
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Our 2026 second quarter CASM excluding net special items, fuel and profit sharing was 13.93 cents, an increase of 2.9% compared to 13.53 cents in the second quarter of 2025, which was primarily driven by higher costs for maintenance, materials and repairs and other operating expenses.
For a reconciliation of CASM to CASM excluding net special items, fuel and profit sharing see “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
Liquidity
As of June 30, 2026, we had $11.3 billion in total available liquidity, consisting of $7.8 billion in unrestricted cash and short-term investments, and $3.5 billion in total undrawn capacity under revolving credit and other facilities.
During the first six months of 2026, we completed the following financing transactions (see Note 5 to AAG’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1A for further information on 2026 financing activities):
•repaid in full $629 million of the outstanding principal amount of the senior short-term term loan facility;
•prepaid in full $1.0 billion of the outstanding principal amount of the 8.50% senior secured notes;
•amended the terms of the 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility to reduce the applicable interest rate margin;
•increased the aggregate revolving commitments under the 2013 Revolving Facility, the 2014 Revolving Facility and the 2023 Revolving Facility from $3.0 billion to $3.1 billion and extended the maturity of each facility from June 2029 to March 2031;
•extended the maturity date of a revolving credit facility that provides for borrowing capacity of up to $350 million by an additional year to March 2028;
•extended the maturity date of the term loans under the 2014 Credit Agreement from January 2027 to May 2033, refinanced in full the existing term loans of approximately $1.1 billion and incurred incremental term loans of $703 million;
•prepaid $310 million of the outstanding principal amounts of certain equipment notes issued under enhanced equipment trust certificates (EETCs);
•repaid all outstanding fuel financing obligations, including $914 million of repayments; and
•received approximately $2.7 billion in proceeds from EETCs, equipment loans and other notes payable in connection with the financing of certain aircraft and spare engines.
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We sometimes use financial measures that are derived from the condensed consolidated financial statements but that are not presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP) to understand and evaluate our current operating performance and to allow for period-to-period comparisons. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures may also provide useful information to investors and others. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled non-GAAP measures of other companies, and should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, any measure of performance, cash flow or liquidity prepared in accordance with GAAP. We are providing a reconciliation of reported non-GAAP financial measures to their comparable financial measures on a GAAP basis.
The following table presents the reconciliation of pre-tax income (loss) (GAAP measure) to pre-tax income (loss) excluding net special items (non-GAAP measure). Management uses this non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate our current operating performance and to allow for period-to-period comparisons. As net special items may vary from period-to-period in nature and amount, the adjustment to exclude net special items provides management with an additional tool to understand our core operating performance.
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[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","Three Months Ended June 30,","","Six Months Ended June 30,"],["","2026","","2025","","2026","","2025"],["
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
2025 Financial Overview
Business and Macroeconomic Conditions
Starting in the first quarter of 2025, the U.S. Government has promoted and implemented plans to place additional tariffs on goods imported into the U.S. from numerous countries and has pursued other trade policies intended to restrict imports and, in response, multiple nations have countered with reciprocal tariffs and other actions.
These or additional changes in U.S. or international trade policies, along with continued uncertainty surrounding such policies, could lead to further weakened business conditions for the transportation industry, which may adversely impact our operations through increased supply chain challenges, commodity price volatility and a decline in discretionary spending and consumer confidence, among others. We continue to monitor the situation.
Many aspects of our airline operations depend on the U.S. Government, and in the fourth quarter of 2025, the prolonged government shutdown led to mandated schedule reductions, strained air traffic control and security screening resources, reduced air traffic capacity at key U.S. airports, and increased delays and cancellations. Additionally, the government shutdown-related uncertainty temporarily impacted customer bookings in the fourth quarter of 2025 and negatively impacted our revenue by approximately $325 million.
AAG’s 2025 Financial Results
The selected financial data presented below is derived from AAG’s audited consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8A of this report and should be read in conjunction with those financial statements and the related notes thereto.
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue | $ | 49,643 | $ | 49,586 | $ | 57 | 0.1 | ||||||
| Cargo revenue | 839 | 804 | 35 | 4.3 | |||||||||
| Other operating revenue | 4,151 | 3,821 | 330 | 8.7 | |||||||||
| Total operating revenues | 54,633 | 54,211 | 422 | 0.8 | |||||||||
| Aircraft fuel and related taxes | 10,718 | 11,418 | (700) | (6.1) | |||||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 17,566 | 16,021 | 1,545 | 9.6 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 53,166 | 51,597 | 1,569 | 3.0 | |||||||||
| Operating income | 1,467 | 2,614 | (1,147) | (43.9) | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income | 190 | 1,154 | (964) | (83.6) | |||||||||
| Income tax provision | 79 | 308 | (229) | (74.7) | |||||||||
| Net income | 111 | 846 | (735) | (86.8) | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income – GAAP | $ | 190 | $ | 1,154 | $ | (964) | (83.6) | ||||||
| Adjusted for: pre-tax net special items (1) | 162 | 667 | (505) | (75.7) | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income excluding net special items | $ | 352 | $ | 1,821 | $ | (1,469) | (80.7) |
(1)See Part II, Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data – “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and Note 2 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for details on the components of pre-tax net special items.
Pre-Tax Income and Net Income
Pre-tax income and net income were $190 million and $111 million, respectively, in 2025. This compares to 2024 pre-tax income and net income of $1.2 billion and $846 million, respectively.
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Pre-tax income on a GAAP basis decreased in 2025 as compared to 2024. This decrease was driven primarily by increases in certain operating expenses including salaries, wages and benefits, regional expenses and other operating expenses, offset in part by lower costs for aircraft fuel and related taxes, a decrease in pre-tax net special items and higher revenues.
Excluding the effects of pre-tax net special items, pre-tax income was $352 million and $1.8 billion in 2025 and 2024, respectively. The year-over-year decrease in our pre-tax income excluding pre-tax net special items was principally driven by certain operating expenses as mentioned above, offset in part by lower costs for aircraft fuel and related taxes and higher revenues.
Revenue
In 2025, we reported total operating revenues of $54.6 billion, an increase of $422 million, or 0.8%, as compared to 2024. Passenger revenue was $49.6 billion and remained relatively flat as compared to 2024. Our passenger revenue in 2025 was impacted by the American Eagle flight 5342 accident and softness in domestic demand for air travel in the first half of the year, offset by strength in international travel, particularly in the Atlantic and Pacific regions, and recovery in domestic travel in the second half of the year despite the negative revenue impact from the temporary shutdown of the U.S. Government in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Other operating revenue increased $330 million, or 8.7%, in 2025 as compared to 2024, driven primarily by higher revenue associated with our loyalty program. During 2025 and 2024, cash payments from co-branded credit card and other partners were $6.2 billion and $6.1 billion, respectively. Cash remuneration in 2024 included a one-time cash payment related to the new co-branded credit card agreement announced in December 2024. This one-time cash payment will be amortized over the life of the new agreement beginning in 2026.
Our total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) was 18.25 cents in 2025, a 1.4% decrease as compared to 18.51 cents in 2024.
Fuel
In 2025, aircraft fuel expense totaled $10.7 billion, a decrease of $700 million, or 6.1%, as compared to 2024. This decrease was primarily driven by an 8.2% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel including related taxes to $2.39 in 2025 from $2.60 in 2024, offset in part by a 2.2% increase in gallons of fuel consumed due to increased capacity.
As of December 31, 2025, we did not have any fuel hedging contracts outstanding to hedge our fuel consumption. Our current policy is not to enter into transactions to hedge our fuel consumption, although we review this policy from time to time based on market conditions and other factors. As such, and assuming we do not enter into any future transactions to hedge our fuel consumption, we will continue to be fully exposed to fluctuations in fuel prices. See Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors – “Our business is very dependent on the price and availability of aircraft fuel. Continued periods of high volatility in fuel costs, increased fuel prices or significant disruptions in the supply of aircraft fuel could have a significant negative impact on consumer demand, our operating results and liquidity.”
Other Costs
We remain committed to actively managing our cost structure, which we believe is necessary in an industry whose economic prospects are heavily dependent upon two variables we cannot control: general economic conditions and the price of fuel. Additionally, we continue to focus on initiatives to reengineer our business through the use of digital solutions, process enhancements and procurement transformation and we intend to continue to invest in reengineering our business through 2026 and beyond to build an even more efficient airline and continue to manage costs while delivering a better experience for our customers and team.
Our 2025 CASM was 17.76 cents, an increase of 0.8%, from 17.61 cents in 2024. This increase in CASM was primarily driven by higher costs for salaries, wages and benefits, regional expenses and other operating expenses, offset in part by lower aircraft fuel costs as well as a decrease in mainline operating special items, net.
Our 2025 CASM excluding net special items and fuel was 14.12 cents, an increase of 4.6%, from 13.50 cents in 2024, which was primarily driven by higher costs for salaries, wages and benefits, regional expenses and other operating expenses.
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For a reconciliation of total operating CASM to total operating CASM excluding net special items and fuel, see Part II, Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data – “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2025, we had $9.2 billion in total available liquidity, consisting of $5.8 billion in unrestricted cash and short-term investments and $3.4 billion in total undrawn capacity under revolving credit and other facilities.
During 2025, we completed the following financing transactions (see Notes 1, 4 and 11 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for further information):
•amended the AAdvantage term loan credit and guaranty agreement to reduce the applicable interest rate margin and to reduce the scheduled quarterly principal amortization amount;
•issued $1.0 billion of incremental term loans pursuant to the AAdvantage term loan credit guaranty agreement (2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility), as amended;
•prepaid $487 million of the outstanding principal amounts of certain equipment notes issued under enhanced equipment trust certificates (EETCs);
•increased the aggregate revolving commitments under the 2013, 2014 and 2023 Revolving Facilities from approximately $2.9 billion to $3.0 billion;
•received $432 million of gross proceeds pursuant to special facility revenue bonds issued by the Tulsa Municipal Airport Trust (TMAT), of which a portion was used to fund the redemption of other bonds related to TMAT and the remaining amount will be used to finance the cost of improvements at American’s overhaul and maintenance base at Tulsa International Airport;
•prepaid in full $937 million of the outstanding principal amounts of the 10.75% senior secured IP notes (the IP Notes) and the 10.75% senior secured LGA/DCA notes (LGA/DCA Notes and together with the IP Notes, the 10.75% Senior Secured Notes);
•borrowed $629 million under a senior unsecured short-term term loan facility due in January 2026;
•received approximately $978 million in proceeds from EETCs;
•received $840 million in net proceeds from fuel financing transactions; and
•issued $1.2 billion of equipment loans and other notes payable in connection with the financing of certain aircraft.
American Eagle Flight 5342
On January 29, 2025, American Eagle flight 5342 was involved in a fatal accident in Washington, D.C. The Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft operated by PSA was en route to Washington, D.C. from Wichita, Kansas when it was involved in a midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. We estimate that the accident reduced first quarter 2025 total operating revenues by approximately $200 million, of which the impacted revenue is not covered by insurance. Beginning on September 24, 2025, multiple wrongful death and survival actions have been filed against the U.S. Government, PSA and American seeking unspecified damages, and we expect that additional lawsuits will be filed. While we cannot predict the outcome of these lawsuits, American has industry standard insurance coverage for this incident and we believe these lawsuits are without merit and are defending against them vigorously.
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AAG’s Results of Operations
For a comparison of the 2024 to 2023 reporting periods, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – “AAG’s Results of Operations” of our 2024 Form 10-K.
Operating Statistics
The table below sets forth selected operating data for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
| Revenue passenger miles (millions) (a) | 250,294 | 248,795 | 0.6% | ||||
| Available seat miles (millions) (b) | 299,411 | 292,948 | 2.2% | ||||
| Passenger load factor (percent) (c) | 83.6 | 84.9 | (1.3)pts | ||||
| Yield (cents) (d) | 19.83 | 19.93 | (0.5)% | ||||
| Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents) (e) | 16.58 | 16.93 | (2.0)% | ||||
| Total revenue per available seat mile (cents) (f) | 18.25 | 18.51 | (1.4)% | ||||
| Fuel consumption (gallons in millions) | 4,488 | 4,391 | 2.2% | ||||
| Average aircraft fuel price including related taxes (dollars per gallon) | 2.39 | 2.60 | (8.2)% | ||||
| Total operating cost per available seat mile (cents) (g) | 17.76 | 17.61 | 0.8% | ||||
| Aircraft at end of period (h) | 1,580 | 1,562 | 1.2% | ||||
| Full-time equivalent employees at end of period | 139,100 | 133,300 | 4.4% |
(a)Revenue passenger mile (RPM) – A basic measure of sales volume. One RPM represents one passenger flown one mile.
(b)Available seat mile (ASM) – A basic measure of production. One ASM represents one seat flown one mile.
(c)Passenger load factor – The percentage of available seats that are filled with revenue passengers.
(d)Yield – A measure of airline revenue derived by dividing passenger revenue by RPMs.
(e)Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) – Passenger revenue divided by ASMs.
(f)Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) – Total revenues divided by ASMs.
(g)Total operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) – Total operating expenses divided by ASMs.
(h)Includes aircraft owned and leased by American as well as aircraft operated by third-party regional carriers under capacity purchase agreements. Excluded from the aircraft count above as of December 31, 2025 are three Airbus A321XLR mainline aircraft and four Bombardier CRJ900 regional aircraft held in temporary storage.
Operating Revenues
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase | Percent Increase | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Passenger | $ | 49,643 | $ | 49,586 | $ | 57 | 0.1 | ||||||
| Cargo | 839 | 804 | 35 | 4.3 | |||||||||
| Other | 4,151 | 3,821 | 330 | 8.7 | |||||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | 54,633 | $ | 54,211 | $ | 422 | 0.8 |
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This table presents our passenger revenue and the year-over-year change in certain operating statistics:
| Increase (Decrease)vs. Year Ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, 2025 | Passenger Revenue | RPMs | ASMs | Load Factor | Passenger Yield | PRASM | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue | $ | 49,643 | 0.1% | 0.6% | 2.2% | (1.3)pts | (0.5)% | (2.0)% |
Passenger revenue remained relatively flat in 2025 as compared to 2024. Our passenger revenue in 2025 was impacted by the American Eagle flight 5342 accident and softness in domestic demand for air travel in the first half of the year, offset by strength in international travel, particularly in the Atlantic and Pacific regions, and recovery in domestic travel in the second half of the year despite the negative revenue impact from the temporary shutdown of the U.S. Government in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Other operating revenue increased $330 million, or 8.7%, in 2025 from 2024 driven primarily by higher revenue associated with our loyalty program. During 2025 and 2024, cash payments from co-branded credit card and other partners were $6.2 billion and $6.1 billion, respectively. Cash remuneration in 2024 included a one-time cash payment related to the new co-branded credit card agreement announced in December 2024. This one-time cash payment will be amortized over the life of the new agreement beginning in 2026.
Operating Expenses
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel and related taxes | $ | 10,718 | $ | 11,418 | $ | (700) | (6.1) | ||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 17,566 | 16,021 | 1,545 | 9.6 | |||||||||
| Regional expenses | 5,448 | 5,042 | 406 | 8.1 | |||||||||
| Maintenance, materials and repairs | 3,844 | 3,794 | 50 | 1.3 | |||||||||
| Other rent and landing fees | 3,476 | 3,303 | 173 | 5.2 | |||||||||
| Aircraft rent | 1,220 | 1,242 | (22) | (1.8) | |||||||||
| Selling expenses | 1,997 | 1,812 | 185 | 10.2 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,890 | 1,926 | (36) | (1.9) | |||||||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 159 | 610 | (451) | (73.9) | |||||||||
| Other | 6,848 | 6,429 | 419 | 6.5 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 53,166 | $ | 51,597 | $ | 1,569 | 3.0 |
Aircraft fuel and related taxes decreased $700 million, or 6.1%, in 2025 from 2024 primarily due to an 8.2% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel including related taxes to $2.39 in 2025 from $2.60 in 2024, offset in part by a 2.2% increase in gallons of fuel consumed due to increased capacity.
Salaries, wages and benefits increased $1.5 billion, or 9.6%, in 2025 from 2024 primarily due to contractual wage rate increases and higher costs for benefit-related items associated with newly ratified and extended labor agreements reached in 2024, as well as annual contractual wage rate increases in our other labor agreements.
Regional expenses increased $406 million, or 8.1%, in 2025 from 2024 primarily due to an increase in regional flight operations as regional capacity, as measured by ASMs, increased 10.3% year over year. Higher maintenance, materials and repair costs driven by an increase in the volume of airframe heavy checks and cost of materials also contributed to the increase in regional expenses.
Maintenance, materials and repairs increased $50 million, or 1.3%, in 2025 from 2024 primarily due to increased costs for airframe heavy checks and component part repairs driven by higher volume, offset in part by a decrease in the volume of engine overhauls.
Other rent and landing fees increased $173 million, or 5.2%, in 2025 from 2024 primarily due to rate increases at certain airports, offset in part by a decrease in leased engines.
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Selling expenses increased $185 million, or 10.2%, in 2025 from 2024 primarily due to an increase in commissions expense, driven by higher costs resulting from renegotiated agency contracts, as well as an increase in advertising expenses. Higher credit card fees driven by higher rates also contributed to the increase in selling expenses.
Other operating expenses increased $419 million, or 6.5%, in 2025 from 2024 primarily driven by increased costs for crew travel, onboard food and catering, ground and cargo handling, and airport lounge operations, as well as certain general and administrative expenses.
Operating Special Items, Net
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| (In millions) | ||||||
| Litigation reserve adjustments | $ | 77 | $ | — | ||
| Labor contract expenses (1) | 31 | 605 | ||||
| Severance expenses | 44 | 13 | ||||
| A330 fleet-related adjustments (2) | — | (42) | ||||
| Other operating special items, net | 7 | 34 | ||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 159 | 610 | ||||
| Regional operating special items, net (3) | 3 | 33 | ||||
| Operating special items, net | $ | 162 | $ | 643 |
(1)Labor contract expenses for 2025 included a one-time charge resulting from adjustments to vacation accruals due to pay rate increases effective January 1, 2025, following the ratification of the contract extension in the fourth quarter of 2024 with our mainline maintenance and fleet service team members.
Labor contract expenses for 2024 included one-time charges resulting from the ratifications of new CBAs with our mainline flight attendants and passenger service team members, including one-time payments and adjustments to vacation accruals resulting from pay rate increases.
(2)In 2024, we entered into a sales agreement for certain Airbus A330 aircraft, resulting in a $42 million gain. These aircraft were previously retired in 2020 as a result of the decline in demand for air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(3)Regional operating special items, net for 2024 included a $33 million non-cash write down of regional aircraft resulting from the decision to permanently park 43 Embraer ERJ145 aircraft.
Nonoperating Results
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 357 | $ | 468 | $ | (111) | (23.7) | ||||||
| Interest expense, net | (1,716) | (1,934) | 218 | (11.2) | |||||||||
| Other income, net | 82 | 6 | 76 | nm (1) | |||||||||
| Total nonoperating expense, net | $ | (1,277) | $ | (1,460) | $ | 183 | (12.5) |
(1)Not meaningful or greater than 100% change.
Interest income decreased $111 million, or 23.7%, in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily due to lower interest rates and a decrease in the average balance of our short-term investments, resulting in reduced returns. Interest expense, net decreased $218 million, or 11.2%, in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily due to lower interest rates on our variable-rate debt instruments and lower outstanding debt in 2025, as we continue our efforts to strengthen the balance sheet.
In 2025, other nonoperating income, net included $57 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income, $51 million of net earnings related to our equity investments accounted for under the equity method
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and $40 million of mark-to-market net unrealized gains associated with certain equity investments recognized as net special items. These amounts were offset in part by $40 million of net special charges related to debt refinancings and extinguishments and other costs, as well as $15 million of foreign currency losses.
In 2024, other nonoperating income, net included $113 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income, offset in part by $48 million of foreign currency losses, $24 million of net special charges primarily for debt refinancings and extinguishments and mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments and $24 million of net losses related to our equity investments accounted for under the equity method.
Income Taxes
In 2025, we recorded an income tax provision of $79 million with an effective rate of approximately 41.2%, which was substantially non-cash. Substantially all of our income before income taxes is attributable to the United States. At December 31, 2025, we had approximately $11.9 billion of gross federal NOLs and $6.0 billion of other carryforwards available to reduce future federal taxable income, of which $1.6 billion will expire beginning in 2033 if unused and $16.3 billion can be carried forward indefinitely. We also had approximately $5.0 billion of NOL carryforwards to reduce future state taxable income at December 31, 2025, which will expire in taxable years 2025 through 2045 if unused.
In 2024, we recorded an income tax provision of $308 million at an effective rate of approximately 26.7%, which was substantially non-cash.
See Note 6 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for additional information on income taxes.
American’s Results of Operations
For a comparison of the 2024 to 2023 reporting periods, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – “American’s Results of Operations” of American’s 2024 Form 10-K.
Operating Revenues
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase | Percent Increase | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Passenger | $ | 49,643 | $ | 49,586 | $ | 57 | 0.1 | ||||||
| Cargo | 839 | 804 | 35 | 4.3 | |||||||||
| Other | 4,144 | 3,814 | 330 | 8.7 | |||||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | 54,626 | $ | 54,204 | $ | 422 | 0.8 |
Passenger revenue remained relatively flat in 2025 as compared to 2024. American’s passenger revenue in 2025 was impacted by the American Eagle flight 5342 accident and softness in domestic demand for air travel in the first half of the year, offset by strength in international travel, particularly in the Atlantic and Pacific regions, and recovery in domestic travel in the second half of the year despite the negative revenue impact from the temporary shutdown of the U.S. Government in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Other operating revenue increased $330 million, or 8.7%, in 2025 from 2024 driven primarily by higher revenue associated with American’s loyalty program. During 2025 and 2024, cash payments from co-branded credit card and other partners were $6.2 billion and $6.1 billion, respectively. Cash remuneration in 2024 included a one-time cash payment related to the new co-branded credit card agreement announced in December 2024. This one-time cash payment will be amortized over the life of the new agreement beginning in 2026.
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Operating Expenses
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel and related taxes | $ | 10,718 | $ | 11,418 | $ | (700) | (6.1) | ||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 17,556 | 16,012 | 1,544 | 9.6 | |||||||||
| Regional expenses | 5,406 | 5,009 | 397 | 7.9 | |||||||||
| Maintenance, materials and repairs | 3,844 | 3,794 | 50 | 1.3 | |||||||||
| Other rent and landing fees | 3,476 | 3,303 | 173 | 5.2 | |||||||||
| Aircraft rent | 1,220 | 1,242 | (22) | (1.8) | |||||||||
| Selling expenses | 1,997 | 1,812 | 185 | 10.2 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,884 | 1,919 | (35) | (1.8) | |||||||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 159 | 610 | (451) | (73.9) | |||||||||
| Other | 6,855 | 6,431 | 424 | 6.6 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 53,115 | $ | 51,550 | $ | 1,565 | 3.0 |
Aircraft fuel and related taxes decreased $700 million, or 6.1%, in 2025 from 2024 primarily due to an 8.2% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel including related taxes to $2.39 in 2025 from $2.60 in 2024, offset in part by a 2.2% increase in gallons of fuel consumed due to increased capacity.
Salaries, wages and benefits increased $1.5 billion, or 9.6%, in 2025 from 2024 primarily due to contractual wage rate increases and higher costs for benefit-related items associated with newly ratified and extended labor agreements reached in 2024, as well as annual contractual wage rate increases in American’s other labor agreements.
Regional expenses increased $397 million, or 7.9%, in 2025 from 2024 primarily due to an increase in regional flight operations and costs at American’s regional carriers.
Maintenance, materials and repairs increased $50 million, or 1.3%, in 2025 from 2024 primarily due to increased costs for airframe heavy checks and component part repairs driven by higher volume, offset in part by a decrease in the volume of engine overhauls.
Other rent and landing fees increased $173 million, or 5.2%, in 2025 from 2024 primarily due to rate increases at certain airports, offset in part by a decrease in leased engines.
Selling expenses increased $185 million, or 10.2%, in 2025 from 2024 primarily due to an increase in commissions expense, driven by higher costs resulting from renegotiated agency contracts, as well as an increase in advertising expenses. Higher credit card fees driven by higher rates also contributed to the increase in selling expenses.
Other operating expenses increased $424 million, or 6.6%, in 2025 from 2024 primarily driven by increased costs for crew travel, onboard food and catering, ground and cargo handling, and airport lounge operations, as well as certain general and administrative expenses.
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Operating Special Items, Net
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| (In millions) | ||||||
| Litigation reserve adjustments | $ | 77 | $ | — | ||
| Labor contract expenses (1) | 31 | 605 | ||||
| Severance expenses | 44 | 13 | ||||
| A330 fleet-related adjustments (2) | — | (42) | ||||
| Other operating special items, net | 7 | 34 | ||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 159 | 610 | ||||
| Regional operating special items, net (3) | 3 | 33 | ||||
| Operating special items, net | $ | 162 | $ | 643 |
(1)Labor contract expenses for 2025 included a one-time charge resulting from adjustments to vacation accruals due to pay rate increases effective January 1, 2025, following the ratification of the contract extension in the fourth quarter of 2024 with American’s mainline maintenance and fleet service team members.
Labor contract expenses for 2024 included one-time charges resulting from the ratifications of new CBAs with American’s mainline flight attendants and passenger service team members, including one-time payments and adjustments to vacation accruals resulting from pay rate increases.
(2)In 2024, American entered into a sales agreement for certain Airbus A330 aircraft, resulting in a $42 million gain. These aircraft were previously retired in 2020 as a result of the decline in demand for air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(3)Regional operating special items, net for 2024 included a $33 million non-cash write down of regional aircraft resulting from the decision to permanently park 43 Embraer ERJ145 aircraft.
Nonoperating Results
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 949 | $ | 1,058 | $ | (109) | (10.3) | ||||||
| Interest expense, net | (1,780) | (2,029) | 249 | (12.3) | |||||||||
| Other income, net | 81 | 5 | 76 | nm | |||||||||
| Total nonoperating expense, net | $ | (750) | $ | (966) | $ | 216 | (22.3) |
Interest income decreased $109 million, or 10.3%, in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily due to lower interest rates and a decrease in the average balance of American’s short-term investments, resulting in reduced returns. Interest expense, net decreased $249 million, or 12.3%, in 2025 compared to 2024 primarily due to lower interest rates on American’s variable-rate debt instruments and lower outstanding debt in 2025, as American continues its efforts to strengthen the balance sheet.
In 2025, other nonoperating income, net included $56 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income, $51 million of net earnings related to American’s equity investments accounted for under the equity method and $40 million of mark-to-market net unrealized gains associated with certain equity investments recognized as net special items. These amounts were offset in part by $40 million of net special charges related to debt refinancings and extinguishments and other costs, as well as $15 million of foreign currency losses.
In 2024, other nonoperating income, net included $113 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income, offset in part by $47 million of foreign currency losses, $24 million of net special charges primarily for debt refinancings and extinguishments and mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments and $24 million of net losses related to American’s equity investments accounted for under the equity method.
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Income Taxes
American is a member of AAG’s consolidated federal and certain state income tax returns.
In 2025, American recorded an income tax provision of $197 million with an effective rate of approximately 25.9%, which was substantially non-cash. Substantially all of American’s income before income taxes is attributable to the United States. At December 31, 2025, American had approximately $11.7 billion of gross federal NOLs and $3.8 billion of other carryforwards available to reduce future federal taxable income, of which $1.8 billion will expire beginning in 2033 if unused and $13.7 billion can be carried forward indefinitely. American also had approximately $4.7 billion of NOL carryforwards to reduce future state taxable income at December 31, 2025, which will expire in taxable years 2025 through 2045 if unused.
In 2024, American recorded an income tax provision of $426 million at an effective rate of approximately 25.2%, which was substantially non-cash.
See Note 5 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for additional information on income taxes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
At December 31, 2025, AAG had $9.2 billion in total available liquidity and $735 million in restricted cash and short-term investments. Additional detail regarding our available liquidity is provided in the table below (in millions):
| AAG | American | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | |||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 954 | $ | 804 | $ | 936 | $ | 795 | ||||||
| Short-term investments | 4,882 | 6,180 | 4,880 | 6,177 | ||||||||||
| Undrawn facilities | 3,397 | 3,289 | 3,397 | 3,289 | ||||||||||
| Total available liquidity | $ | 9,233 | $ | 10,273 | $ | 9,213 | $ | 10,261 |
In the ordinary course of our business, we or our affiliates may, at any time and from time to time, seek to prepay, retire or repurchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for equity or debt, in open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, prepayments, retirements or exchanges, if any, will be conducted on such terms and at such prices as we may determine, and will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, legal and contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
Certain Covenants
Our debt agreements contain customary terms and conditions as well as various affirmative, negative and financial covenants that, among other things, may restrict our ability and that of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends or repurchase stock. Our debt agreements also contain customary change of control provisions, which may require us to repay or redeem such indebtedness upon certain events constituting a change of control under the relevant agreement, in certain cases at a premium. Additionally, certain of our debt financing agreements (including our secured notes, term loans, revolving credit facilities and spare engine EETCs) contain loan to value (LTV) or collateral coverage ratio covenants and certain agreements require us to appraise the related collateral annually or semiannually. Pursuant to such agreements, if the applicable LTV or collateral coverage ratio exceeds or falls below a specified threshold, as the case may be, we will be required, as applicable, to pledge additional qualifying collateral (which in some cases may include cash or investment securities), withhold additional cash in certain accounts, or pay down such financing, in whole or in part, or the interest rate for the relevant financing will be increased. Additionally, a significant portion of our debt financing agreements contain covenants requiring us to maintain an aggregate of at least $2.0 billion of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and amounts available to be drawn under revolving credit facilities. Our AAdvantage Financing contains a peak debt service coverage ratio, pursuant to which failure to comply with a certain threshold may result in early repayment, in whole or in part, of the AAdvantage Financing. As of the most recent applicable measurement dates, we were in compliance with each of the foregoing covenants. For further information regarding our debt covenants, see Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 3 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B.
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Sources and Uses of Cash
For a comparison of the 2024 and 2023 reporting periods, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – “Sources and Uses of Cash” of our 2024 Form 10-K.
AAG
Operating Activities
Our net cash provided by operating activities was $3.1 billion and $4.0 billion in 2025 and 2024, respectively, an $884 million year-over-year decrease driven by lower profitability and net changes in working capital.
Investing Activities
Our net cash used in investing activities was $1.9 billion and $968 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Our principal investing activities in 2025 included $3.8 billion of capital expenditures, which primarily related to the purchase of 23 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, 12 Embraer E175 aircraft, eight Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, six Boeing 787-9 aircraft, five Airbus A321XLR aircraft, two Boeing 737-800 aircraft lease repurchases, one Airbus A321neo aircraft, one Airbus A320 aircraft lease repurchase and eight aircraft engines. These cash outflows were offset in part by $1.3 billion in net sales of short-term investments and $344 million in proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions and sale of property and equipment, which primarily related to the modernization of Terminals 4 and 5 at LAX and sale of certain of our A330 aircraft. Additionally, we had $328 million in net proceeds from the issuance of the TMAT special facility revenue bonds.
Our principal investing activities in 2024 included $2.7 billion of capital expenditures, which primarily related to the purchase of 16 Embraer E175 aircraft, six Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, four Airbus A321neo aircraft, four Boeing 737-800 aircraft lease repurchases, two Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, one Airbus A320 aircraft lease repurchase, 48 aircraft engines and aircraft purchase deposits. These cash outflows were offset in part by $819 million in net sales of short-term investments and $654 million of proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions and sale of property and equipment, which primarily related to the modernization of Terminals 4 and 5 at LAX.
Financing Activities
Our net cash used in financing activities was $1.1 billion and $2.8 billion in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Our principal financing activities in 2025 included $5.5 billion in long-term debt and finance lease repayments, consisting of $4.1 billion in scheduled repayments, including the $1.0 billion cash settlement of AAG’s 6.50% convertible senior notes. Debt and finance lease repayments also included the early repayments of $937 million for the outstanding principal amounts of the 10.75% Senior Secured Notes and $487 million for the outstanding principal amount of equipment notes issued under EETCs. These cash outflows were offset in part by $3.8 billion of proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, consisting of $1.2 billion from the issuance of equipment loans and other notes payable, $978 million from the issuance of EETCs in connection with the financing of certain aircraft, $1.0 billion from the issuance of the 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility and $629 million under a senior unsecured short-term term loan facility due January 2026. Additionally, we had $840 million in net proceeds from fuel financing transactions.
Our principal financing activities in 2024 included $4.5 billion in long-term debt and finance lease repayments, consisting of $3.7 billion in scheduled repayments and the early repayments of $487 million of the outstanding principal amount of the 3.75% Senior Notes and $263 million toward portions of the outstanding principal amounts of the 10.75% Senior Secured Notes. These cash outflows were offset in part by $1.7 billion of proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, consisting of $990 million from the issuance of equipment loans and other notes payable and $684 million from the issuance of EETCs in connection with the financing of certain aircraft that had previously been delivered.
American
Operating Activities
American’s net cash provided by operating activities was $1.9 billion and $3.4 billion in 2025 and 2024, respectively, a $1.5 billion year-over-year decrease driven by a net increase in receivables from related parties, including the scheduled repayment of AAG’s $1.0 billion 6.50% convertible senior notes. Excluding this net increase in receivables from related parties, American’s operating cash flows decreased $877 million compared to 2024 due to lower profitability and net changes in working capital.
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Investing Activities
American’s net cash used in investing activities was $1.8 billion and $909 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
American’s principal investing activities in 2025 included $3.7 billion of capital expenditures, which primarily related to the purchase of 23 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, 12 Embraer E175 aircraft, eight Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, six Boeing 787-9 aircraft, five Airbus A321XLR aircraft, two Boeing 737-800 aircraft lease repurchases, one Airbus A321neo aircraft, one Airbus A320 aircraft lease repurchase and eight aircraft engines. These cash outflows were offset in part by $1.3 billion in net sales of short-term investments and $343 million in proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions and sale of property and equipment, which primarily related to the modernization of Terminals 4 and 5 at LAX and sale of certain of American’s A330 aircraft. Additionally, American had $328 million in net proceeds from the issuance of the TMAT special facility revenue bonds.
American’s principal investing activities in 2024 included $2.6 billion of capital expenditures, which primarily related to the purchase of 16 Embraer E175 aircraft, six Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, four Airbus A321neo aircraft, four Boeing 737-800 aircraft lease repurchases, two Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, one Airbus A320 aircraft lease repurchase, 48 aircraft engines and aircraft purchase deposits. These cash outflows were offset in part by $819 million in net sales of short-term investments and $654 million of proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions and sale of property and equipment, which primarily related to the modernization of Terminals 4 and 5 at LAX.
Financing Activities
American’s net cash used in financing activities was $47 million and $2.3 billion in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
American’s principal financing activities in 2025 included $4.5 billion in long-term debt and finance lease repayments, consisting of $3.1 billion in scheduled repayments and the early repayments of $937 million for the outstanding principal amounts of the 10.75% Senior Secured Notes and $487 million for the outstanding principal amount of equipment notes issued under EETCs. These cash outflows were offset in part by $3.8 billion of proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, consisting of $1.2 billion from the issuance of equipment loans and other notes payable, $978 million from the issuance of EETCs in connection with the financing of certain aircraft, $1.0 billion from the issuance of the 2025 AAdvantage Term Loan Facility and $629 million under a senior unsecured short-term term loan facility due January 2026. Additionally, American had $840 million in net proceeds from fuel financing transactions.
American’s principal financing activities in 2024 included $4.0 billion in long-term debt and finance lease repayments, consisting of $3.7 billion in scheduled repayments and the early repayment of $263 million toward portions of the outstanding principal amounts of the 10.75% Senior Secured Notes. These cash outflows were offset in part by $1.7 billion of proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, consisting of $990 million from the issuance of equipment loans and other notes payable and $684 million from the issuance of EETCs in connection with the financing of certain aircraft that had previously been delivered.
Commitments
For further information regarding our commitments, see the Notes to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and the Notes to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B at the referenced footnotes below.
| AAG | American | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt | Note 4 | Note 3 | |
| Leases | Note 5 | Note 4 | |
| Employee Benefit Plans | Note 9 | Note 8 | |
| Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees | Note 11 | Note 10 |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
An off-balance sheet arrangement is any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement involving an unconsolidated entity under which a company has (1) made guarantees, (2) a retained or a contingent interest in transferred assets, (3) an obligation under derivative instruments classified as equity or (4) any obligation arising out of a material variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to us, or that engages in leasing, hedging or research and development arrangements with us.
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We have no off-balance sheet arrangements of the types described in the first three categories above that we believe may have a material current or future effect on financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.
Pass-Through Trusts
American currently has 280 owned aircraft and 60 owned spare aircraft engines, which in each case were financed with EETCs issued by pass-through trusts. These trusts are off-balance sheet entities, the primary purpose of which is to finance the acquisition of flight equipment or to permit issuance of debt backed by existing flight equipment. In the case of aircraft EETCs, rather than finance each aircraft separately when such aircraft is purchased, delivered or refinanced, these trusts allow American to raise the financing for a number of aircraft at one time and, if applicable, place such funds in escrow pending a future purchase, delivery or refinancing of the relevant aircraft. Similarly, in the case of spare engine EETCs, the trusts allow American to use its existing pool of spare engines to raise financing under a single facility. The trusts have also been structured to provide for certain credit enhancements, such as liquidity facilities to cover certain interest payments, that reduce the risks to the purchasers of the trust certificates and, as a result, reduce the cost of aircraft financing to American.
Each trust covers a set number of aircraft or spare engines scheduled to be delivered, financed or refinanced upon the issuance of the EETC or within a specific period of time thereafter. At the time of each covered aircraft or spare engine financing, the relevant trust used the proceeds from the issuance of the EETC (which may have been available at the time of issuance thereof or held in escrow until financing of the applicable aircraft following its delivery) to purchase equipment notes relating to the financed aircraft or engines. The equipment notes are issued, at American’s election, in connection with a mortgage financing of the aircraft or spare engines. The equipment notes are secured by a security interest in the aircraft or engines, as applicable. The pass-through trust certificates are not direct obligations of, nor are they guaranteed by, AAG or American. However, the equipment notes issued to the trusts are direct obligations of American and, in certain instances, have been guaranteed by AAG. As of December 31, 2025, $6.9 billion associated with these mortgage financings is reflected as debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Letters of Credit and Other
We provide financial assurance, such as letters of credit and surety bonds, primarily to support projected workers’ compensation obligations and airport commitments. As of December 31, 2025, we had $412 million of letters of credit and surety bonds securing various obligations, of which $97 million is collateralized with our restricted cash. The letters of credit and surety bonds that are subject to expiration will expire on various dates through 2037.
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Contractual Obligations
The following table provides details of our estimated material cash requirements from contractual obligations as of December 31, 2025 (in millions). The table does not include commitments that are contingent on events or other factors that are uncertain or unknown at this time and is subject to other conventions as set forth in the applicable accompanying footnotes.
| Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 and Thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| American (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount (b), (d) (See Note 3) | $ | 3,641 | $ | 4,455 | $ | 7,324 | $ | 4,045 | $ | 730 | $ | 4,653 | $ | 24,848 | ||||||||||||
| Interest obligations (c), (d) | 1,267 | 1,039 | 739 | 420 | 276 | 770 | 4,511 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease obligations (See Note 4) | 161 | 152 | 110 | 102 | 100 | 310 | 935 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft and engine purchase commitments (e) (See Note 10(a)) | 2,931 | 2,468 | 4,021 | 4,921 | 3,151 | 6,696 | 24,188 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease commitments (See Note 4) | 1,487 | 1,358 | 1,238 | 1,131 | 948 | 2,987 | 9,149 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Regional capacity purchase agreements (f) (See Note 10(b)) | 1,159 | 1,156 | 1,082 | 900 | 457 | 399 | 5,153 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum pension obligations (g) (See Note 8) | 236 | 89 | 21 | — | — | — | 346 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Retiree medical and other postretirement benefits (g) (See Note 8) | 111 | 113 | 116 | 115 | 112 | 588 | 1,155 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other purchase obligations (h) (See Note 10(a)) | 4,112 | 1,803 | 1,557 | 493 | 615 | 3,724 | 12,304 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total American Contractual Obligations | 15,105 | 12,633 | 16,208 | 12,127 | 6,389 | 20,127 | 82,589 | |||||||||||||||||||
| AAG Parent and Other AAG Subsidiaries (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount (b) (See Note 4) | — | — | — | — | 1,757 | 1,989 | 3,746 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest obligations (c) | 172 | 197 | 201 | 208 | 171 | 49 | 998 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease obligations (See Note 5) | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease commitments (See Note 5) | 14 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 35 | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum pension obligations (g) (See Note 9) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other purchase obligations (See Note 11(a)) | 14 | 12 | 5 | 2 | — | — | 33 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total AAG Contractual Obligations | $ | 15,310 | $ | 12,852 | $ | 16,423 | $ | 12,345 | $ | 8,324 | $ | 22,201 | $ | 87,455 |
(a)For additional information, see the Notes to AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Items 8A and 8B, respectively, referenced in the table above.
(b)Amounts represent contractual amounts due. Excludes $313 million and $1 million of unamortized debt discount, premium and issuance costs as of December 31, 2025 for American and AAG Parent, respectively.
(c)For variable-rate debt, future interest obligations are estimated using the current forward rates at December 31, 2025.
(d)Includes $6.9 billion of future principal payments and $1.0 billion of future interest payments as of December 31, 2025, related to EETCs associated with mortgage financings of certain aircraft and spare engines.
(e)See Part I, Item 2. Properties – “Aircraft and Engine Purchase Commitments” for additional information about the firm commitments for the acquisition of aircraft and engines, including the anticipated aircraft delivery schedule. Due to uncertainty surrounding the timing of delivery of certain aircraft, the amounts in the table represent our most current estimate based on contractual delivery schedules adjusted for updates and revisions to such schedules communicated to management by the applicable equipment manufacturer and certain management assumptions. However, the actual delivery schedule may differ, potentially materially, based on various potential factors including production delays by the equipment manufacturers and regulatory concerns.
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(f)These commitments are estimates of costs based on assumed minimum levels of flying under the capacity purchase agreements and American’s actual payments could differ materially.
(g)Represents minimum pension contributions and expected contributions to our retiree medical and other post-retirement plans based on actuarially determined estimates as of December 31, 2025 and is based on estimated payments through 2035. In January 2026, we made required contributions of $236 million and a supplemental contribution of $50 million to our defined benefit pension plans.
(h)Includes purchase commitments for aircraft fuel, flight equipment maintenance and information technology support and excludes obligations under certain fuel offtake agreements or other agreements for which the timing of the related expenditure is uncertain, or which are subject to material contingencies, such as the construction of a production facility.
Capital Raising Activity and Other Possible Actions
In light of our significant financial commitments related to, among other things, the servicing and amortization of existing debt and equipment leasing arrangements and new flight equipment, we and our subsidiaries will regularly consider, and enter into negotiations related to, capital raising and liability management activity, which may include the entry into leasing transactions and future issuances of, and transactions designed to manage the timing and amount of, secured or unsecured debt obligations or additional equity or equity-linked securities in public or private offerings or otherwise. The cash available from operations (if any) and these sources, however, may not be sufficient to cover our cash obligations because economic factors may reduce the amount of cash generated by operations or increase costs. For instance, an economic downturn or general global instability caused by governmental actions, military actions, terrorism, disease outbreaks, natural disasters or other causes could reduce the demand for air travel, which would reduce the amount of cash generated by operations. See Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors – “Downturns in economic conditions could adversely affect our business” for additional discussion. An increase in costs, either due to an increase in borrowing costs caused by a reduction in credit ratings or a general increase in interest rates, due to an increase in the cost of fuel, maintenance, aircraft, aircraft engines or parts, or due to an increase in tariffs, could decrease the amount of cash available to cover cash contractual obligations. Moreover, certain of our financing arrangements contain significant minimum cash balance or similar liquidity requirements. As a result, we cannot use all of our available cash to fund operations, capital expenditures and cash obligations without violating these requirements. See Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 3 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for information regarding our financing arrangements.
In the past, we have from time to time refinanced, redeemed or repurchased our debt and taken other steps to reduce or otherwise manage the aggregate amount and cost of our debt, lease and other obligations or otherwise improve our balance sheet. Going forward, depending on market conditions, our cash position and other considerations, we may continue to take such actions, and the amounts involved may be material.
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OTHER INFORMATION
Basis of Presentation
See Note 1 to each of AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Items 8A and 8B, respectively, for information regarding the basis of presentation.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. We believe our estimates and assumptions are reasonable; however, actual results could differ from those estimates. Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have identified the following critical accounting policies that impact the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. See the “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in Note 1 to each of AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Items 8A and 8B, respectively, for additional discussion of the application of these estimates and other accounting policies.
Passenger Revenue
We recognize all revenues generated from transportation on American and our regional flights operated under the brand name American Eagle, including associated baggage fees and other inflight services, as passenger revenue when transportation is provided. Ticket and other related sales for transportation that has not yet been provided are initially deferred and recorded as air traffic liability on our consolidated balance sheets. The air traffic liability principally represents tickets sold for future travel on American, American Eagle and partner airlines.
The contract duration of passenger tickets is generally one year. The majority of tickets sold are nonrefundable. A small percentage of tickets, some of which are partially used tickets, expire unused. The estimate for tickets expected to expire unused is generally based on an analysis of our historical data and other current applicable factors such as policy changes. We have consistently applied this accounting method to estimate and recognize revenue from unused tickets at the date of travel. This estimate is periodically evaluated based on subsequent activity to validate its accuracy. Any adjustments resulting from periodic evaluations of the estimated air traffic liability are included in passenger revenue during the period in which the evaluations are completed.
Loyalty Revenue
We currently operate the loyalty program, AAdvantage. This program awards mileage credits to passengers who fly on American, American Eagle, any oneworld airline or other partner airlines, or by using the services of other program participants, such as our co-branded credit cards, and certain hotels and car rental companies. Mileage credits can be redeemed for travel on American, American Eagle and other participating partner airlines, as well as for other non-air travel awards such as car rentals, hotel stays, cruises and retail goods from program partners. For mileage credits earned by AAdvantage program members, we apply the deferred revenue method.
Mileage credits earned through travel
For mileage credits earned through travel, we apply a relative selling price approach whereby the total amount collected from each passenger ticket sale is allocated between the air transportation and the mileage credits earned. The portion of each passenger ticket sale attributable to mileage credits earned is initially deferred and then recognized in passenger revenue when mileage credits are redeemed and transportation is provided. The estimated selling price of mileage credits is determined using an equivalent ticket value approach, which uses historical data, including award redemption patterns by geographic region and class of service, as well as similar cash fares as those used to settle award redemptions. The estimated selling price of mileage credits is adjusted for an estimate of mileage credits that will not be redeemed using a statistical model based on historical redemption patterns to develop an estimate of the likelihood of future redemption. For the year ended December 31, 2025, a hypothetical 10% increase in the estimated selling price of mileage credits would have decreased revenues by approximately $155 million primarily as a result of additional amounts deferred from passenger ticket sales to be recognized in future periods.
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Mileage credits sold to co-branded credit card and other partners
We sell mileage credits to participating airline partners and non-airline business partners, including our co-branded credit card partner, under contracts with remaining terms generally from one to 10 years as of December 31, 2025. Consideration received from the sale of mileage credits is predominantly variable and payment terms typically are within 30 days subsequent to the month of mileage sale. Sales of mileage credits to co-branded credit card and non-airline business partners are comprised of two revenue elements: a transportation component and a marketing component. We allocate the consideration received from these sales of mileage credits based on the relative selling price of each product or service delivered.
Our most significant mileage credit partner agreement is our co-branded credit card agreement with Citi. In December 2024, we announced a 10-year agreement with Citi and Citi became the exclusive issuer of the AAdvantage co-branded credit card portfolio in the U.S. starting in 2026.
The transportation component represents the estimated selling price of future travel awards and is determined using the same equivalent ticket value approach described above. The portion of each mileage credit sold attributable to transportation is initially deferred and then recognized in passenger revenue when mileage credits are redeemed and transportation is provided.
The marketing component includes the use of intellectual property, including the American brand and access to loyalty program member lists, which is the predominant element in these agreements, as well as advertising and other travel-related benefits. We recognize the marketing component in other revenue in the period of the mileage credit sale following the sales-based royalty method.
For the portion of our outstanding mileage credits that we estimate will not be redeemed, we recognize the associated value proportionally as the remaining mileage credits are redeemed. Our estimates use a statistical model based on historical redemption patterns to develop an estimate of the likelihood of future redemption. For the year ended December 31, 2025, a hypothetical 10% increase in our estimate of mileage credits not expected to be redeemed would have increased revenues by approximately $140 million.
Pensions and Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
We recognize the funded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations) of our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans on the consolidated balance sheets with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits costs and liabilities are calculated using various actuarial assumptions and methodologies. We use certain assumptions including, but not limited to, the selection of the discount rate and expected return on plan assets.
As of December 31, 2025, our weighted average discount rate assumptions were 5.5% and 5.3% for our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits obligations, respectively. When establishing the discount rate to measure our obligations, we match high quality corporate bonds available in the marketplace whose cash flows approximate our projected benefit disbursements. Lowering the discount rate by 50 basis points as of December 31, 2025 would increase our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits obligations by approximately $635 million and $40 million, respectively, and decrease estimated 2026 pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits expense by approximately $10 million and $1 million, respectively.
As of January 1, 2026, our expected rate of return on plan assets is 7.3%. The expected rate of return on plan assets is based upon an evaluation of our historical trends and experience, taking into account current and expected market conditions and our target asset allocation of 45% U.S. fixed income securities, 18% U.S. stocks, 25% private investments, 9% international developed market stocks and 3% emerging market stocks. The expected rate of return on plan assets component of our net periodic benefit cost is calculated based on the fair value of plan assets and our target asset allocation. Lowering the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by 50 basis points would increase estimated 2026 pension expense by approximately $60 million.
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Annually, we review and revise certain economic and demographic assumptions including the pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits discount rates, health care costs and certain other retirement assumptions. The net effect of changing these assumptions for the pension plans resulted in an increase of $238 million in the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2025. The net effect of changing these assumptions for retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans resulted in a decrease of $10 million in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2025.
See Note 9 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 8 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for additional information regarding our employee benefit plans.
Income Taxes
Our ability to use our NOLs and other carryforwards depends on the amount of taxable income generated in future periods. We provide a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets, which include our NOLs and other carryforwards, when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of our deferred tax assets, will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. We consider all available positive and negative evidence and make certain assumptions in evaluating the realizability of our deferred tax assets. Many factors are considered that impact our assessment of future profitability, including conditions which are beyond our control, such as the health of the economy, the availability and price volatility of aircraft fuel and travel demand. We have determined that positive factors outweigh negative factors in the determination of the realizability of our deferred tax assets. There can be no assurance that an additional valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets will not be required. Such valuation allowance could be material.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2024-03: Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-04) Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses
This standard enhances transparency in reporting by requiring disaggregation of certain costs and expenses in the notes to financial statements. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating how the adoption of this standard may impact our disclosures.
ASU 2025-06: Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Internal-Use Software
This standard modernizes the accounting for costs related to internal-use software by removing references to project stages and by clarifying the thresholds entities apply to begin capitalizing costs. The amendments in this update are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating how the adoption of this standard may impact our consolidated financial statements.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000006201-25-000010.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
2024 Financial Overview
The selected financial data presented below is derived from AAG’s audited consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8A of this report and should be read in conjunction with those financial statements and the related notes thereto.
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue | $ | 49,586 | $ | 48,512 | $ | 1,074 | 2.2 | ||||||
| Cargo revenue | 804 | 812 | (8) | (0.9) | |||||||||
| Other operating revenue | 3,821 | 3,464 | 357 | 10.3 | |||||||||
| Total operating revenues | 54,211 | 52,788 | 1,423 | 2.7 | |||||||||
| Aircraft fuel and related taxes | 11,418 | 12,257 | (839) | (6.8) | |||||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 16,021 | 14,580 | 1,441 | 9.9 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 51,597 | 49,754 | 1,843 | 3.7 | |||||||||
| Operating income | 2,614 | 3,034 | (420) | (13.9) | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income | 1,154 | 1,121 | 33 | 2.9 | |||||||||
| Income tax provision | 308 | 299 | 9 | 2.9 | |||||||||
| Net income | 846 | 822 | 24 | 2.9 | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income – GAAP | $ | 1,154 | $ | 1,121 | $ | 33 | 2.9 | ||||||
| Adjusted for: pre-tax net special items (1) | 667 | 1,341 | (674) | (50.2) | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income excluding net special items | $ | 1,821 | $ | 2,462 | $ | (641) | (26.0) |
(1)See Part II, Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data – “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and Note 2 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for details on the components of pre-tax net special items.
Pre-Tax Income and Net Income
Pre-tax income and net income were $1.2 billion and $846 million, respectively, in 2024. This compares to 2023 pre-tax income and net income of $1.1 billion and $822 million, respectively.
Pre-tax income on a GAAP basis increased slightly in 2024 as compared to 2023. This was driven primarily by increases in passenger revenue, lower costs for aircraft fuel and related taxes and decreases in pre-tax net special items, offset in part by increases in certain operating expenses including salaries, wages and benefits, maintenance, materials and repairs and certain other operating expenses.
Excluding the effects of pre-tax net special items, pre-tax income was $1.8 billion and $2.5 billion in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The year-over-year decrease in our pre-tax income excluding pre-tax net special items was principally driven by certain operating expenses as mentioned above, offset in part by increases in passenger revenue and lower costs for aircraft fuel and related taxes.
In September 2024, American and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, the union representing our mainline flight attendants, ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. This five-year agreement provides wage rate increases, quality-of-life benefits and other benefit-related items. The ratified agreement also included a provision for a one-time payment. In 2024, one-time charges resulting from the ratification of this new agreement were recorded as mainline operating special items, net in the consolidated statement of operations, including the one-time payment of $514 million which was paid in November 2024.
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Revenue
In 2024, we reported total operating revenues of $54.2 billion, an increase of $1.4 billion, or 2.7%, as compared to 2023. Passenger revenue was $49.6 billion, an increase of $1.1 billion, or 2.2%, as compared to 2023. In 2024, revenue passenger miles (RPMs) increased 7.3%, resulting in a load factor of 84.9% as compared to 83.5% in 2023. Passenger yield decreased 4.7% on 5.5% capacity growth year-over-year, as measured by available seat miles (ASMs). Our passenger revenue in 2024 was impacted by certain commercial initiatives we had previously deployed, along with an over-supply of industry capacity in the first half of the year. Mid-year, we took actions to adjust our strategy as well as capacity growth which, combined with industry capacity deceleration, resulted in sequential year-over-year improvement in passenger unit revenue performance in the third and fourth quarters of 2024.
Cargo revenue decreased $8 million, or 0.9%, in 2024 as compared to 2023, primarily due to an 11.8% decrease in cargo yield driven by increased air freight capacity, offset in part by a 12.3% increase in cargo ton miles.
Other operating revenue increased $357 million, or 10.3%, in 2024 as compared to 2023, driven primarily by higher revenue associated with our loyalty program. During 2024 and 2023, cash payments from co-branded credit card and other partners were $6.1 billion and $5.2 billion, respectively, an increase of 17% year-over-year. Cash remuneration in 2024 included a one-time cash payment related to the new co-branded credit card agreement announced in December 2024. This one-time cash payment will be amortized over the life of the new agreement beginning in 2026.
Our total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) was 18.51 cents in 2024, a 2.6% decrease as compared to 19.01 cents in 2023.
Fuel
In 2024, aircraft fuel expense totaled $11.4 billion, a decrease of $839 million, or 6.8%, as compared to 2023. This decrease was primarily driven by a 12.2% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel including related taxes to $2.60 in 2024 from $2.96 in 2023, offset in part by a 6.1% increase in gallons of fuel consumed due to increased capacity.
As of December 31, 2024, we did not have any fuel hedging contracts outstanding to hedge our fuel consumption. Our current policy is not to enter into transactions to hedge our fuel consumption, although we review this policy from time to time based on market conditions and other factors. As such, and assuming we do not enter into any future transactions to hedge our fuel consumption, we will continue to be fully exposed to fluctuations in fuel prices. See Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors – “Our business is very dependent on the price and availability of aircraft fuel. Continued periods of high volatility in fuel costs, increased fuel prices or significant disruptions in the supply of aircraft fuel could have a significant negative impact on consumer demand, our operating results and liquidity.”
Other Costs
We remain committed to actively managing our cost structure, which we believe is necessary in an industry in which economic prospects are heavily dependent upon two variables we cannot control: general economic conditions and the price of fuel. In 2024, we continued to focus on our reengineering the business initiatives through the use of digital solutions, process enhancements and procurement transformation. We will continue to invest in reengineering our business in 2025 and beyond to build an even more efficient airline and continue to manage costs while delivering a better experience for our customers and team.
Our 2024 CASM was 17.61 cents, a decrease of 1.7%, from 17.92 cents in 2023. This decrease in CASM was primarily driven by lower aircraft fuel costs as well as a decrease in mainline operating special items, net, offset in part by higher costs for salaries, wages and benefits and maintenance, materials and repairs.
Our 2024 CASM excluding net special items and fuel was 13.50 cents, an increase of 2.6%, from 13.15 cents in 2023, which was primarily driven by higher costs for salaries, wages and benefits and maintenance, materials and repairs.
For a reconciliation of total operating CASM to total operating CASM excluding net special items and fuel, see Part II, Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data – “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
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Liquidity
As of December 31, 2024, we had $10.3 billion in total available liquidity, consisting of $7.0 billion in unrestricted cash and short-term investments and $3.3 billion in total undrawn capacity under revolving credit and other short-term facilities.
During 2024, we completed the following financing transactions (see Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for further information):
•entered into a revolving credit facility that provides for borrowing capacity of up to $350 million, maturing in March 2027 with an option to extend for an additional year;
•amended the 2013, 2014 and 2023 Credit Agreements to reduce the applicable interest rate margins, and terminated all revolving commitments under the April 2016 Credit Agreement, increasing overall available revolving credit capacity from $2.8 billion to $2.9 billion, maturing in June 2029;
•amended the 2013 and 2023 Term Loan Facilities to reduce the applicable interest rate margins;
•prepaid in full $487 million of the outstanding principal amount of the 3.75% senior notes due 2025 (3.75% Senior Notes);
•prepaid $263 million toward portions of the outstanding principal amounts of the 10.75% senior secured IP notes (the IP Notes) and the 10.75% senior secured LGA/DCA notes (LGA/DCA Notes);
•issued $684 million of enhanced equipment trust certificates (EETCs) in connection with the financing of certain aircraft that had been previously delivered; and
•issued $990 million of equipment loans and other notes payable in connection with the financing of certain aircraft.
A significant portion of our debt financing agreements contain covenants requiring us to maintain an aggregate of at least $2.0 billion of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and amounts available to be drawn under revolving credit facilities and/or contain covenants requiring us to meet certain loan to value, collateral coverage and/or peak debt service coverage ratios.
See Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for additional information on our debt obligations.
Recent Developments
On January 29, 2025, American Eagle flight 5342 was involved in a fatal accident in Washington, D.C. The Bombardier CRJ 700 aircraft operated by PSA was en route to Washington, D.C. from Wichita, Kansas when it was involved in a midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. American has industry standard insurance coverage for this incident, and is continuing its assessment of the impact on its business resulting from the accident.
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AAG’s Results of Operations
For a comparison of the 2023 to 2022 reporting periods, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – “AAG’s Results of Operations” of our 2023 Form 10-K.
Operating Statistics
The table below sets forth selected operating data for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| Revenue passenger miles (millions) (a) | 248,795 | 231,926 | 7.3% | ||||
| Available seat miles (millions) (b) | 292,948 | 277,723 | 5.5% | ||||
| Passenger load factor (percent) (c) | 84.9 | 83.5 | 1.4pts | ||||
| Yield (cents) (d) | 19.93 | 20.92 | (4.7)% | ||||
| Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents) (e) | 16.93 | 17.47 | (3.1)% | ||||
| Total revenue per available seat mile (cents) (f) | 18.51 | 19.01 | (2.6)% | ||||
| Fuel consumption (gallons in millions) | 4,391 | 4,140 | 6.1% | ||||
| Average aircraft fuel price including related taxes (dollars per gallon) | 2.60 | 2.96 | (12.2)% | ||||
| Total operating cost per available seat mile (cents) (g) | 17.61 | 17.92 | (1.7)% | ||||
| Aircraft at end of period (h) | 1,562 | 1,521 | 2.7% | ||||
| Full-time equivalent employees at end of period | 133,300 | 132,100 | 0.9% |
(a)Revenue passenger mile (RPM) – A basic measure of sales volume. One RPM represents one passenger flown one mile.
(b)Available seat mile (ASM) – A basic measure of production. One ASM represents one seat flown one mile.
(c)Passenger load factor – The percentage of available seats that are filled with revenue passengers.
(d)Yield – A measure of airline revenue derived by dividing passenger revenue by RPMs.
(e)Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) – Passenger revenue divided by ASMs.
(f)Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) – Total revenues divided by ASMs.
(g)Total operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) – Total operating expenses divided by ASMs.
(h)Includes aircraft owned and leased by American as well as aircraft operated by third-party regional carriers under capacity purchase agreements. Excluded from the aircraft count above are seven regional aircraft in temporary storage as of December 31, 2024 as follows: five Embraer 145 and two Bombardier CRJ 900.
Operating Revenues
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Passenger | $ | 49,586 | $ | 48,512 | $ | 1,074 | 2.2 | ||||||
| Cargo | 804 | 812 | (8) | (0.9) | |||||||||
| Other | 3,821 | 3,464 | 357 | 10.3 | |||||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | 54,211 | $ | 52,788 | $ | 1,423 | 2.7 |
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This table presents our passenger revenue and the year-over-year change in certain operating statistics:
| Increase (Decrease)vs. Year Ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | Passenger Revenue | RPMs | ASMs | Load Factor | Passenger Yield | PRASM | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue | $ | 49,586 | 2.2% | 7.3% | 5.5% | 1.4pts | (4.7)% | (3.1)% |
Passenger revenue increased $1.1 billion, or 2.2%, in 2024 from 2023. In 2024, RPMs increased 7.3%, resulting in a load factor of 84.9% as compared to 83.5% in 2023. Passenger yield decreased 4.7% on 5.5% capacity growth year-over-year, as measured by ASMs. Our passenger revenue in 2024 was impacted by certain commercial initiatives we had previously deployed, along with an over-supply of industry capacity in the first half of the year. Mid-year, we took actions to adjust our strategy as well as capacity growth which, combined with industry capacity deceleration, resulted in sequential year-over-year improvement in passenger unit revenue performance in the third and fourth quarters of 2024.
Cargo revenue decreased $8 million, or 0.9%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily due to an 11.8% decrease in cargo yield driven by increased air freight capacity, offset in part by a 12.3% increase in cargo ton miles.
Other operating revenue increased $357 million, or 10.3%, in 2024 from 2023 driven primarily by higher revenue associated with our loyalty program. During 2024 and 2023, cash payments from co-branded credit card and other partners were $6.1 billion and $5.2 billion, respectively, an increase of 17% year-over-year. Cash remuneration in 2024 included a one-time cash payment related to the new co-branded credit card agreement announced in December 2024. This one-time cash payment will be amortized over the life of the new agreement beginning in 2026.
Total operating revenues in 2024 increased $1.4 billion, or 2.7%, from 2023 driven primarily by the increase in passenger revenue as described above. Our TRASM was 18.51 cents in 2024, a 2.6% decrease as compared to 19.01 cents in 2023.
Operating Expenses
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel and related taxes | $ | 11,418 | $ | 12,257 | $ | (839) | (6.8) | ||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 16,021 | 14,580 | 1,441 | 9.9 | |||||||||
| Regional expenses | 5,042 | 4,643 | 399 | 8.6 | |||||||||
| Maintenance, materials and repairs | 3,794 | 3,265 | 529 | 16.2 | |||||||||
| Other rent and landing fees | 3,303 | 2,928 | 375 | 12.8 | |||||||||
| Aircraft rent | 1,242 | 1,369 | (127) | (9.2) | |||||||||
| Selling expenses | 1,812 | 1,799 | 13 | 0.7 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,926 | 1,936 | (10) | (0.5) | |||||||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 610 | 971 | (361) | (37.2) | |||||||||
| Other | 6,429 | 6,006 | 423 | 7.0 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 51,597 | $ | 49,754 | $ | 1,843 | 3.7 |
Additional detail regarding changes in our operating expenses is as follows:
Aircraft fuel and related taxes decreased $839 million, or 6.8%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily due to a 12.2% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel including related taxes to $2.60 in 2024 from $2.96 in 2023, offset in part by a 6.1% increase in gallons of fuel consumed due to increased capacity.
Salaries, wages and benefits increased $1.4 billion, or 9.9%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily driven by higher wage rates and costs for benefit-related items associated with the ratification of new CBAs with our mainline pilots in August 2023 and with our mainline flight attendants in September 2024.
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Regional expenses increased $399 million, or 8.6%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily due to an increase in regional flight operations at our wholly-owned regional carriers, as regional capacity as measured by ASMs increased 12.4% year over year, and also due to higher maintenance, materials and repair costs driven by an increase in the volume of engine overhauls and airframe heavy checks.
Maintenance, materials and repairs increased $529 million, or 16.2%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily due to increased costs for engine overhauls, component part repairs and airframe heavy checks driven by higher volume and cost of materials.
Other rent and landing fees increased $375 million, or 12.8%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily driven by rate increases at certain airports as a result of extensive airport redevelopment projects and an 8.1% increase in the number of departures.
Aircraft rent decreased $127 million, or 9.2%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily due to decreased rental payments associated with aircraft operating lease extensions.
Selling expenses increased $13 million, or 0.7%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily due to higher credit card fees driven by the overall increase in passenger revenues, as well as an increase in advertising expense and booking fees, offset in part by a decrease in commissions expense.
Other operating expenses increased $423 million, or 7.0%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily driven by the increase in flight operations, including increased costs for onboard food and catering, crew travel, ground and cargo handling, passenger accommodation and airport lounge operations, as well as certain general and administrative expenses.
Operating Special Items, Net
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| (In millions) | ||||||
| Labor contract expenses (1) | $ | 605 | $ | 989 | ||
| A330 fleet-related adjustments (2) | (42) | — | ||||
| Severance expenses | 13 | 23 | ||||
| Other operating special items, net | 34 | (41) | ||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 610 | 971 | ||||
| Regional operating special items, net (3) | 33 | 8 | ||||
| Operating special items, net | $ | 643 | $ | 979 |
(1)Labor contract expenses for 2024 related to one-time charges resulting from the ratification of new CBAs with our mainline flight attendants and passenger service team members, including one-time payments and adjustments to vacation accruals resulting from pay rate increases.
Labor contract expenses for 2023 related to one-time charges resulting from the ratification of a new CBA with our mainline pilots, including a one-time payment of $754 million as well as adjustments to other benefit-related items of $235 million.
(2)We retired our Airbus A330 fleet in 2020 as a result of the decline in demand for air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge to write down the carrying value of our retired Airbus A330 fleet to their then estimated fair value due to the market conditions for certain used aircraft, and in 2024, we entered into a sales agreement for our remaining Airbus A330 aircraft, resulting in a $42 million gain.
(3)Regional operating special items, net for 2024 included a $33 million non-cash write down of regional aircraft resulting from the decision to permanently park 43 Embraer 145 aircraft.
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Nonoperating Results
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 468 | $ | 591 | $ | (123) | (20.8) | ||||||
| Interest expense, net | (1,934) | (2,145) | 211 | (9.9) | |||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 6 | (359) | 365 | nm (1) | |||||||||
| Total nonoperating expense, net | $ | (1,460) | $ | (1,913) | $ | 453 | (23.7) |
(1)Not meaningful or greater than 100% change.
Interest income decreased $123 million, or 20.8%, in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to a decrease in the average balance of short-term investments. Interest expense, net decreased $211 million, or 9.9%, in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to lower outstanding debt in 2024, as we continue our efforts to strengthen the balance sheet.
In 2024, other nonoperating income, net included $113 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income, offset in part by $48 million of foreign currency losses and $24 million of net special charges primarily for debt refinancings and extinguishments and mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments.
In 2023, other nonoperating expense, net primarily included $362 million of net special charges principally associated with debt refinancings and extinguishments and mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments, offset in part by $32 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income.
Income Taxes
In 2024, we recorded an income tax provision of $308 million with an effective rate of approximately 27%, which was substantially non-cash. Substantially all of our income before income taxes is attributable to the United States. At December 31, 2024, we had approximately $12.9 billion of gross federal NOLs and $5.9 billion of other carryforwards available to reduce future federal taxable income, of which $2.6 billion will expire beginning in 2033 if unused and $16.2 billion can be carried forward indefinitely. We also had approximately $5.2 billion of NOL carryforwards to reduce future state taxable income at December 31, 2024, which will expire in taxable years 2024 through 2044 if unused.
In 2023, we recorded an income tax provision of $299 million at an effective rate of approximately 27%, which was substantially non-cash.
See Note 6 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for additional information on income taxes.
American’s Results of Operations
For a comparison of the 2023 to 2022 reporting periods, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – “American’s Results of Operations” of American’s 2023 Form 10-K.
Operating Revenues
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Passenger | $ | 49,586 | $ | 48,512 | $ | 1,074 | 2.2 | ||||||
| Cargo | 804 | 812 | (8) | (0.9) | |||||||||
| Other | 3,814 | 3,460 | 354 | 10.3 | |||||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | 54,204 | $ | 52,784 | $ | 1,420 | 2.7 |
Passenger revenue increased $1.1 billion, or 2.2%, in 2024 from 2023. American’s passenger revenue in 2024 was impacted by certain commercial initiatives it had previously deployed, along with an over-supply of industry capacity in the first half of the year. Mid-year, American took actions to adjust its strategy as well as capacity growth which, combined with
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industry capacity deceleration, resulted in sequential year-over-year improvement in passenger unit revenue performance in the third and fourth quarters of 2024.
Cargo revenue decreased $8 million, or 0.9%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily due to a decrease in cargo yield driven by increased air freight capacity, offset in part by an increase in cargo ton miles.
Other operating revenue increased $354 million, or 10.3%, in 2024 from 2023 driven primarily by higher revenue associated with American’s loyalty program. During 2024 and 2023, cash payments from co-branded credit card and other partners were $6.1 billion and $5.2 billion, respectively, an increase of 17% year-over-year. Cash remuneration in 2024 included a one-time cash payment related to the new co-branded credit card agreement announced in December 2024. This one-time cash payment will be amortized over the life of the new agreement beginning in 2026.
Total operating revenues in 2024 increased $1.4 billion, or 2.7%, from 2023 driven primarily by the increase in passenger revenue as described above.
Operating Expenses
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel and related taxes | $ | 11,418 | $ | 12,257 | $ | (839) | (6.8) | ||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 16,012 | 14,572 | 1,440 | 9.9 | |||||||||
| Regional expenses | 5,009 | 4,619 | 390 | 8.4 | |||||||||
| Maintenance, materials and repairs | 3,794 | 3,265 | 529 | 16.2 | |||||||||
| Other rent and landing fees | 3,303 | 2,928 | 375 | 12.8 | |||||||||
| Aircraft rent | 1,242 | 1,369 | (127) | (9.2) | |||||||||
| Selling expenses | 1,812 | 1,799 | 13 | 0.7 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,919 | 1,927 | (8) | (0.4) | |||||||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 610 | 971 | (361) | (37.2) | |||||||||
| Other | 6,431 | 6,008 | 423 | 7.0 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 51,550 | $ | 49,715 | $ | 1,835 | 3.7 |
Additional detail regarding changes in American’s operating expenses is as follows:
Aircraft fuel and related taxes decreased $839 million, or 6.8%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily due to a 12.2% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel including related taxes to $2.60 in 2024 from $2.96 in 2023, offset in part by a 6.1% increase in gallons of fuel consumed due to increased capacity.
Salaries, wages and benefits increased $1.4 billion, or 9.9%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily driven by higher wage rates and costs for benefit-related items associated with the ratification of new CBAs with American’s mainline pilots in August 2023 and with its mainline flight attendants in September 2024.
Regional expenses increased $390 million, or 8.4%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily due to an increase in regional flight operations and costs at American’s regional carriers.
Maintenance, materials and repairs increased $529 million, or 16.2%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily due to increased costs for engine overhauls, component part repairs and airframe heavy checks driven by higher volume and cost of materials.
Other rent and landing fees increased $375 million, or 12.8%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily driven by rate increases at certain airports as a result of extensive airport redevelopment projects and an increase in the number of departures.
Aircraft rent decreased $127 million, or 9.2%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily due to decreased rental payments associated with aircraft operating lease extensions.
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Selling expenses increased $13 million, or 0.7%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily due to higher credit card fees driven by the overall increase in passenger revenues, as well as an increase in advertising expense and booking fees, offset in part by a decrease in commissions expense.
Other operating expenses increased $423 million, or 7.0%, in 2024 from 2023 primarily driven by the increase in flight operations, including increased costs for onboard food and catering, crew travel, ground and cargo handling, passenger accommodation and airport lounge operations, as well as certain general and administrative expenses.
Operating Special Items, Net
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| (In millions) | ||||||
| Labor contract expenses (1) | $ | 605 | $ | 989 | ||
| A330 fleet-related adjustments (2) | (42) | — | ||||
| Severance expenses | 13 | 23 | ||||
| Other operating special items, net | 34 | (41) | ||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 610 | 971 | ||||
| Regional operating special items, net (3) | 33 | — | ||||
| Operating special items, net | $ | 643 | $ | 971 |
(1)Labor contract expenses for 2024 related to one-time charges resulting from the ratification of new CBAs with American’s mainline flight attendants and passenger service team members, including one-time payments and adjustments to vacation accruals resulting from pay rate increases.
Labor contract expenses for 2023 related to one-time charges resulting from the ratification of a new CBA with American’s mainline pilots, including a one-time payment of $754 million as well as adjustments to other benefit-related items of $235 million.
(2)American retired its Airbus A330 fleet in 2020 as a result of the decline in demand for air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, American recorded a non-cash impairment charge to write down the carrying value of its retired Airbus A330 fleet to their then estimated fair value due to the market conditions for certain used aircraft, and in 2024, American entered into a sales agreement for its remaining Airbus A330 aircraft, resulting in a $42 million gain.
(3)Regional operating special items, net for 2024 included a $33 million non-cash write down of regional aircraft resulting from the decision to permanently park 43 Embraer 145 aircraft.
Nonoperating Results
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 1,058 | $ | 1,078 | $ | (20) | (1.8) | ||||||
| Interest expense, net | (2,029) | (2,206) | 177 | (8.0) | |||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 5 | (359) | 364 | nm | |||||||||
| Total nonoperating expense, net | $ | (966) | $ | (1,487) | $ | 521 | (35.0) |
Interest expense, net decreased $177 million, or 8.0%, in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to lower outstanding debt in 2024, as American continues its efforts to strengthen the balance sheet.
In 2024, other nonoperating income, net included $113 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income, offset in part by $47 million of foreign currency losses and $24 million of net special charges primarily for debt refinancings and extinguishments and mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments.
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In 2023, other nonoperating expense, net primarily included $362 million of net special charges principally associated with debt refinancings and extinguishments and mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments, offset in part by $33 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income.
Income Taxes
American is a member of AAG’s consolidated federal and certain state income tax returns.
In 2024, American recorded an income tax provision of $426 million with an effective rate of approximately 25%, which was substantially non-cash. Substantially all of American’s income before income taxes is attributable to the United States. At December 31, 2024, American had approximately $12.8 billion of gross federal NOLs and $4.2 billion of other carryforwards available to reduce future federal taxable income, of which $2.9 billion will expire beginning in 2033 if unused and $14.1 billion can be carried forward indefinitely. American also had approximately $5.0 billion of NOL carryforwards to reduce future state taxable income at December 31, 2024, which will expire in taxable years 2024 through 2044 if unused.
In 2023, American recorded an income tax provision of $394 million at an effective rate of approximately 25%, which was substantially non-cash.
See Note 5 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for additional information on income taxes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
At December 31, 2024, AAG had $10.3 billion in total available liquidity and $732 million in restricted cash and short-term investments. Additional detail regarding our available liquidity is provided in the table below (in millions):
| AAG | American | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 804 | $ | 578 | $ | 795 | $ | 567 | ||||||
| Short-term investments | 6,180 | 7,000 | 6,177 | 6,998 | ||||||||||
| Undrawn facilities | 3,289 | 2,862 | 3,289 | 2,862 | ||||||||||
| Total available liquidity | $ | 10,273 | $ | 10,440 | $ | 10,261 | $ | 10,427 |
In the ordinary course of our business, we or our affiliates may, at any time and from time to time, seek to prepay, retire or repurchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for equity or debt, in open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, prepayments, retirements or exchanges, if any, will be conducted on such terms and at such prices as we may determine, and will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, legal and contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
Certain Covenants
Our debt agreements contain customary terms and conditions as well as various affirmative, negative and financial covenants that, among other things, may restrict the ability of us and our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends or repurchase stock. Our debt agreements also contain customary change of control provisions, which may require us to repay or redeem such indebtedness upon certain events constituting a change of control under the relevant agreement, in certain cases at a premium. Additionally, certain of our debt financing agreements (including our secured notes, term loans, revolving credit facilities and spare engine EETCs) contain loan to value (LTV) or collateral coverage ratio covenants and certain agreements require us to appraise the related collateral annually or semiannually. Pursuant to such agreements, if the applicable LTV or collateral coverage ratio exceeds or falls below a specified threshold, as the case may be, we will be required, as applicable, to pledge additional qualifying collateral (which in some cases may include cash or investment securities), withhold additional cash in certain accounts, or pay down such financing, in whole or in part, or the interest rate for the relevant financing will be increased. Additionally, a significant portion of our debt financing agreements contain covenants requiring us to maintain an aggregate of at least $2.0 billion of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and amounts available to be drawn under revolving credit facilities, and our AAdvantage Financing contains a peak debt service coverage ratio, pursuant to which failure to comply with a certain threshold may result in
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early repayment, in whole or in part, of the AAdvantage Financing. As of the most recent applicable measurement dates, we were in compliance with each of the foregoing covenants. For further information regarding our debt covenants, see Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 3 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B.
Sources and Uses of Cash
For a comparison of the 2023 and 2022 reporting periods, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – “Sources and Uses of Cash” of our 2023 Form 10-K.
AAG
Operating Activities
Our net cash provided by operating activities was $4.0 billion and $3.8 billion in 2024 and 2023, respectively, a $180 million year-over-year increase due to sustained profitability and net changes in working capital.
Investing Activities
Our net cash used in investing activities was $968 million and $502 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Our principal investing activities in 2024 included $2.7 billion of capital expenditures, which primarily related to the purchase of 16 Embraer 175 aircraft, six Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, four Airbus A321neo aircraft, four Boeing 737-800 aircraft lease repurchases, two Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft, one Airbus A320 aircraft lease repurchase, 48 aircraft engines and aircraft purchase deposits. These cash outflows were offset in part by $819 million in net sales of short-term investments and $654 million of proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions and sale of property and equipment, which primarily related to the modernization of Terminals 4 and 5 at LAX.
Our principal investing activities in 2023 included $2.6 billion of capital expenditures, which primarily related to the purchase of 17 Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, 10 Airbus A321neo aircraft, seven Embraer 175 aircraft, seven Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft and 28 spare engines. These cash outflows were offset in part by $1.5 billion in net sales of short-term investments and $230 million of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment and sale-leaseback transactions.
Financing Activities
Our net cash used in financing activities was $2.8 billion and $3.2 billion in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Our principal financing activities in 2024 included $4.5 billion in debt and finance lease repayments, consisting of $3.7 billion in scheduled repayments and the early repayments of $487 million of the outstanding principal amount of the 3.75% Senior Notes and $263 million toward portions of the outstanding principal amounts of the IP Notes and LGA/DCA Notes. These cash outflows were offset in part by $1.7 billion of proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, consisting of $990 million from the issuance of equipment loans and other notes payable and $684 million from the issuance of EETCs in connection with the financing of certain aircraft that had previously been delivered.
Our principal financing activities in 2023 included $2.9 billion in net repayments of debt and finance lease obligations primarily due to scheduled debt repayments. In February 2023, we refinanced approximately $1.8 billion in aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding under the 2013 Term Loan Facility through the combination of (i) issuing $750 million in aggregate principal amount of the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes and (ii) extending the maturity of $1.0 billion in term loans under the 2013 Term Loan Facility. In December 2023, we issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes and entered into the 2023 Term Loan Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion. The net proceeds of the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes, together with net proceeds from borrowings under the 2023 Term Loan Facility and cash on hand, were used to redeem all of the outstanding 11.75% Senior Secured Notes. In addition, we borrowed $1.1 billion in connection with the financing of certain aircraft and repurchased $552 million of secured and unsecured notes in the open market.
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American
Operating Activities
American’s net cash provided by operating activities was $3.4 billion and $3.7 billion in 2024 and 2023, respectively, a $297 million year-over-year decrease due to a net increase in receivables from related parties including from the early repayment of AAG’s 3.75% Senior Notes. Excluding this net increase in receivables from related parties, American’s operating cash flows increased $320 million compared to 2023 due to sustained profitability and net changes in working capital.
Investing Activities
American’s net cash used in investing activities was $909 million and $449 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
American’s principal investing activities in 2024 included $2.6 billion of capital expenditures, which primarily related to the purchase of 16 Embraer 175 aircraft, six Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, four Airbus A321neo aircraft, four Boeing 737-800 aircraft lease repurchases, two Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft, one Airbus A320 aircraft lease repurchase, 48 aircraft engines and aircraft purchase deposits. These cash outflows were offset in part by $819 million in net sales of short-term investments and $654 million of proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions and sale of property and equipment, which primarily related to the modernization of Terminals 4 and 5 at LAX.
American’s principal investing activities in 2023 included $2.5 billion of capital expenditures, which primarily related to the purchase of 17 Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, 10 Airbus A321neo aircraft, seven Embraer 175 aircraft, seven Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft and 28 spare engines. These cash outflows were offset in part by $1.5 billion in net sales of short-term investments and $230 million of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment and sale-leaseback transactions.
Financing Activities
American’s net cash used in financing activities was $2.3 billion and $3.2 billion in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
American’s principal financing activities in 2024 included $4.0 billion in debt and finance lease repayments, consisting of $3.7 billion in scheduled repayments and the early repayment of $263 million toward portions of the outstanding principal amounts of the IP Notes and LGA/DCA Notes. These cash outflows were offset in part by $1.7 billion of proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, consisting of $990 million from the issuance of equipment loans and other notes payable and $684 million from the issuance of EETCs in connection with the financing of certain aircraft that had previously been delivered.
American’s principal financing activities in 2023 included $2.9 billion in net repayments of debt and finance lease obligations primarily due to scheduled debt repayments. In February 2023, American refinanced approximately $1.8 billion in aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding under the 2013 Term Loan Facility through the combination of (i) issuing $750 million in aggregate principal amount of the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes and (ii) extending the maturity of $1.0 billion in term loans under the 2013 Term Loan Facility. In December 2023, American issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes and entered into the 2023 Term Loan Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion. The net proceeds of the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes, together with net proceeds from borrowings under the 2023 Term Loan Facility and cash on hand, were used to redeem all of the outstanding 11.75% Senior Secured Notes. In addition, American borrowed $1.1 billion in connection with the financing of certain aircraft and repurchased $539 million of secured notes in the open market.
Commitments
For further information regarding our commitments, see the Notes to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and the Notes to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B at the referenced footnotes below.
| AAG | American | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt | Note 4 | Note 3 | |
| Leases | Note 5 | Note 4 | |
| Employee Benefit Plans | Note 9 | Note 8 | |
| Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees | Note 11 | Note 10 |
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
An off-balance sheet arrangement is any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement involving an unconsolidated entity under which a company has (1) made guarantees, (2) a retained or a contingent interest in transferred assets, (3) an obligation under derivative instruments classified as equity or (4) any obligation arising out of a material variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to us, or that engages in leasing, hedging or research and development arrangements with us.
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements of the types described in the first three categories above that we believe may have a material current or future effect on financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.
Pass-Through Trusts
American currently has 292 owned aircraft and 60 owned spare aircraft engines, which in each case were financed with EETCs issued by pass-through trusts. These trusts are off-balance sheet entities, the primary purpose of which is to finance the acquisition of flight equipment or to permit issuance of debt backed by existing flight equipment. In the case of aircraft EETCs, rather than finance each aircraft separately when such aircraft is purchased, delivered or refinanced, these trusts allow American to raise the financing for a number of aircraft at one time and, if applicable, place such funds in escrow pending a future purchase, delivery or refinancing of the relevant aircraft. Similarly, in the case of the spare engine EETCs, the trusts allow American to use its existing pool of spare engines to raise financing under a single facility. The trusts have also been structured to provide for certain credit enhancements, such as liquidity facilities to cover certain interest payments, that reduce the risks to the purchasers of the trust certificates and, as a result, reduce the cost of aircraft financing to American.
Each trust covers a set number of aircraft or spare engines scheduled to be delivered, financed or refinanced upon the issuance of the EETC or within a specific period of time thereafter. At the time of each covered aircraft or spare engine financing, the relevant trust used the proceeds from the issuance of the EETC (which may have been available at the time of issuance thereof or held in escrow until financing of the applicable aircraft following its delivery) to purchase equipment notes relating to the financed aircraft or engines. The equipment notes are issued, at American’s election, in connection with a mortgage financing of the aircraft or spare engines. The equipment notes are secured by a security interest in the aircraft or engines, as applicable. The pass-through trust certificates are not direct obligations of, nor are they guaranteed by, AAG or American. However, the equipment notes issued to the trusts are direct obligations of American and, in certain instances, have been guaranteed by AAG. As of December 31, 2024, $7.3 billion associated with these mortgage financings is reflected as debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Letters of Credit and Other
We provide financial assurance, such as letters of credit and surety bonds, primarily to support projected workers’ compensation obligations and airport commitments. As of December 31, 2024, we had $343 million of letters of credit and surety bonds securing various obligations, of which $98 million is collateralized with our restricted cash. The letters of credit and surety bonds that are subject to expiration will expire on various dates through 2037.
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Contractual Obligations
The following table provides details of our estimated material cash requirements from contractual obligations as of December 31, 2024 (in millions). The table does not include commitments that are contingent on events or other factors that are uncertain or unknown at this time and is subject to other conventions as set forth in the applicable accompanying footnotes.
| Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 and Thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| American (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount (b), (d) (See Note 3) | $ | 4,196 | $ | 4,201 | $ | 4,983 | $ | 5,304 | $ | 3,890 | $ | 2,798 | $ | 25,372 | ||||||||||||
| Interest obligations (c), (d) | 1,446 | 1,148 | 848 | 544 | 272 | 416 | 4,674 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease obligations (See Note 4) | 173 | 150 | 112 | 77 | 72 | 256 | 840 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft and engine purchase commitments (e) (See Note 10(a)) | 2,169 | 4,186 | 4,003 | 3,403 | 3,345 | 9,009 | 26,115 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease commitments (See Note 4) | 1,583 | 1,459 | 1,304 | 1,176 | 1,074 | 3,374 | 9,970 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Regional capacity purchase agreements (f) (See Note 10(b)) | 1,114 | 1,068 | 1,066 | 990 | 829 | 849 | 5,916 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum pension obligations (g) (See Note 8) | 221 | 251 | 157 | 107 | 81 | 46 | 863 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Retiree medical and other postretirement benefits (g) (See Note 8) | 134 | 138 | 135 | 131 | 128 | 615 | 1,281 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other purchase obligations (h) (See Note 10(a)) | 4,603 | 1,952 | 1,505 | 381 | 500 | 3,403 | 12,344 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total American Contractual Obligations | $ | 15,639 | $ | 14,553 | $ | 14,113 | $ | 12,113 | $ | 10,191 | $ | 20,766 | $ | 87,375 | ||||||||||||
| AAG Parent and Other AAG Subsidiaries (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount (b) (See Note 4) | $ | 1,000 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,746 | $ | 4,746 | ||||||||||||
| Interest obligations (c) | 142 | 181 | 223 | 222 | 223 | 230 | 1,221 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease commitments (See Note 5) | 14 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 40 | 88 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum pension obligations (g) (See Note 9) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other purchase obligations (See Note 11(a)) | 8 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 2 | — | 41 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total AAG Contractual Obligations | $ | 16,806 | $ | 14,763 | $ | 14,357 | $ | 12,348 | $ | 10,423 | $ | 24,784 | $ | 93,481 |
(a)For additional information, see the Notes to AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Items 8A and 8B, respectively, referenced in the table above.
(b)Amounts represent contractual amounts due. Excludes $300 million and $5 million of unamortized debt discount, premium and issuance costs as of December 31, 2024 for American and AAG Parent, respectively.
(c)For variable-rate debt, future interest obligations are estimated using the current forward rates at December 31, 2024.
(d)Includes $7.3 billion of future principal payments and $883 million of future interest payments as of December 31, 2024, related to EETCs associated with mortgage financings of certain aircraft and spare engines.
(e)See Part I, Item 2. Properties – “Aircraft and Engine Purchase Commitments” for additional information about the firm commitments for the acquisition of aircraft and engines, including the anticipated aircraft delivery schedule. Due to uncertainty surrounding the timing of delivery of certain aircraft, the amounts in the table represent our most current estimate based on contractual delivery schedules adjusted for updates and revisions to such schedules communicated to management by the applicable equipment manufacturer and certain management assumptions. However, the actual delivery schedule may differ, potentially materially, based on various potential factors including production delays by the manufacturer and regulatory concerns. Additionally, the amounts in the table exclude five
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Boeing 787 Family aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2025, for which we have obtained committed lease financing. This financing is reflected in the operating lease commitments line above.
(f)These commitments are estimates of costs based on assumed minimum levels of flying under the capacity purchase agreements and American’s actual payments could differ materially. Rental payments under operating leases for certain aircraft flown under these capacity purchase agreements are reflected in the operating lease commitments line above.
(g)Represents minimum pension contributions and expected contributions to our retiree medical and other post-retirement plans based on actuarially determined estimates as of December 31, 2024 and is based on estimated payments through 2034. In January 2025, American made $221 million of required pension contributions.
(h)Includes purchase commitments for aircraft fuel, flight equipment maintenance and information technology support and excludes obligations under certain fuel offtake agreements or other agreements for which the timing of the related expenditure is uncertain, or which are subject to material contingencies, such as the construction of a production facility.
Capital Raising Activity and Other Possible Actions
In light of our significant financial commitments related to, among other things, the servicing and amortization of existing debt and equipment leasing arrangements and new flight equipment, we and our subsidiaries will regularly consider, and enter into negotiations related to, capital raising and liability management activity, which may include the entry into leasing transactions and future issuances of, and transactions designed to manage the timing and amount of, secured or unsecured debt obligations or additional equity or equity-linked securities in public or private offerings or otherwise. The cash available from operations (if any) and these sources, however, may not be sufficient to cover our cash obligations because economic factors may reduce the amount of cash generated by operations or increase costs. For instance, an economic downturn or general global instability caused by military actions, terrorism, disease outbreaks, natural disasters or other causes could reduce the demand for air travel, which would reduce the amount of cash generated by operations. See Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors – “Downturns in economic conditions could adversely affect our business” for additional discussion. An increase in costs, either due to an increase in borrowing costs caused by a reduction in credit ratings or a general increase in interest rates, or due to an increase in the cost of fuel, maintenance, aircraft, aircraft engines or parts, could decrease the amount of cash available to cover cash contractual obligations. Moreover, certain of our financing arrangements contain significant minimum cash balance or similar liquidity requirements. As a result, we cannot use all of our available cash to fund operations, capital expenditures and cash obligations without violating these requirements. See Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 3 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for information regarding our financing arrangements.
In the past, we have from time to time refinanced, redeemed or repurchased our debt and taken other steps to reduce or otherwise manage the aggregate amount and cost of our debt, lease and other obligations or otherwise improve our balance sheet. Going forward, depending on market conditions, our cash position and other considerations, we may continue to take such actions, and the amounts involved may be material.
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OTHER INFORMATION
Basis of Presentation
See Note 1 to each of AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Items 8A and 8B, respectively, for information regarding the basis of presentation.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. We believe our estimates and assumptions are reasonable; however, actual results could differ from those estimates. Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have identified the following critical accounting policies that impact the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. See the “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in Note 1 to each of AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Items 8A and 8B, respectively, for additional discussion of the application of these estimates and other accounting policies.
Passenger Revenue
We recognize all revenues generated from transportation on American and our regional flights operated under the brand name American Eagle, including associated baggage fees and other inflight services, as passenger revenue when transportation is provided. Ticket and other related sales for transportation that has not yet been provided are initially deferred and recorded as air traffic liability on our consolidated balance sheets. The air traffic liability principally represents tickets sold for future travel on American and partner airlines.
The contract duration of passenger tickets is generally one year. The majority of tickets sold are nonrefundable. A small percentage of tickets, some of which are partially used tickets, expire unused. The estimate for tickets expected to expire unused is generally based on an analysis of our historical data and other current applicable factors such as policy changes. We have consistently applied this accounting method to estimate and recognize revenue from unused tickets at the date of travel. This estimate is periodically evaluated based on subsequent activity to validate its accuracy. Any adjustments resulting from periodic evaluations of the estimated air traffic liability are included in passenger revenue during the period in which the evaluations are completed.
Loyalty Revenue
We currently operate the loyalty program, AAdvantage. This program awards mileage credits to passengers who fly on American, any oneworld airline or other partner airlines, or by using the services of other program participants, such as our co-branded credit cards, and certain hotels and car rental companies. Mileage credits can be redeemed for travel on American and other participating partner airlines, as well as non-air travel awards such as hotels and rental cars. For mileage credits earned by AAdvantage program members, we apply the deferred revenue method.
Mileage credits earned through travel
For mileage credits earned through travel, we apply a relative selling price approach whereby the total amount collected from each passenger ticket sale is allocated between the air transportation and the mileage credits earned. The portion of each passenger ticket sale attributable to mileage credits earned is initially deferred and then recognized in passenger revenue when mileage credits are redeemed and transportation is provided. The estimated selling price of mileage credits is determined using an equivalent ticket value approach, which uses historical data, including award redemption patterns by geographic region and class of service, as well as similar cash fares as those used to settle award redemptions. The estimated selling price of mileage credits is adjusted for an estimate of mileage credits that will not be redeemed using a statistical model based on historical redemption patterns to develop an estimate of the likelihood of future redemption. For the year ended December 31, 2024, a hypothetical 10% increase in the estimated selling price of mileage credits would have decreased revenues by approximately $140 million as a result of additional amounts deferred from passenger ticket sales to be recognized in future periods.
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Mileage credits sold to co-branded credit cards and other partners
We sell mileage credits to participating airline partners and non-airline business partners, including our co-branded credit card partners, under contracts with remaining terms generally from one to 10 years as of December 31, 2024. Consideration received from the sale of mileage credits is predominantly variable and payment terms typically are within 30 days subsequent to the month of mileage sale. Sales of mileage credits to non-airline business partners are comprised of two components, transportation and marketing. We allocate the consideration received from these sales of mileage credits based on the relative selling price of each product or service delivered.
Our most significant mileage credit partner agreements are our co-branded credit card agreements with Citi and Barclaycard US. We identified two revenue elements in these co-branded credit card agreements: the transportation component and the marketing component. In December 2024, we announced a 10-year agreement with Citi to become the exclusive issuer of the AAdvantage co-branded credit card portfolio in the U.S. starting in 2026. This agreement with Citi is expected to increase the cash payments we receive from the co-branded credit card. Based on the revised terms, the products and services delivered are generally consistent with our previous agreement, and we will continue to allocate the consideration received based on the relative selling prices of these products and services.
The transportation component represents the estimated selling price of future travel awards and is determined using the same equivalent ticket value approach described above. The portion of each mileage credit sold attributable to transportation is initially deferred and then recognized in passenger revenue when mileage credits are redeemed and transportation is provided.
The marketing component includes the use of intellectual property, including the American brand and access to loyalty program member lists, which is the predominant element in these agreements, as well as advertising and other travel-related benefits. We recognize the marketing component in other revenue in the period of the mileage credit sale following the sales-based royalty method.
For the portion of our outstanding mileage credits that we estimate will not be redeemed, we recognize the associated value proportionally as the remaining mileage credits are redeemed. Our estimates use a statistical model based on historical redemption patterns to develop an estimate of the likelihood of future redemption. For the year ended December 31, 2024, a hypothetical 10% increase in our estimate of mileage credits not expected to be redeemed would have increased revenues by approximately $135 million.
Pensions and Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
We recognize the funded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations) of our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans on the consolidated balance sheets with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits costs and liabilities are calculated using various actuarial assumptions and methodologies. We use certain assumptions including, but not limited to, the selection of the discount rate and expected return on plan assets.
As of December 31, 2024, our weighted average discount rate assumptions were 5.7% and 5.6% for our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits obligations, respectively. When establishing the discount rate to measure our obligations, we match high quality corporate bonds available in the marketplace whose cash flows approximate our projected benefit disbursements. Lowering the discount rate by 50 basis points as of December 31, 2024 would increase our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits obligations by approximately $645 million and $35 million, respectively, and decrease estimated 2025 pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits expense by approximately $10 million and $1 million, respectively.
As of January 1, 2025, our expected rate of return on plan assets is 7.75%. The expected rate of return on plan assets is based upon an evaluation of our historical trends and experience, taking into account current and expected market conditions and our target asset allocation of 35% U.S. fixed income securities, 22% U.S. stocks, 24% private investments, 14% developed international stocks and 5% emerging market stocks. The expected rate of return on plan assets component of our net periodic benefit cost is calculated based on the fair value of plan assets and our target asset allocation. Lowering the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by 50 basis points would increase estimated 2025 pension expense and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits expense by approximately $60 million and $1 million, respectively.
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Annually, we review and revise certain economic and demographic assumptions including the pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits discount rates, health care costs and certain other retirement assumptions. The net effect of changing these assumptions for the pension plans resulted in a decrease of $699 million in the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2024. The net effect of changing these assumptions for retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans resulted in a decrease of $65 million in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2024.
See Note 9 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 8 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for additional information regarding our employee benefit plans.
Income Taxes
Our ability to use our NOLs and other carryforwards depends on the amount of taxable income generated in future periods. We provide a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets, which include our NOLs and other carryforwards, when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of our deferred tax assets, will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. We consider all available positive and negative evidence and make certain assumptions in evaluating the realizability of our deferred tax assets. Many factors are considered that impact our assessment of future profitability, including conditions which are beyond our control, such as the health of the economy, the availability and price volatility of aircraft fuel and travel demand. We have determined that positive factors outweigh negative factors in the determination of the realizability of our deferred tax assets. There can be no assurance that an additional valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets will not be required. Such valuation allowance could be material.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-09: Income Taxes (Topic 740) Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures
This standard enhances transparency of income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information, as well as improvements to the effectiveness and comparability of other income tax disclosures. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating how the adoption of this standard will impact our income tax disclosures.
ASU 2024-03: Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-04) Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses
This standard enhances transparency in reporting by requiring disaggregation of certain costs and expenses in the notes to financial statements. This update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating how the adoption of this standard will impact our disclosures.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000006201-24-000010.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
2023 Financial Overview
The selected financial data presented below is derived from AAG’s audited consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8A of this report and should be read in conjunction with those financial statements and the related notes thereto.
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue | $ | 48,512 | $ | 44,568 | $ | 3,944 | 8.8 | ||||||
| Cargo revenue | 812 | 1,233 | (421) | (34.1) | |||||||||
| Other operating revenue | 3,464 | 3,170 | 294 | 9.3 | |||||||||
| Total operating revenues | 52,788 | 48,971 | 3,817 | 7.8 | |||||||||
| Aircraft fuel and related taxes | 12,257 | 13,791 | (1,534) | (11.1) | |||||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 14,580 | 12,972 | 1,608 | 12.4 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 49,754 | 47,364 | 2,390 | 5.0 | |||||||||
| Operating income | 3,034 | 1,607 | 1,427 | 88.8 | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income | 1,121 | 186 | 935 | nm (2) | |||||||||
| Income tax provision | 299 | 59 | 240 | nm | |||||||||
| Net income | 822 | 127 | 695 | nm | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income – GAAP | $ | 1,121 | $ | 186 | $ | 935 | nm | ||||||
| Adjusted for: pre-tax net special items (1) | 1,341 | 272 | 1,069 | nm | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income excluding net special items | $ | 2,462 | $ | 458 | $ | 2,004 | nm |
(1)See Part II, Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data – “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and Note 2 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for details on the components of pre-tax net special items.
(2)Not meaningful or greater than 100% change.
Pre-Tax Income and Net Income
Pre-tax income and net income were $1.1 billion and $822 million, respectively, in 2023. This compares to 2022 pre-tax income and net income of $186 million and $127 million, respectively.
The year-over-year improvement in our pre-tax income on a GAAP basis was driven primarily by higher passenger revenue and lower fuel costs. Continued strength in demand for air travel and a 7.6% increase in revenue passenger miles (RPMs) as compared to 2022 contributed to record passenger revenue in 2023. Aircraft fuel costs were lower primarily due to a 16.3% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel as compared to 2022. The increase to pre-tax income was partially offset by increases in certain operating expenses including salaries, wages and benefits costs, primarily as a result of the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement with our mainline pilots, as described below. The 2023 period also included $1.3 billion of pre-tax net special items, principally related to one-time charges resulting from the new collective bargaining agreement.
Excluding the effects of pre-tax net special items, pre-tax income was $2.5 billion and $458 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The year-over-year improvement in our pre-tax income excluding pre-tax net special items was primarily due to record passenger revenue in 2023 and lower fuel costs, offset in part by increases in certain operating expenses including salaries, wages and benefits, as described above.
In May 2023, American and the Allied Pilots Association, the union representing our mainline pilots, reached an agreement in principle on a new collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified in August 2023. This four-year agreement provides wage rate increases, including an initial wage rate increase of 21% effective as of January 1, 2023,
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quality-of-life benefits and other benefit-related items. The additional compensation for the 2023 period prior to contract ratification as a result of the higher wage rates was recorded within salaries, wages and benefits in the consolidated statements of operations in the second and third quarters of 2023. The agreement also included a provision for a one-time payment upon ratification. In 2023, one-time charges resulting from the ratification of this new agreement were recorded as mainline operating special items, net in the consolidated statement of operations, including the one-time payment of $754 million as well as adjustments to other benefit-related items of $235 million. The one-time payment and the additional compensation were principally paid in 2023, with remaining payments expected to be paid in the first quarter of 2024.
Revenue
In 2023, we reported total operating revenues of $52.8 billion, an increase of $3.8 billion, or 7.8%, as compared to 2022. Passenger revenue was $48.5 billion, an increase of $3.9 billion, or 8.8%, as compared to 2022. The increase in passenger revenue in 2023 was primarily due to a 7.6% increase in RPMs, driven by the continued strength in demand for air travel, resulting in an 83.5% load factor.
Cargo revenue decreased $421 million, or 34.1%, in 2023 as compared to 2022, primarily due to a 29.4% decrease in cargo yield and a 6.7% decrease in cargo ton miles driven by lower demand and increased air freight capacity globally.
Other operating revenue increased $294 million, or 9.3%, in 2023 as compared to 2022, driven primarily by higher revenue associated with our loyalty program. During 2023 and 2022, cash payments from co-branded credit card and other partners were $5.2 billion and $4.5 billion, respectively.
Our total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) was 19.01 cents in 2023, a 1.0% increase as compared to 18.82 cents in 2022.
Fuel
In 2023, aircraft fuel expense totaled $12.3 billion, a decrease of $1.5 billion, or 11.1%, as compared to 2022. This decrease was primarily driven by a 16.3% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel including related taxes to $2.96 in 2023 from $3.54 in 2022, offset in part by a 6.1% increase in gallons of fuel consumed due to increased capacity.
As of December 31, 2023, we did not have any fuel hedging contracts outstanding to hedge our fuel consumption. Our current policy is not to enter into transactions to hedge our fuel consumption, although we review this policy from time to time based on market conditions and other factors. As such, and assuming we do not enter into any future transactions to hedge our fuel consumption, we will continue to be fully exposed to fluctuations in fuel prices.
Other Costs
We remain committed to actively managing our cost structure, which we believe is necessary in an industry in which economic prospects are heavily dependent upon two variables we cannot control: general economic conditions and the price of fuel.
Our 2023 CASM was 17.92 cents, a decrease of 1.6%, from 18.20 cents in 2022. This decrease in CASM was primarily driven by lower aircraft fuel costs in 2023, as described above, offset by higher salaries, wages and benefits costs associated with the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement with our mainline pilots, as described above.
Our 2023 CASM excluding net special items and fuel was 13.15 cents, an increase of 2.5%, from 12.83 cents in 2022, which was primarily driven by higher salaries, wages and benefits costs associated with the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement with our mainline pilots, as described above.
For a reconciliation of total operating CASM to total operating CASM excluding net special items and fuel, see Part II, Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data – “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
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Liquidity
As of December 31, 2023, we had $10.4 billion in total available liquidity, consisting of $7.6 billion in unrestricted cash and short-term investments and $2.9 billion in total undrawn capacity under revolving credit and other short-term facilities.
During 2023, we completed the following financing transactions (see Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for further information):
•refinanced approximately $1.8 billion in aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding under the 2013 Term Loan Facility (the 2013 Term Loan Facility Refinancing) through the combination of (i) the issuance of $750 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.25% senior secured notes due 2028 (the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes) and (ii) the entry into the Seventh Amendment to the 2013 Credit Agreement, pursuant to which the maturity of $1.0 billion in term loans under the 2013 Term Loan Facility was extended to February 2028 from June 2025;
•extended the maturity of certain commitments under the 2013 Revolving Facility, 2014 Revolving Facility and April 2016 Revolving Facility to October 2026;
•issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 8.50% senior secured notes due 2029 (the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes) in a private offering and entered into the 2023 Credit Agreement that provides for a term loan facility (the 2023 Term Loan Facility) in an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion. The net proceeds from the offering of the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes, together with net proceeds from borrowings under the 2023 Term Loan Facility and cash on hand were used to redeem all of American’s outstanding 11.75% senior secured notes due 2025 (the 11.75% Senior Secured Notes);
•issued $1.1 billion of equipment loans and other notes payable in connection with the financing of certain aircraft; and
•repurchased $552 million of secured and unsecured notes in the open market.
A significant portion of our debt financing agreements contain covenants requiring us to maintain an aggregate of at least $2.0 billion of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and amounts available to be drawn under revolving credit facilities and/or contain covenants requiring us to meet certain loan to value, collateral coverage and/or peak debt service coverage ratios.
See Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for additional information on our debt obligations.
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AAG’s Results of Operations
For a comparison of the 2022 to 2021 reporting periods, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – “AAG’s Results of Operations” of our 2022 Form 10-K.
Operating Statistics
The table below sets forth selected operating data for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Revenue passenger miles (millions) (a) | 231,926 | 215,624 | 7.6% | ||||
| Available seat miles (millions) (b) | 277,723 | 260,226 | 6.7% | ||||
| Passenger load factor (percent) (c) | 83.5 | 82.9 | 0.6pts | ||||
| Yield (cents) (d) | 20.92 | 20.67 | 1.2% | ||||
| Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents) (e) | 17.47 | 17.13 | 2.0% | ||||
| Total revenue per available seat mile (cents) (f) | 19.01 | 18.82 | 1.0% | ||||
| Fuel consumption (gallons in millions) | 4,140 | 3,901 | 6.1% | ||||
| Average aircraft fuel price including related taxes (dollars per gallon) | 2.96 | 3.54 | (16.3)% | ||||
| Total operating cost per available seat mile (cents) (g) | 17.92 | 18.20 | (1.6)% | ||||
| Aircraft at end of period (h) | 1,521 | 1,461 | 4.1% | ||||
| Full-time equivalent employees at end of period | 132,100 | 129,700 | 1.9% |
(a)Revenue passenger mile (RPM) – A basic measure of sales volume. One RPM represents one passenger flown one mile.
(b)Available seat mile (ASM) – A basic measure of production. One ASM represents one seat flown one mile.
(c)Passenger load factor – The percentage of available seats that are filled with revenue passengers.
(d)Yield – A measure of airline revenue derived by dividing passenger revenue by RPMs.
(e)Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) – Passenger revenue divided by ASMs.
(f)Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) – Total revenues divided by ASMs.
(g)Total operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) – Total operating expenses divided by ASMs.
(h)Includes aircraft owned and leased by American as well as aircraft operated by third-party regional carriers under capacity purchase agreements. Excluded from the aircraft count above are 77 regional aircraft in temporary storage as of December 31, 2023 as follows: 57 Embraer 145, 11 Bombardier CRJ 700, six Bombardier CRJ 900 and three Embraer 170.
Operating Revenues
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Passenger | $ | 48,512 | $ | 44,568 | $ | 3,944 | 8.8 | ||||||
| Cargo | 812 | 1,233 | (421) | (34.1) | |||||||||
| Other | 3,464 | 3,170 | 294 | 9.3 | |||||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | 52,788 | $ | 48,971 | $ | 3,817 | 7.8 |
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This table presents our passenger revenue and the year-over-year change in certain operating statistics:
| Increasevs. Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, 2023 | Passenger Revenue | RPMs | ASMs | Load Factor | Passenger Yield | PRASM | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue | $ | 48,512 | 8.8% | 7.6% | 6.7% | 0.6pts | 1.2% | 2.0% |
Passenger revenue increased $3.9 billion, or 8.8%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to continued strength in demand for air travel, resulting in a 7.6% increase in RPMs and an 83.5% load factor in 2023.
Cargo revenue decreased $421 million, or 34.1%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to a 29.4% decrease in cargo yield and a 6.7% decrease in cargo ton miles driven by lower demand and increased air freight capacity globally.
Other operating revenue increased $294 million, or 9.3%, in 2023 from 2022 driven primarily by higher revenue associated with our loyalty program. During 2023 and 2022, cash payments from co-branded credit card and other partners were $5.2 billion and $4.5 billion, respectively.
Total operating revenues in 2023 increased $3.8 billion, or 7.8%, from 2022 driven primarily by the increase in passenger revenue as described above. Our TRASM was 19.01 cents in 2023, a 1.0% increase as compared to 18.82 cents in 2022.
Operating Expenses
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel and related taxes | $ | 12,257 | $ | 13,791 | $ | (1,534) | (11.1) | ||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 14,580 | 12,972 | 1,608 | 12.4 | |||||||||
| Regional expenses | 4,643 | 4,385 | 258 | 5.9 | |||||||||
| Maintenance, materials and repairs | 3,265 | 2,684 | 581 | 21.6 | |||||||||
| Other rent and landing fees | 2,928 | 2,730 | 198 | 7.3 | |||||||||
| Aircraft rent | 1,369 | 1,395 | (26) | (1.9) | |||||||||
| Selling expenses | 1,799 | 1,815 | (16) | (0.9) | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,936 | 1,977 | (41) | (2.1) | |||||||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 971 | 193 | 778 | nm | |||||||||
| Other | 6,006 | 5,422 | 584 | 10.8 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 49,754 | $ | 47,364 | $ | 2,390 | 5.0 |
Additional detail regarding changes in our operating expenses is as follows:
Aircraft fuel and related taxes decreased $1.5 billion, or 11.1%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to a 16.3% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel including related taxes to $2.96 in 2023 from $3.54 in 2022, offset in part by a 6.1% increase in gallons of fuel consumed due to increased capacity.
Salaries, wages and benefits increased $1.6 billion, or 12.4%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily driven by higher wage rates associated with the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement with our mainline pilots.
Regional expenses increased $258 million, or 5.9%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to increased costs at our wholly-owned regional carriers, including pay rate increases and higher costs for maintenance, materials and repairs driven by an increase in the volume of engine overhauls.
Maintenance, materials and repairs increased $581 million, or 21.6%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to increased costs for engine overhauls and airframe heavy checks driven by higher volume, flight hours and cost of materials.
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Other rent and landing fees increased $198 million, or 7.3%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to rate increases at certain airports, incremental engine leases and higher landing fees.
Selling expenses remained flat in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to a decrease in commissions expense, offset primarily by higher credit card fees driven by the overall increase in passenger revenues.
Other operating expenses increased $584 million, or 10.8%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily driven by the increase in flight operations, including increased costs for onboard food and catering, crew travel, ground handling and airport lounge operations, as well as certain general and administrative expenses.
Operating Special Items, Net
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| (In millions) | ||||||
| Labor contract expenses (1) | $ | 989 | $ | — | ||
| Severance expenses (2) | 23 | — | ||||
| Fleet impairment (3) | — | 149 | ||||
| Litigation reserve adjustments | — | 37 | ||||
| Other operating special items, net | (41) | 7 | ||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 971 | 193 | ||||
| Regional operating special items, net | 8 | 5 | ||||
| Operating special items, net | $ | 979 | $ | 198 |
(1)Labor contract expenses relate to one-time charges resulting from the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement with our mainline pilots, including a one-time payment of $754 million as well as adjustments to other benefit-related items of $235 million.
(2)Severance expenses included costs associated with headcount reductions in certain corporate functions.
(3)Fleet impairment included a non-cash impairment charge to write down the carrying value of our retired Airbus A330 fleet to the estimated fair value due to the market conditions for certain used aircraft. We retired our Airbus A330 fleet in 2020 as a result of the decline in demand for air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonoperating Results
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 591 | $ | 216 | $ | 375 | nm | ||||||
| Interest expense, net | (2,145) | (1,962) | (183) | 9.3 | |||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | (359) | 325 | (684) | nm | |||||||||
| Total nonoperating expense, net | $ | (1,913) | $ | (1,421) | $ | (492) | 34.6 |
Interest income increased $375 million in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily as a result of higher returns on our short-term investments. Interest expense, net increased $183 million, or 9.3%, in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to higher interest rates on our variable-rate debt instruments, offset in part by debt repayments.
In 2023, other nonoperating expense, net primarily included $362 million of net special charges principally associated with debt refinancings and extinguishments and mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments, offset in part by $32 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income.
In 2022, other nonoperating income, net primarily included $424 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income, offset in part by $74 million of net special charges principally for mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments.
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The decrease in non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income in 2023 as compared to 2022 is principally due to an increase in interest cost for the pension and other postretirement benefit obligations driven by higher discount rates and a decrease in expected return on pension plan assets from a reduction in plan assets.
Income Taxes
In 2023, we recorded an income tax provision of $299 million with an effective rate of approximately 27%, which was substantially non-cash. Substantially all of our income before income taxes is attributable to the United States. At December 31, 2023, we had approximately $13.7 billion of gross federal NOLs and $4.7 billion of other carryforwards available to reduce future federal taxable income, of which $3.4 billion will expire beginning in 2029 if unused and $15.0 billion can be carried forward indefinitely. We also had approximately $5.5 billion of NOL carryforwards to reduce future state taxable income at December 31, 2023, which will expire in taxable years 2023 through 2043 if unused.
In 2022, we recorded an income tax provision of $59 million at an effective rate of approximately 32%, which was substantially non-cash.
See Note 6 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for additional information on income taxes.
American’s Results of Operations
For a comparison of the 2022 to 2021 reporting periods, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – “American’s Results of Operations” of American’s 2022 Form 10-K.
Operating Revenues
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Passenger | $ | 48,512 | $ | 44,568 | $ | 3,944 | 8.8 | ||||||
| Cargo | 812 | 1,233 | (421) | (34.1) | |||||||||
| Other | 3,460 | 3,164 | 296 | 9.3 | |||||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | 52,784 | $ | 48,965 | $ | 3,819 | 7.8 |
Passenger revenue increased $3.9 billion, or 8.8%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to continued strength in demand for air travel, resulting in an increase in RPMs and an increase in load factor in 2023.
Cargo revenue decreased $421 million, or 34.1%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to decreases in cargo yield and cargo ton miles driven by lower demand and increased air freight capacity globally.
Other operating revenue increased $296 million, or 9.3%, in 2023 from 2022 driven primarily by higher revenue associated with American’s loyalty program. During 2023 and 2022, cash payments from co-branded credit card and other partners were $5.2 billion and $4.5 billion, respectively.
Total operating revenues in 2023 increased $3.8 billion, or 7.8%, from 2022 driven primarily by the increase in passenger revenue as described above.
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Operating Expenses
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel and related taxes | $ | 12,257 | $ | 13,791 | $ | (1,534) | (11.1) | ||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 14,572 | 12,965 | 1,607 | 12.4 | |||||||||
| Regional expenses | 4,619 | 4,345 | 274 | 6.3 | |||||||||
| Maintenance, materials and repairs | 3,265 | 2,684 | 581 | 21.6 | |||||||||
| Other rent and landing fees | 2,928 | 2,730 | 198 | 7.3 | |||||||||
| Aircraft rent | 1,369 | 1,395 | (26) | (1.9) | |||||||||
| Selling expenses | 1,799 | 1,815 | (16) | (0.9) | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,927 | 1,969 | (42) | (2.2) | |||||||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 971 | 193 | 778 | nm | |||||||||
| Other | 6,008 | 5,425 | 583 | 10.8 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 49,715 | $ | 47,312 | $ | 2,403 | 5.1 |
Additional detail regarding changes in American’s operating expenses is as follows:
Aircraft fuel and related taxes decreased $1.5 billion, or 11.1%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to a 16.3% decrease in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel including related taxes to $2.96 in 2023 from $3.54 in 2022, offset in part by a 6.1% increase in gallons of fuel consumed due to increased capacity.
Salaries, wages and benefits increased $1.6 billion, or 12.4%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily driven by higher wage rates associated with the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement with American’s mainline pilots.
Regional expenses increased $274 million, or 6.3%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to contractual rate increases with American’s regional carriers.
Maintenance, materials and repairs increased $581 million, or 21.6%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to increased costs for engine overhauls and airframe heavy checks driven by higher volume, flight hours and cost of materials.
Other rent and landing fees increased $198 million, or 7.3%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to rate increases at certain airports, incremental engine leases and higher landing fees.
Selling expenses remained flat in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to a decrease in commissions expense, offset primarily by higher credit card fees driven by the overall increase in passenger revenues.
Other operating expenses increased $583 million, or 10.8%, in 2023 from 2022 primarily driven by the increase in flight operations, including increased costs for onboard food and catering, crew travel, ground handling and airport lounge operations, as well as certain general and administrative expenses.
Operating Special Items, Net
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
| (In millions) | ||||||
| Labor contract expenses (1) | $ | 989 | $ | — | ||
| Severance expenses (2) | 23 | — | ||||
| Fleet impairment (3) | — | 149 | ||||
| Litigation reserve adjustments | — | 37 | ||||
| Other operating special items, net | (41) | 7 | ||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | $ | 971 | $ | 193 |
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(1)Labor contract expenses relate to one-time charges resulting from the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement with American’s mainline pilots, including a one-time payment of $754 million as well as adjustments to other benefit-related items of $235 million.
(2)Severance expenses included costs associated with headcount reductions in certain corporate functions.
(3)Fleet impairment included a non-cash impairment charge to write down the carrying value of American’s retired Airbus A330 fleet to the estimated fair value due to the market conditions for certain used aircraft. American retired its Airbus A330 fleet in 2020 as a result of the decline in demand for air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonoperating Results
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 1,078 | $ | 349 | $ | 729 | nm | ||||||
| Interest expense, net | (2,206) | (1,872) | (334) | 17.8 | |||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | (359) | 324 | (683) | nm | |||||||||
| Total nonoperating expense, net | $ | (1,487) | $ | (1,199) | $ | (288) | 24.0 |
Interest income increased $729 million in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily as a result of higher returns on American’s short-term investments and related party receivables from AAG. Interest expense, net increased $334 million, or 17.8%, in 2023 compared to 2022 primarily due to higher interest rates on American’s variable-rate debt instruments and related party payables from AAG’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, offset in part by debt repayments.
In 2023, other nonoperating expense, net primarily included $362 million of net special charges principally associated with debt refinancings and extinguishments and mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments, offset in part by $33 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income.
In 2022, other nonoperating income, net primarily included $423 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income, offset in part by $72 million of net special charges principally for mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments.
The decrease in non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income in 2023 as compared to 2022 is principally due to an increase in interest cost for the pension and other postretirement benefit obligations driven by higher discount rates and a decrease in expected return on pension plan assets from a reduction in plan assets.
Income Taxes
American is a member of AAG’s consolidated federal and certain state income tax returns.
In 2023, American recorded an income tax provision of $394 million with an effective rate of approximately 25%, which was substantially non-cash. Substantially all of American’s income before income taxes is attributable to the United States. At December 31, 2023, American had approximately $13.7 billion of gross federal NOLs and $3.6 billion of other carryforwards available to reduce future federal taxable income, of which $3.8 billion will expire beginning in 2033 if unused and $13.5 billion can be carried forward indefinitely. American also had approximately $5.3 billion of NOL carryforwards to reduce future state taxable income at December 31, 2023, which will expire in taxable years 2023 through 2043 if unused.
In 2022, American recorded an income tax provision of $116 million at an effective rate of approximately 26%, which was substantially non-cash.
See Note 5 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for additional information on income taxes.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
At December 31, 2023, AAG had $10.4 billion in total available liquidity and $910 million in restricted cash and short-term investments. Additional detail regarding our available liquidity is provided in the table below (in millions):
| AAG | American | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 578 | $ | 440 | $ | 567 | $ | 429 | ||||||
| Short-term investments | 7,000 | 8,525 | 6,998 | 8,523 | ||||||||||
| Undrawn facilities | 2,862 | 3,033 | 2,862 | 3,033 | ||||||||||
| Total available liquidity | $ | 10,440 | $ | 11,998 | $ | 10,427 | $ | 11,985 |
In the ordinary course of our business, we or our affiliates may, at any time and from time to time, seek to prepay, retire or repurchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for equity or debt, in open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, prepayments, retirements or exchanges, if any, will be conducted on such terms and at such prices as we may determine, and will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, legal and contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. For further information regarding our debt repurchases for the year ended December 31, 2023, see Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 3 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B.
Certain Covenants
Our debt agreements contain customary terms and conditions as well as various affirmative, negative and financial covenants that, among other things, may restrict the ability of us and our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends or repurchase stock. Our debt agreements also contain customary change of control provisions, which may require us to repay or redeem such indebtedness upon certain events constituting a change of control under the relevant agreement, in certain cases at a premium. Additionally, certain of our debt financing agreements (including our secured notes, term loans, revolving credit facilities and spare engine enhanced equipment trust certificates (EETCs)) contain loan to value (LTV), collateral coverage or peak debt service coverage ratio covenants and certain agreements require us to appraise the related collateral annually or semiannually. Pursuant to such agreements, if the applicable LTV, collateral coverage or peak debt service coverage ratio exceeds or falls below a specified threshold, as the case may be, we will be required, as applicable, to pledge additional qualifying collateral (which in some cases may include cash or investment securities), withhold additional cash in certain accounts, or pay down such financing, in whole or in part, or the interest rate for the relevant financing will be increased. As of the most recent applicable measurement dates, we were in compliance with each of the foregoing LTV, collateral coverage and peak debt service coverage tests. Additionally, a significant portion of our debt financing agreements contain covenants requiring us to maintain an aggregate of at least $2.0 billion of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and amounts available to be drawn under revolving credit facilities, and our AAdvantage Financing contains a peak debt service coverage ratio, pursuant to which failure to comply with a certain threshold may result in early repayment, in whole or in part, of the AAdvantage Financing. For further information regarding our debt covenants, see Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 3 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B.
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Sources and Uses of Cash
For a comparison of the 2022 and 2021 reporting periods, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – “Sources and Uses of Cash” of our 2022 Form 10-K.
AAG
Operating Activities
Our net cash provided by operating activities was $3.8 billion and $2.2 billion in 2023 and 2022, respectively, a $1.6 billion year-over-year increase due to higher profitability and cash provided by working capital management.
Investing Activities
Our net cash used in investing activities was $502 million in 2023 as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $636 million in 2022.
Our principal investing activities in 2023 included $2.6 billion of capital expenditures, which primarily related to the purchase of 17 Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, ten Airbus A321neo aircraft, seven Embraer 175 aircraft, seven Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft and 28 spare engines. These cash outflows were offset in part by $1.5 billion in net sales of short-term investments and $230 million of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment and sale-leaseback transactions.
Our principal investing activities in 2022 included $3.7 billion in net sales of short-term investments. These cash inflows were offset in part by $2.5 billion of capital expenditures, which primarily related to the purchase of 24 Airbus A321neo aircraft and 12 spare engines, and $321 million of equity investments, principally related to GOL.
Financing Activities
Our net cash used in financing activities was $3.2 billion and $2.6 billion in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Our principal financing activities in 2023 included $2.9 billion in net repayments of debt and finance lease obligations primarily due to scheduled debt repayments. In February 2023, we refinanced approximately $1.8 billion in aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding under the 2013 Term Loan Facility through the combination of (i) issuing $750 million in aggregate principal amount of the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes and (ii) extending the maturity of $1.0 billion in term loans under the 2013 Term Loan Facility. In December 2023, we issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes and entered into the 2023 Term Loan Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion. The net proceeds of the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes, together with net proceeds from borrowings under the 2023 Term Loan Facility and cash on hand, were used to redeem all of the outstanding 11.75% Senior Secured Notes. In addition, we borrowed $1.1 billion in connection with the financing of certain aircraft and repurchased $552 million of secured and unsecured notes in the open market.
Our principal financing activities in 2022 included $3.8 billion in repayments of debt and finance lease obligations, consisting of $2.2 billion of scheduled debt repayments including the repayment of $401 million in connection with the maturity of our 5.000% unsecured notes, the $1.2 billion prepayment of the December 2016 Term Loan Facility and the repurchase of $349 million of unsecured notes in the open market. These cash outflows were offset in part by $1.1 billion of long-term debt proceeds, consisting of $866 million from the issuance of equipment notes related to EETCs and $205 million in connection with the financing of certain aircraft.
American
Operating Activities
American’s net cash provided by operating activities was $3.7 billion and $1.3 billion in 2023 and 2022, respectively, a $2.4 billion year-over-year increase due to higher profitability and cash provided by working capital management.
Investing Activities
American’s net cash used in investing activities was $449 million in 2023 as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $693 million in 2022.
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American’s principal investing activities in 2023 included $2.5 billion of capital expenditures, which primarily related to the purchase of 17 Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft, ten Airbus A321neo aircraft, seven Embraer 175 aircraft, seven Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft and 28 spare engines. These cash outflows were offset in part by $1.5 billion in net sales of short-term investments and $230 million of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment and sale-leaseback transactions.
American’s principal investing activities in 2022 included $3.7 billion in net sales of short-term investments. These cash inflows were offset in part by $2.5 billion of capital expenditures, which primarily related to the purchase of 24 Airbus A321neo aircraft and 12 spare engines, and $321 million of equity investments, principally related to GOL.
Financing Activities
American’s net cash used in financing activities was $3.2 billion and $1.8 billion in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
American’s principal financing activities in 2023 included $2.9 billion in net repayments of debt and finance lease obligations primarily due to scheduled debt repayments. In February 2023, American refinanced approximately $1.8 billion in aggregate principal amount of term loans outstanding under the 2013 Term Loan Facility through the combination of (i) issuing $750 million in aggregate principal amount of the 7.25% Senior Secured Notes and (ii) extending the maturity of $1.0 billion in term loans under the 2013 Term Loan Facility. In December 2023, American issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes and entered into the 2023 Term Loan Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion. The net proceeds of the 8.50% Senior Secured Notes, together with net proceeds from borrowings under the 2023 Term Loan Facility and cash on hand, were used to redeem all of the outstanding 11.75% Senior Secured Notes. In addition, American borrowed $1.1 billion in connection with the financing of certain aircraft and repurchased $539 million of secured notes in the open market.
American’s principal financing activities in 2022 included $3.0 billion in repayments of debt and finance lease obligations, consisting of $1.8 billion of scheduled debt repayments and the $1.2 billion prepayment of the December 2016 Term Loan Facility. These cash outflows were offset in part by $1.1 billion of long-term debt proceeds, consisting of $866 million from the issuance of equipment notes related to EETCs and $205 million in connection with the financing of certain aircraft.
Commitments
For further information regarding our commitments, see the Notes to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and the Notes to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B at the referenced footnotes below.
| AAG | American | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt | Note 4 | Note 3 | |
| Leases | Note 5 | Note 4 | |
| Employee Benefit Plans | Note 9 | Note 8 | |
| Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees | Note 11 | Note 10 |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
An off-balance sheet arrangement is any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement involving an unconsolidated entity under which a company has (1) made guarantees, (2) a retained or a contingent interest in transferred assets, (3) an obligation under derivative instruments classified as equity or (4) any obligation arising out of a material variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to us, or that engages in leasing, hedging or research and development arrangements with us.
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements of the types described in the first three categories above that we believe may have a material current or future effect on financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.
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Pass-Through Trusts
American currently has 308 owned aircraft and 60 owned spare aircraft engines, which in each case were financed with EETCs issued by pass-through trusts. These trusts are off-balance sheet entities, the primary purpose of which is to finance the acquisition of flight equipment or to permit issuance of debt backed by existing flight equipment. In the case of aircraft EETCs, rather than finance each aircraft separately when such aircraft is purchased, delivered or refinanced, these trusts allow American to raise the financing for a number of aircraft at one time and, if applicable, place such funds in escrow pending a future purchase, delivery or refinancing of the relevant aircraft. Similarly, in the case of the spare engine EETCs, the trusts allow American to use its existing pool of spare engines to raise financing under a single facility. The trusts have also been structured to provide for certain credit enhancements, such as liquidity facilities to cover certain interest payments, that reduce the risks to the purchasers of the trust certificates and, as a result, reduce the cost of aircraft financing to American.
Each trust covers a set number of aircraft or spare engines scheduled to be delivered, financed or refinanced upon the issuance of the EETC or within a specific period of time thereafter. At the time of each covered aircraft or spare engine financing, the relevant trust used the proceeds from the issuance of the EETC (which may have been available at the time of issuance thereof or held in escrow until financing of the applicable aircraft following its delivery) to purchase equipment notes relating to the financed aircraft or engines. The equipment notes are issued, at American’s election, in connection with a mortgage financing of the aircraft or spare engines. The equipment notes are secured by a security interest in the aircraft or engines, as applicable. The pass-through trust certificates are not direct obligations of, nor are they guaranteed by, AAG or American. However, the equipment notes issued to the trusts are direct obligations of American and, in certain instances, have been guaranteed by AAG. As of December 31, 2023, $7.7 billion associated with these mortgage financings is reflected as debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Letters of Credit and Other
We provide financial assurance, such as letters of credit and surety bonds, primarily to support projected workers’ compensation obligations and airport commitments. As of December 31, 2023, we had $318 million of letters of credit and surety bonds securing various obligations, of which $94 million is collateralized with our restricted cash. The letters of credit and surety bonds that are subject to expiration will expire on various dates through 2028.
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Contractual Obligations
The following table provides details of our estimated material cash requirements from contractual obligations as of December 31, 2023 (in millions). The table does not include commitments that are contingent on events or other factors that are uncertain or unknown at this time and is subject to other conventions as set forth in the applicable accompanying footnotes.
| Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 and Thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| American (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount (b), (d) (See Note 3) | $ | 3,502 | $ | 3,702 | $ | 4,582 | $ | 4,618 | $ | 5,060 | $ | 6,062 | $ | 27,526 | ||||||||||||
| Interest obligations (c), (d) | 1,679 | 1,341 | 1,037 | 737 | 475 | 492 | 5,761 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease obligations (See Note 4) | 156 | 140 | 114 | 71 | 30 | 89 | 600 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft and engine purchase commitments (e) (See Note 10(a)) | 2,410 | 3,725 | 3,580 | 1,118 | 829 | 645 | 12,307 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease commitments (See Note 4) | 1,821 | 1,565 | 1,347 | 1,182 | 1,052 | 4,051 | 11,018 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Regional capacity purchase agreements (f) (See Note 10(b)) | 2,038 | 1,992 | 1,702 | 1,473 | 693 | 1,332 | 9,230 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum pension obligations (g) (See Note 8) | 280 | 251 | 244 | 165 | 140 | 65 | 1,145 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Retiree medical and other postretirement benefits (See Note 8) | 125 | 131 | 137 | 137 | 135 | 606 | 1,271 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other purchase obligations (h) (See Note 10(a)) | 4,673 | 2,044 | 1,396 | 150 | 124 | 843 | 9,230 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total American Contractual Obligations | $ | 16,684 | $ | 14,891 | $ | 14,139 | $ | 9,651 | $ | 8,538 | $ | 14,185 | $ | 78,088 | ||||||||||||
| AAG Parent and Other AAG Subsidiaries (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount (b) (See Note 4) | $ | — | $ | 1,487 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,746 | $ | 5,233 | ||||||||||||
| Interest obligations (c) | 121 | 145 | 156 | 190 | 192 | 399 | 1,203 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease obligations (See Note 5) | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease commitments (See Note 5) | 20 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 26 | 75 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum pension obligations (g) (See Note 9) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total AAG Contractual Obligations | $ | 16,839 | $ | 16,537 | $ | 14,306 | $ | 9,847 | $ | 8,734 | $ | 18,359 | $ | 84,622 |
(a)For additional information, see the Notes to AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Items 8A and 8B, respectively, referenced in the table above.
(b)Amounts represent contractual amounts due. Excludes $349 million and $14 million of unamortized debt discount, premium and issuance costs as of December 31, 2023 for American and AAG Parent, respectively.
(c)For variable-rate debt, future interest obligations are estimated using the current forward rates at December 31, 2023.
(d)Includes $7.7 billion of future principal payments and $1.0 billion of future interest payments as of December 31, 2023, related to EETCs associated with mortgage financings of certain aircraft and spare engines.
(e)See Part I, Item 2. Properties – “Aircraft and Engine Purchase Commitments” for additional information about the firm commitment aircraft delivery schedule, in particular the footnote to the table thereunder as to potential changes to such delivery schedule. Due to uncertainty surrounding the timing of delivery of certain aircraft, the amounts in the table represent our most current estimate based on contractual delivery schedules adjusted for updates and revisions to such schedules communicated to management by the applicable equipment manufacturer. However, the actual delivery schedule may differ, potentially materially, based on various potential factors including production delays by the manufacturer and regulatory concerns. Additionally, the amounts in the table exclude five Boeing 787 Family
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aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2024, for which we have obtained committed lease financing. This financing is reflected in the operating lease commitments line above.
(f)Represents minimum payments under capacity purchase agreements with third-party regional carriers. These commitments are estimates of costs based on assumed minimum levels of flying under the capacity purchase agreements and American’s actual payments could differ materially. Rental payments under operating leases for certain aircraft flown under these capacity purchase agreements are reflected in the operating lease commitments line above.
(g)Represents minimum pension contributions based on actuarially determined estimates as of December 31, 2023 and is based on estimated payments through 2033. In January 2024, we made $280 million of required pension contributions.
(h)Includes purchase commitments for aircraft fuel, flight equipment maintenance and information technology support and excludes obligations under certain fuel offtake agreements or other agreements for which the timing of the related expenditure is uncertain, or which are subject to material contingencies, such as the construction of a production facility.
Capital Raising Activity and Other Possible Actions
In light of our significant financial commitments related to, among other things, the servicing and amortization of existing debt and equipment leasing arrangements and new flight equipment, we and our subsidiaries will regularly consider, and enter into negotiations related to, capital raising and liability management activity, which may include the entry into leasing transactions and future issuances of, and transactions designed to manage the timing and amount of, secured or unsecured debt obligations or additional equity or equity-linked securities in public or private offerings or otherwise. The cash available from operations (if any) and these sources, however, may not be sufficient to cover our cash obligations because economic factors may reduce the amount of cash generated by operations or increase costs. For instance, an economic downturn or general global instability caused by military actions, terrorism, disease outbreaks (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), natural disasters or other causes could reduce the demand for air travel, which would reduce the amount of cash generated by operations. See Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors – “Downturns in economic conditions could adversely affect our business” for additional discussion. An increase in costs, either due to an increase in borrowing costs caused by a reduction in credit ratings or a general increase in interest rates, or due to an increase in the cost of fuel, maintenance, aircraft, aircraft engines or parts, could decrease the amount of cash available to cover cash contractual obligations. Moreover, certain of our financing arrangements contain significant minimum cash balance or similar liquidity requirements. As a result, we cannot use all of our available cash to fund operations, capital expenditures and cash obligations without violating these requirements. See Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 3 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for information regarding our financing arrangements.
In the past, we have from time to time refinanced, redeemed or repurchased our debt and taken other steps to reduce or otherwise manage the aggregate amount and cost of our debt, lease and other obligations or otherwise improve our balance sheet. Going forward, depending on market conditions, our cash position and other considerations, we may continue to take such actions, and the amounts involved may be material.
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OTHER INFORMATION
Basis of Presentation
See Note 1 to each of AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Items 8A and 8B, respectively, for information regarding the basis of presentation.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. We believe our estimates and assumptions are reasonable; however, actual results could differ from those estimates. Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have identified the following critical accounting policies that impact the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. See the “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in Note 1 to each of AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Items 8A and 8B, respectively, for additional discussion of the application of these estimates and other accounting policies.
Passenger Revenue
We recognize all revenues generated from transportation on American and our regional flights operated under the brand name American Eagle, including associated baggage fees and other inflight services, as passenger revenue when transportation is provided. Ticket and other related sales for transportation that has not yet been provided are initially deferred and recorded as air traffic liability on our consolidated balance sheets. The air traffic liability principally represents tickets sold for future travel on American and partner airlines.
The contract duration of passenger tickets is generally one year. The majority of tickets sold are nonrefundable. A small percentage of tickets, some of which are partially used tickets, expire unused. The estimate for tickets expected to expire unused is generally based on an analysis of our historical data and other current applicable factors such as policy changes. We have consistently applied this accounting method to estimate and recognize revenue from unused tickets at the date of travel. This estimate is periodically evaluated based on subsequent activity to validate its accuracy. Any adjustments resulting from periodic evaluations of the estimated air traffic liability are included in passenger revenue during the period in which the evaluations are completed.
Loyalty Revenue
We currently operate the loyalty program, AAdvantage. This program awards mileage credits to passengers who fly on American, any oneworld airline or other partner airlines, or by using the services of other program participants, such as our co-branded credit cards, and certain hotels and car rental companies. Mileage credits can be redeemed for travel on American and other participating partner airlines, as well as non-air travel awards such as hotels and rental cars. For mileage credits earned by AAdvantage program members, we apply the deferred revenue method.
Mileage credits earned through travel
For mileage credits earned through travel, we apply a relative selling price approach whereby the total amount collected from each passenger ticket sale is allocated between the air transportation and the mileage credits earned. The portion of each passenger ticket sale attributable to mileage credits earned is initially deferred and then recognized in passenger revenue when mileage credits are redeemed and transportation is provided. The estimated selling price of mileage credits is determined using an equivalent ticket value approach, which uses historical data, including award redemption patterns by geographic region and class of service, as well as similar cash fares as those used to settle award redemptions. The estimated selling price of mileage credits is adjusted for an estimate of mileage credits that will not be redeemed using a statistical model based on historical redemption patterns to develop an estimate of the likelihood of future redemption. For the year ended December 31, 2023, a hypothetical 10% increase in the estimated selling price of mileage credits would have decreased revenues by approximately $128 million as a result of additional amounts deferred from passenger ticket sales to be recognized in future periods.
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Mileage credits sold to co-branded credit cards and other partners
We sell mileage credits to participating airline partners and non-airline business partners, including our co-branded credit card partners, under contracts with remaining terms generally from one to six years as of December 31, 2023. Consideration received from the sale of mileage credits is variable and payment terms typically are within 30 days subsequent to the month of mileage sale. Sales of mileage credits to non-airline business partners are comprised of two components, transportation and marketing. We allocate the consideration received from these sales of mileage credits based on the relative selling price of each product or service delivered.
Our most significant mileage credit partner agreements are our co-branded credit card agreements with Citi and Barclaycard US. We identified two revenue elements in these co-branded credit card agreements: the transportation component and the marketing component.
The transportation component represents the estimated selling price of future travel awards and is determined using the same equivalent ticket value approach described above. The portion of each mileage credit sold attributable to transportation is initially deferred and then recognized in passenger revenue when mileage credits are redeemed and transportation is provided.
The marketing component includes the use of intellectual property, including the American brand and access to loyalty program member lists, which is the predominant element in these agreements, as well as advertising and other travel-related benefits. We recognize the marketing component in other revenue in the period of the mileage credit sale following the sales-based royalty method.
For the portion of our outstanding mileage credits that we estimate will not be redeemed, we recognize the associated value proportionally as the remaining mileage credits are redeemed. Our estimates use a statistical model based on historical redemption patterns to develop an estimate of the likelihood of future redemption. For the year ended December 31, 2023, a hypothetical 10% increase in our estimate of mileage credits not expected to be redeemed would have increased revenues by approximately $127 million.
Pensions and Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
We recognize the funded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations) of our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans on the consolidated balance sheets with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits costs and liabilities are calculated using various actuarial assumptions and methodologies. We use certain assumptions including, but not limited to, the selection of the: (1) discount rate and (2) expected return on plan assets (as discussed below). These assumptions as of December 31 were:
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pension weighted average discount rate (1) | 5.2 | % | 5.6 | % | |
| Retiree medical and other postretirement benefits weighted average discount rate (1) | 5.3 | % | 5.7 | % | |
| Expected rate of return on plan assets (2) | 8.0 | % | 8.0 | % |
(1)When establishing the discount rate to measure our obligations, we match high quality corporate bonds available in the marketplace whose cash flows approximate our projected benefit disbursements. Lowering the discount rate by 50 basis points as of December 31, 2023 would increase our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits obligations by approximately $740 million and $40 million, respectively, and decrease estimated 2024 pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits expense by approximately $5 million and $1 million, respectively.
(2)The expected rate of return on plan assets is based upon an evaluation of our historical trends and experience, taking into account current and expected market conditions and our target asset allocation of 30% U.S. fixed income securities, 24% U.S. stocks, 24% private investments, 16% developed international stocks and 6% emerging market stocks. The expected rate of return on plan assets component of our net periodic benefit cost is calculated based on the fair value of plan assets and our target asset allocation. Lowering the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by 50 basis points as of December 31, 2023 would increase estimated 2024 pension expense and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits expense by approximately $60 million and $1 million, respectively.
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Annually, we review and revise certain economic and demographic assumptions including the pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits discount rates and health care costs. The net effect of changing these assumptions for the pension plans resulted in an increase of $546 million in the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2023. The net effect of changing these assumptions for retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans resulted in an increase of $89 million in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2023.
See Note 9 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 8 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for additional information regarding our employee benefit plans.
Income Taxes
Our ability to use our NOLs and other carryforwards depends on the amount of taxable income generated in future periods. We provide a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of our deferred tax assets, will not be realized. We consider all available positive and negative evidence and make certain assumptions in evaluating the realizability of our deferred tax assets. Many factors are considered that impact our assessment of future profitability, including conditions which are beyond our control, such as the health of the economy, the availability and price volatility of aircraft fuel and travel demand. We have determined that positive factors outweigh negative factors in the determination of the realizability of our deferred tax assets. There can be no assurance that an additional valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets will not be required. Such valuation allowance could be material.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-07: Segment Reporting (Topic 280) Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures
This standard improves reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating how the adoption of this standard will impact our reportable segment disclosures.
ASU 2023-09: Income Taxes (Topic 740) Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures
This standard enhances transparency of income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information, as well as improvements to the effectiveness and comparability of other income tax disclosures. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating how the adoption of this standard will impact our income tax disclosures.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000006201-23-000018.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
2022 Financial Overview
The selected financial data presented below is derived from AAG’s audited consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8A of this report and should be read in conjunction with those financial statements and the related notes thereto.
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue | $ | 44,568 | $ | 26,063 | $ | 18,505 | 71.0 | ||||||
| Cargo revenue | 1,233 | 1,314 | (81) | (6.2) | |||||||||
| Other operating revenue | 3,170 | 2,505 | 665 | 26.5 | |||||||||
| Total operating revenues | 48,971 | 29,882 | 19,089 | 63.9 | |||||||||
| Aircraft fuel and related taxes | 13,791 | 6,792 | 6,999 | nm (2) | |||||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 12,972 | 11,817 | 1,155 | 9.8 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 47,364 | 30,941 | 16,423 | 53.1 | |||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 1,607 | (1,059) | 2,666 | nm | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income (loss) | 186 | (2,548) | 2,734 | nm | |||||||||
| Income tax provision (benefit) | 59 | (555) | 614 | nm | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) | 127 | (1,993) | 2,120 | nm | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income (loss) – GAAP | $ | 186 | $ | (2,548) | $ | 2,734 | nm | ||||||
| Adjusted for: pre-tax net special items (1) | 272 | (4,395) | 4,667 | nm | |||||||||
| Pre-tax income (loss) excluding net special items | $ | 458 | $ | (6,943) | $ | 7,401 | nm |
(1)See Part II, Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data – “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and Note 2 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for details on the components of pre-tax net special items.
(2)Not meaningful or greater than 100% change.
Pre-Tax Income (Loss) and Net Income (Loss)
Pre-tax income and net income were $186 million and $127 million, respectively, in 2022. This compares to 2021 pre-tax loss and net loss of $2.5 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively.
The year-over-year improvement in our pre-tax income, on a GAAP basis, was driven by the continued strength in demand for air travel and a 21.3% increase in capacity as compared to 2021. This resulted in record passenger revenue for 2022 which was offset in part by higher aircraft fuel and related taxes, due to a 73.0% increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel as well as increases in other operating expenses from increased capacity. The 2021 period also included the recognition of $4.4 billion of net pre-tax special credits, principally related to PSP Financial Assistance. See Note 2 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for details on the components of pre-tax net special items.
Excluding the effects of pre-tax net special items, pre-tax income was $458 million in 2022 and pre-tax loss was $6.9 billion in 2021. The year-over-year improvement in our pre-tax income excluding pre-tax net special items was primarily due to record passenger revenue in 2022, offset in part by higher aircraft fuel and related taxes and increases in other operating expenses, as described above.
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Revenue
In 2022, we reported total operating revenues of $49.0 billion, an increase of $19.1 billion, or 63.9%, as compared to 2021. Passenger revenue was $44.6 billion, an increase of $18.5 billion, or 71.0%, as compared to 2021. The increase in passenger revenue in 2022 was primarily due to a 33.5% increase in revenue passenger miles (RPMs), driven by the continued strength in demand for air travel domestically and in the Atlantic and Latin America regions, resulting in a 7.6 point increase in passenger load factor to 82.9% in 2022, and a 28.1% increase in passenger yield.
In 2022, cargo revenue was $1.2 billion, a decrease of $81 million, or 6.2%, as compared to 2021, primarily due to a 5.3% decrease in cargo ton miles driven by the discontinuation of our cargo-only flying and lower demand.
Other operating revenue increased $665 million, or 26.5%, in 2022 as compared to 2021, driven primarily by higher revenue associated with our loyalty program. During 2022 and 2021, cash payments from co-branded credit card and other partners were $4.5 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively.
Our total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) was 18.82 cents in 2022, a 35.1% increase as compared to 13.93 cents in 2021, driven principally by the increase in passenger revenue as described above.
Fuel
In 2022, aircraft fuel expense totaled $13.8 billion, an increase of $7.0 billion as compared to 2021. This increase was primarily driven by a 73.0% increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel including related taxes to $3.54 in 2022 from $2.04 in 2021 and a 17.4% increase in gallons of fuel consumed due to increased capacity.
As of December 31, 2022, we did not have any fuel hedging contracts outstanding to hedge our fuel consumption. Our current policy is not to enter into transactions to hedge our fuel consumption, although we review that policy from time to time based on market conditions and other factors. As such, and assuming we do not enter into any future transactions to hedge our fuel consumption, we will continue to be fully exposed to fluctuations in fuel prices.
Other Costs
We remain committed to actively managing our cost structure, which we believe is necessary in an industry whose economic prospects are heavily dependent upon two variables we cannot control: general economic conditions and the price of fuel.
Our 2022 CASM was 18.20 cents, an increase of 26.2%, from 14.42 cents in 2021. This increase in CASM was primarily driven by higher aircraft fuel and related taxes in 2022, as described above, and the recognition of $4.5 billion of operating net special credits in 2021 principally related to PSP Financial Assistance.
Our 2022 CASM excluding net special items and fuel was 12.83 cents, a decrease of 3.8%, from 13.33 cents in 2021.
For a reconciliation of total operating CASM to total operating CASM excluding net special items and fuel, see Part II, Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data – “Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2022, we had $12.0 billion in total available liquidity, consisting of $9.0 billion in unrestricted cash and short-term investments, $2.8 billion in undrawn capacity under revolving credit facilities and a total of $220 million in undrawn short-term revolving and other facilities.
During 2022, we completed the following financing transactions (see Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for further information):
•repaid in full approximately $1.2 billion outstanding balance under, and terminated, the December 2016 Term Loan Facility;
•received $866 million in proceeds from enhanced equipment trust certificates (EETCs);
•repurchased $349 million of unsecured notes in the open market; and
•issued $205 million of equipment loans and other notes payable in connection with the financing of certain aircraft.
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A significant portion of our debt financing agreements contain covenants requiring us to maintain an aggregate of at least $2.0 billion of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and amounts available to be drawn under revolving credit facilities and/or contain covenants requiring us to meet certain loan to value, collateral coverage and/or peak debt service coverage ratios.
See Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for additional information on our debt obligations.
AAG’s Results of Operations
For a comparison of the 2021 to 2020 reporting periods, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – “AAG’s Results of Operations” of our 2021 Form 10-K.
Operating Statistics
The table below sets forth selected operating data for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Revenue passenger miles (millions) (a) | 215,624 | 161,538 | 33.5% | ||||
| Available seat miles (millions) (b) | 260,226 | 214,535 | 21.3% | ||||
| Passenger load factor (percent) (c) | 82.9 | 75.3 | 7.6pts | ||||
| Yield (cents) (d) | 20.67 | 16.13 | 28.1% | ||||
| Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents) (e) | 17.13 | 12.15 | 41.0% | ||||
| Total revenue per available seat mile (cents) (f) | 18.82 | 13.93 | 35.1% | ||||
| Fuel consumption (gallons in millions) | 3,901 | 3,324 | 17.4% | ||||
| Average aircraft fuel price including related taxes (dollars per gallon) | 3.54 | 2.04 | 73.0% | ||||
| Total operating cost per available seat mile (cents) (g) | 18.20 | 14.42 | 26.2% | ||||
| Aircraft at end of period (h) | 1,461 | 1,432 | 2.0% | ||||
| Full-time equivalent employees at end of period | 129,700 | 123,400 | 5.1% |
(a)Revenue passenger mile (RPM) – A basic measure of sales volume. One RPM represents one passenger flown one mile.
(b)Available seat mile (ASM) – A basic measure of production. One ASM represents one seat flown one mile.
(c)Passenger load factor – The percentage of available seats that are filled with revenue passengers.
(d)Yield – A measure of airline revenue derived by dividing passenger revenue by RPMs.
(e)Passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) – Passenger revenue divided by ASMs.
(f)Total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM) – Total revenues divided by ASMs.
(g)Total operating cost per available seat mile (CASM) – Total operating expenses divided by ASMs.
(h)Includes aircraft owned and leased by American as well as aircraft operated by third-party regional carriers under capacity purchase agreements. Excludes nine mainline and 69 regional aircraft in temporary storage as of December 31, 2022 as follows: nine Boeing 737-800, 40 Embraer 145, 19 Bombardier CRJ 700, six Embraer 170 and four Bombardier CRJ 900.
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Operating Revenues
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Passenger | $ | 44,568 | $ | 26,063 | $ | 18,505 | 71.0 | ||||||
| Cargo | 1,233 | 1,314 | (81) | (6.2) | |||||||||
| Other | 3,170 | 2,505 | 665 | 26.5 | |||||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | 48,971 | $ | 29,882 | $ | 19,089 | 63.9 |
This table presents our passenger revenue and the year-over-year change in certain operating statistics:
| Increasevs. Year Ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year Ended December 31, 2022 | Passenger Revenue | RPMs | ASMs | Load Factor | Passenger Yield | PRASM | |||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||
| Passenger revenue | $ | 44,568 | 71.0% | 33.5% | 21.3% | 7.6pts | 28.1% | 41.0% |
Passenger revenue increased $18.5 billion, or 71.0%, in 2022 from 2021 primarily due to a 33.5% increase in RPMs, driven by the continued strength in demand for air travel domestically and in the Atlantic and Latin America regions, resulting in a 7.6 point increase in passenger load factor to 82.9% in 2022, and a 28.1% increase in passenger yield.
Cargo revenue decreased $81 million, or 6.2%, in 2022 from 2021 primarily due to a 5.3% decrease in cargo ton miles driven by the discontinuation of our cargo-only flying and lower demand.
Other operating revenue increased $665 million, or 26.5%, in 2022 from 2021 driven primarily by higher revenue associated with our loyalty program. During 2022 and 2021, cash payments from co-branded credit card and other partners were $4.5 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively.
Total operating revenues in 2022 increased $19.1 billion, or 63.9%, from 2021 and our TRASM increased 35.1% to 18.82 cents in 2022 from 13.93 cents in 2021, driven principally by the increase in passenger revenue as described above.
Operating Expenses
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel and related taxes | $ | 13,791 | $ | 6,792 | $ | 6,999 | nm | ||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 12,972 | 11,817 | 1,155 | 9.8 | |||||||||
| Regional expenses | 4,385 | 3,204 | 1,181 | 36.9 | |||||||||
| Maintenance, materials and repairs | 2,684 | 1,979 | 705 | 35.6 | |||||||||
| Other rent and landing fees | 2,730 | 2,619 | 111 | 4.2 | |||||||||
| Aircraft rent | 1,395 | 1,425 | (30) | (2.1) | |||||||||
| Selling expenses | 1,815 | 1,098 | 717 | 65.3 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,977 | 2,019 | (42) | (2.1) | |||||||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 193 | (4,006) | 4,199 | nm | |||||||||
| Other | 5,422 | 3,994 | 1,428 | 35.8 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 47,364 | $ | 30,941 | $ | 16,423 | 53.1 |
Total operating expenses increased $16.4 billion, or 53.1%, in 2022 from 2021 driven by higher aircraft fuel and related taxes and other expenses as a result of an increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel and increased capacity. In 2021, total operating expenses also included $4.5 billion of net operating special credits principally related to PSP Financial Assistance. See further discussion of operating special items, net below.
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Aircraft fuel and related taxes increased $7.0 billion in 2022 from 2021 primarily driven by a 73.0% increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel including related taxes to $3.54 in 2022 from $2.04 in 2021 and a 17.4% increase in gallons of fuel consumed due to increased capacity.
Salaries, wages and benefits increased $1.2 billion, or 9.8%, in 2022 from 2021 primarily due to an increase in average mainline full-time equivalent employees in 2022 as compared to 2021.
Regional expenses increased $1.2 billion, or 36.9%, in 2022 from 2021 primarily due to pay rate increases and retention bonuses offered at our wholly-owned regional carriers, as well as contractual rate increases with our third-party regional carriers. The 2021 period also included the recognition of $539 million of PSP Financial Assistance as a regional operating special credit. See further discussion of operating special items, net below.
Maintenance, materials and repairs increased $705 million, or 35.6%, in 2022 from 2021 primarily due to increased capacity and an increase in the volume of engine overhauls where expense is incurred as maintenance is performed.
Selling expenses increased $717 million, or 65.3%, in 2022 from 2021 primarily due to higher credit card fees and commission expense driven by the overall increase in passenger revenues.
Other operating expenses increased $1.4 billion, or 35.8%, in 2022 from 2021 primarily as a result of increased aircraft food and catering, crew travel, passenger accommodation and ground and cargo handling expenses driven by the increase in flight operations as well as certain general and administrative expenses.
Operating Special Items, Net
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| (In millions) | ||||||
| Fleet impairment (1) | $ | 149 | $ | — | ||
| Litigation reserve adjustments | 37 | (19) | ||||
| PSP Financial Assistance (2) | — | (4,162) | ||||
| Severance expenses (3) | — | 168 | ||||
| Mark-to-market adjustments on bankruptcy obligations, net | — | (3) | ||||
| Other operating special items, net | 7 | 10 | ||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 193 | (4,006) | ||||
| PSP Financial Assistance (2) | — | (539) | ||||
| Regional pilot retention program (4) | — | 61 | ||||
| Fleet impairment (1) | — | 27 | ||||
| Severance expenses (3) | — | 2 | ||||
| Other operating special items, net | 5 | — | ||||
| Regional operating special items, net | 5 | (449) | ||||
| Operating special items, net | $ | 198 | $ | (4,455) |
(1)Fleet impairment for 2022 included a non-cash impairment charge to write down the carrying value of our retired Airbus A330 fleet to the estimated fair value due to the market conditions for certain used aircraft. We retired our Airbus A330 fleet in 2020 as a result of the decline in demand for air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fleet impairment for 2021 included a non-cash impairment charge to write down regional aircraft resulting from the retirement of the remaining Embraer 140 fleet earlier than planned.
(2)The PSP Financial Assistance represents recognition of a portion of the financial assistance received from Treasury pursuant to the payroll support programs established by the U.S. Government. See Note 1(b) to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for further information.
(3)Severance expenses include salary and medical costs primarily associated with certain team members who opted into voluntary early retirement programs offered as a result of reductions to our operation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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(4)Our regional pilot retention program provides for, among other things, a cash retention bonus paid in the fourth quarter of 2021 to eligible captains at our wholly-owned regional carriers included on the pilot seniority list as of September 1, 2021.
Nonoperating Results
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 216 | $ | 18 | $ | 198 | nm | ||||||
| Interest expense, net | (1,962) | (1,800) | (162) | 9.0 | |||||||||
| Other income, net | 325 | 293 | 32 | 10.9 | |||||||||
| Total nonoperating expense, net | $ | (1,421) | $ | (1,489) | $ | 68 | (4.6) |
Interest income increased in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily as a result of higher returns on our short-term investments. Interest expense, net increased in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to the impact of the AAdvantage Financing issued at the end of the first quarter of 2021 and higher interest expense on our variable-rate debt instruments as a result of increased interest rates, offset in part by debt repayments.
In 2022, other nonoperating income, net primarily included $424 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income, offset in part by $74 million of net special charges principally for mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments.
In 2021, other nonoperating income, net included $337 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income, offset in part by $60 million of net special charges principally for mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments and non-cash charges associated with debt refinancings and extinguishments.
Income Taxes
In 2022, we recorded an income tax provision of $59 million with an effective rate of approximately 32%, which was substantially non-cash. Substantially all of our income before income taxes is attributable to the United States. At December 31, 2022, we had approximately $16.2 billion of gross federal NOLs and $4.3 billion of other carryforwards available to reduce future federal taxable income, of which $5.9 billion will expire beginning in 2024 if unused and $14.6 billion can be carried forward indefinitely. We also had approximately $6.0 billion of NOL carryforwards to reduce future state taxable income at December 31, 2022, which will expire in taxable years 2022 through 2042 if unused.
In 2021, we recorded an income tax benefit of $555 million at an effective rate of approximately 22%, which was substantially non-cash.
See Note 6 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for additional information on income taxes.
American’s Results of Operations
For a comparison of the 2021 to 2020 reporting periods, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – “American’s Results of Operations” of American’s 2021 Form 10-K.
Operating Revenues
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Passenger | $ | 44,568 | $ | 26,063 | $ | 18,505 | 71.0 | ||||||
| Cargo | 1,233 | 1,314 | (81) | (6.2) | |||||||||
| Other | 3,164 | 2,503 | 661 | 26.4 | |||||||||
| Total operating revenues | $ | 48,965 | $ | 29,880 | $ | 19,085 | 63.9 |
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Passenger revenue increased $18.5 billion, or 71.0%, in 2022 from 2021 primarily due to an increase in RPMs, driven by the continued strength in demand for air travel domestically and in the Atlantic and Latin America regions, resulting in an increase in passenger load factor in 2022, and an increase in passenger yield.
Cargo revenue decreased $81 million, or 6.2%, in 2022 from 2021 primarily due to a decrease in cargo ton miles driven by the discontinuation of American’s cargo-only flying and lower demand.
Other operating revenue increased $661 million, or 26.4%, in 2022 from 2021 driven primarily by higher revenue associated with American’s loyalty program. During 2022 and 2021, cash payments from co-branded credit card and other partners were $4.5 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively.
Total operating revenues in 2022 increased $19.1 billion, or 63.9%, from 2021 driven principally by the increase in passenger revenue as described above.
Operating Expenses
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Aircraft fuel and related taxes | $ | 13,791 | $ | 6,792 | $ | 6,999 | nm | ||||||
| Salaries, wages and benefits | 12,965 | 11,811 | 1,154 | 9.8 | |||||||||
| Regional expenses | 4,345 | 3,111 | 1,234 | 39.7 | |||||||||
| Maintenance, materials and repairs | 2,684 | 1,979 | 705 | 35.6 | |||||||||
| Other rent and landing fees | 2,730 | 2,619 | 111 | 4.2 | |||||||||
| Aircraft rent | 1,395 | 1,425 | (30) | (2.1) | |||||||||
| Selling expenses | 1,815 | 1,098 | 717 | 65.3 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,969 | 2,019 | (50) | (2.4) | |||||||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 193 | (4,006) | 4,199 | nm | |||||||||
| Other | 5,425 | 3,993 | 1,432 | 35.8 | |||||||||
| Total operating expenses | $ | 47,312 | $ | 30,841 | $ | 16,471 | 53.4 |
Total operating expenses increased $16.5 billion, or 53.4%, in 2022 from 2021 driven by higher aircraft fuel and related taxes and other expenses as a result of an increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel and increased capacity. In 2021, total operating expenses also included $4.5 billion of net operating special credits principally related to PSP Financial Assistance. See further discussion of operating special items, net below.
Aircraft fuel and related taxes increased $7.0 billion in 2022 from 2021 primarily driven by a 73.0% increase in the average price per gallon of aircraft fuel including related taxes to $3.54 in 2022 from $2.04 in 2021 and a 17.4% increase in gallons of fuel consumed due to increased capacity.
Salaries, wages and benefits increased $1.2 billion, or 9.8%, in 2022 from 2021 primarily due to an increase in average mainline full-time equivalent employees in 2022 as compared to 2021.
Regional expenses increased $1.2 billion, or 39.7%, in 2022 from 2021 primarily due to contractual rate increases with American's third-party regional carriers. The 2021 period also included the recognition of $539 million of PSP Financial Assistance as a regional operating special credit. See further discussion of operating special items, net below.
Maintenance, materials and repairs increased $705 million, or 35.6%, in 2022 from 2021 primarily due to increased capacity and an increase in the volume of engine overhauls where expense is incurred as maintenance is performed.
Selling expenses increased $717 million, or 65.3%, in 2022 from 2021 primarily due to higher credit card fees and commission expense driven by the overall increase in passenger revenues.
Other operating expenses increased $1.4 billion, or 35.8%, in 2022 from 2021 primarily as a result of increased aircraft food and catering, crew travel, passenger accommodation and ground and cargo handling expenses driven by the increase in flight operations as well as certain general and administrative expenses.
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Operating Special Items, Net
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| (In millions) | ||||||
| Fleet impairment (1) | $ | 149 | $ | — | ||
| Litigation reserve adjustments | 37 | (19) | ||||
| PSP Financial Assistance (2) | — | (4,162) | ||||
| Severance expenses (3) | — | 168 | ||||
| Mark-to-market adjustments on bankruptcy obligations, net | — | (3) | ||||
| Other operating special items, net | 7 | 10 | ||||
| Mainline operating special items, net | 193 | (4,006) | ||||
| PSP Financial Assistance (2) | — | (539) | ||||
| Fleet impairment (1) | — | 27 | ||||
| Regional operating special items, net | — | (512) | ||||
| Operating special items, net | $ | 193 | $ | (4,518) |
(1)Fleet impairment for 2022 included a non-cash impairment charge to write down the carrying value of American’s retired Airbus A330 fleet to the estimated fair value due to the market conditions for certain used aircraft. American retired its Airbus A330 fleet in 2020 as a result of the decline in demand for air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fleet impairment for 2021 included a non-cash impairment charge to write down regional aircraft resulting from the retirement of the remaining Embraer 140 fleet earlier than planned.
(2)The PSP Financial Assistance represents recognition of a portion of the financial assistance received from Treasury pursuant to the payroll support programs established by the U.S. Government. See Note 1(b) to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for further information.
(3)Severance expenses include salary and medical costs primarily associated with certain team members who opted into voluntary early retirement programs offered as a result of reductions to American's operation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nonoperating Results
| Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) | Percent Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
| (In millions, except percentage changes) | |||||||||||||
| Interest income | $ | 349 | $ | 34 | $ | 315 | nm | ||||||
| Interest expense, net | (1,872) | (1,642) | (230) | 14.0 | |||||||||
| Other income, net | 324 | 292 | 32 | 11.3 | |||||||||
| Total nonoperating expense, net | $ | (1,199) | $ | (1,316) | $ | 117 | (8.9) |
Interest income increased in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily as a result of higher returns on American’s short-term investments and related party receivables from AAG. Interest expense, net increased in 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to the impact of the AAdvantage Financing issued at the end of the first quarter of 2021 and higher interest expense on American’s variable-rate debt instruments as a result of increased interest rates, offset in part by debt repayments.
In 2022, other nonoperating income, net primarily included $423 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income, offset in part by $72 million of net special charges principally for mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments.
In 2021, other nonoperating income, net included $335 million of non-service related pension and other postretirement benefit plan income, offset in part by $60 million of net special charges principally for mark-to-market net unrealized losses associated with certain equity investments and non-cash charges associated with debt refinancings and extinguishments.
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Income Taxes
American is a member of AAG’s consolidated federal and certain state income tax returns.
In 2022, American recorded an income tax provision of $116 million with an effective rate of approximately 26%, which was substantially non-cash. Substantially all of American’s income before income taxes is attributable to the United States. At December 31, 2022, American had approximately $16.1 billion of gross federal NOLs and $3.5 billion of other carryforwards available to reduce future federal taxable income, of which $6.2 billion will expire beginning in 2024 if unused and $13.4 billion can be carried forward indefinitely. American also had approximately $5.9 billion of NOL carryforwards to reduce future state taxable income at December 31, 2022, which will expire in taxable years 2022 through 2042 if unused.
In 2021, American recorded an income tax benefit of $500 million at an effective rate of approximately 22%, which was substantially non-cash.
See Note 5 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for additional information on income taxes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
At December 31, 2022, AAG had $12.0 billion in total available liquidity and $995 million in restricted cash and short-term investments. Additional detail regarding our available liquidity is provided in the table below (in millions):
| AAG | American | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 440 | $ | 273 | $ | 429 | $ | 265 | ||||||
| Short-term investments | 8,525 | 12,158 | 8,523 | 12,155 | ||||||||||
| Undrawn facilities | 3,033 | 3,411 | 3,033 | 3,411 | ||||||||||
| Total available liquidity | $ | 11,998 | $ | 15,842 | $ | 11,985 | $ | 15,831 |
In the ordinary course of our business, we or our affiliates may, at any time and from time to time, seek to prepay, retire or repurchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for equity or debt, in open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, prepayments, retirements or exchanges, if any, will be conducted on such terms and at such prices as we may determine, and will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, legal and contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. For further information regarding our debt repurchases for the year ended 2022, see Note 4 to AAG's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A.
Certain Covenants
Our debt agreements contain customary terms and conditions as well as various affirmative, negative and financial covenants that, among other things, may restrict the ability of us and our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends or repurchase stock. Our debt agreements also contain customary change of control provisions, which may require us to repay or redeem such indebtedness upon certain events constituting a change of control under the relevant agreement, in certain cases at a premium. Certain of our debt financing agreements (including our secured notes, term loans, revolving credit facilities and spare engine EETCs) contain loan to value (LTV), collateral coverage or peak debt service coverage ratio covenants and certain agreements require us to appraise the related collateral annually or semiannually. Pursuant to such agreements, if the applicable LTV, collateral coverage or peak debt service coverage ratio exceeds or falls below a specified threshold, as the case may be, we will be required, as applicable, to pledge additional qualifying collateral (which in some cases may include cash or investment securities), withhold additional cash in certain accounts, or pay down such financing, in whole or in part, or the interest rate for the relevant financing will be increased. As of the most recent applicable measurement dates, we were in compliance with each of the foregoing LTV, collateral coverage and peak debt service coverage tests. Additionally, a significant portion of our debt financing agreements contain covenants requiring us to maintain an aggregate of at least $2.0 billion of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and amounts available to be drawn under revolving credit facilities, and our AAdvantage Financing contains a peak debt service coverage ratio, pursuant to which failure to comply with a certain threshold may result in early repayment, in whole or in part, of the AAdvantage Financing. For further information regarding our debt covenants, see Note 4 to AAG’s
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Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 3 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B.
Sources and Uses of Cash
For a comparison of the 2021 and 2020 reporting periods, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – “Sources and Uses of Cash” of our 2021 Form 10-K.
AAG
Operating Activities
Our net cash provided by operating activities was $2.2 billion and $704 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, a $1.5 billion year-over-year increase. In 2021, we received cash proceeds of approximately $4.7 billion associated with the PSP Financial Assistance. Excluding the PSP Financial Assistance, our operating cash flows increased $6.2 billion compared to 2021 primarily due to a return to profitability.
Investing Activities
Our net cash provided by investing activities was $636 million in 2022 as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $6.0 billion in 2021.
Our principal investing activities in 2022 included $3.7 billion in net sales of short-term investments. These cash inflows were offset in part by $2.5 billion of capital expenditures, which primarily related to the purchase of 24 Airbus A321neo aircraft and 12 spare engines, and $321 million of equity investments, principally related to GOL. Additionally, we incurred $360 million related to airport construction projects, net of reimbursements, principally in connection with the renovation and expansion of Terminal 8 at JFK and the modernization of Terminals 4 and 5 at LAX.
Our principal investing activities in 2021 included $5.5 billion in net purchases of short-term investments as well as a $401 million increase in restricted short-term investments primarily related to collateral associated with the AAdvantage Financing and collateral held to support workers’ compensation obligations. We had capital expenditures of $208 million, net of aircraft purchase deposit returns of $996 million, which expenditures principally related to the harmonization of interior configurations across the mainline fleet and the purchase of two Airbus A321neo aircraft. Additionally, we incurred $204 million related to airport construction projects, net of reimbursements, principally in connection with the renovation and expansion of Terminal 8 at JFK and the modernization of Terminals 4 and 5 at LAX. These cash outflows were offset in part by $193 million of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment principally related to the disposition of retired aircraft and $181 million of proceeds primarily from aircraft sale-leaseback transactions.
Financing Activities
Our net cash used in financing activities was $2.6 billion in 2022 as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $5.3 billion in 2021.
Our principal financing activities in 2022 included $3.8 billion in repayments of debt and finance lease obligations, consisting of $2.2 billion of scheduled debt repayments including the repayment of $401 million in connection with the maturity of our 5.000% unsecured notes, the $1.2 billion prepayment of the December 2016 Term Loan Facility and the repurchase of $349 million of unsecured notes in the open market. These cash outflows were offset in part by $1.1 billion of long-term debt proceeds, consisting of $866 million from the issuance of equipment notes related to the 2021-1 Aircraft EETCs and $205 million in connection with the financing of certain aircraft.
Our principal financing activities in 2021 included $12.2 billion in proceeds from the issuance of debt, including approximately $10.0 billion associated with the AAdvantage Financing, $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount under the PSP2 Promissory Note, $946 million in aggregate principal amount under the PSP3 Promissory Note and the $150 million issuance of special facility revenue bonds related to JFK. We also received $460 million in net proceeds from the issuance of equity pursuant to an at-the-market offering. These cash inflows were offset in part by $7.3 billion in debt repayments, including prepayments totaling $2.8 billion for our revolving credit facilities, $950 million for the April 2016 Spare Parts Term Loan Facility and $550 million of outstanding loans under the Treasury Loan Agreement as well as $2.9 billion in scheduled debt repayments. In addition, we had $209 million of deferred financing cost cash outflows.
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American
Operating Activities
American’s net cash provided by operating activities was $1.3 billion and $3.2 billion in 2022 and 2021, respectively, a $1.9 billion year-over-year decrease. American had a $2.9 billion net decrease year-over-year in intercompany cash receipts principally from AAG's financing transactions. Additionally, in 2021, American received cash proceeds of approximately $4.2 billion associated with the PSP Financial Assistance. Excluding the PSP Financial Assistance and the net decrease in AAG's financing transactions, American's operating cash flows increased $5.2 billion compared to 2021 primarily due to a return to profitability.
Investing Activities
American’s net cash provided by investing activities was $693 million in 2022 as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $5.9 billion in 2021.
American’s principal investing activities in 2022 included $3.7 billion in net sales of short-term investments. These cash inflows were offset in part by $2.5 billion of capital expenditures, which primarily related to the purchase of 24 Airbus A321neo aircraft and 12 spare engines, and $321 million of equity investments, principally related to GOL. Additionally, American incurred $360 million related to airport construction projects, net of reimbursements, principally in connection with the renovation and expansion of Terminal 8 at JFK and the modernization of Terminals 4 and 5 at LAX.
American’s principal investing activities in 2021 included $5.5 billion in net purchases of short-term investments as well as a $401 million increase in restricted short-term investments primarily related to collateral associated with the AAdvantage Financing and collateral held to support workers’ compensation obligations. American had capital expenditures of $169 million, net of aircraft purchase deposit returns of $996 million, which expenditures principally related to the harmonization of interior configurations across the mainline fleet and the purchase of two Airbus A321neo aircraft. Additionally, American incurred $204 million related to airport construction projects, net of reimbursements, principally in connection with the renovation and expansion of Terminal 8 at JFK and the modernization of Terminals 4 and 5 at LAX. These cash outflows were offset in part by $192 million of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment principally related to American's disposition of retired aircraft and $181 million of proceeds primarily from aircraft sale-leaseback transactions.
Financing Activities
American’s net cash used in financing activities was $1.8 billion in 2022 as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $2.8 billion in 2021.
American’s principal financing activities in 2022 included $3.0 billion in repayments of debt and finance lease obligations, consisting of $1.8 billion of scheduled debt repayments and the $1.2 billion prepayment of the December 2016 Term Loan Facility. These cash outflows were offset in part by $1.1 billion of long-term debt proceeds, consisting of $866 million from the issuance of equipment notes related to the 2021-1 Aircraft EETCs and $205 million in connection with the financing of certain aircraft.
American’s principal financing activities in 2021 included $10.2 billion in proceeds from the issuance of debt, including approximately $10.0 billion associated with the AAdvantage Financing and the $150 million issuance of special facility revenue bonds related to JFK. These cash inflows were offset in part by $7.3 billion in debt repayments, including prepayments totaling $2.8 billion for American’s revolving credit facilities, $950 million for the April 2016 Spare Parts Term Loan Facility and $550 million of outstanding loans under the Treasury Loan Agreement and $2.9 billion in scheduled debt repayments. In addition, American had $207 million of deferred financing cost cash outflows.
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Commitments
For further information regarding our commitments, see the Notes to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and the Notes to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B at the referenced footnotes below.
| AAG | American | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt | Note 4 | Note 3 | |
| Leases | Note 5 | Note 4 | |
| Employee Benefit Plans | Note 9 | Note 8 | |
| Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees | Note 11 | Note 10 |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
An off-balance sheet arrangement is any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement involving an unconsolidated entity under which a company has (1) made guarantees, (2) a retained or a contingent interest in transferred assets, (3) an obligation under derivative instruments classified as equity or (4) any obligation arising out of a material variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to us, or that engages in leasing, hedging or research and development arrangements with us.
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements of the types described in the first three categories above that we believe may have a material current or future effect on financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.
Pass-Through Trusts
American currently has 352 owned aircraft and 60 owned spare aircraft engines, which in each case were financed with EETCs issued by pass-through trusts. These trusts are off-balance sheet entities, the primary purpose of which is to finance the acquisition of flight equipment or to permit issuance of debt backed by existing flight equipment. In the case of aircraft EETCs, rather than finance each aircraft separately when such aircraft is purchased, delivered or refinanced, these trusts allow American to raise the financing for a number of aircraft at one time and, if applicable, place such funds in escrow pending a future purchase, delivery or refinancing of the relevant aircraft. Similarly, in the case of the spare engine EETCs, the trusts allow American to use its existing pool of spare engines to raise financing under a single facility. The trusts have also been structured to provide for certain credit enhancements, such as liquidity facilities to cover certain interest payments, that reduce the risks to the purchasers of the trust certificates and, as a result, reduce the cost of aircraft financing to American.
Each trust covers a set number of aircraft or spare engines scheduled to be delivered, financed or refinanced upon the issuance of the EETC or within a specific period of time thereafter. At the time of each covered aircraft or spare engine financing, the relevant trust used the proceeds of the issuance of the EETC (which may have been available at the time of issuance thereof or held in escrow until financing of the applicable aircraft following its delivery) to purchase equipment notes relating to the financed aircraft or engines. The equipment notes are issued, at American’s election, in connection with a mortgage financing of the aircraft or spare engines. The equipment notes are secured by a security interest in the aircraft or engines, as applicable. The pass-through trust certificates are not direct obligations of, nor are they guaranteed by, AAG or American. However, the equipment notes issued to the trusts are direct obligations of American and, in certain instances, have been guaranteed by AAG. As of December 31, 2022, $9.2 billion associated with these mortgage financings is reflected as debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Letters of Credit and Other
We provide financial assurance, such as letters of credit and surety bonds, primarily to support airport commitments. As of December 31, 2022, we had $218 million of letters of credit and surety bonds securing various obligations, of which $100 million is collateralized with our restricted cash. The letters of credit and surety bonds that are subject to expiration will expire on various dates through 2026.
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Contractual Obligations
The following table provides details of our estimated material cash requirements from contractual obligations as of December 31, 2022 (in millions). The table does not include commitments that are contingent on events or other factors that are uncertain or unknown at this time and is subject to other conventions as set forth in the applicable accompanying footnotes.
| Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 and Thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| American (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount (b), (d) (See Note 3) | $ | 3,059 | $ | 3,535 | $ | 7,817 | $ | 4,480 | $ | 4,515 | $ | 6,637 | $ | 30,043 | ||||||||||||
| Interest obligations (c), (d) | 1,900 | 1,649 | 1,317 | 710 | 427 | 524 | 6,527 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease obligations (See Note 4) | 257 | 204 | 141 | 115 | 69 | 87 | 873 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft and engine purchase commitments (e) (See Note 10(a)) | 1,485 | 2,678 | 3,896 | 3,214 | 988 | 65 | 12,326 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease commitments (See Note 4) | 1,964 | 1,718 | 1,418 | 1,151 | 964 | 4,529 | 11,744 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Regional capacity purchase agreements (f) (See Note 10(b)) | 1,791 | 1,950 | 1,866 | 1,298 | 944 | 1,399 | 9,248 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum pension obligations (g) (See Note 8) | 67 | 301 | 328 | 385 | 305 | 603 | 1,989 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Retiree medical and other postretirement benefits (See Note 8) | 87 | 85 | 81 | 82 | 81 | 350 | 766 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other purchase obligations (h) (See Note 10(a)) | 5,678 | 3,041 | 1,668 | 231 | 126 | 941 | 11,685 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total American Contractual Obligations | $ | 16,288 | $ | 15,161 | $ | 18,532 | $ | 11,666 | $ | 8,419 | $ | 15,135 | $ | 85,201 | ||||||||||||
| AAG Parent and Other AAG Subsidiaries (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount (b) (See Note 4) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,500 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,746 | $ | 5,246 | ||||||||||||
| Interest obligations (c) | 121 | 121 | 144 | 155 | 189 | 575 | 1,305 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease obligations (See Note 5) | 8 | 10 | — | — | — | — | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease commitments (See Note 5) | 22 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 29 | 89 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum pension obligations (g) (See Note 9) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total AAG Contractual Obligations | $ | 16,441 | $ | 15,308 | $ | 20,189 | $ | 11,832 | $ | 8,614 | $ | 19,493 | $ | 91,877 |
(a)For additional information, see the Notes to AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Items 8A and 8B, respectively, referenced in the table above.
(b)Amounts represent contractual amounts due. Excludes $364 million and $22 million of unamortized debt discount, premium and issuance costs as of December 31, 2022 for American and AAG Parent, respectively.
(c)For variable-rate debt, future interest obligations are estimated using the current forward rates at December 31, 2022.
(d)Includes $9.2 billion of future principal payments and $1.4 billion of future interest payments as of December 31, 2022, related to EETCs associated with mortgage financings of certain aircraft and spare engines.
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(e)See Part I, Item 2. Properties – “Aircraft and Engine Purchase Commitments” for additional information about the firm commitment aircraft delivery schedule, in particular the footnote to the table thereunder as to potential changes to such delivery schedule. Due to uncertainty surrounding the timing of delivery of certain aircraft, the amounts in the table represent our most current estimate based on contractual delivery schedules adjusted for updates and revisions to such schedules communicated to management by the applicable equipment manufacturer. However, the actual delivery schedule may differ, potentially materially, based on various potential factors including production delays by the manufacturer and regulatory concerns. Additionally, the amounts in the table exclude four Boeing 787-8 aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2023 and five Boeing 787-9 aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2024, for which we have obtained committed lease financing. This financing is reflected in the operating lease commitments line above.
(f)Represents minimum payments under capacity purchase agreements with third-party regional carriers. These commitments are estimates of costs based on assumed minimum levels of flying under the capacity purchase agreements and American’s actual payments could differ materially. Rental payments under operating leases for certain aircraft flown under these capacity purchase agreements are reflected in the operating lease commitments line above.
(g)Represents minimum pension contributions based on actuarially determined estimates as of December 31, 2022 and is based on estimated payments through 2032. In January 2023, we made $67 million of required pension contributions.
(h)Includes purchase commitments for aircraft fuel, flight equipment maintenance, information technology support and construction projects and excludes obligations under certain fuel offtake agreements or other agreements for which the timing of the related expenditure is uncertain, or which are subject to material contingencies, such as the construction of a production facility.
Capital Raising Activity and Other Possible Actions
In light of our significant financial commitments related to, among other things, the servicing and amortization of existing debt and equipment leasing arrangements and new flight equipment, we and our subsidiaries will regularly consider, and enter into negotiations related to, capital raising and liability management activity, which may include the entry into leasing transactions and future issuances of, and transactions designed to manage the timing and amount of, secured or unsecured debt obligations or additional equity or equity-linked securities in public or private offerings or otherwise. The cash available from operations (if any) and these sources, however, may not be sufficient to cover our cash obligations because economic factors may reduce the amount of cash generated by operations or increase costs. For instance, an economic downturn or general global instability caused by military actions, terrorism, disease outbreaks (such as occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic), natural disasters or other causes could reduce the demand for air travel, which would reduce the amount of cash generated by operations. See Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors – “Downturns in economic conditions could adversely affect our business.” for additional discussion. An increase in costs, either due to an increase in borrowing costs caused by a reduction in credit ratings or a general increase in interest rates, or due to an increase in the cost of fuel, maintenance, aircraft, aircraft engines or parts, could decrease the amount of cash available to cover cash contractual obligations. Moreover, certain of our financing arrangements contain significant minimum cash balance or similar liquidity requirements. As a result, we cannot use all of our available cash to fund operations, capital expenditures and cash obligations without violating these requirements. See Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 3 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for information regarding our financing arrangements.
In the past, we have from time to time refinanced, redeemed or repurchased our debt and taken other steps to reduce or otherwise manage the aggregate amount and cost of our debt, lease and other obligations or otherwise improve our balance sheet. Going forward, depending on market conditions, our cash position and other considerations, we may continue to take such actions.
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OTHER INFORMATION
Basis of Presentation
See Note 1 to each of AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Items 8A and 8B, respectively, for information regarding the basis of presentation.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. We believe our estimates and assumptions are reasonable; however, actual results could differ from those estimates. Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have identified the following critical accounting policies that impact the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. See the “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in Note 1 to each of AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and 8B, respectively, for additional discussion of the application of these estimates and other accounting policies.
Passenger Revenue
We recognize all revenues generated from transportation on American and our regional flights operated under the brand name American Eagle, including associated baggage fees and other inflight services, as passenger revenue when transportation is provided. Ticket and other related sales for transportation that has not yet been provided are initially deferred and recorded as air traffic liability on our consolidated balance sheets. The air traffic liability principally represents tickets sold for future travel on American and partner airlines.
The majority of tickets sold are nonrefundable. A small percentage of tickets, some of which are partially used tickets, expire unused. The estimate for tickets expected to expire unused is generally based on an analysis of our historical data. We have consistently applied this accounting method to estimate and recognize revenue from unused tickets at the date of travel. This estimate is periodically evaluated based on subsequent activity to validate its accuracy. Any adjustments resulting from periodic evaluations of the estimated air traffic liability are included in passenger revenue during the period in which the evaluations are completed. While the contract duration of passenger tickets is generally one year, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we extended the contract duration for certain tickets to September 30, 2022, principally those tickets which were issued in 2020 and 2021. Additionally, we extended the contract duration to December 31, 2022 for tickets to certain international destinations. Tickets issued in 2022 and thereafter are no longer subject to change fees which provides more flexibility for customers to change travel plans. Given this new flexibility offered to our customers, our estimate of revenue that will be recognized from the air traffic liability for future flown or unused tickets may be subject to variability and differ from historical experience.
Loyalty Revenue
We currently operate the loyalty program, AAdvantage. This program awards mileage credits to passengers who fly on American, any oneworld airline or other partner airlines, or by using the services of other program participants, such as our co-branded credit cards, and certain hotels and car rental companies. Mileage credits can be redeemed for travel on American and other participating partner airlines, as well as other non-air travel awards such as hotels and rental cars. For mileage credits earned by AAdvantage loyalty program members, we apply the deferred revenue method.
Mileage credits earned through travel
For mileage credits earned through travel, we apply a relative selling price approach whereby the total amount collected from each passenger ticket sale is allocated between the air transportation and the mileage credits earned. The portion of each passenger ticket sale attributable to mileage credits earned is initially deferred and then recognized in passenger revenue when mileage credits are redeemed and transportation is provided. The estimated selling price of mileage credits is determined using an equivalent ticket value approach, which uses historical data, including award redemption patterns by geographic region and class of service, as well as similar fares as those used to settle award redemptions. The estimated selling price of mileage credits is adjusted for an estimate of mileage credits that will not be redeemed using a statistical model based on historical redemption patterns to develop an estimate of the likelihood of future redemption. For the year ended December 31, 2022, a hypothetical 10% increase in the estimated selling price of mileage credits would have decreased revenues by approximately $105 million as a result of additional amounts deferred from passenger ticket sales to be recognized in future periods.
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Mileage credits sold to co-branded credit cards and other partners
We sell mileage credits to participating airline partners and non-airline business partners, including our co-branded credit card partners, under contracts with remaining terms generally from one to seven years as of December 31, 2022. Consideration received from the sale of mileage credits is variable and payment terms typically are within 30 days subsequent to the month of mileage sale. Sales of mileage credits to non-airline business partners are comprised of two components, transportation and marketing. We allocate the consideration received from these sales of mileage credits based on the relative selling price of each product or service delivered.
Our most significant mileage credit partner agreements are our co-branded credit card agreements with Citi and Barclaycard US. We identified two revenue elements in these co-branded credit card agreements: the transportation component and the marketing component.
The transportation component represents the estimated selling price of future travel awards and is determined using the same equivalent ticket value approach described above. The portion of each mileage credit sold attributable to transportation is initially deferred and then recognized in passenger revenue when mileage credits are redeemed and transportation is provided.
The marketing component includes the use of intellectual property, including the American brand and access to loyalty program member lists, which is the predominant element in these agreements, as well as advertising. We recognize the marketing component in other revenue in the period of the mileage credit sale following the sales-based royalty method.
For the portion of our outstanding mileage credits that we estimate will not be redeemed, we recognize the associated value proportionally as the remaining mileage credits are redeemed. Our estimates use a statistical model based on historical redemption patterns to develop an estimate of the likelihood of future redemption. For the year ended December 31, 2022, a hypothetical 10% increase in our estimate of mileage credits not expected to be redeemed would have increased revenues by approximately $100 million.
Pensions and Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
We recognize the funded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations) of our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans on the consolidated balance sheets with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits costs and liabilities are calculated using various actuarial assumptions and methodologies. We use certain assumptions including, but not limited to, the selection of the: (1) discount rate and (2) expected return on plan assets (as discussed below). These assumptions as of December 31 were:
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pension weighted average discount rate (1) | 5.6 | % | 3.0 | % | |
| Retiree medical and other postretirement benefits weighted average discount rate (1) | 5.7 | % | 2.8 | % | |
| Expected rate of return on plan assets (2) | 8.0 | % | 8.0 | % |
(1)When establishing our discount rate to measure our obligations, we match high quality corporate bonds available in the marketplace whose cash flows approximate our projected benefit disbursements. Lowering the discount rate by 50 basis points as of December 31, 2022 would increase our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits obligations by approximately $725 million and $30 million, respectively, and decrease estimated 2023 pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits expense by approximately $5 million and $1 million, respectively.
(2)The expected rate of return on plan assets is based upon an evaluation of our historical trends and experience, taking into account current and expected market conditions and our target asset allocation of 30% fixed income securities, 24% U.S. stocks, 22% private investments, 16% developed international stocks and 8% emerging market stocks. The expected rate of return on plan assets component of our net periodic benefit cost is calculated based on the fair value of plan assets and our target asset allocation. Lowering the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by 50 basis points as of December 31, 2022 would increase estimated 2023 pension expense and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits expense by approximately $60 million and $1 million, respectively.
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Annually, we review and revise certain economic and demographic assumptions including the pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits discount rates. The net effect of changing this assumption for the pension plans resulted in a decrease of $4.6 billion in the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2022. The net effect of changing this assumption for retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans resulted in a decrease of $183 million in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2022.
See Note 9 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 8 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for additional information regarding our employee benefit plans.
Income Taxes
Our ability to use our NOLs and other carryforwards depends on the amount of taxable income generated in future periods. We provide a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of our deferred tax assets, will not be realized. We consider all available positive and negative evidence and make certain assumptions in evaluating the realizability of our deferred tax assets. Many factors are considered that impact our assessment of future profitability, including conditions which are beyond our control, such as the health of the economy, the availability and price volatility of aircraft fuel and travel demand. We have determined that positive factors outweigh negative factors in the determination of the realizability of our deferred tax assets. There can be no assurance that an additional valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets will not be required. Such valuation allowance could be material.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2020-04: Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting and ASU 2022-06: Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848
ASU 2020-04 provides optional temporary guidance for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. Topic 848 is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022; however, because the intended cessation date of LIBOR was deferred to June 30, 2023, ASU 2022-06 was issued in December 2022 to extend the current relief in Topic 848 through December 31, 2024. We will adopt Topic 848 when our relevant contracts are modified upon transition to alternative reference rates and we do not expect the application of Topic 848 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000006201-22-000026.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
At December 31, 2021, AAG had $15.8 billion in total available liquidity and $990 million in restricted cash and short-term investments. Additional detail regarding our available liquidity is provided in the table below (in millions):
| AAG | American | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 273 | $ | 245 | $ | 265 | $ | 231 | ||||||
| Short-term investments | 12,158 | 6,619 | 12,155 | 6,617 | ||||||||||
| Undrawn facilities | 3,411 | 7,396 | 3,411 | 7,396 | ||||||||||
| Total available liquidity | $ | 15,842 | $ | 14,260 | $ | 15,831 | $ | 14,244 |
Given the actions we have taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and our assumptions about its future impact on travel demand, which could be materially different due to the inherent uncertainties of the current operating environment, we expect to meet our cash obligations as well as remain in compliance with the debt covenants in our existing financing agreements for the next 12 months based on our current level of unrestricted cash and short-term investments, our anticipated access to liquidity (including via proceeds from financings) and projected cash flows from operations.
In the ordinary course of our business, we or our affiliates may, at any time and from time to time, seek to prepay, retire or repurchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for equity or debt, in open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, prepayments, retirements or exchanges, if any, will be conducted on such terms and at such prices as we may determine, and will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
Certain Covenants
Certain of our debt financing agreements (including our secured notes, term loans, revolving credit facilities and spare engine EETCs) contain loan to value (LTV), collateral coverage or peak debt service coverage ratio covenants and certain agreements require us to appraise the related collateral annually or semiannually. Pursuant to such agreements, if the applicable LTV, collateral coverage or peak debt service coverage ratio exceeds or falls below a specified threshold, as the case may be, we will be required, as applicable, to pledge additional qualifying collateral (which in some cases may include cash or investment securities), withhold additional cash in certain accounts, or to pay down such financing, in whole or in part, or the interest rate for the relevant financing will be increased. As of the most recent applicable measurement dates, we were in compliance with each of the foregoing LTV, collateral coverage and peak debt service coverage tests. Additionally, a significant portion of our debt financing agreements contain covenants requiring us to maintain an aggregate of at least $2.0 billion of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and amounts available to be drawn under revolving credit facilities, and our AAdvantage Financing contains a peak debt service coverage ratio, pursuant to which failure to comply with a certain threshold may result in early repayment, in whole or in part, of the AAdvantage Financing. For further information regarding our debt covenants, see Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 3 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B.
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Sources and Uses of Cash
For a comparison of the 2020 and 2019 reporting periods, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – “Sources and Uses of Cash” of our 2020 Form 10-K.
AAG
Operating Activities
Our net cash provided by operating activities was $704 million in 2021 as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $6.5 billion in 2020, a $7.2 billion year-over-year increase. In 2021 and 2020, we received cash proceeds of approximately $4.7 billion and $4.2 billion associated with the PSP Financial Assistance, respectively. Excluding the PSP Financial Assistance, our operating cash flows increased $6.7 billion compared to 2020 driven by a decrease in our pre-tax loss as well as working capital increases principally in our air traffic liability as demand for travel returned. In addition, during 2021, we made $247 million in contributions to our pension plans and approximately $520 million in cash payments associated with our voluntary early retirement programs. Excluding the enhanced healthcare benefits provided to eligible team members, we estimate cash payments under these programs to be approximately $170 million in 2022 and approximately $20 million in 2023 and beyond.
Investing Activities
Our net cash used in investing activities was $6.0 billion and $4.3 billion in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Our principal investing activities in 2021 included $5.5 billion in net purchases of short-term investments as well as a $401 million increase in restricted short-term investments primarily related to collateral associated with the AAdvantage Financing and collateral held to support workers’ compensation obligations. We had capital expenditures of $208 million, net of aircraft purchase deposit returns of $996 million, which expenditures principally related to the harmonization of interior configurations across the mainline fleet and the purchase of two Airbus A321neo aircraft. Additionally, we incurred $204 million related to airport construction projects, net of reimbursements, principally in connection with the renovation and expansion of Terminal 8 at JFK and the modernization of Terminals 4 and 5 at LAX. These cash outflows were offset in part by $193 million of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment principally related to our retired aircraft fleet and $181 million of proceeds primarily from aircraft sale-leaseback transactions.
Our principal investing activities in 2020 included $3.1 billion in net purchases of short-term investments, capital expenditures of $2.0 billion for property and equipment, including 16 Airbus A321neo aircraft, eight Embraer 175 aircraft, three Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft and the harmonization of interior configurations across the mainline fleet as well as a $308 million increase in restricted short-term investments primarily related to cash proceeds from special facility revenue bonds related to JFK. These cash outflows were offset in part by $665 million of proceeds primarily from aircraft sale-leaseback transactions, $351 million of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment and $90 million of proceeds from a vendor.
Financing Activities
Our net cash provided by financing activities was $5.3 billion and $11.0 billion in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Our principal financing activities in 2021 included $12.2 billion in proceeds from the issuance of debt, including approximately $10.0 billion associated with the AAdvantage Financing, $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount under the PSP2 Promissory Note, $946 million in aggregate principal amount under the PSP3 Promissory Note and the $150 million issuance of special facility revenue bonds related to JFK. We also received $460 million in net proceeds from the issuance of equity pursuant to an at-the-market offering. These cash inflows were offset in part by $7.3 billion in debt repayments, including prepayments totaling $2.8 billion for our revolving credit facilities, $950 million for the April 2016 Spare Parts Term Loan Facility and $550 million of outstanding loans under the Treasury Loan Agreement and $2.9 billion in scheduled debt repayments. In addition, we had $209 million of deferred financing cost cash outflows.
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Our principal financing activities in 2020 included $11.8 billion in proceeds from the issuance of debt and $3.0 billion in proceeds from the issuance of equity. These proceeds principally include $2.8 billion borrowed under the 2014 Revolving Facility, the 2013 Revolving Facility and the April 2016 Revolving Facility, $2.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of 11.75% senior secured notes, $1.8 billion in aggregate principal amount under the PSP1 Promissory Note, $1.2 billion in aggregate principal amount of two series of 10.75% senior secured notes due 2026, $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of AAG’s 6.50% convertible senior notes, $1.0 billion under the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Facility, $600 million in connection with the issuance of equipment notes related to EETCs and the financing of certain aircraft, $550 million under the Treasury Term Loan Facility, $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.75% unsecured senior notes due 2025 and the $360 million issuance of special facility revenue bonds as well as $1.7 billion of net proceeds from two underwritten public offerings of common stock and $869 million of net proceeds from an at-the-market offering of common stock. These cash inflows were offset in part by $3.5 billion in debt repayments, consisting of approximately $2.5 billion in scheduled debt repayments, including repayment of $500 million of 4.625% senior notes, and the prepayment of the $1.0 billion Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Facility, as well as $216 million in share repurchases and dividend payments (which occurred in the first quarter of 2020).
American
Operating Activities
American’s net cash provided by operating activities was $3.2 billion in 2021 as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $1.4 billion in 2020, a $4.6 billion year-over-year increase. In 2021 and 2020, American received cash proceeds of approximately $4.2 billion and $3.7 billion associated with the PSP Financial Assistance, respectively. American also had a $2.3 billion net decrease in intercompany cash receipts principally from AAG's financing transactions. Excluding the PSP Financial Assistance and decrease in AAG's financing transactions, American's operating cash flows increased $6.4 billion compared to 2020 driven by a decrease in its pre-tax loss as well as working capital increases principally in American's air traffic liability as demand for travel returned. In addition, during 2021, American made $247 million in contributions to its pension plans and approximately $520 million in cash payments associated with American's voluntary early retirement programs. Excluding the enhanced healthcare benefits provided to eligible team members, American estimates cash payments under these programs to be approximately $170 million in 2022 and approximately $20 million in 2023 and beyond.
Investing Activities
American’s net cash used in investing activities was $5.9 billion and $4.3 billion in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
American’s principal investing activities in 2021 included $5.5 billion in net purchases of short-term investments as well as a $401 million increase in restricted short-term investments primarily related to collateral associated with the AAdvantage Financing and collateral held to support workers’ compensation obligations. American had capital expenditures of $169 million, net of aircraft purchase deposit returns of $996 million, which expenditures principally related to the harmonization of interior configurations across the mainline fleet and the purchase of two Airbus A321neo aircraft. Additionally, American incurred $204 million related to airport construction projects, net of reimbursements, principally in connection with the renovation and expansion of Terminal 8 at JFK and the modernization of Terminals 4 and 5 at LAX. These cash outflows were offset in part by $192 million of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment principally related to American's retired aircraft fleet and $181 million of proceeds primarily from aircraft sale-leaseback transactions.
American’s principal investing activities in 2020 included $3.1 billion in net purchases of short-term investments, capital expenditures of $1.9 billion for property and equipment, including 16 Airbus A321neo aircraft, eight Embraer 175 aircraft, three Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft and the harmonization of interior configurations across the mainline fleet as well as a $308 million increase in restricted short-term investments primarily related to cash proceeds from special facility revenue bonds related to JFK. These cash outflows were offset in part by $665 million of proceeds primarily from aircraft sale-leaseback transactions, $351 million of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment and $90 million of proceeds from a vendor.
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Financing Activities
American’s net cash provided by financing activities was $2.8 billion and $5.8 billion in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
American’s principal financing activities in 2021 included $10.2 billion in proceeds from the issuance of debt, including approximately $10.0 billion associated with the AAdvantage Financing and the $150 million issuance of special facility revenue bonds related to JFK. These cash inflows were offset in part by $7.3 billion in debt repayments, including prepayments totaling $2.8 billion for American’s revolving credit facilities, $950 million for the April 2016 Spare Parts Term Loan Facility and $550 million of outstanding loans under the Treasury Loan Agreement and $2.9 billion in scheduled debt repayments. In addition, American had $207 million of deferred financing cost cash outflows.
American’s principal financing activities in 2020 included $9.0 billion in proceeds from the issuance of debt, including $2.8 billion borrowed under the 2014 Revolving Facility, the 2013 Revolving Facility and the April 2016 Revolving Facility, $2.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of 11.75% senior secured notes, $1.2 billion in aggregate principal amount of two series of 10.75% senior secured notes due 2026, $1.0 billion under the Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Facility, $600 million in connection with the issuance of equipment notes related to EETCs and the financing of certain aircraft, $550 million under the Treasury Term Loan Facility and the $360 million issuance of special facility revenue bonds. These cash inflows were offset in part by $3.0 billion in debt repayments, consisting of approximately $2.0 billion in scheduled debt repayments and the prepayment of the $1.0 billion Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Facility.
Commitments
For further information regarding our commitments, see the Notes to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and the Notes to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B at the referenced footnotes below.
| AAG | American | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term debt and debt covenants | Note 4 | Note 3 | |
| Leases | Note 5 | Note 4 | |
| Employee benefit plans | Note 9 | Note 8 | |
| Commitments, contingencies and guarantees | Note 11 | Note 10 |
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
An off-balance sheet arrangement is any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement involving an unconsolidated entity under which a company has (1) made guarantees, (2) a retained or a contingent interest in transferred assets, (3) an obligation under derivative instruments classified as equity or (4) any obligation arising out of a material variable interest in an unconsolidated entity that provides financing, liquidity, market risk or credit risk support to us, or that engages in leasing, hedging or research and development arrangements with us.
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements of the types described in the first three categories above that we believe may have a material current or future effect on financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.
Pass-Through Trusts
American currently has 344 owned aircraft, 11 leased aircraft and 60 owned spare aircraft engines, which in each case were financed with EETCs issued by pass-through trusts. These trusts are off-balance sheet entities, the primary purpose of which is to finance the acquisition of flight equipment or to permit issuance of debt backed by existing flight equipment. In the case of aircraft EETCs, rather than finance each aircraft separately when such aircraft is purchased, delivered or refinanced, these trusts allow American to raise the financing for a number of aircraft at one time and, if applicable, place such funds in escrow pending a future purchase, delivery or refinancing of the relevant aircraft. Similarly, in the case of the spare engine EETCs, the trusts allow American to use its existing pool of spare engines to raise financing under a single facility. The trusts have also been structured to provide for certain credit enhancements, such as liquidity facilities to cover certain interest payments, that reduce the risks to the purchasers of the trust certificates and, as a result, reduce the cost of aircraft financing to American.
Each trust covers a set number of aircraft or spare engines scheduled to be delivered, financed or refinanced upon the issuance of the EETC or within a specific period of time thereafter. At the time of each covered aircraft or spare engine financing, the relevant trust used the proceeds of the issuance of the EETC (which may have been available at the time of issuance thereof or held in escrow until financing of the applicable aircraft following its delivery) to purchase equipment
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notes relating to the financed aircraft or engines. The equipment notes are issued, at American’s election, in connection with a mortgage financing of the aircraft or spare engines or, in certain cases, by a separate owner trust in connection with a leveraged lease financing of the aircraft. In the case of a leveraged lease financing, the owner trust then leases the aircraft to American. In both cases, the equipment notes are secured by a security interest in the aircraft or engines, as applicable. The pass-through trust certificates are not direct obligations of, nor are they guaranteed by, AAG or American. However, in the case of mortgage financings, the equipment notes issued to the trusts are direct obligations of American and, in certain instances, have been guaranteed by AAG. As of December 31, 2021, $9.4 billion associated with these mortgage financings is reflected as debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
With respect to leveraged leases, American evaluated whether the leases had characteristics of a variable interest entity. American concluded the leasing entities met the criteria for variable interest entities; however, American concluded it is not the primary beneficiary under these leasing arrangements and accounts for the majority of its EETC leveraged lease financings as operating leases. American’s total future payments to the trusts of each of the relevant EETCs under these leveraged lease financings are $20 million as of December 31, 2021, which are reflected in the operating lease obligations in Note 5 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 4 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B.
Letters of Credit and Other
We provide financial assurance, such as letters of credit, surety bonds or restricted cash and investments, primarily to support projected workers’ compensation obligations and airport commitments. As of December 31, 2021, we had $439 million of letters of credit and surety bonds securing various obligations, of which $94 million is collateralized with our restricted cash. The letters of credit and surety bonds that are subject to expiration will expire on various dates through 2025.
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Contractual Obligations
The following table provides details of our material cash requirements from known contractual obligations as of December 31, 2021 (in millions). Except to the extent set forth in the applicable accompanying footnotes, the table does not include commitments that are contingent on events or other factors that are uncertain or unknown at this time.
| Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 and Thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
| American (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount (b), (d) (See Note 3) | $ | 1,637 | $ | 4,167 | $ | 3,467 | $ | 7,749 | $ | 4,412 | $ | 10,353 | $ | 31,785 | ||||||||||||
| Interest obligations (c), (d) | 1,544 | 1,537 | 1,373 | 1,180 | 618 | 762 | 7,014 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Finance lease obligations (See Note 4) | 215 | 183 | 180 | 113 | 87 | 77 | 855 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft and engine purchase commitments (e) (See Note 10(a)) | 1,987 | 1,851 | 3,358 | 3,535 | 1,663 | 688 | 13,082 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease commitments (See Note 4) | 1,957 | 1,899 | 1,576 | 1,210 | 936 | 4,684 | 12,262 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Regional capacity purchase agreements (f) (See Note 10(b)) | 1,495 | 1,834 | 1,875 | 1,729 | 1,123 | 2,317 | 10,373 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum pension obligations (g) (See Note 8) | — | 31 | 23 | — | — | — | 54 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Retiree medical and other postretirement benefits (See Note 8) | 94 | 89 | 84 | 81 | 78 | 312 | 738 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other purchase obligations (h) (See Note 10(a)) | 4,364 | 1,758 | 1,416 | 154 | 610 | 942 | 9,244 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total American Contractual Obligations | $ | 13,293 | $ | 13,349 | $ | 13,352 | $ | 15,751 | $ | 9,527 | $ | 20,135 | $ | 85,407 | ||||||||||||
| AAG Parent and Other AAG Subsidiaries (a) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount (b) (See Note 4) | $ | 750 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1,500 | $ | — | $ | 3,746 | $ | 5,996 | ||||||||||||
| Interest obligations (c) | 140 | 121 | 121 | 133 | 125 | 649 | 1,289 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease commitments (See Note 5) | 16 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 14 | 68 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum pension obligations (g) (See Note 9) | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total AAG Contractual Obligations | $ | 14,199 | $ | 13,485 | $ | 13,485 | $ | 17,391 | $ | 9,657 | $ | 24,545 | $ | 92,762 |
(a)For additional information, see the Notes to AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Items 8A and 8B, respectively, referenced in the table above.
(b)Amounts represent contractual amounts due. Excludes $428 million and $30 million of unamortized debt discount, premium and issuance costs as of December 31, 2021 for American and AAG Parent, respectively.
(c)For variable-rate debt, future interest obligations are estimated using the current forward rates at December 31, 2021.
(d)Includes $9.4 billion of future principal payments and $1.5 billion of future interest payments as of December 31, 2021, related to EETCs associated with mortgage financings of certain aircraft and spare engines.
(e)See Part I, Item 2. Properties – “Aircraft and Engine Purchase Commitments” for additional information about the firm commitment aircraft delivery schedule, in particular the footnote to the table thereunder as to potential changes to such delivery schedule. Due to uncertainty surrounding the timing of delivery of certain aircraft, the amounts in the table represent our most current estimate; however, the actual delivery schedule may differ from the table above, potentially materially. Additionally, the amounts in the table exclude 10 and three Boeing 787-8 aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2022 and 2023, respectively, as well as four and one Boeing 787-9 aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2023 and 2024, respectively, in each case, for which we have obtained committed lease financing. This financing is reflected in the operating lease commitments line above.
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(f)Represents minimum payments under capacity purchase agreements with third-party regional carriers. These commitments are estimates of costs based on assumed minimum levels of flying under the capacity purchase agreements and our actual payments could differ materially. Rental payments under operating leases for certain aircraft flown under these capacity purchase agreements are reflected in the operating lease commitments line above.
(g)Represents minimum pension contributions based on actuarially determined estimates as of December 31, 2021 and is based on estimated payments through 2031. On March 11, 2021, the ARP was enacted, which included funding relief provisions benefiting single employer qualified retirement benefit pension plans such as those sponsored by American.
(h)Includes purchase commitments for aircraft fuel, flight equipment maintenance, construction projects and information technology support.
Capital Raising Activity and Other Possible Actions
In light of the cash needs imposed by the current operating losses due to reduced demand in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as our significant financial commitments related to, among other things, the servicing and amortization of existing debt and equipment leasing arrangements, new flight equipment and pension funding obligations, we and our subsidiaries will regularly consider, and enter into negotiations related to, capital raising and liability management activity, which may include the entry into leasing transactions and future issuances of, and transactions designed to manage the timing and amount of, secured or unsecured debt obligations or additional equity securities in public or private offerings or otherwise. The cash available from operations (if any) and these sources, however, may not be sufficient to cover our cash obligations because economic factors may reduce the amount of cash generated by operations or increase costs. For instance, an economic downturn or general global instability caused by military actions, terrorism, disease outbreaks (in particular the ongoing global outbreak of COVID-19), natural disasters or other causes could reduce the demand for air travel, which would reduce the amount of cash generated by operations. See Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors – "The outbreak and global spread of COVID-19 has resulted in a severe decline in demand for air travel which has adversely impacted our business, operating results, financial condition and liquidity. The duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and similar public health threats that we may face in the future, could result in additional adverse effects on our business, operating results, financial condition and liquidity" for additional discussion. An increase in costs, either due to an increase in borrowing costs caused by a reduction in credit ratings or a general increase in interest rates, or due to an increase in the cost of fuel, maintenance, aircraft, aircraft engines or parts, could decrease the amount of cash available to cover cash contractual obligations. Moreover, certain of our financing arrangements contain significant minimum cash balance or similar liquidity requirements. As a result, we cannot use all of our available cash to fund operations, capital expenditures and cash obligations without violating these requirements. See Note 4 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 3 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for information regarding our financing arrangements.
In the past, we have from time to time refinanced, redeemed or repurchased our debt and taken other steps to reduce or otherwise manage the aggregate amount and cost of our debt, lease and other obligations or otherwise improve our balance sheet. Going forward, depending on market conditions, our cash position and other considerations, we may continue to take such actions.
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OTHER INFORMATION
Basis of Presentation
See Note 1 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 1 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for information regarding the basis of presentation.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. We believe our estimates and assumptions are reasonable; however, actual results could differ from those estimates. Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have identified the following critical accounting policies that impact the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. See the “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” included in Note 1 to each of AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and 8B, respectively, for additional discussion of the application of these estimates and other accounting policies.
Passenger Revenue
We recognize all revenues generated from transportation on American and our regional flights operated under the brand name American Eagle, including associated baggage fees and other inflight services, as passenger revenue when transportation is provided. Ticket and other related sales for transportation that has not yet been provided are initially deferred and recorded as air traffic liability on our consolidated balance sheets. The air traffic liability principally represents tickets sold for future travel on American and partner airlines, as well as estimated future refunds and exchanges of tickets sold for past travel.
The majority of tickets sold are nonrefundable. A small percentage of tickets, some of which are partially used tickets, expire unused. Due to complex pricing structures, refund and exchange policies, and interline agreements with other airlines, certain amounts are recognized in passenger revenue using estimates regarding both the timing of the revenue recognition and the amount of revenue to be recognized. These estimates are generally based on the analysis of our historical data. We have consistently applied this accounting method to estimate revenue from unused tickets at the date of travel. Estimated future refunds and exchanges included in the air traffic liability are routinely evaluated based on subsequent activity to validate the accuracy of our estimates. Any adjustments resulting from periodic evaluations of the estimated air traffic liability are included in passenger revenue during the period in which the evaluations are completed. While the contract duration of passenger tickets is generally one year, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we extended the contract duration for certain tickets to March 31, 2022, principally those tickets which were scheduled to expire from March 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021. Additionally, tickets to certain international destinations have extended contract duration to December 31, 2022. We also have eliminated change fees for most domestic and international tickets providing more flexibility for customers to change travel plans. Given these changes and the uncertainty surrounding the future demand for air travel, our estimates of revenue that will be recognized from the air traffic liability for future flown or unused tickets as well as our estimates of refunds may be subject to variability and differ from historical experience.
Various taxes and fees assessed on the sale of tickets to end customers are collected by us as an agent and remitted to taxing authorities. These taxes and fees have been presented on a net basis in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and recorded as a liability until remitted to the appropriate taxing authority.
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Loyalty Revenue
We currently operate the loyalty program, AAdvantage. This program awards mileage credits to passengers who fly on American, any oneworld airline or other partner airlines, or by using the services of other program participants, such as our co-branded credit cards, and certain hotels and car rental companies. Mileage credits can be redeemed for travel on American and other participating partner airlines, as well as other non-air travel awards such as hotels and rental cars. For mileage credits earned by AAdvantage loyalty program members, we apply the deferred revenue method. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we suspended the expiration of mileage credits through March 31, 2022 and eliminated mileage reinstatement fees for canceled award tickets.
Mileage credits earned through travel
For mileage credits earned through travel, we apply a relative selling price approach whereby the total amount collected from each passenger ticket sale is allocated between the air transportation and the mileage credits earned. The portion of each passenger ticket sale attributable to mileage credits earned is initially deferred and then recognized in passenger revenue when mileage credits are redeemed and transportation is provided. The estimated selling price of mileage credits is determined using an equivalent ticket value approach, which uses historical data, including award redemption patterns by geographic region and class of service, as well as similar fares as those used to settle award redemptions. The estimated selling price of miles is adjusted for an estimate of mileage credits that will not be redeemed using a statistical model based on historical redemption patterns to develop an estimate of the likelihood of future redemption. Given the inherent uncertainty of the current operating environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to monitor redemption patterns and may adjust our estimates in the future. For the year ended December 31, 2021, a hypothetical 10% increase in the estimated selling price of miles would have decreased revenues by approximately $55 million as a result of additional amounts deferred from passenger ticket sales to be recognized in future periods.
Mileage credits sold to co-branded credit cards and other partners
We sell mileage credits to participating airline partners and non-airline business partners, including our co-branded credit card partners, under contracts with terms extending generally for one to five years. Consideration received from the sale of mileage credits is variable and payment terms typically are within 30 days subsequent to the month of mileage sale. Sales of mileage credits to non-airline business partners are comprised of two components, transportation and marketing. We allocate the consideration received from these sales of mileage credits based on the relative selling price of each product or service delivered.
Our most significant partner agreements are our co-branded credit card agreements with Citi and Barclaycard US. We identified the following revenue elements in these co-branded credit card agreements: the transportation component; and the use of intellectual property, including the American brand and access to loyalty program member lists, which is the predominant element in the agreements, as well as advertising (collectively, the marketing component). Accordingly, we recognize the marketing component in other revenue in the period of the mileage sale following the sales-based royalty method.
The transportation component represents the estimated selling price of future travel awards and is determined using the same equivalent ticket value approach described above. The portion of each mileage credit sold attributable to transportation is initially deferred and then recognized in passenger revenue when mileage credits are redeemed and transportation is provided.
For the portion of our outstanding mileage credits that we estimate will not be redeemed, we recognize the associated value proportionally as the remaining mileage credits are redeemed. Our estimates use a statistical model based on historical redemption patterns to develop an estimate of the likelihood of future redemption. For the year ended December 31, 2021, a hypothetical 10% increase in our estimate of miles not expected to be redeemed would have increased revenues by approximately $70 million.
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Pensions and Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
We recognize the funded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations) of our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans on the consolidated balance sheets with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits costs and liabilities are calculated using various actuarial assumptions and methodologies. We use certain assumptions including, but not limited to, the selection of the: (1) discount rate and (2) expected return on plan assets (as discussed below). These assumptions as of December 31 were:
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pension weighted average discount rate (1) | 3.0 | % | 2.7 | % | |
| Retiree medical and other postretirement benefits weighted average discount rate (1) | 2.8 | % | 2.4 | % | |
| Expected rate of return on plan assets (2) | 8.0 | % | 8.0 | % |
(1)When establishing our discount rate to measure our obligations, we match high quality corporate bonds available in the marketplace whose cash flows approximate our projected benefit disbursements. Lowering the discount rate by 50 basis points as of December 31, 2021 would increase our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits obligations by approximately $1.2 billion and $40 million, respectively, and decrease estimated 2022 pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits expense by approximately $10 million and $1 million, respectively.
(2)The expected rate of return on plan assets is based upon an evaluation of our historical trends and experience, taking into account current and expected market conditions and our target asset allocation of 30% fixed income securities, 24% U.S. stocks, 22% alternative (private) investments, 16% developed international stocks and 8% emerging market stocks. The expected rate of return on plan assets component of our net periodic benefit cost is calculated based on the fair value of plan assets and our target asset allocation. Lowering the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by 50 basis points as of December 31, 2021 would increase estimated 2022 pension expense and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits expense by approximately $70 million and $1 million, respectively.
During 2021, we reviewed and revised certain economic and demographic assumptions including the pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefits discount rates and health care cost trend rates. The net effect of changing these assumptions for the pension plans resulted in a decrease of $720 million in the projected benefit obligation at December 31, 2021. The net effect of changing these assumptions for retiree medical and other postretirement benefits plans resulted in a decrease of $32 million in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2021. We also revised our mortality assumptions to incorporate the new improvement scale issued by the Society of Actuaries. This resulted in an increase in our pension and retiree medical and other postretirement benefit obligations by $57 million and less than $1 million, respectively.
See Note 9 to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A and Note 8 to American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8B for additional information regarding our employee benefit plans.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded net as noncurrent deferred income taxes.
Our ability to use our NOLs and other carryforwards depends on the amount of taxable income generated in future periods. We provide a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all of our deferred tax assets, will not be realized. We consider all available positive and negative evidence and make certain assumptions in evaluating the realizability of our deferred tax assets. Many factors are considered that impact our assessment of future profitability, including conditions which are beyond our control, such as the health of the economy, the availability and price volatility of aircraft fuel and travel demand.
We presently have a $34 million valuation allowance on certain net deferred tax assets related to state NOL carryforwards. There can be no assurance that an additional valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets will not be required. Such valuation allowance could be material.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2020-06: Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts In An Entity's Own Equity (the New Convertible Debt Standard)
The New Convertible Debt Standard simplifies the accounting for certain convertible instruments by removing the separation models for convertible debt with a cash conversion feature and for convertible instruments with a beneficial conversion feature. As a result, more convertible debt instruments will be reported as a single liability instrument with no separate accounting for embedded conversion features. Additionally, the New Convertible Debt Standard amends the diluted earnings per share calculation for convertible instruments by requiring the use of the if-converted method. The treasury stock method is no longer available. Entities may adopt the New Convertible Debt Standard using either a full or modified retrospective approach, and it is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The New Convertible Debt Standard is applicable to our 6.50% convertible senior notes due 2025 (the Convertible Notes). We early adopted the New Convertible Debt Standard as of January 1, 2021 using the modified retrospective method to recognize the Convertible Notes as a single liability instrument. As of January 1, 2021, we recorded a $415 million ($320 million net of tax) reduction to additional paid-in capital to remove the equity component of the Convertible Notes from our consolidated balance sheet and a $19 million cumulative effect adjustment credit, net of tax, to retained deficit related to non-cash debt discount amortization recognized in periods prior to adoption resulting in a corresponding reduction of $389 million to the debt discount associated with the Convertible Notes. See Note 4(h) to AAG’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8A for additional information on the Convertible Notes.
ASU 2019-12: Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)
This standard simplifies the accounting and disclosure requirements for income taxes by clarifying the existing guidance to improve consistency in the application of Accounting Standards Codification 740. This standard also removed the requirement to calculate income tax expense for the stand-alone financial statements of wholly-owned subsidiaries that are not subject to income tax. We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2021, and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2021-10: Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance (Topic 832)
This standard provides guidance on the disclosure requirements for business entities receiving government assistance. Specifically, entities are required to disclose information about the nature of the assistance received, including the related accounting, the affected line items on the financial statements and amounts, and the significant terms and conditions, including any commitments and contingencies. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021, and early adoption is permitted. We adopted this standard as of December 31, 2021. See Note 1(b) in each of AAG’s and American’s Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Items 8A and 8B, respectively, for disclosure related to the financial assistance we have received from Treasury.