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DELTA AIR LINES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2013 September (Form 10-Q)



 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
R
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013
Or
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 001-5424
DELTA AIR LINES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

State of Incorporation: Delaware

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.: 58-0218548

Post Office Box 20706, Atlanta, Georgia 30320-6001

Telephone: (404) 715-2600
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes R No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes R No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer 
R
Accelerated filer 
o
Non-accelerated filer 
o
Smaller reporting company
o
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No R
Number of shares outstanding by each class of common stock, as of September 30, 2013:
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value - 855,545,884 shares outstanding
This document is also available through our website at http://www.delta.com/about_delta/investor_relations.
 




Table of Contents
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “Delta,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Delta Air Lines, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this Form 10-Q (or otherwise made by us or on our behalf) that are not historical facts, including statements about our estimates, expectations, beliefs, intentions, projections or strategies for the future, may be “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or our present expectations. Known material risk factors applicable to Delta are described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 (“Form 10-K”) and in "Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors" in this Form 10-Q, other than risks that could apply to any issuer or offering. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this report.


1




DELTA AIR LINES, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in millions, except share data)
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
ASSETS
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,018

 
$
2,416

Short-term investments
959

 
958

Restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments
213

 
375

Accounts receivable, net of an allowance for uncollectible accounts of $23 and $36
at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
1,969

 
1,693

Fuel inventory
679

 
619

Expendable parts and supplies inventories, net of an allowance for obsolescence of $126 and $127
at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
353

 
404

Deferred income taxes, net
405

 
463

Prepaid expenses and other
1,355

 
1,344

Total current assets
8,951

 
8,272

Property and Equipment, Net:
 
 
 
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $7,478 and $6,656
at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
21,297

 
20,713

Other Assets:
 
 
 
Goodwill
9,794

 
9,794

Identifiable intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $719 and $670
at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
4,675

 
4,679

Other noncurrent assets
1,280

 
1,092

Total other assets
15,749

 
15,565

Total assets
$
45,997

 
$
44,550

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases
$
1,823

 
$
1,627

Air traffic liability
4,583

 
3,696

Accounts payable
2,592

 
2,293

Accrued salaries and related benefits
1,769

 
1,680

Frequent flyer deferred revenue
1,554

 
1,806

Taxes payable
697

 
585

Fuel card obligation
545

 
455

Other accrued liabilities
571

 
1,128

Total current liabilities
14,134

 
13,270

Noncurrent Liabilities:
 
 
 
Long-term debt and capital leases
10,077

 
11,082

Pension, postretirement and related benefits
15,379

 
16,005

Frequent flyer deferred revenue
2,568

 
2,628

Deferred income taxes, net
1,993

 
2,047

Other noncurrent liabilities
1,709

 
1,649

Total noncurrent liabilities
31,726


33,411

Commitments and Contingencies
 
 
 
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit):
 
 
 
Common stock at $0.0001 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized, 873,523,221 and 867,866,505
shares issued at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively

 

Additional paid-in capital
14,096

 
14,069

Accumulated deficit
(5,379
)
 
(7,389
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(8,324
)
 
(8,577
)
Treasury stock, at cost, 17,977,337 and 16,464,472 shares at September 30, 2013 and
December 31, 2012, respectively
(256
)
 
(234
)
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)
137

 
(2,131
)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)
$
45,997

 
$
44,550

 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

2



DELTA AIR LINES, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions, except per share data)
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Operating Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Passenger:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mainline
$
7,566

 
$
6,994

 
$
20,222

 
$
19,276

Regional carriers
1,688

 
1,679

 
4,846

 
5,055

  Total passenger revenue
9,254

 
8,673

 
25,068

 
24,331

Cargo
229

 
244

 
699

 
749

Other
1,007

 
1,006

 
2,930

 
2,988

  Total operating revenue
10,490

 
9,923

 
28,697

 
28,068

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aircraft fuel and related taxes
2,291

 
2,221

 
7,175

 
7,759

Salaries and related costs
1,976

 
1,850

 
5,809

 
5,438

Regional carrier expense
1,459

 
1,447

 
4,302

 
4,238

Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs
474

 
493

 
1,437

 
1,602

Contracted services
429

 
402

 
1,239

 
1,177

Depreciation and amortization
418

 
392

 
1,238

 
1,166

Passenger commissions and other selling expenses
447

 
440

 
1,212

 
1,213

Landing fees and other rents
378

 
360

 
1,060

 
1,012

Passenger service
214

 
201

 
575

 
559

Profit sharing
249

 
174

 
387

 
309

Aircraft rent
47

 
65

 
162

 
208

Restructuring and other items
106

 
149

 
242

 
330

Other
439

 
421

 
1,160

 
1,233

Total operating expense
8,927

 
8,615

 
25,998

 
26,244

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
1,563

 
1,308

 
2,699

 
1,824

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other (Expense) Income:

 

 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(176
)
 
(195
)
 
(526
)
 
(623
)
Amortization of debt discount, net
(37
)
 
(48
)
 
(120
)
 
(148
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
(12
)
 

 
(12
)
Miscellaneous, net
13

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(27
)
Total other expense, net
(200
)
 
(256
)
 
(647
)
 
(810
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Before Income Taxes
1,363

 
1,052

 
2,052

 
1,014

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Benefit (Provision)
6

 
(5
)
 
9

 
(11
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
1,369

 
$
1,047

 
$
2,061

 
$
1,003

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
$
1.61

 
$
1.24

 
$
2.42

 
$
1.19

Diluted Earnings Per Share
$
1.59

 
$
1.23

 
$
2.40

 
$
1.18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income
$
1,376

 
$
1,073

 
$
2,314

 
$
1,305

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3



DELTA AIR LINES, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2013
 
2012
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
$
3,373

 
$
1,926

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Property and equipment additions:
 
 
 
Flight equipment, including advance payments
(1,276
)
 
(885
)
Ground property and equipment, including technology
(340
)
 
(545
)
Purchase of Virgin Atlantic shares
(360
)
 

Purchase of short-term investments
(719
)
 
(719
)
Redemption of short-term investments
869

 
757

Other, net
18

 
(37
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,808
)

(1,429
)
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
(968
)
 
(1,410
)
Cash dividends
(51
)
 

Proceeds from long-term obligations
68

 
480

Repurchase of common stock
(93
)
 

Fuel card obligation
90

 
73

Other, net
(9
)
 
(23
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(963
)
 
(880
)
 
 
 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
602

 
(383
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
2,416

 
2,657

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
3,018

 
$
2,274

 
 
 
 
Non-Cash Transactions:
 
 
 
SkyMiles used pursuant to advance purchase under American Express Agreements
$
250

 
$
250

Build-to-suit leased facilities
103

 
141

 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



4



DELTA AIR LINES, INC.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2013
(Unaudited)

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Delta Air Lines, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Consistent with these requirements, this Form 10-Q does not include all the information required by GAAP for complete financial statements. As a result, this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes in our Form 10-K. We reclassified certain prior period amounts, none of which were material individually or in total, to conform to the current period presentation.

Management believes the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring items and restructuring and other items, considered necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim periods presented.

Due to seasonal variations in the demand for air travel, the volatility of aircraft fuel prices, changes in global economic conditions and other factors, operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the entire year.

As described in Note 13, we became the sole owner of Endeavor Air, Inc. ("Endeavor"), formerly Pinnacle Airlines, Inc., on May 1, 2013, pursuant to a confirmed plan of reorganization in the bankruptcy cases of Endeavor and its affiliates. Prior to this acquisition, Endeavor served as a Delta Connection carrier under a capacity purchase agreement where we purchased all of Endeavor's seat inventory and marketed it under the Delta tradename. Accordingly, Endeavor's passenger revenue was included in regional carriers passenger revenue in Delta's Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. All of the expenses Delta incurred under this arrangement were included in contract carrier arrangements expense. Subsequent to this acquisition, we have maintained this presentation and have re-titled contract carrier arrangements expense as regional carrier expense to reflect the inclusion of a wholly-owned regional carrier. This presentation aligns with the regional revenue presentation on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

Accounting for Refinery Related Buy/Sell Agreements

To the extent that we receive jet fuel for non-jet fuel products (as defined in Note 2) exchanged under buy/sell agreements, we account for these transactions as non-monetary exchanges. We have recorded these non-monetary exchanges at the carrying amount of the non-jet fuel products transferred within aircraft fuel and related taxes on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

Recent Accounting Standards

Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Recently issued accounting guidance revises the reporting of items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted this guidance in the March 2013 quarter and have presented amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income in a note to the financial statements. For more information about accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), see Note 11.


5



NOTE 2. OIL REFINERY

Fuel expense is our single largest expense. Prior to our acquisition of an oil refinery, global demand for jet fuel and related products had increased while jet fuel refining capacity had decreased in the U.S. (particularly in the Northeast), resulting in increases in the refining margin reflected in the prices we paid for jet fuel. In June 2012, we purchased an oil refinery as part of our strategy to mitigate the increasing cost of the refining margin we pay.

Refinery Operations and Strategic Agreements

The refinery's production consists of jet fuel, as well as gasoline, diesel and other refined products ("non-jet fuel products"). Under a multi-year agreement, we are exchanging a significant portion of the non-jet fuel products with Phillips 66 for jet fuel to be used in our airline operations. In addition, we are selling most of the remaining production of non-jet fuel products to BP under a long-term buy/sell agreement, effectively exchanging those non-jet fuel products for jet fuel. Substantially all of the refinery's production of non-jet fuel products is included in these agreements. The gross fair value of the products exchanged under these agreements during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $1.5 billion and $4.2 billion, respectively.
Segment Reporting

Segment results are prepared based on our internal accounting methods described below, with reconciliations to consolidated amounts in accordance with GAAP. Our segments are not designed to measure operating income or loss directly related to the products and services included in each segment on a stand-alone basis.
(in millions)
Airline
Refinery
 
Intersegment Sales/ Other
 
Consolidated
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue:
$
10,490

$
1,892

 
 
 
$
10,490

Sales to airline segment
 
 
 
$
(320
)
(1) 
 
Exchanged products
 
 
 
(1,504
)
(2) 
 
Sales of refined products to third parties
 
 
 
(68
)
(3) 
 
Operating income(4)
1,560

3

 
 
 
1,563

Interest expense, net
176


 
 
 
176

Depreciation and amortization expense
413

5

 
 
 
418

Total assets, end of period
44,823

1,174

 
 
 
45,997

Capital expenditures
618

13

 
 
 
631

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue:
$
28,697

$
5,487

 
 
 
$
28,697

Sales to airline segment
 
 
 
$
(927
)
(1) 
 
Exchanged products
 
 
 
(4,172
)
(2) 
 
Sales of refined products to third parties
 
 
 
(388
)
(3) 
 
Operating income (loss)(4)
2,769

(70
)
 
 
 
2,699

Interest expense, net
526


 
 
 
526

Depreciation and amortization expense
1,225

13

 
 
 
1,238

Capital expenditures
1,591

25

 
 
 
1,616


(1) 
Represents transfers, valued on a market price basis, from the refinery to the airline segment for use in airline operations. We determine market price by reference to the market index for the primary delivery location for jet fuel from the refinery, which is New York Harbor.
(2) 
Represents value of products exchanged under our buy/sell agreements, as discussed above, determined on a market price basis.
(3) 
Represents sales of refined products to third parties. These sales were at or near cost; accordingly, the margin on these sales is de minimis.
(4) 
Includes allocations of $36 million of gains in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and $8 million of losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from the refinery segment to the airline segment, representing a portion of the refinery's inventory price risk.


6



NOTE 3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Assets (Liabilities) Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
(in millions)
September 30,
2013
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Cash equivalents
$
2,702

$
2,702

$

$

Short-term investments
959

959



Restricted cash equivalents and investments
209

209



Long-term investments
112

84

28


Hedge derivatives, net
 
 
 
 
Fuel contracts
333

57

276


Interest rate contracts
(66
)

(66
)

Foreign currency exchange contracts
193


193



(in millions)
December 31,
2012
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Cash equivalents
$
2,176

$
2,176

$

$

Short-term investments
958

958



Restricted cash equivalents and investments
344

344



Long-term investments
208

100

27

81

Hedge derivatives, net
 
 
 
 
Fuel contracts
249

27

222


Interest rate contracts
(66
)

(66
)

Foreign currency exchange contracts
123


123



Cash Equivalents, Short-term Investments and Restricted Cash Equivalents and Investments. Cash equivalents and short-term investments generally consist of money market funds and treasury bills. Restricted cash equivalents and investments are primarily held to meet certain projected self-insurance obligations and generally consist of money market funds and time deposits. These investments are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value. Fair value is based on a market approach using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets.

Long-term Investments. Our long-term investments that are measured at fair value primarily consist of equity investments in Grupo Aeroméxico, S.A.B. de C.V., the parent company of Aeroméxico, and GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes, S.A, the parent company of GOL. Shares of the parent companies of Aeroméxico and GOL are traded on public exchanges and we have valued our investments based on quoted market prices. The investments are classified in other noncurrent assets. In 2013, we sold our remaining auction rate securities, which were previously classified as Level 3 instruments.

7




Hedge Derivatives. Our derivative contracts are generally negotiated with counterparties without going through a public exchange. Accordingly, our fair value assessments give consideration to the risk of counterparty default (as well as our own credit risk).

Fuel Derivatives. Our fuel hedge portfolio consists of call options; put options; combinations of two or more call options and put options; swap contracts; and futures contracts. The products underlying the hedge contracts include crude oil, diesel fuel and jet fuel as these commodities are highly correlated with the price of jet fuel that we consume. Option contracts are valued under an income approach using option pricing models based on data either readily observable in public markets, derived from public markets or provided by counterparties who regularly trade in public markets. Volatilities used in these valuations ranged from 12% to 28% depending on the maturity dates, underlying commodities and strike prices of the option contracts. Swap contracts are valued under an income approach using a discounted cash flow model based on data either readily observable or derived from public markets. Discount rates used in these valuations vary with the maturity dates of the respective contracts and are based on LIBOR. Futures contracts and options on futures contracts are traded on a public exchange and valued based on quoted market prices.

Interest Rate Derivatives. Our interest rate derivatives consist primarily of swap contracts and are valued primarily based on data readily observable in public markets.

Foreign Currency Derivatives. Our foreign currency derivatives consist of Japanese yen and Canadian dollar forward contracts and are valued based on data readily observable in public markets.

NOTE 4. DERIVATIVES

Changes in aircraft fuel prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates impact our results of operations. In an effort to manage our exposure to these risks, we enter into derivative contracts and adjust our derivative portfolio as market conditions change.

Aircraft Fuel Price Risk

Changes in aircraft fuel prices materially impact our results of operations. We actively manage our fuel price risk through a hedging program intended to reduce the financial impact on us from changes in the price of jet fuel. This fuel hedging program utilizes several different contract and commodity types. The economic effectiveness of this hedge portfolio is frequently tested against our financial targets. The hedge portfolio is rebalanced from time to time according to market conditions, which may result in locking in gains or losses on hedge contracts prior to their settlement dates.

We generally do not designate our fuel derivative contracts as accounting hedges.We record changes in the fair value of our fuel hedges in aircraft fuel and related taxes. These changes in fair value include settled gains and losses as well as mark to market adjustments ("MTM adjustments"). MTM adjustments are based on market prices as of the end of the reporting period for contracts settling in future periods. During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded $337 million and $414 million in fuel hedge gains, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recorded $336 million in fuel hedge gains and $106 million in fuel hedge losses, respectively.


8



Hedge Position as of September 30, 2013
(in millions)
Notional Balance
Final Maturity Date
Prepaid Expenses and Other
Other Noncurrent Assets
Other Accrued Liabilities
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Hedge Derivatives, Net
Designated as hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts (cash flow hedges)
$
588

U.S. dollars
May 2019
$

$

$
(18
)
$
(30
)
$
(48
)
Interest rate contracts (fair value hedges)
$
445

U.S. dollars
August 2022
5



(23
)
(18
)
Foreign currency exchange contracts
128,713

Japanese yen
August 2016
118

76


(1
)
193

508

Canadian dollars
 
 
 
 
 
Not designated as hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel contracts
4,110

gallons - crude oil, diesel and jet fuel
December 2014
487

10

(160
)
(4
)
333

Total derivative contracts
 
 
$
610

$
86

$
(178
)
$
(58
)
$
460


Hedge Position as of December 31, 2012
(in millions)
Notional Balance
Final Maturity Date
Prepaid Expenses and Other
Other Noncurrent Assets
Other Accrued Liabilities
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Hedge Derivatives, Net
Designated as hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts (cash flow hedges)
$
740

U.S. dollars
May 2019
$

$

$
(22
)
$
(48
)
$
(70
)
Interest rate contracts (fair value hedges)
$
469

U.S. dollars
August 2022

6

(2
)

4

Foreign currency exchange contracts
119,277

Japanese yen
December 2015
62

63

(1
)
(1
)
123

430

Canadian dollars
 
 
 
 
 
Not designated as hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel contracts
1,792

gallons - heating oil, crude oil and jet fuel
December 2013
511


(262
)

249

Total derivative contracts
 
 
$
573

$
69

$
(287
)
$
(49
)
$
306


Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

We have master netting arrangements with all of our counterparties giving us the right of setoff. We have elected not to offset the fair value positions recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table shows the potential net fair value positions had we elected to offset.
(in millions)
Prepaid Expenses and Other
Other Noncurrent Assets
Other Accrued Liabilities
Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Hedge Derivatives, Net
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
Net derivative contracts
$
457

$
84

$
(28
)
$
(53
)
$
460

December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
Net derivative contracts
$
320

$
69

$
(34
)
$
(49
)
$
306


9




Designated Hedge Gains (Losses)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, gains (losses) related to our designated hedge contracts are as follows:
 
Effective Portion Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings
 
Effective Portion Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
(in millions)
2013
2012
 
2013
2012
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
$
55

$
(8
)
 
$
(70
)
$
(27
)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
$
100

$
(21
)
 
$
70

$
56


As of September 30, 2013, we have recorded $118 million of net gains on cash flow hedge contracts in accumulated other comprehensive loss, which are scheduled to settle and be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

Credit Risk

To manage credit risk associated with our aircraft fuel price, interest rate and foreign currency hedging programs, we select counterparties based on their credit ratings and limit our exposure to any one counterparty.

Our hedge contracts contain margin funding requirements. The margin funding requirements may cause us to post margin to counterparties or may cause counterparties to post margin to us as market prices in the underlying hedged items change. Due to the fair value position of our hedge contracts, we received net margin of $75 million and $62 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Margin received is recorded in accounts payable and margin posted is recorded in prepaid expenses and other.

NOTE 5. LONG-TERM DEBT

Fair Value of Debt

Market risk associated with our fixed and variable rate long-term debt relates to the potential reduction in fair value and negative impact to future earnings, respectively, from an increase in interest rates. In the table below, the aggregate fair value of debt is based primarily on reported market values, recently completed market transactions and estimates based on interest rates, maturities, credit risk and underlying collateral and is classified primarily as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
(in millions)
September 30,
2013
December 31,
2012
Total debt at par value
$
11,820

$
12,633

Unamortized discount, net
(429
)
(527
)
Net carrying amount
$
11,391

$
12,106

Fair value
$
12,100

$
13,000


Covenants

We were in compliance with all covenants in our financing agreements at September 30, 2013.


10



NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Aircraft Purchase and Lease Commitments

Future aircraft purchase commitments at September 30, 2013 total approximately $9.9 billion and include 99 B-737-900ER, 37 CRJ-900, 30 A321-200, 18 B-787-8 and 10 A330-300 aircraft. We have obtained long-term financing commitments for a substantial portion of the purchase price of all of these aircraft, except for the 18 B-787-8 aircraft. Our purchase commitment for 18 B-787-8 aircraft provides for certain aircraft substitution rights.
(in millions)
Total
Three months ending December 31, 2013
$
600

2014
1,695

2015
1,215

2016
1,700

2017
1,495

Thereafter
3,150

Total
$
9,855


We also have agreements with Southwest Airlines and The Boeing Company to lease 88 B-717-200 aircraft. We took delivery of one B-717-200 aircraft in September 2013 and deliveries will continue through 2015.

Legal Contingencies

We are involved in various legal proceedings related to employment practices, environmental issues, antitrust matters and other matters concerning our business. We record liabilities for losses from legal proceedings when we determine that it is probable that the outcome in a legal proceeding will be unfavorable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We cannot reasonably estimate the potential loss for certain legal proceedings because, for example, the litigation is in its early stages or the plaintiff does not specify the damages being sought. Although the outcome of the legal proceedings in which we are involved cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that the resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other Contingencies

General Indemnifications

We are the lessee under many commercial real estate leases. It is common in these transactions for us, as the lessee, to agree to indemnify the lessor and the lessor's related parties for tort, environmental and other liabilities that arise out of or relate to our use or occupancy of the leased premises. This type of indemnity would typically make us responsible to indemnified parties for liabilities arising out of the conduct of, among others, contractors, licensees and invitees at, or in connection with, the use or occupancy of the leased premises. This indemnity often extends to related liabilities arising from the negligence of the indemnified parties, but usually excludes any liabilities caused by either their sole or gross negligence or their willful misconduct.

Our aircraft and other equipment lease and financing agreements typically contain provisions requiring us, as the lessee or obligor, to indemnify the other parties to those agreements, including certain of those parties' related persons, against virtually any liabilities that might arise from the use or operation of the aircraft or such other equipment.

We believe that our insurance would cover most of our exposure to liabilities and related indemnities associated with the commercial real estate leases and aircraft and other equipment lease and financing agreements described above. While our insurance does not typically cover environmental liabilities, we have certain insurance policies in place as required by applicable environmental laws.

Certain of our aircraft and other financing transactions include provisions that require us to make payments to preserve an expected economic return to the lenders if that economic return is diminished due to certain changes in law or regulations. In certain of these financing transactions, we also bear the risk of certain changes in tax laws that would subject payments to non-U.S. lenders to withholding taxes.


11



We cannot reasonably estimate our potential future payments under the indemnities and related provisions described above because we cannot predict (1) when and under what circumstances these provisions may be triggered and (2) the amount that would be payable if the provisions were triggered because the amounts would be based on facts and circumstances existing at such time.

Employees Under Collective Bargaining Agreements

At September 30, 2013, we had approximately 77,900 full-time equivalent employees. Approximately 18% of these employees were represented by unions.

War-Risk Insurance Contingency

As a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, aviation insurers significantly (1) reduced the maximum amount of insurance coverage available to commercial air carriers for liability to persons (other than employees or passengers) for claims from acts of terrorism, war or similar events and (2) increased the premiums for such coverage and for aviation insurance in general. Since September 24, 2001, the U.S. government has been providing U.S. airlines with war-risk insurance to cover losses, including those resulting from terrorism, to passengers, third parties (ground damage) and the aircraft hull. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation has extended coverage through December 31, 2013, and we expect the coverage to be further extended. The withdrawal of government support of airline war-risk insurance would require us to obtain war-risk insurance coverage commercially, if available. Such commercial insurance could have substantially less desirable coverage than currently provided by the U.S. government, may not be adequate to protect our risk of loss from future acts of terrorism, may result in a material increase to our operating expense or may not be obtainable at all, resulting in an interruption to our operations.

Other

We have certain contracts for goods and services that require us to pay a penalty, acquire inventory specific to us or purchase equipment specific to a contract, if we terminate these contracts without cause prior to its expiration date. Because these obligations are contingent on our termination of a contract without cause prior to its expiration date, no obligation would exist unless such a termination occurs.


12



NOTE 7. AMERICAN EXPRESS RELATIONSHIP

General. Our agreements with American Express provide for joint marketing, grant certain benefits to Delta-American Express co-branded credit card holders ("Cardholders") and American Express Membership Rewards Program participants and allow American Express to market using our customer database. Cardholders earn mileage credits for making purchases using co-branded cards, may check their first bag for free, are granted access to Delta SkyClub lounges and receive other benefits while traveling on Delta. These benefits that we provide in the form of separate products and services under the SkyMiles agreements are referred to as "deliverables." Additionally, participants in the American Express Membership Rewards program may exchange their points for mileage credits under the SkyMiles Program. As a result, we sell mileage credits at agreed upon rates to American Express for provision to their customers under the co-brand credit card program and the Membership Rewards program.

Revenue Recognition. In September 2013, we and American Express modified our SkyMiles agreements. This modification required that we use a different accounting standard for recording SkyMiles sold. Prior to the modifications, we allocated consideration we received from selling miles to American Express among two primary deliverables: credit redeemable for future travel and marketing deliverables. We defer revenue related to the portion of mileage credits redeemable for future travel based on the rate at which we sell mileage credits to other airlines. We recognize these amounts as passenger revenue when miles are redeemed and travel services are provided. We calculated the value of the marketing component based on the residual method and recognize it as other revenue as related marketing services are provided.
The September 2013 modifications introduced new deliverables and modified existing deliverables. We concluded that these modifications were material to the SkyMiles agreements. As a result of the material modifications, we are required to use a different accounting standard that allocates the consideration received from selling miles to all deliverables based on their relative standalone sales price. Accordingly, we determined our best estimate of selling prices by considering discounted cash flows analysis using multiple inputs and assumptions, including: (1) the expected number of miles awarded and number of miles redeemed, (2) the rate at which we sell mileage credits to other airlines, (3) published rates on our website for baggage fees, access to Delta SkyClub lounges and other benefits while traveling on Delta and (4) brand value. The effect of this change in accounting standard lowered the deferral rate we use to record miles sold under the agreements. Because we now defer less revenue per mile sold, we expect the revenue impact of the SkyMiles agreement modifications to be insignificant for 2013 and to increase 2014 revenue by less than $100 million. Additionally, upon application of this accounting standard, we were required to adjust the recorded value of miles currently deferred in our Frequent Flyer Liability that originated through the American Express programs. Accordingly, we adjusted the liability in the September 2013 quarter by less than $10 million.

13



NOTE 8. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER ITEMS

The following table shows amounts recorded in restructuring and other items on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2013
2012
2013
2012
Severance and related costs
$

$
66

$

$
237

Facilities, fleet and other
106

122

242

171

Gain on slot exchange

(39
)

(78
)
Total restructuring and other items
$
106

$
149

$
242

$
330


Facilities, Fleet and Other. We recorded charges of $106 million in the September 2013 quarter and $242 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily related to our domestic fleet restructuring. Under the domestic fleet restructuring, we are focused on removing older, less efficient aircraft from our fleet and replacing them with aircraft that we have committed to acquire described in Note 6. These fleet restructuring charges include remaining lease payments for grounded aircraft, the acceleration of aircraft depreciation and lease return costs.

As we restructure our fleet and assess our fleet plans, we will continue to evaluate older, retiring aircraft and related equipment for changes in depreciable life, impairment and lease termination costs. The associated retirement of aircraft, when permanently removed from our fleet, will likely result in material lease termination and other charges over this period. The timing and amount of these charges will depend on a number of factors, including final negotiations with lessors, the timing of removing aircraft from service and ultimate disposition of aircraft included in the fleet restructuring program. We expect to benefit from reduced future maintenance cost and improved operational and fuel efficiency that we will experience over the life of the new aircraft.

Gain on Slot Exchange. During December 2011, we closed transactions with US Airways where we received takeoff and landing rights (each a "slot pair") at LaGuardia in exchange for slot pairs at Reagan National. In approving these transactions, the Department of Transportation restricted our use of the exchanged slots. We recorded a $78 million deferred gain in December 2011. We recognized $39 million of this deferred gain in the March 2012 quarter as half of the restrictions lapsed and recognized the remainder of the deferred gain in the September 2012 quarter as the remaining restrictions lapsed.

The following table shows the balances and activity for restructuring charges:
(in millions)
Severance and Related Costs
Lease Restructuring
Balance as of December 31, 2012
$
49

$
77

Additional costs and expenses

7

Payments
(46
)
(11
)
Other
(3
)
(5
)
Balance as of September 30, 2013
$

$
68



14



NOTE 9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The following table shows the components of net periodic cost:
 
Pension Benefits
Other Postretirement and
Postemployment Benefits
(in millions)
2013
2012
2013
2012
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$

$

$
12

$
14

Interest cost
215

232

36

41

Expected return on plan assets
(184
)
(176
)
(21
)
(19
)
Amortization of prior service benefit


(7
)
(7
)
Recognized net actuarial loss
56

36

6

6

Settlements



6

Net periodic cost
$
87

$
92

$
26

$
41

Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$

$

$
36

$
43

Interest cost
645

696

108

123

Expected return on plan assets
(552
)
(528
)
(63
)
(57
)
Amortization of prior service benefit


(21
)
(16
)
Recognized net actuarial loss
167

108

18

18

Settlements
6



110

Net periodic cost
$
266

$
276

$
78

$
221


NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES

Valuation Allowance

We periodically assess whether it is more likely than not that we will generate sufficient taxable income to realize our deferred income tax assets. We establish valuation allowances if it is not likely we will realize our deferred income tax assets. In making this determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence and make certain assumptions. We consider, among other things, our deferred tax liabilities, the overall business environment, our historical financial results, our industry's historically cyclical financial results and potential current and future tax planning strategies.

We recorded a full valuation allowance in 2004 due to our cumulative three year loss position at that time, compounded by the negative industry-wide business trends and outlook. At September 30, 2013, we had a $10.1 billion valuation allowance established against our deferred income tax assets, which represents a full valuation allowance against our net deferred income tax assets.

During 2012, we moved from a cumulative loss position over the previous three years to a cumulative income position for the first time since we established the full valuation allowance. While this is positive information, we have concluded as of September 30, 2013 that the valuation allowance was still needed on our net deferred tax assets based upon the weight of the factors described above, especially considering our history that included six consecutive years of losses. We continue to evaluate our cumulative income position and income trend as well as our future projections of sustained profitability. We evaluate whether this profitability trend constitutes sufficient positive evidence to support a reversal of our valuation allowance (in full or in part). If this profitability trend continues for the remainder of 2013 and this level of profitability is projected in the future, we anticipate that we may reverse substantially all of our valuation allowance as early as the end of 2013.

15



NOTE 11. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The following tables show the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss:
(in millions)
Pension and Other Benefits Liabilities
Derivative Contracts(1)
Deferred Tax Impact
Total
Balance at December 31, 2012
$
(5,147
)
$
(286
)
$
(3,144
)
$
(8,577
)
Changes in value
(9
)
194


185

Reclassifications into earnings:
 
 
 
 
     Actuarial losses(2)
168



168

     Foreign currency exchange contracts(3)

(100
)

(100
)
Total reclassification into earnings
168

(100
)

68

Tax effect
(61
)
(35
)
96


Balance at September 30, 2013
$
(5,049
)
$
(227
)
$
(3,048
)
$
(8,324
)
 
(in millions)
Pension and Other Benefits Liabilities
Derivative Contracts(1)
Deferred Tax Impact
Total
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
(3,899
)
$
(413
)
$
(2,454
)
$
(6,766
)
Changes in value
140

38


178

Reclassifications into earnings:
 
 
 
 
     Actuarial losses(2)
113



113

     Foreign currency exchange contracts(3)

11


11

Total reclassification into earnings
113

11


124

Tax effect
(93
)
(22
)
115


Balance at September 30, 2012
$
(3,739
)
$
(386
)
$
(2,339
)
$
(6,464
)

(1) 
Includes $321 million of deferred income tax expense that will remain in AOCI until all amounts in AOCI that relate to fuel derivatives which are designated as accounting hedges are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
(2) 
Reclassified to salaries and related costs
(3) 
Reclassified to passenger revenue

NOTE 12. EARNINGS PER SHARE

We calculate basic earnings per share by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, excluding restricted shares. The following table shows the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions, except per share data)
2013
2012
2013
2012
Net income
$
1,369

$
1,047

$
2,061

$
1,003

 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
851

846

850

845

Dilutive effect of share based awards
10

4

8

4

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
861

850

858

849

 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
1.61

$
1.24

$
2.42

$
1.19

Diluted earnings per share
$
1.59

$
1.23

$
2.40

$
1.18

 
 
 
 
 
Antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings per share
9

19

11

19



16



NOTE 13. OTHER INVESTMENTS

Endeavor Acquisition

In May 2013, Endeavor (formerly Pinnacle Airlines, Inc.) emerged from bankruptcy and we became its sole owner pursuant to a confirmed plan of reorganization. Consideration for our acquisition of Endeavor totaled $30 million, primarily consisting of previous loans and advances we made to Endeavor. The primary assets acquired and liabilities assumed related to 16 CRJ-900 aircraft with a fair value of $270 million and related debt of $240 million. These aircraft and 176 other aircraft currently operated by Endeavor were already in service to Delta; accordingly, our capacity was unaffected by the acquisition.

Transatlantic Joint Venture With Virgin Atlantic

In June 2013, we purchased 49% of Virgin Atlantic, a privately held London-based airline, from Singapore Airlines for $360 million, which we accounted for under the equity method. We also entered into an agreement with Virgin Atlantic with respect to operations on non-stop routes between the United Kingdom and North America. In September 2013, the U.S. Department of Transportation granted antitrust immunity on these routes. As a result of this relationship, our customers have increased access and frequencies to London's Heathrow airport from points in the U.S., primarily from our hub at New York's JFK airport.

NOTE 14. DIVIDEND AND SHARE REPURCHASE

In May 2013, we announced a plan to return more than $1 billion to shareholders over the next three years. As part of this plan, our Board of Directors initiated a quarterly dividend program and declared a $0.06 per share dividend for shareholders of record as of August 9, 2013. This dividend was paid in September 2013 and totaled $51 million. In addition, the Board of Directors authorized a $500 million share repurchase program, to be completed no later than June 30, 2016. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, we repurchased and retired approximately 5 million shares at a cost of approximately $100 million.

17



ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

September 2013 Quarter Financial Highlights

Our net income for the September 2013 quarter was $1.4 billion, or $1.59 per diluted share, which was a $322 million improvement year over year. Total operating revenue of $10.5 billion was $567 million higher than the September 2012 quarter. Fuel expense increased $74 million due to a 3% increase in consumption as a result of a 3% increase in capacity and lower hedge gains, partially offset by a 3% decrease in fuel purchase cost price per gallon. For a discussion regarding fuel expense (including the refinery results) see pages 20 and 21.

Revenue. Passenger revenue increased $581 million over the September 2012 quarter due to 2% higher traffic, 3% higher capacity and a 4% increase in passenger revenue per available seat mile ("PRASM").

Operating Expense. Total operating expense increased $312 million over the September 2012 quarter, driven primarily by higher salaries and related costs, profit sharing and fuel expense. Our consolidated operating cost per available seat mile ("CASM") for the September 2013 quarter increased 1% to 13.97 cents from 13.83 cents in the September 2012 quarter, primarily reflecting increased salaries and related costs, profit sharing and fuel expense. For the September 2013 quarter, CASM-Ex (a non-GAAP financial measure) was 8.64 cents, or 1% higher than the September 2012 quarter, primarily due to increased salary expense. The non-GAAP financial measure used in this section is defined and reconciled in "Supplemental Information" below.

Fuel expense for the September 2013 quarter was $2.8 billion, including regional carriers; our average price per gallon, adjusted was $2.97 (a non-GAAP financial measure as defined and reconciled in "Results of Operations - Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 - Operating Expense" below), which was $0.17 lower than the September 2012 quarter.

Company Initiatives

Capital Deployment Program and Shareholder Value

In May 2013, we announced a plan to return more than $1 billion to shareholders over the next three years. As part of this plan, our Board of Directors initiated a quarterly dividend program and declared a $0.06 per share dividend for shareholders of record as of August 9, 2013. This dividend was paid on September 10, 2013 and totaled $51 million. In addition, the Board of Directors authorized a $500 million share repurchase program, to be completed no later than June 30, 2016. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, we repurchased and retired approximately 5 million shares at a cost of approximately $100 million. In September 2013, Delta joined the Standard & Poor's 500 index of large companies.

Strengthening the Balance Sheet

We continue to focus on cash flow generation toward our goal of further strengthening our balance sheet. We finished the September 2013 quarter with $5.8 billion in unrestricted liquidity (consisting of cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and undrawn revolving credit facility capacity). During the first nine months of 2013, we generated $3.4 billion in cash from operating activities, reduced debt by $809 million and funded capital expenditures, while maintaining a solid liquidity position.

Structural Cost Initiatives

We initiated a $1 billion structural cost initiatives program in 2012. These initiatives are designed to improve our cost efficiency while maintaining our operational performance and revenue generation and include:

Fleet restructuring to retire older, less efficient aircraft from our fleet;
Maintenance redesign, focusing on improving our processes and resource management;
Distribution platforms to increase the use of cost effective and value-added distribution channels such as delta.com;
Staffing efficiency to generate higher productivity levels through technology and improved staffing models; and
Emphasis on other costs to improve efficiency.

We are realizing a portion of the benefits of the structural cost initiatives in 2013, with the benefits of these initiatives increasing through 2015.


18



Fleet restructuring is a key part of our structural cost initiatives, and is focused on lowering unit costs while investing in our fleet to enhance the customer experience. We are restructuring our domestic fleet by reducing our 50-seat regional flying and replacing other older, less cost effective aircraft with newer, more efficient aircraft. Agreements with SkyWest Airlines, Inc. and Bombardier Aerospace, as well as our acquisition of Endeavor, have produced a path for us to eliminate more than 200 50-seat aircraft. We are replacing these aircraft and older B-757-200 aircraft with more efficient and customer preferred CRJ-900, B-717-200 and B-737-900ER aircraft.

In 2012, we entered into an agreement with Bombardier Aerospace to purchase 40 CRJ-900 aircraft with 12 deliveries this year and 28 in 2014.

Also in 2012, we finalized agreements with Southwest Airlines and The Boeing Company ("Boeing") to lease 88 B-717-200 aircraft. Delivery of the aircraft began in September 2013, with a total of 16 aircraft expected to be delivered in 2013 and 36 aircraft deliveries in each of 2014 and 2015. These B-717-200 aircraft are 110-seat aircraft and will feature new, fully upgraded interiors, with 12 First Class seats, 15 Economy Comfort seats and in-flight WiFi throughout the cabin.

In 2011, we entered into an agreement with Boeing to purchase 100 new fuel efficient B-737-900ER aircraft. We took delivery of the first B-737-900ER aircraft in September 2013 and will continue adding these aircraft to our fleet through 2018, primarily replacing older B-757-200 aircraft. We expect the B-737-900ER to offer an industry leading customer experience, including expanded carry-on baggage space and a spacious cabin.

In addition, we entered into an agreement in September 2013 with Airbus to purchase 10 international capable widebody A330-300 and 30 large narrowbody A321-200 aircraft expected to serve domestic markets. Delivery of the first A330-300 aircraft is expected to occur in spring 2015, with three additional A330-300 aircraft expected to be delivered in 2015, four aircraft in 2016 and two in 2017. Delivery of three A321-200 aircraft are scheduled for the first quarter of 2016, with 12 additional aircraft expected to be delivered later in 2016 and 15 in 2017.

At September 30, 2013, we estimate that our future aircraft purchase commitments will be approximately $600 million for the remainder of 2013; $1.7 billion in 2014; $1.2 billion in 2015; $1.7 billion in 2016; $1.5 billion in 2017; and $3.2 billion after 2017.

As we restructure our fleet and assess our fleet plans, we will continue to evaluate older, retiring aircraft and related equipment for changes in depreciable life, impairment and lease termination costs. The associated retirement of aircraft will likely result in material lease termination and other charges over this period when the related aircraft are permanently removed from our fleet. The timing and amount of these charges will depend on a number of factors, including our final negotiations with lessors, the timing of removing aircraft from service and the ultimate disposition of aircraft included in the fleet restructuring program. We expect to benefit from reduced future maintenance cost and improved operational and fuel efficiency that we will experience over the life of the new aircraft.

New York Strategy, including our investment in Virgin Atlantic

In addition to building a domestic hub at LaGuardia and creating a state of the art facility at JFK, we purchased a 49% interest in Virgin Atlantic from Singapore Airlines for $360 million. We also entered into an agreement with Virgin Atlantic with respect to operations on non-stop routes between the United Kingdom and North America. In September 2013, the U.S. Department of Transportation granted antitrust immunity on these routes.The antitrust immunized relationship allows for joint marketing and sales, coordinated pricing and revenue management, network planning and scheduling with respect to operations on routes between North America and the United Kingdom. Virgin Atlantic has a significant presence at London's Heathrow airport, the airport of choice for business travelers traveling to and from London. Along with our state of the art facility at JFK, we believe our relationship with Virgin Atlantic will provide our customers with superior service and connectivity between New York and London. For the September 2013 quarter, we recorded a $40 million benefit representing our 49% interest in Virgin Atlantic's performance.


19



LaGuardia. During December 2011, we closed transactions with US Airways where we received takeoff and landing rights (each a "slot pair") at LaGuardia in exchange for slot pairs at Reagan National. This exchange allows us to operate a new domestic hub at LaGuardia. We have increased capacity at LaGuardia by approximately 40% since March 2012, adding 123 new flights and a total of 28 new destinations. We currently operate about 277 daily flights between LaGuardia and 61 cities, more than any other airline.

We are also investing more than $160 million in a renovation and expansion project at LaGuardia to enhance the customer experience. In December 2012, we opened a connector linking Terminals C and D and in September 2012 we opened a new SkyClub in Terminal C. Ongoing investments include expanded security lanes and a baggage handling system in both terminals as well as an expanded SkyClub in Terminal D.

JFK. While our expanded LaGuardia schedule is focused on providing industry-leading domestic service, we are optimizing our international and trans-continental flight schedule at JFK to facilitate convenient connections for our passengers and improve coordination with our SkyTeam alliance partners.

Prior to beginning our JFK redevelopment project, we primarily operated domestic flights out of Terminal 2 and international flights out of Terminal 3. Our initial five-year project at JFK to expand and enhance Terminal 4, which began in 2010 is on schedule. We have constructed nine new international gates in Terminal 4, which opened in May 2013. We have relocated our operations from Terminal 3 to our newly constructed facilities at Terminal 4 and have begun the demolition of Terminal 3. During 2013, we announced plans for an additional $180 million expansion project that will add 11 gates at Terminal 4. With the expansion, we will relocate our regional jet operations from Terminal 2 to Terminal 4. We expect that passengers will benefit from an enhanced customer experience and improved operational performance, including reduced taxi times and better on-time performance.

Fuel Expense, including refinery results

Fuel Expense. Fuel expense is our largest expense, representing approximately 32% of total operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2013. For the September 2013 quarter, our total fuel expense increased $74 million (including our regional carriers under capacity purchase agreements) compared to the September 2012 quarter. This increase is primarily due to a reduction in gains in hedge contracts settling in future periods. Excluding mark-to-market adjustments on hedges recorded in periods other than the settlement period ("MTM adjustments"), our fuel price per gallon, adjusted (a non-GAAP financial measure) for the quarter was $2.97 per gallon, compared to $3.14 per gallon for the September 2012 quarter.
The market volatility of jet fuel prices greatly impacts our fuel costs. We manage our fuel cost through three primary methods: purchase agreements, fuel hedging and the operation of a refinery.
Fuel Purchase Cost. The market price per gallon of jet fuel decreased 3%, compared to the September 2012 quarter, which lowered our purchase cost of fuel. This decrease was partially offset by a 3% increase in consumption on higher capacity.
Fuel Hedging Program Impact. We actively manage our fuel price risk through a hedging program intended to reduce the financial impact on us from changes in the price of jet fuel. During the September 2013 quarter, our consolidated fuel hedge gain was $337 million. This hedge gain included $285 million of MTM adjustments. These MTM adjustments are based on market prices as of the end of the reporting period for contracts settling in future periods. Such market prices are not necessarily indicative of the actual future value of the underlying hedge in the contract settlement period.

Refinery Segment Impact. Global demand for jet fuel and related products continues to increase while jet fuel refining capacity has declined in the U.S. (particularly in the Northeast), which increases the price we paid for jet fuel. We purchased an oil refinery in June 2012 as part of our strategy to manage the cost of jet fuel. Production at the refinery commenced in September 2012.
The refinery produces primarily gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Under multi-year agreements, we are effectively exchanging the non-jet fuel products with Phillips 66 and BP for jet fuel to be used in our airline operations. The refinery produced approximately 172,000 barrels per day in the September 2013 quarter. The jet fuel produced and procured through exchanging gasoline and diesel fuel produced by the refinery provided approximately 165,000 barrels per day of jet fuel for use in airline operations during the September 2013 quarter.

A refinery is subject to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") requirements that are established each year to blend renewable fuels into the gasoline and on-road diesel fuel it produces. Alternatively, a refinery may purchase renewable energy credits, called RINs, from third parties in the secondary market.

20



Because the refinery operated by Monroe does not blend renewable fuels, it must purchase its entire RINs requirement in the secondary market or obtain a waiver from the EPA. The refinery is exposed to the market price of RINs. For example, the average historical price of ethanol RINs ranged from $0.02 to $0.05 per RIN in prior years, but increased to over $1.40 per RIN during the first nine months of 2013; the price at October 21, 2013 was $0.30 per RIN. Compliance with the RINs requirement by purchasing RINs, if available in the secondary market, at elevated prices could have a material impact on our results of operations and cash flows for 2013. For the September 2013 quarter, we recognized approximately $16 million of expense related to the RINs requirement, which is included in the refinery's results.
We believe that holders of RINs are withholding them from the secondary market. This reduction of available RINs significantly impairs the secondary market as a means of compliance with the RINs requirement. Therefore, the Company is pursuing legal, regulatory and legislative solutions to this problem.
The refinery recorded income of $3 million in the September 2013 quarter. The refinery's profit was reduced by the cost of RINs that far exceeded their historical averages, as discussed above. In addition, we believe that the increase in jet fuel supply due to the refinery's operation has decreased the overall market price of jet fuel, and lowered our cost of jet fuel.


21



Results of Operations - Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

Operating Revenue
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
(in millions)
2013
2012
Increase (Decrease)
% Increase
 (Decrease)
Passenger:
 
 
 
 
Mainline
$
7,566

$
6,994

$
572

8
 %
Regional carriers
1,688

1,679

9

1
 %
Total passenger revenue
9,254

8,673

581

7
 %
Cargo
229

244

(15
)
(6
)%
Other
1,007

1,006

1

 %
Total operating revenue
$
10,490

$
9,923

$
567

6
 %

 
 
Increase (Decrease)
vs. Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
(in millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
Passenger
Revenue
RPMs(1)
(Traffic)
ASMs(2)
(Capacity)
Passenger Mile
Yield
PRASM(3)
Load
Factor
Domestic
$
4,121

11
 %
2
 %
3
 %
9
 %
8
 %
(0.9
) pts
Atlantic
1,853

9
 %
5
 %
3
 %
4
 %
6
 %
1.1
 pts
Pacific
1,044

(5
)%
(1
)%
(1
)%
(4
)%
(4
)%
(0.3
) pts
Latin America
548

16
 %
14
 %
14
 %
2
 %
2
 %
(0.4
) pts
Total Mainline
7,566

8
 %
3
 %
3
 %
5
 %
5
 %
(0.3
) pts
Regional carriers
1,688

1
 %
(4
)%
(2
)%
5
 %
2
 %
(2.1
) pts
Total passenger revenue
$
9,254

7
 %
2
 %
3
 %
5
 %
4
 %
(0.4
) pts

(1) 
Revenue passenger miles (“RPMs”)
(2) 
Available seat miles (“ASMs”)
(3) 
Passenger revenue per ASM (“PRASM”)

Passenger Revenue. Passenger revenue increased $581 million, or 7%. PRASM increased 4% and passenger mile yield increased 5% over the September 2012 quarter. Capacity increased 3% in the domestic region and 4% in international regions compared to the September 2012 quarter.

International mainline passenger revenue was 5% higher than the September 2012 quarter. Atlantic PRASM was up 6%, driven by a 4% increase in yield. Latin America passenger revenue increased 16%, driven by a 14% increase in traffic and a 2% increase in yield. Pacific passenger revenue was negatively impacted by the weakening of the Japanese yen.


22



Operating Expense
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
Increase
(Decrease)
% Increase
(Decrease)
(in millions)
2013
2012
Aircraft fuel and related taxes
$
2,291

$
2,221

$
70

3
 %
Salaries and related costs
1,976

1,850

126

7
 %
Regional carrier expense
1,459

1,447

12

1
 %
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs
474

493

(19
)
(4
)%
Contracted services
429

402

27

7
 %
Depreciation and amortization
418

392

26

7
 %
Passenger commissions and other selling expenses
447

440

7

2
 %
Landing fees and other rents
378

360

18

5
 %
Passenger service
214

201

13

6
 %
Profit sharing
249

174

75

43
 %
Aircraft rent
47

65

(18
)
(28
)%
Restructuring and other items
106

149

(43
)
NM(1)

Other
439

421

18

4
 %
Total operating expense
$
8,927

$
8,615

$
312

4
 %
 
(1)
NM - Not meaningful

Fuel Expense. Including regional carriers under capacity purchase agreements, fuel expense increased $74 million due to a 3% increase in consumption and lower hedge gains, partially offset by a 3% decrease in fuel market price per gallon. The table below presents fuel expense, gallons consumed and average price per gallon, including the impact of hedging and the refinery:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
Increase
(Decrease)
% Increase
(Decrease)
(in millions, except per gallon data)
2013
2012
Aircraft fuel and related taxes(1)
$
2,291

$
2,221

$
70

 
Aircraft fuel and related taxes included within regional carrier expense
544

540

4

 
Total fuel expense
$
2,835

$
2,761

$
74

3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
Total fuel consumption (gallons)
1,050

1,021

29

3
 %
Average price per gallon
$
2.70

$
2.71

$
(0.01
)
 %

(1) 
Includes the impact of fuel hedging and refinery results described further in the table below.

The table below shows the impact of hedging and the refinery on fuel expense and average price per gallon, adjusted, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We exclude MTM adjustments, which are based on market prices as of the end of the reporting period for contracts settling in future periods, since such market prices are not necessarily indicative of the actual future value of the underlying hedge in the contract settlement period.
 
 
Average Price Per Gallon
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
Three Months Ended September 30,
Change
(in millions, except per gallon data)(1)
2013
2012
2013
2012
Fuel purchase cost
$
3,190

$
3,175

$
15

$
3.03

$
3.11

$
(0.08
)
Airline segment fuel hedge gains
(352
)
(414
)
62

(0.33
)
(0.40
)
0.07

Refinery segment impact
(3
)

(3
)



Total fuel expense
$
2,835

$
2,761

$
74

$
2.70

$
2.71

$
(0.01
)
MTM adjustments
285

440

(155
)
0.27

0.43

(0.16
)
Total fuel expense, adjusted
$
3,120

$
3,201

$
(81
)
$
2.97

$
3.14

$
(0.17
)

(1)
Includes gain allocation of $36 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 from the refinery segment to the airline segment, representing a portion of the refinery's inventory price risk.

23




Salaries and Related Costs. The increase in salaries and related costs is primarily due to employee pay increases.

Profit Sharing. Our broad based employee profit sharing program provides that, for each year in which we have an annual pre-tax profit, as defined by the terms of the program, we will pay a specified portion of that profit to employees. In determining the amount of profit sharing, the program defines profit as pre-tax profit excluding certain items. These items include profit sharing and special items, such as MTM adjustments and restructuring and other items. During the June 2012 quarter, our profit sharing program was modified so that we will pay 10% of profits on the first $2.5 billion of annual profits effective with the plan year beginning January 1, 2013 compared to paying 15% of annual profits for the 2012 plan year. Under the program, we will continue to pay 20% of annual profits above $2.5 billion.

Restructuring and Other Items. Due to the nature of amounts recorded within restructuring and other items, a year over year comparison is not meaningful. For a discussion of charges recorded in restructuring and other items, see Note 8 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


24



Results of Operations - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

Operating Revenue
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
(in millions)
2013
2012
Increase (Decrease)
% Increase
 (Decrease)
Passenger:
 
 
 
 
Mainline
$
20,222

$
19,276

$
946

5
 %
Regional carriers
4,846

5,055

(209
)
(4
)%
Total passenger revenue
25,068

24,331

737

3
 %
Cargo
699

749

(50
)
(7
)%
Other
2,930

2,988

(58
)
(2
)%
Total operating revenue
$
28,697

$
28,068

$
629

2
 %

 
 
Increase (Decrease)
vs. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
(in millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Passenger
Revenue
RPMs(1)
(Traffic)
ASMs(2)
(Capacity)
Passenger Mile
Yield
PRASM(3)
Load
Factor
Domestic
$
11,420

7
 %
1
 %
2
 %
5
 %
5
 %
(0.7
) pts
Atlantic
4,449

3
 %
1
 %
(1
)%
2
 %
4
 %
1.7
 pts
Pacific
2,758

(2
)%
1
 %
(1
)%
(2
)%
 %
1.8
 pts
Latin America
1,595

9
 %
9
 %
6
 %
(1
)%
2
 %
2.5
 pts
Total Mainline
20,222

5
 %
2
 %
1
 %
3
 %
4
 %
0.5
 pts
Regional carriers
4,846

(4
)%
(7
)%
(5
)%
3
 %
1
 %
(1.9
) pts
Total passenger revenue
$
25,068

3
 %
1
 %
 %
2
 %
3
 %
0.3
 pts

(1) 
Revenue passenger miles (“RPMs”)
(2) 
Available seat miles (“ASMs”)
(3) 
Passenger revenue per ASM (“PRASM”)

Passenger Revenue. Passenger revenue increased $737 million, or 3%, on a 3% PRASM increase and a 2% increase in passenger mile yield. Capacity was up slightly in the domestic region compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and remained consistent in international regions.

International mainline passenger revenue increased 2% over the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Atlantic PRASM was up 4%, driven by a 2% increase in yield on a 1% reduction in capacity. Latin America passenger revenue increased 9%, driven by a 9% increase in traffic offset by a 1% decline in yield.


25



Operating Expense
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase
(Decrease)
% Increase
(Decrease)
(in millions)
2013
2012
Aircraft fuel and related taxes
$
7,175

$
7,759

$
(584
)
(8
)%
Salaries and related costs
5,809

5,438

371

7
 %
Regional carrier expense
4,302

4,238

64

2
 %
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs
1,437

1,602

(165
)
(10
)%
Contracted services
1,239

1,177

62

5
 %
Depreciation and amortization
1,238

1,166

72

6
 %
Passenger commissions and other selling expenses
1,212

1,213

(1
)
 %
Landing fees and other rents
1,060

1,012

48

5
 %
Passenger service
575

559

16

3
 %
Profit sharing
387

309

78

25
 %
Aircraft rent
162

208

(46
)
(22
)%
Restructuring and other items
242

330

(88
)
NM

Other
1,160

1,233

(73
)
(6
)%
Total operating expense
$
25,998

$
26,244

$
(246
)
(1
)%
 
Fuel Expense. Including regional carriers under capacity purchase agreements, fuel expense decreased $601 million due to a 4% decrease in fuel market price per gallon and fuel hedge gains, partially offset by a 1% increase in consumption. The table below presents fuel expense, gallons consumed and average price per gallon, including the impact of hedging and the refinery:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase
(Decrease)
% Increase
(Decrease)
(in millions, except per gallon data)
2013
2012
Aircraft fuel and related taxes(1)
$
7,175

$
7,759

$
(584
)
 
Aircraft fuel and related taxes included within regional carrier expense
1,570

1,587

(17
)
 
Total fuel expense
$
8,745

$
9,346

$
(601
)
(6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
Total fuel consumption (gallons)
2,906

2,875

31

1
 %
Average price per gallon
$
3.01

$
3.25

$
(0.24
)
(7
)%

(1) 
Includes the impact of fuel hedging and refinery results described further in the table below.

The table below shows the impact of hedging and the refinery on fuel expense and average price per gallon, adjusted:
 
 
Average Price Per Gallon
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
(in millions, except per gallon data)(1)
2013
2012
2013
2012
Fuel purchase cost
$
8,969

$
9,240

$
(271
)
$
3.09

$
3.21

$
(0.12
)
Airline segment fuel hedge (gains) losses
(294
)
106

(400
)
(0.10
)
0.04

(0.14
)
Refinery segment impact
70


70

0.02


0.02

Total fuel expense
$
8,745

$
9,346

$
(601
)
$
3.01

$
3.25

$
(0.24
)
MTM adjustments
184

30

154

0.06

0.01

0.05

Total fuel expense, adjusted
$
8,929

$
9,376

$
(447
)
$
3.07

$
3.26

$
(0.19
)

(1)
Includes loss allocation of $8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from the refinery segment to the airline segment, representing a portion of the refinery's inventory price risk.



26



Salaries and Related Costs. The increase in salaries and related costs is primarily due to employee pay increases.

Aircraft Maintenance Materials and Outside Repairs. Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs consists of costs associated with maintenance of aircraft used in our operations and costs associated with maintenance sales to third parties by our MRO services business. The decrease in maintenance costs is primarily due to lower costs of sales on lower sales to third parties of our MRO services and the cyclical timing of maintenance events on our fleet.

Profit Sharing. Our broad based employee profit sharing program provides that, for each year in which we have an annual pre-tax profit, as defined by the terms of the program, we will pay a specified portion of that profit to employees. In determining the amount of profit sharing, the program defines profit as pre-tax profit excluding certain items. These items include profit sharing and special items, such as MTM adjustments and restructuring and other items. During the June 2012 quarter, our profit sharing program was modified so that we will pay 10% of profits on the first $2.5 billion of annual profits effective with the plan year beginning January 1, 2013 compared to paying 15% of annual profits for the 2012 plan year. Under the program, we will continue to pay 20% of annual profits above $2.5 billion.

Restructuring and Other Items. Due to the nature of amounts recorded within restructuring and other items, a year over year comparison is not meaningful. For a discussion of charges recorded in restructuring and other items, see Note 8 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


27



Income Taxes

The following table shows the components of our income tax benefit (provision):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2013
2012
2013
2012
International and state income tax provision
$

$
(5
)
$
(9
)
$
(11
)
Alternative minimum tax refunds
6


18


Income tax benefit (provision)
$
6

$
(5
)
$
9

$
(11
)

We consider all income sources, including other comprehensive income, in determining the amount of tax benefit allocated to continuing operations. During the Six Months Ended three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we did not record an income tax provision for U.S. federal income tax purposes since our deferred tax assets are fully reserved by a valuation allowance. At September 30, 2013, we had a $10.1 billion valuation allowance established against our deferred income tax assets. During 2012, we moved from a cumulative loss position over the previous three years to a cumulative income position for the first time since we established the full valuation allowance. While this is positive information, we have concluded as of September 30, 2013, that the valuation allowance was still needed on our net deferred tax assets, especially considering our history that included six consecutive years of losses. We continue to evaluate our cumulative income position and income trend as well as our future projections of sustained profitability. We evaluate whether this profitability trend constitutes sufficient positive evidence to support a reversal of our valuation allowance (in full or in part). If this profitability trend continues for the remainder of 2013 and this level of profitability is projected in the future, we anticipate that we may reverse substantially all of our valuation allowance as early as the end of 2013.

Operating Statistics

The following table sets forth our operating statistics:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Consolidated(1)
2013
2012
2013
2012
Revenue passenger miles (millions)
54,939

53,828

148,798

147,699

Available seat miles (millions)
63,893

62,283

176,795

176,073

Passenger mile yield

16.85
¢

16.11
¢

16.85
¢

16.47
¢
Passenger revenue per available seat mile

14.48
¢

13.93
¢

14.18
¢

13.82
¢
Operating cost per available seat mile (CASM)

13.97
¢

13.83
¢

14.71
¢

14.91
¢
CASM-Ex(2)

8.64
¢

8.55
¢

9.09
¢

8.85
¢
Passenger load factor
86.0
%
86.4
%
84.2
%
83.9
%
Fuel gallons consumed (millions)
1,050

1,021

2,906

2,875

Average price per gallon(3)
$
2.70

$
2.71

$
3.01

$
3.25

Average price per gallon, adjusted(4)
$
2.97

$
3.14

$
3.07

$
3.26

Full-time equivalent employees, end of period
77,867

76,626

 
 

(1) 
Includes the operations of our regional carriers under capacity purchase agreements. Full-time equivalent employees exclude employees of regional carriers that we do not own.
(2) 
Non-GAAP financial measure defined in "September 2013 Quarter Financial Highlights" above. See reconciliation to CASM in "Supplemental Information" below.
(3) 
Includes the impact of fuel hedge activity.
(4) 
Non-GAAP financial measure defined and reconciled in "Operating Expense" sections of Results of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.


28



Fleet Information

Our operating aircraft fleet, commitments and options at September 30, 2013 are summarized in the following tables:
 
Current Fleet(1)
 
Commitments
 
Aircraft Type
Owned
Capital
Lease
Operating
Lease
Total
Average
Age
 
Purchase(2)(3)
Lease
 
Options
B-717-200

1


1

13.6

 

87


B-737-700
10



10

4.7

 



B-737-800
73



73

12.7

 



B-737-900ER
1



1


 
99


30

B-747-400
4

9

3

16

19.9

 



B-757-200
97

22

19

138

19.4

 



B-757-300
16



16

10.6

 



B-767-300
10

2

4

16

22.7

 



B-767-300ER
51

5

2

58

17.5

 


2

B-767-400ER
21



21

12.6

 


4

B-777-200ER
8



8

13.7

 



B-777-200LR
10



10

4.5

 


6

B-787-8





 
18



A319-100
55


2

57

11.7

 



A320-200
50


19

69

18.6

 



A321-200





 
30



A330-200
11



11

8.5

 



A330-300
21



21

8.1

 
10



MD-88
71

46


117

23.2

 



MD-90
57

8


65

16.5

 



DC9-50
16



16

35.1

 



Total
582

93

49

724

17.3

 
157

87

42


(1) 
Excludes certain aircraft we own or lease which are operated by regional carriers on our behalf shown in the table below.
(2) 
Our purchase commitment for 18 B-787-8 aircraft provides for certain aircraft substitution rights.
(3) 
In addition, we have purchase commitments for 37 CRJ-900 aircraft and options for 30 CRJ-900 aircraft and 27 Embraer 175 aircraft that will be operated by our regional carriers.

The following table summarizes the aircraft fleet operated by our regional carriers on our behalf at September 30, 2013:
 
Fleet Type
 
Carrier
CRJ-200
CRJ-700
CRJ-900
ERJ-145
Embraer 170
Embraer 175
Total
Endeavor Airlines, Inc.
132


44




176

ExpressJet Airlines, Inc.
77

41

28




146

SkyWest Airlines, Inc.
48

19

32




99

Compass Airlines, Inc.




6

36

42

Chautauqua Airlines, Inc.



41



41

Shuttle America Corporation




14

16

30

GoJet Airlines, LLC

22





22

Total
257

82

104

41

20

52

556





29



Financial Condition and Liquidity

We expect to meet our cash needs for the next 12 months from cash flows from operations, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and financing arrangements. As of September 30, 2013, we had $5.8 billion in unrestricted liquidity, consisting of $4.0 billion in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments and $1.8 billion in undrawn revolving credit facilities.

Sources of Liquidity
Operating Cash Flow

Cash flows from operating activities continue to provide our primary source of liquidity. We generated positive cash flows from operations of $3.4 billion and $1.9 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We also expect to generate positive cash flows from operations for the remainder of 2013.

Our operating cash flows can be impacted by the following factors:

Seasonality of Advance Ticket Sales. We sell tickets for air travel in advance of the customer's travel date, and receive cash payment at the time of sale. As a result, we record the cash received on advance sales as deferred revenue in Air Traffic Liability. Air Traffic Liability increases during the spring as we have increased sales in advance of the summer peak travel season. Our cash balances are typically higher at the beginning of the summer and at a low point during the winter.

Fuel and Fuel Hedge Margins. The cost of jet fuel is our most significant expense, representing approximately 34% of our total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The market price for jet fuel is highly volatile and can vary significantly from period to period. This price volatility affects our cash flows from operations, impacting comparability from period to period.

We have jet fuel inventories at various airport locations, which are used in our airline operations. Also, our oil refinery, which we acquired in 2012, produces and holds refined oil products. Jet fuel and refined oil product inventories are recorded as Fuel Inventory.

As part of our fuel hedging program, we may be required to pay hedge margin to counterparties when our portfolio is in a loss position. Conversely, if our portfolio with counterparties is in a gain position, we may receive hedge margin. Our future cash flows are impacted depending upon the nature of our derivative contracts and the market price of the commodities underlying our derivative contracts.

Timing of SkyMiles Sales. In December 2011, we amended our American Express agreements and agreed to sell $675 million of unrestricted SkyMiles to American Express in each December from 2011 through 2014. Under the December 2011 amendment, American Express purchased $675 million of unrestricted SkyMiles in both 2012 and 2011. We anticipate American Express will make additional purchases of $675 million of unrestricted SkyMiles in both 2013 and 2014.

Pension Contributions. We sponsor defined benefit pension plans for eligible employees and retirees. These plans are closed to new entrants and are frozen for future benefit accruals. Our funding obligations for these plans are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as modified by the The Pension Protection Act of 2006. We contributed $650 million to our defined benefit pension plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, which satisfied, on an accelerated basis, our required contributions for our defined benefit plans for 2013.

Undrawn Lines of Credit

We have available $1.8 billion in undrawn lines of credit. We have credit facilities that have covenants, such as collateral coverage ratios. If we are not in compliance with these covenants, we may be required to repay amounts borrowed under the credit facilities or post additional collateral or may not be able to draw on the revolving credit facilities.

Other

Our ability to obtain additional financing, if needed, on acceptable terms could be adversely affected by the fact that a significant portion of our assets are subject to liens.


30



Investing and Financing

Investing Activities

We incurred capital expenditures of $1.6 billion and $1.4 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our capital expenditures in the first nine months of 2013 were primarily for the purchase of aircraft and aircraft modifications that upgraded aircraft interiors and enhanced our product offering. Also during the June 2013 quarter, we purchased a 49% equity investment in Virgin Atlantic for $360 million.

We have committed to future aircraft purchases that will require significant capital investment, and have obtained long-term financing commitments for a substantial portion of the purchase price of these aircraft. We expect that we will invest approximately $2.8 billion in 2013 primarily for aircraft, aircraft modifications and the equity investment in Virgin Atlantic mentioned above. We expect that the remaining 2013 investments will be funded through cash from operations and new financings.

Financing Activities

At September 30, 2013, total debt and capital leases, including current maturities, was $11.9 billion, an $809 million reduction from December 31, 2012 and a $5.3 billion reduction from December 31, 2009. We have focused on reducing our total debt over the past few years as part of our strategy to strengthen our balance sheet. In addition, we have refinanced previous financing transactions, which we expect to reduce our total future interest expense.

In May 2013, we announced a plan to return more than $1 billion to shareholders over the next three years. As part of this plan, our Board of Directors initiated a quarterly dividend program and declared a $0.06 per share dividend for shareholders of record as of August 9, 2013. This dividend was paid in September 2013 and totaled $51 million. In addition, the Board of Directors has authorized a $500 million share repurchase program, to be completed no later than June 30, 2016. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, we repurchased and retired approximately 5 million shares at a cost of approximately $100 million.


31



Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

For information regarding our Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, see the “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” section of “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Form 10-K.

Frequent Flyer Program

General. Our agreements with American Express provide for joint marketing, grant certain benefits to Delta-American Express co-branded credit card holders ("Cardholders") and American Express Membership Rewards Program participants and allow American Express to market using our customer database. Cardholders earn mileage credits for making purchases using co-branded cards, may check their first bag for free, are granted access to Delta SkyClub lounges and receive other benefits while traveling on Delta. These benefits that we provide in the form of separate products and services under the SkyMiles agreements are referred to as "deliverables." Additionally, participants in the American Express Membership Rewards program may exchange their points for mileage credits under the SkyMiles Program. As a result, we sell mileage credits at agreed upon rates to American Express for provision to their customers under the co-brand credit card program and the Membership Rewards program.

Revenue Recognition. In September 2013, we and American Express modified our SkyMiles agreements. This modification required that we use a different accounting standard for recording SkyMiles sold. Prior to the modifications, we allocated consideration we received from selling miles to American Express among two primary deliverables: credit redeemable for future travel and marketing deliverables. We defer revenue related to the portion of mileage credits redeemable for future travel based on the rate at which we sell mileage credits to other airlines. We recognize these amounts as passenger revenue when miles are redeemed and travel services are provided. We calculated the value of the marketing component based on the residual method and recognize it as other revenue as related marketing services are provided.
The September 2013 modifications introduced new deliverables and modified existing deliverables. We concluded that these modifications were material to the SkyMiles agreements. As a result of the material modifications, we are required to use a different accounting standard that allocates the consideration received from selling miles to all deliverables based on their relative standalone sales price. Accordingly, we determined our best estimate of selling prices by considering discounted cash flows analysis using multiple inputs and assumptions, including: (1) the expected number of miles awarded and number of miles redeemed, (2) the rate at which we sell mileage credits to other airlines, (3) published rates on our website for baggage fees, access to Delta SkyClub lounges and other benefits while traveling on Delta and (4) brand value. The effect of this change in accounting standard lowered the deferral rate we use to record miles sold under the agreements. Because we now defer less revenue per mile sold, we expect the revenue impact of the SkyMiles agreement modifications to be insignificant for 2013 and to increase 2014 revenue by less than $100 million. Additionally, upon application of this accounting standard, we were required to adjust the recorded value of miles currently deferred in our Frequent Flyer Liability that originated through the American Express programs. Accordingly, we adjusted the liability in the September 2013 quarter by less than $10 million.


Income Tax Valuation Allowance

We periodically assess whether it is more likely than not that we will generate sufficient taxable income to realize our deferred income tax assets. We establish valuation allowances if it is not likely we will realize our deferred income tax assets. In making this determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence and make certain assumptions. We consider, among other things, our deferred tax liabilities, the overall business environment, our historical financial results, our industry's historically cyclical financial results and potential current and future tax planning strategies.

We recorded a full valuation allowance in 2004 due to our cumulative three year loss position at that time, compounded by the negative industry-wide business trends and outlook. At September 30, 2013, we had a $10.1 billion valuation allowance established against our deferred income tax assets, which represents a full valuation allowance against our net deferred income tax assets.


32



During 2012, we moved from a cumulative loss position over the previous three years to a cumulative income position for the first time since we established the full valuation allowance. While this is positive information, we have concluded as of September 30, 2013 that the valuation allowance was still needed on our net deferred tax assets based upon the weight of the factors described above, especially considering our history that included six consecutive years of losses. We continue to evaluate our cumulative income position and income trend as well as our future projections of sustained profitability. We evaluate whether this profitability trend constitutes sufficient positive evidence to support a reversal of our valuation allowance (in full or in part). If this profitability trend continues for the remainder of 2013 and this level of profitability is projected in the future, we anticipate that we may reverse substantially all of our valuation allowance as early as the end of 2013.

Recent Accounting Standards

Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Recently issued accounting guidance revises the reporting of items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted this guidance in the March 2013 quarter and have presented amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income in a note to the financial statements. For more information about accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), see Note 11.


33



Supplemental Information

We sometimes use information that is derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements, but that is not presented in accordance with GAAP. Certain of this information is considered to be “non-GAAP financial measures” under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules. The non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results.

The following table shows a reconciliation of CASM (a GAAP measure) to CASM-Ex (a non-GAAP financial measure).

We exclude the following items from CASM to determine CASM-Ex for the reasons described:

Aircraft fuel and related taxes. The volatility in fuel prices impacts the comparability of year-over-year financial performance. The exclusion of aircraft fuel and related taxes from this measure (including our regional carriers under capacity purchase arrangements) allows investors to better understand and analyze our non-fuel costs and our year-over-year financial performance.

Profit sharing. We exclude profit sharing because this exclusion allows investors to better understand and analyze our recurring cost performance and provides a more meaningful comparison of our core operating costs to the airline industry.

Ancillary businesses. Our ancillary businesses include aircraft maintenance and staffing services we provide to third parties and our vacation wholesale operations. Because these businesses are not related to the generation of a seat mile, we exclude the costs related to these businesses from this measure to provide a more meaningful comparison of costs of our airline operations to the rest of the airline industry.

Restructuring and other items. Because of the variability in restructuring and other items, the exclusion of this item from this measure is helpful to investors to analyze our core operational cost performance in the periods shown.

MTM adjustments. MTM adjustments are based on market prices as of the end of the reporting period for contracts settling in future periods. Such market prices are not necessarily indicative of the actual future value of the underlying hedge in the contract settlement period. Therefore, excluding these adjustments allows investors to better understand and analyze our costs for the periods reported.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
2012
2013
2012
CASM

13.97
¢

13.83
¢

14.71
¢

14.91
¢
Items excluded:
 
 
 
 
Aircraft fuel and related taxes
(4.88
)
(5.13
)
(5.04
)
(5.32
)
Profit sharing
(0.39
)
(0.28
)
(0.22
)
(0.18
)
Ancillary businesses
(0.34
)
(0.34
)
(0.32
)
(0.39
)
Restructuring and other items
(0.17
)
(0.24
)
(0.14
)
(0.19
)
MTM adjustments
0.45

0.71

0.10

0.02

CASM-Ex

8.64
¢

8.55
¢

9.09
¢

8.85
¢





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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our Form 10-K, other than those discussed below.

The following sensitivity analysis does not consider the effects of a change in demand for air travel, the economy as a whole or actions we may take to seek to mitigate our exposure to a particular risk. For these and other reasons, the actual results of changes in these prices or rates may differ materially from the following hypothetical results.

Aircraft Fuel Price Risk

Changes in aircraft fuel prices materially impact our results of operations. We actively manage our fuel price risk through a hedging program intended to reduce the financial impact on us from changes in the price of jet fuel. This fuel hedging program utilizes several different contract and commodity types. The economic effectiveness of this hedge portfolio is frequently tested against our financial targets. The hedge portfolio is rebalanced from time to time according to market conditions, which may result in locking in gains or losses on hedge contracts prior to their settlement dates.

Our fuel hedge portfolio consists of call options; put options; combinations of two or more call options and put options; swap contracts; and futures contracts. The products underlying the hedge contracts include crude oil, diesel fuel and jet fuel, as these commodities are highly correlated with the price of jet fuel that we consume. Our fuel hedge contracts contain margin funding requirements. The margin funding requirements may cause us to post margin to counterparties or may cause counterparties to post margin to us as market prices in the underlying hedged items change. If fuel prices change significantly from the levels existing at the time we enter into fuel hedge contracts, we may be required to post a significant amount of margin. We may adjust our hedge portfolio from time to time in response to margin posting requirements.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, aircraft fuel and related taxes, including our regional carriers under capacity purchase agreements, accounted for $8.7 billion, or 34%, of our total operating expense. We recognized $336 million of net fuel hedge gains during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, including $184 million of mark-to-market gains primarily relating to hedge contracts settling in future periods.

The following table shows the projected cash impact to fuel cost assuming 10% and 20% increases or decreases in fuel prices. The hedge gain (loss) reflects the change in the projected cash settlement value of our open fuel hedge contracts at September 30, 2013 based on their contract settlement dates, assuming the same 10% and 20% changes.
 
Three Months Ending December 31, 2013
 
Year Ending December 31, 2014
 
Fuel Hedge Margin Received from (Posted to) Counterparties
(in millions)
(Increase) Decrease to Unhedged Fuel Cost(1)
Hedge Gain (Loss)(2)
Net Impact
 
(Increase) Decrease to Unhedged Fuel Cost(1)
Hedge Gain (Loss)(2)
Net Impact
 
+ 20%
$
(530
)
$
40

$
(490
)
 
$
(2,200
)
$
540

$
(1,660
)
 
$
300

+ 10%
(260
)
70

(190
)
 
(1,100
)
290

(810
)
 
190

 - 10%
260

30

290

 
1,100

(20
)
1,080

 
(10
)
 - 20%
530

20

550

 
2,200

(180
)
2,020

 
(250
)

(1) 
Projections based upon the (increase) decrease to unhedged fuel cost as compared to the jet fuel price per gallon of $2.86, excluding transportation costs and taxes, at September 30, 2013 and estimated fuel consumption of 918 million and 3.9 billion gallons for the three months ending December 31, 2013 and year ending December 31, 2014, respectively.
(2) 
Projections based on average futures prices by contract settlement month compared to futures prices at September 30, 2013.


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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, performed an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, which have been designed to permit us to effectively identify and timely disclose important information. Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2013 to ensure that material information was accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

During the three months ended September 30, 2013, we did not make any changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.





36



REVIEW REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Delta Air Lines, Inc.

We have reviewed the consolidated balance sheet of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (the Company) as of September 30, 2013, and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Delta Air Lines, Inc. as of December 31, 2012 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows and stockholders' (deficit) equity for the year then ended (not present herein) and in our report dated February 12, 2013, we expressed an unqualified audit opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
            

Atlanta, Georgia
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
October 23, 2013
 


37



PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

“Item 3. Legal Proceedings” of our Form 10-K includes a discussion of our legal proceedings. There have been no material changes from the legal proceedings described in our Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

“Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Form 10-K includes a discussion of our risk factors. The information below updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the risk factors and information disclosed in our Form 10-K. Except as presented below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors described in our Form 10-K.

The operation of a refinery by Monroe is subject to significant environmental regulation. Failure to comply with environmental regulations or the enactment of additional regulation could have a negative impact on our consolidated financial results.
Monroe's operations are subject to numerous environmental laws and extensive regulations, including those relating to the discharge of materials into the environment, waste management, pollution prevention measures and greenhouse gas emissions. If Monroe violates or fails to comply with these laws and regulations, Monroe could be fined or otherwise sanctioned, which if significant could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. In addition, the enactment of new environmental laws and regulations, including any laws or regulations relating to greenhouse gas emissions, could significantly increase the level of expenditures required for environmental matters for Monroe.
Under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has adopted Renewable Fuel Standards (“RFS”) that mandate the blending of renewable fuels into gasoline and on-road diesel ("Transportation Fuels"). Renewable Identification Numbers (“RINs”) are assigned to renewable fuels produced or imported into the U.S. that are blended into Transportation Fuels to demonstrate compliance with this obligation. A refinery may meet its obligation under RFS by blending the necessary volumes of renewable fuels with Transportation Fuels or by purchasing RINs in the open market or through a combination of blending and purchasing RINs.
Because the refinery operated by Monroe does not blend renewable fuels, it must purchase its entire RINs requirement in the secondary market or obtain a waiver from the EPA. Monroe is exposed to the market price of RINs. Market prices for RINs have recently become volatile and have increased significantly during 2013. We cannot predict the future prices of RINs. Purchasing RINs, if available in the secondary market, at elevated prices could have a material impact on our results of operations and cash flows for the full year.
Existing laws or regulations could change and the minimum volumes of renewable fuels that must be blended with refined petroleum products may increase. The RFS mandate increased in 2013 and could increase further in future years. Increases in the volume of renewable fuels that must be blended into Monroe's products could limit the refinery's production if sufficient numbers of RINs are not available for purchase or relief from this requirement is not obtained, which could have an adverse effect on our consolidated financial results.

38



ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table presents information with respect to purchases of common stock we made during the September 2013 quarter. The total number of shares purchased includes shares repurchased pursuant to our $500 million share repurchase program, which was publicly announced on May 8, 2013 (the "2013 Repurchase Program"). The purchases made in September 2013 under the 2013 Repurchase Program were made pursuant to a trading plan meeting the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The 2013 Repurchase Program will terminate in June 2016.

In addition, the table includes shares withheld from employees to satisfy certain tax obligations due in connection with grants of stock under the Delta Air Lines, Inc. 2007 Performance Compensation Plan (the "2007 Plan"). The 2007 Plan provides for the withholding of shares to satisfy tax obligations. It does not specify a maximum number of shares that can be withheld for this purpose. The shares of common stock withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations may be deemed to be “issuer purchases” of shares that are required to be disclosed pursuant to this Item.

Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid Per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar Value (in millions) of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan or Programs
July 2013
7,089

$
19.48

7,089

$500
August 2013
2,351,494

$
19.56

2,351,494

$455
September 2013
2,195,025

$
21.82

2,195,025

$407
Total
4,553,608

 
4,553,608

 


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits

15
Letter from Ernst & Young LLP regarding unaudited interim financial information

31.1
Certification by Delta's Chief Executive Officer with respect to Delta's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

31.2
Certification by Delta's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with respect to Delta's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

32
Certification pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code by Delta's Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with respect to Delta's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

101.INS
XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

39



SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
/s/ Craig M. Meynard
 
Craig M. Meynard
 
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
October 23, 2013
 






40