Restructuring and Other Items

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

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 (Loss):



	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(in millions)	2012		2011		2012			2011
Severance and related costs	$	171	$	80	$	171		$	80
Facilities, fleet and other	22		64		49			71
Gain on slot exchange	—		—		(39		)	—
Total restructuring and other items	$	193	$	144	$	181		$	151

Severance and Related Costs. During the March 2012 quarter, we announced voluntary workforce reduction programs primarily for eligible U.S. non-pilot employees. Approximately 2,000 employees enrolled in these programs in the June 2012 quarter and became eligible for retiree healthcare benefits. As a result, we recorded a $171 million charge for severance and related retiree healthcare costs, including $104 million of special termination benefits (see Note 8).

The following table shows the balances and activity for restructuring charges:



(in millions)	Severance and Related Costs			Lease Restructuring
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	46		$	64
Additional costs and expenses	67			3
Payments	(28		)	(6		)
Balance as of June 30, 2012	$	85		$	61

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 will recognize the remainder of the deferred gain in the September 2012 quarter as the remaining restrictions lapsed on July 11, 2012.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for restructuring and related activities. Description of restructuring activities such as exit and disposal activities, include facts and circumstances leading to the plan, the expected plan completion date, the major types of costs associated with the plan activities, total expected costs, the accrual balance at the end of the period, and the periods over which the remaining accrual will be settled.

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