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Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]  
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
(a) Aircraft, Engine and Other Purchase Commitments
Under all of our aircraft and engine purchase agreements, our total future commitments as of December 31, 2025 are expected to be as follows (approximately, in millions):
202620272028202920302031 and ThereafterTotal
Payments for aircraft and engine commitments (1)
$2,931 $2,468 $4,021 $4,921 $3,151 $6,696 $24,188 
(1)These amounts are net of purchase deposits currently held by the equipment manufacturers. Our purchase deposits held by such manufacturers totaled $656 million and $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Due to uncertainty surrounding the timing of delivery of certain aircraft, the amounts in the table represent our most current estimate based on contractual delivery schedules adjusted for updates and revisions to such schedules communicated to management by the applicable equipment manufacturer and certain management assumptions. However, the actual delivery schedule may differ, potentially materially, based on various potential factors including production delays by the equipment manufacturers and regulatory concerns.
Additionally, we have other purchase commitments primarily related to aircraft fuel, flight equipment maintenance and information technology support as follows (approximately): $4.1 billion in 2026, $1.8 billion in 2027, $1.6 billion in 2028, $495 million in 2029, $615 million in 2030 and $3.7 billion in 2031 and thereafter. These amounts exclude obligations under certain fuel offtake agreements or other agreements for which the timing of the related expenditure is uncertain, or which are subject to material contingencies, such as the construction of a production facility.
(b) Capacity Purchase Agreements with Third-Party Regional Carriers
American has capacity purchase agreements with third-party regional carriers. The capacity purchase agreements provide that all revenues, including passenger, in-flight, ancillary, mail and freight revenues, go to American. American controls marketing, scheduling, ticketing, pricing and seat inventories. In return, American agrees to pay predetermined fees to these airlines for operating an agreed-upon number of aircraft, without regard to the number of passengers on board. In addition, these agreements provide that American either reimburses or pays 100% of certain variable costs, such as airport landing fees, fuel and passenger liability insurance.
As of December 31, 2025, American’s capacity purchase agreements with third-party regional carriers had expiration dates ranging from 2032 to 2033, with rights of American to extend the respective terms of certain agreements.
As of December 31, 2025, American’s commitments under its capacity purchase agreements with third-party regional carriers are expected to be as follows (approximately, in millions):
202620272028202920302031 and ThereafterTotal
Regional capacity purchase agreements (1)
$1,159 $1,156 $1,082 $900 $457 $399 $5,153 
(1)These commitments are estimates of costs based on assumed minimum levels of flying under the capacity purchase agreements and American’s actual payments could differ materially.
(c) Construction Projects
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
In 2018, we executed a lease agreement with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), which owns and operates LAX, in connection with a $1.6 billion modernization project related to LAX Terminals 4 and 5. Construction started in October 2018 and is expected to be completed in 2028 in a phased approach. Under the lease agreement and subsequent project component approvals, the City of Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has appropriated approximately $1.6 billion to purchase completed project assets, representing the maximum allowable reimbursement by LAWA. In September 2024, we executed an agreement to where a substantial majority of the non-proprietary project costs will be funded through the Regional Airports Improvement Corporation (RAIC), a quasigovernmental special purpose entity that acts as a conduit borrower under a syndicated credit facility provided by a group of lenders in the form of a $250 million revolving credit facility. Loans made under the credit facility are being repaid with the proceeds from LAWA’s purchase of completed project assets. We guarantee the obligation of the RAIC under the credit facility associated with the Terminals 4 and 5 lease. As of December 31, 2025, our outstanding guaranteed obligation under the credit facility for the Terminals 4 and 5 project was $135 million. Additionally, we have recovered $1.3 billion since project inception through the end of 2025 and expect to receive approximately $292 million in additional reimbursements by the end of 2028.
As we control the assets during construction, they are recognized on our consolidated balance sheets within operating property and equipment until the assets are sold and transferred. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we have sold and transferred $163 million, $588 million and $170 million of non-proprietary improvements, respectively, which are included within proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions and sale of property and equipment on our consolidated statements of cash flows. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, we incurred $107 million, $187 million and $283 million, respectively, of non-proprietary improvement costs relating to the LAX modernization project. Cash payments related to these improvements are included within other investing activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows.
Tulsa Maintenance Base
Improvements to the Tulsa Maintenance Base include the design, construction and renovation of various facilities therein. The Tulsa Maintenance Base is American’s largest maintenance facility and is an integral part of operating its mainline fleet. We have concluded that we do not control the underlying assets being constructed, and therefore, we recognize operating lease liabilities with corresponding ROU assets on the consolidated balance sheet as individual project stages are completed and leases commence.
In May 2025, the Tulsa Municipal Airport Trust (TMAT) issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of special facility revenue bonds on behalf of American, with $300 million maturing on December 1, 2035 and $100 million maturing on December 1, 2040 (collectively, the 2025 TMAT Bonds). The 2025 TMAT Bond due December 1, 2035 was priced at 109% of par value and the 2025 TMAT Bond due December 1, 2040 was priced at 107% of par value. The gross proceeds from the issuance of the 2025 TMAT Bonds were approximately $432 million. Of this amount, $104 million was used to fund the redemption of the aggregate principal amount of TMAT’s outstanding 2015 special facility revenue bonds (the 2015 TMAT Bonds), and the remaining $328 million will be used to finance the cost of improvements at the Tulsa Maintenance Base, which are expected to be completed in 2028. The net proceeds received from the 2025 TMAT Bonds, offset by related project spend, are reflected within other investing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
The 2025 TMAT Bonds bear interest at 6.25% per annum commencing on May 8, 2025, until the day preceding the applicable maturity date, on which date the bonds will be subject to mandatory tender for purchase by American. American is required to pay rent equal to the annual principal and interest requirement on the 2025 TMAT Bonds through payments under a sublease agreement with TMAT (as amended), and AAG guarantees the 2025 TMAT Bonds. American’s obligations under both the sublease agreement with TMAT and the 2025 TMAT Bonds are secured by a leasehold mortgage on American’s lease of the Tulsa Maintenance Base.
(d) Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Pass-Through Trusts
American currently has 280 owned aircraft and 60 owned spare aircraft engines, which in each case were financed with EETCs issued by pass-through trusts. These trusts are off-balance sheet entities, the primary purpose of which is to finance the acquisition of flight equipment or to permit issuance of debt backed by existing flight equipment. In the case of aircraft EETCs, rather than finance each aircraft separately when such aircraft is purchased, delivered or refinanced, these trusts allow American to raise the financing for a number of aircraft at one time and, if applicable, place such funds in escrow pending a future purchase, delivery or refinancing of the relevant aircraft. Similarly, in the case of spare engine EETCs, the trusts allow American to use its existing pool of spare engines to raise financing under a single facility. The trusts have also been structured to provide for certain credit enhancements, such as liquidity facilities to cover certain interest payments, that reduce the risks to the purchasers of the trust certificates and, as a result, reduce the cost of aircraft financing to American.
Each trust covers a set number of aircraft or spare engines scheduled to be delivered, financed or refinanced upon the issuance of the EETC or within a specific period of time thereafter. At the time of each covered aircraft or spare engine financing, the relevant trust used the proceeds from the issuance of the EETC (which may have been available at the time of issuance thereof or held in escrow until financing of the applicable aircraft following its delivery) to purchase equipment notes relating to the financed aircraft or engines. The equipment notes are issued, at American’s election, in connection with a mortgage financing of the aircraft or spare engines. The equipment notes are secured by a security interest in the aircraft or engines, as applicable. The pass-through trust certificates are not direct obligations of, nor are they guaranteed by, AAG or American. However, the equipment notes issued to the trusts are direct obligations of American and, in certain instances, have been guaranteed by AAG. As of December 31, 2025, $6.9 billion associated with these mortgage financings is reflected as debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Letters of Credit and Other
We provide financial assurance, such as letters of credit and surety bonds, primarily to support projected workers’ compensation obligations and airport commitments. As of December 31, 2025, we had $412 million of letters of credit and surety bonds securing various obligations, of which $97 million is collateralized with our restricted cash. The letters of credit and surety bonds that are subject to expiration will expire on various dates through 2037.
(e) Legal Proceedings
Private Party Antitrust Actions Related to the Northeast Alliance (NEA). On December 5, 2022 and December 7, 2022, two private party plaintiffs filed putative class action antitrust complaints against AAG and JetBlue Airways Corporation (JetBlue) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleging that AAG and JetBlue violated U.S. antitrust law in connection with the previously disclosed NEA. These actions were consolidated on January 10, 2023. The private party plaintiffs filed an amended consolidated complaint on February 3, 2023. On February 2, 2023 and February 15, 2023, private party plaintiffs filed two additional putative class action antitrust complaints against AAG and JetBlue in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, respectively. In March 2023, AAG filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts case asking to transfer the case to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and consolidate it with the cases pending in that venue. The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted that motion. The remaining cases were consolidated with the other actions in the Eastern District of New York. In June 2023, the private party plaintiffs filed a second amended consolidated complaint, followed by a third amended complaint filed in August 2023. In September 2023, AAG, together with JetBlue, filed a motion to dismiss the third amended complaint. In September 2024, the court denied that motion. AAG and JetBlue filed answers to the private party plaintiffs’ third amended complaint in October 2024. We believe these lawsuits are without merit and are defending against them vigorously.
Securities and Stockholder Derivative Litigation. On July 18, 2024, AAG and certain of its current and former officers were named as defendants in a putative class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, captioned Qawasmi v. American Airlines Group Inc., et al. The Qawasmi plaintiff purported to represent investors who acquired AAG securities between January 25, 2024 and May 28, 2024. On August 28, 2024, AAG and certain of its current and former officers were named as defendants in a second putative class action lawsuit filed in the same court, captioned Thornburg v. American Airlines Group Inc., et al. The Thornburg plaintiff purported to represent investors who acquired AAG securities between July 20, 2023 and May 28, 2024. Both the Qawasmi and Thornburg complaints asserted violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act based on allegations that, during the relevant periods, AAG misrepresented and/or omitted material facts related to its financial outlook and certain commercial initiatives. On
November 22, 2024, the Qawasmi and Thornburg complaints were consolidated into a single action bearing the caption In re American Airlines Group Inc. Securities Litigation. The court also appointed co-lead plaintiffs and lead counsel to represent the putative class in the consolidated action. Plaintiffs filed a consolidated complaint on January 21, 2025, and an amended consolidated complaint on March 19, 2025. The consolidated complaint made similar factual allegations to the prior complaints regarding AAG’s financial outlook and certain commercial initiatives. AAG and the individual defendants filed a joint motion to dismiss on March 21, 2025. On November 15, 2025, the court granted AAG’s motion in full, dismissing the complaint with prejudice. The court entered final judgment in favor of defendants on November 18, 2025. Plaintiffs did not appeal the order, and the case is closed.
Additionally, on September 19, 2024, certain of AAG’s current and former directors and officers were named as defendants in a shareholder derivative lawsuit (in which AAG is a nominal defendant) filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, captioned Hollin v. Isom, et al. The Hollin complaint asserted violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, breach of fiduciary duty, and claims for unjust enrichment and corporate waste. On September 26, 2024, a second derivative complaint was filed in the same court, similarly naming certain of AAG’s current and former directors and officers (as well as AAG as a nominal defendant), captioned Leon v. Isom, et al. The Leon complaint asserted violations of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, breaches of fiduciary duty, claims of unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets, and a claim for contribution. The Hollin and Leon complaints generally alleged the same purported misconduct as alleged in the securities class action. On November 25, 2024, the Hollin and Leon complaints were consolidated into a single action bearing the caption In re American Airlines Group Inc. Stockholder Derivative Litigation. Plaintiffs and AAG filed a joint motion to voluntarily dismiss the consolidated derivative action without prejudice on February 5, 2026, and on February 6, 2026, the court granted AAG’s motion in full, dismissing all claims in the matter without prejudice and entering final judgment in favor of defendants.
American Eagle Flight 5342 Accident Litigation. On January 29, 2025, American Eagle flight 5342 was involved in a fatal accident in Washington, D.C. The Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft operated by PSA was en route to Washington, D.C. from Wichita, Kansas when it was involved in a midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Beginning on September 24, 2025, multiple wrongful death and survival actions have been filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia related to the accident. We expect additional actions will continue to be filed. All cases have been assigned to the same judge and are subject to streamlined pleading and discovery procedures. The court required plaintiffs to file a single consolidated Master Complaint (MC), with later joining plaintiffs to file short form complaints adopting the MC and adding any plaintiff-specific information. The MC alleges that the U.S. Government, American and PSA negligently caused or contributed to the accident. In December 2025, American and PSA filed motions to dismiss asserting several defenses. Briefing on the motions to dismiss is ongoing, with a hearing set for February 27, 2026. Discovery is ongoing pursuant to an expedited 18-month discovery and pre-trial calendar, which sets the trial date for April 12, 2027. We believe these lawsuits are without merit as to American and PSA and are defending against them vigorously.
General. In addition to the specifically identified legal proceedings, we and our subsidiaries are also engaged in other legal proceedings from time to time. Legal proceedings can be complex and take many months, or even years, to reach resolution, with the final outcome depending on a number of variables, some of which are not within our control. Therefore, although we will vigorously defend ourselves in each of the actions described above and such other legal proceedings, their ultimate resolution and potential financial and other impacts on us are uncertain but could be material.
(f) Guarantees and Indemnifications
We are party to many routine contracts in which we provide general indemnities in the normal course of business to third parties for various risks. We are not able to estimate the potential amount of any liability resulting from the indemnities. These indemnities are discussed in the following paragraphs.
In our aircraft financing agreements, we generally indemnify the financing parties, trustees acting on their behalf and other relevant parties against liabilities (including certain taxes) resulting from the financing, manufacture, design, ownership, operation and maintenance of the aircraft regardless of whether these liabilities (including certain taxes) relate to the negligence of the indemnified parties.
Our loan agreements and certain other financing transactions may obligate us to reimburse the applicable lender for incremental costs due to a change in law that imposes (i) any reserve or special deposit requirement against assets of, deposits with or credit extended by such lender related to the loan, (ii) any tax, duty or other charge with respect to the loan (except standard income tax) or (iii) capital adequacy requirements. In addition, our loan agreements and other financing arrangements typically contain a withholding tax provision that requires us to pay additional amounts to the
applicable lender or other financing party, generally if withholding taxes are imposed on such lender or other financing party as a result of a change in the applicable tax law.
In certain transactions, including certain aircraft financing leases and loans, the lessors, lenders and/or other parties have rights to terminate the transaction based on changes in foreign tax law, illegality or certain other events or circumstances. In such a case, we may be required to make a lump sum payment to terminate the relevant transaction.
We have general indemnity clauses in many of our airport and other real estate leases where we as lessee indemnify the lessor (and related parties) against liabilities related to our use of the leased property. Generally, these indemnifications cover liabilities resulting from the negligence of the indemnified parties, but not liabilities resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the indemnified parties. In addition, we provide environmental indemnities in many of these leases for contamination related to our use of the leased property.
Under certain contracts with third parties, we indemnify the third-party against legal liability arising out of an action by the third-party, or certain other parties. The terms of these contracts vary and the potential exposure under these indemnities cannot be determined. We have liability insurance protecting us from some of the obligations we have undertaken under these indemnities.
American is required to make principal and interest payments for certain special facility revenue bonds issued by municipalities primarily to build or improve airport facilities and purchase equipment, which are leased to American. The payment of principal and interest of certain special facility revenue bonds is guaranteed by AAG. As of December 31, 2025, the remaining lease payments through 2040 guaranteeing the principal and interest on these bonds are $703 million and the current carrying amount of the associated operating lease liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet is $427 million.
As of December 31, 2025, AAG had issued guarantees covering approximately $14.1 billion of American’s debt (and interest thereon), including the Credit Facilities, the AAdvantage Financing, senior secured notes, certain equipment loans and special facility revenue bonds.
(g) Credit Card Processing Agreements
We have agreements with companies that process customer credit card transactions for the sale of air travel and other services. Our agreements allow these credit card processing companies, under certain conditions, to hold an amount of our cash (referred to as a holdback) equal to all or a portion of advance ticket sales that have been processed by that company, but for which we have not yet provided the air transportation. These holdback requirements can be implemented at the discretion of the credit card processing companies upon the occurrence of specific events, including material adverse changes in our financial condition or the triggering of a liquidity covenant. The imposition of holdback requirements would reduce our liquidity.
(h) Labor Contracts
As of December 31, 2025, we employed approximately 139,100 active full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, of which 33,100 were employed by our wholly-owned regional subsidiaries. Of the total active FTE employees, 86% are covered by CBAs with various labor unions and 15% are covered by CBAs that are currently amendable or that will become amendable within one year.
American Airlines, Inc.  
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]  
Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees
(a) Aircraft, Engine and Other Purchase Commitments
Under all of American’s aircraft and engine purchase agreements, its total future commitments as of December 31, 2025 are expected to be as follows (approximately, in millions):
202620272028202920302031 and ThereafterTotal
Payments for aircraft and engine commitments (1)
$2,931 $2,468 $4,021 $4,921 $3,151 $6,696 $24,188 
(1)These amounts are net of purchase deposits currently held by the equipment manufacturers. American’s purchase deposits held by such manufacturers totaled $656 million and $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Due to uncertainty surrounding the timing of delivery of certain aircraft, the amounts in the table represent American’s most current estimate based on contractual delivery schedules adjusted for updates and revisions to such schedules communicated to management by the applicable equipment manufacturer and certain management assumptions. However, the actual delivery schedule may differ, potentially materially, based on various potential factors including production delays by the equipment manufacturers and regulatory concerns.
Additionally, American has other purchase commitments primarily related to aircraft fuel, flight equipment maintenance and information technology support as follows (approximately): $4.1 billion in 2026, $1.8 billion in 2027, $1.6 billion in 2028, $493 million in 2029, $615 million in 2030 and $3.7 billion in 2031 and thereafter. These amounts exclude
obligations under certain fuel offtake agreements or other agreements for which the timing of the related expenditure is uncertain, or which are subject to material contingencies, such as the construction of a production facility.
(b) Capacity Purchase Agreements with Third-Party Regional Carriers
American has capacity purchase agreements with third-party regional carriers. The capacity purchase agreements provide that all revenues, including passenger, in-flight, ancillary, mail and freight revenues, go to American. American controls marketing, scheduling, ticketing, pricing and seat inventories. In return, American agrees to pay predetermined fees to these airlines for operating an agreed-upon number of aircraft, without regard to the number of passengers on board. In addition, these agreements provide that American either reimburses or pays 100% of certain variable costs, such as airport landing fees, fuel and passenger liability insurance.
As of December 31, 2025, American’s capacity purchase agreements with third-party regional carriers had expiration dates ranging from 2032 to 2033, with rights of American to extend the respective terms of certain agreements.
As of December 31, 2025, American’s commitments under its capacity purchase agreements with third-party regional carriers are expected to be as follows (approximately, in millions):
202620272028202920302031 and ThereafterTotal
Regional capacity purchase agreements (1)
$1,159 $1,156 $1,082 $900 $457 $399 $5,153 
(1)These commitments are estimates of costs based on assumed minimum levels of flying under the capacity purchase agreements and American’s actual payments could differ materially.
(c) Construction Projects
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
In 2018, American executed a lease agreement with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), which owns and operates LAX, in connection with a $1.6 billion modernization project related to LAX Terminals 4 and 5. Construction started in October 2018 and is expected to be completed in 2028 in a phased approach. Under the lease agreement and subsequent project component approvals, the City of Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has appropriated approximately $1.6 billion to purchase completed project assets, representing the maximum allowable reimbursement by LAWA. In September 2024, American executed an agreement to where a substantial majority of the non-proprietary project costs will be funded through the Regional Airports Improvement Corporation (RAIC), a quasigovernmental special purpose entity that acts as a conduit borrower under a syndicated credit facility provided by a group of lenders in the form of a $250 million revolving credit facility. Loans made under the credit facility are being repaid with the proceeds from LAWA’s purchase of completed project assets. American guarantees the obligation of the RAIC under the credit facility associated with the Terminals 4 and 5 lease. As of December 31, 2025, American’s outstanding guaranteed obligation under the credit facility for the Terminals 4 and 5 project was $135 million. Additionally, American has recovered $1.3 billion since project inception through the end of 2025 and expects to receive approximately $292 million in additional reimbursements by the end of 2028.
As American controls the assets during construction, they are recognized on its consolidated balance sheets within operating property and equipment until the assets are sold and transferred. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, American has sold and transferred $163 million, $588 million and $170 million of non-proprietary improvements, respectively, which are included within proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions and sale of property and equipment on American’s consolidated statements of cash flows. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, American incurred $107 million, $187 million and $283 million, respectively, of non-proprietary improvement costs relating to the LAX modernization project. Cash payments related to these improvements are included within other investing activities on American’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
Tulsa Maintenance Base
Improvements to the Tulsa Maintenance Base include the design, construction and renovation of various facilities therein. The Tulsa Maintenance Base is American’s largest maintenance facility and is an integral part of operating its mainline fleet. American has concluded that it does not control the underlying assets being constructed, and therefore, it recognizes operating lease liabilities with corresponding ROU assets on the consolidated balance sheet as individual project stages are completed and leases commence.
In May 2025, the Tulsa Municipal Airport Trust (TMAT) issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of special facility revenue bonds on behalf of American, with $300 million maturing on December 1, 2035 and $100 million maturing on December 1, 2040 (collectively, the 2025 TMAT Bonds). The 2025 TMAT Bond due December 1, 2035 was priced at 109% of par value and the 2025 TMAT Bond due December 1, 2040 was priced at 107% of par value. The gross proceeds from the issuance of the 2025 TMAT Bonds were approximately $432 million. Of this amount, $104 million was used to fund the redemption of the aggregate principal amount of TMAT’s outstanding 2015 special facility revenue bonds (the 2015 TMAT Bonds), and the remaining $328 million will be used to finance the cost of improvements at the Tulsa Maintenance Base, which are expected to be completed in 2028. The net proceeds received from the 2025 TMAT Bonds, offset by related project spend, are reflected within other investing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
The 2025 TMAT Bonds bear interest at 6.25% per annum commencing on May 8, 2025, until the day preceding the applicable maturity date, on which date the bonds will be subject to mandatory tender for purchase by American. American is required to pay rent equal to the annual principal and interest requirement on the 2025 TMAT Bonds through payments under a sublease agreement with TMAT (as amended), and AAG guarantees the 2025 TMAT Bonds. American’s obligations under both the sublease agreement with TMAT and the 2025 TMAT Bonds are secured by a leasehold mortgage on American’s lease of the Tulsa Maintenance Base.
(d) Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Pass-Through Trusts
American currently has 280 owned aircraft and 60 owned spare aircraft engines, which in each case were financed with EETCs issued by pass-through trusts. These trusts are off-balance sheet entities, the primary purpose of which is to finance the acquisition of flight equipment or to permit issuance of debt backed by existing flight equipment. In the case of aircraft EETCs, rather than finance each aircraft separately when such aircraft is purchased, delivered or refinanced, these trusts allow American to raise the financing for a number of aircraft at one time and, if applicable, place such funds in escrow pending a future purchase, delivery or refinancing of the relevant aircraft. Similarly, in the case of spare engine EETCs, the trusts allow American to use its existing pool of spare engines to raise financing under a single facility. The trusts have also been structured to provide for certain credit enhancements, such as liquidity facilities to cover certain interest payments, that reduce the risks to the purchasers of the trust certificates and, as a result, reduce the cost of aircraft financing to American.
Each trust covers a set number of aircraft or spare engines scheduled to be delivered, financed or refinanced upon the issuance of the EETC or within a specific period of time thereafter. At the time of each covered aircraft or spare engine financing, the relevant trust used the proceeds from the issuance of the EETC (which may have been available at the time of issuance thereof or held in escrow until financing of the applicable aircraft following its delivery) to purchase equipment notes relating to the financed aircraft or engines. The equipment notes are issued, at American’s election, in connection with a mortgage financing of the aircraft or spare engines. The equipment notes are secured by a security interest in the aircraft or engines, as applicable. The pass-through trust certificates are not direct obligations of, nor are they guaranteed by, AAG or American. However, the equipment notes issued to the trusts are direct obligations of American and, in certain instances, have been guaranteed by AAG. As of December 31, 2025, $6.9 billion associated with these mortgage financings is reflected as debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Letters of Credit and Other
American provides financial assurance, such as letters of credit and surety bonds, primarily to support projected workers’ compensation obligations and airport commitments. As of December 31, 2025, American had $412 million of letters of credit and surety bonds securing various obligations, of which $97 million is collateralized with American’s restricted cash. The letters of credit and surety bonds that are subject to expiration will expire on various dates through 2037.
(e) Legal Proceedings
Private Party Antitrust Actions Related to the Northeast Alliance (NEA). On December 5, 2022 and December 7, 2022, two private party plaintiffs filed putative class action antitrust complaints against AAG and JetBlue Airways Corporation (JetBlue) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleging that AAG and JetBlue violated U.S. antitrust law in connection with the previously disclosed NEA. These actions were consolidated on January 10, 2023. The private party plaintiffs filed an amended consolidated complaint on February 3, 2023. On February 2, 2023 and February 15, 2023, private party plaintiffs filed two additional putative class action antitrust complaints against AAG and JetBlue in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York,
respectively. In March 2023, AAG filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts case asking to transfer the case to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and consolidate it with the cases pending in that venue. The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted that motion. The remaining cases were consolidated with the other actions in the Eastern District of New York. In June 2023, the private party plaintiffs filed a second amended consolidated complaint, followed by a third amended complaint filed in August 2023. In September 2023, AAG, together with JetBlue, filed a motion to dismiss the third amended complaint. In September 2024, the court denied that motion. AAG and JetBlue filed answers to the private party plaintiffs’ third amended complaint in October 2024. AAG believes these lawsuits are without merit and is defending against them vigorously.
Securities and Stockholder Derivative Litigation. On July 18, 2024, AAG and certain of its current and former officers were named as defendants in a putative class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, captioned Qawasmi v. American Airlines Group Inc., et al. The Qawasmi plaintiff purported to represent investors who acquired AAG securities between January 25, 2024 and May 28, 2024. On August 28, 2024, AAG and certain of its current and former officers were named as defendants in a second putative class action lawsuit filed in the same court, captioned Thornburg v. American Airlines Group Inc., et al. The Thornburg plaintiff purported to represent investors who acquired AAG securities between July 20, 2023 and May 28, 2024. Both the Qawasmi and Thornburg complaints asserted violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act based on allegations that, during the relevant periods, AAG misrepresented and/or omitted material facts related to its financial outlook and certain commercial initiatives. On November 22, 2024, the Qawasmi and Thornburg complaints were consolidated into a single action bearing the caption In re American Airlines Group Inc. Securities Litigation. The court also appointed co-lead plaintiffs and lead counsel to represent the putative class in the consolidated action. Plaintiffs filed a consolidated complaint on January 21, 2025, and an amended consolidated complaint on March 19, 2025. The consolidated complaint made similar factual allegations to the prior complaints regarding AAG’s financial outlook and certain commercial initiatives. AAG and the individual defendants filed a joint motion to dismiss on March 21, 2025. On November 15, 2025, the court granted AAG’s motion in full, dismissing the complaint with prejudice. The court entered final judgment in favor of defendants on November 18, 2025. Plaintiffs did not appeal the order, and the case is closed.
Additionally, on September 19, 2024, certain of AAG’s current and former directors and officers were named as defendants in a shareholder derivative lawsuit (in which AAG is a nominal defendant) filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, captioned Hollin v. Isom, et al. The Hollin complaint asserted violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act, breach of fiduciary duty, and claims for unjust enrichment and corporate waste. On September 26, 2024, a second derivative complaint was filed in the same court, similarly naming certain of AAG’s current and former directors and officers (as well as AAG as a nominal defendant), captioned Leon v. Isom, et al. The Leon complaint asserted violations of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, breaches of fiduciary duty, claims of unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets, and a claim for contribution. The Hollin and Leon complaints generally alleged the same purported misconduct as alleged in the securities class action. On November 25, 2024, the Hollin and Leon complaints were consolidated into a single action bearing the caption In re American Airlines Group Inc. Stockholder Derivative Litigation. Plaintiffs and AAG filed a joint motion to voluntarily dismiss the consolidated derivative action without prejudice on February 5, 2026, and on February 6, 2026, the court granted AAG’s motion in full, dismissing all claims in the matter without prejudice and entering final judgment in favor of defendants.
American Eagle Flight 5342 Accident Litigation. On January 29, 2025, American Eagle flight 5342 was involved in a fatal accident in Washington, D.C. The Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft operated by PSA Airlines, Inc. (PSA) was en route to Washington, D.C. from Wichita, Kansas when it was involved in a midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Beginning on September 24, 2025, multiple wrongful death and survival actions have been filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia related to the accident. AAG expects additional actions will continue to be filed. All cases have been assigned to the same judge and are subject to streamlined pleading and discovery procedures. The court required plaintiffs to file a single consolidated Master Complaint (MC), with later joining plaintiffs to file short form complaints adopting the MC and adding any plaintiff-specific information. The MC alleges that the U.S. Government, American and PSA negligently caused or contributed to the accident. In December 2025, American and PSA filed motions to dismiss asserting several defenses. Briefing on the motions to dismiss is ongoing, with a hearing set for February 27, 2026. Discovery is ongoing pursuant to an expedited 18-month discovery and pre-trial calendar, which sets the trial date for April 12, 2027. AAG believes these lawsuits are without merit as to American and PSA and is defending against them vigorously.
General. In addition to the specifically identified legal proceedings, American and its subsidiaries are also engaged in other legal proceedings from time to time. Legal proceedings can be complex and take many months, or even years, to reach resolution, with the final outcome depending on a number of variables, some of which are not within American’s control. Therefore, although American will vigorously defend itself in each of the actions described above and such other legal proceedings, their ultimate resolution and potential financial and other impacts on American are uncertain but could be material.
(f) Guarantees and Indemnifications
American is a party to many routine contracts in which it provides general indemnities in the normal course of business to third parties for various risks. American is not able to estimate the potential amount of any liability resulting from the indemnities. These indemnities are discussed in the following paragraphs.
In its aircraft financing agreements, American generally indemnifies the financing parties, trustees acting on their behalf and other relevant parties against liabilities (including certain taxes) resulting from the financing, manufacture, design, ownership, operation and maintenance of the aircraft regardless of whether these liabilities (including certain taxes) relate to the negligence of the indemnified parties.
American’s loan agreements and certain other financing transactions may obligate American to reimburse the applicable lender for incremental costs due to a change in law that imposes (i) any reserve or special deposit requirement against assets of, deposits with or credit extended by such lender related to the loan, (ii) any tax, duty or other charge with respect to the loan (except standard income tax) or (iii) capital adequacy requirements. In addition, American’s loan agreements and other financing arrangements typically contain a withholding tax provision that requires American to pay additional amounts to the applicable lender or other financing party, generally if withholding taxes are imposed on such lender or other financing party as a result of a change in the applicable tax law.
In certain transactions, including certain aircraft financing leases and loans, the lessors, lenders and/or other parties have rights to terminate the transaction based on changes in foreign tax law, illegality or certain other events or circumstances. In such a case, American may be required to make a lump sum payment to terminate the relevant transaction.
American has general indemnity clauses in many of its airport and other real estate leases where American as lessee indemnifies the lessor (and related parties) against liabilities related to American’s use of the leased property. Generally, these indemnifications cover liabilities resulting from the negligence of the indemnified parties, but not liabilities resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the indemnified parties. In addition, American provides environmental indemnities in many of these leases for contamination related to American’s use of the leased property.
Under certain contracts with third parties, American indemnifies the third-party against legal liability arising out of an action by the third-party, or certain other parties. The terms of these contracts vary and the potential exposure under these indemnities cannot be determined. American has liability insurance protecting American from some of the obligations it has undertaken under these indemnities.
American is required to make principal and interest payments for certain special facility revenue bonds issued by municipalities primarily to build or improve airport facilities and purchase equipment, which are leased to American. The payment of principal and interest of certain special facility revenue bonds is guaranteed by American. As of December 31, 2025, the remaining lease payments through 2040 guaranteeing the principal and interest on these bonds are $703 million and the current carrying amount of the associated operating lease liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet is $427 million.
As of December 31, 2025, American had issued guarantees covering AAG’s $1.8 billion aggregate principal amount of the PSP1 Promissory Note due April 2030, $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the PSP2 Promissory Note due January 2031 and $959 million aggregate principal amount of the PSP3 Promissory Note due April 2031.
(g) Credit Card Processing Agreements
American has agreements with companies that process customer credit card transactions for the sale of air travel and other services. American’s agreements allow these credit card processing companies, under certain conditions, to hold an amount of its cash (referred to as a holdback) equal to all or a portion of advance ticket sales that have been processed by that company, but for which American has not yet provided the air transportation. These holdback requirements can be implemented at the discretion of the credit card processing companies upon the occurrence of specific events, including material adverse changes in American’s financial condition or the triggering of a liquidity covenant. The imposition of holdback requirements would reduce American’s liquidity.
(h) Labor Contracts
As of December 31, 2025, American employed approximately 106,000 active full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. Of the total active FTE employees, 87% are covered by CBAs with various labor unions and 1% are covered by CBAs that are currently amendable or that will become amendable within one year.