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COMMITMENTS
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS
COMMITMENTS

Future minimum fixed payments for commitments (in millions):
March 31, 2016
Aircraft Leases
 
Facility Leases
 
Aircraft Purchase Commitments
 
Capacity Purchase Agreements (a)
Remainder of 2016
$
60

 
$
70

 
$
402

 
$
53

2017
104

 
90

 
516

 
90

2018
98

 
43

 
472

 
94

2019
90

 
42

 
381

 
99

2020
81

 
40

 
320

 
106

Thereafter
467

 
147

 
392

 
858

Total
$
900

 
$
432

 
$
2,483

 
$
1,300


(a) Includes all non-aircraft lease costs associated with CPA arrangements.

Lease Commitments

At March 31, 2016, the Company had lease contracts for 27 B737 aircraft, 15 Q400 aircraft, 6 CRJ-700 aircraft (operated under the CPA with SkyWest) and 8 CRJ-700 aircraft that are subleased and operated by another carrier (i.e., not in the Company's fleet). The Company has 23 E175 lease commitments under the CPA with SkyWest, 7 of which are included in the fleet as of March 31, 2016. All lease contracts have remaining noncancelable lease terms ranging from 2016 to 2029. The Company has the option to increase capacity flown by SkyWest with eight additional E175 aircraft with 2017 and 2018 delivery dates.

The majority of airport and terminal facilities are also leased. Rent expense for aircraft and facility leases was $81 million and $73 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Aircraft Purchase Commitments
 
As of March 31, 2016, the Company is committed to purchasing 62 B737 aircraft (25 737-900ER aircraft and 37 737 MAX aircraft) and two Q400 aircraft, with deliveries in 2016 through 2022. As of March 31, 2016 we do not intend to take delivery of the two Q400 aircraft that are currently contracted. In addition, the Company has options to purchase 46 B737 aircraft and five Q400 aircraft, which are not reflected in the commitments table above.

Subsequent to March 31, 2016, the Company placed an order for 30 Embraer E175 regional jets with options to purchase an additional 33. The above table does not reflect this purchase. See Note 11 for additional information.

Capacity Purchase Agreements (CPAs)
 
At March 31, 2016, Alaska had CPAs with three carriers, including the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Horizon. Horizon sells 100% of its capacity under a CPA with Alaska. In addition, Alaska has CPAs with SkyWest to fly certain routes and PenAir to fly certain routes in the state of Alaska. Under these agreements, Alaska pays the carriers an amount which is based on a determination of their cost of operating those flights and other factors intended to approximate market rates for those services. Future payments (excluding Horizon) are based on minimum levels of flying by the third-party carriers, which could differ materially due to variable payments based on actual levels of flying and certain costs associated with operating flights such as fuel.

Contingencies

The Company is a party to routine litigation matters incidental to its business and with respect to which no material liability is expected. Management believes the ultimate disposition of these matters is not likely to materially affect the Company's financial position or results of operations. This forward-looking statement is based on management's current understanding of the relevant law and facts, and it is subject to various contingencies, including the potential costs and risks associated with litigation and the actions of arbitrators, judges and juries.