LEASES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2024

Leases [Abstract]

LEASES

LEASES

The Company enters into leases for aircraft, property, and other types of equipment in the normal course of business. As allowed under ASC 842, Leases, the Company has elected a practical expedient to exclude from recognition lease assets and lease liabilities associated with leases that have an initial term of twelve months or less. Such expense was not material for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company held aircraft leases with remaining terms extending up to 9 years. The aircraft leases generally can be renewed for three months to three years at rates based on the fair market value at the end of the lease term. Residual value guarantees included in the Company's lease agreements are not material. Any lease return costs incurred by the Company are recognized as a component of Other operating expenses but were not material for all periods presented.

In fourth quarter 2024, the Company entered into an agreement with UMB Bank, N.A. ("UMB Bank") involving the sale of 36 of the Company’s Boeing -800 aircraft that qualified as sale-leaseback arrangements under applicable accounting guidance. Of the 36 -800 sale-leasebacks, 35 were executed in fourth quarter 2024 and one was finalized in late January 2025. The Company sold the 35 -800 aircraft in fourth quarter 2024 to UMB Bank for $871 million, then immediately leased the aircraft back for approximately two to three years. In first quarter 2025, the Company sold one -800 aircraft to UMB Bank for $24 million, then immediately leased the aircraft back for approximately three years. As such, 35 aircraft were de-recognized from Property and equipment at their remaining net book values at the time of sale. All of the leases from the sale-leasebacks are accounted for as operating leases, and thus are now reflected as part of the Company’s Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. The -800 sale-leaseback transaction resulted in a recognized gain of $92 million and operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities of $319 million in fourth quarter 2024 and will result in a recognized gain of $3 million in first quarter 2025, reflected within Other operating expenses, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Throughout 2024, the Company entered into agreements with third parties to purchase two -700 aircraft, both of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms, one -800 aircraft, and the airframe of one -800 aircraft, both of which were already in the Company's fleet under operating lease terms. The Company paid the lessors $45 million in 2024, of which $3 million was recorded as the elimination of the Company's remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and $2 million was recorded as the elimination of the Company's remaining operating lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Changes in Other noncurrent assets in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $40 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company's Capital expenditures for 2024. There was no gain or loss recorded as a result of these transactions. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has 88 operating and 18 finance leased aircraft remaining.

In second and third quarter 2023, the Company also entered into additional transactions with third parties to purchase four -700 aircraft, all of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms. The Company paid the lessors $44 million in 2023, of which $3 million was recorded as the elimination of the Company's remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $41 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company's Capital expenditures for 2023. There was no gain or loss recorded as a result of these transactions.

In fourth quarter 2022, the Company executed an aircraft sale agreement with AerCap Ireland Limited (“AerCap”) to purchase 39 -700 aircraft, all of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms. As each aircraft purchase was finalized, the Company relieved its related lease liability and continued to recognize the cost of the aircraft within Property and equipment section in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company completed the purchase of 31 of these aircraft during fourth quarter 2022, and the remaining eight aircraft during first quarter 2023. The Company paid the lessor $365 million and $88 million in fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2023, respectively, as part of this transaction, of which $191 million and $50 million were recorded as the elimination of

the Company’s remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $174 million and $38 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company’s Capital expenditures for fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2023, respectively. There was no gain or loss recorded as a result of these transactions.

At each airport where the Company conducts flight operations, the Company has lease agreements, generally with a governmental unit or authority, for the use of airport terminals, airfields, office space, cargo warehouses, gates, and/or maintenance facilities. These leases are classified as operating lease agreements and have remaining lease terms extending up to 36 years. Certain leases can be renewed from one year to 11 years. The majority of the airport terminal leases contain certain provisions for periodic adjustments to rates that depend upon airport operating costs or use of the facilities, and are reset at least annually. Because of the variable nature of these rates, these leases are not recorded as a right-of-use asset or a lease liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company also leases certain technology assets, fuel storage tanks, and various other equipment that qualify as leases under the applicable accounting guidance with lease terms extending up to four years. Certain leases can be renewed from six months to one year.

Lease-related assets and liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows:

(in millions)	Balance Sheet location	December 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Assets
Operating	Operating lease right-of-use assets (net)	$	1,369	$	1,223
Finance	Property and equipment (net of allowance for depreciation and amortization of $452 million and $477 million)	102		125
Total lease assets		$	1,471	$	1,348
Liabilities
Current
Operating	Current operating lease liabilities	$	328	$	208
Finance	Current maturities of long-term debt	22		29
Noncurrent
Operating	Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	1,031		985
Finance	Long-term debt less current maturities	69		75
Total lease liabilities		$	1,450	$	1,297

The components of lease costs, included in the Consolidated Statement of Income, were as follows:

(in millions)	Year ended December 31, 2024		Year ended December 31, 2023		Year ended December 31, 2022
Operating lease cost - aircraft (a)	$	186	$	186	$	188
Operating lease cost - other	77		89		84
Short-term lease cost	2		2		2
Variable lease cost	1,916		1,733		1,447
Amortization of finance lease liabilities	35		44		106
Interest on finance lease liabilities	4		5		15
Total net lease cost	$	2,220	$	2,059	$	1,842

(a) Net of sublease income of $1 million, $7 million, and $17 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022.

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases, included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, was as follows:

(in millions)	Year ended December 31, 2024		Year ended December 31, 2023		Year ended December 31, 2022
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases	$	258	$	251	$	303
Operating cash flows for finance leases	4		5		16
Financing cash flows for finance leases	26		32		78

As of December 31, 2024, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

(in millions)	Operating leases		Finance leases
2025	$	368	$	25
2026	328		23
2027	240		23
2028	174		15
2029	138		10
Thereafter	317		3
Total lease payments	$	1,565	$	99
Less imputed interest	(206)		(8)
Total lease obligations	$	1,359	$	91
Less current obligations	(328)		(22)
Long-term lease obligations	$	1,031	$	69

The table below presents additional information related to the Company's leases:

Weighted average remaining lease term	December 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Operating leases	6 years		8 years
Finance leases	4 years		5 years
Weighted average discount rate
Operating leases	4.1	%	4.0	%
Finance leases	4.0	%	3.9	%

LEASES

LEASES

The Company enters into leases for aircraft, property, and other types of equipment in the normal course of business. As allowed under ASC 842, Leases, the Company has elected a practical expedient to exclude from recognition lease assets and lease liabilities associated with leases that have an initial term of twelve months or less. Such expense was not material for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company held aircraft leases with remaining terms extending up to 9 years. The aircraft leases generally can be renewed for three months to three years at rates based on the fair market value at the end of the lease term. Residual value guarantees included in the Company's lease agreements are not material. Any lease return costs incurred by the Company are recognized as a component of Other operating expenses but were not material for all periods presented.

In fourth quarter 2024, the Company entered into an agreement with UMB Bank, N.A. ("UMB Bank") involving the sale of 36 of the Company’s Boeing -800 aircraft that qualified as sale-leaseback arrangements under applicable accounting guidance. Of the 36 -800 sale-leasebacks, 35 were executed in fourth quarter 2024 and one was finalized in late January 2025. The Company sold the 35 -800 aircraft in fourth quarter 2024 to UMB Bank for $871 million, then immediately leased the aircraft back for approximately two to three years. In first quarter 2025, the Company sold one -800 aircraft to UMB Bank for $24 million, then immediately leased the aircraft back for approximately three years. As such, 35 aircraft were de-recognized from Property and equipment at their remaining net book values at the time of sale. All of the leases from the sale-leasebacks are accounted for as operating leases, and thus are now reflected as part of the Company’s Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. The -800 sale-leaseback transaction resulted in a recognized gain of $92 million and operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities of $319 million in fourth quarter 2024 and will result in a recognized gain of $3 million in first quarter 2025, reflected within Other operating expenses, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Throughout 2024, the Company entered into agreements with third parties to purchase two -700 aircraft, both of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms, one -800 aircraft, and the airframe of one -800 aircraft, both of which were already in the Company's fleet under operating lease terms. The Company paid the lessors $45 million in 2024, of which $3 million was recorded as the elimination of the Company's remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and $2 million was recorded as the elimination of the Company's remaining operating lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Changes in Other noncurrent assets in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $40 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company's Capital expenditures for 2024. There was no gain or loss recorded as a result of these transactions. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has 88 operating and 18 finance leased aircraft remaining.

In second and third quarter 2023, the Company also entered into additional transactions with third parties to purchase four -700 aircraft, all of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms. The Company paid the lessors $44 million in 2023, of which $3 million was recorded as the elimination of the Company's remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $41 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company's Capital expenditures for 2023. There was no gain or loss recorded as a result of these transactions.

In fourth quarter 2022, the Company executed an aircraft sale agreement with AerCap Ireland Limited (“AerCap”) to purchase 39 -700 aircraft, all of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms. As each aircraft purchase was finalized, the Company relieved its related lease liability and continued to recognize the cost of the aircraft within Property and equipment section in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company completed the purchase of 31 of these aircraft during fourth quarter 2022, and the remaining eight aircraft during first quarter 2023. The Company paid the lessor $365 million and $88 million in fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2023, respectively, as part of this transaction, of which $191 million and $50 million were recorded as the elimination of

the Company’s remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $174 million and $38 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company’s Capital expenditures for fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2023, respectively. There was no gain or loss recorded as a result of these transactions.

At each airport where the Company conducts flight operations, the Company has lease agreements, generally with a governmental unit or authority, for the use of airport terminals, airfields, office space, cargo warehouses, gates, and/or maintenance facilities. These leases are classified as operating lease agreements and have remaining lease terms extending up to 36 years. Certain leases can be renewed from one year to 11 years. The majority of the airport terminal leases contain certain provisions for periodic adjustments to rates that depend upon airport operating costs or use of the facilities, and are reset at least annually. Because of the variable nature of these rates, these leases are not recorded as a right-of-use asset or a lease liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company also leases certain technology assets, fuel storage tanks, and various other equipment that qualify as leases under the applicable accounting guidance with lease terms extending up to four years. Certain leases can be renewed from six months to one year.

Lease-related assets and liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows:

(in millions)	Balance Sheet location	December 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Assets
Operating	Operating lease right-of-use assets (net)	$	1,369	$	1,223
Finance	Property and equipment (net of allowance for depreciation and amortization of $452 million and $477 million)	102		125
Total lease assets		$	1,471	$	1,348
Liabilities
Current
Operating	Current operating lease liabilities	$	328	$	208
Finance	Current maturities of long-term debt	22		29
Noncurrent
Operating	Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	1,031		985
Finance	Long-term debt less current maturities	69		75
Total lease liabilities		$	1,450	$	1,297

The components of lease costs, included in the Consolidated Statement of Income, were as follows:

(in millions)	Year ended December 31, 2024		Year ended December 31, 2023		Year ended December 31, 2022
Operating lease cost - aircraft (a)	$	186	$	186	$	188
Operating lease cost - other	77		89		84
Short-term lease cost	2		2		2
Variable lease cost	1,916		1,733		1,447
Amortization of finance lease liabilities	35		44		106
Interest on finance lease liabilities	4		5		15
Total net lease cost	$	2,220	$	2,059	$	1,842

(a) Net of sublease income of $1 million, $7 million, and $17 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022.

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases, included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, was as follows:

(in millions)	Year ended December 31, 2024		Year ended December 31, 2023		Year ended December 31, 2022
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases	$	258	$	251	$	303
Operating cash flows for finance leases	4		5		16
Financing cash flows for finance leases	26		32		78

As of December 31, 2024, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

(in millions)	Operating leases		Finance leases
2025	$	368	$	25
2026	328		23
2027	240		23
2028	174		15
2029	138		10
Thereafter	317		3
Total lease payments	$	1,565	$	99
Less imputed interest	(206)		(8)
Total lease obligations	$	1,359	$	91
Less current obligations	(328)		(22)
Long-term lease obligations	$	1,031	$	69

The table below presents additional information related to the Company's leases:

Weighted average remaining lease term	December 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Operating leases	6 years		8 years
Finance leases	4 years		5 years
Weighted average discount rate
Operating leases	4.1	%	4.0	%
Finance leases	4.0	%	3.9	%

LEASES

LEASES

The Company enters into leases for aircraft, property, and other types of equipment in the normal course of business. As allowed under ASC 842, Leases, the Company has elected a practical expedient to exclude from recognition lease assets and lease liabilities associated with leases that have an initial term of twelve months or less. Such expense was not material for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022.

As of December 31, 2024, the Company held aircraft leases with remaining terms extending up to 9 years. The aircraft leases generally can be renewed for three months to three years at rates based on the fair market value at the end of the lease term. Residual value guarantees included in the Company's lease agreements are not material. Any lease return costs incurred by the Company are recognized as a component of Other operating expenses but were not material for all periods presented.

In fourth quarter 2024, the Company entered into an agreement with UMB Bank, N.A. ("UMB Bank") involving the sale of 36 of the Company’s Boeing -800 aircraft that qualified as sale-leaseback arrangements under applicable accounting guidance. Of the 36 -800 sale-leasebacks, 35 were executed in fourth quarter 2024 and one was finalized in late January 2025. The Company sold the 35 -800 aircraft in fourth quarter 2024 to UMB Bank for $871 million, then immediately leased the aircraft back for approximately two to three years. In first quarter 2025, the Company sold one -800 aircraft to UMB Bank for $24 million, then immediately leased the aircraft back for approximately three years. As such, 35 aircraft were de-recognized from Property and equipment at their remaining net book values at the time of sale. All of the leases from the sale-leasebacks are accounted for as operating leases, and thus are now reflected as part of the Company’s Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. The -800 sale-leaseback transaction resulted in a recognized gain of $92 million and operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities of $319 million in fourth quarter 2024 and will result in a recognized gain of $3 million in first quarter 2025, reflected within Other operating expenses, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Throughout 2024, the Company entered into agreements with third parties to purchase two -700 aircraft, both of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms, one -800 aircraft, and the airframe of one -800 aircraft, both of which were already in the Company's fleet under operating lease terms. The Company paid the lessors $45 million in 2024, of which $3 million was recorded as the elimination of the Company's remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and $2 million was recorded as the elimination of the Company's remaining operating lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Changes in Other noncurrent assets in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $40 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company's Capital expenditures for 2024. There was no gain or loss recorded as a result of these transactions. As of December 31, 2024, the Company has 88 operating and 18 finance leased aircraft remaining.

In second and third quarter 2023, the Company also entered into additional transactions with third parties to purchase four -700 aircraft, all of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms. The Company paid the lessors $44 million in 2023, of which $3 million was recorded as the elimination of the Company's remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $41 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company's Capital expenditures for 2023. There was no gain or loss recorded as a result of these transactions.

In fourth quarter 2022, the Company executed an aircraft sale agreement with AerCap Ireland Limited (“AerCap”) to purchase 39 -700 aircraft, all of which were already in the Company's fleet under finance lease terms. As each aircraft purchase was finalized, the Company relieved its related lease liability and continued to recognize the cost of the aircraft within Property and equipment section in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company completed the purchase of 31 of these aircraft during fourth quarter 2022, and the remaining eight aircraft during first quarter 2023. The Company paid the lessor $365 million and $88 million in fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2023, respectively, as part of this transaction, of which $191 million and $50 million were recorded as the elimination of

the Company’s remaining finance lease obligation for the aircraft, and which was also reflected within Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The remaining $174 million and $38 million was the net purchase price of the aircraft and is included as part of the Company’s Capital expenditures for fourth quarter 2022 and first quarter 2023, respectively. There was no gain or loss recorded as a result of these transactions.

At each airport where the Company conducts flight operations, the Company has lease agreements, generally with a governmental unit or authority, for the use of airport terminals, airfields, office space, cargo warehouses, gates, and/or maintenance facilities. These leases are classified as operating lease agreements and have remaining lease terms extending up to 36 years. Certain leases can be renewed from one year to 11 years. The majority of the airport terminal leases contain certain provisions for periodic adjustments to rates that depend upon airport operating costs or use of the facilities, and are reset at least annually. Because of the variable nature of these rates, these leases are not recorded as a right-of-use asset or a lease liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The Company also leases certain technology assets, fuel storage tanks, and various other equipment that qualify as leases under the applicable accounting guidance with lease terms extending up to four years. Certain leases can be renewed from six months to one year.

Lease-related assets and liabilities recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows:

(in millions)	Balance Sheet location	December 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Assets
Operating	Operating lease right-of-use assets (net)	$	1,369	$	1,223
Finance	Property and equipment (net of allowance for depreciation and amortization of $452 million and $477 million)	102		125
Total lease assets		$	1,471	$	1,348
Liabilities
Current
Operating	Current operating lease liabilities	$	328	$	208
Finance	Current maturities of long-term debt	22		29
Noncurrent
Operating	Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	1,031		985
Finance	Long-term debt less current maturities	69		75
Total lease liabilities		$	1,450	$	1,297

The components of lease costs, included in the Consolidated Statement of Income, were as follows:

(in millions)	Year ended December 31, 2024		Year ended December 31, 2023		Year ended December 31, 2022
Operating lease cost - aircraft (a)	$	186	$	186	$	188
Operating lease cost - other	77		89		84
Short-term lease cost	2		2		2
Variable lease cost	1,916		1,733		1,447
Amortization of finance lease liabilities	35		44		106
Interest on finance lease liabilities	4		5		15
Total net lease cost	$	2,220	$	2,059	$	1,842

(a) Net of sublease income of $1 million, $7 million, and $17 million for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022.

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases, included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, was as follows:

(in millions)	Year ended December 31, 2024		Year ended December 31, 2023		Year ended December 31, 2022
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases	$	258	$	251	$	303
Operating cash flows for finance leases	4		5		16
Financing cash flows for finance leases	26		32		78

As of December 31, 2024, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

(in millions)	Operating leases		Finance leases
2025	$	368	$	25
2026	328		23
2027	240		23
2028	174		15
2029	138		10
Thereafter	317		3
Total lease payments	$	1,565	$	99
Less imputed interest	(206)		(8)
Total lease obligations	$	1,359	$	91
Less current obligations	(328)		(22)
Long-term lease obligations	$	1,031	$	69

The table below presents additional information related to the Company's leases:

Weighted average remaining lease term	December 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Operating leases	6 years		8 years
Finance leases	4 years		5 years
Weighted average discount rate
Operating leases	4.1	%	4.0	%
Finance leases	4.0	%	3.9	%