v3.25.1
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, INVESTMENTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, INVESTMENTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, INVESTMENTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE
The table below presents the value of financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company's financial statements (in millions):
March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents$9,370 $9,370 $— $— $8,769 $8,769 $— $— 
Restricted cash — current200 200 — — 11 11 — — 
Restricted cash — noncurrent167 167 — — 166 166 — — 
Short-term investments:
U.S. government and agency notes1,936 — 1,936 — 2,280 — 2,280 — 
Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (CDARS)71 — 71 — 59 — 59 — 
Corporate debt3,546 — 3,546 — 3,127 — 3,127 — 
Other fixed-income securities407 — 407 — 240 — 240 — 
Long-term investments:
Equity securities50 50 — — 71 71 — — 
Investments presented in the table above have the same fair value as their carrying value.
Short-term investments — The short-term investments shown in the table above are classified as available-for-sale and have remaining maturities of less than two years.
Long-term investments: Equity securities — Represents equity and equity-linked securities (such as vested warrants) that make up United's investments in Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras S.A., Archer Aviation Inc., Eve Holding, Inc. and Mesa Air Group, Inc. ("Mesa"). United concluded that Mesa is a variable interest entity as of March 31, 2025. United holds a variable interest in Mesa in the form of an approximately 10% equity interest and several loans to Mesa, but United is not the primary beneficiary because it does not have power to direct the activities that most significantly impact Mesa's economic performance.
Other fair value information. The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the table above (in millions). Carrying amounts include any related discounts, premiums and issuance costs.
March 31, 2025December 31, 2024
Carrying AmountFair ValueCarrying AmountFair Value
TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Long-term debt$23,842 $23,549 $— $16,582 $6,967 $24,653 $24,423 $— $17,300 $7,123 
Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows:
DescriptionFair Value Methodology
Cash and cash equivalents and Restricted cash (current and non-current)The carrying amounts of these assets approximate fair value.
Short-term and Long-term investmentsFair value is based on (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar instruments or (b) broker quotes obtained by third-party valuation services.
Long-term debtFair values are based on either market prices or the discounted amount of future cash flows using our current incremental rate of borrowing for similar liabilities.
Equity Method Investments. As of March 31, 2025, United holds investments, accounted for using the equity method, with a combined carrying value of approximately $249 million, including the following:
•Republic Airways Holdings Inc. ("Republic Airways"). United holds a 19% minority interest in Republic Airways, which is the parent company of Republic Airways Inc. ("Republic"). Republic currently operates 66 regional aircraft under capacity purchase agreements ("CPAs") with United that have terms through 2037.
•CommuteAir LLC. United owns a 40% minority ownership stake in CommuteAir LLC. CommuteAir currently operates 59 regional aircraft under a CPA with United that has a term through 2026.
•United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund (the "Fund"). United holds, through its corporate venture capital arm, United Airlines Ventures, Ltd., a 33% ownership interest in the Fund. The Fund is an investment vehicle designed to invest in start-ups developing technologies focused on decarbonizing aviation and its associated energy supply chains, including through research and production, and technologies associated with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Other Investments. As of March 31, 2025, United has equity investments in a number of companies including a multinational airline holding company, an independent air carrier and others with emerging technologies and sustainable solutions. None of these investments have readily determinable fair values. We account for these investments at cost less impairment, adjusted for observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. As of March 31, 2025, the carrying value of these investments was $262 million.
Notes Receivable. As of March 31, 2025, the Company has $79 million of notes receivable, net of allowance for credit losses, the majority of which is from certain of its regional carriers. The current portions of the notes receivable are recorded in Receivables, net. The long-term portion of the notes receivable is recorded in Investments in affiliates and other, net on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
On April 4, 2025, Mesa entered into an Agreement, Plan of Conversion and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Republic Airways. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, Republic Airways will merge with and into Mesa, with Mesa continuing as the surviving corporation following the merger (the "Surviving Entity"). At the effective time of the merger, our equity holdings in both Mesa and Republic Airways will be converted into shares of the new Surviving Entity. Concurrent with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Republic Airways, Mesa and its affiliates, and United entered into a Three Party Agreement that provides for certain actions to be taken subject to the terms and conditions therein to facilitate transactions related to the merger, including United's commitment to facilitate, by making certain financial contributions to Mesa, Mesa's disposition of certain assets and its extinguishment of certain liabilities in exchange for United receiving shares of up to 6% of equity interests of the Surviving Entity.