United Airlines Holdings (UAL) issues $1,000,000,000 4.875% senior notes due 2029
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. is offering $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.875% senior unsecured notes due March 1, 2029, fully and unconditionally guaranteed by United Airlines, Inc. The notes are priced at 100% of principal, pay 4.875% interest semiannually starting September 1, 2026, and may be redeemed at a make-whole premium before December 1, 2028, or at par thereafter.
Underwriting discounts are 0.750%, giving gross proceeds of $992,500,000 and estimated net proceeds of about $989.9 million. The company plans to use the cash for fees and expenses related to the offering and general corporate purposes, which may include repayment or redemption of existing debt.
The notes rank equally with other unsecured unsubordinated obligations but are effectively subordinated to approximately $22.2 billion of secured obligations and structurally subordinated to non-guarantor subsidiaries’ liabilities. As of December 31, 2025, total debt, finance leases and other financial liabilities were $24,988 million, rising to $26,988 million as adjusted for this issue and new 2031 notes, while shareholders’ equity was $15,282 million.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
(To Prospectus dated November 20, 2023)
Guaranteed by
| | | |
Per Note
|
| |
Total
|
| ||||||
|
Public offering price(1)
|
| | | | 100.000% | | | | | $ | 1,000,000,000 | | |
|
Underwriting discounts and commissions
|
| | | | 0.750% | | | | | $ | 7,500,000 | | |
|
Proceeds, before expenses, to us
|
| | | | 99.250% | | | | | $ | 992,500,000 | | |
| | Barclays | | |
BofA Securities
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BNP PARIBAS
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Citigroup
|
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Credit Agricole CIB
|
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Deutsche Bank Securities
|
|
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Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
|
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J.P. Morgan
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Mizuho
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Morgan Stanley
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MUFG
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Natixis
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NatWest
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SMBC Nikko
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Loop Capital Markets
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ING
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Raymond James
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Page
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About This Prospectus Supplement
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| | | | S-ii | | |
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Prospectus Supplement Summary
|
| | | | S-1 | | |
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Risk Factors
|
| | | | S-5 | | |
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Use of Proceeds
|
| | | | S-10 | | |
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Capitalization
|
| | | | S-11 | | |
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Selected Financial Data
|
| | | | S-12 | | |
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Description of Notes
|
| | | | S-14 | | |
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Certain U.S. Federal Tax Considerations
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| | | | S-30 | | |
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Certain ERISA Considerations
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| | | | S-34 | | |
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Underwriting
|
| | | | S-36 | | |
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Legal Matters
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| | | | S-41 | | |
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Experts
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| | | | S-41 | | |
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Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
|
| | | | S-41 | | |
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Page
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About This Prospectus
|
| | | | 1 | | |
|
Risk Factors
|
| | | | 2 | | |
|
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
|
| | | | 2 | | |
|
The Company
|
| | | | 4 | | |
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Selling Security Holders
|
| | | | 4 | | |
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Use of Proceeds
|
| | | | 4 | | |
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Description of UAL Capital Stock
|
| | | | 5 | | |
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Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees
|
| | | | 15 | | |
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Description of Depositary Shares
|
| | | | 25 | | |
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Description of Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units
|
| | | | 28 | | |
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Description of Subscription Rights
|
| | | | 29 | | |
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Description of Warrants
|
| | | | 30 | | |
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Plan of Distribution
|
| | | | 31 | | |
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Where You Can Find More Information
|
| | | | 33 | | |
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Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
|
| | | | 33 | | |
|
Legal Matters
|
| | | | 34 | | |
|
Experts
|
| | | | 34 | | |
| | | |
Three months ended
December 31, 2025 |
| |
Year ended
December 31, 2025 |
| ||||||
| | | |
(unaudited, in millions)
|
| |||||||||
|
Net income
|
| | | $ | 1,044 | | | | | $ | 3,353 | | |
|
Adjusted EBITDA(2)
|
| | | | 2,185 | | | | | | 8,076 | | |
|
Adjusted EBITDAR(2)
|
| | | | 2,424 | | | | | | 8,969 | | |
| | | |
Three months ended
December 31, 2025 |
| |
Year ended
December 31, 2025 |
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| | | |
(unaudited, in millions)
|
| |||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR Calculations | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Net income
|
| | | $ | 1,044 | | | | | $ | 3,353 | | |
| Adjusted for: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
| | | | 748 | | | | | | 2,939 | | |
|
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest and interest income
|
| | | | 133 | | | | | | 556 | | |
|
Income tax expense
|
| | | | 281 | | | | | | 953 | | |
|
Special charges (credits)
|
| | | | (8) | | | | | | 259 | | |
|
Nonoperating unrealized (gains) losses on investments, net
|
| | | | (13) | | | | | | (4) | | |
|
Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 20 | | |
| | | |
Three months ended
December 31, 2025 |
| |
Year ended
December 31, 2025 |
| ||||||
| | | |
(unaudited, in millions)
|
| |||||||||
|
Adjusted EBITDA
|
| | | $ | 2,185 | | | | | $ | 8,076 | | |
|
Fixed portion of operating lease expense
|
| | | | 239 | | | | | | 894 | | |
|
Adjusted EBITDAR
|
| | | $ | 2,424 | | | | | $ | 8,969 | | |
| Operating statistics: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Passengers (thousands)
|
| | | | 45,679 | | | | | | 181,053 | | |
|
Revenue passenger miles (millions)
|
| | | | 68,246 | | | | | | 271,619 | | |
|
Available seat miles (millions)
|
| | | | 83,365 | | | | | | 330,284 | | |
|
Passenger load factor
|
| | | | 81.9% | | | | | | 82.2% | | |
|
Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)
|
| | | | 16.71 | | | | | | 16.18 | | |
|
Cost per available seat mile (cents)
|
| | | | 16.81 | | | | | | 16.46 | | |
|
Cost per available seat mile (cents), excluding special charges,
third-party business expenses and profit sharing |
| | | | 12.94 | | | | | | 12.64 | | |
| | | |
At December 31, 2025
|
| |||||||||
| | | |
Actual
|
| |
As adjusted
|
| ||||||
| | | |
(unaudited, in millions)
|
| |||||||||
| Cash, restricted cash and short-term investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents
|
| | | $ | 5,942 | | | | | $ | 7,919 | | |
|
Short-term investments
|
| | | | 6,298 | | | | | | 6,298 | | |
|
Restricted cash
|
| | | | 139 | | | | | | 139 | | |
|
Total cash and short-term investments
|
| | | $ | 12,379 | | | | | $ | 14,356 | | |
| Capitalization: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Secured debt | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
4.375% SGR Senior Secured Notes due 2026
|
| | | $ | 2,000 | | | | | $ | 2,000 | | |
|
4.625% SGR Senior Secured Notes due 2029
|
| | | | 2,000 | | | | | | 2,000 | | |
|
SGR Term Loan due 2031
|
| | | | 2,061 | | | | | | 2,061 | | |
|
EETC Debt
|
| | | | 8,009 | | | | | | 8,009 | | |
|
Bank Debt and Other Debt
|
| | | | 4,061 | | | | | | 4,061 | | |
|
Finance leases
|
| | | | 474 | | | | | | 474 | | |
|
Other financial liabilities
|
| | | | 3,248 | | | | | | 3,248 | | |
|
Unamortized (discount) premium and deferred financing fees
|
| | | | (117) | | | | | | (117) | | |
|
Total secured debt, finance leases and other financial liabilities(2)
|
| | | $ | 21,736 | | | | | $ | 21,736 | | |
|
Notes offered hereby
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 1,000 | | |
|
5.375% Senior Notes due 2031
|
| | | | — | | | | | | 1,000 | | |
|
1.000% PSP Notes due 2030 and 2031
|
| | | | 3,181 | | | | | | 3,181 | | |
|
Other unsecured notes
|
| | | | 71 | | | | | | 71 | | |
|
Total unsecured debt
|
| | | $ | 3,252 | | | | | $ | 5,252 | | |
|
Total debt, finance leases and other financial liabilities
|
| | | $ | 24,988 | | | | | $ | 26,988 | | |
|
Shareholders’ equity
|
| | | $ | 15,282 | | | | | $ | 15,282 | | |
|
Total capitalization
|
| | | $ | 40,269 | | | | | $ | 42,269 | | |
| | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, |
| |
Last twelve
months ended September 30, 2025 |
| |
Year ended
December 31, 2024 |
| |||||||||||||||
| | | |
2025
|
| |
2024
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | | |
(unaudited, in millions)
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Net income
|
| | | $ | 2,309 | | | | | $ | 2,164 | | | | | $ | 3,295 | | | | | $ | 3,149 | | |
|
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
|
| | | | 5,890 | | | | | | 5,876 | | | | | | 8,229 | | | | | | 8,211 | | |
|
Adjusted EBITDAR(1)
|
| | | | 6,545 | | | | | | 6,520 | | | | | | 9,095 | | | | | | 9,066 | | |
| | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, |
| |
Last twelve
months ended September 30, 2025 |
| |
Year ended
December 31, 2024 |
| |||||||||||||||
| | | |
2025
|
| |
2024
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | | |
(unaudited, in millions)
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR Calculations | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Net income
|
| | | $ | 2,309 | | | | | $ | 2,164 | | | | | $ | 3,295 | | | | | $ | 3,149 | | |
| Adjusted for: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
| | | | 2,191 | | | | | | 2,169 | | | | | | 2,950 | | | | | | 2,928 | | |
|
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest and interest income
|
| | | | 424 | | | | | | 532 | | | | | | 569 | | | | | | 676 | | |
|
Income tax expense
|
| | | | 672 | | | | | | 697 | | | | | | 994 | | | | | | 1,019 | | |
|
Special charges (credits)(A)
|
| | | | 266 | | | | | | 44 | | | | | | 335 | | | | | | 112 | | |
|
Nonoperating unrealized losses on investments, net(A)
|
| | | | 8 | | | | | | 160 | | | | | | 47 | | | | | | 199 | | |
|
Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification fees(A)
|
| | | | 20 | | | | | | 110 | | | | | | 39 | | | | | | 128 | | |
|
Adjusted EBITDA
|
| | | $ | 5,890 | | | | | $ | 5,876 | | | | | $ | 8,229 | | | | | $ | 8,211 | | |
|
Fixed portion of operating lease expense
|
| | | | 654 | | | | | | 644 | | | | | | 866 | | | | | | 855 | | |
|
Adjusted EBITDAR(B)
|
| | | $ | 6,545 | | | | | $ | 6,520 | | | | | $ | 9,095 | | | | | $ | 9,066 | | |
| | | |
Nine months ended
September 30, |
| |
Last twelve
months ended September 30, 2025 |
| |
Year ended
December 31, 2024 |
| |||||||||||||||
| | | |
2025
|
| |
2024
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
| | | |
(unaudited, in millions)
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Special charges (credits) and unrealized losses on investments
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
Operating labor contract ratification bonuses
|
| | | $ | 561 | | | | | $ | — | | | | | $ | 561 | | | | | $ | — | | |
|
Operating (gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges
|
| | | | (295) | | | | | | 44 | | | | | | (226) | | | | | | 112 | | |
|
Nonoperating unrealized losses on investments,
net |
| | | | 8 | | | | | | 160 | | | | | | 47 | | | | | | 199 | | |
|
Nonoperating debt extinguishment and modification
fees |
| | | | 20 | | | | | | 110 | | | | | | 39 | | | | | | 128 | | |
|
Total operating and nonoperating special charges (credits) and unrealized losses on investments,
net |
| | | $ | 295 | | | | | $ | 314 | | | | | $ | 421 | | | | | $ | 439 | | |
|
Underwriters
|
| |
Principal
amount of notes |
| |||
|
Barclays Capital Inc.
|
| | | $ | 333,333,000 | | |
|
BofA Securities, Inc.
|
| | | | 333,333,000 | | |
|
BNP Paribas Securities Corp.
|
| | | | 25,641,000 | | |
|
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
|
| | | | 25,641,000 | | |
|
Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc.
|
| | | | 25,641,000 | | |
|
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
|
| | | | 25,641,000 | | |
|
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
|
| | | | 25,641,000 | | |
|
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
|
| | | | 25,641,000 | | |
|
Mizuho Securities USA LLC
|
| | | | 25,641,000 | | |
|
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
|
| | | | 25,641,000 | | |
|
MUFG Securities Americas Inc.
|
| | | | 25,641,000 | | |
|
Natixis Securities Americas LLC
|
| | | | 25,641,000 | | |
|
NatWest Markets Securities Inc.
|
| | | | 25,641,000 | | |
|
SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc.
|
| | | | 25,641,000 | | |
|
Loop Capital Markets LLC
|
| | | | 12,822,000 | | |
|
ING Financial Markets LLC
|
| | | | 6,410,000 | | |
|
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
|
| | | | 6,410,000 | | |
|
Total
|
| | | $ | 1,000,000,000 | | |
| | | |
Paid by UAL
|
| |||
|
Per note
|
| | | | 0.750% | | |
|
Total
|
| | | $ | 7,500,000 | | |
|
Combined filings by UAL and United
|
| |
Date filed
|
|
|
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024
|
| |
February 27, 2025
|
|
|
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025
|
| |
April 16, 2025
|
|
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2025
|
| |
July 17, 2025
|
|
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025
|
| |
October 16, 2025
|
|
|
Current Report on Form 8-K
|
| |
July 9, 2025
|
|
|
Current Report on Form 8-K
|
| |
February 2, 2026
|
|
|
Filings by UAL only
|
| |
Date filed
|
|
|
Current Report on Form 8-K
|
| |
January 17, 2025
|
|
|
Current Report on Form 8-K
|
| |
May 28, 2025
|
|
|
Current Report on Form 8-K/A
|
| |
May 28, 2025
|
|
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Guarantees of Debt Securities
Depositary Shares
Stock Purchase Contracts
Stock Purchase Units
Subscription Rights
Warrants
Guarantees of Debt Securities
| | | |
Page
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
|
| | | | 1 | | |
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RISK FACTORS
|
| | | | 2 | | |
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
|
| | | | 2 | | |
|
THE COMPANY
|
| | | | 4 | | |
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SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS
|
| | | | 4 | | |
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USE OF PROCEEDS
|
| | | | 4 | | |
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DESCRIPTION OF UAL CAPITAL STOCK
|
| | | | 5 | | |
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES
|
| | | | 15 | | |
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
|
| | | | 25 | | |
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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS
|
| | | | 28 | | |
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DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
|
| | | | 29 | | |
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
|
| | | | 30 | | |
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
|
| | | | 31 | | |
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
|
| | | | 33 | | |
|
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
|
| | | | 33 | | |
|
LEGAL MATTERS
|
| | | | 34 | | |
|
EXPERTS
|
| | | | 34 | | |
http://www.sec.gov.
|
Combined Filings by UAL and United
|
| |
Date Filed
|
|
|
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (including those portions of UAL’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 13, 2023 that are specifically incorporated by reference into such Annual Report on Form 10-K)......................................................................
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| |
February 16, 2023
|
|
|
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023................................................................
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| |
April 20, 2023
|
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2023....................................................................
|
| |
July 20, 2023
|
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023..........................................................
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| |
October 18, 2023
|
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Current Report on Form 8-K...............................................
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| |
May 31, 2023
|
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Current Report on Form 8-K...............................................
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June 20, 2023
|
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Current Report on Form 8-K (Item 5.02 only).....................
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September 22, 2023
|
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Current Report on Form 8-K (Item 1.01 only).....................
|
| |
October 4, 2023
|
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Registration Statement on Form 8-A, description of UAL’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share.......................
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| |
September 5, 2018, including any amendments or reports filed to update such description
|
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Registration Statement on Form 8-A, description of UAL’s Preferred Stock Purchase Rights......................................
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| |
December 7, 2020, including any amendments or reports filed to update such description
|
|
|
Filings by UAL
|
| |
Date Filed
|
|
| Current Report on Form 8-K | | |
January 27, 2023
|
|
| Current Report on Form 8-K | | |
May 30, 2023
|
|
|
Filings by United
|
| |
Date Filed
|
|
| Current Report on Form 8-K | | |
June 20, 2023
|
|
| Current Report on Form 8-K | | |
June 21, 2023
|
|
United Airlines, Inc.
233 S. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(872) 825-4000
Attention: Corporate Secretary
FAQ
What are the key terms of United Airlines Holdings (UAL) new 4.875% notes?
The company is issuing $1,000,000,000 of 4.875% senior unsecured notes due March 1, 2029, guaranteed by United Airlines, Inc. Interest is paid semiannually on March 1 and September 1, starting September 1, 2026, with a 360-day, 30/360 day-count convention.
How will United Airlines Holdings (UAL) use the $1,000,000,000 note offering proceeds?
Estimated net proceeds of approximately $989.9 million will fund fees and expenses of the transaction and general corporate purposes. These purposes may include repaying or redeeming existing indebtedness, giving the company flexibility to manage its balance sheet and liquidity.
How do the new 4.875% notes rank in United Airlines Holdings (UAL) capital structure?
The notes and guarantee are senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally with existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated debt. They are effectively subordinated to secured debt to the extent of collateral and structurally subordinated to obligations of non-guarantor subsidiaries.
What are the main risks for investors in United Airlines Holdings (UAL) 2029 notes?
Key risks include subordination to significant secured and subsidiary-level debt, potential inability to refinance or repay at maturity, and reliance on United for cash flows. The notes also lack restrictive covenants on leverage and will not be listed, which may limit trading liquidity.
Does a Change of Control affect United Airlines Holdings (UAL) 4.875% notes?
Yes. Upon a defined Change of Control Triggering Event, the company must offer to repurchase notes at 101% of principal plus accrued interest. However, other debt may restrict such payments, and some highly leveraged transactions might not qualify as a Change of Control Triggering Event.
What is United Airlines Holdings (UAL) leverage profile after this note issuance?
As of December 31, 2025, total debt, finance leases and other financial liabilities were $24,988 million. As adjusted for the $1,000,000,000 notes and $1,000,000,000 of 5.375% 2031 notes, this rises to $26,988 million, while shareholders’ equity remains $15,282 million.
What recent financial performance does United Airlines Holdings (UAL) disclose in the prospectus?
For 2025, preliminary unaudited results show net income of $3,353 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $8,076 million and Adjusted EBITDAR of $8,969 million. These figures reflect management’s non-GAAP performance measures and remain subject to completion of the financial closing process and external review.