United Airlines (UAUA) Reports January 2010 Operational Performance

Feb. 8, 2010 (Business Wire) — United Airlines today reported its preliminary consolidated traffic results for January 2010. Total consolidated revenue passenger miles (RPMs) increased in January by 2.4% on a decrease of 2.0% in available seat miles (ASMs) compared with the same period in 2009. This resulted in a reported January 2010 consolidated passenger load factor of 78.5%, an increase of 3.4 points compared to 2009.

For January 2010, United reported a U.S. Department of Transportation on-time arrival rate of 83.6%.

For January 2010, consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) is estimated to have increased 9.5% to 11.5% year over year. Consolidated PRASM is estimated to have increased 2.0% to 4.0% for January 2010 compared to January 2008. Given the significant volatility in the revenue environment in 2009, management believes investors will find the year-over-two-year comparison to be useful.

Shown below are the year-over-year PRASM changes each month in the first quarter of 2009 for United along with a comparison to the combined Air Transport Association (ATA) carriers. Additional historical data can be found in the table at the end of this release.

		United’s 2009 Consolidated PRASM Increase/Decrease vs. 2008		Higher/Lower than Industry (ATA) including fees
January 2009		-6.7%		-4.0 points
February 2009		-11.2%		-3.4 points
March 2009		-15.0%		-1.2 points
First Quarter 2009		-11.1%		-2.7 points

Average January 2010 mainline fuel price, including gains or losses on settled fuel hedges and excluding non-cash mark-to-market fuel hedge gains and losses, is estimated to be $2.22 per gallon for the month. Including non-cash, mark-to-market fuel hedge gains and losses, the estimated fuel price is $3.12 per gallon for the month.

About United

United Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UAL Corporation (Nasdaq: UAUA), operates approximately 3,300** flights a day on United and United Express to more than 230 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States. United also is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 1,077 destinations in 175 countries worldwide. United’s 46,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company’s Web site at united.com.

REVENUE PASSENGER MILES (‘000)*
		January 2010		January 2009		Change
North America		4,201,748		4,269,378		-1.6%
Pacific		1,798,877		1,816,011		-0.9%
Atlantic		1,315,151		1,230,230		6.9%
Latin America		326,074		333,506		-2.2%
Total International		3,440,102		3,379,747		1.8%
Total Mainline		7,641,850		7,649,125		-0.1%
Regional Affiliates		1,126,938		917,675		22.8%
Total Consolidated		8,768,788		8,566,800		2.4%
AVAILABLE SEAT MILES (‘000)*
North America		5,364,637		5,540,641		-3.2%
Pacific		2,106,664		2,355,115		-10.5%
Atlantic		1,715,454		1,707,637		0.5%
Latin America		400,242		456,028		-12.2%
Total International		4,222,360		4,518,780		-6.6%
Total Mainline		9,586,997		10,059,421		-4.7%
Regional Affiliates		1,584,546		1,341,974		18.1%
Total Consolidated		11,171,543		11,401,395		-2.0%
LOAD FACTOR*
North America		78.3%		77.1%		1.2 pts
Pacific		85.4%		77.1%		8.3 pts
Atlantic		76.7%		72.0%		4.7 pts
Latin America		81.5%		73.1%		8.4 pts
Total International		81.5%		74.8%		6.7 pts
Total Mainline		79.7%		76.0%		3.7 pts
Regional Affiliates		71.1%		68.4%		2.7 pts
Total Consolidated		78.5%		75.1%		3.4 pts
REVENUE PASSENGERS BOARDED (‘000)*
Mainline		4,024		4,220		-4.6%
Regional Affiliates		2,021		1,730		16.8%
Total Consolidated		6,045		5,950		1.6%
CARGO TON MILES (000)*
Freight		123,487		88,372		39.7%
Mail		17,636		18,575		-5.1%
Total Mainline		141,123		106,947		32.0%

*Includes Scheduled and Charter Operations. Regional Affiliates results only reflect flights operated under capacity purchase agreements.

Historical PRASM Data

		Consolidated		Year-Over-Year
		PRASM		Change
January 2008				13.3%
February 2008				7.6%
March 2008				4.8%
First Quarter 2008		11.09 ¢/ASM		8.3%
April 2008				4.6%
May 2008				5.5%
June 2008				2.0%
Second Quarter 2008		12.39 ¢/ASM		3.9%
July 2008				3.8%
August 2008				5.8%
September 2008*				6.0%
Third Quarter 2008*		13.02 ¢/ASM		5.2%
October 2008				8.5%
November 2008				-0.6%
December 2008				-2.2%
Fourth Quarter 2008		11.96 ¢/ASM		2.1%
January 2009				-6.7%
February 2009				-11.2%
March 2009				-15.0%
First Quarter 2009		9.86 ¢/ASM		-11.1%
April 2009				-14.2%
May 2009				-17.6%
June 2009				-19.5%
Second Quarter 2009		10.26 ¢/ASM		-17.2%
July 2009				-14.9%
August 2009				-15.1%
September 2009				-14.2%
Third Quarter 2009		11.10 ¢/ASM		-14.7%
October 2009				-11.3%
November 2009				-4.4%
December 2009				1.5%
Fourth Quarter 2009		11.34 ¢/ASM		-5.2%
* Excludes special items

Non-GAAP Reconciliations
		January 2010
Mainline fuel price per gallon excluding non-cash, net mark-to-market gains and losses		$2.22
Add: Non-cash, net mark to market gains and losses per gallon		$0.90
Mainline fuel price per gallon		$3.12