UNITED STATES
 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)


[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007


OR


[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF     

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________ TO __________


Commission File Number 1-10323


CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware


74-2099724

(State or other jurisdiction

(I.R.S. Employer

of incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)


1600 Smith Street, Dept. HQSEO

Houston, Texas 77002

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)


713-324-2950

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No _____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): Large accelerated filer   X   Accelerated filer _____ Non-accelerated filer _____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes    No   X  

__________


As of October 12, 2007, 98,134,417 shares of Class B common stock of the registrant were outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


   

PAGE

     

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 
     

Item 1.

Financial Statements -

 
     
 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

3

     
 

Consolidated Balance Sheets -

 
 

Assets

5

 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

6

     
 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

7

     
 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

8

     

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations


22

     

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

45

     

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

45

     

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 
     

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

47

     

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

47

     

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

49

     

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

49

     

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

49

     

Item 5.

Other Information

49

     

Item 6.

Exhibits

50

     
 

Signatures

52

     
 

Index to Exhibits

53

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except per share data) (Unaudited)

 

Three Months              
Ended September 30,
         

Nine Months             
Ended September 30,
       

 

2007  

 

2006  

 

2007  

 

2006  

 
                 

Operating Revenue:

   

   Passenger (excluding fees and taxes of $399,
      $361, $1,136, and $1,040, respectively)


$3,511 

 


$3,231 

 


$ 9,802 

 


$9,141 

 

   Cargo

112 

 

117 

 

328 

 

336 

 

   Other

   197 

 

   170 

 

     579 

 

   494 

 
 

3,820 

 

3,518 

 

10,709 

 

9,971 

 
                 

Operating Expenses:

               

   Aircraft fuel and related taxes

895 

 

858 

 

2,399 

 

2,310 

 

   Wages, salaries and related costs

836 

 

743 

 

2,404 

 

2,159 

 

   Regional capacity purchase, net

446 

 

475 

 

1,319 

 

1,344 

 

   Aircraft rentals

249 

 

249 

 

745 

 

742 

 

   Landing fees and other rentals

209 

 

195 

 

592 

 

578 

 

   Distribution costs

171 

 

157 

 

508 

 

495 

 

   Maintenance, materials and repairs

166 

 

140 

 

479 

 

407 

 

   Depreciation and amortization

106 

 

99 

 

306 

 

292 

 

   Passenger services

105 

 

97 

 

294 

 

268 

 

   Special charges

12 

 

 

30 

 

 

   Other

    345 

 

    312 

 

   1,027 

 

    923 

 
 

 3,540 

 

 3,326 

 

10,103 

 

 9,523 

 
                 

Operating Income

    280 

 

    192 

 

     606 

 

    448 

 
                 

Nonoperating Income (Expense):

               

   Interest expense

(96)

 

(99)

 

(289)

 

(300)

 

   Interest capitalized

 

 

19 

 

14 

 

   Interest income

44 

 

37 

 

121 

 

92 

 

   Income from other companies

 

15 

 

13 

 

49 

 

   Gain on sale of ExpressJet Holdings shares

 

 

 

 

   Gain on sale of Copa Holdings, S.A. shares

 

92 

 

 

92 

 

   Other, net

      2 

 

     (5)

 

     18 

 

       1 

 
 

   (39)

 

    45 

 

  (111)

 

   (52)

 
                 

Income before Income Taxes and Cumulative
   Effect of Change in Accounting Principle

   
241 

 

   
237 

 

   
495 

 

   
396 

 
                 

Income Taxes

        - 

 

        - 

 

       (4)

 

        - 

 
                 

Income before Cumulative Effect of Change
  in Accounting Principle

   
241 

 

   
237 

 

   
491 

 

   
396 

 
                 

Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting
  Principle


        - 

 


        - 

 


         - 

 


    (26)

 
                 

Net Income

$   241 

 

$   237 

 

$    491 

 

$   370 

 

(continued on next page)

 

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except per share data) (Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months              
Ended September 30,
         

Nine Months             
Ended September 30,
       

 

2007  

 

2006  

 

2007  

 

2006  

 
                 

Earnings per Share:

   

 

         

  Basic:

               

    Income before Cumulative Effect of Change
      in Accounting Principle


$ 2.47 

 


$ 2.64 

 


$  5.08 

 


$  4.49 

 

    Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting
      Principle


       - 

 


       - 

 


       - 

 


 (0.30)

 

    Net Income

$ 2.47 

 

$ 2.64 

 

$  5.08 

 

$  4.19 

 
                 

  Diluted:

               

    Income before Cumulative Effect of Change
      in Accounting Principle


$ 2.15 

 


$ 2.17 

 


$  4.42 

 


$  3.74 

 

    Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting
      Principle


       - 

 


       - 

 


       - 

 


 (0.24)

 

    Net Income

$ 2.15 

 

$ 2.17 

 

$  4.42 

 

$  3.50 

 
                 

Shares Used for Computation:

               

    Basic

98 

 

90 

 

97 

 

88 

 

    Diluted

114 

 

112 

 

115 

 

110 

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except for share data)

 

September 30, 

December 31,

September 30,

ASSETS

      2007       

   2006    

     2006       

 

(Unaudited)   

 

(Unaudited)  

       

Current Assets:

     

   Cash and cash equivalents

$   2,519 

 

$   2,123 

 

$   2,217 

 

   Short-term investments

     518 

 

     361 

 

     282 

 

      Total unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and
       short-term investments

3,037 

 

2,484 

 

2,499 

 
             

   Restricted cash

178 

 

265 

 

247 

 

   Accounts receivable, net

712 

 

582 

 

666 

 

   Spare parts and supplies, net

269 

 

217 

 

218 

 

   Deferred income taxes

200 

 

165 

 

166 

 

   Prepayments and other

     424 

 

     416 

 

     449 

 

      Total current assets

  4,820 

 

  4,129 

 

  4,245 

 
             

Property and Equipment:

           

   Owned property and equipment:

           

      Flight equipment

7,184 

 

6,973 

 

6,951 

 

      Other

  1,510 

 

  1,430 

 

  1,403 

 
 

8,694 

 

8,403 

 

8,354 

 

       Less: Accumulated depreciation

  2,721 

 

  2,539 

 

  2,492 

 
 

  5,973 

 

  5,864 

 

  5,862 

 
             

   Purchase deposits for flight equipment

     334 

 

     183 

 

     166 

 
             

   Capital leases

298 

 

303 

 

336 

 

       Less: Accumulated amortization

       91 

 

       87 

 

     116 

 
 

     207 

 

     216 

 

     220 

 

          Total property and equipment, net

  6,514 

 

  6,263 

 

  6,248 

 
             

Routes

484 

 

484 

 

484 

 

Airport operating rights, net

109 

 

120 

 

123 

 

Investment in other companies

65 

 

81 

 

75 

 

Intangible pension asset

 

 

60 

 

Other assets, net

     217 

 

     231 

 

     231 

 
             

           Total Assets

$12,209 

 

$11,308 

 

$11,466 

 

 

(continued on next page)

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except for share data)

LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

September 30, 

December 31,  

September 30,  

     2007        

   2006      

     2006        

 

(Unaudited)    

 

(Unaudited)    

       

Current Liabilities:

     

   Current maturities of long-term debt and
      capital leases


$   464 

 


$   574 

 


$   763 

 

   Accounts payable

1,169 

 

1,076 

 

1,053 

 

   Air traffic and frequent flyer liability

2,105 

 

1,712 

 

1,817 

 

   Accrued payroll

374 

 

233 

 

232 

 

   Accrued other liabilities

   323 

 

   360 

 

   361 

 

      Total current liabilities

4,435 

 

3,955 

 

4,226 

 
             

Long-Term Debt and Capital Leases

4,651 

 

4,859 

 

4,735 

 
             

Deferred Income Taxes

   200 

 

   165 

 

   166 

 
             

Accrued Pension Liability

   898 

 

 1,149 

 

   987 

 
             

Accrued Retiree Medical Benefits

   224 

 

   203 

 

     52 

 
             

Other

   584 

 

   630 

 

  596 

 
             

Commitments and Contingencies

           
             

Stockholders' Equity:

           

   Preferred Stock - $.01 par, 10,000,000 shares
      authorized; one share of Series B issued and
      outstanding, stated at par value

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Class B common stock - $.01 par, 400,000,000
      shares authorized; 97,956,627, 91,816,121

      and 115,390,453 issued



 



 



 

   Additional paid-in capital

1,594 

 

1,370 

 

1,711 

 

   Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

480 

 

(11)

 

776 

 

   Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(858)

 

(1,013)

 

(643)

 

   Treasury stock - 0, 0 and 25,489,506 shares, at cost

           - 

 

           - 

 

 (1,141)

 

      Total stockholders' equity

   1,217 

 

      347 

 

      704 

 

         Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

$ 12,209 

 

$ 11,308 

 

$ 11,466 

 



The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions) (Unaudited)

       
 

        Nine Months                 
Ended September 30,
           

 

2007  

    2006    

 
       

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

       

Net income

 

$  491 

$  370 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
      operating activities:

       

        Depreciation and amortization

 

306 

292 

 

        Special charges

 

30 

 

        Gains on sales of investments

 

(7)

(92)

 

        Undistributed equity in the income from other companies

 

(13)

(30)

 

        Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

 

26 

 

        Stock-based compensation related to equity awards

 

19 

23 

 

        Other, net

 

34 

34 

 

        Changes in operating assets and liabilities

 

   216 

  268 

 

          Net cash provided by operating activities

$

1,076 

  896 

 
       

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

       

Capital expenditures

 

(228)

(235)

 

Purchase of short-term investments, net

 

(157)

(48)

 

Purchase deposits paid in connection with future aircraft deliveries, net

 

(145)

(65)

 

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash, net

 

   87 

   (6)

 

Proceeds from sale of ExpressJet Holdings shares, net

 

35 

 

    Proceeds from sale of Copa Holdings, S.A. shares, net

 

156 

 

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

 

     10 

     17 

 

    Other

 

     - 

     1 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(398)

(180)

 
       

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

       

Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

(337)

(647)

 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

    25 

 372 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans

 

        30 

    53 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(282)

(222)

 
       

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

396 

494 

 
       

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Period

 

2,123 

1,723 

 
       

Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period

 

$2,519 

$2,217 

 
       

Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:

       

Common stock issued upon conversion of 4.5% Convertible Notes

 

$   170 

$       - 

 

Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt

 

$   190 

$   160 

 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

In our opinion, the unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods indicated. Such adjustments, other than nonrecurring adjustments that have been separately disclosed, are of a normal, recurring nature.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (the "2006 Form 10-K"). Due to seasonal fluctuations common to the airline industry, our results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the entire year. As used in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, the terms "Continental," "we," "us," "our" and similar terms refer to Continental Airlines, Inc. and, unless the context indicates otherwise, its consolidated subsidiaries.

Certain reclassifications have been made in the prior period's financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.

NOTE 1 - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

We adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109" ("FIN 48"), effective January 1, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements and requires the impact of a tax position to be recognized in the financial statements if that position is more likely than not of being sustained by the taxing authority.  The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" ("SFAS 157"), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, but does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for us as of January 1, 2008. We are currently evaluating the requirements of this statement and have not determined the impact, if any, that adoption of SFAS 157 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" ("SFAS 159"). SFAS 159 allows entities the option to measure at fair value eligible financial instruments that are not currently measured at fair value. This election, which may be applied on an instrument by instrument basis, is typically irrevocable once made. SFAS 159 is effective for us as of January 1, 2008. We have not yet determined whether we will elect the fair value option permitted under this statement. Therefore, we have not determined the impact, if any, that adoption of SFAS 159 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the components of basic and diluted earnings per share (in millions):

 

Three Months       
Ended September 30, 

Nine Months        
Ended September 30, 

 

  2007  

  2006  

  2007  

  2006  

         

Numerator:

       

  Numerator for basic earnings per share - net income

$241 

$237 

$491 

$370 

  Effect of dilutive securities - interest expense on:

       

    5% Convertible Notes

    6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures
      Held by Subsidiary Trust


    3 


    2 


    9 


    8 

    4.5% Convertible Notes

    - 

    2 

    1 

    5 

  Reduction in our proportionate equity in
    ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. ("Holdings") resulting
    from the assumed conversion of Holdings'
    convertible securities





      -
 





      -
 





      -
 





     (1)

  Numerator for diluted earnings per share - net income
    after assumed conversions


$ 246 


$ 242 


$ 506 


$ 386 

         

Denominator:

       

  Denominator for basic earnings per share -
    weighted-average shares


 
   98 


 
   90 


   97 


   88 

  Effect of dilutive securities:

       

    5% Convertible Notes

    6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures
      Held by Subsidiary Trust


  4 


  4 


  4 


  4 

    4.5% Convertible Notes

    Employee stock options

     3 

     4 

    4 

    4 

  Dilutive potential common shares

   16 

   22 

  18 

  22 

  Denominator for diluted earnings per share -
    weighted-average shares after assumed conversions


114 


112 


115 


110 


The adjustments to net income to determine the numerator for diluted earnings per share are net of the related effect of profit sharing and income taxes.

Approximately one million weighted average options to purchase shares of our common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for each of the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 and the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 because the options' exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares during the relevant period or the effect of including the options would have been antidilutive.

NOTE 3 - FLEET INFORMATION

As of September 30, 2007, we owned or leased 368 mainline jets and 274 regional jets. All mainline jets are operated exclusively by us. Of the 274 regional jets that we own or lease, 205 are leased or subleased to ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. ("ExpressJet") and operated on our behalf under a capacity purchase agreement with ExpressJet. The remaining 69 regional jet aircraft are subleased to ExpressJet, but are not operated on our behalf and, accordingly, are not included in the operating fleet table below. Additionally, our regional operating fleet includes 58 regional jet and turboprop aircraft owned or leased by third parties that are operated on our behalf by other operators under capacity purchase agreements. See Note 9 for a discussion of our regional capacity purchase agreements.

The following table summarizes our operating fleet (aircraft operated by us and by others on our behalf) as of September 30, 2007:

Third-Party       

Aircraft Type

Total    

Owned   

Leased  

Aircraft          

             
 

Mainline:

         
 

  777-200ER

20 

 

 

12 

 

   
 

  767-400ER

16 

 

14 

 

 

   
 

  767-200ER

10 

 

 

 

   
 

  757-300

17 

 

 

 

   
 

  757-200

41 

 

13 

 

28 

 

   
 

  737-900

12 

 

 

 

   
 

  737-800

105 

 

32 

 

73 

 

   
 

  737-700

36 

 

12 

 

24 

 

   
 

  737-500

63 

 

15 

 

48 

 

   
 

  737-300

  48 

 

   20 

 

   28 

 

   - 

   
 

  Total mainline

368 

 

 140 

 

 228 

 

   - 

   
                     
 

Regional:

                 
 

  ERJ-145XR

60 

 

 

60 

 

-  

   
 

  ERJ-145

135 

 

18 

 

97 

 

20 

   
 

  ERJ-135

  30 

 

    - 

 

   30 

 

-  

   
 

  CRJ200LR

24 

 

 

 

24 

   
 

  Q200

 

 

 

   
 

  Beech1900

    6 

 

    - 

 

     - 

 

   6 

   
 

  Total regional

263 

 

  18 

 

 187 

 

 58 

   
                     
 

Total

631 

 

158 

 

415 

 

   58 

   

Fleet Activity. During the first nine months of 2007, we took delivery of, and placed into service, two new 777-200ER aircraft. Although we did not take delivery of any new regional aircraft, we began regional service with a third party who is operating 44 of its aircraft on our behalf. We also removed 67 regional aircraft from our capacity purchase agreement with ExpressJet and we are now subleasing such aircraft, together with the two regional jets we removed during 2006, to ExpressJet outside the scope of the capacity purchase agreement.

Firm Order and Option Aircraft. As of September 30, 2007, we had firm commitments for 89 new aircraft (64 Boeing 737 aircraft and 25 Boeing 787 aircraft), with an estimated aggregate cost of $5.0 billion including related spare engines. We are scheduled to take delivery of the 89 firm order Boeing aircraft between 2008 and 2013. In addition to our firm order aircraft, we have options to purchase a total of 92 additional Boeing aircraft.

During the third quarter of 2007, we entered into agreements to sell 15 owned Boeing 737-500 aircraft. We have agreed to sell ten of these aircraft to TRANSAERO Airlines of Russia. The first aircraft was delivered in October 2007 and the remaining nine aircraft are scheduled to be delivered during the period from November 2007 through November 2008. In addition, we have agreed to sell five aircraft to a subsidiary of VTB-Leasing of Russia, with delivery dates during the period from December 2007 through December 2008. We will operate each aircraft until shortly before its delivery date. These transactions are subject to customary closing conditions, some of which are outside our control, and we cannot give any assurances that the closing of these transactions will occur. Based on the terms of these transactions, we do not believe that there is any impairment of these aircraft.

On April 10, 2007, we obtained financing for 12 Boeing 737-800s and 18 Boeing 737-900ERs. We expect to apply the financing to 30 of the 33 Boeing 737 aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2008, although we may instead choose to substitute certain Boeing 737 aircraft scheduled to be delivered in the first quarter of 2009. Pass-through trusts raised $1.1 billion through the issuance of three classes of pass-through certificates. Class A certificates, with an aggregate principal amount of $757 million, bear interest at 5.983%, Class B certificates, with an aggregate principal amount of $222 million, bear interest at 6.903% and Class C certificates, with an aggregate principal amount of $168 million, bear interest at 7.339%. The proceeds from the sale of the certificates are initially being held by a depositary in escrow for the benefit of the certificate holders until we use such funds to purchase the aircraft. These escrowed funds are not guaranteed by us and are not reported as debt on our consolidated balance sheet because the proceeds held by the depositary are not our assets and interest earned on the proceeds as well as any unused proceeds will be distributed directly to the certificate holders. As we take delivery of each aircraft, we will issue equipment notes to the trusts, which will purchase such notes with a portion of the escrowed funds. We will use the proceeds to finance the purchase of the aircraft and will record the principal amount of the equipment notes that we issue as debt on our consolidated balance sheet. Principal payments on the equipment notes and the corresponding distribution of these payments to certificate holders will begin in April 2010 and will end in April 2022 for Class A and B certificates and April 2014 for Class C certificates. Additionally, the Class A and B certificates have the benefit of a liquidity facility under which a third party agrees to make up to three semiannual interest payments on the certificates if a default in the payment of interest occurs.

We have manufacturer backstop financing for up to 22 (depending on the model selected) of the Boeing 737 aircraft scheduled to be delivered through the end of 2009 and not otherwise covered by the financing described above. However, we do not have backstop financing or any other financing currently in place for at least two (depending on the model selected) of the Boeing 737 aircraft scheduled to be delivered through the end of 2009, any of the ten Boeing 737 aircraft scheduled to be delivered after 2009 or the 25 Boeing 787 aircraft on order. Further financing will be needed to satisfy our capital commitments for our firm aircraft and other related capital expenditures. We can provide no assurance that such further financing will be available.

NOTE 4 - LONG-TERM DEBT

In January 2007, $170 million in principal amount of our 4.5% Convertible Notes due on February 1, 2007 was converted by the holders into 4.3 million shares of our Class B common stock at a conversion price of $40 per share. The remaining $30 million in principal amount was paid on February 1, 2007.

During the first nine months of 2007, we incurred $190 million of floating rate indebtedness pursuant to existing finance agreements secured by two 777-200ER aircraft that were delivered in March and April 2007. This indebtedness consists of $156 million of senior notes due in 2019 and $34 million of junior notes due in 2014. The loans bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus a blended margin of approximately 1.9% per year. The commitments under these finance agreements are now fully funded.

Maturities. Maturities of long-term debt due before December 31, 2007 and for the next four years are as follows (in millions):

October 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007

$     77

Year ending December 31,

 
 

2008

629

 

2009

496

 

2010

639

 

2011

1,014


NOTE 5 - STOCK PLANS AND AWARDS

Restricted Stock Units. We currently have three outstanding awards of Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs") granted under our Long-Term Incentive and RSU Program: (1) stock price based RSU awards with a performance period ending December 31, 2007, (2) profit based RSU awards with a performance period commencing April 1, 2006 and ending December 31, 2009 and (3) profit based RSU awards with a performance period commencing January 1, 2007 and ending December 31, 2009.

During the first nine months of 2007, we issued approximately 0.7 million profit based RSU awards with a performance period commencing January 1, 2007 and ending December 31, 2009 pursuant to our Long-Term Incentive and RSU Program, which can result in cash payments to our officers upon the achievement of specified profit-sharing based performance targets. The performance targets for these awards require that we reach target levels of cumulative employee profit sharing under our enhanced employee profit sharing program during the performance period and that we have net income calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for the applicable fiscal year. To serve as a retention feature, payments related to the achievement of a performance target generally will be made in one-third annual increments to participants who remain continuously employed by us through each payment date. Payments also are conditioned on our having a minimum unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments balance of $2.0 billion at the end of the fiscal year preceding the date any payment is made. If we do not achieve the cash target applicable to a payment date, the payment will be deferred until the next payment date (March 1 of the next year), subject to a limit on the number of years payments may be carried forward. Payment amounts will be calculated based on the average price of our common stock during the 20 trading days preceding the payment date and the payment percentage set by the Human Resources Committee of our Board of Directors for achieving the applicable profit-sharing based performance target. Depending on the level of cumulative employee profit sharing achieved, the payment percentage for these awards can range from 0% to 200% of the underlying profit based RSU award.

We account for the profit based RSU awards as liability awards. Once it is probable that a profit-sharing based performance target will be met, we measure the awards at fair value based on the current stock price. The related expense is recognized ratably over the required service period, which ends on each payment date, after adjustment for changes in the then-current market price of our common stock. During the third quarter of 2007, we concluded that it was probable that, prior to December 31, 2009, the end of the performance period for the profit based RSU awards with a performance period commencing January 1, 2007, we would achieve the lowest target set for those awards. The cumulative expense recognized for these awards was not material to our results of operations for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2007.

During the three months ended June 30, 2007, we concluded that it was probable that, prior to December 31, 2009, the end of the performance period for the profit based RSU awards with a performance period commencing April 1, 2006, we would achieve the highest target set for those awards. As a result of this conclusion, we recorded wages, salaries and related costs of $30 million ($0.31 per basic share and $0.26 per diluted share) in the second quarter of 2007 to recognize the cumulative expense associated with the probable achievement of the higher performance target from the date the awards were issued through June 30, 2007.

Stock Options. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we granted approximately 0.7 million options to purchase shares of our common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $35.86. The majority of these options vest in equal installments over four years and have a term of five years.

Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2007 had a weighted average contractual life of 4.1 years and an aggregate intrinsic value of $130 million. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was $21 million.

Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle. We adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment" ("SFAS 123R") effective January 1, 2006. Upon adoption, we recognized a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle to record our liability related to our outstanding stock price based RSU awards at that date, reducing earnings $26 million ($0.30 per basic share and $0.24 per diluted share).

On February 1, 2006, in light of the sacrifices made by their co-workers in connection with pay and benefit cost reduction initiatives, our officers voluntarily surrendered their stock price based RSU awards for the performance period ending March 31, 2006, which had vested during the first quarter of 2006 and otherwise would have paid out a total of $23 million at the end of March 2006. Of the $26 million total cumulative effect of change in accounting principle recorded on January 1, 2006, $14 million related to the surrendered awards. Accordingly, upon surrender, we reported the reversal of the $14 million as a credit to special charges in our statement of operations during the first quarter of 2006. The remaining $12 million of the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle was related to stock price based RSU awards with a performance period ending December 31, 2007, which were not surrendered.

SFAS 123R Expense. Excluding the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle and the credit to special charges discussed above, total stock-based compensation expense related to SFAS 123R (including both equity and liability awards) included in wages, salaries and related costs was $30 million, $12 million, $96 million and $44 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 and the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. As of September 30, 2007, we had $124 million of compensation cost that had not yet been recognized attributable to future service requirements related to profit based RSU awards with performance targets that are probable of being achieved, unvested employee stock options and stock price based RSU awards. This amount will be recognized as expense over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

NOTE 6 - COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Total comprehensive income included the following (in millions):

 

Three Months       
Ended September 30,  

Nine Months         
Ended September 30, 

 

  2007  

  2006  

  2007  

  2006  

         

Net income

$241 

$237 

$491 

$370 

         

Other comprehensive income:

       

  Unrealized net gain (loss) on derivative instruments

(3)

(42)

20 

(39)

  Items related to employee benefit plans:

       

    (Increase) decrease in net actuarial losses

(8)

62 

    Amortization of net actuarial losses

15 

50 

    Amortization of prior service cost

23 

    Decrease (increase) in additional minimum pension
      liability


      - 


  (93)


      - 


   71 

         

Total comprehensive income

$ 253 

$ 102 

$ 646 

$ 402 


We adopted SFAS No. 158, "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88 and 106 and 132(R)" ("SFAS 158"), on December 31, 2006. Under SFAS 158, unrecognized prior service cost and actuarial (gains) losses related to our defined benefit pension and retiree medical benefits plans are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Prior to December 31, 2006, these amounts were not recorded on our consolidated balance sheet and an additional minimum pension liability was recorded when necessary.

NOTE 7 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Net periodic defined benefit pension and retiree medical benefits expense included the following components (in millions):

 

       Defined Benefit Pension        

       Retiree Medical Benefits       

 

Three      
Months Ended
September 30,

Nine        
Months Ended
September 30,

Three      
Months Ended
September 30,

Nine        
Months Ended
September 30,

 

2007

2006

2007

2006

2007

2006

2007

2006

                 

Service cost

$ 15 

$ 15 

$ 46 

$ 44 

$ 3 

$ 3 

$ 8 

$ 9 

Interest cost

40 

36 

119 

110 

10 

11 

Expected return on plan assets

(35)

(30)

(102)

(92)

Amortization of net actuarial loss

16 

15 

51 

51 

(1)

(1)

Amortization of prior service cost

   3 

   2 

   8 

   6 

   5 

   7 

 15 

 15 

Net periodic benefit expense

39 

38 

122 

119 

11 

14 

32 

35 

Settlement charge (included in
   special charges)


  12 


   8 


  24 


  37 


   - 


   - 


   - 


   - 

                 

Net benefit expense

$  51 

$  46 

$146 

$156 

$11 

$14 

$32 

$35 


During the first nine months of 2007, we contributed $261 million to our defined benefit pension plans. We contributed an additional $75 million to our defined benefit pension plans in October 2007, bringing our total contributions during 2007 to $336 million. This amount exceeds our minimum funding requirements of $187 million during the current calendar year.

We recorded non-cash settlement charges totaling $12 million, $8 million, $24 million and $37 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 and the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, related to lump sum distributions from our pilot-only defined benefit pension plan to pilots who retired during each respective period. SFAS No. 88, "Employer's Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits," requires the use of settlement accounting if, for a given year, the cost of all settlements exceeds, or is expected to exceed, the sum of the service cost and interest cost components of net periodic pension expense for the plan. Under settlement accounting, unrecognized plan gains or losses must be recognized immediately in proportion to the percentage reduction of the plan's projected benefit obligation. We anticipate that we will have additional non-cash settlement charges in the future in conjunction with lump-sum distributions to retiring pilots.

NOTE 8 - SPECIAL CHARGES

Special charges were as follows (in millions):

 

Three Months       
Ended September 30,

Nine Months         
Ended September 30,

 

  2007  

  2006  

  2007  

  2006  

         

Pension settlement charges (see Note 7)

$12 

$  8 

$24 

$ 37 

Aircraft-related charges (credits)

(7)

(18)

Surrender of stock price based RSU awards (see Note 5)

   - 

  - 

   - 

(14)

         

Special charges

$12 

$  1 

$30 

$  5 

NOTE 9 - REGIONAL CAPACITY PURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Presentation in Statements of Operations. Expenses related to our capacity purchase agreements are reported as regional capacity purchase, net, in our consolidated statements of operations. Our most significant capacity purchase agreement is with ExpressJet. Regional capacity purchase, net, includes all fuel expense on flights operated for us under capacity purchase agreements and is net of our rental income on aircraft leased to ExpressJet and flown for us.

ExpressJet. In December 2005, we gave notice to ExpressJet that we would withdraw 69 of the 274 regional jet aircraft from our capacity purchase agreement with ExpressJet (the "ExpressJet CPA") because we believe the rates charged to us by ExpressJet for regional capacity are above the current market. On May 5, 2006, ExpressJet notified us that it would retain all of the 69 regional jets (consisting of 44 ERJ-145XR and 25 ERJ-145 aircraft) covered by our withdrawal notice, as permitted by the ExpressJet CPA. Accordingly, ExpressJet must retain each of those 69 regional jets for the remaining term of the applicable underlying aircraft lease and, as each aircraft is withdrawn from the ExpressJet CPA, the implicit interest rate used to calculate the scheduled lease payments that ExpressJet will make to us under the applicable aircraft sublease is automatically increased by 200 basis points to compensate us for our continued participation in ExpressJet's lease financing arrangements. Once the aircraft are withdrawn from the ExpressJet CPA, we recognize the related rental income we receive from ExpressJet as other revenue in our consolidated statements of operations.

The withdrawal of the 69 aircraft began in December 2006 and was completed in the third quarter of 2007. Under the ExpressJet CPA, ExpressJet has the option to fly any of the withdrawn aircraft it retains either for another airline or under ExpressJet's own flight designator code (in either case subject to its agreement with us prohibiting ExpressJet from flying under its or another carrier's code in or out of our hub airports during the term of the ExpressJet CPA). So long as we are ExpressJet's largest customer, if ExpressJet enters into an agreement with another major carrier (as defined in the ExpressJet CPA) to provide regional airline services on a capacity purchase or other similar economic basis for more than ten aircraft, we are entitled to the same or comparable economic terms and conditions.

Under the ExpressJet CPA, we pay ExpressJet a base fee for each scheduled block hour (the number of hours an aircraft is operated in revenue service from gate to gate) based on an agreed formula. In accordance with the ExpressJet CPA, ExpressJet agreed to meet with us each year to review and set the block hour rates to be paid in the following year, in each case based on the methodology used to set the original block hour rates (including an initial 10% targeted operating margin). Since we and ExpressJet could not come to an agreement on the 2007 block hour rates, our disagreement was submitted to binding arbitration as provided in the ExpressJet CPA. In July 2007, the arbitration panel rendered its decision, which did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. We have recently begun negotiations with ExpressJet concerning the block hour rates for 2008.

Chautauqua. In July 2006, we selected Chautauqua Airlines, Inc. ("Chautauqua"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings Inc., to provide and operate forty-four 50-seat regional jets as a Continental Express carrier to be phased in during 2007 under a new capacity purchase agreement (the "Chautauqua CPA"). As of September 30, 2007, 44 aircraft are being flown by Chautauqua for us. Under the Chautauqua CPA, we schedule and market all of our Continental Express regional jet service provided by Chautauqua. The Chautauqua CPA requires us to pay a fixed fee to Chautauqua, subject to specified reconciliations and annual escalations, for its operation of the aircraft. Chautauqua supplies the aircraft it operates under the agreement. The Chautauqua CPA has a five-year term with respect to ten aircraft and an average term of 2.5 years for the balance of the aircraft. In addition, we have the unilateral right to extend the Chautauqua CPA on the same terms on an aircraft-by-aircraft basis for a period of up to five years in the aggregate for 20 aircraft and for up to three years in the aggregate for 24 aircraft, subject to the renewal terms of the related aircraft lease.

Colgan. In February 2007, we selected Pinnacle Airlines Corp.'s subsidiary Colgan Air, Inc. ("Colgan") to operate fifteen 74-seat Bombardier Q400 twin-turboprop aircraft on short and medium-distance routes from Newark Liberty International Airport ("New York Liberty") starting in early 2008. Colgan will operate the flights as a Continental Connection carrier under a capacity purchase agreement with a term of ten years. Colgan will supply the aircraft that it will operate under the agreement.

NOTE 10 - INVESTMENT IN OTHER COMPANIES

Copa. At September 30, 2007, we held 4.4 million shares of Copa Holdings, S.A. ("Copa") Class A common stock with a carrying value of $59 million and a market value of $175 million. This investment represents a 10% economic interest in Copa. During the third quarter of 2006, we sold 7.5 million shares of Copa's Class A common stock for $156 million in cash, net of underwriting fees. We recognized a gain of $92 million related to this transaction.

Holdings. In January 2007, we sold substantially all of our shares of the common stock of Holdings, the parent company of ExpressJet, to third parties for cash proceeds of $35 million. We recognized a gain of $7 million in the first quarter of 2007 as a result of these sales. We sold the remaining shares of Holdings common stock in April 2007 and no longer own any shares of Holdings common stock.

ARINC Incorporated. On July 3, 2007, six major air carriers, including us, collectively holding more than 90% of the common stock of ARINC Incorporated ("ARINC"), entered into a definitive agreement to sell all of such ARINC common stock to an affiliate of The Carlyle Group, a global private equity firm. ARINC develops and operates communications and information processing systems and provides systems engineering and other services to the aviation industry and other industries. Our investment in ARINC has no carrying value.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2007, subject to customary closing conditions and certain other contingencies. Many of these conditions and contingencies are outside of our control, and we cannot give any assurances that the closing of the transaction will occur. Upon closing, we expect to receive cash proceeds of approximately $30 million.

NOTE 11 - SEGMENT REPORTING

We have two reportable segments: mainline and regional. We evaluate segment performance based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is operating income (loss). However, we do not manage our business or allocate resources based on segment operating profit or loss because (1) our flight schedules are designed to maximize revenue from passengers flying, (2) many operations of the two segments are substantially integrated (for example, airport operations, sales and marketing, scheduling and ticketing) and (3) management decisions are based on their anticipated impact on the overall network, not on one individual segment.

Financial information by business segment is set forth below (in millions):

 

Three Months        
Ended September 30,  

Nine Months         
Ended September 30,  

 

  2007 

  2006 

  2007 

  2006 

         

Operating Revenue:

       
 

Mainline

$3,239 

$2,932 

$  9,058 

$8,268 

 

Regional

    581 

   586 

  1,651 

1,703 

 

Total Consolidated

$3,820 

$3,518 

$10,709 

$9,971 

         

Operating Income (Loss):

       
 

Mainline

$   291 

$    223 

$    706 

$    508 

 

Regional

    (11)

        (31)

  (100)

       (60)

 

Total Consolidated

$   280 

$    192 

$    606 

$    448 

           

Net Income (Loss):

       
 

Mainline

$   257 

$    270 

$    601 

$    436 

 

Regional

   (16)

    (33)

  (110)

    (66)

 

Total Consolidated

$   241 

$    237 

$    491 

$    370 


Net income for the mainline segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 includes the $26 million cumulative effect of change in accounting principle related to the adoption of SFAS 123R. The amounts presented above are presented on the basis of how our management reviews segment results. Under this basis, the regional segment's revenue includes a pro-rated share of our ticket revenue for segments flown by our regional carriers, and expenses include all activity related to the regional operations, regardless of whether such expenses were incurred by us directly or through our capacity purchase agreements.

NOTE 12 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Purchase Commitments. See Note 3 for a discussion of our aircraft purchase commitments.

Heathrow Airport. We are in the process of acquiring the right to use slots at London's Heathrow Airport. We have committed to pay approximately $130 million for slots as of September 30, 2007 and are seeking additional slots.

Financings and Guarantees. We are the guarantor of approximately $1.7 billion aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds and interest thereon, excluding the US Airways contingent liability described below. These bonds, issued by various airport municipalities, are payable solely from our rentals paid under long-term agreements with the respective governing bodies. The leasing arrangements associated with approximately $1.5 billion of these obligations are accounted for as operating leases, and the leasing arrangements associated with approximately $200 million of these obligations are accounted for as capital leases in our financial statements.

We are contingently liable for US Airways' obligations under a lease agreement between US Airways and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey related to the East End Terminal at LaGuardia airport. These obligations include the payment of ground rentals to the Port Authority and the payment of other rentals in respect of the full amounts owed on special facilities revenue bonds issued by the Port Authority having an outstanding par amount of $146 million at September 30, 2007 and a final scheduled maturity in 2015. If US Airways defaults on these obligations, we would be obligated to cure the default and we would have the right to occupy the terminal after US Airways' interest in the lease had been terminated.

We also have letters of credit and performance bonds relating to various real estate and customs obligations at September 30, 2007 in the amount of $53 million. These letters of credit and performance bonds have expiration dates through July 2010.

General Guarantees and Indemnifications. We are the lessee under many real estate leases. It is common in such commercial lease transactions for us, as the lessee, to agree to indemnify the lessor and other related third parties for tort liabilities that arise out of or relate to our use or occupancy of the leased premises and the use or occupancy of the leased premises by regional carriers operating flights on our behalf. In some cases, this indemnity extends to related liabilities arising from the negligence of the indemnified parties, but usually excludes any liabilities caused by their gross negligence or willful misconduct. Additionally, we typically indemnify such parties for any environmental liability that arises out of or relates to our use of the leased premises.

In our aircraft financing agreements, we typically indemnify the financing parties, trustees acting on their behalf and other related parties against liabilities that arise from the manufacture, design, ownership, financing, use, operation and maintenance of the aircraft and for tort liability, whether or not these liabilities arise out of or relate to the negligence of these indemnified parties, except for their gross negligence or willful misconduct.

We expect that we would be covered by insurance (subject to deductibles) for most tort liabilities and related indemnities described above with respect to real estate we lease and aircraft we operate.

In our financing transactions that include loans, we typically agree to reimburse lenders for any reduced returns with respect to loans due to any change in capital requirements and, in the case of loans in which the interest rate is based on LIBOR, for certain other increased costs that the lenders incur in carrying these loans as a result of any change in law, subject in most cases to certain mitigation obligations of the lenders. At September 30, 2007, we had $1.3 billion of floating rate debt and $291 million of fixed rate debt, with remaining terms of up to 11 years, that is subject to these increased cost provisions. In several financing transactions involving loans or leases from non-U.S. entities, with remaining terms of up to 11 years and an aggregate carrying value of $1.4 billion, we bear the risk of any change in tax laws that would subject loan or lease payments thereunder to non-U.S. entities to withholding taxes, subject to customary exclusions. In addition, in cross-border aircraft lease agreements for two 757 aircraft, we bear the risk of any change in U.S. tax laws that would subject lease payments made by us to a resident of Japan to withholding taxes, subject to customary exclusions. These capital leases for two 757 aircraft expire in 2008 and have a carrying value of $26 million at September 30, 2007.

We may be required to make future payments under the foregoing indemnities and agreements due to unknown variables related to potential government changes in capital adequacy requirements, laws governing LIBOR based loans or tax laws, the amounts of which cannot be estimated at this time.

Bank Card Processing Agreement. Our U.S. bank card processing agreement contains financial covenants which require, among other things, that we maintain a minimum EBITDAR (generally, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, aircraft rentals and income from other companies, adjusted for special items) to fixed charges (interest and aircraft rentals) ratio for the preceding 12 months of 1.1 to 1.0. The liquidity covenant requires us to maintain a minimum level of $1.0 billion of unrestricted cash and short-term investments and a minimum ratio of unrestricted cash and short-term investments to current liabilities at each month end of 0.29 to 1.0. The agreement also requires us to maintain a minimum senior unsecured debt rating of at least Caa3 as rated by Moody's and CCC- as rated by Standard & Poor's. Although we are currently in compliance with all of the covenants, failure to maintain compliance would result in our being required to post up to an additional $654 million of cash collateral, which would materially adversely affect our liquidity. Depending on our unrestricted cash and short-term investments balance at the time, the posting of a significant amount of cash collateral could cause our unrestricted cash and short-term investments balance to fall below the $1.0 billion minimum balance requirement under our $350 million secured loan facility, resulting in a default under that facility. During the first quarter of 2007, the bank card processor under this agreement returned $67 million of our collateral to us. If we cease to comply with the financial covenants discussed above or if our unrestricted cash and short-term investments balance falls below $2.0 billion, the bank card processor can require us to redeposit the collateral.

Employees. As of September 30, 2007, we had approximately 41,400 full-time equivalent employees. Although there can be no assurance that our generally good labor relations and high labor productivity will continue, the preservation of good relations with our employees is a significant component of our business strategy. Approximately 45% of our employees are represented by unions. None of our collective bargaining agreements becomes amendable before December 2008.

Environmental Matters.  In 2001, the California Regional Water Quality Control Board ("CRWQCB") mandated a field study of the area surrounding our aircraft maintenance hangar in Los Angeles. The study was completed in September 2001 and identified jet fuel and solvent contamination on and adjacent to this site. In April 2005, we began environmental remediation of jet fuel contamination surrounding our aircraft maintenance hangar pursuant to a workplan submitted to (and approved by) the CRWQCB and our landlord, the Los Angeles World Airports. Additionally, we could be responsible for environmental remediation costs primarily related to solvent contamination on and near this site.

In 1999, we purchased property located near our New York Liberty hub in Elizabeth, New Jersey from Honeywell International, Inc. ("Honeywell") with certain environmental indemnification obligations by us to Honeywell. We did not operate the facility located on or make any improvements to the property. In 2005, we sold the property to Catellus Commercial Group, LLC ("Catellus") and in connection with the sale, Catellus assumed certain environmental indemnification obligations in favor of us. On October 9, 2006, Honeywell provided us with a notice seeking indemnification from us in connection with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency potentially responsible party notice to Honeywell involving the Newark Bay Study Area of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site alleging hazardous substance releases from the property. In addition, on May 7, 2007, Honeywell provided us with a notice seeking indemnification from us in connection with a possible lawsuit by Tierra Solutions, Inc. relating to alleged discharges from the property into Newark Bay and seeking cleanup of Newark Bay waters and sediments under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. We have notified Honeywell that, at this time, we have not agreed that we are required to indemnify Honeywell with respect to this matter. Honeywell's liability with respect to releases from the property into the Newark Bay Study Area, if any, and our potential indemnification obligation, if any, remain under review and cannot be determined at this time. We have sought indemnification from Catellus to the full extent to which we may be required to indemnify Honeywell and, although we are in discussions with Catellus regarding such indemnification, Catellus has not yet agreed that it is required to indemnify us with respect to this matter.

At September 30, 2007, we have a reserve for estimated costs of environmental remediation throughout our system of $38 million, based primarily on third-party environmental studies and estimates as to the extent of the contamination and nature of the required remedial actions.  We have evaluated and recorded this accrual for environmental remediation costs separately from any related insurance recovery.  We do not have any receivables related to environmental insurance recoveries at September 30, 2007. Based on currently available information, we believe that our reserves for potential environmental remediation costs are adequate, although reserves could be adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change. However, we do not expect these items to materially affect our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

Legal Proceedings. During the period between 1997 and 2001, we reduced or capped the base commissions that we paid to domestic travel agents, and in 2002 we eliminated those base commissions.  These actions were similar to those also taken by other air carriers. We are a defendant, along with several other air carriers, in two lawsuits brought by travel agencies that purportedly opted out of a prior class action entitled Sarah Futch Hall d/b/a/ Travel Specialists v. United Air Lines, et al. (U.S.D.C., Eastern District of North Carolina), filed on June 21, 2000, in which the defendant airlines prevailed on summary judgment that was upheld on appeal. These similar suits against Continental and other major carriers allege violations of antitrust laws in reducing and ultimately eliminating the base commissions formerly paid to travel agents. The pending cases are Tam Travel, Inc. v. Delta Air Lines, Inc., et al. (U.S.D.C., Northern District of California), filed on April 9, 2003 and Swope Travel Agency, et al. v. Orbitz LLC et al. (U.S.D.C., Eastern District of Texas), filed on June 5, 2003. By order dated November 10, 2003, these actions were transferred and consolidated for pretrial purposes by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to the Northern District of Ohio. Discovery has commenced. On September 14, 2006, the judge for the consolidated lawsuit issued an order dismissing 28 plaintiffs in the Swope case for their failure to properly opt-out of the Hall case. Consequently, a total of 90 travel agency plaintiffs remain in the two cases. In each of these cases, we believe the plaintiffs' claims are without merit and we are vigorously defending the lawsuits.  Nevertheless, a final adverse court decision awarding substantial money damages could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

On June 7, 2007, Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P. filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging that Continental infringes certain patents relating to automated telephone call processing systems. The plaintiff is seeking unspecified monetary damages, trebling of damages based on alleged willful infringement, attorney's fees and injunctive relief. On June 20, 2007, the case, which includes numerous other defendants, was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California for consolidated or coordinated pretrial proceedings. We believe the plaintiff's claims are without merit and we are vigorously defending this lawsuit, which is currently in the initial pleading stage. A final adverse court decision awarding substantial money damages or imposing material restrictions on our ability to operate our existing automated telephone call processing systems could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

We and/or certain of our subsidiaries are defendants in various other pending lawsuits and proceedings and are subject to various other claims arising in the normal course of our business, many of which are covered in whole or in part by insurance. Although the outcome of these lawsuits and proceedings (including the probable loss we might experience as a result of an adverse outcome) cannot be predicted with certainty at this time, we believe, after consulting with outside counsel, that the ultimate disposition of such suits will not have a material adverse effect on us.

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that are not limited to historical facts, but reflect our current beliefs, expectations or intentions regarding future events. In connection therewith, please see the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A of our 2006 Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A of this report, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, such as the consequences of our significant prior financial losses and high leverage, the significant cost of aircraft fuel, our high labor and pension costs, service interruptions at one of our hub airports, disruptions in our computer systems, and industry conditions, including the airline pricing environment, industry capacity decisions, industry consolidation, terrorist attacks, regulatory matters, excessive taxation, the availability and cost of insurance, public health threats and the seasonal nature of the airline business.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this report, except as required by applicable law.

OVERVIEW

We are a major United States air carrier engaged in the business of transporting passengers, cargo and mail. We are the world's fifth largest airline as measured by the number of scheduled miles flown by revenue passengers in 2006. Including our wholly-owned subsidiary, Continental Micronesia, Inc. ("CMI"), and regional flights operated on our behalf under capacity purchase agreements with other carriers, we operate approximately 2,700 daily departures. As of September 30, 2007, we served 131 domestic and 127 international destinations and offered additional connecting service through alliances with domestic and foreign carriers.

General information about us can be found at our website, continental.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments to those reports, are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with, or furnish them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Third Quarter Financial Highlights

Third Quarter Operational Highlights

Outlook

We currently intend to grow our mainline capacity approximately 5.5% in 2007 and between 3% and 4% in 2008. We are targeting mainline capacity growth of between 5% and 7% annually thereafter, although actual growth may differ from these targets in any given year. Specific factors reflected in these capacity growth targets are as follows:

Although we were profitable during 2006 and the first nine months of 2007, we had previously suffered substantial losses following September 11, 2001. Our ability to sustain our profitability depends on, among other factors, continuing our efforts to implement and maintain a more competitive cost structure, continuing our profitable international growth and responding effectively to the factors that threaten the airline industry as a whole. We have attempted to return to sustained profitability by implementing $1.6 billion of annual cost-cutting and revenue-generating measures since 2002. During 2007, we have been working on additional initiatives related to contracts with major suppliers. These new initiatives, along with several other smaller initiatives, should reduce costs by approximately $100 million annually when fully implemented. We expect to realize a portion of these savings beginning in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Many factors continue to threaten our ability to sustain our profitability. For example, competition in most of our domestic markets from low-cost carriers, as well as new carriers such as Virgin America (which began service in August 2007), and our response to such competition continue to result in increased capacity and reduced yields in many of those markets. In addition, several of our domestic competitors are continuing to increase their international capacity, resulting in lower yield and/or load factor growth rates in affected markets. The recent "open skies" agreement between the U.S. and the European Union, which becomes effective on March 30, 2008, could also result in increased competition from European and U.S. airlines in these international markets, and may give rise to additional consolidation or better integration opportunities among European carriers. In addition, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines have filed for anti-trust immunity seeking permission to form a new trans-Atlantic joint venture among those airlines and the coordination of routes, fares, schedules and other matters among those airlines, Alitalia and CSA Czech Airlines. Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines announced in October 2007, in connection with such application for anti-trust immunity, their plans for a joint venture beginning in March 2008 that will initially cover all trans-Atlantic flights between the airlines' hubs and all flights between London's Heathrow Airport and any U.S. destination.

We are also facing stronger competition from carriers that have emerged from bankruptcy, including Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, US Airways and United Airlines. Carriers typically emerge from bankruptcy with substantially lower costs than ours achieved by cost reductions through, among other things, reducing or discharging debt, lease and pension obligations and reducing wages and benefits.

High fuel prices continue to increase our costs and diminish our profitability. Although we experienced some success raising ticket prices in response to higher fuel costs, future increases in jet fuel prices or disruptions in fuel supplies could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. Conversely, lower fuel prices may result in lower fares and the reduction or elimination of fuel surcharges. Additionally, lower fuel prices may result in increased industry capacity, especially to the extent that reduced fuel costs justify increased utilization by airlines of less fuel efficient aircraft that are unprofitable during periods of higher fuel prices. We believe that our young, fuel-efficient fleet continues to provide us with a competitive advantage relative to our peers. As of September 30, 2007, we had hedged approximately 30% and 10% of our projected fuel requirements for the fourth quarter of 2007 and first quarter 2008, respectively, using heating oil option contracts forming zero cost collars with a weighted average call price of $2.22 per gallon and a weighted average put price of $2.06 per gallon.

Additionally, our ability to sustain our profitability could be adversely affected by additional terrorist attacks, or the fear of such attacks, or other international hostilities. The terrorist plot discovered in August 2006 targeting multiple airlines elevated concerns about future terrorist attacks and resulted in the imposition by the Transportation Security Administration and foreign security authorities of additional security measures significantly restricting the contents of carry on baggage. These elevated concerns and baggage restrictions temporarily reduced the number of customer bookings on certain routes, including bookings by high-yield business travelers for whom the ability to carry on baggage is an important service amenity, and the baggage restrictions continue to result in a greater number of checked bags, increasing our costs.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion provides an analysis of our results of operations and reasons for material changes therein for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared to the corresponding periods in 2006.

Comparison of Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 to Three Months Ended September 30, 2006

Consolidated Results of Operations

Statistical Information. Certain statistical information for our consolidated operations for the three months ended September 30 is as follows:

 


 2007   


   2006   

Increase  
(Decrease)

       

Passengers (thousands) (1)

17,901

17,328

3.3%

Revenue passenger miles (millions) (2)

25,422

24,042

5.7%

Available seat miles (millions) (3)

30,346

29,262

3.7%

Passenger load factor (4)

83.8%

82.2%

1.6 pts.

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

11.57

11.04

4.8%

Average yield (cents) (5)

13.81

13.44

2.8%

  1. The number of revenue passengers measured by each flight segment flown.
  2. The number of scheduled miles flown by revenue passengers.
  3. The number of seats available for passengers multiplied by the number of scheduled miles those seats are flown.
  4. Revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles.
  5. The average passenger revenue received for each revenue passenger mile flown.

Results of Operations. We recorded net income of $241 million in the third quarter of 2007 as compared to net income of $237 million for the third quarter of 2006. Net income for the third quarter of 2006 included a gain of $92 million related to our sale of 7.5 million shares of Copa's Class A common stock. We consider a key measure of our performance to be operating income, which was $280 million for the third quarter of 2007, as compared to $192 million for the third quarter of 2006. Significant components of our consolidated operating results for the three months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):

   

Increase   

% Increase

 

  2007  

  2006  

(Decrease)

(Decrease)

         

Operating Revenue

$3,820 

$3,518 

$302 

 

8.6 %

Operating Expenses

3,540 

3,326 

214 

 

6.4 %

Operating Income

280 

    192 

88 

 

45.8 %

Nonoperating Income (Expense)

(39)

   45 

(84)

 

(186.7)%

Income Taxes

       - 

    - 

     - 

 

-      

           

Net Income

$  241 

$ 237 

$    4 

 

1.7 %

Each of these items is discussed in the following sections.

Operating Revenue. The table below shows components of operating revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 and period to period comparisons for operating revenue, passenger revenue per available seat mile ("RASM") and available seat miles ("ASMs") by geographic region for our mainline and regional operations:

 

            
Revenue         

% Increase (Decrease) in            
  Third Quarter 2007 vs Third Quarter 2006

 

      (in millions)      

Revenue    

RASM

ASMs

         

Passenger revenue:

       

  Domestic

$1,491

 

7.3 %

 

2.5 %

4.7 %

  Trans-Atlantic

776

 

22.2 %

 

9.8 %

11.3 %

  Latin America

393

 

11.1 %

 

9.9 %

1.1 %

  Pacific

   277

 

10.2 %

 

9.9 %

0.2 %

  Total Mainline

2,937

 

11.7 %

 

6.0 %

5.4 %

             

  Regional

   574

 

(4.5)%

 

4.7 %

(8.8)%

             

    Total

3,511

 

8.7 %

 

4.8 %

3.7 %

             

Cargo

112

 

(4.3)%

     

Other

   197

 

15.9 %

     

Operating Revenue

$3,820

 

8.6 %

     

Passenger revenue increased due to increased traffic and several fare increases. Consolidated RASM for the quarter increased year-over-year due to higher load factors and our actions taken to improve the mix of local versus flow traffic and to reduce discounting.

Cargo revenue decreased due to a reduction in the volume of mail carried for the U.S. Postal Service. Other revenue increased primarily as a result of $26 million of rental income on aircraft leased to ExpressJet but not operated for us during the third quarter of 2007 and higher revenue associated with sales of mileage credits in our OnePass frequent flyer program.

Operating Expenses. The table below shows period-to-period comparisons by type of operating expense for our consolidated operations for the three months ended September 30 (in millions, except percentage changes):

 


  2007  


  2006  

Increase    
(Decrease)  

% Increase

(Decrease)

         

Aircraft fuel and related taxes

$  895 

$  858 

$ 37 

 

4.3 %

 

Wages, salaries and related costs

836 

743 

93 

 

12.5 %

 

Regional capacity purchase, net

446 

475 

(29)

 

(6.1)%

 

Aircraft rentals

249 

249 

 

-     

 

Landing fees and other rentals

209 

195 

14 

 

7.2 %

 

Distribution costs

171 

157 

14 

 

8.9 %

 

Maintenance, materials and repairs

166 

140 

26 

 

18.6 %

 

Depreciation and amortization

106 

99 

 

7.1 %

 

Passenger services

105 

97 

 

8.2 %

 

Special charges

12 

11 

 

NM   

 

Other

   345 

   312 

  33 

 

10.6 %

 
 

$3,540 

$3,326 

$214 

 

6.4 %

 


NM - Not Meaningful

Operating expenses increased 6.4% primarily due to the following:

 

     

Increase  

% Increase

 

  2007      

  2006           

(Decrease)

(Decrease)

         

Capacity purchase expenses

$331 

 

$372 

 

$(41)

 

(11.0)%

 

Fuel and fuel taxes

176 

 

187 

 

(11)

 

(5.9)%

 

Aircraft sublease income

 (61)

 

 (84)

 

(23)

 

(27.4)%

 
                 

Regional capacity purchase, net

$446 

 

$475 

 

$(29)

 

(6.1)%

 

The net expense was lower in the third quarter of 2007 than in the corresponding quarter of 2006 due to an 8.8% decrease in regional capacity, which was attributable to reduced flying by ExpressJet, partially offset by new capacity provided by Chautauqua. Additionally, aircraft sublease income was lower in the third quarter of 2007 than in the third quarter of 2006, reflecting the withdrawal of aircraft from the ExpressJet CPA. Sublease income on aircraft operated by ExpressJet outside the scope of the ExpressJet CPA is recorded as other revenue.

Nonoperating Income (Expense). Nonoperating income (expense) includes net interest expense (interest expense less interest income and capitalized interest), income from other companies, gains from dispositions of investments and any ineffectiveness of our derivative financial instruments. Total nonoperating expense decreased $84 million in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006 due to the following:

Income Taxes. We did not record any income tax expense related to our pretax income in the third quarter of 2007 or 2006 due to the utilization of book net operating losses for which we had not previously recognized a benefit.

Segment Results of Operations

We have two reportable segments: mainline and regional. The mainline segment consists of flights to cities using jets with a capacity of greater than 100 seats while the regional segment currently consists of flights with a capacity of 50 or fewer seats. The regional segment is operated by ExpressJet, Chautauqua and CommutAir through capacity purchase agreements. Under these agreements, we purchase all of the capacity related to aircraft covered by the contracts, and are responsible for setting prices and selling all of the related seat inventory. In exchange for the regional carriers' operation of the flights, we pay the regional carriers for each scheduled block hour based on agreed formulas. Under the agreements, we recognize all passenger, cargo and other revenue associated with each flight, and are responsible for all revenue-related expenses, including commissions, reservations, catering and terminal rent at hub airports.

We evaluate segment performance based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is operating income (loss). However, we do not manage our business or allocate resources based on segment operating profit or loss because (1) our flight schedules are designed to maximize revenue from passengers flying, (2) many operations of the two segments are substantially integrated (for example, airport operations, sales and marketing, scheduling and ticketing), and (3) management decisions are based on their anticipated impact on the overall network, not on one individual segment.

Statistical Information. Certain statistical information for our segments' operations for the three months ended September 30 is as follows:

   

Increase  

 

 2007   

   2006   

(Decrease)

       

Mainline Operations:

     

Passengers (thousands)

13,286

12,522

6.1 %

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

22,883

21,312

7.4 %

Available seat miles (millions)

27,153

25,759

5.4 %

Passenger load factor

84.3%

82.7%

1.6 pts.

Cargo ton miles (millions)

250

268

(6.7)%

       

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

10.82

10.21

6.0 %

Total revenue per available seat mile (cents)

11.93

11.38

4.8 %

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents)

12.84

12.34

4.1 %

Average fare per revenue passenger

$223.72

$212.81

5.1 %

       

Cost per available seat mile, including special charges (cents) (1)

10.85

10.52

3.1 %

Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes (cents)

220.57

221.47

(0.4)%

Fuel gallons consumed (millions)

406

387

4.9 %

       

Actual aircraft in fleet at end of period

368

364

1.1 %

Average length of aircraft flight (miles)

1,488

1,478

0.7 %

Average daily utilization of each aircraft (hours)

11:52

11:30

3.1 %

       

Regional Operations (2):

     

Passengers (thousands)

4,615

4,806

(4.0)%

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

2,539

2,730

(7.0)%

Available seat miles (millions)

3,193

3,503

(8.8)%

Passenger load factor

79.5%

77.9%

1.6 pts.

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

17.96

17.15

4.7 %

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents)

22.59

22.01

2.6 %

Actual aircraft in fleet at end of period (3)

263

284

(7.4)%

  1. Includes special charges which represented 0.05 and 0.01 cents per available seat mile for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
  2. Consists of flights operated under capacity purchase agreements with our regional carriers ExpressJet, Chautauqua and CommutAir.
  3. Includes aircraft operated by all carriers under capacity purchase agreements, but excludes any aircraft operated by ExpressJet outside the scope of the ExpressJet CPA.

Mainline Results of Operations. Significant components of our mainline segment's operating results for the three months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):

 


  2007  


  2006  

Increase   
(Decrease) 

% Increase
(Decrease)

         

Operating Revenue

$3,239

$2,932 

$307

 

10.5%

 
             

Operating Expenses:

           

  Aircraft fuel and related taxes

895

858 

37

 

4.3%

 

  Wages, salaries and related costs

822

731 

91

 

12.4%

 

  Aircraft rentals

170

170 

-

 

-     

 

  Landing fees and other rentals

196

184 

12

 

6.5%

 

  Distribution costs

146

129 

17

 

13.2%

 

  Maintenance, materials and repairs

166

140 

26

 

18.6%

 

  Depreciation and amortization

103

96 

7

 

7.3%

 

  Passenger services

101

93 

8

 

8.6%

 

  Special charges

12

11

 

NM   

 

  Other

   337

   307 

  30

 

9.8%

 
 

2,948

2,709 

239

 

8.8%

 
             

Operating Income

$   291

$   223 

$  68

 

30.5%

 


The variances in specific line items for the mainline segment are due to the same factors discussed under consolidated results of operations.

Regional Results of Operations. Significant components of our regional segment's operating results for the three months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):

 

Increase  

% Increase

 

  2007  

  2006  

(Decrease)

(Decrease) 

         

Operating Revenue

$581 

$586 

$ (5)

 

(0.9)%

 
             

Operating Expenses:

           

  Wages, salaries and related costs

14 

12 

 

16.7%

 

  Regional capacity purchase, net

446 

475 

(29)

 

(6.1)%

 

  Aircraft rentals

79 

79 

 

-     

 

  Landing fees and other rentals

13 

11 

 

18.2 %

 

  Distribution costs

25 

28 

(3)

 

(10.7)%

 

  Depreciation and amortization

 

-     

 

  Passenger services

 

-     

 

  Other

    8 

    5 

   3 

 

60.0%

 
 

592 

617 

(25)

 

(4.1)%

 
             

Operating Income (Loss)

$(11)

$(31)

$(20)

 

(64.5)%

 

The reported results of our regional segment do not reflect the total contribution of the regional segment to our system-wide operations. The regional segment generates revenue for the mainline segment as it feeds passengers from smaller cities into our hubs. The variances in specific line items for the regional segment reflect generally the same factors discussed under consolidated results of operations.

Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

Consolidated Results of Operations

Statistical Information. Certain statistical information for our consolidated operations for the nine months ended September 30 is as follows:

 

 2007   

   2006   

Increase

       

Passengers (thousands)

52,198

50,516

3.3%

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

71,495

67,746

5.5%

Available seat miles (millions)

87,186

83,637

4.2%

Passenger load factor

82.0%

81.0%

1.0 pts.

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

11.24

10.93

2.8%

Average yield (cents)

13.71

13.49

1.6%

Results of Operations. We recorded net income of $491 million in the first nine months of 2007 as compared to net income of $370 million for the first nine months of 2006. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 included a gain of $92 million related to our sale of 7.5 million shares of Copa's Class A common stock. We consider a key measure of our performance to be operating income, which was $606 million for the first nine months of 2007, as compared to $448 million for the first nine months of 2006. Significant components of our consolidated operating results for the nine months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):

   

Increase   

% Increase

 

  2007  

  2006  

(Decrease)

(Decrease)

         

Operating Revenue

$10,709 

$9,971 

$738 

 

7.4%

 

Operating Expenses

10,103 

9,523 

 580 

 

6.1%

 

Operating Income

606 

    448 

158 

 

35.3%

 

Nonoperating Income (Expense)

(111)

   (52)

(59)

 

113.5%

 

Income Taxes

(4)

   - 

(4)

 

NM    

 

Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle

        - 

  (26)

   26 

 

NM    

 
             

Net Income

$   491 

$  370 

$121 

 

32.7%

 

Each of these items is discussed in the following sections.

Operating Revenue. The table below shows components of operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and period to period comparisons for operating revenue, RASM and ASMs by geographic region for our mainline and regional operations:

 

            

Revenue         

% Increase (Decrease)               
in  September 30, 2007 YTD         
vs September 30,2006 YTD          

 

      (in millions)      

Revenue    

RASM

ASMs

         

Passenger revenue:

       

  Domestic

$4,302 

 

4.8 %

 

(0.2)%

5.0 %

  Trans-Atlantic

1,953 

 

22.4 %

 

10.4 %

10.9 %

  Latin America

1,159 

 

12.9 %

 

10.9 %

1.8 %

  Pacific

    738 

 

9.7 %

 

9.4 %

0.3 %

  Total Mainline

8,152 

 

10.1 %

 

4.5 %

5.4 %

             

  Regional

1,650 

 

(5.2)%

 

(0.6)%

(4.7)%

             

    Total

9,802 

 

7.2 %

 

2.8 %

4.2 %

             

Cargo

328 

 

(2.4)%

     

Other

   579 

 

17.2 %

     
             

Operating Revenue

$10,709 

 

7.4 %

     

Passenger revenue increased due to increased traffic and several fare increases. Consolidated RASM increased year-over-year due to higher yields and load factors. The improved RASM reflects our actions taken to improve the mix of local versus flow traffic and reduce discounting. Consolidated RASM was adversely affected by our reduction in regional flying, which historically has had significantly higher RASM than our mainline flying.

Cargo revenue decreased due to a reduction in the volume of mail carried for the U.S. Postal Service. Other revenue increased as a result of higher revenue associated with sales of mileage credits in our OnePass frequent flyer program and $55 million of rental income on aircraft leased to ExpressJet but not operated for us during the first nine months of 2007.

Operating Expenses. The table below shows period-to-period comparisons by type of operating expense for our consolidated operations for the nine months ended September 30 (in millions, except percentage changes):

 


  2007  


  2006  

Increase  
(Decrease)

% Increase
(Decrease)

         

Aircraft fuel and related taxes

$ 2,399 

$2,310

$  89 

 

3.9 %

 

Wages, salaries and related costs

2,404 

2,159

245 

 

11.3 %

 

Regional capacity purchase, net

1,319 

1,344

(25)

 

(1.9)%

 

Aircraft rentals

745 

742

 

0.4 %

 

Landing fees and other rentals

592 

578

14 

 

2.4 %

 

Distribution costs

508 

495

13 

 

2.6 %

 

Maintenance, materials and repairs

479 

407

72 

 

17.7 %

 

Depreciation and amortization

306 

292

14 

 

4.8 %

 

Passenger services

294 

268

26 

 

9.7 %

 

Special charges

30 

5

25 

 

NM   

 

Other

  1,027 

   923

104 

 

11.3 %

 
 

$10,103 

$9,523

$580 

 

6.1 %

 


Operating expenses increased 6.1% primarily due to the following:

 

     

Increase  

% Increase

 

  2007      

  2006           

(Decrease)

(Decrease)

         

Capacity purchase expenses

$1,038 

 

$1,091 

 

$(53)

 

(4.9)%

 

Fuel and fuel taxes

486 

 

502 

 

(16)

 

(3.2)%

 

Aircraft sublease income

   (205)

 

   (249)

 

 (44)

 

(17.7)%

 
                 

Regional capacity purchase, net

$1,319 

 

$1,344 

 

$(25)

 

(1.9)%

 

The net expense was lower in the first nine months of 2007 than in the corresponding period of 2006 due to a 4.7% decrease in regional capacity, which was attributable to reduced flying by ExpressJet, partially offset by new capacity provided by Chautauqua. Additionally, aircraft sublease income was lower in the first nine months of 2007 than in the corresponding period of 2006, reflecting the withdrawal of aircraft from the ExpressJet CPA. Sublease income on aircraft operated by ExpressJet outside the scope of the ExpressJet CPA is recorded as other revenue.

Nonoperating Income (Expense). Nonoperating income (expense) includes net interest expense (interest expense less interest income and capitalized interest), income from other companies, gains from dispositions of investments and any ineffectiveness of our derivative financial instruments. Total nonoperating expense increased $59 million in the first nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006 due to the following:

Income Taxes. Income tax expense in the first nine months of 2007 is attributable to the federal Alternative Minimum Tax and state and foreign income taxes. We did not otherwise record any income tax expense related to our pretax income in the first nine months of 2007 or 2006 due to the utilization of book net operating losses for which we had not previously recognized a benefit.

Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle. We adopted SFAS 123R effective January 1, 2006. Upon adoption, we recognized a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle to record our liability related to our outstanding stock price based RSU awards at that date, reducing earnings by $26 million.

Segment Results of Operations

Statistical Information. Certain statistical information for our segments' operations for the nine months ended September 30 is as follows:

   

Increase  

 

 2007   

   2006   

(Decrease)

       

Mainline Operations:

     

Passengers (thousands)

38,649

36,753

5.2 %

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

64,038

59,963

6.8 %

Available seat miles (millions)

77,691

73,678

5.4 %

Passenger load factor

82.4%

81.4%

1.0 pts.

Cargo ton miles (millions)

757

793

(4.5)%

       

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

10.49

10.04

4.5 %

Total revenue per available seat mile (cents)

11.66

11.22

3.9 %

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents)

12.73

12.34

3.2 %

Average fare per revenue passenger

$213.21

$203.83

4.6 %

       

Cost per available seat mile, including special charges (cents) (1)

10.75

10.53

2.1 %

Average price per gallon of fuel, including fuel taxes (cents)

206.60

208.20

(0.8)%

Fuel gallons consumed (millions)

1,161

1,109

4.7 %

       

Actual aircraft in fleet at end of period

368

364

1.1 %

Average length of aircraft flight (miles)

1,452

1,438

1.0 %

Average daily utilization of each aircraft (hours)

11:38

11:12

3.9 %

       

Regional Operations (2):

     

Passengers (thousands)

13,549

13,763

(1.6)%

Revenue passenger miles (millions)

7,457

7,783

(4.2)%

Available seat miles (millions)

9,495

9,959

(4.7)%

Passenger load factor

78.5%

78.1%

0.4 pts.

Passenger revenue per available seat mile (cents)

17.38

17.48

(0.6)%

Average yield per revenue passenger mile (cents)

22.13

22.36

(1.0)%

Actual aircraft in fleet at end of period (3)

263

284

(7.4)%

  1. Includes special charges which represented 0.04 and 0.01 cents per available seat mile for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
  2. Consists of flights operated under capacity purchase agreements with our regional carriers ExpressJet, Chautauqua and CommutAir.
  3. Includes aircraft operated by all carriers under capacity purchase agreements, but excludes any aircraft operated by ExpressJet outside the scope of the ExpressJet CPA.


Mainline Results of Operations. Significant components of our mainline segment's operating results for the nine months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):

 


  2007  


  2006  

Increase  
(Decrease)

% Increase
(Decrease)

         

Operating Revenue

$9,058

$8,268 

$790

 

9.6%

 
             

Operating Expenses:

           

  Aircraft fuel and related taxes

2,399

2,310 

89

 

3.9%

 

  Wages, salaries and related costs

2,365

2,125 

240

 

11.3%

 

  Aircraft rentals

509

509 

-

 

-     

 

  Landing fees and other rentals

554

544 

10

 

1.8%

 

  Distribution costs

434

410 

24

 

5.9%

 

  Maintenance, materials and repairs

479

407 

72

 

17.7%

 

  Depreciation and amortization

296

283 

13

 

4.6%

 

  Passenger services

283

256 

27

 

10.5%

 

  Special charges

30

25

 

NM   

 

  Other

1,003

   911 

  92

 

10.1%

 
 

8,352

7,760 

592

 

7.6 %

 
             

Operating Income

$  706

$   508

$198

 

39.0%

 


The variances in specific line items for the mainline segment are due to the same factors discussed under consolidated results of operations.

Regional Results of Operations. Significant components of our regional segment's operating results for the nine months ended September 30 are as follows (in millions, except percentage changes):

   

Increase  

% Increase

 

  2007  

  2006  

(Decrease)

(Decrease) 

         

Operating Revenue

$1,651 

$1,703 

$(52)

 

(3.1)%

 
             

Operating Expenses:

           

  Wages, salaries and related costs

39 

34 

 

14.7 %

 

  Regional capacity purchase, net

1,319 

1,344 

(25)

 

(1.9)%

 

  Aircraft rentals

236 

233 

 

1.3 %

 

  Landing fees and other rentals

38 

34 

 

11.8 %

 

  Distribution costs

74 

85 

(11)

 

(12.9)%

 

  Depreciation and amortization

10 

 

11.1 %

 

  Passenger services

11 

12 

(1)

 

(8.3)%

 

  Other

     24 

     12 

  12 

 

100.0 %

 
 

1,751 

1,763 

(12)

 

(0.7)%

 
             

Operating Loss

$ (100)

$  (60)

$ 40 

 

66.7 %

 

The reported results of our regional segment do not reflect the total contribution of the regional segment to our system-wide operations. The regional segment generates revenue for the mainline segment as it feeds passengers from smaller cities into our hubs. The variances in specific line items for the regional segment reflect generally the same factors discussed under consolidated results of operations.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Current Liquidity

As of September 30, 2007, we had $3.0 billion in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, which is $553 million higher than at December 31, 2006. At September 30, 2007, we also had $178 million of restricted cash, which is primarily collateral for estimated future workers' compensation claims, performance bonds, letters of credit and credit card processing contracts. Restricted cash at December 31, 2006 totaled $265 million.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Operating Activities. Cash flows provided by operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $1.1 billion compared to $896 million in the same period in 2006. The increase in cash flows provided by operations in 2007 compared to 2006 is primarily the result of an increase in operating income and advance ticket sales associated with increased capacity, partially offset by $111 million of profit sharing paid to our employees and $85 million of higher contributions to our defined benefit pension plans, both of which occurred in 2007.

Investing Activities. Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities for the nine months ended September 30 were as follows (in millions):

   

Cash     

   

Increase  

 

 2007   

   2006   

(Decrease)

       

Capital expenditures

$(228)

$(235)

$     7 

 

Purchase of short-term investments, net

(157)

(48)

(109)

 

Purchase deposits paid in connection with future
  aircraft deliveries, net


(145)


(65)


(80)


Decrease (increase) in restricted cash, net

87 

(6)

93 

 

Proceeds from sale of Holdings shares, net

35 

35 

 

Proceeds from sale of Copa shares, net

156 

(156)

 

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

 10 

 17 

(7)

 

Other

     - 

     1 

    (1)

 
 

$(398)

$(180)

$(218)

 


We have substantial commitments for capital expenditures, including for the acquisition of new aircraft. Capital expenditures for the full year 2007 are expected to be $435 million, or $645 million after considering aircraft purchase deposits to be paid, net of purchase deposits to be refunded. Projected capital expenditures for 2007 consist of $160 million of fleet expenditures, $215 million of non-fleet expenditures and $60 million for rotable parts and capitalized interest. The 2007 non-fleet expenditures include ground service equipment, terminal enhancements and a portion of the approximately $130 million we have committed to pay to acquire the right to use slots at London's Heathrow Airport that is payable in 2007.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, net purchase deposits paid were higher than in the first nine months of 2006 as the result of higher refunds in 2006 due to aircraft deliveries, offset by the pre-funding of $103 million of purchase deposits on Boeing aircraft in the first quarter of 2006.

The decrease in restricted cash is the result of the return of $67 million cash collateral in the first quarter of 2007 from our U.S. bank card processor, discussed in "Other Liquidity Matters" below, and the return of $26 million of workers' compensation collateral in the third quarter of 2007.


In January 2007, we sold substantially all of our shares of Holdings common stock to third parties for cash proceeds of $35 million. We recognized a gain of $7 million in the first quarter of 2007 as a result of these sales. We contributed substantially all of the $35 million proceeds to our defined benefit pension plans in February 2007. We sold the remaining shares of Holdings common stock to third parties in April 2007 and no longer own any shares of Holdings common stock.

We expect to sell our interest in ARINC in the fourth quarter of 2007, subject to customary closing conditions and certain other contingencies. Many of these conditions and contingencies are outside of our control, and we cannot give any assurances that the closing of the transaction will occur. Upon closing, we expect to receive cash proceeds of approximately $30 million.

On July 5, 2006, we sold 7.5 million shares of Copa's Class A common stock for $156 million in cash, net of underwriting fees. This sale reduced our ownership of Copa's Class A common stock to 4.4 million shares, which represented a 10% interest. We recognized a gain of $92 million related to this transaction.

Financing Activities. Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities for the nine months ended September 30 were as follows (in millions):

   

Cash     

   

Increase  

 

 2007   

   2006   

(Decrease)

       

Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations

$(337)

$ (647)

$ 310 

 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

25 

372 

(347)

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans

    30 

   53 

  (23)

 
 

$(282)

$(222)

$ (60)

 

Cash flows used in financing activities increased due to lower issuances of debt in the first nine months of 2007, partially offset by lower repayments in 2007. In January 2007, $170 million in principal amount of our 4.5% Convertible Notes due on February 1, 2007 was converted by the holders into 4.3 million shares of our Class B common stock at a conversion price of $40 per share. The remaining $30 million in principal amount was paid on February 1, 2007.

Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt in the first nine months of 2007 relate to the refinancing of debt secured by three 737-500 aircraft. Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt in the first nine months of 2006 include $320 million related to the refinancing of floating rate debt secured by our spare parts inventory that was originally due to mature in 2007.

During the first nine months of 2007, we incurred $190 million of floating rate indebtedness pursuant to existing finance agreements secured by two 777-200ER aircraft that were delivered in March and April 2007. This indebtedness consists of $156 million of senior notes due in 2019 and $34 million of junior notes due in 2014. The loans bear interest at LIBOR plus a blended margin of approximately 1.9% per year. The commitments under these finance agreements are now fully funded.

On April 10, 2007, we obtained financing for 12 Boeing 737-800s and 18 Boeing 737-900ERs. We expect to apply the financing to 30 of the 33 Boeing 737 aircraft scheduled to be delivered in 2008, although we may instead choose to substitute certain Boeing 737 aircraft scheduled to be delivered in the first quarter of 2009. Pass-through trusts raised $1.1 billion through the issuance of three classes of pass-through certificates. Class A certificates, with an aggregate principal amount of $757 million, bear interest at 5.983%, Class B certificates, with an aggregate principal amount of $222 million, bear interest at 6.903% and Class C certificates, with an aggregate principal amount of $168 million, bear interest at 7.339%. The proceeds from the sale of the certificates are initially being held by a depositary in escrow for the benefit of the certificate holders until we use such funds to purchase the aircraft. These escrowed funds are not guaranteed by us and are not reported as debt on our consolidated balance sheet because the proceeds held by the depositary are not our assets and interest earned on the proceeds as well as any unused proceeds will be distributed directly to the certificate holders. As we take delivery of each aircraft, we will issue equipment notes to the trusts, which will purchase such notes with a portion of the escrowed funds. We will use the proceeds to finance the purchase of the aircraft and will record the principal amount of the equipment notes that we issue as debt on our consolidated balance sheet. Principal payments on the equipment notes and the corresponding distribution of these payments to certificate holders will begin in April 2010 and will end in April 2022 for Class A and B certificates and April 2014 for Class C certificates. Additionally, the Class A and B certificates have the benefit of a liquidity facility under which a third party agrees to make up to three semiannual interest payments on the certificates if a default in the payment of interest occurs.

In addition, we have manufacturer backstop financing for up to 22 (depending on the model selected) of the Boeing 737 aircraft scheduled to be delivered through the end of 2009 and not otherwise covered by the financing described above. However, we do not have backstop financing or any other financing currently in place for at least two (depending on the model selected) of the Boeing 737 aircraft scheduled to be delivered through the end of 2009, any of the ten Boeing 737 aircraft scheduled to be delivered after 2009 or the 25 Boeing 787 aircraft on order. Further financing will be needed to satisfy our capital commitments for our firm aircraft and other related capital expenditures. We can provide no assurance that such further financing will be available.

Other Liquidity Matters

Financeable Assets. At September 30, 2007, we had approximately $5.1 billion (including current maturities) of long-term debt and capital lease obligations. We do not currently have any undrawn lines of credit or revolving credit facilities and substantially all of our otherwise readily financeable assets are encumbered. However, our remaining interest in Copa, which had a market value of $175 million at September 30, 2007, is not pledged as collateral under any of our debt, although there are contractual limitations on our ability to dispose of this asset. We were in compliance with all debt covenants at September 30, 2007.

Credit Ratings. At September 30, 2007, our senior unsecured debt was rated B3 by Moody's and CCC+ by Standard & Poor's. While Moody's upgraded our senior unsecured debt rating from Caa1 in March 2007, our credit ratings remain significantly below-investment grade. Although we obtained favorable terms in the April 2007 issuance of $1.1 billion in pass through certificates (discussed above under "Sources and Uses of Cash"), our current credit ratings increase the costs we incur when issuing debt, adversely affect the terms of such debt and limit our financing options. Additional reductions in our credit ratings could further increase our borrowing costs and reduce the availability of financing to us in the future. We do not have any debt obligations that would be accelerated as a result of a credit rating downgrade. However, we would have to post additional collateral of approximately $179 million under our U.S. bank card processing agreement if our senior unsecured debt rating falls below Caa3 as rated by Moody's or CCC- as rated by Standard & Poor's. We would also be required to post additional collateral of up to $42 million under our worker's compensation program if our senior unsecured debt rating falls below Caa2 as rated by Moody's or CCC+ as rated by Standard & Poor's.

Bank Card Processing Agreement. Our U.S. bank card processing agreement also contains financial covenants which require, among other things, that we maintain a minimum EBITDAR (generally, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, aircraft rentals and income from other companies, adjusted for special items) to fixed charges (interest and aircraft rentals) ratio for the preceding 12 months of 1.1 to 1.0. The liquidity covenant requires us to maintain a minimum level of $1.0 billion of unrestricted cash and short-term investments and a minimum ratio of unrestricted cash and short-term investments to current liabilities at each month end of 0.29 to 1.0. Although we are currently in compliance with all of the covenants, failure to maintain compliance would result in our being required to post up to an additional $654 million of cash collateral, which would materially adversely affect our liquidity. Depending on our unrestricted cash and short-term investments balance at the time, the posting of a significant amount of cash collateral could cause our unrestricted cash and short-term investments balance to fall below the $1.0 billion minimum balance required under our $350 million secured term loan facility, resulting in a default under that facility. During the first quarter of 2007, the bank card processor under this agreement returned $67 million of our collateral to us. If we cease to comply with the financial covenants discussed above or if our unrestricted cash and short-term investments balance falls below $2.0 billion, the bank card processor can require us to redeposit the collateral.

Pension Plans. We have noncontributory defined benefit pension plans in which substantially all of our U.S. employees participate, other than Chelsea Food Services and CMI employees. Future benefit accruals for our pilots under the pilot-only defined benefit pension plan ceased as of May 31, 2005. Funding requirements for defined benefit pension plans are determined by government regulations. During the first nine months of 2007, we contributed $261 million to our defined benefit pension plans. We contributed an additional $75 million to our defined benefit pension plans in October 2007, bringing our total contributions during 2007 to $336 million. This amount exceeds our minimum funding requirements of $187 million during the current calendar year.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in Item 7A. "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in our 2006 Form 10-K except as follows:

Aircraft Fuel. As of September 30, 2007, we had hedged approximately 30% and 10% of our projected fuel requirements for the fourth quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008, respectively, using heating oil option contracts forming zero cost collars with a weighted average call price of $2.22 per gallon and a weighted average put price of $2.06 per gallon. At September 30, 2007, the fair value of our fuel hedges was $11 million and is included in prepayments and other current assets in our consolidated balance sheet. Of this total, $2 million was ineffective and recognized as other nonoperating income in the third quarter of 2007. This ineffectiveness arises because our heating oil collars have experienced a higher increase in value than the jet fuel being hedged. We estimate that a 10% increase in the price of heating oil at September 30, 2007 would increase the fair value related to the fuel hedges outstanding at that date by $30 million.

Foreign Currency. At September 30, 2007, we have forward contracts outstanding to hedge the following cash inflows from passenger ticket sales in foreign currencies:

A uniform 10% strengthening in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to each foreign currency would have the following impact on our existing forward contracts at September 30, 2007 (in millions):

 

Increase in
Fair Value

Increase in          
Underlying Exposure

Resulting
Net Loss

       

British pound

$ 4

 

$15

 

$(11)

 

Euro

1

 

9

 

(8)

 

Canadian dollar

3

 

25

 

(22)

 

Japanese yen

3

 

9

 

(6)

 


Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer performed an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, which have been designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and (ii) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC. They concluded that the controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2007 to provide reasonable assurance of the achievement of these objectives. While our disclosure controls and procedures provide reasonable assurance that the appropriate information will be available on a timely basis, this assurance is subject to limitations inherent in any control system, no matter how well it may be designed or administered.

Changes in Internal Controls. There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2007, that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

During the period between 1997 and 2001, we reduced or capped the base commissions that we paid to domestic travel agents, and in 2002 we eliminated those base commissions. These actions were similar to those also taken by other air carriers. We are a defendant, along with several other air carriers, in two lawsuits brought by travel agencies that purportedly opted out of a prior class action entitled Sarah Futch Hall d/b/a/ Travel Specialists v. United Air Lines, et al. (U.S.D.C., Eastern District of North Carolina), filed on June 21, 2000, in which the defendant airlines prevailed on summary judgment that was upheld on appeal. These similar suits against Continental and other major carriers allege violations of antitrust laws in reducing and ultimately eliminating the base commissions formerly paid to travel agents. The pending cases are Tam Travel, Inc. v. Delta Air Lines, Inc., et al. (U.S.D.C., Northern District of California), filed on April 9, 2003 and Swope Travel Agency, et al. v. Orbitz LLC et al. (U.S.D.C., Eastern District of Texas), filed on June 5, 2003. By order dated November 10, 2003, these actions were transferred and consolidated for pretrial purposes by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to the Northern District of Ohio. Discovery has commenced. On September 14, 2006, the judge for the consolidated lawsuit issued an order dismissing 28 plaintiffs in the Swope case for their failure to properly opt-out of the Hall case. Consequently, a total of 90 travel agency plaintiffs remain in the two cases. In each of these cases, we believe the plaintiffs' claims are without merit and we are vigorously defending the lawsuits. Nevertheless, a final adverse court decision awarding substantial money damages could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

On June 7, 2007, Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P. filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging that Continental infringes certain patents relating to automated telephone call processing systems. The plaintiff is seeking unspecified monetary damages, trebling of damages based on alleged willful infringement, attorney's fees and injunctive relief. On June 20, 2007, the case, which includes numerous other defendants, was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California for consolidated or coordinated pretrial proceedings. We believe the plaintiff's claims are without merit and we are vigorously defending this lawsuit, which is currently in the initial pleading stage. A final adverse court decision awarding substantial money damages or imposing material restrictions on our ability to operate our existing automated telephone call processing systems could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of our 2006 Form 10-K includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors. The information presented below updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the risk factors and information disclosed in our 2006 Form 10-K.

The airline industry is highly competitive and susceptible to price discounting. The U.S. airline industry is characterized by substantial price competition, especially in domestic markets. Carriers use discount fares to stimulate traffic during periods of slack demand or when they begin service to new cities or have excess capacity to generate cash flow and to establish or increase market share. Some of our competitors have substantially greater financial resources (including more favorable hedges against fuel price increases) and/or lower cost structures than we do. In recent years, the domestic market share held by low-cost carriers has increased significantly and is expected to continue to increase, which is dramatically changing the airline industry. The increased market presence of low-cost carriers, which engage in substantial price discounting, has diminished the ability of the network carriers to maintain sufficient pricing structures in domestic markets to achieve profitability. This has contributed to the dramatic losses for us and the airline industry generally. For example, a low-cost carrier began to directly compete with us on flights between New York Liberty and destinations in Florida in 2005, and entered the New York to Houston market in 2006. We are responding vigorously to this challenge, but have experienced decreased yields on affected flights. We cannot predict whether or for how long these trends will continue.

In addition to price competition, airlines also compete for market share by increasing the size of their route system and the number of markets they serve. Several of our domestic competitors have announced aggressive plans to expand into international markets, including some destinations that we currently serve. Additionally, the recent "open skies" agreement between the U.S. and the European Union will become effective on March 30, 2008 and could result in increased competition from European and U.S. airlines in these international markets, and may give rise to additional consolidation or better integration opportunities among European carriers. In addition, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines have filed for anti-trust immunity seeking permission to form a new trans-Atlantic joint venture among those airlines and the coordination of routes, fares, schedules and other matters among those airlines, Alitalia and CSA Czech Airlines. Air France-KLM and Delta Air Lines announced in October 2007, in connection with such application for anti-trust immunity, their plans for a joint venture beginning in March 2008 that will initially cover all trans-Atlantic flights between the airlines' hubs and all flights between London's Heathrow Airport and any U.S. destination. The increased competition in these international markets, particularly to the extent our competitors engage in price discounting, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

We are also facing stronger competition from carriers that have emerged from bankruptcy, including Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, US Airways and United Airlines. Carriers typically emerge from bankruptcy with substantially lower costs than ours achieved by cost reductions through, among other things, reducing or discharging debt, lease and pension obligations and reducing wages and benefits.

Expanded government regulation could further increase our operating costs and restrict our ability to conduct our business. Airlines are subject to extensive regulatory and legal compliance requirements that result in significant costs and can adversely affect us. Additional laws, regulations, airport rates and charges and growth constraints have been proposed from time to time that could significantly increase the cost of airline operations or reduce revenue. Recent "growth constraint" proposals would impose restrictions on the total number of flights that can be operated at congested airports or in congested airspace or, during periods of peak demand at congested airports, "congestion" fees or other forms of additional taxation.

The FAA from time to time issues directives and other regulations relating to the maintenance and operation of aircraft that require significant expenditures. Some FAA requirements cover, among other things, retirement of older aircraft, security measures, collision avoidance systems, airborne windshear avoidance systems, noise abatement and other environment concerns, commuter aircraft safety and increased inspections and maintenance procedures to be conducted on older aircraft.

Many aspects of airlines' operations also are subject to increasingly stringent federal, state, local and foreign laws protecting the environment, including the imposition of additional taxes on airlines or their passengers. Future regulatory developments in the U.S. and abroad could adversely affect operations and increase operating costs in the airline industry. For example, future actions that may be taken by the U.S. government, foreign governments (including the European Union), or the International Civil Aviation Organization to address concerns about climate change and air emissions from the aviation sector are unknown at this time, but the effect on us and our industry is likely to be adverse and could be significant. Among those potential actions is the European Union's consideration of an emissions trading scheme applicable to all flights operating in the European Union, including flights to and from the United States.

Restrictions on the ownership and transfer of airline routes and takeoff and landing slots have been proposed and, in some cases, adopted. The ability of U.S. carriers to operate international routes is subject to change because the applicable arrangements between the United States and foreign governments may be amended from time to time, or because appropriate slots or facilities are not made available. We cannot provide assurance that current laws and regulations, or laws or regulations enacted in the future, will not adversely affect us.

The airline industry is heavily and punitively taxed. The airline industry is subject to extensive government fees and taxation that negatively impact our revenue. The U.S. airline industry is one of the most heavily taxed of all industries. These fees and taxes have grown significantly in the past decade for domestic flights, and various U.S. fees and taxes also are assessed on international flights. In addition, the governments of foreign countries in which we operate impose on U.S. airlines, including us, various fees and taxes, and these assessments have been increasing in number and amount in recent years. Certain of these fees and taxes must be included in the fares we advertise or quote to our customers. Due to the competitive revenue environment, many increases in these fees and taxes have been absorbed by the airline industry rather than being passed on to the passenger. Further increases in fees and taxes may reduce demand for air travel and thus our revenues.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None.


Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

None.

Item 5.  Other Information.

Amendments to Bylaws. On October 17, 2007, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Continental Airlines, Inc. (the "Company") adopted and approved amendments to the Company's Bylaws (the "Bylaws") to: (i) reflect the pre-existing right under Delaware law of stockholders of the Company to act by written consent; (ii) provide that the Board may authorize the issuance of shares of common stock that are not represented by certificates ("Uncertificated Shares"); (iii) establish procedures concerning the issuance and transfer of Uncertificated Shares; and (iv) clarify the procedures for setting the date for determining the stockholders of record for stockholder meetings, stockholder actions by written consent, dividends, distributions and other rights. The Bylaw amendments relating to Uncertificated Shares were adopted to ensure the Company's eligibility to participate in the Direct Registration System administered by the Depository Trust Company, as required by the New York Stock Exchange listed company regulations effective January 1, 2008. Prior to these amendments, the Bylaws made no reference to Uncertificated Shares and did not expressly authorize the stockholders to act by written consent.

The amendments to the Bylaws took effect on October 17, 2007 in accordance with resolutions adopted by the Board. The foregoing description of the amendments to the Bylaws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Bylaws, as amended, which is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this report.

Section 409A Amendments to Employment Agreements and Executive Benefit Plans. On October 15, 2007, the Human Resources Committee (the "Committee") of the Board approved and adopted, and the Company subsequently entered into, amended and restated employment agreements with each of the following "named executive officers" of the Company: Larry Kellner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Smisek, President, Jim Compton, Executive Vice President Marketing, Jeff Misner, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Mark Moran, Executive Vice President Operations. The purpose of the amendments reflected in these amended and restated agreements was to bring such agreements into compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder ("Section 409A"). The amended and restated employment agreements are filed as Exhibits 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5 and 10.6 to this report.

The Committee also adopted and approved on October 15, 2007, the First Amendment to the Continental Airlines, Inc. Annual Executive Bonus Program (as amended and restated through February 22, 2006) and the amended and restated Continental Airlines, Inc. Long-Term Incentive and RSU Program. The purpose of the amendments to these programs was to bring such programs into compliance with the requirements of Section 409A. The amendments to these programs are filed as Exhibits 10.7 and 10.8 to this report.

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

3.1

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Continental, as amended through June 6, 2006 - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Continental's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (File no. 1-10323).

 

3.1(a)

Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(b) to Continental's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (File no. 1-10323).

 

3.1(a)(i)

Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(b) to Continental's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (File no. 1-10323).

 

3.1(b)

Certificate of Designation of Series B Preferred Stock - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(b) to Continental's Annual Report on Form l0-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 (File no. 1-10323).

 

3.1(c)

Corrected Certificate of Designations of Series B Preferred Stock - incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 3.1 to Continental's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 (File no. 1-10323).

 

3.2

Bylaws of Continental, as amended through October 17, 2007.

 

10.1

Supplemental Agreement No. 43, dated July 18, 2007 to Purchase Agreement No. 1951, dated July 23, 1996, between Continental and The Boeing Company relating to the purchase of Boeing 737 aircraft. (1)

 

10.2*

Employment Agreement dated as of October 15, 2007 between Continental and Lawrence W. Kellner.

 

10.3*

Employment Agreement dated as of October 15, 2007 between Continental and Jeffery A. Smisek.

 

10.4*

Employment Agreement dated as of October 15, 2007 between Continental and James E. Compton.

 

10.5*

Employment Agreement dated as of October 15, 2007 between Continental and Jeffrey J. Misner.

 

10.6*

Employment Agreement dated as of October 15, 2007 between Continental and Mark J. Moran.

 

10.7*

First Amendment, dated as of October 15, 2007, to the Continental Airlines, Inc. Annual Executive Bonus Program (as amended and restated through February 22, 2006).

 

10.8*

Continental Airlines, Inc. Long-Term Incentive and RSU Program (as amended and restated through October 15, 2007).

 

31.1

Rule 13a-14 (a)/15d-14 (a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

 

31.2

Rule 13a-14 (a)/15d-14 (a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

 

32.1

Section 1350 Certifications.

*This exhibit relates to management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

  1. Continental has applied to the Commission for confidential treatment of a portion of this exhibit.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.          

   

                     Registrant

     
     
     

Date: October 18, 2007    

by:

/s/ Jeffrey J. Misner                        

   

Jeffrey J. Misner

   

Executive Vice President and

   

Chief Financial Officer

   

(On behalf of Registrant)

     

Date: October 18, 2007    

by:

/s/ Chris Kenny                               

   

Chris Kenny

   

Vice President and Controller

   

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS
OF
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, INC.

3.1

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Continental, as amended through June 6, 2006 - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Continental's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (File no. 1-10323).

3.1(a)

Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(b) to Continental's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (File no. 1-10323).

3.1(a)(i)

Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(b) to Continental's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (File no. 1-10323).

3.1(b)

Certificate of Designation of Series B Preferred Stock - incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(b) to Continental's Annual Report on Form l0-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 (File no. 1-10323).

3.1(c)

Corrected Certificate of Designations of Series B Preferred Stock - incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 3.1 to Continental's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 (File no. 1-10323).

3.2

Bylaws of Continental, as amended through October 17, 2007.

10.1

Supplemental Agreement No. 43, dated July 18, 2007 to Purchase Agreement No. 1951, dated July 23, 1996, between Continental and The Boeing Company relating to the purchase of Boeing 737 aircraft. (1)

10.2*

Employment Agreement dated as of October 15, 2007 between Continental and Lawrence W. Kellner.

10.3*

Employment Agreement dated as of October 15, 2007 between Continental and Jeffery A. Smisek.

10.4*

Employment Agreement dated as of October 15, 2007 between Continental and James E. Compton.

10.5*

Employment Agreement dated as of October 15, 2007 between Continental and Jeffrey J. Misner.

10.6*

Employment Agreement dated as of October 15, 2007 between Continental and Mark J. Moran.

10.7*

First Amendment, dated as of October 15, 2007, to the Continental Airlines, Inc. Annual Executive Bonus Program (as amended and restated through February 22, 2006).

10.8*

Continental Airlines, Inc. Long-Term Incentive and RSU Program (as amended and restated through October 15, 2007).

31.1

Rule 13a-14 (a)/15d-14 (a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

31.2

Rule 13a-14 (a)/15d-14 (a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

32.1

Section 1350 Certifications.

*This exhibit relates to management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

  1. Continental has applied to the Commission for confidential treatment of a portion of this exhibit.