10-Q
Table of Contents


 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q


þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015
or
o
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 000-49728
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
87-0617894
(State of Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
27-01 Queens Plaza North, Long Island City, New York
 
11101
(Address of principal executive offices) 
 
 (Zip Code)
(718) 286-7900
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the 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. þ Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). þ Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer þ
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o           No þ
As of September 30, 2015, there were 315,060,521 shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, par value $.01.
 


Table of Contents


JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
INDEX
 
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 


2

Table of Contents


PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share and per share data)
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(unaudited)
 

ASSETS
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
544

 
$
341

Investment securities
588

 
367

Receivables, less allowance (2015-$7; 2014-$6)
149

 
136

Prepaid expenses and other
345

 
356

Total current assets
1,626

 
1,200

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
 
 
Flight equipment
6,719

 
6,233

Predelivery deposits for flight equipment
180

 
207

 
6,899

 
6,440

Less accumulated depreciation
1,516

 
1,354

 
5,383

 
5,086

Other property and equipment
857

 
816

Less accumulated depreciation
286

 
252

 
571

 
564

Assets constructed for others
561

 
561

Less accumulated depreciation
155

 
139

 
406

 
422

Total property and equipment
6,360

 
6,072

OTHER ASSETS
 
 
 
Investment securities
47

 
60

Restricted cash
66

 
61

Other
495

 
446

Total other assets
608

 
567

TOTAL ASSETS
$
8,594

 
$
7,839

 
 
 
 
 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents


JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share and per share amounts)
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
(unaudited)
 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
264

 
$
208

Air traffic liability
1,101

 
973

Accrued salaries, wages and benefits
307

 
203

Other accrued liabilities
315

 
287

Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases
238

 
265

Total current liabilities
2,225

 
1,936

 
 
 
 
LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
1,744

 
1,968

 
 
 
 
CONSTRUCTION OBLIGATION
476

 
487

 
 
 
 
DEFERRED TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Deferred income taxes
1,040

 
832

Other
92

 
87

 
1,132

 
919

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 900,000,000 shares authorized, 381,674,691 and 368,883,960 shares issued and 315,060,521 and 309,871,309 shares outstanding at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
4

 
4

Treasury stock, at cost; 66,614,170 and 59,012,651 shares at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
(289
)
 
(125
)
Additional paid-in capital
1,831

 
1,711

Retained earnings
1,489

 
1,002

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(18
)
 
(63
)
Total stockholders’ equity
3,017

 
2,529

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$
8,594

 
$
7,839




See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

Table of Contents


JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in millions, except per share amounts)

 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
OPERATING REVENUES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Passenger
 
$
1,551

 
$
1,414

 
$
4,455

 
$
4,016

Other
 
136

 
115

 
367

 
355

Total operating revenues
 
1,687

 
1,529

 
4,822

 
4,371

OPERATING EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aircraft fuel and related taxes
 
342

 
515

 
1,048

 
1,476

Salaries, wages and benefits
 
389

 
318

 
1,139

 
963

Landing fees and other rents
 
91

 
88

 
264

 
248

Depreciation and amortization
 
84

 
79

 
252

 
234

Aircraft rent
 
30

 
31

 
92

 
93

Sales and marketing
 
69

 
59

 
199

 
182

Maintenance materials and repairs
 
132

 
109

 
371

 
305

Other operating expenses
 
199

 
166

 
571

 
524

Total operating expenses
 
1,336

 
1,365

 
3,936

 
4,025

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING INCOME
 
351

 
164

 
886

 
346

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
(32
)
 
(37
)
 
(98
)
 
(113
)
Capitalized interest
 
2

 
4

 
6

 
11

Interest income (expense) and other
 
1

 
1

 

 
(2
)
Gain on sale of subsidiary
 

 

 

 
241

Total other income (expense)
 
(29
)
 
(32
)
 
(92
)
 
137

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
 
322

 
132

 
794

 
483

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income tax expense
 
124

 
53

 
307

 
170

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
$
198

 
$
79

 
$
487

 
$
313

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.63

 
$
0.27

 
$
1.55

 
$
1.07

Diluted
 
$
0.58

 
$
0.24

 
$
1.42

 
$
0.93




See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

Table of Contents



JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited, in millions)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
NET INCOME
 
$
198

 
$
79

Changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of reclassifications into earnings (net of $3 and $(11) of taxes in 2015 and 2014, respectively)
 
6

 
(16
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
 
6

 
(16
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
$
204

 
$
63



 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
NET INCOME
 
$
487

 
$
313

Changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of reclassifications into earnings (net of $28 and $(8) of taxes in 2015 and 2014, respectively)
 
45

 
(12
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
 
45

 
(12
)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
$
532

 
$
301



See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

Table of Contents


JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in millions)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
487

 
$
313

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Deferred income taxes
 
201

 
157

Depreciation
 
210

 
197

Amortization
 
42

 
43

Stock-based compensation
 
15

 
16

(Gains) losses on sale of assets, debt extinguishment, and customer contract termination
 
(7
)
 
3

Gain on sale of subsidiary
 

 
(241
)
Collateral returned for derivative instruments
 
44

 
1

Changes in certain operating assets and liabilities
 
300

 
208

Other, net
 
2

 
27

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
1,294

 
724

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(493
)
 
(498
)
Predelivery deposits for flight equipment
 
(59
)
 
(99
)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary
 

 
393

Purchase of held-to-maturity investments
 
(340
)
 
(194
)
Proceeds from the maturities of held-to-maturity investments
 
224

 
236

Purchase of available-for-sale securities
 
(237
)
 
(335
)
Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities
 
140

 
388

Other, net
 
2

 
(4
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(763
)
 
(113
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from:
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock
 
68

 
13

Issuance of long-term debt
 

 
342

Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
 
(232
)
 
(648
)
Acquisition of treasury stock
 
(164
)
 
(82
)
Other, net
 

 
(12
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(328
)
 
(387
)
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
203

 
224

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
341

 
225

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
544

 
$
449



See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)



NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
JetBlue provides air transportation services across the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America. Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of JetBlue Airways Corporation, or JetBlue, and our subsidiaries which are collectively referred to as “we” or the “Company”. All majority-owned subsidiaries are consolidated on a line by line basis, with all intercompany transactions and balances having been eliminated. In June 2014, LiveTV, LLC, or LiveTV (and LTV Global, Inc, and LiveTV International, Inc., subsidiaries of LiveTV, LLC), were sold to Thales Holding Corporation, or Thales, and ceased to be subsidiaries of JetBlue. In September 2014, LiveTV Satellite Communications, LLC was sold to Thales and ceased to be a subsidiary of JetBlue. Following the close of the sales on June 10, 2014 and September 25, 2014, the transferred LiveTV operations are no longer presented in our condensed consolidated financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with our 2014 audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, or our 2014 Form 10-K.
These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by us following the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. In our opinion they reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring items, that are necessary to present fairly the results for interim periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, have been condensed or omitted as permitted by such rules and regulations; however, we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Operating results for the periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other interim periods or the entire fiscal year.
Investment securities
Investment securities consist of available-for-sale investment securities and held-to-maturity investment securities. We use a specific identification method to determine the cost of the securities when they are sold.
Held-to-maturity investment securities. The contractual maturities of the corporate bonds we held as of September 30, 2015 were not greater than 24 months. We did not record any significant gains or losses on these securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 or 2014. The estimated fair value of these investments approximated their carrying value as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
The carrying values of investment securities consisted of the following at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in millions):
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Available-for-sale securities
 
 
 
 
Time deposits
 
$
125

 
$
125

Commercial paper
 
97

 

 
 
222

 
125

Held-to-maturity securities
 
 
 
 
Time deposits
 
$

 
$
48

Corporate bonds
 
413

 
254

 
 
413

 
302

 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
635

 
$
427



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Table of Contents
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


New Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. This standard provides specific guidance that requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. This amendment is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016 and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter; early adoption is permitted. The impact of this standard on our disclosures will be dependent on our financial condition at the time of adoption.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, topic of the FASB Codification, which supersedes existing revenue recognition guidance. Under the new standard, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The standard allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. In July 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and permitted early adoption of the standard, but not prior to December 15, 2016. While we are still evaluating the full impact of adopting this standard on our condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures, we have determined that it will impact our loyalty program accounting. The new standard will no longer allow us to use the incremental cost method when recording the financial impact of TrueBlue points earned on JetBlue purchases and will require us to re-value our liability with a relative fair value approach.

NOTE 2 — SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, 1.9 million restricted stock units vested and 0.9 million restricted stock units were granted under our 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan. In addition, 4.5 million stock options were exercised under our 2002 Stock Incentive Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. We have not granted any stock options since 2008 and all previously granted stock options were fully expensed in 2012.
At our Annual Shareholders Meeting held on May 21, 2015, our shareholders approved amendments to the 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan and the 2011 Crewmember Stock Purchase Plan increasing the number of shares of Company common stock that remain available for issuance under each plan by 7.5 million and 15.0 million, respectively.

NOTE 3 — LONG TERM DEBT, SHORT TERM BORROWINGS AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we made scheduled principal payments of $148 million on our outstanding long-term debt and capital lease obligations. In June 2015, we prepaid $52 million of outstanding principal relating to seven Airbus A320 aircraft; as a result, one aircraft became unencumbered and six have lower principal balances. During June 2015, we also prepaid the full $32 million principal outstanding on a special facility revenue bond for JFK that was issued by the New York City Industrial Development Agency in December 2006. During the second quarter of 2015, holders voluntarily converted approximately $26 million in principal amount of the Series B 5.5% convertible debentures, and as a result, we issued 5.8 million shares of our common stock. In October 2015, we exercised our right to redeem the remaining $42 million in principal amount of our Series B 5.5% convertible debentures. As a result, we anticipate any principal amounts of the Series B 5.5% convertible debentures remaining after any voluntarily conversion into shares of our common stock by holders will be redeemed during the fourth quarter of 2015.
Aircraft, engines, other equipment and facilities with a net book value of $3.09 billion at September 30, 2015 have been pledged as security under various loan agreements. As of September 30, 2015, we owned, free of encumbrance, 35 Airbus A320 aircraft, 13 Airbus A321 aircraft and 34 spare engines. At September 30, 2015, the weighted average interest rate of all of our long-term debt and capital lease obligations was 4.6% and scheduled maturities were $90 million for the remainder of 2015, $455 million in 2016, $196 million in 2017, $207 million in 2018, $224 million in 2019 and $810 million thereafter.

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Table of Contents
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term debt at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in millions):
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Estimated Fair Value
Public Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floating rate enhanced equipment notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Class G-1, due 2016
 
$
28

 
$
28

 
$
35

 
$
35

    Class G-2, due 2016
 
185

 
182

 
185

 
180

Fixed rate special facility bonds, due through 2036
 
43

 
45

 
77

 
78

6.75% convertible debentures due in 2039
 
86

 
456

 
86

 
283

5.5% convertible debentures due in 2038
 
42

 
243

 
68

 
241

Non-Public Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed rate enhanced equipment notes, due through 2023
 
$
201

 
$
212

 
$
217

 
$
224

Floating rate equipment notes, due through 2025
 
246

 
249

 
276

 
277

Fixed rate equipment notes, due through 2026
 
993

 
1,089

 
1,119

 
1,211

Total*
 
$
1,824

 
$
2,504

 
$
2,063

 
$
2,529

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*Total excludes capital lease obligations of $158 million for September 30, 2015 and $170 million for December 31, 2014.
The estimated fair values of our publicly held long-term debt are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of our enhanced equipment notes and our special facility bonds were based on quoted market prices in markets with low trading volumes. The fair value of our convertible debentures was based on other observable market inputs since they are not actively traded. The fair value of our non-public debt was estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on our borrowing rates for instruments with similar terms and therefore classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of our other financial instruments approximate their carrying values. Refer to Note 9 for an explanation of the fair value hierarchy structure.
We have financed certain aircraft with Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (EETCs) as one of the benefits is being able to finance several aircraft at one time, rather than individually. The structure of EETC financing is that we create pass-through trusts in order to issue pass-through certificates. The proceeds from the issuance of these certificates are then used to purchase equipment notes which are issued by us and are secured by our aircraft. These trusts meet the definition of a variable interest entity, or VIE, as defined in the Consolidations topic of the FASB Codification, and must be considered for consolidation in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Our assessment of our EETCs considers both quantitative and qualitative factors including the purpose for which these trusts were established and the nature of the risks in each. The main purpose of the trust structure is to enhance the credit worthiness of our debt obligation through certain bankruptcy protection provisions, liquidity facilities and lower our total borrowing cost. We concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary in these trusts because our involvement in them is limited to principal and interest payments on the related notes, the trusts were not set up to pass along variability created by credit risk to us and the likelihood of our defaulting on the notes. Therefore, we have not consolidated these trusts in our condensed consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


NOTE 4 — ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in fair value of our aircraft fuel derivatives and interest rate swap agreements, which qualify for hedge accounting. A rollforward of the amounts included in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 are as follows (in millions):
 
 
Aircraft Fuel
Derivatives (1)
 
Interest Rate
Swaps (2)
 
Total
Beginning accumulated losses at June 30, 2015
 
$
(24
)
 
$

 
$
(24
)
Reclassifications into earnings (net of $10 of taxes)
 
17

 

 
17

Change in fair value (net of $(7) of taxes)
 
(11
)
 

 
(11
)
Ending accumulated losses at September 30, 2015
 
$
(18
)
 
$

 
$
(18
)
 
 
Aircraft Fuel
Derivatives (1)
 
Interest Rate
Swaps (2)
 
Total
Beginning accumulated income at June 30, 2014
 
$
4

 
$

 
$
4

Reclassifications into earnings (net of $0 of taxes)
 
1

 

 
1

Change in fair value (net of $(11) of taxes)
 
(17
)
 

 
(17
)
Ending accumulated losses at September 30, 2014
 
$
(12
)
 
$

 
$
(12
)
__________________________
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Reclassified to aircraft fuel expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2) Reclassified to interest expense
 
 
 
 
 
 

A rollforward of the amounts included in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 are as follows (in millions):

 
 
Aircraft Fuel
Derivatives (1)
 
Interest Rate
Swaps (2)
 
Total
Beginning accumulated losses at December 31, 2014
 
$
(63
)
 
$

 
$
(63
)
Reclassifications into earnings (net of $36 of taxes)
 
57

 

 
57

Change in fair value (net of $(8) of taxes)
 
(12
)
 

 
(12
)
Ending accumulated losses at September 30, 2015
 
$
(18
)
 
$

 
$
(18
)

 
 
Aircraft Fuel
Derivatives (1)
 
Interest Rate
Swaps (2)
 
Total
Beginning accumulated income (losses) at December 31, 2013
 
$
1

 
$
(1
)
 
$

Reclassifications into earnings (net of $2 of taxes)
 
2

 
1

 
3

Change in fair value (net of $(10) of taxes)
 
(15
)
 

 
(15
)
Ending accumulated losses at September 30, 2014
 
$
(12
)
 
$

 
$
(12
)
__________________________
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Reclassified to aircraft fuel expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2) Reclassified to interest expense
 
 
 
 
 
 



11

Table of Contents
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


NOTE 5 — EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table shows how we computed basic and diluted earnings per common share (in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
198

 
$
79

 
$
487

 
$
313

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on convertible debt, net of income taxes and profit sharing
 
1

 
2

 
4

 
5

Net income applicable to common stockholders after assumed conversions for diluted earnings per share
 
$
199

 
$
81

 
$
491

 
$
318

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share
 
313.8

 
290.5

 
313.6

 
292.9

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee stock options and restricted stock units
 
2.6

 
2.2

 
2.9

 
2.2

Convertible debt
 
27.1

 
48.4

 
29.3

 
48.4

Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding and assumed conversions for diluted earnings per share
 
343.5

 
341.1

 
345.8

 
343.5

 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Shares excluded from EPS calculation (in millions):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options or vesting of restricted stock units as assumed exercise would be antidilutive
 

 
4.6

 

 
8.6

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 or 2014 there were no shares excluded from EPS upon assumed conversion of our convertible debt.
As of September 30, 2015, a total of approximately 1.4 million shares of our common stock, which were lent to our share borrower pursuant to the terms of our share lending agreement as described more fully in Note 2 to our 2014 Form 10-K, were issued and outstanding for corporate law purposes. Holders of the borrowed shares have all the rights of a holder of our common stock. However, because the share borrower must return all borrowed shares to us (or identical shares or, in certain circumstances of default by the counterparty, the cash value thereof), the borrowed shares are not considered outstanding for the purpose of computing and reporting basic or diluted earnings per share. The fair value of similar common shares not subject to our share lending arrangement based upon our closing stock price at September 30, 2015, was approximately $36 million.
As discussed in Note 3, during the second quarter of 2015, holders voluntarily converted approximately $26 million in principal amount of the Series B 5.5% convertible debentures, and as a result, we issued 5.8 million shares of our common stock.
On June 16, 2015, JetBlue entered into an accelerated share repurchase, or ASR, agreement with Goldman, Sachs & Co. paying $150 million for an initial delivery of approximately 6.1 million shares. The term of the ASR concluded on September 15, 2015 with Goldman, Sachs & Co. delivering approximately 0.7 million additional shares to JetBlue on September 18, 2015. A total of 6.8 million shares, at an average price of $22.06 per share, were repurchased under the agreement. The total number of shares purchased by JetBlue was based on the volume weighted average prices of JetBlue's common stock during the term of the ASR agreement.
In September 2015, JetBlue entered into an agreement for the repurchase of up to 778,460 shares per day with a maximum of 3 million shares in total, structured pursuant to Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. The repurchases are planned to commence on October 30, 2015 and will terminate no later than December 31, 2015. We may adjust or change our share repurchase practices based on market conditions and other alternatives.

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JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


Both the ASR and the Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 are part of our share repurchase program authorized by JetBlue's Board of Directors in 2012.
Shares repurchased under any of our share repurchase programs are held as treasury stock.

NOTE 6 — EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLAN AND PROFIT SHARING
We sponsor a retirement savings 401(k) defined contribution plan, or the Plan, covering all of our employees where we match employee contributions of up to 5% of eligible wages. Our non-management employees receive a discretionary contribution of 5% of eligible wages, which we refer to as Retirement Plus. They are also eligible to receive profit sharing, calculated as 15% of pre-tax income adjusted for profit sharing and special items with the result reduced by Retirement Plus contributions. Eligible non-management employees may elect to have their profit sharing contributed directly to the Plan. Certain Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA-licensed employees, receive an additional contribution of 3% of eligible compensation, which we refer to as Retirement Advantage. Total 401(k) company match, Retirement Plus, profit sharing, and Retirement Advantage expensed for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $72 million and $34 million, respectively, while the total amount expensed for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $184 million and $81 million, respectively.

NOTE 7 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
As of September 30, 2015, our firm aircraft orders consisted of 25 Airbus A321 aircraft, 25 Airbus A320 new engine option (A320neo) aircraft, 45 Airbus A321neo aircraft, 24 EMBRAER 190 aircraft and 10 spare engines scheduled for delivery through 2023. Committed expenditures for these aircraft and related flight equipment, including estimated amounts for contractual price escalations and predelivery deposits, will be approximately $220 million for the remainder of 2015, $630 million in 2016, $645 million in 2017, $525 million in 2018, $935 million in 2019 and $3.5 billion thereafter. We are scheduled to receive four new Airbus A321 aircraft during the remainder of 2015.
As part of the sale of LiveTV, refer to Note 10, a $3 million liability relating to Airfone was assigned to JetBlue under the purchase agreement. Separately, prior to the sale of LiveTV, JetBlue had an agreement with ViaSat Inc. through 2020 relating to in-flight broadband connectivity technology on our aircraft. That agreement stipulated a $20 million minimum commitment for the connectivity service and a $25 million minimum commitment for the related hardware and software purchases. As part of the sale of LiveTV, these commitments to ViaSat Inc. were assigned to LiveTV and JetBlue entered into two new service agreements with LiveTV pursuant to which LiveTV will provide in-flight entertainment and connectivity services to JetBlue for a minimum of seven years.
As of September 30, 2015, we have approximately $34 million in assets serving as collateral for letters of credit relating to a certain number of our leases. These are included in restricted cash and expire at the end of the related lease terms. Additionally, we had approximately $26 million pledged related to our workers compensation insurance policies and other business partner agreements which will expire according to the terms of the related policies or agreements.

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JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


Environmental Liability
In 2012, during performance of required environmental testing, the presence of light non-aqueous phase petroleum liquid was discovered in certain subsurface monitoring wells on the property at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Our lease with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, or PANYNJ, provides that under certain circumstances we may be responsible for investigating, delineating, and remediating such subsurface contamination, even if we are not necessarily the party that caused its release. We engaged environmental consultants to assess the extent of the contamination and to assist us in determining steps to remediate it. Estimated costs of remediation could range from approximately $1 million up to $3 million. As of September 30, 2015, we have accrued $1 million for current estimates of remediation costs, which is included in current liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. However, as with any environmental contamination, there is the possibility this contamination could be more extensive than presently estimated at this stage. We have a pollution insurance policy that protects us against these types of environmental liabilities, which we expect will mitigate some of our exposure in this matter.
Based upon information currently known to us, we do not expect this environmental proceeding to have a material adverse effect on our condensed consolidated balance sheets, results of operations, or cash flows. However, it is not possible to predict with certainty the impact of future environmental compliance requirements or the costs of resolving this matter, in part because the scope of the remediation that may be required is not certain and environmental laws and regulations are subject to modification and changes in interpretation.
Legal Matters
Occasionally, we are involved in various claims, lawsuits, regulatory examinations, investigations and other legal matters arising, for the most part, in the ordinary course of business. The outcome of litigation and other legal and regulatory matters is always uncertain. The Company believes it has valid defenses to the legal or regulatory matters currently pending against it, is defending itself vigorously and has recorded accruals determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, where appropriate. In making a determination regarding accruals, using available information, we evaluate the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome in legal and regulatory proceedings to which we are a party and record a loss contingency when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. These subjective determinations are based on the status of such legal or regulatory proceedings, the merits of our defenses and consultation with legal counsel. Actual outcomes of these legal and regulatory proceedings may materially differ from our current estimates. While it is possible that resolution of one or more of the matters currently pending or threatened could result in losses material to our consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition to date, none of these types of litigation matters, most of which are typically covered by insurance, has had a material impact on our operations or financial condition. We have insured and continue to insure against most of these types of claims. A judgment on any claim not covered by, or in excess of, our insurance coverage could materially adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.
Employment Agreement Dispute. In or around March 2010, attorneys representing a group of current and former pilots, or the Claimants, filed a Request for Mediation with the American Arbitration Association, or the AAA, concerning a dispute over the interpretation of a provision of their individual JetBlue Airways Corporation Employment Agreement for Pilots, or the Employment Agreement.  In their Fourth Amended Arbitration Demand, dated June 8, 2012, the Claimants (972 pilots) alleged that JetBlue breached the base salary provision of the Employment Agreement and sought back pay and related damages for pay adjustments that occurred in each of 2002, 2007 and 2009. The Claimants also asserted that JetBlue had violated numerous New York state labor laws. In July 2012, in response to JetBlue's partial motion to dismiss, the Claimants withdrew the 2002 claims. Following an arbitration hearing on the remaining claims, in May 2013, the arbitrator issued an interim decision on the contractual provisions of the Employment Agreement. The arbitrator determined that a 26.7% base pay rate increase provided to certain pilots during 2007 triggered the base salary provision of the Employment Agreement.  The 2009 claims and all New York state labor law claims were dismissed.  In early July 2014, the AAA issued the arbitrator’s Final Award, awarding 318 of the 972 Claimants a total of approximately $4.4 million, including interest, from which applicable tax withholdings must be further deducted. In January 2015, the New York State Supreme Court confirmed the arbitrator's Final Award and denied the Claimants' motion to vacate the award. The Claimants have appealed.
As the amount of damages awarded to the Claimants in the Final Award has been confirmed by the Court, we have accrued an amount that we believe is probable. Our estimate of reasonably possible losses in excess of the probable loss is not material. However, the outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain and any final judgment may differ materially.

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JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


ALPA. In April 2014, JetBlue pilots elected to be solely represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, or ALPA. The National Mediation Board, or NMB, certified ALPA as the representative body for JetBlue pilots and we plan to work with ALPA to reach our first collective bargaining agreement. We do not expect the result of the election to have a material impact on our financial condition.

NOTE 8 — FINANCIAL DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
As part of our risk management techniques, we periodically purchase over the counter energy derivative instruments and enter into fixed forward price agreements, or FFPs, to manage our exposure to the effect of changes in the price of aircraft fuel. Prices for the underlying commodities have historically been highly correlated to aircraft fuel, making derivatives of them effective at providing short-term protection against sharp increases in average fuel prices. We also periodically enter into jet fuel basis swaps for the differential between heating oil and jet fuel, to further limit the variability in fuel prices at various locations.
To manage the variability of the cash flows associated with our variable rate debt, we have also entered into interest rate swaps. We do not hold or issue any derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
Aircraft fuel derivatives
We attempt to obtain cash flow hedge accounting treatment for each aircraft fuel derivative that we enter into. This treatment is provided for under the Derivatives and Hedging topic of the Codification which allows for gains and losses on the effective portion of qualifying hedges to be deferred until the underlying planned jet fuel consumption occurs, rather than recognizing the gains and losses on these instruments into earnings during each period they are outstanding. The effective portion of realized aircraft fuel hedging derivative gains and losses is recognized in aircraft fuel expense in the period during which the underlying fuel is consumed.
Ineffectiveness occurs, in certain circumstances, when the change in the total fair value of the derivative instrument differs from the change in the value of our expected future cash outlays for the purchase of aircraft fuel. Ineffectiveness is recognized immediately in interest income and other. If a hedge does not qualify for hedge accounting, the periodic changes in its fair value are also recognized in interest income and other. When aircraft fuel is consumed and the related derivative contract settles, any gain or loss previously recorded in other comprehensive income is recognized in aircraft fuel expense. All cash flows related to our fuel hedging derivatives are classified as operating cash flows.
Our current approach to fuel hedging is to enter into hedges on a discretionary basis without a specific target of hedge percentage needs. We view our hedge portfolio as a form of insurance to help mitigate the impact of price volatility and protect us against severe spikes in oil prices, when possible.
The following table illustrates the approximate hedged percentages of our projected fuel usage by quarter as of September 30, 2015 related to our outstanding fuel hedging contracts that were designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.
 
 
Jet fuel swap
agreements
 
Jet fuel collar agreements
 
Heating oil collar agreements
 
Total
Fourth Quarter 2015
 
5
%
 
%
 
10
%
 
15
%

Interest rate swaps
The interest rate hedges we had outstanding as of September 30, 2015 effectively swap floating rate debt for fixed rate debt. They take advantage of lower borrowing rates in existence at the time of the hedge transaction as compared to the date our original debt instruments were executed. As of September 30, 2015, we had $28 million in notional debt outstanding related to these swaps, which cover certain interest payments through August 2016. The notional amount decreases over time to match scheduled repayments of the related debt.
All of our outstanding interest rate swap contracts qualify as cash flow hedges in accordance with the Derivatives and Hedging topic of the Codification. Since all of the critical terms of our swap agreements match the debt to which they pertain, there was no ineffectiveness relating to these interest rate swaps in 2015 or 2014. All related unrealized losses were deferred in accumulated other comprehensive loss. We recognized less than a million and approximately $1 million in additional interest expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


The table below reflects quantitative information related to our derivative instruments and where these amounts are recorded in our financial statements (dollar amounts in millions):
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Fuel derivatives
 
 
 
Longest remaining term (months)
3

 
12

Hedged volume (barrels, in thousands)
603

 
2,808

Liability fair value recorded in other accrued liabilities (1)
$
29

 
$
102

Estimated amount of existing losses expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months
29

 
102

Interest rate derivatives
 
 
 
Liability fair value recorded in other long term liabilities (2)
$
1

 
$
1

Estimated amount of existing losses expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months
1

 
1


 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Fuel derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedge effectiveness losses recognized in aircraft fuel expense
$
27

 
$
1

 
$
93

 
$
4

Gains (losses) on derivatives not qualifying for hedge accounting recognized in other expense

 

 
1

 
(1
)
Hedge ineffectiveness losses recognized in other expense

 
1

 

 

Hedge losses on derivatives recognized in comprehensive income
18

 
28

 
20

 
25

Percentage of actual consumption economically hedged
14
%
 
23
%
 
18
%
 
18
%
Interest rate derivatives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedge losses on derivatives recognized in interest expense
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1

Hedge gains on derivatives recognized in comprehensive income

 

 

 

____________________________
(1)
Gross liability of each contract prior to consideration of offsetting positions with each counterparty and prior to the impact of collateral paid
(2)
Gross liability, prior to impact of collateral posted

Any outstanding derivative instrument exposes us to credit loss in connection with our fuel contracts in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to our agreements, but we do not expect that any of our counterparties will fail to meet their obligations. The amount of such credit exposure is generally the fair value of our outstanding contracts for which we are in a receivable position. To manage credit risks we select counterparties based on credit assessments, limit our overall exposure to any single counterparty and monitor the market position with each counterparty. Some of our agreements require cash deposits from either JetBlue or our counterparty if market risk exposure exceeds a specified threshold amount.
We have master netting arrangements with our counterparties allowing us the right of offset to mitigate credit risk in derivative transactions. The financial derivative instrument agreements we have with our counterparties may require us to fund all, or a portion of, outstanding loss positions related to these contracts prior to their scheduled maturities. The amount of collateral posted, if any, is periodically adjusted based on the fair value of the hedge contracts. Our policy is to offset the liabilities represented by these contracts with any cash collateral paid to the counterparties.

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JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


The impact of offsetting derivative instruments is depicted below (in millions):
 
Gross Amount of Recognized
 
Gross Amount of Cash Collateral
 
Net Amount Presented
in Balance Sheet
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
 
Offset
 
Assets
 
Liabilities
As of September 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel derivatives
$

 
$
29

 
$
8

 
$

 
$
21

Interest rate derivatives

 
1

 
1

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fuel derivatives
$

 
$
102

 
$
51

 
$

 
$
51

Interest rate derivatives

 
1

 
1

 

 


NOTE 9 — FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Under the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the Codification, disclosures are required about how fair value is determined for assets and liabilities and a hierarchy for which these assets and liabilities must be grouped is established, based on significant levels of inputs as follows:
Level 1 quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability; or
Level 3 unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, such as discounted cash flow models or valuations.
The determination of where assets and liabilities fall within this hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following is a listing of our assets and liabilities required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis and where they are classified within the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in millions):
 
September 30, 2015
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
371

 
$

 
$

 
$
371

Available-for-sale investment securities

 
222

 

 
222

 
$
371

 
$
222

 
$

 
$
593

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aircraft fuel derivatives
$

 
$
29

 
$

 
$
29

Interest rate swaps

 
1

 

 
1

 
$

 
$
30

 
$

 
$
30



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JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


 
December 31, 2014
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
153

 
$

 
$

 
$
153

Available-for-sale investment securities

 
125

 

 
125

 
$
153

 
$
125

 
$

 
$
278

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aircraft fuel derivatives
$

 
$
102

 
$

 
$
102

Interest rate swaps

 
1

 

 
1

 
$

 
$
103

 
$

 
$
103

Refer to Note 3 for fair value information related to our outstanding debt obligations as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
Cash equivalents
Our cash equivalents include money market securities and commercial paper which are readily convertible into cash, have maturities of 90 days or less when purchased and are considered to be highly liquid and easily tradable. These securities are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities and are therefore classified as Level 1 within our fair value hierarchy.
Available-for-sale investment securities
Included in our available-for-sale investment securities are time deposits and commercial paper with maturities greater than 90 days but less than one year. The fair values of these instruments are based on observable inputs in non-active markets and are therefore classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy. We did not record any significant gains or losses on these securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.
Aircraft fuel derivatives
Our aircraft fuel derivatives include swaps, collars, and basis swaps which are not traded on public exchanges. Heating oil and jet fuel are the products underlying these hedge contracts as they are highly correlated with the price of jet fuel. Their fair values are determined using a market approach based on inputs that are readily available from public markets for commodities and energy trading activities. Therefore, they are classified as Level 2 inputs. The data inputs are combined into quantitative models and processes to generate forward curves and volatilities related to the specific terms of the underlying hedge contracts.
Interest rate swaps    
The fair values of our interest rate swaps are based on inputs received from the related counterparty, which are based on observable inputs for active swap indications in quoted markets for similar terms. The fair values of these instruments are based on observable inputs in non-active markets and are therefore classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy.

NOTE 10 — LIVETV
LiveTV, LLC, formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue, provides inflight entertainment and connectivity solutions for various commercial airlines, including JetBlue. On June 10, 2014, JetBlue sold LiveTV to Thales Holding Corporation for $393 million, net of purchase agreement adjustments including post-closing purchase price adjustments, which were finalized during the third quarter of 2014. The sale resulted in a pre-tax gain of approximately $241 million and is net of approximately $19 million in transactions costs for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The tax expense recorded in connection with this transaction totaled $72 million, net of a $19 million tax benefit related to the utilization of a capital loss carryforward. The capital gain generated from the sale of LiveTV resulted in the release of a valuation allowance related to the capital loss deferred tax asset. This resulted in an after tax gain on the sale of approximately $169 million.
LiveTV operations are no longer being consolidated as a subsidiary in JetBlue's condensed consolidated financial statements. The effect of this change in reporting structure is not material to the financial statements presented.

NOTE 11 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
During October 2015, we entered an agreement to buy out six of our aircraft leases for approximately $110 million. We anticipate completing the transaction during the fourth quarter of 2015.
In October 2015, we announced a co-branded credit card partnership with a new financial institution, which will replace our existing contract with another financial institution that we anticipate expiring at the end of the first quarter of 2016. The agreement will be a multiple-element arrangement subject to ASU 2009-13, Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements; ASU 2009-13 is effective for new and materially modified revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. We do not apply the provisions of ASU 2009-13 to our existing co-branded credit card agreement, as the agreement was signed before and not materially modified after the effective date. We are still evaluating the full impact of applying this standard to our new agreement on our condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures.


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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
Third Quarter 2015 Highlights
We had a $137 million increase in passenger revenue compared to the third quarter 2014 due primarily to a 7.7% increase in revenue passengers as well as a 1.9% increase in the average fare.
Operating expense per available seat mile decreased by 11.2% to 10.30 cents, primarily due to a significant decline in aircraft fuel expenses. Excluding fuel and profit sharing, our cost per available seat mile(1) increased by 2.4%.
Operating income reached $351 million, an increase of $187 million over the comparable period in 2014. This increase was principally driven by a reduction in aircraft fuel expenses and higher passenger revenue, partially offset by an increase in controllable costs.
We generated $1.3 billion in cash from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.


Balance Sheet
We ended the third quarter of 2015 with unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $1.1 billion and undrawn lines of credit of approximately $600 million. Our unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments is approximately 18% of trailing twelve months revenue. We increased the number of unencumbered aircraft by 2 during the quarter by using cash on hand to pay for our deliveries. We have 48 unencumbered aircraft and 34 unencumbered spare engines as of September 30, 2015.
Network
As part of our ongoing network initiatives and route optimization efforts, we continued to make schedule and frequency adjustments throughout the third quarter of 2015, including the announcement of seasonal non-stop service between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) in Southern California this winter.
Outlook for 2015
For the fourth quarter of 2015, cost per available seat mile, excluding fuel and profit sharing(1) is expected to increase between zero and 2.0% over the comparable 2014 period. In addition, we expect operating capacity to increase between 8.5% and 10.5% over the comparable 2014 period.
For the full year 2015, we expect our operating capacity to increase between 8.5% and 9.5% over full year 2014 with the addition of four Airbus A321 aircraft to our operating fleet during the remainder of the year. This represents a shift upwards from previous guidance included in our second quarter Form 10-Q due to additional Mint service and the strength of our completion factor. We expect our cost per available seat mile, excluding fuel and profit sharing(1), for full year 2015 to increase between zero and 1.0% over full year 2014.
We introduced Fare Options on June 30, 2015 which offers customers a choice to purchase tickets from three branded fares: Blue, Blue Plus, and Blue Flex. Each fare includes different offerings, such as free checked bags, reduced change fees, and additional TrueBlue points. During the third quarter 2015 we generated incremental operating income ahead of our initial target due to a higher number of fare upsells and more first checked bags than originally forecasted.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2016, we anticipate launching a new co-branded credit card partnership withBarclaycard® on the MasterCard® network. Existing cardholders will be converted to the JetBlue Barclays Mastercard.






(1) Refer to our "Regulation G Reconciliation" note below for more information on this non-GAAP measure.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 vs. 2014
Overview
We reported net income of $198 million, an operating income of $351 million and an operating margin of 20.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2015. This compares to net income of $79 million, an operating income of $164 million and an operating margin of 10.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Diluted earnings per share were $0.58 for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $0.24 for the same period in 2014.
On-time performance, as defined by the Department of Transportation, or DOT, is arrival within 14 minutes of scheduled arrival. In the third quarter of 2015, our systemwide on-time performance was 77.8% compared to 76.4% for the same period in 2014. Our on-time performance remains challenged by our concentration of operations in the northeast of the U.S., one of the world's most congested airspaces. Our completion factor was 99.3% in the third quarter of 2015 and 98.7% in the same period in 2014.


Operating Revenues
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Year-over-Year
Change
 
(Revenues in millions; percent changes based on unrounded numbers)
 
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Passenger Revenue
 
$
1,551

 
$
1,414

 
$
137

 
9.7

 
Other Revenue
 
136

 
115

 
21

 
18.8

 
Operating Revenues
 
$
1,687

 
$
1,529

 
$
158

 
10.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Fare
 
$
167.96

 
$
164.80

 
$
3.16

 
1.9

 
Yield per passenger mile (cents)
 
14.02

 
13.96

 
0.06

 
0.5

 
Passenger revenue per ASM (cents)
 
11.96

 
12.03

 
(0.07
)
 
(0.6
)
 
Operating revenue per ASM (cents)
 
13.01

 
13.00

 
0.01

 

 
Average stage length (miles)
 
1,094

 
1,082

 
12

 
1.1

 
Revenue passengers (thousands)
 
9,237

 
8,579

 
658

 
7.7

 
Revenue passenger miles (millions)
 
11,063

 
10,127

 
936

 
9.2

 
Available Seat Miles (ASMs) (millions)
 
12,976

 
11,752

 
1,224

 
10.4

 
Load Factor
 
85.3
%
 
86.2
%
 
 
 
(0.9
)
pts.
Passenger revenue is our primary source of revenue, which includes seat revenue as well as revenue from our ancillary product offerings such as EvenMore™ Space. The increase in passenger revenue of $137 million, or 9.7%, for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014, was primarily attributable to a 7.7% increase in revenue passengers and a 1.9% increase in average fare.







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Table of Contents


Operating Expenses
In detail, our operating costs per available seat mile, or ASM, were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Year-over-Year
Change
 
Cents per ASM
(in millions; per ASM data in cents; percent changes based on unrounded numbers)
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Aircraft fuel and related taxes
$
342

 
$
515

 
$
(173
)
 
(33.6
)
 
2.63

 
4.39

 
(39.8
)
Salaries, wages and benefits
389

 
318

 
71

 
22.4

 
3.00

 
2.71

 
10.9

Landing fees and other rents
91

 
88

 
3

 
3.0

 
0.70

 
0.75

 
(6.7
)
Depreciation and amortization
84

 
79

 
5

 
6.7

 
0.65

 
0.67

 
(3.4
)
Aircraft rent
30

 
31

 
(1
)
 
(0.8
)
 
0.23

 
0.26

 
(10.2
)
Sales and marketing
69

 
59

 
10

 
15.5

 
0.53

 
0.50

 
4.6

Maintenance materials and repairs
132

 
109

 
23

 
21.5

 
1.02

 
0.93

 
10.1

Other operating expenses
199

 
166

 
33

 
20.6

 
1.54

 
1.40

 
9.3

Total operating expenses
$
1,336

 
$
1,365

 
$
(29
)
 
(2.0
)%
 
10.30

 
11.61

 
(11.2
)%

Aircraft Fuel and Related Taxes
Aircraft fuel and related taxes decreased by $173 million, or 33.6%, for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. The average fuel price for the third quarter 2015 decreased by 39.5% to $1.85 per gallon. This was partially offset by an increase of 9.8%, or 16 million gallons, in our fuel consumption and a 5.9% increase in the average number of aircraft operating during the third quarter 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014.
In addition, losses upon settlement of effective fuel hedges during the third quarter of 2015 were $27 million versus $1 million during the same period in 2014.
Salaries, Wages and Benefits
Salaries, wages and benefits increased $71 million, or 22.4%, for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. It was our largest expense for the quarter, representing approximately 29% of our total operating expenses. The primary drivers were an increase in profit sharing which is based on adjusted pre-tax income as well as additional headcount.
Maintenance Materials and Repairs
Maintenance materials and repairs increased $23 million, or 21.5%, for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, primarily driven by increased flight hours on our engine flight-hour based maintenance repair agreements and by the number of airframe heavy maintenance repairs.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses increased $33 million, or 20.6%, for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to an increase in airport and technology services and passenger on-board supplies resulting from an increased number of passengers flown.


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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 vs. 2014
Overview
We reported net income of $487 million, an operating income of $886 million and an operating margin of 18.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. This compares to net income of $313 million, operating income of $346 million and an operating margin of 7.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Diluted earnings per share was $1.42 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $0.93 for the same period in 2014. Our 2014 results include the gain from the sale of LiveTV, LLC. Excluding the gain,(1) net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $145 million and diluted earnings per share was $0.44.
Approximately 80% of our operations reside in the heavily populated northeast corridor of the U.S., which includes the New York and Boston metropolitan areas. During the first three months of 2014, this area experienced one of the coldest winters in 20 years, with New York and Boston each experiencing over 57 inches of snow. This led to the cancellation of approximately 4,100 flights in the first quarter of 2014 which negatively impacted our seat and ancillary revenues such as change fees, due to our policy of waiving them during severe weather events. During the first three months of 2015, a series of winter storms impacted this area, with Boston's Logan Airport experiencing record breaking snowfall totals. Despite the adverse weather conditions, our 2015 operational performance improved over the same period in 2014, resulting in approximately 37% fewer flight cancellations. We estimate that winter storms reduced our operating income by approximately $10 million in the first quarter of 2015 and $35 million in the first quarter of 2014.

Operating Revenues
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Year-over-Year
Change
 
(Revenues in millions; percent changes based on unrounded numbers)
 
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
Passenger Revenue
 
$
4,455

 
$
4,016

 
$
439

 
10.9

 
Other Revenue
 
367

 
355

 
12

 
3.5

 
Operating Revenues
 
$
4,822

 
$
4,371

 
$
451

 
10.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Fare
 
$
170.12

 
$
166.70

 
$
3.42

 
2.1

 
Yield per passenger mile (cents)
 
14.30

 
14.13

 
0.17

 
1.2

 
Passenger revenue per ASM (cents)
 
12.16

 
11.97

 
0.19

 
1.6

 
Operating revenue per ASM (cents)
 
13.16

 
13.02

 
0.14

 
1.1

 
Average stage length (miles)
 
1,092

 
1,088

 
4

 
0.3

 
Revenue passengers (thousands)
 
26,190

 
24,091

 
2,099

 
8.7

 
Revenue passenger miles (millions)
 
31,157

 
28,421

 
2,736

 
9.6

 
Available Seat Miles (ASMs) (millions)
 
36,632

 
33,558

 
3,074

 
9.2

 
Load Factor
 
85.1
%
 
84.7
%
 
 
 
0.4

pts.
The increase in passenger revenues of $439 million, or 10.9%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 was mainly attributable to the 8.7% increase in revenue passengers and the 2.1% increase in average fare. Other revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included approximately $30 million related to our ownership of LiveTV, which was sold during the second quarter of 2014.





(1) Refer to our "Regulation G Reconciliation" note below for more information on this non-GAAP measure.


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Operating Expenses
In detail, operating costs per available seat mile were as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Year-over-Year
Change
 
 Cents per ASM
(in millions; per ASM data in cents; percent changes based on unrounded numbers)
2015
 
2014
 
$
 
%
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Aircraft fuel and related taxes
$
1,048

 
$
1,476

 
$
(428
)
 
(29.0
)
 
2.87

 
4.40

 
(34.9
)
Salaries, wages and benefits
1,139

 
963

 
176

 
18.3

 
3.11

 
2.87

 
8.4

Landing fees and other rents
264

 
248

 
16

 
6.3

 
0.72

 
0.74

 
(2.6
)
Depreciation and amortization
252

 
234

 
18

 
8.2

 
0.69

 
0.70

 
(0.9
)
Aircraft rent
92

 
93

 
(1
)
 
(1.2
)
 
0.25

 
0.28

 
(9.5
)
Sales and marketing
199

 
182

 
17

 
9.3

 
0.54

 
0.54

 
0.1

Maintenance materials and repairs
371

 
305

 
66

 
21.8

 
1.01

 
0.91

 
11.6

Other operating expenses
571

 
524

 
47

 
8.8

 
1.56

 
1.55

 
(0.3
)
Total operating expenses
$
3,936

 
$
4,025

 
$
(89
)
 
(2.2
)%
 
10.75

 
11.99

 
(10.4
)%
Our operating expenses contain variable costs that decreased primarily due to a 35.0% decrease in average fuel cost per gallon.
Aircraft Fuel and Related Taxes
Aircraft fuel expense decreased $428 million, or 29.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, and represented approximately 27% of our total operating expenses. The average fuel price for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 decreased by 35.0% to $2.01 per gallon. This was partially offset by increased fuel consumption of 45 million gallons or 9.3% mainly due to a 7.3% increase in departures and a 5.9% increase in the average number of operating aircraft in 2015 compared to 2014.
In addition, losses upon settlement of effective fuel hedges during nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $93 million versus $4 million during the same period in 2014.
Salaries, Wages and Benefits
Salaries, wages and benefits increased $176 million, or 18.3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. The primary driver was an increase in profit sharing which is based on adjusted pre-tax income as well as additional headcount. Our average number of full-time equivalent employees in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased by 9.0% compared to the same period in 2014.
Landing Fees and Other Rents
Landing fees and other rents increased $16 million, or 6.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to increased departures.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased approximately $18 million, or 8.2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to having an average of 147 owned and capital leased aircraft in service in 2015 compared to 136 in 2014. Additionally, depreciation expense increased in 2015 due to the completion of our international arrivals facility and additional gates at our terminal at JFK, T5, which was completed in November 2014.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing increased $17 million, or 9.3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to increased sales distribution costs associated with increased revenues.
Maintenance Materials and Repairs
Maintenance materials and repairs increased approximately $66 million, or 21.8%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 2014, primarily driven by increased flight hours on our engine flight-hour based maintenance repair agreements and by the number of airframe heavy maintenance repairs.


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Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses increased $47 million, or 8.8%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 2014, primarily due to an increase in airport services and passenger on-board supplies resulting from increased passengers flown, partially offset by the non-recurrence of operating costs associated with LiveTV during the first six months of 2014 and a $9 million gain in 2015 related to an insurance recovery for a damaged engine.

The following table sets forth our operating statistics for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:
(percent changes based on unrounded numbers)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Year-over-Year
Change
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Year-over-Year
Change
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
%
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
%
 
Operating Statistics:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue passengers (thousands)
 
9,237

 
8,579

 
7.7

 
 
26,190

 
24,091

 
8.7

 
Revenue passenger miles (millions)
 
11,063

 
10,127

 
9.2

 
 
31,157

 
28,421

 
9.6

 
Available seat miles (ASMs) (millions)
 
12,976

 
11,752

 
10.4

 
 
36,632

 
33,558

 
9.2

 
Load factor
 
85.3
%
 
86.2
%
 
(0.9
)
pts.
 
85.1
%
 
84.7
%
 
0.4

pts.
Aircraft utilization (hours per day)
 
12.2

 
12.0

 
1.0

 
 
12.0

 
11.9

 
0.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average fare
 
$
167.96

 
$
164.80

 
1.9

 
 
$
170.12

 
$
166.70

 
2.1

 
Yield per passenger mile (cents)
 
14.02

 
13.96

 
0.5

 
 
14.30

 
14.13

 
1.2

 
Passenger revenue per ASM (cents)
 
11.96

 
12.03

 
(0.6
)
 
 
12.16

 
11.97

 
1.6

 
Operating revenue per ASM (cents)
 
13.01

 
13.00

 

 
 
13.16

 
13.02

 
1.1

 
Operating expense per ASM (cents)
 
10.30

 
11.61

 
(11.2
)
 
 
10.75

 
11.99

 
(10.4
)
 
Operating expense per ASM, excluding fuel (cents)
 
7.67

 
7.22

 
6.2

 
 
7.88

 
7.59

 
3.8

 
Operating expense per ASM, excluding fuel & profit sharing (cents) (1)
 
7.31

 
7.13

 
2.4

 
 
7.59

 
7.56

 
0.4

 
Airline operating expense per ASM (cents) (2)
 
10.30

 
11.61

 
(11.2
)
 
 
10.75

 
11.88

 
(9.6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Departures
 
82,989

 
77,205

 
7.5

 
 
236,370

 
220,274

 
7.3

 
Average stage length (miles)
 
1,094

 
1,082

 
1.1

 
 
1,092

 
1,088

 
0.3

 
Average number of operating aircraft during period
 
209.0

 
197.4

 
5.9

 
 
206.3

 
194.8

 
5.9

 
Average fuel cost per gallon, including fuel taxes
 
$
1.85

 
$
3.05

 
(39.5
)
 
 
$
2.01

 
$
3.09

 
(35.0
)
 
Fuel gallons consumed (millions)
 
185

 
169

 
9.8

 
 
522

 
477

 
9.3

 
Average number of full-time equivalent employees (2)
 

 

 

 
 
14,418

 
13,225

 
9.0

 
__________________________
(1)
Refer to our “Regulation G Reconciliation” note below for more information on this non-GAAP measure.
(2)
Excludes results of operations and employees of LiveTV, LLC, which are unrelated to our airline operations and are immaterial to our consolidated operating results. As of June 10, 2014, employees of LiveTV, LLC are no longer part of JetBlue.


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Although we experienced revenue growth throughout 2014 as well as in the first nine months of 2015, this trend may not continue. Except for the uncertainty related to the direction of fuel prices, we expect our expenses to continue to increase as we acquire additional aircraft, as our fleet ages and as we expand the frequency of flights in existing markets as well as enter into new markets. In addition, we expect our operating results to significantly fluctuate from quarter-to-quarter in the future as a result of various factors, many of which are outside of our control. Consequently, we believe quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our operating results may not necessarily be meaningful; you should not rely on our results for any one quarter as an indication of our future performance.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The airline business is capital intensive. Our ability to successfully execute our growth plans is largely dependent on the continued availability of capital on attractive terms. In addition, our ability to successfully operate our business depends on maintaining sufficient liquidity. We believe we have adequate resources from a combination of cash and cash equivalents, investment securities on hand and two available lines of credit. Additionally, as of September 30, 2015, we had 48 unencumbered aircraft and 34 unencumbered spare engines which we believe could be an additional source of liquidity, if necessary. During the fourth quarter of 2015, we plan to buy out the leases on six of our A320 aircraft.
We believe a healthy liquidity position is crucial to our ability to weather any part of the economic cycle while continuing to execute on our plans for profitable growth and increased returns. Our goal is to continue to be diligent with our liquidity, maintaining financial flexibility and allowing for prudent capital spending.
At September 30, 2015, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $544 million and short-term investments of $588 million. We believe our current level of unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of approximately 18% of trailing twelve months revenue, combined with our available lines of credit and portfolio of unencumbered assets provides us with a strong liquidity position and the potential for higher returns on cash deployment.
Analysis of Cash Flows
Operating Activities
We rely primarily on operating cash flows to provide working capital for current and future operations. Cash flows from operating activities were $1.3 billion and $724 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Higher earnings, principally driven by lower fuel costs, significantly contributed to our growth in operating cash flows.
Investing Activities
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, capital expenditures related to our purchase of flight equipment included $325 million related to the purchase of eight Airbus A321 aircraft, $59 million for flight equipment deposits, $53 million in work-in-progress relating to flight equipment, and $24 million for spare part purchases. Other property and equipment capital expenditures also included ground equipment purchases and facilities improvements for $91 million. Investing activities also included the net purchase of $213 million of investment securities.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, capital expenditures related to our purchase of flight equipment included $134 million related to the purchase of three Airbus A321 aircraft, $99 million for flight equipment deposits, $70 million in work-in-progress relating to flight equipment, $27 million for spare part purchases, and $1 million relating to other activities. Capital expenditures also include the purchase of the takeoff and landing slots at Reagan National Airport for $75 million, other property and equipment including ground equipment purchases and facilities improvements for $171 million and LiveTV inflight entertainment equipment inventory for $20 million. Investing activities also include the proceeds from the sale of LiveTV for $393 million and the net proceeds of $95 million from investment securities.
Financing Activities
Financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 consisted of the scheduled maturities of $148 million relating to debt and capital lease obligations, prepayment of $52 million of outstanding principal relating to seven Airbus A320 aircraft as well as the outstanding balance of $32 million on a special facility revenue bond for JFK that was issued by the New York City Industrial Development Agency in December 2006. In addition, we acquired $164 million in treasury shares of which $150 million related to our accelerated share repurchase, or ASR, in June of 2015. During the period, we realized $68 million in proceeds from the issuance of stock related to employee share-based compensation.

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Financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 consisted of the scheduled repayment of $342 million relating to debt and capital lease obligations, $306 million of debt prepayment, our issuance of $342 million in fixed rate equipment notes secured by 18 aircraft, the acquisition of $82 million in treasury shares, including $73 million related to our ASR, and the repayment of $10 million in principal related to our construction obligation for T5. In the future we may issue, in one or more offerings, debt securities, pass-through certificates, common stock, preferred stock and/or other securities.
Working Capital
We had a working capital deficit of $599 million and $736 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Working capital deficits can be customary in the airline industry because air traffic liability is classified as a current liability. Our working capital deficit decreased by $137 million due to several factors, primarily due to an overall increase in our investment securities and cash balances, partially offset by an increase in air traffic liability as a result of seasonal travel trends and accrued salaries, wages and benefits primarily as a result of profit sharing.
We expect to meet our obligations as they become due through available cash, investment securities and internally generated funds, supplemented as necessary by financing activities which may be available to us. We expect to generate positive working capital through our operations. However, we cannot predict what the effect on our business might be from the extremely competitive environment we operate in or from events beyond our control, such as volatile fuel prices, economic conditions, weather-related disruptions, airport infrastructure challenges, the spread of infectious diseases, the impact of airline bankruptcies, restructurings or consolidations, U.S. military actions or acts of terrorism. We believe the working capital available to us will be sufficient to meet our cash requirements for at least the next 12 months.
Our scheduled debt maturities are expected to increase over the next five years, with a scheduled peak in 2016 of $455 million. As part of our efforts to effectively manage our balance sheet and improve Return on Invested Capital, or ROIC, we expect to continue to actively manage our debt balances. Our approach to debt management includes managing the mix of fixed and floating rate debt, annual maturities of debt and the weighted average cost of debt. We intend to continue to opportunistically pre-pay outstanding debt when market conditions and terms are favorable as well as when excess liquidity is available. Additionally, our unencumbered assets allow some flexibility in managing our cost of debt and capital requirements.
Contractual Obligations
Our noncancelable contractual obligations at September 30, 2015, include the following (in millions):
 
 
Payments due in
 
 
Total
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
Thereafter
Debt and capital lease obligations (1)
 
2,530

 
110

 
545

 
275

 
275

 
280

 
1,045

Lease commitments
 
1,350

 
50

 
175

 
150

 
140

 
120

 
715

Flight equipment purchase obligations
 
6,485

 
220

 
630

 
645

 
525

 
935

 
3,530

Other obligations (2)
 
4,075

 
550

 
660

 
615

 
600

 
555

 
1,095

Total
 
$
14,440

 
$
930

 
$
2,010

 
$
1,685

 
$
1,540

 
$
1,890

 
$
6,385

____________________________
(1)
Includes actual interest and estimated interest for floating-rate debt based on September 30, 2015 rates
(2)
Amounts include noncancelable commitments for the purchase of goods and services

As of September 30, 2015, we are in compliance with the covenants of our debt and lease agreements. We have approximately $34 million of restricted cash pledged under standby letters of credit related to certain leases that will expire at the end of the related lease terms.

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As of September 30, 2015, we operated a fleet of 21 Airbus A321 aircraft, 130 Airbus A320 aircraft and 60 EMBRAER 190 aircraft. Of our fleet, 145 are owned by us, of which 48 are unencumbered, 60 are leased under operating leases and six are leased under capital leases. As of September 30, 2015, the average age of our operating fleet is 8.2 years and our firm aircraft order was as follows:
Year
 
Airbus
A320 neo
 
Airbus
A321
 
Airbus A321 neo
 
EMBRAER
190
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 

 
4
 

 

 
4
2016
 

 
10
 

 

 
10
2017
 

 
10
 

 

 
10
2018
 

 
1
 
6
 

 
7
2019
 

 

 
15
 

 
15
2020
 
6
 

 
9
 
10
 
25
2021
 
16
 

 

 
7
 
23
2022
 
3
 

 
13
 
7
 
23
2023
 

 

 
2
 

 
2
 
 
25
 
25
 
45
 
24
 
119
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Committed expenditures for our firm aircraft and spare engines include estimated amounts for contractual price escalations and predelivery deposits. We expect to meet our predelivery deposit requirements for our aircraft by paying cash or by using short-term borrowing facilities for deposits required six to 24 months prior to delivery. Any predelivery deposits paid by the issuance of notes are fully repaid at the time of delivery of the related aircraft.
Dependent on market conditions, we anticipate paying cash for the remainder of our firm aircraft deliveries in 2015. For deliveries after 2015, although we believe debt and/or lease financing should be available, we cannot give any assurance that we will be able to secure financing on attractive terms, if at all. While these financings may or may not result in an increase in liabilities on our balance sheet, our fixed costs will increase regardless of the financing method ultimately chosen. To the extent we cannot secure financing on terms we deem attractive, we may be required to pay in cash, further modify our aircraft acquisition plans or incur higher than anticipated financing costs.
Capital expenditures for non-aircraft such as facility improvements, spare parts and aircraft improvements are expected to be approximately $34 million for the remainder of 2015.
Our Terminal at JFK, T5, is governed by a lease agreement we entered into with the PANYNJ in 2005.  We are responsible for making various payments under the lease which include ground rents for the terminal site and facility rents that are based on the number of passengers enplaned out of the terminal, subject to annual minimums.  In 2013, we amended this lease to include additional ground space for our international arrivals facility, T5i, which opened in November 2014. For financial reporting purposes, the T5 project is being accounted for as a financing obligation, with the constructed asset and related liability being reflected on our balance sheets.  The T5i project is being accounted for at cost. Minimum ground and facility rents for this terminal are included in the commitments table above as lease commitments and financing obligations.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
None of our operating lease obligations are reflected on our balance sheet. Although some of our aircraft lease arrangements are with variable interest entities, as defined by the Consolidations topic of the Codification, none of them require consolidation in our financial statements. The decision to finance these aircraft through operating leases rather than through debt was based on an analysis of the cash flows and tax consequences of each financing alternative and a consideration of liquidity implications. We are responsible for all maintenance, insurance and other costs associated with operating these aircraft; however, we have not made any residual value or other guarantees to our lessors.
We have determined that we hold a variable interest in, but are not the primary beneficiary of, certain pass-through trusts. The beneficiaries of these pass-through trusts are the purchasers of equipment notes issued by us to finance the acquisition of aircraft. They maintain liquidity facilities whereby a third party agrees to make payments sufficient to pay up to 18 months of interest on the applicable certificates if a payment default occurs.
We have also made certain guarantees and indemnities to other unrelated parties that are not reflected on our balance sheet, which we believe will not have a significant impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. We have no other off-balance sheet arrangements.

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Government Investigation
On July 24, 2015, certain domestic airlines received a letter from the United States Department of Transportation that requests information with respect to pricing practices along the Northeast Corridor during the period of time that Amtrak service was delayed or suspended as a result of the derailment on May 12, 2015.  We received the letter and responded.  Given the early stage of this investigation, it is difficult to predict what the ultimate outcome might be; however, we do not believe that this investigation will have a material impact on our financial condition.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates included in our 2014 Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Information
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which represent our management's beliefs and assumptions concerning future events. When used in this document and in documents incorporated herein by reference, the words “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “indicates,” “believes,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “targets” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and are based on information currently available to us. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements due to many factors, including, without limitation, our extremely competitive industry; volatility in financial and credit markets which could affect our ability to obtain debt and/or lease financing or to raise funds through debt or equity issuances; volatility in fuel prices, maintenance costs and interest rates; our ability to implement our growth strategy; our significant fixed obligations and substantial indebtedness; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel and maintain our culture as we grow; our reliance on high daily aircraft utilization; our dependence on the New York and Boston metropolitan markets and the effect of increased congestion in these markets; our reliance on automated systems and technology; our being subject to potential unionization, work stoppages, slowdowns or increased labor costs; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers; our presence in some international emerging markets that may experience political or economic instability or may subject us to legal risk; reputational and business risk from information security breaches; changes in or additional government regulation; changes in our industry due to other airlines' financial condition; acts of war or terrorist attacks; global economic conditions or an economic downturn leading to a continuing or accelerated decrease in demand for domestic and business air travel; the spread of infectious diseases; and external geopolitical events and conditions. It is routine for our internal projections and expectations to change as the year or each quarter in the year progresses, and therefore it should be clearly understood that the internal projections, beliefs and assumptions upon which we base our expectations may change prior to the end of each quarter or year. Although these expectations may change, other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Given the risks and uncertainties surrounding forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on these statements. You should understand that many important factors, in addition to those discussed or incorporated by reference in this Report, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Potential factors that could affect our results include, in addition to others not described in this Report, those described in Item 1A of our 2014 Form 10-K under "Risks Related to JetBlue" and "Risks Associated with the Airline Industry" and Part II of this Report. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events discussed in this Report might not occur.
Where You Can Find Other Information
Our website is www.jetblue.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated into this Report. Information we furnish or file with the SEC, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to or exhibits included in these reports are available for download, free of charge, on our website soon after such reports are filed with or furnished to the SEC. Our SEC filings, including exhibits filed therewith, are also available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may obtain and copy any document we furnish or file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference facilities by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may request copies of these documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC at its principal office at 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549.

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Regulation G Reconciliation
Costs per Available Seat Mile (Non-GAAP)
Consolidated operating cost per available seat mile, excluding fuel and profit sharing, or CASM ex-fuel and profit sharing, is a non-GAAP financial measure that we use as a measure of our performance. 
 CASM is a common metric used in the airline industry.  We exclude aircraft fuel and related taxes and profit sharing from operating cost per available seat mile to determine CASM ex-fuel and profit sharing. We believe that CASM ex-fuel and profit sharing provides investors the ability to measure financial performance excluding items beyond our control, such as (i) fuel costs, which are subject to many economic and political factors beyond our control, and (ii) profit sharing, which is sensitive to volatility in earnings.  We believe this measure is more indicative of our ability to manage costs and is more comparable to measures reported by other major airlines.  We are unable to reconcile projected CASM ex-fuel and profit sharing as the nature or amount of excluded items are only estimated at this time.
We believe this non-GAAP measure provides a meaningful comparison of our results to others in the airline industry and our prior year results.  Investors should consider this non-GAAP financial measure in addition to, and not as a substitute for, our financial performance measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.  Further, our non-GAAP information may be different from the non-GAAP information provided by other companies. 
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING EXPENSE PER ASM, EXCLUDING FUEL AND PROFIT SHARING
(dollars in millions, per ASM data in cents)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
$
 
per ASM
 
$
 
per ASM
 
$
 
per ASM
 
$
 
per ASM
Total operating expenses
 
$
1,336

 
10.30

 
$
1,365

 
11.61

 
$
3,936

 
10.75

 
$
4,025

 
11.99

Less: Aircraft fuel and related taxes
 
342

 
2.63

 
515

 
4.39

 
1,048

 
2.87

 
1,476

 
4.40

Operating expenses, excluding fuel
 
994

 
7.67

 
850

 
7.22

 
2,888

 
7.88

 
2,549

 
7.59

Less: Profit sharing and related taxes
 
47

 
0.36

 
11

 
0.09

 
107

 
0.29

 
11

 
0.03

Operating expense, excluding fuel and profit sharing
 
$
947

 
7.31

 
$
839

 
7.13

 
$
2,781

 
7.59

 
$
2,538

 
7.56


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Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share, excluding special items (Non-GAAP)

We exclude special items from net income and pre-tax income as we believe the exclusion of these items is helpful to investors as they evaluate JetBlue’s recurring core operational performance in the periods shown. Therefore, we adjust for these amounts. Special items excluded in the tables below showing the reconciliation of net income and diluted earnings per share include the gain on the sale of JetBlue’s wholly-owned subsidiary LiveTV due to the non-recurring nature of this item.
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME, INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EPS EXCLUDING SPECIAL ITEMS
(in millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Income before income taxes
 
322

 
132

 
794

 
483

Less: Gain on sale of subsidiary
 

 

 

 
241

Income before income taxes excluding special items
 
322

 
132

 
794

 
242

Less: Income tax expense
 
124

 
53

 
307

 
170

Add back: Income tax related to gain on sale of subsidiary (a)
 

 

 

 
73

Net Income excluding special items
 
$
198

 
$
79

 
$
487

 
$
145

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share excluding special items
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.63

 
$
0.27

 
$
1.55

 
$
0.50

Diluted
 
$
0.58

 
$
0.24

 
$
1.42

 
$
0.44


(a) The capital gain generated from the sale of LiveTV allowed JetBlue to utilize a capital loss carryforward which resulted in the release of a valuation allowance related to the capital loss deferred tax asset of $19 million.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There have been no material changes in market risks from the information provided in Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk included in our 2014 Form 10-K, except as follows:
Aircraft Fuel
Our results of operations are affected by changes in the price and availability of aircraft fuel. Market risk is estimated as a hypothetical 10% increase in the September 30, 2015 cost per gallon of fuel. Based on projected fuel consumption for the next 12 months, including the impact of our hedging position, such an increase would result in an increase to aircraft fuel expense of approximately $130 million. We have hedged approximately 15% of our remaining projected 2015 fuel requirements. All hedge contracts existing at September 30, 2015 settle by December 31, 2015. The financial derivative instrument agreements we have with our counterparties may require us to fund all, or a portion of, outstanding loss positions related to these contracts prior to their scheduled maturities. The amount of collateral posted, if any, is periodically adjusted based on the fair value of the hedge contracts. Refer to Note 8 in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report, for additional information.
Interest
Our earnings are affected by changes in interest rates due to the impact those changes have on interest expense from variable-rate debt instruments and on interest income generated from our cash and investment balances. The interest rate is fixed for $1.5 billion of our debt and capital lease obligations, with the remaining $0.5 billion having floating interest rates. As of September 30, 2015, if interest rates were on average 100 basis points higher in 2015 our annual interest expense would increase by approximately $6 million. This is determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical change in interest rates on our variable rate debt and capital leases.
If interest rates were to average 10% lower in 2015 than they did during 2014, our interest income from cash and investment balances would remain relatively constant. These amounts are determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rates on our cash equivalents and investment securities balances at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
Convertible Debt
On September 30, 2015, our $128 million aggregate principal amount of convertible debt had an estimated fair value of $699 million, based on an assumed conversion of the debt and the quoted market price of our common stock.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and our Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  Management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2015. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2015.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) identified in connection with the evaluation of our controls performed during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2015, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the ordinary course of our business we are party to various legal proceedings and claims which we believe are incidental to the operation of our business. Refer to Note 7 in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Report for additional information.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A Risk Factors contained in our 2014 Form 10-K, includes a discussion of our risk factors which are incorporated herein. There have been no significant changes from the risk factors described in our 2014 Form 10-K.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
During the third quarter of 2015 the following shares were repurchased under the program:
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average price paid per share
 
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced program (2)
 
Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the program (2) (3)
September 2015
 
657,853

(1) 
$
22.06

(1) 
657,853

 
6,515,784

Total
 
657,853

 
 
 
657,853

 

(1) On June 16, 2015, JetBlue entered into an accelerated share repurchase, or ASR, agreement with Goldman, Sachs & Co. paying $150 million for an initial delivery of approximately 6.1 million shares. The term of the ASR concluded on September 15, 2015 with Goldman, Sachs & Co. delivering approximately 0.7 million additional shares to JetBlue on September 18, 2015. A total of 6.8 million shares, at an average price of $22.06 per share, was repurchased under the agreement. The total number of shares purchased by JetBlue was based on the volume weighted average prices of JetBlue's common stock during the term of the ASR agreement.
(2) In September 2012, JetBlue's Board of Directors, or the Board, authorized a five-year share repurchase program of up to 25 million shares, under which we have repurchased a total of 18.5 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $13.48 per share as of the filing of this Report. We may adjust or change its share repurchase practices based on market conditions and other alternatives.
(3) In September 2015, the Board authorized a three-year share repurchase program, starting in 2016, of up to $250 million worth of shares. Shares authorized under this repurchase program are not included in this table.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibits: See accompanying Exhibit Index included after the signature page of this Report for a list of the exhibits filed or furnished with this Report.

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SIGNATURE
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.
 
 
 
JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION
 
 
 
(Registrant)
 
Date:
October 30, 2015
 
By:  
/s/     Alexander Chatkewitz
 
 
 
 
 
Vice President, Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)


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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit
 
 
 
10.1*
 
Letter of Agreement dated as of July 23, 2015 between Airbus S.A.S. and JetBlue Airways Corporation
 
 
 
12.1
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
32
 
Certification Pursuant to Section 1350, furnished herewith
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
*
 
In accordance with Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, confidential information has been omitted and has been filed with the securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a Confidential Treatment Request filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission






34