Attached files

file filename
8-K - FORM 8-K 3RD QUARTER 2014 EARNINGS RELEASE - SOUTHWEST AIRLINES COer-9302014xcoverpage.htm



SOUTHWEST AIRLINES REPORTS RECORD THIRD QUARTER PROFIT

DALLAS, TEXAS - October 23, 2014 - Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV) (the “Company”) today reported its third quarter 2014 results:

Record third quarter net income, excluding special items1, of $382 million, or $.55 per diluted share, compared to third quarter 2013 net income, excluding special items, of $241 million, or $.34 per diluted share. This represented a 61.8 percent increase from third quarter 2013, and exceeded the First Call consensus estimate of $.53 per diluted share.
Record third quarter net income of $329 million, or $.48 per diluted share, which included
$53 million (net) of unfavorable special items, compared to third quarter 2013 net income of $259 million, or $.37 per diluted share, which included $18 million (net) of favorable special items.
Record third quarter operating income of $614 million. Excluding special items, record third quarter operating income of $649 million.
Returned $241 million to Shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
Return on invested capital1, before taxes and excluding special items (ROIC), for the twelve months ended September 30, 2014, of 19.0 percent, as compared to 10.6 percent for the twelve months ended September 30, 2013.

Gary C. Kelly, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are very pleased to report another record quarterly profit performance, which resulted in a $100 million third quarter 2014 profitsharing expense for our Employees. Excluding special items, third quarter 2014 net income was $382 million, or $.55 per diluted share, and operating income was $649 million, resulting in a 13.5 percent operating margin2. The 386 basis point year-over-year improvement in operating margin, excluding special items, was driven by strong revenues, lower jet fuel prices, and a solid cost performance. 
“Total operating revenues were $4.8 billion, which was a 5.6 percent increase from a year ago, despite a four percent decline in trips and two percent fewer seats flown3, as we work through the transition of AirTran aircraft. Our traffic and revenue trends were strong throughout the third quarter, generating a 4.5 percent year-over-year increase in unit revenues, despite a large percentage of our route system in development or conversion as we continued to transition AirTran flying to Southwest.





Our third quarter 2014 revenue strength was driven by record load factors and a strong performance in our Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program.  Thus far, revenue momentum has continued into October 2014, with favorable load factor and unit revenue trends.  Current bookings for November and December are also good.
"Our third quarter 2014 cost performance benefited from lower jet fuel prices and our fleet modernization efforts. With these trends continuing, we are poised for another solid cost performance for fourth quarter 2014. Based on current cost trends, and excluding fuel and oil expense, profitsharing, and special items, we expect full year 2014 unit costs to increase approximately two percent compared to last year.
"Our third quarter 2014 financial performance was very gratifying, and I commend our outstanding Employees of Southwest Airlines for their unending dedication to providing reliable, low cost operations with our legendary, friendly Customer Service. As an industry leader of low fares and low costs, we are very pleased with the transformative and successful execution of our strategic initiatives that contributed significantly to our 19.0 percent ROIC for the twelve months ended September 30, 2014. Our Employees are the very best in the airline industry, and we were thrilled to unveil a bold, new visual expression of our brand in September. Our Heart aircraft livery, airport experience, and logo marries our past to our present and commemorates the transformation of Southwest in 2014. It is dedicated with much gratitude to our People.
"We are also thrilled with the July 1, 2014, launch of Southwest international service. During third quarter, we began service to Oranjestad, Aruba; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Nassau/Paradise Island in the Bahamas; and San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos and Cancun, Mexico, all markets previously served by AirTran. Next month, we will initiate Southwest service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Mexico City, which will complete the conversion of international service from AirTran to Southwest. Also during third quarter, we announced that our first destination in Central America will be Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica. The inauguration of this service is expected to be on March 7, 2015, subject to government approval.
"October 13, 2014, was a momentous day for Southwest Airlines. After 34 years, we are finally free from the Wright Amendment restrictions4, and have proudly launched our initial nonstop offerings from Dallas Love Field to seven popular destinations, with ten more nonstop destinations, previously announced, on the horizon.
"In addition to our strong third quarter 2014 earnings performance, our balance sheet, liquidity, and cash flows support our commitment to maintain our financial strength so that we can continue to





take great care of our Employees, Customers and Shareholders.  At the end of third quarter 2014, we had $3.6 billion in cash and short-term investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, net cash provided by operations was $2.7 billion, and capital expenditures were $1.3 billion, resulting in strong free cash flow1 of $1.4 billion. We have further strengthened our balance sheet and repaid $517 million in debt and capital lease obligations, thus far in 2014, including $167 million in debt and capital lease obligations repaid during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, and $350 million repaid on October 1st. Thus far this year, we have returned $893 million to Shareholders through the payment of $138 million in dividends and the repurchase of $755 million in common stock."
  
Financial Results and Outlook
The Company's third quarter 2014 total operating revenues increased 5.6 percent, while operating unit revenues increased 4.5 percent, on a 1.1 percent increase in available seat miles, all as compared to third quarter 2013. Third quarter 2014 passenger revenues were $4.6 billion, which was an increase of 4.9 percent on a unit basis, as compared to third quarter 2013.
Total operating expenses in third quarter 2014 increased 0.7 percent to $4.2 billion, as compared to third quarter 2013. Third quarter 2014 profitsharing expense was $100 million, compared to $69 million in third quarter 2013. The Company incurred costs (before profitsharing and taxes) associated with the acquisition and integration of AirTran, which are special items, of $23 million during third quarter 2014, compared to $28 million in third quarter 2013. Cumulative costs associated with the acquisition and integration of AirTran, as of September 30, 2014, totaled $488 million (before profitsharing and taxes). The Company expects total acquisition and integration costs to be approximately $550 million (before profitsharing and taxes). Excluding special items in both periods, total operating expenses in third quarter 2014 increased 1.1 percent to $4.2 billion, as compared to third quarter 2013.
Third quarter 2014 economic fuel costs were $2.94 per gallon, including $.05 per gallon in favorable cash settlements from fuel derivative contracts, compared to $3.06 per gallon in third quarter 2013, including $.01 per gallon in favorable cash settlements from fuel derivative contracts. Based on the Company's fuel derivative contracts and market prices as of October 17, 2014, fourth quarter 2014 economic fuel costs are expected to be in the $2.70 to $2.75 per gallon range, compared to fourth quarter 2013's $3.05 per gallon. As of October 17, 2014, the fair market value of the Company's hedge portfolio through 2018 was a net liability of $236 million. Additional information regarding the Company's fuel derivative contracts is included in the accompanying tables.





Excluding fuel and oil expense, profitsharing, and special items in both periods, third quarter 2014 operating costs increased 2.6 percent from third quarter 2013, and increased 1.5 percent on a unit basis.
Operating income in third quarter 2014 was $614 million, compared to $390 million in third quarter 2013. Excluding special items, operating income was $649 million in third quarter 2014, compared to $439 million in the same period last year, a 47.8 percent increase year-over-year.
Other expenses in third quarter 2014 were $89 million, compared to other income of $29 million in third quarter 2013. The $118 million swing primarily resulted from $66 million in other losses recognized in third quarter 2014, compared to $59 million in other gains recognized in third quarter 2013. In both periods, these gains/losses included ineffectiveness and unrealized mark-to-market amounts associated with a portion of the Company's fuel hedging portfolio, which are special items. Excluding these special items, third quarter 2014 had $16 million in other losses, compared to $19 million in third quarter 2013, primarily attributable to the premium costs associated with the Company's fuel derivative contracts. Fourth quarter 2014 premium costs related to fuel derivative contracts are currently estimated to be $13 million, compared to $22 million in fourth quarter 2013. Net interest expense in third quarter 2014 was $23 million, compared to $30 million in third quarter 2013.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, total operating revenues increased 5.3 percent to $14.0 billion, and total operating expenses were $12.4 billion, resulting in operating income of $1.6 billion, compared to $893 million in operating income for the same period last year. Excluding special items, operating income was $1.7 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $1.0 billion for the same period last year. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, was $946 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, compared to $542 million, or $.75 per diluted share, for the same period last year. Excluding special items, net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, was $993 million, or $1.42 per diluted share, compared to $569 million, or $.79 per diluted share, for the same period last year.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flows
As of September 30, 2014, the Company had $3.6 billion in cash and short-term investments, and a fully available unsecured revolving credit line of $1 billion. Net cash provided by operations during third quarter 2014 was $240 million, and capital expenditures were $433 million. The Company repaid $48 million in debt and capital lease obligations during third quarter 2014, and intends to repay





an additional $395 million in debt and capital lease obligations during fourth quarter 2014, including $350 million repaid on October 1, 2014.
During third quarter 2014, the Company returned $241 million to its Shareholders through the payment of $41 million in dividends and the repurchase of $200 million in common stock, or 5.0 million shares, pursuant to an accelerated share repurchase (ASR) program executed during the quarter. This ASR program was completed in early October, and the Company then received an additional 1.1 million shares, bringing the total shares repurchased under the third quarter 2014 ASR program to 6.1 million. During third quarter, the Company also received the remaining 1.4 million shares pursuant to the second quarter 2014 $200 million ASR program, bringing the total shares repurchased under that ASR program to 7.4 million. Thus far in 2014, the Company has returned $893 million to its Shareholders through $138 million in dividends, and the repurchase of $755 million in common stock, or 29.2 million shares. The Company has $580 million remaining under its existing $1 billion share repurchase authorization.

Fleet
During third quarter 2014, the Company's fleet increased by two to 685 aircraft at period end. This reflects the third quarter 2014 delivery of 11 new Boeing 737-800s and two pre-owned Boeing 737-700s, as well as the retirement of one Boeing 737-500.  In addition, the Company removed ten Boeing 717-200s from service during third quarter 2014 in preparation for transition out of the fleet. Additional information regarding the Company's aircraft delivery schedule is included in the accompanying tables.

Awards and Recognitions
Southwest’s Rapid Rewards frequent flyer program was named one of the top airline rewards programs in U.S. News & World Report's 2014 rankings of the Best Airline Rewards Programs.
2014 Women’s Choice Award® for America’s Best in Travel. Southwest was selected by American women as the most recommended for:  best overall customer service, best value, best frequent flyer/loyalty programs, best pet-friendly travel, and best in-flight service.
Gold Award for Strategy in CLO Magazine’s Learning in Practice Awards.
Named to Glassdoor.com's list of top 25 companies for culture and values.
Highly Commended for Best in Customer Service using Social Media by SimpliFlying.
Southwest Cargo received Logistic Management Magazine’s Quest for Quality Award.






Conference Call
Southwest will discuss its third quarter 2014 results on a conference call at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time today. A live broadcast of the conference call also will be available at
http://southwest.investorroom.com.

1See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures. In addition, information regarding special items and ROIC is included in the accompanying reconciliation tables.
2Operating margin, excluding special items, is calculated as operating income, excluding special items, divided by operating revenues. See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.
3Seats flown is calculated using total number of seats available by aircraft type multiplied by the total trips flown by the same aircraft type, for a given period.    
4Restrictions still apply to nonstop destinations beyond the 50 States or the District of Columbia.
 
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Specific forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements related to (i) the Company’s financial outlook and projected results of operations; (ii) the Company’s expectations with respect to its integration of AirTran, including anticipated integration timeframes and expected costs associated with the integration; (iii) the Company's plans and expectations related to managing risk associated with changing jet fuel prices; (iv) the Company's expectations with respect to liquidity (including its plans for the repayment of debt and capital lease obligations); and (v) the Company’s aircraft delivery schedule. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current intent, expectations, and projections and are not guarantees of future performance.  These statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and that could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by them. Factors include, among others, (i) demand for the Company's services and the impact of economic conditions, fuel prices, actions of competitors (including without limitation pricing, scheduling, and capacity decisions and consolidation and alliance activities), and other factors beyond the Company's control, on the Company's business decisions, plans, and strategies; (ii) the impact of governmental regulations and other actions related to the Company's operations; (iii) the Company's ability to effectively complete the integration of AirTran and realize the expected results from the acquisition; (iv) the Company's ability to timely and effectively prioritize its strategic initiatives and related expenditures; (v) changes in fuel prices, the impact of hedge accounting, and any changes to the Company's fuel hedging strategies and positions; (vi) the Company's dependence on third parties, in particular with respect to its fleet plans; and (vii) other factors, as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the detailed factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

Investor Contact:
Southwest Airlines Investor Relations
214-792-4415

Media Contact:
Southwest Airlines Media Relations
214-792-4847
swamedia@wnco.com





Southwest Airlines Co.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
(in millions, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
Three months ended
 
 
 
Nine months ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Percent change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Percent change
OPERATING REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Passenger
$
4,564

 
$
4,306

 
6.0
 
$
13,249

 
$
12,524

 
5.8
Freight
45

 
41

 
9.8
 
128

 
123

 
4.1
Other
191

 
198

 
(3.5)
 
600

 
624

 
(3.8)
     Total operating revenues
4,800

 
4,545

 
5.6
 
13,977

 
13,271

 
5.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, wages, and benefits
1,363

 
1,271

 
7.2
 
4,044

 
3,751

 
7.8
Fuel and oil
1,386

 
1,450

 
(4.4)
 
4,125

 
4,396

 
(6.2)
Maintenance materials and repairs
248

 
271

 
(8.5)
 
734

 
842

 
(12.8)
Aircraft rentals
71

 
92

 
(22.8)
 
227

 
277

 
(18.1)
Landing fees and other rentals
289

 
290

 
(0.3)
 
849

 
848

 
0.1
Depreciation and amortization
238

 
221

 
7.7
 
687

 
643

 
6.8
Acquisition and integration
23

 
28

 
(17.9)
 
78

 
66

 
18.2
Other operating expenses
568

 
532

 
6.8
 
1,628

 
1,555

 
4.7
     Total operating expenses
4,186

 
4,155

 
0.7
 
12,372

 
12,378

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPERATING INCOME
614

 
390

 
57.4
 
1,605

 
893

 
79.7
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
31

 
35

 
(11.4)
 
97

 
97

 
Capitalized interest
(6
)
 
(4
)
 
50.0
 
(18
)
 
(17
)
 
5.9
Interest income
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
100.0
 
(5
)
 
(5
)
 
Other (gains) losses, net
66

 
(59
)
 
(211.9)
 
16

 
(58
)
 
(127.6)
     Total other expenses (income)
89

 
(29
)
 
(406.9)
 
90

 
17

 
429.4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
525

 
419

 
25.3
 
1,515

 
876

 
72.9
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
196

 
160

 
22.5
 
569

 
334

 
70.4
NET INCOME
$
329

 
$
259

 
27.0
 
$
946

 
$
542

 
74.5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME PER SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.48

 
$
0.37

 
29.7
 
$
1.37

 
$
0.76

 
80.3
Diluted
$
0.48

 
$
0.37

 
29.7
 
$
1.36

 
$
0.75

 
81.3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
683

 
703

 
(2.8)
 
690

 
714

 
(3.4)
Diluted
691

 
711

 
(2.8)
 
699

 
722

 
(3.2)





Southwest Airlines Co.
Reconciliation of Reported Amounts to Non-GAAP Items
(See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures)
(in millions, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
Three months ended
 
 
 
Nine months ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Percent Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Percent Change
Fuel and oil expense, unhedged
$
1,395

 
$
1,435

 
 
 
$
4,171

 
$
4,282

 
 
Add (Deduct): Fuel hedge (gains) losses included in Fuel and oil expense
(9
)
 
15

 
 
 
(46
)
 
114

 
 
Fuel and oil expense, as reported
$
1,386

 
$
1,450

 
 
 
$
4,125

 
$
4,396

 
 
Deduct: Net impact from fuel contracts (1)
(12
)
 
(21
)
 
 
 
(27
)
 
(71
)
 
 
Fuel and oil expense, non-GAAP (economic)
$
1,374

 
$
1,429

 
(3.8)
 
$
4,098

 
$
4,325

 
(5.2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating expenses, as reported
$
4,186

 
$
4,155

 
 
 
$
12,372

 
$
12,378

 
 
Deduct: Net impact from fuel contracts (1)
(12
)
 
(21
)
 
 
 
(27
)
 
(71
)
 
 
Total operating expenses, economic
$
4,174

 
$
4,134

 
 
 
$
12,345

 
$
12,307

 
 
Deduct: Acquisition and integration costs
(23
)
 
(28
)
 
 
 
(78
)
 
(66
)
 
 
Total operating expenses, non-GAAP
$
4,151

 
$
4,106

 
1.1
 
$
12,267

 
$
12,241

 
0.2
Deduct: Profitsharing expense
(100
)
 
(69
)
 
 
 
(256
)
 
(162
)
 
 
Total operating expenses, non-GAAP, excluding Profitsharing
$
4,051

 
$
4,037

 
0.3
 
$
12,011

 
$
12,079

 
(0.6)
Deduct: Fuel and oil expense, non-GAAP (economic)
(1,374
)
 
(1,429
)
 
 
 
(4,098
)
 
(4,325
)
 
 
Total operating expenses, non-GAAP, excluding Profitsharing
and fuel
$
2,677

 
$
2,608

 
2.6
 
$
7,913

 
$
7,754

 
2.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income, as reported
$
614

 
$
390

 
 
 
$
1,605

 
$
893

 
 
Add : Net impact from fuel contracts (1)
12

 
21

 
 
 
27

 
71

 
 
Operating income, economic
$
626

 
$
411

 
 
 
$
1,632

 
$
964

 
 
Add: Acquisition and integration costs
23

 
28

 
 
 
78

 
66

 
 
Operating income, non-GAAP
$
649

 
$
439

 
47.8
 
$
1,710

 
$
1,030

 
66.0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other (gains) losses, net, as reported
$
66

 
$
(59
)
 
 
 
$
16

 
$
(58
)
 
 
Add (Deduct): Net impact from fuel contracts (1)
(50
)
 
78

 
 
 
31

 
95

 
 
Other (gains) losses, net, non-GAAP
$
16

 
$
19

 
(15.8)
 
$
47

 
$
37

 
27.0
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes, as reported
$
525

 
$
419

 
 
 
$
1,515

 
$
876

 
 
Add (Deduct): Net impact from fuel contracts (1)
62

 
(57
)
 
 
 
(4
)
 
(24
)
 
 
 
$
587

 
$
362

 
 
 
$
1,511

 
$
852

 
 
Add: Acquisition and integration costs
23

 
28

 
 
 
78

 
66

 
 
Income before income taxes, non-GAAP
$
610

 
$
390

 
56.4
 
$
1,589

 
$
918

 
73.1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income, as reported
$
329

 
$
259

 
 
 
$
946

 
$
542

 
 
Add (Deduct): Net impact from fuel contracts (1)
62

 
(57
)
 
 
 
(4
)
 
(24
)
 
 
Add (Deduct): Income tax impact of fuel contracts
(23
)
 
22

 
 
 
2

 
10

 
 
 
$
368

 
$
224

 
 
 
$
944

 
$
528

 
 
Add: Acquisition and integration costs, net (2)
14

 
17

 
 
 
49

 
41

 
 
Net income, non-GAAP
$
382

 
$
241

 
58.5
 
$
993

 
$
569

 
74.5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share, diluted, as reported
$
0.48

 
$
0.37

 
 
 
$
1.36

 
$
0.75

 
 
Add (Deduct): Net impact from fuel contracts (2)
0.05

 
(0.05
)
 
 
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.02
)
 
 
 
$
0.53

 
$
0.32

 
 
 
$
1.35

 
$
0.73

 
 
Add: Impact of special items, net (2)
0.02

 
0.02

 
 
 
0.07

 
0.06

 
 
Net income per share, diluted, non-GAAP
$
0.55

 
$
0.34

 
61.8
 
$
1.42

 
$
0.79

 
79.7
(1) See Reconciliation of Impact from Fuel Contracts.
(2) Amounts net of tax.





Southwest Airlines Co.
Reconciliation of Impact from Fuel Contracts
(See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures)
(in millions)
(unaudited)
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Fuel and oil expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification between Fuel and oil and Other (gains) losses, net,
  associated with current period settled contracts
$
(5
)
 
$
(17
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
(10
)
Contracts settling in the current period, but for which gains
  have been recognized in a prior period (1)
(7
)
 
(4
)
 
(22
)
 
(61
)
Impact from fuel contracts to Fuel and oil expense
$
(12
)
 
$
(21
)
 
$
(27
)
 
$
(71
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassification between Fuel and oil and Other (gains) losses, net,
  associated with current period settled contracts
$
5

 
$
17

 
$
5

 
$
10

Contracts settling in the current period, but for which gains
  have been recognized in a prior period (1)
7

 
4

 
22

 
61

Impact from fuel contracts to Operating Income
$
12

 
$
21

 
$
27

 
$
71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other (gains) losses, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in future periods
$
(44
)
 
$
76

 
$
(5
)
 
$
112

Ineffectiveness from fuel hedges settling in future periods
(11
)
 
(15
)
 
31

 
(27
)
Reclassification between Fuel and oil and Other (gains) losses, net,
associated with current period settled contracts
5

 
17

 
5

 
10

Impact from fuel contracts to Other (gains) losses, net
$
(50
)
 
$
78

 
$
31

 
$
95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mark-to-market impact from fuel contracts settling in future periods
$
44

 
$
(76
)
 
$
5

 
$
(112
)
Ineffectiveness from fuel hedges settling in future periods
11

 
15

 
(31
)
 
27

Other net impact of fuel contracts settling in the current or a prior
  period (excluding reclassifications)
7

 
4

 
22

 
61

Impact from fuel contracts to Net Income (2)
$
62

 
$
(57
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
(24
)

(1) As a result of prior hedge ineffectiveness and/or contracts marked-to-market through the income statement.
(2) Before income tax impact of unrealized items.










Southwest Airlines Co.
Comparative Consolidated Operating Statistics
(unaudited)

 
Three months ended
 
 
 
Nine months ended
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
September 30,
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
2014
 
2013
 
Change
Revenue passengers carried
28,391,882

 
27,015,866

 
5.1%
 
82,602,805

 
81,180,167

 
1.8%
Enplaned passengers
35,255,248

 
33,792,804

 
4.3%
 
101,701,969

 
100,036,208

 
1.7%
Revenue passenger miles (RPMs) (000s)(1)
28,522,164

 
27,009,604

 
5.6%
 
81,267,478

 
78,695,853

 
3.3%
Available seat miles (ASMs) (000s)(2)
33,785,824

 
33,425,087

 
1.1%
 
98,356,618

 
98,457,754

 
(0.1)%
Load factor(3)
84.4
%
 
80.8
%
 
3.6 pts.
 
82.6
%
 
79.9
%
 
2.7 pts.
Average length of passenger haul (miles)
1,005

 
1,000

 
0.5%
 
984

 
969

 
1.5%
Average aircraft stage length (miles)
728

 
708

 
2.8%
 
721

 
703

 
2.6%
Trips flown
319,250

 
332,991

 
(4.1)%
 
946,231

 
995,097

 
(4.9)%
Average passenger fare
$
160.74

 
$
159.39

 
0.8%
 
$
160.39

 
$
154.28

 
4.0%
Passenger revenue yield per RPM (cents)(4)
16.00

 
15.94

 
0.4%
 
16.30

 
15.91

 
2.5%
RASM (cents)(5)
14.21

 
13.60

 
4.5%
 
14.21

 
13.48

 
5.4%
PRASM (cents)(6)
13.51

 
12.88

 
4.9%
 
13.47

 
12.72

 
5.9%
CASM (cents)(7)
12.39

 
12.43

 
(0.3)%
 
12.58

 
12.57

 
0.1%
CASM, excluding fuel (cents)
8.29

 
8.09

 
2.5%
 
8.38

 
8.11

 
3.3%
CASM, excluding special items (cents)
12.29

 
12.29

 
—%
 
12.47

 
12.43

 
0.3%
CASM, excluding fuel and special
items (cents)
8.22

 
8.01

 
2.6%
 
8.30

 
8.04

 
3.2%
CASM, excluding fuel, special items, and profitsharing (cents)
7.92

 
7.80

 
1.5%
 
8.04

 
7.88

 
2.0%
Fuel costs per gallon, including fuel tax (unhedged)
$
2.99

 
$
3.07

 
(2.6)%
 
$
3.06

 
$
3.10

 
(1.3)%
Fuel costs per gallon, including fuel tax
$
2.97

 
$
3.10

 
(4.2)%
 
$
3.03

 
$
3.19

 
(5.0)%
Fuel costs per gallon, including fuel tax (economic)
$
2.94

 
$
3.06

 
(3.9)%
 
$
3.01

 
$
3.13

 
(3.8)%
Fuel consumed, in gallons (millions)
466

 
466

 
—%
 
1,357

 
1,376

 
(1.4)%
Active fulltime equivalent Employees
45,750

 
45,148

 
1.3%
 
45,750

 
45,148

 
1.3%
Aircraft at end of period(8)
685

 
688

 
(0.4)%
 
685

 
688

 
(0.4)%

(1) A revenue passenger mile is one paying passenger flown one mile. Also referred to as "traffic," which is a measure of demand for a given period.
(2) An available seat mile is one seat (empty or full) flown one mile. Also referred to as "capacity," which is a measure of the space available to carry passengers in a given period.
(3) Revenue passenger miles divided by available seat miles.
(4) Calculated as passenger revenue divided by revenue passenger miles. Also referred to as "yield," this is the average cost paid by a paying passenger to fly one mile, which is a measure of revenue production and fares.
(5) RASM (unit revenue) - Operating revenue yield per ASM, calculated as operating revenue divided by available seat miles. Also referred to as "operating unit revenues," this is a measure of operating revenue production based on the total available seat miles flown during a particular period.
(6) PRASM (Passenger unit revenue) - Passenger revenue yield per ASM, calculated as passenger revenue divided by available seat miles. Also referred to as “passenger unit revenues,” this is a measure of passenger revenue production based on the total available seat miles flown during a particular period.
(7) CASM (unit costs) - Operating expenses per ASM, calculated as operating expenses divided by available seat miles. Also referred to as "unit costs" or "cost per available seat mile," this is the average cost to fly an aircraft seat (empty or full) one mile, which is a measure of cost efficiencies.
(8) Aircraft in the Company's fleet at period end, less Boeing 717-200s removed from service in preparation for transition out of the fleet.





Southwest Airlines Co.
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)
(See Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures)
(in millions)
(unaudited)

 
 
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
September 30, 2014
 
September 30, 2013
Operating income, as reported
$
1,991

 
$
984

Net impact from fuel contracts
40

 
100

Acquisition and integration costs
97

 
81

Operating income, non-GAAP
$
2,128

 
$
1,165

Net adjustment for aircraft leases (1)
136

 
134

Adjustment for fuel hedge accounting
(70
)
 
(42
)
Adjusted Operating income, non-GAAP
$
2,194

 
$
1,257

 
 
 
 
Average invested capital (2)
$
11,616

 
$
11,769

Equity adjustment for hedge accounting
(61
)
 
81

Adjusted average invested capital
$
11,555

 
$
11,850

 
 
 
 
ROIC, pre-tax
19.0
%
 
10.6
%


(1) Net adjustment related to presumption that all aircraft in fleet are owned (i.e., the impact of eliminating aircraft rent expense and replacing with estimated depreciation expense for those same aircraft).
(2) Average invested capital represents a five quarter average of debt, net present value of aircraft leases, and equity.





Southwest Airlines Co.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(in millions)
(unaudited)
 
September 30, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
     Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,832

 
$
1,355

     Short-term investments
1,728

 
1,797

     Accounts and other receivables
468

 
419

     Inventories of parts and supplies, at cost
429

 
467

     Deferred income taxes
237

 
168

     Prepaid expenses and other current assets
208

 
250

          Total current assets
4,902

 
4,456

Property and equipment, at cost:
 
 
 
     Flight equipment
18,019

 
16,937

     Ground property and equipment
2,866

 
2,666

     Deposits on flight equipment purchase contracts
601

 
764

     Assets constructed for others
570

 
453

 
22,056

 
20,820

     Less allowance for depreciation and amortization
8,091

 
7,431

 
13,965

 
13,389

Goodwill
970

 
970

Other assets
702

 
530

 
$
20,539

 
$
19,345

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
     Accounts payable
$
1,185

 
$
1,247

     Accrued liabilities
1,277

 
1,229

     Air traffic liability
3,377

 
2,571

     Current maturities of long-term debt
607

 
629

          Total current liabilities
6,446

 
5,676

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt less current maturities
2,125

 
2,191

Deferred income taxes
3,360

 
2,934

Construction obligation
521

 
437

Other noncurrent liabilities
658

 
771

Stockholders' equity:
 
 
 
     Common stock
808

 
808

     Capital in excess of par value
1,280

 
1,231

     Retained earnings
7,266

 
6,431

     Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(92
)
 
(3
)
     Treasury stock, at cost
(1,833
)
 
(1,131
)
          Total stockholders' equity
7,429

 
7,336

 
$
20,539

 
$
19,345








Southwest Airlines Co.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(in millions)
(unaudited)
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Nine months ended September 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Net income
$
329

 
$
259

 
$
946

 
$
542

     Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used
     in) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Depreciation and amortization
238

 
221

 
687

 
643

     Unrealized (gain) loss on fuel derivative instruments
63

 
(58
)
 
(4
)
 
(24
)
     Deferred income taxes
392

 
29

 
472

 
52

     Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
          Accounts and other receivables
(22
)
 
73

 
(83
)
 
(74
)
          Other assets
6

 
(63
)
 
(7
)
 
(83
)
          Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(534
)
 
(98
)
 
(86
)
 
185

          Air traffic liability
(108
)
 
(95
)
 
806

 
811

          Cash collateral received from (paid to) derivative counterparties
(98
)
 
80

 
8

 
56

     Other, net
(26
)
 
80

 
(41
)
 
80

     Net cash provided by operating activities
240

 
428

 
2,698

 
2,188

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Capital expenditures
(433
)
 
(268
)
 
(1,340
)
 
(995
)
     Purchases of short-term investments
(415
)
 
(896
)
 
(2,344
)
 
(2,520
)
     Proceeds from sales of short-term and other investments
805

 
805

 
2,427

 
2,385

     Other, net
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
 

     Net cash used in investing activities
(44
)
 
(359
)
 
(1,259
)
 
(1,130
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Proceeds from Employee stock plans
23

 
12

 
96

 
31

Reimbursement for assets constructed for others
26

 

 
26

 

     Payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
(48
)
 
(51
)
 
(167
)
 
(267
)
     Payments of cash dividends
(41
)
 
(28
)
 
(138
)
 
(71
)
     Repayment of construction obligation
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
(8
)
 
(3
)
     Repurchase of common stock
(200
)
 
(150
)
 
(755
)
 
(501
)
     Other, net
(3
)
 
(6
)
 
(16
)
 
(27
)
     Net cash used in financing activities
(246
)
 
(225
)
 
(962
)
 
(838
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(50
)
 
(156
)
 
477

 
220

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
1,882

 
1,489

 
1,355

 
1,113

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
$
1,832

 
$
1,333

 
$
1,832

 
$
1,333






Southwest Airlines Co.
Fuel Derivative Contracts
As of October 17, 2014


 
Estimated economic jet fuel price per gallon,
including taxes
Average Brent Crude Oil price per barrel
4Q 2014 (2)
$70
$2.30 - $2.35
$80
$2.50 - $2.55
Current Market (1)
$2.70 - $2.75
$100
$3.00 - $3.05
$110
$3.20 - $3.25
 
 
 
 
Period
Average percent of estimated fuel consumption covered by fuel derivative contracts at varying WTI/Brent Crude Oil, Heating Oil, and Gulf Coast Jet Fuel-equivalent price levels
Fourth quarter 2014
Approx. 20%
2015
Approx. 40%
2016
Approx. 40%
2017
Approx. 40%
2018
Approx. 5%


(1) Brent crude oil average market price as of October 17, 2014, was approximately $87 per barrel for fourth quarter 2014.
(2) The Company has approximately 20 percent of its fourth quarter 2014 estimated fuel consumption covered by fuel derivative contracts with approximately 10 percent at varying crude oil-equivalent prices and the remainder at varying Gulf Coast jet fuel and heat-equivalent prices. The economic fuel price per gallon sensitivities provided above assume the relationship between Brent crude oil and refined products based on market prices as of October 17, 2014.







Southwest Airlines Co.
737 Delivery Schedule
As of September 30, 2014


 
The Boeing Company
 
The Boeing Company
 
 
 
737 NG
 
737 MAX
 
 
 
-700 Firm Orders
 
-800 Firm Orders
Options
Additional
 -700s
-7
Firm
Orders
-8
Firm
Orders
 
Options
Total
 
2014

 
33


22



 

55

(3)
2015

 
19


14



 

33

 
2016
31

 

10

4



 

45

 
2017
15

 

12



14

 

41

 
2018
10

 

12



13

 

35

 
2019

 



15

10

 

25

 
2020

 



14

22

 

36

 
2021

 



1

33

 
18

52

 
2022

 




30

 
19

49

 
2023

 




24

 
23

47

 
2024

 




24

 
23

47

 
2025

 





 
36

36

 
2026







 
36

36

 
2027

 





 
36

36

 
 
56

(1)
52

34

40

30

170

(2)
191

573

 



(1) The Company has flexibility to substitute 737-800s in lieu of 737-700 firm orders.
(2) The Company has flexibility to substitute MAX 7 in lieu of  MAX 8 firm orders beginning in 2019.
(3) Includes 25 737-800s and 11 737-700s delivered as of September 30, 2014.







NOTE REGARDING USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. These GAAP financial statements include (i) unrealized non-cash adjustments and reclassifications, which can be significant, as a result of accounting requirements and elections made under accounting pronouncements relating to derivative instruments and hedging and (ii) other charges the Company believes are not indicative of its ongoing operational performance.
As a result, the Company also provides financial information in this release that was not prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to the information prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company provides supplemental non-GAAP financial information, including results that it refers to as “economic,” which the Company's management utilizes to evaluate its ongoing financial performance and the Company believes provides greater transparency to investors as supplemental information to its GAAP results. The Company's economic financial results differ from GAAP results in that they only include the actual cash settlements from fuel hedge contracts--all reflected within Fuel and oil expense in the period of settlement. Thus, Fuel and oil expense on an economic basis reflects the Company's actual net cash outlays for fuel during the applicable period, inclusive of settled fuel derivative contracts. Any net premium costs paid related to option contracts are reflected as a component of Other (gains) losses, net, for both GAAP and non-GAAP (including economic) purposes in the period of contract settlement. The Company believes these economic results provide a better measure of the impact of the Company's fuel hedges on its operating performance and liquidity since they exclude the unrealized, non-cash adjustments and reclassifications that are recorded in GAAP results in accordance with accounting guidance relating to derivative instruments, and they reflect all cash settlements related to fuel derivative contracts within Fuel and oil expense. This enables the Company's management, as well as investors, to consistently assess the Company's operating performance on a year-over-year or quarter-over-quarter basis after considering all efforts in place to manage fuel expense. However, because these measures are not determined in accordance with GAAP, such measures are susceptible to varying calculations and not all companies calculate the measures in the same manner. As a result, the aforementioned measures, as presented, may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
Further information on (i) the Company's fuel hedging program, (ii) the requirements of accounting for derivative instruments, and (iii) the causes of hedge ineffectiveness and/or mark-to-market gains or losses from derivative instruments is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
In addition to its “economic” financial measures, as defined above, the Company has also provided other non-GAAP financial measures, including results that it refers to as “excluding special items,” as a result of items that the Company believes are not indicative of its ongoing operations. These include expenses associated with the Company's acquisition and integration of AirTran. The Company believes that evaluation of its financial performance can be enhanced by a presentation of results that exclude the impact of these items in order to evaluate the results on a comparative basis with results in prior periods that do not include such items and as a basis for evaluating operating results in future periods. As a result of the Company's acquisition of AirTran, which closed on May 2, 2011, the Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur charges associated with integration of the two companies. While the Company cannot predict the exact timing or amounts of such charges, it does expect to treat the charges as special items in its future presentation of non-GAAP results.
The Company has also provided free cash flow and ROIC, which are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes free cash flow is a meaningful measure because it demonstrates the Company's ability to service its debt, pay dividends and make investments to enhance Shareholder value. Although free cash flow is commonly used as a measure of liquidity, definitions of free cash flow may differ; therefore, the Company is providing an explanation of its calculation for free cash flow. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company generated $1.4 billion in free cash flow, calculated as operating cash flows of $2.7 billion less capital expenditures of $1.3 billion. The Company believes ROIC is a meaningful measure because it quantifies how well the Company generates operating income relative to the capital it has invested in its business.  Although return on invested capital is commonly used as a measure of capital efficiency, definitions of return on invested capital may differ; therefore, the Company is providing an explanation of its calculation for ROIC in the accompanying reconciliation tables to the press release (See Return on Invested Capital).