United Airlines 2009 Annual Report Download - page 7

Table of Contents
This Form 10-K contains various “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. Forward-looking statements represent the Company’s expectations and beliefs concerning
future events, based on information available to the Company on the date of the filing of this Form 10-K, and are subject to various risks and uncertainties.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those referenced in the forward-looking statements are listed in Item 1A, Risk Factors and in
Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update or
revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, unforeseen events, changed circumstances or otherwise.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Overview
UAL Corporation (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, “UAL”), a holding company whose principal subsidiary is United Air Lines, Inc. (together
with its primary subsidiaries, “United”), was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on December 30, 1968. We sometimes use the words “we,”
“our,” “us,” and the “Company” in this Form 10-K for disclosures that relate to both UAL and United. Our world headquarters is located at 77 W. Wacker Drive,
Chicago, Illinois 60601. The mailing address is P.O. Box 66919, Chicago, Illinois 60666 (telephone number [phone]).
This Annual Report on Form 10-K is a combined report of UAL and United including their respective consolidated financial statements (the “Financial
Statements”). As UAL consolidates United for financial statement purposes, disclosures that relate to activities of United also apply to UAL, unless otherwise
noted, and are included within the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (the “Footnotes”). Most of UAL’s revenue and expenses in 2009 were
from United’s airline operations. United transports people and cargo through its Mainline operations, which utilize full-sized jet aircraft exceeding 70 seats in
size, and its regional operations, which utilize smaller aircraft not exceeding 70 seats in size that are operated under contract by United Express® carriers.
The Company’s web address is www.united.com. The information contained on or connected to the Company’s web address is not incorporated by
reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered part of this or any other report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”). Through this website, the Company’s filings with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q,
current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports, are accessible without charge as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is
electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.
United operates approximately 3,300 flights a day on United Mainline and United Express to more than 230 U.S. domestic and international destinations
from its hubs at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (“O’Hare”), Denver International Airport (“Denver”), Los Angeles International Airport (“LAX”), San
Francisco International Airport (“SFO”) and Washington Dulles International Airport (“Washington Dulles”), based on its annual flight schedule as of January 1,
2010. With key global air rights in the Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States.
United also is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline network, which provides connections for its customers to approximately 1,100
destinations in 175 countries worldwide. United offers a unique set of services to target distinct customer groups. This strategy of market and product
segmentation is intended to optimize margins and costs, and is focused on delivering an improved experience for all customers and a best-in-class experience for
premium customers. These services include:
• United Mainline, including United First®, United Business® and Economy Plus®, the last providing three to five inches of extra legroom on all
United Mainline and explusSM United Express flights;
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