2009, we recorded a $288 million charge primarily for merger-related items and a $119 million charge in connection with employee workforce reduction programs. 

Other (Expense) Income  

     Other expense, net for 2010 was $1.6 billion, compared to $1.3 billion for 2009. This change is attributable to the following:  

  

     For additional information regarding our loss on extinguishment of debt and amortization of debt discount, net, see Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

Income Taxes  

     We consider all income sources, including other comprehensive income, in determining the amount of tax benefit allocated to continuing operations. For 2010, we recorded an income tax provision of $15 million, primarily related to international and state income taxes. We did not record an income tax provision for U.S. federal income tax purposes since our deferred tax assets are fully reserved by a valuation allowance.  

     For 2009, we recorded an income tax benefit of $344 million, including a non-cash income tax benefit of $321 million on the loss from continuing operations, with an offsetting non-cash income tax expense of $321 million on other comprehensive income. We did not record an income tax benefit for U.S. federal income tax purposes in 2009 since our deferred tax assets are fully reserved by a valuation allowance.  

     At December 31, 2010, we had $17.1 billion of U.S. federal pre-tax net operating loss carryforwards. Accordingly, we believe we will not pay any cash federal income taxes during the next several years. Our U.S. federal pre-tax net operating loss carryforwards do not begin to expire until 2022.  

Results of Operations — 2009 GAAP Compared to 2008 Combined  

     In this section, we compare Delta’s results of operations under GAAP for the year ended December 31, 2009 with Delta’s results of operations on a combined basis for the year ended December 31, 2008. For this purpose, Delta’s results of operations for 2008 on a combined basis add (1) Delta’s results of operations under GAAP for 2008, which includes Northwest’s results of operations from October 30 to 

December 31, 2008 and (2) Northwest’s results of operations from January 1 to October 29, 2008. This presentation of the 2008 financial results provides a more meaningful basis for comparing Delta’s financial performance in 2009 and 2008.  



     Delta’s results of operations for 2008 on a combined basis are derived from our Consolidated Financial Statements but are not presented in accordance with GAAP. Certain of this information is considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules. The non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results.  

Operating Revenue  

  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	    	  	  	   

      Mainline Passenger Revenue. Mainline passenger revenue decreased in 2009 compared to 2008 on a combined basis primarily due to weakened demand for air travel from the global recession, capacity reductions and the effects of the H1N1