events and other factors. Accordingly, the actual results may vary materially from the amounts presented in the table.  

     During 2010, the following significant events impacted our contractual obligations:  

Our JFK redevelopment initiative. Estimated amounts payable by us under our new 33 year sublease are included in operating lease payments below. 

  

Our agreement with The Boeing Company to reaffirm our previous orders for 18 B-787-8 aircraft and to defer delivery of those aircraft from 2008-2010 to 2020-2022. Our estimated payments to purchase these aircraft are included in aircraft purchase obligations below. 

  

Our sale of Compass and Mesaba. Our estimated minimum fixed obligations under our capacity purchase agreements with these airlines are included in contract carrier obligations below. 

  

      Long-Term Debt, Principal Amount. Represents scheduled principal payments on long-term debt reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2010. The table excludes $1.0 billion we received from American Express for its advance purchase of SkyMiles because this obligation will be satisfied by American Express’ use of SkyMiles over a specified period rather than by cash payments from us. For additional information about our long-term debt and agreement with American Express, see Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

      Long-Term Debt, Interest Payments. Represents estimated interest payments under our long-term debt based on the interest rates specified in the applicable debt agreements. Interest payments on variable interest rate debt were calculated using LIBOR at December 31, 2010. For additional information, see Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

      Contract Carrier Obligations. Represents our estimated minimum fixed obligations under capacity purchase agreements with regional carriers (excluding Comair). The reported amounts are based on (1) the required minimum levels of flying by our contract carriers under the applicable agreements and (2) assumptions regarding the costs associated with such minimum levels of flying. For additional information about our capacity purchase agreements, see Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

      Operating Lease Payments. Includes our noncancelable operating leases. For additional information, see Note 6 and Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

      Employee Benefit Obligations. Represents primarily (1) our estimated minimum required funding for our qualified defined benefit pension plans based on actuarially determined estimates and (2) projected future benefit payments from our unfunded postretirement and 

postemployment plans. For additional information about our defined benefit pension plans, see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and Note 10 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  

      Aircraft Purchase Commitments. Represents primarily our commitments to purchase 18 B-787-8 aircraft and 12 previously owned MD-90 aircraft. The table excludes our orders for five A319-100 aircraft and two A320-200 aircraft because we have the