United Continental Holdings consolidated traffic (revenue passenger miles) in February 2012 increased 3.4% and consolidated capacity (available seat miles) increased 5.4% versus February 2011 results. The company's consolidated load factor in February 2012 decreased 1.4 points compared to February 2011.
The company's February 2012 consolidated passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM) increased an estimated 1.5 to 2.5% as compared to February 2011. The company's year-over-year PRASM growth was adversely affected by approximately 6 percentage points due to three factors: more difficult comparisons due to accounting adjustments in 2011, including the impact of the company's required implementation of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-13, which UAL applied against frequent flyer mileage revenue recognition; significantly improved completion factor year-over-year; and the merger integration-related transition to a single inventory management and optimizing system.
Overall demand is improving and in line with expectations, the company said, with March advance seat factor is up modestly year-over-year.