XML 52 R34.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.5.0.2

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Pension Benefits |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |
Employer contribution to tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans | $ 240 | $ 400 |
Postretirement Medical Plan | Flight Attendant Postretirement Medical Plan |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |
Curtailment gain recognition of prior service credit | $ 47 | $ 47 |
Defined benefit plan, discount rate | 3.43% | 3.43% | 4.52%
Increase in projected benefit obligation of the plans |  | $ 49 |
Increase in other comprehensive loss due to actuarial loss |  | $ (96) |
Minimum |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage of pre-tax earnings paid for profit sharing plan |  | 5.00% |
Maximum |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |
Percentage of pre-tax earnings paid for profit sharing plan |  | 20.00% |
RSUs |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |
Share-based compensation, other than options, awards granted |  | 1.9 |
Restricted Stock |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |
Share-based compensation, other than options, awards granted |  | 0.4 |
Performance Shares |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |
Share-Based Compensation, vesting period |  | 3 years |
Share-Based Compensation, vesting date |  | Dec. 31, 2018 |
Number of days used to compute performance period average closing price of restricted stock units |  | 20 days |
Employee Stock Option |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |
Share-based compensation, options, awards granted |  | 0.4 |
Employee Stock Option | First three anniversaries of the date of grant (seven-year term option) |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |
Share-Based Compensation, options vesting percentage |  | 33.33% |
Share-Based Compensation, vesting period |  | 3 years |
Share-Based Compensation, options term |  | 7 years |
Employee Stock Option | Fourth, fifth and sixth anniversaries of the date of grant (ten-year term option) |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |
Share-Based Compensation, options vesting percentage |  | 33.33% |
Share-Based Compensation, vesting period |  | 3 years |
Share-Based Compensation, options term |  | 10 years |

X
- Definition The time period over which the stock closing prices are averaged to arrive at a per-share valuation for equity based awards such as Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share and other equity based awards. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ual_DeterminationPeriodAverageClosingPrice
Namespace Prefix: | ual_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Profit Sharing Plan, Percentage of Pre-Tax Earnings Paid + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ual_ProfitSharingPlanPercentageOfPreTaxEarningsPaid
Namespace Prefix: | ual_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Vesting Date + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ual_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardVestingDate
Namespace Prefix: | ual_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount before tax, after reclassification adjustments, of actuarial gain (loss) that has not been recognized in the income statement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10A -Subparagraph (i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66004124&loc=SL7669646-108580 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmountsRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetGainLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The interest rate used to adjust for the time value of money for the plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (k)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAssumptionsUsedCalculatingBenefitObligationDiscountRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Net increase or decrease in the plan benefit obligation during the reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanBenefitObligationPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of contributions made by the employer to defined benefit plans. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d)(5)(ii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 60 -Section 35 -Paragraph 123 -Subparagraph B -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64937487&loc=d3e36068-114959 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 63 -Subparagraph B -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64937038&loc=d3e12551-114930 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d)(5)(iv)(01) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanContributionsByEmployer
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of net gain (loss) recognized in net periodic benefit cost as a result of an event that significantly reduces the expected years of future service of present employees or eliminates for a significant number of employees the accrual of defined benefits for some or all of their future services. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Plan Curtailment -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6520938 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (h)(7) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 30 -Section 15 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7577095&loc=d3e8001-114927 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDueToCurtailments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Gross number of share options (or share units) granted during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of vesting of share-based compensation awards. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Period from grant date that an equity-based award expires, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=ual_PostRetirementMedicalPlanMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=ual_FlightAttendantPostretirementMedicalPlanMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_VestingAxis=us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_VestingAxis=us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |