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Special Items - Additional Information (Detail) | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) Technician | Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Special Charges [Line Items] |  |
Severance and benefits costs | $ 37,000,000 | $ 8,000,000
Severance and benefits costs net of tax |  | 5,000,000
Labor agreement costs |  | $ 100,000,000
Lease maturity year |  | 2029
Cleveland airport lease restructuring |  | $ 74,000,000
Cleveland airport lease restructuring, net of taxes |  | 47,000,000
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges | 14,000,000 | 8,000,000
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges, net of tax | 9,000,000 | 5,000,000
Venezuela local currency loss |  | 8,000,000
Venezuela local currency loss, net of tax |  | 5,000,000
Accrual severance and benefit | $ 28,000,000 | 29,000,000
Severance-related accrual expected payment date | 2017 |
Accrual for permanently grounded aircraft | $ 40,000,000 | 49,000,000
Grounded aircraft related accrual expected payment date | 2025 |
International Brotherhood of Teamsters |  |
Special Charges [Line Items] |  |
Severance and benefits costs | $ 21,000,000 |
Severance and benefits costs net of tax | $ 14,000,000 |
Int'l Association of Machinists |  |
Special Charges [Line Items] |  |
Labor agreement costs |  | 100,000,000
Labor agreement costs net of tax |  | $ 64,000,000
Voluntary early out program | International Brotherhood of Teamsters |  |
Special Charges [Line Items] |  |
Number of positions eliminated | Technician | 1,000 |
Voluntary early out program | International Brotherhood of Teamsters | Maximum |  |
Special Charges [Line Items] |  |
Severance payment per participant | $ 100,000 |
Management Reorganization Initiative |  |
Special Charges [Line Items] |  |
Severance and benefits costs | 16,000,000 |
Severance and benefits costs net of tax | $ 10,000,000 |

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