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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Goodwill |  | $ 4,523 | $ 4,523
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount |  | 1,757 | 1,771
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization |  | 1,313 | 1,234
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount |  | $ 3,095 | 3,095
Frequent Flyer Database |  |  |
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Asset life | [1],[2] | 22 years |
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount | [1] | $ 1,177 | 1,177
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization | [1] | $ 832 | 771
Hubs |  |  |
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Asset life | [2] | 20 years |
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount |  | $ 145 | 145
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization |  | $ 89 | 82
Contracts |  |  |
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Asset life | [2] | 13 years |
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount |  | $ 121 | 135
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization |  | $ 103 | 95
Patents And Trade Names |  |  |
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Asset life | [2] | 3 years |
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount |  | $ 108 | 108
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization |  | $ 108 | 108
Airport Slots and Gates |  |  |
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Asset life | [2] | 8 years |
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount |  | $ 97 | 97
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization |  | $ 97 | 97
Other Intangible Assets |  |  |
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Asset life | [2] | 25 years |
Finite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount |  | $ 109 | 109
Finite-lived intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization |  | 84 | 81
Route Authorities |  |  |
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount |  | 1,562 | 1,562
Airport Slots And Gates |  |  |
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount |  | 536 | 536
Tradenames And Logos |  |  |
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount |  | 593 | 593
Alliances |  |  |
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, Gross Carrying Amount |  | $ 404 | $ 404
[1] | The frequent flyer database is amortized based on an accelerated amortization schedule to reflect utilization of the assets. Estimated cash flows correlating to the expected attrition rate of customers in the frequent flyer database is considered in the determination of the amortization schedules.
[2] | Weighted average life expressed in years.

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- Definition Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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- Definition Amount before amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66006027&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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