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Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) Aircraft
Tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure | $ 2,000,000,000
Operating leases obligations | 1,400,000,000
Capital leases obligations | 454,000,000
Floating Rate Debt |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Debt instrument principal amount | 3,400,000,000
Fixed Rate Debt |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Debt instrument principal amount | 52,000,000
Loans And Leases From Non U S Entities |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Aggregate balance | 3,300,000,000
Aircraft Mortgage Debt |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure | 154,000,000
Facility and Other Operating Leases |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Operating leases obligations | $ 13,095,000,000
Maximum |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Debt instrument, remaining terms (years) | 11 years
Maximum | Tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Debt instrument maturity year | 2038
Maximum | Loans And Leases From Non U S Entities |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Debt instrument, remaining terms (years) | 11 years
Minimum | Tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Debt instrument maturity year | 2019
United Airlines, Inc. |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Debt instrument principal amount | $ 935,000,000
Number of employees | 90,800
Percentage of employees represented by various U.S. labor organizations | 79.00%
Boeing 777-300ER Aircraft |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Number of aircrafts expects to take delivery | Aircraft | 2
Boeing 787 Aircraft |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Number of aircrafts expects to take delivery | Aircraft | 3
Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Number of aircrafts expects to take delivery | Aircraft | 10
Boeing 767-300ER Aircraft |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Number of aircraft expected to be delivered through the remainder of 2018 | Aircraft | 3
Chicago O'Hare International Airport | Facility and Other Operating Leases |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Operating lease agreement term | 15 years
Operating lease description | A lease term of approximately 15 years effective May 12, 2018 through December 31, 2033.
Airbus A319 Aircraft |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Number of new aircraft committed to purchase | Aircraft | 20
Airbus A319 Aircraft | Maximum |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Expected delivery date scheduled, Year | 2021
Airbus A319 Aircraft | Minimum |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |
Expected delivery date scheduled, Year | 2020

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