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Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, Employee in Thousands | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) Employee commitment aircraft Option Aircraft | Nov. 29, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares shares | Feb. 28, 2018 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Aggregate balance | $ 11,300,000,000 |  |
Number of call options to purchase regional jet aircraft | Option | 292 |  |
United Airlines, Inc. |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Debt instrument principal amount | $ 424,000,000 |  |
Number of employees | Employee | 92 |  |
Percentage of employees represented by various U.S. labor organizations | 83.00% |  |
Tax-Exempt Special Facilities Revenue Bonds |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure | $ 1,900,000,000.0 |  |
Operating leases obligations | 1,300,000,000 |  |
Capital leases obligations | 466,000,000 |  |
Tax-Exempt Special Facilities Revenue Bonds | Indirect Guarantee of Indebtedness |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure | 164,000,000 |  |
Contingent liabilities based on participation | 1,700,000,000 |  |
Floating Rate Debt |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Debt instrument principal amount | 3,500,000,000.0 |  |
Fixed Rate Debt |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Debt instrument principal amount | 27,000,000 |  |
Loans And Leases From Non U S Entities |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Aggregate balance | 3,200,000,000 |  |
Aircraft Mortgage Debt |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure | $ 145,000,000 |  |
Minimum | Tax-Exempt Special Facilities Revenue Bonds |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Maturity date | 2019 |  |
Minimum | Tax-Exempt Special Facilities Revenue Bonds | Indirect Guarantee of Indebtedness |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Maturity date | 2022 |  |
Maximum |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Debt instrument, remaining terms | 12 years |  |
Maximum | Tax-Exempt Special Facilities Revenue Bonds |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Maturity date | 2038 |  |
Maximum | Tax-Exempt Special Facilities Revenue Bonds | Indirect Guarantee of Indebtedness |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Maturity date | 2051 |  |
Maximum | Loans And Leases From Non U S Entities |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Debt instrument, remaining terms | 12 years |  |
Kingsland |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of shares that may be put to United (in shares) | shares |  | 144,800,000.0 |
Number of ADRs that may be put to United (in shares) | shares |  | 18,100,000 |
Market price of common stock at fifth anniversary (in dollars per share) | $ / shares |  | $ 12 |
Aggregate maximum possible combined put payment and guarantee amount |  | $ 217,200,000 |
Contingent liabilities based on participation |  | $ 31,000,000 |
EETC |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Debt instrument principal amount |  |  | $ 1,000,000,000.0
EETC | United Airlines, Inc. |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Debt instrument principal amount | $ 2,174,000,000 |  |
Embraer E175 |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of aircrafts expects to take delivery | Aircraft | 25 |  |
Number of firm commitments | commitment | 25 |  |
Boeing 737 MAX |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of aircrafts expects to take delivery | Aircraft | 20 |  |
Boeing 787 |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of aircrafts expects to take delivery | Aircraft | 8 |  |
Boeing 777-300ER |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of aircraft expected to be delivered | aircraft | 2 |  |
Airbus A319s |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of firm commitments | aircraft | 20 |  |
Embraer ERJ 145 |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of aircraft under lease | aircraft | 54 |  |

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