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Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, employee in Thousands, shares in Millions, $ in Millions | 9 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($) employee commitment aircraft | Dec. 31, 2019 flight | Oct. 04, 2019 USD ($) | Mar. 13, 2019 aircraft | Mar. 12, 2019 flight | Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) | Nov. 30, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares shares | Sep. 30, 2018 aircraft
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Remaining term of debt | 11 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate balance | $ 12,300 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
United Airlines, Inc. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of employees | employee | 95 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of employees represented by various U.S. labor organizations | 84.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
AVH Senior Secured Convertible Loan | Subsequent Event |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitment amount (at least) |  |  | $ 150 |  |  |  |  |
AVH Senior Secured Convertible Loan | United Airline Holdings and Kingsland Holdings Limited | Subsequent Event |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitment amount (at least) |  |  | $ 250 |  |  |  |  |
Kingsland |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of shares that may be put to United (in shares) | shares |  |  |  |  |  |  | 144.8 |
Number of ADRs that may be put into United (in shares) | shares |  |  |  |  |  |  | 18.1 |
Market price of common stock at fifth anniversary (in dollars per share) | $ / shares |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 12 |
Aggregate maximum possible combined put payment and guarantee amount |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 217 |
Liability for the fair value of guarantees |  |  |  |  |  | $ 31 |  |
Tax-Exempt Special Facilities Revenue Bonds |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate principal amount of guarantee | $ 1,900 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Floating Rate Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt | $ 3,400 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loans and Leases from Non-U.S. Entities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Remaining term of debt | 11 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate balance | $ 3,100 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aircraft Mortgage Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate principal amount of guarantee | $ 136 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Airbus A319 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of aircraft committed to purchase | aircraft | 20 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Boeing 737-700 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of aircraft committed to purchase | aircraft | 20 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Boeing 737 MAX |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of aircraft committed to purchase | commitment | 171 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of aircraft grounded under emergency order | aircraft |  |  |  | 14 |  |  |  |
Number of flights operated using grounded aircraft | flight |  |  |  |  | 50 |  |  |
Boeing 737 MAX | Forecast |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of expected flights operating per day prior to grounding order | flight |  | 110 |  |  |  |  |  |
Embraer E175 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of aircraft committed to purchase | commitment | 29 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Embraer ERJ 145 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of leased aircraft | aircraft |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 54
Number of aircraft purchased | aircraft | 36 |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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