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Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, Employee in Thousands | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) Option | Dec. 31, 2019 $ / shares | Dec. 31, 2019 shares | Dec. 31, 2019 Employee | Dec. 31, 2019 commitment | Dec. 31, 2019 aircraft | Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate balance | $ 15,700,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of call options to purchase regional jet aircraft | Option | 325 |  |  |  |  |  |
United Airlines, Inc. |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of employees | Employee |  |  |  | 96 |  |  |
Percentage of employees represented by various U.S. labor organizations | 84.00% |  |  |  |  |  |
United Airlines, Inc. | Surety Bonds |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term line of credit | $ 414,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Tax-Exempt Special Facilities Revenue Bonds |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure | 1,900,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Tax-Exempt Special Facilities Revenue Bonds | Indirect Guarantee of Indebtedness |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure | 175,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Contingent liabilities based on participation | 1,900,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Floating Rate Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument principal amount | $ 3,400,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, remaining terms | 11 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Loans And Leases From Non U S Entities |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, remaining terms | 11 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate balance | $ 3,200,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Aircraft Mortgage Debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure | 132,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Kingsland |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of shares that may be put to United (in shares) | shares |  |  | 144,800,000 |  |  |  |
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 | 217,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Contingent liabilities based on participation |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 31,000,000
Pass-Through Certificates |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods | 328,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument principal amount | 2,234,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Embraer E175 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of firm commitments |  |  |  |  | 20 | 20 |
Number of aircraft scheduled for delivery | aircraft |  |  |  |  |  | 20 |
Airbus A319 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of firm commitments | aircraft |  |  |  |  |  | 20 |
Boeing 737-700 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of firm commitments | aircraft |  |  |  |  |  | 19 |
Boeing 737 MAX |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of firm commitments | commitment |  |  |  |  | 171 |  |
Number of aircraft scheduled for delivery | aircraft |  |  |  |  |  | 44 |
Number of aircraft the company planned to take delivery of in 2019 | aircraft |  |  |  |  |  | 16 |
Number of aircraft the company planned to take delivery of in 2020 | aircraft |  |  |  |  |  | 28 |
Letter of Credit | United Airlines, Inc. | Cash Collateralized Letters of Credit |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term line of credit | $ 73,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |

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