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Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions |  | 1 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 28, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) commitment employee aircraft | Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) | Nov. 30, 2018 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Remaining term of debt |  |  | 12 years |  |
Minimum years of service for early separation option | 10 years |  |  |  |
Minimum employee age for early separation option | 50 years |  |  |  |
United Airlines, Inc. |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Number of employees | employee |  |  | 87,887 |  |
Percentage of employees represented by various U.S. labor organizations |  |  | 85.00% |  |
Percentage of employees on voluntary unpaid leave of absence |  |  | 52.00% |  |
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 |
Additional expense recorded for guarantee |  | $ 182 |  |  |
Tax-Exempt Special Facilities Revenue Bonds |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate principal amount of guarantee |  |  | $ 1,900 |  |
Aircraft Mortgage Debt |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Aggregate principal amount of guarantee |  |  | 123 |  |
Floating Rate Debt |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Debt |  |  | $ 12,300 |  |
Loans and Leases from Non-U.S. Entities |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Remaining term of debt |  |  | 12 years |  |
Aggregate balance |  |  | $ 10,800 |  |
Airbus A319 |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Number of aircraft committed to purchase | commitment |  |  | 20 |  |
Boeing 737-700 |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Number of aircraft committed to purchase | commitment |  |  | 11 |  |
Boeing 787 |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Number of aircraft committed to purchase | commitment |  |  | 11 |  |
Number of aircraft delivered in period | aircraft |  |  | 7 |  |
Boeing 737 MAX |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Number of aircraft committed to purchase | commitment |  |  | 171 |  |
Embraer E175 |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Number of aircraft committed to purchase | commitment |  |  | 15 |  |
Grounded Aircraft Indebtedness |  |  |  |  |
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Approximate possible loss |  |  | $ 450 |  |

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