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Supplemental Financial Information - Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
ProfitSharing and savings plans		$ 710	$ 645
Aircraft and other lease related obligations		42	55
Vacation pay		334	355
Accrued union bonuses		87	188
Health		90	96
Workers compensation		184	183
Property and income taxes		145	68
Other		202	237
Accrued liabilities		1,947	1,985
Fuel derivatives | Accrued Liabilities
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Derivative contracts	[1]	$ 153	$ 158
[1] The net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities are reconciled to the individual line item amounts presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Note 5.

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Net fair value of financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset, elected to be offset against a right to receive collateral.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable for incentive compensation awarded to employees and directors or earned by them based on the terms of one or more relevant arrangements. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable, pertaining to costs that are statutory in nature, are incurred on contractual obligations, or accumulate over time and for which invoices have not yet been received or will not be rendered. Examples include taxes, interest, rent and utilities. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations and payables pertaining to claims incurred of a workers compensation nature. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

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