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Change in Accounting Estimate (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption	$ 0	$ 0	$ 172
Rapid Rewards Frequent Flier Liability	$ 1,600	1,400
Estimated Impact	1.00%
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption	$ 638	610
Rapid Rewards Frequent Flier Liability	59
Minimum | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Increase (Decrease) in Frequent Flyer Liability	1,000
Maximum | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Increase (Decrease) in Frequent Flyer Liability	1,200
Reclassification from Other to Passenger Revenue
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption	135	153
Reclassification from Salaries, wages, and benefits to Other (gains) and losses
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption	14	12
Reclassification from Other operating expenses to be offset against Passenger revenues | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption	40	$ 40
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption	$ 20

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- Definition

New Accounting Pronouncement, Estimated Impact, Percent

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- Definition

Value of revenue deferred or cost to provide future products or services, primarily air transportation, associated with programs used by airlines to encourage passenger loyalty by providing rewards geared to the frequency of travel on the sponsoring airline, typically in the form of frequent flyer miles, points, or segments that can be accumulated and converted into free or discounted travel or other redemption options. Used to reflect the current portion of the liability (within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

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