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Fair Value Instruments - Carrying and Estimated Fair Value of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 3,693	$ 3,410
5.125% Notes due 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 0	301
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	5.125%
French Credit Agreements due 2018 - 2.54%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 1	14
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.54%
Fixed-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2018 - 7.03%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	7.03%
2.75% Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 300	301
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.75%
2.75% Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2019 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.75%
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2019 - 6.315%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 66	106
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	6.315%
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2019 - 6.315% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	6.315%
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2019 - 4.84%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 19	28
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	4.84%
2.65% Notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 491	492
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.65%
2.65% Notes due 2020 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.65%
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2020 - 5.223%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 237	284
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	5.223%
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2020 - 5.223% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	5.223%
Term Loan Agreement Due 2021 - 7.94%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 0	20
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	7.94%
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2022 - 2.75%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 300	0
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.75%
Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24% | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 294	324
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	6.24%
Term Loan Agreement Due 2026 - 2.67%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 215	215
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.67%
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2026 - 3.00%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 300	300
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	3.00%
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2027 - 3.45%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 300	0
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	3.45%
7.375% Debentures due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 127	130
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	7.375%
Level 2 | 2.75% Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2019 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	$ 302
Level 2 | 2.65% Notes due 2020 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	494
Level 2 | Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2022 - 2.75% | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	300
Level 2 | Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24% | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	318
Level 2 | Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2026 - 3.00% | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	293
Level 2 | Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2027 - 3.45% | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	299
Level 2 | 7.375% Debentures due 2027 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	154
Level 3 | French Credit Agreements due 2018 - 2.54% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	1
Level 3 | Fixed-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2018 - 7.03% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	3
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement payable through 2019 - 6.315% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	66
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement payable through 2019 - 4.84% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	20
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement payable through 2020 - 5.223% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	240
Level 3 | 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2020 | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	154
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement Due 2026 - 2.67% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	215
AirTran Airways | Fixed-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2018 - 7.03%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	3	8
AirTran Airways | 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 155	$ 206

X

- Definition

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all debt, including all short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and capital lease obligations.

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Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

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