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Commitments and contingencies - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions |  |  | 3 Months Ended | 40 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 28, 2021 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($) aircraft
Other Commitments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Decrease in operating lease liability |  | $ 343 |  |  |
Remainder of 2021 |  |  |  |  | $ (8)
2022 |  |  |  |  | (16)
2023 |  |  |  |  | (16)
2024 |  |  |  |  | (16)
2025 |  |  |  |  | (16)
Beyond 2025 |  |  |  |  | $ (474)
Aircrafts to be purchased | aircraft |  |  |  |  | 660
Remainder of 2021 |  |  |  |  | $ 33
Payment Guarantee, Dallas Love Field Series 2010 Bonds |  |  |  |  |
Other Commitments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount of guarantee |  |  |  |  | 89
Net present value of future principal and interest payments |  |  |  |  | $ 100
-7 Firm Orders |  |  |  |  |
Other Commitments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Aircrafts to be purchased | aircraft |  |  |  |  | 242
-7 or -8 Options |  |  |  |  |
Other Commitments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Aircrafts to be purchased | aircraft |  |  |  |  | 260
Cash Capital Commitments, Boeing Orders |  |  |  |  |
Other Commitments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
2022 |  |  |  |  | $ 1,700
2023 |  |  |  |  | 1,200
2024 |  |  |  |  | 1,100
2025 |  |  |  |  | 837
2026 |  |  |  |  | 961
Thereafter |  |  |  |  | $ 7,000
Leaseholds and Leasehold Improvements |  |  |  |  |
Other Commitments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Construction payments |  | $ 343 |  |  |
Los Angeles World Airports |  |  |  |  |
Other Commitments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Payments for airport projects |  |  |  | $ 410 |
Decrease in operating lease liability |  |  | $ 365 |  |
Los Angeles World Airports | Leaseholds and Leasehold Improvements |  |  |  |  |
Other Commitments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Construction payments |  |  | $ 365 |  |
Love Field Airport Modernization Corporation | Series 2010 Bonds |  |  |  |  |
Other Commitments [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Debt redeemed | $ 310 |  |  |  |
Interest expense | $ 7 |  |  |  |

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