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GENERAL AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES GENERAL AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
--- | --- | --- | ---
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |
Deferred revenue | $ 699 | $ 640 |
Decrease in air traffic liability | 937 | 849 |
Overall impact to equity | 4,454 | 3,568 |
Liabilities From Mileage Plan [Member] |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |
Deferred revenue | $ 699 | 638 |
Minimum [Member] | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member]]] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |
Decrease in air traffic liability |  | (70) |
Overall impact to equity |  |  | $ 165
Minimum [Member] | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member]]] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] | Liabilities From Mileage Plan [Member] |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |
Deferred revenue |  | 345 |
Maximum [Member] | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member]]] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |
Decrease in air traffic liability |  | (80) |
Overall impact to equity |  |  | $ 175
Maximum [Member] | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member]]] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member] | Liabilities From Mileage Plan [Member] |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |
Deferred revenue |  | $ 365 |

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