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SPECIAL ITEMS SPECIAL ITEMS | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2020
SPECIAL ITEMS [Abstract] |
Unusual or Infrequent Items Disclosure [Text Block] | SPECIAL ITEMS In 2020, the Company recognized $627 million in impairment charges and other special items, and $220 million in special restructuring costs. These special items are largely described in Note 2, but also include a n amount accrued for a judgment in a class action lawsuit issued subsequent to December 31, 2020 that was a recognized subsequent event. Also in 2020 the Company recognized special items of $6 million for merger-related costs associated with its acquisition of Virgin America. Costs classified as merger-related are directly attributable to merger activities. Additionally, the Company incurred $26 million in swap-break charges and pre-payment penalties related to the early payment of debt associated with the sale of ten owned Airbus aircraft. These charges are reflected as Special charges - net non-operating in the consolidated statements of operations. In 2019, the Company recognized $44 million in merger-related costs, primarily for expenses associated with a one-time true-up of Airbus flight attendant and pilot vacation balances, as well as certain technology integration costs. In 2018, the Company recognized $87 million in merger-related costs. The Company incurred a one-time settlement fee of $20 million for the termination of an existing maintenance services agreement and subsequently entered into a new services agreement that provides more flexibility for the timing and scope of engine work. Additionally, the Company incurred $25 million for one-time bonuses paid to employees as a result of tax reform. These charges were recognized as special charges and are included in the Special items - other line on our consolidated statements of operations. The Company has recognized $370 million in merger-related costs since the acquisition of Virgin America in December 2016. No additional merger-related costs will be incurred subsequent to 2020. Special items recorded as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are disclosed in Note 2. COVID-19 Pandemic. The following breaks down merger-related costs incurred in 2020, 2019 and 2018 (in millions):
| 2020 |  | 2019 |  | 2018
Consulting and professional services | $ | 5 |  |  | $ | 18 |  |  | $ | 45 |
Employee-related costs(a) | — |  |  | 15 |  |  | 13 |
Legal and accounting fees | 1 |  |  | 1 |  |  | 1 |
Other merger-related costs(b) | — |  |  | 10 |  |  | 28 |
Total Merger-related Costs | $ | 6 |  |  | $ | 44 |  |  | $ | 87 |
(a)Employee-related costs consist primarily of vacation balance true-ups, severance, retention bonuses, and training and skill development. (b)Other merger-related costs consist primarily of costs for marketing and advertising, IT, employee appreciation and company sponsored events, moving expenses, supplies, and other immaterial expenses.

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- Definition SPECIAL ITEMS [Abstract] + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The entire description for costs incurred to effect a business combination that have been expensed during the period. Such costs could include business integration costs, systems integration and conversion costs, and severance and other employee-related costs. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2303972 + Details
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