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CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND MARKETABLE SECURITIES (DETAILS) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]        
Cash $ 5us-gaap_Cash   $ 4us-gaap_Cash  
Money market funds and other securities 46us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsAtCarryingValue   103us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsAtCarryingValue  
Cash and cash equivalents 51us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue 90us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue 107us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue 80us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Available-for-sale Securities, Current [Abstract]        
Marketable securities, Cost Basis 1,254us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost   1,110us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost  
Marketable securities, Unrealized Gains   8us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax 3us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax  
Marketable securities, Unrealized Losses   (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax (3)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax  
Marketable securities, Fair Value 1,261us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCurrent   1,110us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCurrent  
Cash and marketables securities, Cost Basis 1,305alk_TotalCashAndMarketableSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis   1,217alk_TotalCashAndMarketableSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis  
Cash and marketable securities, Unrealized Gains   8alk_CashandAvailableforSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax 3alk_CashandAvailableforSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax  
Cash and marketable securities, Unrealized Losses   (1)alk_CashandAvailableforSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax (3)alk_CashandAvailableforSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax  
Total cash and marketable securities 1,312us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments   1,217us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments  
Available-for-sale Securities, Activity [Abstract]        
Proceeds from sales and maturities 259us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds 227us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainsLossesSaleProceeds    
Gross realized gains 1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains 1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains    
Gross realized losses (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses    
U.S. government and agency securities [Member]        
Available-for-sale Securities, Current [Abstract]        
Marketable securities, Cost Basis 200us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
  166us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
 
Marketable securities, Unrealized Gains   1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
 
Marketable securities, Unrealized Losses   0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
 
Marketable securities, Fair Value 201us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
  166us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
 
Foreign government bonds [Member]        
Available-for-sale Securities, Current [Abstract]        
Marketable securities, Cost Basis 31us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
  25us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Marketable securities, Unrealized Gains   0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Marketable securities, Unrealized Losses   0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Marketable securities, Fair Value 31us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
  25us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Asset-backed securities [Member]        
Available-for-sale Securities, Current [Abstract]        
Marketable securities, Cost Basis 151us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember
  130us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember
 
Marketable securities, Unrealized Gains   0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember
 
Marketable securities, Unrealized Losses   0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember
 
Marketable securities, Fair Value 151us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember
  130us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember
 
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]        
Available-for-sale Securities, Current [Abstract]        
Marketable securities, Cost Basis 127us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
  127us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
 
Marketable securities, Unrealized Gains   1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
 
Marketable securities, Unrealized Losses   (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
(1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
 
Marketable securities, Fair Value 127us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
  126us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
 
Corporate notes and bonds [Member]        
Available-for-sale Securities, Current [Abstract]        
Marketable securities, Cost Basis 721us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
  644us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Marketable securities, Unrealized Gains   6us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
3us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Marketable securities, Unrealized Losses   0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
(2)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Marketable securities, Fair Value 727us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
  645us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
 
Municipal securities [Member]        
Available-for-sale Securities, Current [Abstract]        
Marketable securities, Cost Basis 24us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
  18us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
 
Marketable securities, Unrealized Gains   0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
 
Marketable securities, Unrealized Losses   0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
 
Marketable securities, Fair Value $ 24us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
  $ 18us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesCurrent
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember