CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Income	$ 814	$ 848	$ 605
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	363	320	294
Stock-based compensation and other	26	25	6
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Changes in deferred tax provision	94	56	114
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable	(46)	47	(110)
Increase (decrease) in air traffic liability	9	38	67
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue	83	57	40
Changes in pension and other postretirement benefits	23	36	(18)
Other—net	20	157	32
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,386	1,584	1,030
Property and equipment additions:
Aircraft and aircraft purchase deposits	(528)	(681)	(498)
Other flight equipment	(53)	(79)	(131)
Other property and equipment	(97)	(71)	(65)
Total property and equipment additions	(678)	(831)	(694)
Acquisition of Virgin America, net of cash acquired	(1,951)	0	0
Purchases of marketable securities	(960)	(1,327)	(949)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities	962	1,175	1,092
Proceeds from disposition of assets and changes in restricted deposits	5	53	10
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,622)	(930)	(541)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	2,044	0	51
Long-term debt payments	(249)	(116)	(119)
Common stock repurchases	(193)	(505)	(348)
Cash dividend paid	(136)	(102)	(68)
Other financing activities	25	35	22
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,491	(688)	(462)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	255	(34)	27
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	73	107	80
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	328	73	107
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest, net of amount capitalized	24	8	28
Income taxes, net of refunds received	$ 459	$ 349	$ 326