SPECIAL ITEMS SPECIAL ITEMS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Special items—merger-related costs and other	$ 117	$ 32	$ (30)
Nondeductible expenses	20	4	4
Special tax expense (benefit)	17	(26)
Special Item, net of tax			20
Gain related to litigation settlement			10
Pension Plan [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Settlement expense (special item)	0	$ 14	$ 0
Virgin America Inc. [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Special items—merger-related costs and other	117
Nondeductible expenses	$ 39