DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	ALASKA AIR GROUP, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000766421
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		123,123,710
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 7.4
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Entity Shell Company	false