SPECIAL ITEMS SPECIAL ITEMS - MERGER-RELATED COSTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Merger-related Costs [Line Items]
Contracted services	$ 289	$ 306	$ 314
Special items—merger-related costs	44	87	116
Virgin America Inc. [Member]
Merger-related Costs [Line Items]
Contracted services	18	45	52
Severance Costs	15	13	41
Legal Fees	1	1	3
Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs	10	28	20
Special items—merger-related costs	$ 44	$ 87	$ 116

[Line Items] for Merger-related Costs [Table]

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Other merger-related costs

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 23
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The amount of expense provided in the period for legal costs incurred on or before the balance sheet date pertaining to resolved, pending or threatened litigation, including arbitration and mediation proceedings.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3)
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Professional and contract service expense includes cost reimbursements for support services related to contracted projects, outsourced management, technical and staff support.

+ References

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Amount of expenses for special or contractual termination benefits provided to current employees involuntarily terminated under a benefit arrangement associated exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to one-time termination benefits, a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

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-SubTopic 10
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