EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Net periodic benefit costs for qualified defined-benefit plans include the following (in millions):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Service cost	$	13	$	11	$	39	$	37
Pension expense included in Wages and benefits	13		11		39		37
Interest cost	14		19		42		57
Expected return on assets	(30)		(28)		(91)		(83)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(1)		(1)		(1)		(1)
Recognized actuarial loss	9		9		27		26
Pension expense included in Nonoperating Income (Expense)	$	(8)	$	(1)	$	(23)	$	(1)

Alaska made a $100 million voluntary contribution to the defined benefit plan for its pilots during the three months ended September 30, 2021.