CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating Revenues
Total Operating Revenues	$ 6,176	$ 3,566	$ 8,781
Operating Expenses
Wages and benefits	2,218	2,053	2,370
Payroll Support Program Grant Recognized	(914)	(782)	0
Variable incentive pay	151	130	163
Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses	1,279	723	1,878
Aircraft maintenance	364	321	437
Aircraft rent	254	299	331
Landing fees and other rentals	555	417	531
Contracted services	235	181	289
Selling expense	173	101	313
Depreciation and amortization	394	420	423
Cost of Services, Catering	139	90	214
Third-party regional carrier expense	147	128	166
Other operating expenses	507	407	559
Special Items - Impairment charges and other	(1)	627	0
Restructuring Charges	(10)	220	0
Special items - merger-related costs	0	6	44
Total Operating Expenses	5,491	5,341	7,718
Operating Income (Loss)	685	(1,775)	1,063
Non-operating Income (Expense)
Interest income	25	31	42
Interest expense	(128)	(98)	(78)
Interest capitalized	11	11	15
Special Items - Net non-operating	0	(26)	0
Other - net	36	17	(26)
Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total	(56)	(65)	(47)
Income before income tax	629	(1,840)	1,016
Income Tax Expense, Before Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017	151	(516)	247
Income tax (benefit) expense	151	(516)	247
Net Income (Loss)	$ 478	$ (1,324)	$ 769
Basic earnings per share	$ 3.82	$ (10.72)	$ 6.24
Diluted earnings per share	$ 3.77	$ (10.72)	$ 6.19
Shares used for computation:
Basic	125,063	123,450	123,279
Diluted	126,775	123,450	124,289
Mileage Plan Services, Other [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 461	$ 374	$ 465
Cargo and Freight [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	216	173	221
Passenger Revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	5,499	3,019	8,095
Passenger Revenue [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	5,499	3,019	8,095
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,100	720	1,169
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	639	346	704
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member] | Mileage Plan Services, Other [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	461	374	465
Cargo and Other Revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	216	173	221
Cargo and Other Revenue [Member] | Cargo and Freight [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 216	$ 173	$ 221