Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 465	$ 465	$ 539
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,657	1,522	1,351
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	0	35
Unrealized mark-to-market adjustment on available for sale securities	0	(4)	4
Unrealized/realized gain on fuel derivative instruments	0	0	(2)
Deferred income taxes	132	159	228
Gain on sale-leaseback transactions	(92)	0	0
Loss on extinguishment of debt	2	0	193
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables	19	(89)	422
Other assets	(8)	60	(66)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(1,363)	1,386	936
Air traffic liability	(37)	29	525
Other liabilities	(197)	(137)	(334)
Cash collateral provided to derivative counterparties	(28)	(56)	(69)
Other, net	(88)	(171)	28
Net cash provided by operating activities	462	3,164	3,790
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(2,054)	(3,520)	(3,924)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	871	0	0
Assets constructed for others	(26)	(33)	(22)
Purchases of short-term investments	(5,014)	(6,970)	(5,592)
Proceeds from sales of short-term and other investments	5,995	7,591	5,792
Other, net	(33)	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(261)	(2,932)	(3,746)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payroll Support Program stock warrants repurchase	(6)	0	0
Proceeds from Employee stock plans	60	48	45
Repurchase of common stock	(250)	0	0
Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations	(1,337)	(85)	(2,437)
Payments of cash dividends	(430)	(428)	0
Proceeds of terminated interest rate derivative instruments	0	23	0
Payments for repurchases and conversions of convertible debt	0	0	(648)
Other, net	(17)	6	8
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,980)	(436)	(3,032)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(1,779)	(204)	(2,988)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	9,288	9,492	12,480
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	7,509	9,288	9,492
CASH PAYMENTS FOR:
Interest, net of amount capitalized	220	228	305
Income taxes	9	18	20
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS:
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2020-06, Debt	0	0	245
Right-of-use assets acquired or modified under operating leases	377	82	58
Flight and ground equipment acquired or modified under finance leases	$ 15	$ 0	$ 0