Statements of Consolidated Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 24,634	$ 15,355	$ 43,259
Operating expense:
Salaries and related costs	9,566	9,522	12,071
Aircraft fuel	5,755	3,153	8,953
Depreciation and amortization	2,485	2,488	2,288
Landing fees and other rent	2,416	2,127	2,543
Regional capacity purchase	2,147	2,039	2,849
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs	1,316	858	1,794
Distribution expenses	677	459	1,651
Aircraft rent	228	198	288
Special charges (credits)	(3,367)	(2,616)	246
Other operating expenses	4,433	3,486	6,275
Total operating expense	25,656	21,714	38,958
Operating income (loss)	(1,022)	(6,359)	4,301
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense	(1,657)	(1,063)	(731)
Interest capitalized	80	71	85
Interest income	36	50	133
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net	(34)	(194)	153
Miscellaneous, net	40	(1,327)	(27)
Total nonoperating expense, net	(1,535)	(2,463)	(387)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(2,557)	(8,822)	3,914
Income tax expense (benefit)	(593)	(1,753)	905
Net income (loss)	$ (1,964)	$ (7,069)	$ 3,009
Earnings (loss) per share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ (6.10)	$ (25.30)	$ 11.63
Earnings (loss) per share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (6.10)	$ (25.30)	$ 11.58
Passenger revenue
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 20,197	$ 11,805	$ 39,625
Cargo
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	2,349	1,648	1,179
Other operating revenue
Operating revenue:
Total operating revenue	$ 2,088	$ 1,902	$ 2,455