Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred income tax asset (liability):
Federal and state net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards	$ 2,897	$ 3,491
Deferred revenue	2,160	2,287
Employee benefits, including pension, postretirement and medical	1,662	1,943
Alternative minimum tax ("AMT") credit carryforwards	232	214
Other	566	657
Less: Valuation allowance	(48)	(4,751)
Total deferred tax assets	7,469	3,841
Depreciation, capitalized interest and other	(3,921)	(3,212)
Intangibles	(1,511)	(1,545)
Other		(84)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(5,432)	(4,841)
Net deferred tax asset	2,037
Net deferred tax (liability)		(1,000)
United Airlines, Inc.
Deferred income tax asset (liability):
Federal and state net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards	2,855	3,423
Deferred revenue	2,160	2,287
Employee benefits, including pension, postretirement and medical	1,662	1,943
Alternative minimum tax ("AMT") credit carryforwards	232	214
Other	566	659
Less: Valuation allowance	(48)	(4,721)
Total deferred tax assets	7,427	3,805
Depreciation, capitalized interest and other	(3,921)	(3,212)
Intangibles	(1,511)	(1,545)
Other		(48)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(5,432)	(4,805)
Net deferred tax asset	$ 1,995
Net deferred tax (liability)		$ (1,000)