Restructuring and Other Items - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) aircraft	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other	$ 35	$ 716	$ 402
Fleet and other
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other	35	758	402
Severance and related costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other	0	71	0
Additional costs and expenses	$ 51	71	$ 0
Favorable settlement of outstanding litigation
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other		67
Insurance settlement
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and other		$ 46
B-747-400
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Number of aircraft designated for retirement | aircraft		16
Fleet retirement, time horizon		3 years
Number of aircraft retired | aircraft		3