Lease Obligations - Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2017	$ 1,572
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2018	1,443
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2019	1,304
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2020	1,133
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2021	862
Operating leases, future minimum payments due thereafter	6,781
Total minimum lease payments	13,095
Delta Lease Payments
Operating Leased Assets
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2017	1,302
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2018	1,194
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2019	1,084
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2020	962
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2021	766
Operating leases, future minimum payments due thereafter	6,533
Total minimum lease payments	11,841
Contract Carrier Aircraft Lease Payments
Operating Leased Assets
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2017	270
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2018	249
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2019	220
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2020	171
Operating leases, future minimum payments due in 2021	96
Operating leases, future minimum payments due thereafter	248
Total minimum lease payments	$ 1,254