Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 4,373	$ 4,526	$ 659
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,902	1,835	1,771
Hedge derivative contracts	(342)	(1,366)	2,186
Deferred income taxes	2,223	2,581	414
Pension, postretirement and postemployment payments greater than expense	(717)	(1,013)	(723)
Restructuring and other	0	35	758
Extinguishment of debt	0	22	268
Equity investment (earnings) loss	(160)	(35)	106
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(147)	(56)	(302)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	(11)	7	62
Fuel inventory	(140)	155	172
Hedge margin	81	806	(922)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(26)	(102)	58
Air traffic liability	123	207	174
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	45	(301)	(238)
Profit sharing	(383)	734	264
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	285	(201)	(36)
Other, net	99	93	276
Net cash provided by operating activities	7,205	7,927	4,947
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Flight equipment, including advance payments	(2,617)	(2,223)	(1,662)
Ground property and equipment, including technology	(774)	(722)	(587)
Purchase of equity investments	0	(500)	0
Purchase of short-term investments	(1,707)	(998)	(1,795)
Redemption of short-term investments	2,686	739	1,533
Acquisition of London-Heathrow slots	0	(276)	0
Proceeds for sales of E190 aircraft	226	0	0
Other, net	31	25	48
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,155)	(3,955)	(2,463)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(1,709)	(2,558)	(2,928)
Repurchase of common stock	(2,601)	(2,200)	(1,100)
Cash dividends	(509)	(359)	(251)
Fuel card obligation	211	(340)	(41)
Payments on hedge derivative contracts	(451)	(71)	0
Proceeds from hedge derivative contracts	291	429	0
Proceeds from long-term obligations	450	1,038	1,020
Other, net	58	(27)	60
Net cash used in financing activities	(4,260)	(4,088)	(3,240)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	790	(116)	(756)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,972	2,088	2,844
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,762	1,972	2,088
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Paid for Interest	385	452	560
Non-Cash Transactions:
Treasury stock contributed to our qualified defined benefit pension plans	350	0	0
Flight equipment under capital leases	$ 86	$ 111	$ 28