Investments (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Purchase of equity investment in tender offer	$ 622,000,000	$ 0
Grupo Aeromexico
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Purchase of equity investment in tender offer	$ 622,000,000
Ownership percentage	36.00%
Potential change in ownership percentage based on settlement of derivative	13.00%
Potential change ownership percentage	49.00%
GOL
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Ownership percentage	9.00%
GOL | Term loan facility
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Guarantee borrowings on third party debt	$ 300,000,000
Guarantee borrowings on third party debt, term	5 years
China Eastern
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Ownership percentage in cost method investment	3.00%
Restriction of sale or transfer of shares period	3 years