XML 72 R47.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1
Investments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Purchase of equity investments $ 1,245,000,000 $ 0 $ 500,000,000
Grupo Aeromexico      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Purchase of equity investments 622,000,000    
Acquisition of equity investment from executed derivative contracts $ 173,000,000    
Equity method investment, ownership percentage 49.00%    
Virgin Atlantic      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Equity method investment, ownership percentage 49.00%    
GOL      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Equity interests, ownership percentage 9.00%    
Available-for-sale equity securities, accumulated gross unrealized gain $ 56,000,000    
GOL | Term loan facility      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Guarantee borrowings on third party debt $ 300,000,000    
Guarantee borrowings on third party debt, term 5 years    
China Eastern      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Equity interests, ownership percentage 3.00%    
Available-for-sale equity securities, accumulated gross unrealized gain $ 106,000,000    
Air France-KLM      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Restriction period on sale or transfer of shares (in years) 5 years    
Air France-KLM | Joint Venture      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Equity interests, ownership percentage 10.00%    
Purchase of cost method investment $ 450,000,000    
Republic Airways      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]      
Equity interests, ownership percentage 17.00%