Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 4,767	$ 3,935	$ 3,205
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	2,581	2,329	2,222
Deferred income taxes	1,473	1,364	2,242
Pension, postretirement and postemployment payments greater than expense	(922)	(790)	(3,302)
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(775)	108	(428)
Fuel inventory	(139)	324	(397)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	94	(440)	(57)
Profit sharing	354	233	(51)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	144	(418)	955
Other, net	307	(247)	(49)
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,425	7,014	5,023
Property and equipment additions:
Flight equipment, including advance payments	(3,344)	(3,704)	(2,704)
Ground property and equipment, including technology	(1,592)	(1,464)	(1,187)
Purchase of equity investments	(170)	0	(1,245)
Sale of equity investments	279	28	0
Purchase of short-term investments	0	(145)	(925)
Redemption of short-term investments	206	766	584
Other, net	58	126	211
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,563)	(4,393)	(5,266)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Payments on debt and finance lease obligations	(3,320)	(3,052)	(1,258)
Repurchase of common stock	(2,027)	(1,575)	(1,677)
Cash dividends	(980)	(909)	(731)
Fuel card obligation	(339)
Fuel card obligation		7	636
Proceeds from short-term obligations	1,750	0	0
Proceeds from long-term obligations	2,057	3,745	2,454
Other, net	(21)	58	(154)
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,880)	(1,726)	(730)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	982	895	(973)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	2,748	1,853	2,826
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	3,730	2,748	1,853
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Paid for Interest	481	376	390
Non-Cash Transactions:
Treasury stock contributed to our qualified defined benefit pension plans	0	0	350
Right-of-use assets acquired under operating leases	464	1,041	0
Flight and ground equipment acquired under finance leases	650	93	261
Operating leases converted to finance leases	190	7	0
Noncurrent assets:
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	3,730	1,853	1,853
Air traffic
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Liabilities and deferred revenue	454	297	284
Loyalty program
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Liabilities and deferred revenue	$ 87	$ 319	$ 399