Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Operating Revenue:
Operating revenue	$ 17,095	$ 47,007	$ 44,438
Operating Expense:
Salaries and related costs	8,754	11,225	10,743
Aircraft fuel and related taxes	3,176	8,519	9,020
Regional carriers expense, excluding fuel	2,479	3,584	3,438
Depreciation and amortization	2,312	2,581	2,329
Ancillary businesses and refinery	1,785	1,245	1,695
Contracted services	1,778	2,641	2,175
Landing fees and other rents	1,518	1,762	1,662
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs	822	1,751	1,575
Passenger commissions and other selling expenses	582	1,993	1,941
Passenger service	523	1,251	1,178
Aircraft rent	399	423	394
Restructuring charges	8,219	0	0
Government grant recognition	(3,946)	0	0
Profit sharing	0	1,643	1,301
Other	1,163	1,771	1,723
Total operating expense	29,564	40,389	39,174
Operating (Loss)/Income	(12,469)	6,618	5,264
Non-Operating Expense:
Interest expense, net	(929)	(301)	(311)
Impairments and equity method losses	(2,432)	(62)	(60)
Gain/(loss) on investments, net	(105)	119	38
Miscellaneous, net	348	(176)	220
Total non-operating expense, net	(3,118)	(420)	(113)
(Loss)/Income Before Income Taxes	(15,587)	6,198	5,151
Income Tax Benefit/(Provision)	3,202	(1,431)	(1,216)
Net (Loss)/Income	$ (12,385)	$ 4,767	$ 3,935
Basic (Loss) Earnings Per Share (usd per share)	$ (19.49)	$ 7.32	$ 5.69
Diluted (Loss) Earnings Per Share (usd per share)	(19.49)	7.30	5.67
Cash Dividends Declared Per Share (usd per share)	$ 0.40	$ 1.51	$ 1.31
Passenger
Operating Revenue:
Operating revenue	$ 12,883	$ 42,277	$ 39,755
Cargo
Operating Revenue:
Operating revenue	608	753	865
Other
Operating Revenue:
Operating revenue	$ 3,604	$ 3,977	$ 3,818