Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income/(loss)	$ 280	$ (12,385)	$ 4,767
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Restructuring charges	5	4,111	0
Depreciation and amortization	1,998	2,312	2,581
Deferred income taxes	115	(3,110)	1,473
Pension, postretirement and postemployment payments less/(greater) than expense	(2,038)	898	(922)
Impairments and equity method losses	337	2,432	62
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Receivables	(981)	1,168	(775)
Fuel inventory	(318)	354	(139)
Noncurrent assets	(76)	210	111
Profit sharing	108	(1,650)	354
Other payables, deferred revenue and accrued liabilities	1,986	240	144
Noncurrent liabilities	(399)	1,185	(16)
Other, net	57	559	244
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities	3,264	(3,793)	8,425
Property and equipment additions:
Flight equipment, including advance payments	(1,596)	(896)	(3,344)
Ground property and equipment, including technology	(1,651)	(1,003)	(1,592)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	0	465	0
Purchase of equity investments	0	(2,099)	(170)
Sale of equity investments	0	0	279
Purchase of short-term investments	(12,655)	(13,400)	0
Redemption of short-term investments	15,036	7,608	206
Other, net	(32)	87	58
Net cash used in investing activities	(898)	(9,238)	(4,563)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from short-term obligations	0	3,261	1,750
Proceeds from long-term obligations	1,902	22,790	2,057
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	0	2,306	0
Payments on debt and finance lease obligations	(5,834)	(8,559)	(3,320)
Repurchase of common stock	0	(344)	(2,027)
Cash dividends	0	(260)	(980)
Fuel card obligation	0	364
Fuel card obligation			(339)
Other, net	80	(202)	(21)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities	(3,852)	19,356	(2,880)
Net (Decrease)/Increase in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	(1,486)	6,325	982
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	10,055	3,730	2,748
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	8,569	10,055	3,730
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Paid for Interest	1,506	761	481
Non-Cash Transactions:
Right-of-use assets acquired under operating leases	2,113	1,077	464
Flight and ground equipment acquired under finance leases	1,049	381	650
Other financings	0	280	0
Operating leases converted to finance leases	42	0	190
Air traffic
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Liabilities and deferred revenue	1,814	(572)	454
Loyalty program
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Liabilities and deferred revenue	$ 376	$ 455	$ 87