Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The table below presents disclosures about the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in UAL's financial statements (in millions):

	March 31, 2021								December 31, 2020
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents	$	12,666	$	12,666	$	—	$	—	$	11,269	$	11,269	$	—	$	—
Restricted cash - current	254		254		—		—		255		255		—		—
Restricted cash - non-current	218		218		—		—		218		218		—		—
Short-term investments:
Corporate debt	252		—		252		—		330		—		330		—
Asset-backed securities	35		—		35		—		51		—		51		—
U.S. government and agency notes	22		—		22		—		33		—		33		—
Long-term investments:
Equity securities	182		182		—		—		205		205		—		—
Other assets	116		—		81		35		36		—		—		36

Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above (in millions). Carrying amounts include any related discounts, premiums and issuance costs:

	March 31, 2021										December 31, 2020
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value								Carrying Amount		Fair Value
			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3				Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Long-term debt	$	27,632	$	28,939	$	—	$	22,644	$	6,295	$	26,747	$	27,441	$	—	$	21,985	$	5,456