Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 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):

	September 30, 2021								December 31, 2020
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents	$	19,256	$	19,256	$	—	$	—	$	11,269	$	11,269	$	—	$	—
Restricted cash - current	254		254		—		—		255		255		—		—
Restricted cash - non-current	215		215		—		—		218		218		—		—
Short-term investments:
Corporate debt	130		—		130		—		330		—		330		—
Asset-backed securities	34		—		34		—		51		—		51		—
U.S. government and agency notes	2		—		2		—		33		—		33		—
Long-term investments:
Equity securities	420		420		—		—		241		205		—		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:

	September 30, 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	$	33,789	$	35,324	$	—	$	29,779	$	5,545	$	26,747	$	27,441	$	—	$	21,985	$	5,456