Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Tax Provision (Benefit) Differed from Amounts Computed at the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate and Significant Components

The income tax provision (benefit) differed from amounts computed at the statutory federal income tax rate and consisted of the following significant components (in millions):

UAL and United	2021		2020		2019
Income tax provision (benefit) at statutory rate	$	(537)	$	(1,852)	$	822
State income tax provision (benefit), net of federal income tax benefit	(34)		(110)		50
Foreign tax rate differential	—		—		(90)
Global intangible low-taxed income	—		—		90
Nondeductible employee meals	7		5		12
Valuation allowance	(38)		197		(4)
Other, net	9		7		25
	$	(593)	$	(1,753)	$	905
Current	$	(10)	$	(12)	$	23
Deferred	(583)		(1,741)		882
	$	(593)	$	(1,753)	$	905

Temporary Differences and Carryforwards Giving Rise to Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

Temporary differences and carryforwards that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in millions):

	UAL				United
	2021		2020		2021		2020
Deferred income tax asset (liability):
Federal and state net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards	$	2,229	$	2,476	$	2,201	$	2,448
Deferred revenue	2,349		1,409		2,349		1,409
Employee benefits, including pension, postretirement and medical	986		1,103		986		1,103
Operating lease liabilities	1,272		1,247		1,272		1,247
Other financing liabilities	327		260		327		260
Other	535		362		535		362
Less: Valuation allowance	(210)		(247)		(210)		(247)
Total deferred tax assets	$	7,488	$	6,610	$	7,460	$	6,582
Depreciation	$	(5,122)	$	(4,789)	$	(5,122)	$	(4,789)
Operating lease right-of-use asset	(1,051)		(1,028)		(1,051)		(1,028)
Intangibles	(656)		(662)		(656)		(662)
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	(6,829)	$	(6,479)	$	(6,829)	$	(6,479)
Net deferred tax asset	$	659	$	131	$	631	$	103