Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (1,964)	$ (7,069)	$ 3,009
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities -
Deferred income tax (benefit)	(583)	(1,741)	882
Depreciation and amortization	2,485	2,488	2,288
Operating and non-operating special charges, non-cash portion	32	1,448	175
Unrealized (gains) losses on investments	34	194	(153)
Other operating activities	393	320	185
Changes in operating assets and liabilities -
(Increase) decrease in receivables	(448)	135	44
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(292)	484	(252)
Increase in advance ticket sales	1,521	14	438
Increase in frequent flyer deferred revenue	307	699	271
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	985	(1,079)	324
Decrease in other liabilities	(403)	(26)	(302)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	2,067	(4,133)	6,909
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures, net of flight equipment purchase deposit returns	(2,107)	(1,727)	(4,528)
Purchases of short-term and other investments	(68)	(552)	(2,933)
Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments	397	2,319	2,996
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	107	6	49
Loans made to others	0	0	(174)
Other, net	(1)	4	30
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,672)	50	(4,560)
Financing Activities:
Repurchases of common stock	0	(353)	(1,645)
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of discounts and fees	11,096	15,676	1,786
Proceeds from equity issuance	532	2,103	0
Payments of long-term debt, finance leases and other financing liabilities	(5,205)	(4,449)	(1,391)
Other, net	(27)	(20)	(30)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	6,396	12,957	(1,280)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	6,791	8,874	1,069
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	11,742	2,868	1,799
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	18,533	11,742	2,868
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt, finance leases and other	814	1,968	515
Right-of-use assets acquired through operating leases	771	198	498
Equity interest in Avianca Group International Limited ("AVG") received in consideration for a loan	164	0	0
Lease modifications and lease conversions	123	527	(2)
Notes receivable and warrants received for entering into aircraft and other ancillary business agreements	131	0	0
Cash Paid (Refunded) During the Period for:
Interest	1,424	874	648
Income taxes	$ 0	$ (29)	$ 29