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Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Option
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Carrying value of computer software $ 281us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareGross $ 290us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareGross  
Number of call options to purchase regional jet aircraft 281ual_NumberOfCallOptionsToPurchaseRegionalJetAircraft    
Advertising expense 179us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense 178us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense 154us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense
Co-Brand Agreement      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Number of elements identified in agreement 5ual_NumberOfElementsIdentifiedInAgreement
/ ual_ContractTypeAxis
= ual_CoBrandAgreementMember
   
Frequent Flyer      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Estimated impact of change on consolidated revenue 95ual_ChangeInAccountingEstimateFinancialEffectRevenue
/ us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis
= ual_FrequentFlyerMember
   
Impact of change resulted in increase in consolidated revenue basic share $ 0.26us-gaap_ImpactOfRestatementOnEarningsPerShareBasic
/ us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis
= ual_FrequentFlyerMember
   
Impact of change resulted in increase in consolidated revenue diluted share $ 0.24us-gaap_ImpactOfRestatementOnEarningsPerShareDiluted
/ us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis
= ual_FrequentFlyerMember
   
Minimum      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Refundable tickets expiration period 1 year    
Residual value 10.00%us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentSalvageValuePercentage
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
   
Maximum      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Residual value 11.00%us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentSalvageValuePercentage
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
   
Computer software      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Depreciation expense related to computer software $ 81us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ComputerSoftwareIntangibleAssetMember
$ 72us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ComputerSoftwareIntangibleAssetMember
$ 81us-gaap_Depreciation
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ComputerSoftwareIntangibleAssetMember
Aircraft and related rotable parts | Minimum      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Residual value 10.00%us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentSalvageValuePercentage
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= ual_AircraftAndRelatedRotablePartsMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
   
Aircraft and related rotable parts | Maximum      
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Residual value 11.00%us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentSalvageValuePercentage
/ us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis
= ual_AircraftAndRelatedRotablePartsMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember