Amount of deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to income (loss) from continuing operations.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Deferred Tax Expense (or Benefit)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63044130

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65882285&loc=d3e32639-109319

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08(h))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 740
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 6.I.7)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34349781&loc=d3e330036-122817

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
United Airlines, Inc.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Additional gain related to investments and other		$ 1
Fuel \| Designated as Hedging Instrument
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Deferred income tax expense	$ 180
Fuel \| Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Pension and Other Postretirement Deferred Taxes
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Deferred income tax expense	$ 180