Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ 539	$ 977	$ (3,074)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,351	1,272	1,255
Impairment of long-lived assets	35	12	32
Unrealized mark-to-market adjustment on available for sale securities	4	0	0
Unrealized/realized (gain) loss on fuel derivative instruments	(2)	(15)	15
Deferred income taxes	228	(21)	(716)
Gain on sale-leaseback transactions	0	0	(222)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	193	28	0
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables	422	(701)	(294)
Other assets	(66)	75	415
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	936	38	231
Air traffic liability	525	591	1,623
Other liabilities	(334)	(103)	(306)
Cash collateral received from (provided to) derivative counterparties	(69)	141	9
Other, net	28	28	(95)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	3,790	2,322	(1,127)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(3,924)	(505)	(515)
Supplier proceeds	0	0	428
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	0	0	815
Assets constructed for others	(22)	(6)	0
Purchases of short-term investments	(5,592)	(5,824)	(5,080)
Proceeds from sales of short-term and other investments	5,792	5,071	4,336
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,746)	(1,264)	(16)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of common stock	0	0	2,294
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	0	5,622
Proceeds from term loan credit facility	0	0	3,683
Proceeds from revolving credit facility	0	0	1,000
Proceeds from convertible notes	0	0	2,300
Proceeds from Payroll Support Program loan and warrants	0	1,136	1,016
Proceeds from Employee stock plans	45	51	48
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	(451)
Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations	(2,437)	(612)	(839)
Payments of term loan credit facility	0	0	(3,683)
Payments of revolving credit facility	0	0	(1,000)
Payments of cash dividends	0	0	(188)
Payments of terminated interest rate derivative instruments	0	0	(59)
Payments for repurchases and conversions of convertible debt	(648)	(293)	0
Capitalized financing items	0	0	(134)
Other, net	8	77	49
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(3,032)	359	9,658
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(2,988)	1,417	8,515
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	12,480	11,063	2,548
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	9,492	12,480	11,063
CASH PAYMENTS FOR:
Interest, net of amount capitalized	305	336	212
Income taxes	20	445	19
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH TRANSACTIONS:
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2020-06, Debt (See Note 3)	245	0	0
Right-of-use assets acquired under operating leases	58	327	915
Flight equipment acquired against supplier credit memo	0	569	0
Assets constructed for others	0	309	145
Remeasurement of right-of-use asset and lease liability	$ 0	$ 343	$ 0