Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Jan. 01, 2019
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Voting rights threshold for consolidation 50.00%      
Stranded tax effects in AOCI elected not to reclassify       $ 1,200,000,000
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment $ 2,581,000,000 $ 2,329,000,000 $ 2,222,000,000  
Amortization of capitalized software 239,000,000 205,000,000 187,000,000  
Net book value of capitalized software 1,100,000,000 819,000,000    
Fuel card obligation 736,000,000 1,075,000,000    
Advertising expense $ 288,000,000 $ 267,000,000 $ 273,000,000  
Revenue from flights to and from China historically as a percent of revenue 2.00%      
Fuel Card Obligation        
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Purchasing card maximum limit $ 1,100,000,000      
Minimum        
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Spare parts, estimated residual value (percent) 5.00%      
Maximum        
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Spare parts, estimated residual value (percent) 10.00%      
Software and software development costs | Minimum        
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated useful life 3 years      
Software and software development costs | Maximum        
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated useful life 10 years