JetBlue Airways (JBLU) 10-K 21 Feb 19 2018 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	1,158,463
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		306,533,167
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 5.9

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 474	$ 303
Investment securities	413	390
Receivables, less allowance (2018-$1; 2017-$1)	211	245
Inventories, less allowance (2018-$18; 2017-$14)	78	55
Prepaid expenses and other	298	213
Total current assets	1,474	1,206
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Flight equipment	9,525	8,980
Predelivery deposits for flight equipment	293	204
Flight equipment, gross plus deposits	9,818	9,184
Less accumulated depreciation	2,448	2,125
Flight equipment net	7,370	7,059
Other property and equipment	1,074	1,041
Less accumulated depreciation	461	405
Property plant and equipment other net	613	636
Assets constructed for others	561	561
Less accumulated depreciation	229	207
Asset constructed for others net	332	354
Total property and equipment, net	8,315	8,049
OTHER ASSETS
Investment securities	3	2
Restricted cash	59	56
Other	575	468
Total other assets	637	526
TOTAL ASSETS	10,426	9,781
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	437	378
Air traffic liability	1,035	966
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	313	313
Other accrued liabilities	324	293
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases	309	196
Total current liabilities	2,418	2,146
LONG-TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS	1,361	1,003
CONSTRUCTION OBLIGATION	424	441
DEFERRED TAXES AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes	1,088	999
Frequent Flier Liability, Noncurrent	447	385
Other	77	75
Total deferred taxes and other liabilities	1,612	1,459
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 11 & 12)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 25 shares authorized, none issued	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 900 shares authorized, 422 and 418 shares issued and 306 and 321 shares outstanding at 2018 and 2017, respectively	4	4
Treasury stock, at cost; 116 and 97 shares at 2018 and 2017, respectively	(1,272)	(890)
Additional paid-in capital	2,203	2,127
Retained earnings	3,679	3,491
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(3)	0
Total stockholders’ equity	4,611	4,732
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$ 10,426	$ 9,781

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for receivables	$ 1
Allowance for inventories	$ 18
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	25,000,000	25,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	900,000,000	900,000,000
Common stock shares issued	422,000,000	418,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	307,000,000	321,000,000
Treasury stock, shares	116,102,701	97,000,000

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 7,658	$ 7,012	$ 6,584
OPERATING EXPENSES
Aircraft fuel and related taxes	1,899	1,363	1,074
Salaries, wages and benefits	2,044	1,887	1,698
Landing fees and other rents	420	397	357
Depreciation and amortization	491	446	393
Aircraft rent	103	100	110
Sales and marketing	294	271	263
Maintenance, materials and repairs	625	622	563
Other operating expenses	1,059	933	866
Special Items	435	0	0
Total operating expenses	7,370	6,019	5,324
OPERATING INCOME	288	993	1,260
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense	(92)	(95)	(111)
Capitalized interest	10	10	8
Interest income and other	13	6	7
Total other income (expense)	(69)	(79)	(96)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	219	914	1,164
Income tax expense (benefit)	31	(211)	437
NET INCOME	$ 188	$ 1,125	$ 727
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic	$ 0.60	$ 3.42	$ 2.23
Diluted	$ 0.60	$ 3.41	$ 2.13
Passenger [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 7,381	$ 6,761	$ 6,380
Product and Service, Other [Member]
Revenues [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 277	$ 251	$ 204

Consolidated Statement of Compr

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Net income	$ 188	$ 1,125	$ 727
Changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of reclassifications into earnings, net of tax benefit/(expense) of $2, $8, and $(8) in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively	(3)	(13)	16
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(3)	(13)	16
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$ 185	$ 1,112	$ 743

Consolidated Statement of Com_2

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parantheticals) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent, Parenthetical Disclosures [Abstract]
(net of $(40), $5, and $5 of taxes in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	$ (2)	$ (8)	$ 8

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 188	$ 1,125	$ 727
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes	90	(297)	251
Depreciation	423	383	337
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	319	0	0
Amortization	68	63	56
Stock-based compensation	28	29	23
Changes in certain operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in receivables	46	(52)	(21)
(Increase) decrease in inventories, prepaid and other	(174)	15	1
Increase in air traffic liability	131	101	119
Increase in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	96	53	156
Other, net	2	(24)	(17)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,217	1,396	1,632
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(908)	(1,074)	(850)
Predelivery deposits for flight equipment	(206)	(128)	(161)
Purchase of held-to-maturity investments	(429)	(207)	(276)
Proceeds from the maturities of held-to-maturity investments	505	244	333
Purchase of available-for-sale securities	(979)	(245)	(597)
Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities	875	444	517
Other, net	(14)	(13)	(12)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,156)	(979)	(1,046)
Proceeds from:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	48	48	45
Issuance of long-term debt	687	0	0
Repayment of:
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(222)	(194)	(368)
Acquisition of treasury stock	(382)	(390)	(134)
Other, net	(18)	(17)	(15)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	113	(553)	(472)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Excluding Exchange Rate Effect	174	(136)	114
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	474	303	433
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	533	359	495
Restricted cash	$ 59	$ 56	$ 62

Consolidated Statements of Shar

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Cumulative Effect of Change on Equity or Net Assets	$ (48)				$ (48)
Cumulative Effect on Retained Earnings, Net of Tax	$ 8				8
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	5.8
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ (3,210)	$ (4)	$ 366	$ (1,896)	(1,679)	$ 3
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2015		392	70
Net income	727	$ 0	$ 0	0	727	0
Other comprehensive income	16	0	0	0	0	16
Vesting of restricted stock units	(14)	$ 0	$ (14)	0	0	0
Vesting of restricted stock units, Shares		1	1
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	10	$ 0	$ 0	10	0	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period		1	0
Exercise of stock options	23			23	0	0
Stock compensation expense	35	$ 0	$ 0	35	0	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans		2	0
Stock issued under Crewmember stock purchase plan	(120)	$ 0	$ 120	0	0	0
Shares repurchased under 2012 share repurchase plan, shares		0	6
Convertible debt redemption	86	$ 0	$ 0	86	0	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities		18	0
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 3,933	$ 4	$ (500)	2,050	2,366	13
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2016		414	77
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	18.7
Net income	$ 1,125	$ 0	$ 0	0	1,125	0
Other comprehensive income	(13)	0	0	0	0	(13)
Vesting of restricted stock units	(10)	$ 0	$ (10)	0	0	0
Vesting of restricted stock units, Shares		1	1
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	4	$ 0	$ 0	4	0	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period		0	0
Exercise of stock options	29			29	0	0
Stock compensation expense	44	$ 0	$ 0	44	0	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans		3	0
Stock issued under Crewmember stock purchase plan	(380)	$ 0	$ 380	0	0	0
Shares repurchased under 2012 share repurchase plan, shares		0	19
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 4,732	$ 4	$ (890)	2,127	3,491	0
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2017		418	97
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	19.1
Net income	$ 188	$ 0	$ 0	0	188	0
Other comprehensive income	(3)	0	0	0	0	(3)
Vesting of restricted stock units	(7)	$ 0	$ (7)	0	0	0
Vesting of restricted stock units, Shares		1	0
Exercise of stock options	28			28	0	0
Stock compensation expense	$ 48	$ 0	$ 0	48	0	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	3.2	3	0
Stock issued under Crewmember stock purchase plan	$ (375)	$ 0	$ 375	0	0	0
Shares repurchased under 2012 share repurchase plan, shares		0	19
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 4,611	$ 4	$ (1,272)	$ 2,203	$ 3,679	$ (3)
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2018		422	116

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation JetBlue provides air transportation services across the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., or U.S. GAAP, and include the accounts of JetBlue and our subsidiaries. All majority-owned subsidiaries are consolidated with all intercompany transactions and balances being eliminated. Use of Estimates The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with U.S. GAAP require us to make certain estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Fair Value The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification ® , or Codification, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. This topic clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The topic also requires disclosure about how fair value is determined for assets and liabilities and establishes a hierarchy for which these assets and liabilities must be grouped, based on significant levels of inputs. Refer to Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. Cash and Cash Equivalents Our cash and cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments which are readily convertible into cash. These investments include money market securities and commercial paper with maturities of three months or less when purchased. Restricted Cash Restricted cash primarily consists of security deposits, funds held in escrow for estimated workers’ compensation obligations, and performance bonds for aircraft and facility leases. Accounts and Other Receivables Accounts and other receivables are carried at cost. They primarily consist of amounts due from credit card companies associated with sales of tickets for future travel. We estimate an allowance for doubtful accounts based on known troubled accounts, if any, and historical experience of losses incurred. Investment Securities Investment securities consist of available-for-sale investment securities and held-to-maturity investment securities. When sold, we use a specific identification method to determine the cost of the securities. Available-for-sale investment securities Our available-for-sale investment securities include highly liquid investments such as certificates of deposit and U.S. treasury bills with maturities between three and twelve months which are stated at fair value. Held-to-maturity investment securities Our held-to-maturity investments consist of investment-grade interest bearing instruments, primarily U.S. treasury notes and bills, which are stated at amortized cost. We do not intend to sell these investment securities and the contractual maturities are not greater than 24 months. Those with maturities less than twelve months are included in short-term investments on our consolidated balance sheets. Those with remaining maturities in excess of twelve months are included in long-term investments on our consolidated balance sheets. We did not record any material gains or losses on these securities during the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 or 2016 . The estimated fair value of these investments approximated their carrying value as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 . The carrying values of investment securities consisted of the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions): December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Available-for-sale securities Time deposits $ 190 $ 130 U.S. Treasury 39 — Debt securities 7 6 Total available-for-sale securities 236 136 Held-to-maturity securities U.S. Treasury 180 220 Corporate bonds — 36 Total held-to-maturity securities 180 256 Total investment securities $ 416 $ 392 Derivative Instruments Derivative instruments, including fuel hedge contracts, fuel basis swap agreements, and interest rate swap agreements are stated at fair value, net of any collateral postings. Derivative instruments are included in other current assets and other current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. Inventories Inventories consist of expendable aircraft spare parts and supplies that are stated at average cost, as well as aircraft fuel that is accounted for on a first-in, first-out basis. These items are expensed when used or consumed. An allowance for obsolescence on aircraft spare parts is provided over the remaining useful life of the related aircraft fleet. Property and Equipment We record our property and equipment at cost and depreciate these assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. We capitalize additions, modifications enhancing the operating performance of our assets and the interest related to predelivery deposits used to acquire new aircraft and the construction of our facilities. Estimated useful lives and residual values for our property and equipment are as follows: Property and Equipment Type Estimated Useful Life Residual Value Aircraft 25 years 20 % In-flight entertainment systems 5-10 years 0 % Aircraft parts Fleet life 10 % Flight equipment leasehold improvements Lower of lease term or economic life 0 % Ground property and equipment 2-10 years 0 % Leasehold improvements—other Lower of lease term or economic life 0 % Buildings on leased land Lease term 0 % Property under capital leases is initially recorded at an amount equal to the present value of future minimum lease payments which is computed on the basis of our incremental borrowing rate or, when known, the interest rate implicit in the lease. Amortization of property under capital leases is on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life and is included in depreciation and amortization expense. We record impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate the assets may be impaired and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by the assets are less than the assets’ net book value. If impairment occurs, the loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the asset to its carrying amount. Software We capitalize certain costs related to the acquisition and development of computer software. We amortize these costs using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, which is generally between five and ten years. The net book value of computer software, which is included in other assets on our consolidated balance sheets, was $96 million and $92 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Amortization expense related to computer software was $46 million , $41 million and $32 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively. As of December 31, 2018 , amortization expense related to computer software is expected to be approximately $36 million in 2019 , $18 million in 2020 , $14 million in 2021 , $11 million in 2022 , and $6 million in 2023 . Intangible Assets Our intangible assets consist primarily of acquired take-off and landing slots, or Slots, at certain domestic airports. Slots are the rights to take-off or land at a specific airport during a specific time period of the day and are a means by which airport capacity and congestion can be managed. We account for Slots at High Density Airports, including Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., LaGuardia Airport, and JFK Airport, both in New York City, as indefinite life intangible assets which results in no amortization expense. We evaluate our intangible assets for impairment at least annually or when events and circumstances indicate they may be impaired. Indicators include operating or cash flow losses as well as significant decreases in market value. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , our intangible assets for Slots at High Density Airports with indefinite lives was $139 million . Passenger Revenue Ticket sales and the fees collected for related ancillary services are initially deferred in air traffic liability. Air traffic liability represents tickets sold but not yet flown, credits which can be used for future travel, and a portion of the liability related to our TrueBlue ® loyalty program. We allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation identified in a passenger ticket on a relative standalone basis. Passenger revenue, including certain ancillary fees directly related to passenger tickets, is recognized when the transportation is provided. Taxes that we are required to collect from our Customers, including foreign and U.S. federal transportation taxes, security taxes, and airport facility charges, are excluded from passenger revenue. Those taxes and fees are recorded as a liability upon collection and are relieved from the liability upon remittance to the applicable governmental agency. The majority of the tickets sold are non-refundable. Non-refundable fares may be canceled prior to the scheduled departure date for a credit for future travel. Refundable fares may be canceled at any time prior to the scheduled departure date. Failure to cancel a refundable fare prior to departure will result in the cancellation of original ticket and an issuance of a credit for future travel. Passenger credits can be used for future travel up to a year from the date of issuance. Passenger breakage revenue from unused tickets and passenger credits will be recognized in proportion to flown revenue based on estimates of expected expiration of when the likelihood of the Customer exercising his or her remaining rights becomes remote. Breakage revenue consists of nonrefundable tickets that remain unused past the departure date, have continued validity, and are expected to ultimately expire unused, as well as passenger credits that are not expected to be redeemed prior to expiration. JetBlue used estimates based on historical experience of expired tickets and credits and considered other factors that could impact future expiration patterns of tickets and credits. Tickets which do not have continued validity past the departure date are recognized as revenue after the scheduled departure date has lapsed. Passenger ticket costs primarily include credit card fees, commissions paid, and global distribution systems booking fees. Costs are allocated entirely to the purchased travel services and are capitalized until recognized when travel services are provided to the Customer. Loyalty Program Customers may earn points under our customer loyalty program, TrueBlue ® , based on the fare paid and fare product purchased for a flight. Customers can also earn points through business partners such as credit card companies, hotels, car rental companies, and our participating airline partners. Points Earned From a Ticket Purchase. When a TrueBlue ® member travels, we recognize a portion of the fare as revenue and defer in air traffic liabilities the portion that represents the value of the points net of spoilage, or breakage. We allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative standalone basis. We determine the standalone selling price of TrueBlue® points issued using the redemption value approach. To maximize the use of observable inputs, we utilize the actual ticket value of the tickets purchased with TrueBlue® points. The liability is relieved and passenger revenue is recognized when the points are redeemed and the free travel is provided. Points Sold to TrueBlue ® Partners . Our most significant contract to sell TrueBlue ® points is with our co-branded credit card partner. Co-branded credit card partnerships have the following identified performance obligations: air transportation; use of the JetBlue brand name and access to our frequent flyer customer lists; advertising; and other airline benefits. In determining the estimated selling price, JetBlue considered multiple inputs, methods and assumptions, including: discounted cash flows; estimated redemption value, net of fulfillment discount; points expected to be awarded and redeemed; estimated annual spending by cardholders; estimated annual royalty for use of JetBlue's frequent flyer customer lists; and estimated utilization of other airline benefits. Payments are typically due monthly based on the volume of miles sold during the period, and the terms of our marketing contracts are generally from one to seven years. The overall consideration received is allocated to each performance obligation based on their standalone relative selling prices. The air transportation element is deferred and recognized as passenger revenue when the points are utilized. The other elements are recognized as other revenue when the performance obligation related to those service are satisfied, which is generally the same period as when consideration is received from the participating company. Amounts allocated to the air transportation element which are initially deferred include a portion that are expected to be redeemed during the following twelve months (classified as a component of Air traffic liability), and a portion that are not expected to be redeemed during the following twelve months (classified as Air traffic liability - loyalty non-current). We periodically update this analysis and adjust the split between current and non-current liabilities as appropriate. Points earned by TrueBlue® members never expire. TrueBlue® members can pool points between small groups of people, branded as Points Pooling™. Breakage is estimated using historical redemption patterns to determine a breakage rate. Breakage rates used to estimate breakage revenue are evaluated annually. Changes to breakage estimates impact revenue recognition prospectively. Airframe and Engine Maintenance and Repair Regular airframe maintenance for owned and leased flight equipment is charged to expense as incurred unless covered by a third-party long-term flight hour service agreement. We have separate service agreements in place covering scheduled and unscheduled repairs of certain airframe line replacement unit components as well as the engines in our fleet. Certain of these agreements, whose original terms generally range from 10 to 15 years, require monthly payments at rates based either on the number of cycles each aircraft was operated during each month or the number of flight hours each engine was operated during each month, subject to annual escalations. These power by the hour agreements transfer certain risks, including cost risks, to the third-party service providers. They generally fix the amount we pay per flight hour or number of cycles in exchange for maintenance and repairs under a predefined maintenance program, which are representative of the time and materials that would be consumed. These costs are expensed as the related flight hours or cycles are incurred. Advertising Costs Advertising costs, which are included in sales and marketing, are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $72 million in 2018 , $66 million in 2017 and $65 million in 2016 . Share-Based Compensation We record compensation expense for share-based awards based on the grant date fair value of those awards. Share-based compensation expense includes an estimate for pre-vesting forfeitures and is recognized over the requisite service periods of the awards on a straight-line basis. Income Taxes We account for income taxes utilizing the liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax and financial statement reporting bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is provided unless realizability is judged by us to be more likely than not. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. New Accounting Standards New accounting rules and disclosure requirements can impact our financial results and the comparability of our financial statements. The authoritative literature which has recently been issued and that we believe will impact our consolidated financial statements is described below. There are also several new proposals under development. If and when enacted, these proposals may have a significant impact on our financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) of the Codification, which requires lessees to recognize leases on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842 ; ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases ; ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements; and ASU 2018-20, Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors . Under the new standard, a lessee will recognize liabilities on the balance sheet, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, and right-of-use (ROU) assets representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less at the commencement date, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. The new standard also eliminates the current build-to-suit lease accounting guidance which will result in the derecognition of build-to-suit assets and liabilities that remained on the balance sheet after the end of the construction period. The new standard is effective for us on January 1, 2019 with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. An entity may choose either its effective date or the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented on the financial statements as its date of initial application. An entity electing to apply the standard prospectively at its effective date would recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption and will not recast prior period results presented. We have substantially completed our assessment of the new standard and expect to adopt as of January 1, 2019 utilizing the modified retrospective transition method. We will record a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2017 for the impacts of the new standard. For JetBlue, we believe the most significant impact of the new standard relates to the recognition of new assets and liabilities on our balance sheet for operating leases related to our aircraft, engines, airport terminal space, airport hangars, office space, and other facilities and equipment. Upon adoption, we expect to recognize additional lease assets and lease liabilities ranging from $1.0 billion to $1.4 billion . We also expect to derecognize the existing asset constructed for others and construction obligation related to our JFK T5 build-to-suit project which was $561 million and $457 million , respectively, as of January 1, 2017. The effects of changing the method of accounting for the JFK T5 facility under the new lease standard will result in approximately $24 million of previously reported interest expense to be reported as rent expense for the period ended December 31, 2017. The new standard is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or cash flows. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other— Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The update provides guidance for determining if a cloud computing arrangement is within the scope of internal-use software guidance, and would require capitalization of certain implementation costs. ASU 2018-15 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are still evaluating the full impact of adopting the amendments on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement . The update eliminates, adds, and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted of the entire standard or of only the provisions that eliminate or modify disclosure requirements. We are still evaluating the full impact of adopting the amendments on our consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) of the Codification, which supersedes existing revenue recognition guidance. Under the new standard, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We adopted the requirements of ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2018 utilizing the full retrospective method of transition. We recorded a $48 million cumulative adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2016, the beginning of the retrospective reporting period, for the impacts of the new accounting standard. The adoption of the new standard did not have a significant impact on our earnings. For JetBlue, the most significant impact of the new standard relates to the accounting for our TrueBlue ® Loyalty Program. The new standard eliminated the incremental cost method for loyalty program accounting which we previously used. As a result, we revalued the liability for points earned on qualifying JetBlue purchases using a relative fair value approach. The application of a relative fair value approach increased our air traffic liability by $286 million , net of breakage, as of the beginning of the retrospective reporting period. In addition, we had a liability for outstanding points that were earned in conjunction with our previous co-branded credit card agreement that had been recorded using the residual method. The new standard does not permit the use of the residual method for this contract and instead, the transaction price is now allocated to the performance obligations on a relative selling price basis. This change decreased the relative value allocated to the air transportation performance obligation and resulted in a decrease of $159 million , net of breakage, to the liability as of the beginning of the retrospective reporting period. The standard also resulted in a change in the timing and classification of our revenue recognition for certain ancillary fees directly related to passenger tickets. As a result, we reclassified $471 million and $425 million from other revenue under the prior presentation to passenger revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Refer to Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information . During the first quarter of 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-01 , Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities of the Codification. The update made several changes, including the elimination of the available-for-sale classification of equity investments, and requires equity investments with readily determinable fair values to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. For equity investments without readily determinable fair values, the standard provides an alternative which allows entities to measure these investments at cost, less any impairment, adjusted for changes from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identifiable or similar investments of the same issuer. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, JetBlue Technology Ventures, LLC, or JTV, has several equity investments in emerging companies which do not have readily determinable fair values. These investments were accounted for at cost during 2017. Under the updated standard, these investments are now accounted for using the measurement alternative. As of December 31, 2018, the carrying amount of these investments was $25 million . During the first quarter of 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash of the Codification. The update clarified how entities should present restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 requires entities to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. Our consolidated statement of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 reflect retrospective application. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities of the Codification . The update expands the activities that qualify for hedge accounting and simplifies the rules for reporting hedging relationships. ASU 2017-12 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We elected to early adopt this update prospectively as of January 1, 2018. Our adoption of this update had no impact to the Company's financial results.

Long-term Debt, Short-term Borr

Long-term Debt, Short-term Borrowings, and Capital Lease Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Short-term Borrowings and Capital Lease Obligations	Long-term Debt, Short-term Borrowings and Capital Lease Obligations Long-term debt and capital lease obligations and the related weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2018 and 2017 consisted of the following (in millions): 2018 2017 Secured Debt Floating rate equipment notes, due through 2028 (1) $ 247 4.9 % $ 153 4.7 % Fixed rate enhanced equipment notes, due through 2023 (2) 152 4.5 % 171 4.5 % Fixed rate equipment notes, due through 2028 (3) 1,131 4.7 % 716 5.4 % Fixed rate specialty bonds, due through 2036 (4) 43 4.9 % 43 4.9 % Capital Leases (5) 107 4.7 % 124 4.5 % Total debt and capital lease obligations 1,680 1,207 Less: Current maturities (309 ) (196 ) Less: Debt acquisition cost (10 ) (8 ) Long-term debt and capital lease obligations $ 1,361 $ 1,003 (1) Interest rates adjust quarterly or semi-annually based on LIBOR, plus a margin . In 2018, we issued $120 million in floating rate equipment notes due through 2028, which are secured by six Airbus A320 aircraft and one Airbus A321 aircraft. (2) In March 2014, we completed a private placement of $226 million in pass-through certificates, Series 2013-1. The certificates were issued by a pass-through trust and are not obligations of JetBlue. The proceeds from the issuance of the pass-through certificates were used to purchase equipment notes issued by JetBlue and secured by 14 of our aircraft. Principal and interest are payable semi-annually . (3) In 2018, we issued $567 million in fixed rate equipment notes due through 2028, which are secured by 14 Airbus A320 aircraft and 10 Airbus A321 aircraft. (4) In November 2005, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, or GOAA, issued special purpose airport facilities revenue bonds to JetBlue as reimbursement for certain airport facility construction and other costs. In April 2013, GOAA issued $42 million in special purpose airport facility revenue bonds to refund the bonds issued in 2005. The proceeds from the refunded bonds were loaned to us and we recorded the issuance of $43 million , net of $1 million premium, as long-term debt on our consolidated balance sheets. (5) As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , four capital leased Airbus A320 aircraft and two capital leased Airbus A321 aircraft were included in property and equipment at a cost of $253 million with accumulated amortization of $72 million and $64 million , respectively. The future minimum lease payments under these non-cancelable leases are $23 million in 2019 , $35 million in 2020 , $39 million in 2021 , $9 million in 2022 , $9 million in 2023 and $5 million in the years thereafter. Included in the future minimum lease payments is $14 million representing interest, resulting in a present value of capital leases of $107 million with a current portion of $17 million and a long-term portion of $90 million . As of December 31, 2018 , we believe we were in material compliance with all of our covenants in relation to our debt and lease agreements. Maturities of long-term debt and capital leases, net of debt acquisition costs, for the next five years are as follows (in millions): Year Maturities 2019 $ 306 2020 273 2021 262 2022 240 2023 223 Thereafter 366 Aircraft, engines, and other equipment and facilities having a net book value of $2.9 billion at December 31, 2018 were pledged as security under various financing arrangements. Cash payments for interest related to debt and capital lease obligations, net of capitalized interest, aggregated $59 million , $60 million and $78 million in 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term debt, net of debt acquisition costs, at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in millions): December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Public Debt Fixed rate special facility bonds, due through 2036 $ 42 $ 44 $ 42 $ 46 Non-Public Debt Fixed rate enhanced equipment notes, due through 2023 151 153 169 178 Floating rate equipment notes, due through 2028 245 245 152 159 Fixed rate equipment notes, due through 2028 1,125 1,135 712 771 Total (1) $ 1,563 $ 1,577 $ 1,075 $ 1,154 (1) Total excludes capital lease obligations of $107 million and $124 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The estimated fair values of our publicly held long-term debt are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of our enhanced equipment notes and our special facility bonds were based on quoted market prices in markets with low trading volumes. The fair value of our non-public debt was estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based on our borrowing rates for instruments with similar terms and therefore classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of our other financial instruments approximate their carrying values. Refer to Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for an explanation of the fair value hierarchy structure. We have financed certain aircraft with Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates, or EETCs. One of the benefits of this structure is being able to finance several aircraft at one time, rather than individually. The structure of EETC financing is that we create pass-through trusts in order to issue pass-through certificates. The proceeds from the issuance of these certificates are then used to purchase equipment notes which are issued by us and are secured by our aircraft. These trusts meet the definition of a variable interest entity, or VIE, as defined in the Consolidations topic of the Codification, and must be considered for consolidation in our financial statements. Our assessment of our EETCs considers both quantitative and qualitative factors including the purpose for which these trusts were established and the nature of the risks in each. The main purpose of the trust structure is to enhance the credit worthiness of our debt obligation through certain bankruptcy protection provisions and liquidity facilities, and also to lower our total borrowing cost. We concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary in these trusts because our involvement in them is limited to principal and interest payments on the related notes, the trusts were not set up to pass along variability created by credit risk to us and the likelihood of our defaulting on the notes. Therefore, we have not consolidated these trusts in our financial statements. Short-term Borrowings We have two lines of credit which bear interest at a floating rate based upon LIBOR plus a margin range of between 1.0% and 2.0% . Citibank Line of Credit We have a revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement with Citibank, N.A. as the administrative agent for up to approximately $425 million . The term of the facility runs through April 2021 . Borrowings under the Credit and Guaranty Agreement bear interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR, plus a margin . The Credit and Guaranty Agreement is secured by Slots at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Reagan National Airport, as well as certain other assets. Slots are rights to take-off or land at a specific airport during a specific time period during the day and a means by which airport capacity and congestion can be managed. The Credit and Guaranty Agreement includes covenants that require us to maintain certain minimum balances in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents, and unused commitments available under all revolving credit facilities. In addition, the covenants restrict our ability to, among other things, dispose of certain collateral, or merge, consolidate, or sell assets. As of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , we did not have a balance outstanding or borrowings under this line of credit. Morgan Stanley Line of Credit We have a revolving line of credit with Morgan Stanley for up to approximately $200 million . This line of credit is secured by a portion of our investment securities held by Morgan Stanley and the amount available to us under this line of credit may vary accordingly. This line of credit bears interest at a floating rate based upon LIBOR, plus a margin . As of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , we did not have a balance outstanding or borrowings under this line of credit.

Operating Leases

Operating Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Leases [Abstract]
Operating Leases	Operating Leases We lease aircraft, all of our facilities at the airports we serve, office space, and other equipment. These leases have varying terms and conditions, with some having early termination clauses which we determine to be the lease expiration date. The length of the lease depends upon the type of asset being leased, with the latest lease expiring in 2035 . Total rental expense for all of our operating leases was $331 million in 2018 , $315 million in 2017 and $294 million in 2016 . As of December 31, 2018 , we have approximately $31 million in assets that serve as collateral for letters of credit. These letters of credit relate to a certain number of our leases and are included in restricted cash. As of December 31, 2018 , 42 of the 253 aircraft in our fleet were leased under operating leases, with lease expiration dates ranging from 2019 to 2028 . None of the 42 aircraft operating leases have variable rate rent payments based on LIBOR . Leases for 40 of our aircraft can generally be renewed at rates based on fair market value at the end of the lease term for one or two years. We have purchase options for 42 of our aircraft leases at the end of their lease term. These purchase options are at fair market value and have a one-time option during the term at fixed amounts that were expected to approximate the fair market value at lease inception. We bought out the operating leases on one Airbus A320 aircraft and one Airbus A321 aircraft for a total of approximately $65 million , three Airbus A320 aircraft for approximately $51 million , and nine two Airbus 320 aircraft for approximately $164 million , during 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively. Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases, including those described above, with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2018 , are as follows (in millions): Aircraft Other Total 2019 $ 54 $ 105 $ 159 2020 52 86 138 2021 46 78 124 2022 41 72 113 2023 45 64 109 Thereafter 67 379 446 Total minimum operating lease payments $ 305 $ 784 $ 1,089 We have sale-leaseback arrangements with a third party lender for 40 of our operating aircraft. The sale-leasebacks occurred simultaneously with the delivery of the related aircraft to us from their manufacturers. Each sale-leaseback transaction was structured with a separate trust set up by the third party lender, the assets of which consist of the one aircraft initially transferred to it following the sale by us and the subsequent lease arrangement with us. Because of their limited capitalization and the potential need for additional financial support, these trusts are VIEs as defined in the Consolidations topic of the Codification and must be considered for consolidation in our financial statements. Our assessment of each trust considers both quantitative and qualitative factors, including whether we have the power to direct the activities and to what extent we participate in the sharing of benefits and losses of the trusts. JetBlue does not retain any equity interests in any of these trusts and our obligations to them are limited to the fixed rental payments we are required to make to them. These were approximately $257 million as of December 31, 2018 and are reflected in the future minimum lease payments in the table above. Our only interest in these entities is the purchase options to acquire the aircraft as specified above. Since there are no other arrangements, either implicit or explicit, between us and the individual trusts that would result in our absorbing additional variability from the trusts, we concluded we are not the primary beneficiary of these trusts. We account for these leases as operating leases, following the appropriate lease guidance as required by the Leases topic in the Codification.

JFK Terminal 5

JFK Terminal 5	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
JFK Terminal Five [Abstract]
JFK Terminal 5	JFK Terminal 5 We operate out of T5 at JFK and our occupancy is governed by various lease agreements with the PANYNJ. Under the terms of the facility lease agreement we were responsible for the construction of the 635,000 square foot 26 -gate terminal, a parking garage, roadways, and an AirTrain Connector, all of which are owned by the PANYNJ and collectively referred to as the T5 Project. In 2014, we completed construction of an international arrivals facility and additional gates, T5i. T5i includes six international arrival gates comprised of three new gates and three converted gates from T5, as well as an international arrivals hall with full U.S. Customs and Border Protection services. We executed an extension to the original T5 lease in 2013. The lease, as amended, now incorporates a total of approximately 19 acres of space for our T5 facilities and ends on the 28th anniversary of the date of beneficial occupancy of T5i. We have the option to terminate the agreement in 2033 , five years prior to the end of the original scheduled lease term of October 2038. We are responsible for various payments under the leases, including ground rents which are reflected in the future minimum lease payments table in Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, and facility rents which are included below. The facility rents are based upon the number of passengers enplaned out of the terminal, subject to annual minimums. We were considered the owner of the T5 Project for financial reporting purposes only and have been required to reflect an asset and liability for the T5 Project on our consolidated balance sheets since construction commenced in 2005. The cost of the T5 Project and the related liability are being accounted for as a financing obligation. Our construction of T5i is accounted for at cost with no financing obligation. Total costs incurred for the elements of the T5 Project were $637 million , of which $561 million is classified as Assets Constructed for Others and the remaining $76 million is classified as leasehold improvements in our consolidated balance sheets. Assets Constructed for Others are being amortized over the shorter of the 25 year non-cancelable lease term or their economic life. We recorded amortization expense of $22 million , $22 million , and $23 million during in 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively. Our total expenditures relating to T5i were approximately $207 million , all of which were incurred prior to 2016 and are classified as leasehold improvements in our consolidated balance sheets. The PANYNJ has reimbursed us for the amounts currently included in Assets Constructed for Others. These reimbursements and related interest are reflected as Construction Obligation in our consolidated balance sheets. When the facility rents are paid they are treated as a debt service on the Construction Obligation, with the portion not relating to interest reducing the principal balance. Minimum estimated facility payments including escalations associated with the facility lease are estimated to be $40 million per year in 2019 through 2023 and $416 million in total thereafter. The portion of these scheduled payments serving to reduce the principal balance of the Construction Obligation is $18 million in 2019 , $19 million in 2020 , $20 million in 2021 , $21 million in 2022 and $22 million in 2023 . Payments could exceed these amounts depending on future enplanement levels at JFK. Scheduled facility payments representative of interest totaled $23 million in 2018 , $24 million in 2017 , and $25 million in 2016 . Refer to Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the new lease accounting standard that will be adopted on January 1, 2019.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity On September 10, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program for up to $250 million worth of shares of common stock over a three year period beginning on January 1, 2016 . On December 7, 2016 , the Board approved certain changes to our share repurchase program, or the 2016 Repurchase Authorization, to increase the aggregate authorization in the value of the program to $500 million worth of shares, and extended the term of the program through December 31, 2019 . The program included authorization for repurchases in open market transactions pursuant to Rules 10b-18 and/or 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Exchange Act, and/or one or more accelerated stock repurchase programs through privately-negotiated accelerated stock repurchase transactions. In 2016, we entered into two separate accelerated share repurchase, or ASR, agreements for a sum of $120 million . A total of 5.8 million shares were repurchased under these ASR agreements with an average price paid per share of $20.84 . In 2017, we entered into three separate ASR agreements for a sum of $380 million . A total of 18.7 million shares were repurchased under these ASR agreements with an average price paid per share of $20.36 . The shares repurchased under the 2017 ASR agreements concluded our 2016 Repurchase Authorization. On December 8, 2017 , the Board of Directors approved a two year share repurchase authorization starting on January 1, 2018 , of up to $750 million worth of shares. The authorization can be executed through repurchases in open market transactions pursuant to Rules 10b-18 and/or 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, and/or one or more privately-negotiated accelerated stock repurchase transactions. In 2018, we entered into three separate ASR agreements for a sum of $375 million . A total of 19.1 million shares were repurchased under these ASR agreement with an average price paid per share of $19.60 . The total shares purchased by JetBlue under each of the ASRs in 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 were based on the volume weighted average prices of JetBlue's common stock during the terms of the respective agreements. As of December 31, 2018 , we had a total of 22.4 million shares of our common stock reserved for issuance. These shares are primarily related to our equity incentive plans. Refer to Note 8 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on our share-based compensation. As of December 31, 2018 , we had a total of 116.1 million shares of treasury stock, the majority of which relate to shares repurchased under our share repurchase programs and the return of borrowed shares under our share lending agreement with Morgan Stanley which was terminated in January 2016.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share The following table shows how we computed basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31 (dollars and share data in millions): 2018 2017 2016 Numerator: Net income $ 188 $ 1,125 $ 727 Effect of dilutive securities: Interest on convertible debt, net of income taxes and profit sharing — — 2 Net income applicable to common stockholders after assumed conversions for diluted earnings per share $ 188 $ 1,125 $ 729 Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share 312.9 328.7 326.5 Effect of dilutive securities: Employee stock options and restricted stock units 1.6 1.7 2.1 Convertible debt — — 13.6 Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding and assumed conversions for diluted earnings per share 314.5 330.4 342.2 During 2016, holders voluntarily converted approximately $86 million in principal amount of the 6.75% Series B convertible debentures. As a result, we issued 17.6 million shares of our common stock. As discussed in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we adopted ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , during the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this standard reduced previously reported net income by approximately $22 million and $32 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively. As discussed in Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, JetBlue entered into ASRs in 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 and purchased approximately 19.1 million , 18.7 million , and 5.8 million shares, respectively, for $375 million , $380 million , and $120 million , respectively. The number of shares repurchased are based on the volume weighted average prices of JetBlue's common stock during the term of the ASR agreements.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation We have various equity incentive plans under which we have granted stock awards to our eligible Crewmembers and members of our Board of Directors. These include the JetBlue Airways Corporation Restated and Amended 2002 Stock Incentive Plan, or 2002 Plan, which was replaced by the JetBlue Airways Corporation 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan, or 2011 Plan. We additionally have a Crewmember Stock Purchase Plan, or CSPP, that is available to all eligible Crewmembers. Both the 2011 Plan and CSPP were amended in 2015 by Shareholders at our annual meeting. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, which was approximately $22.6 million as of December 31, 2018 , related to a total of 2.2 million unvested restricted stock units, or RSUs, performance stock units, or PSUs, and deferred stock units, or DSUs, under our 2011 Plan. We expect to recognize this stock-based compensation expense over a weighted average period of approximately one year. The total stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 was $28 million , $29 million , and $23 million , respectively. 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan At our Annual Shareholders Meeting held on May 26, 2011, our Shareholders approved the JetBlue Airways Corporation 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan. This replaced the Restated and Amended 2002 Stock Incentive Plan which was set to expire at the end of 2011. Upon inception, the 2011 Plan had 15.0 million shares of our common stock reserved for issuance. The 2011 Plan, by its terms, will terminate no later than May 2021. RSUs vest in annual installments over three years which can be accelerated upon the occurrence of a change in control. Under this plan, we grant RSUs to certain Crewmembers. Our policy is to grant RSUs based on the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Under this plan, we grant DSUs to members of our Board of Directors and PSUs to certain members of our executive leadership team. The 2011 Plan was amended and restated effective January 1, 2014, to include the definition of retirement eligibility. Once a Crewmember meets the definition, they will continue to vest their shares as if they remained employed by JetBlue, regardless of their actual employment status with the Company. In accordance with the Compensation-Stock Compensation topic of the Codification, the grant’s explicit service condition is non-substantive and the grant has effectively vested at the time retirement eligibility is met. At our Annual Shareholders Meeting held on May 21, 2015, our Shareholders approved amendments to the 2011 Plan increasing the number of shares of Company common stock that remain available for issuance under the plan by 7.5 million . Restricted Stock Units The following is a summary of RSU activity under the 2011 Plan for the year ended December 31, 2018 (in millions except per share data): Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Nonvested at beginning of year 1.6 $ 20.14 Granted 1.1 20.62 Vested (0.8 ) 19.71 Forfeited (0.2 ) 20.51 Nonvested at end of year 1.7 $ 20.59 The total intrinsic value, determined as of the date of vesting, for all RSUs that vested and converted to shares of common stock during the year ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 was $16 million , $20 million and $30 million , respectively. The weighted average grant-date fair value of share awards during the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 was $20.62 , $19.76 , and $22.95 , respectively. The vesting period for DSUs under the 2011 Plan is either one or three years of service. Once vested, shares are issued six months and one day following a Director’s departure from our Board of Directors. During the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , we granted a nominal amount of DSUs, almost all of which remain outstanding at December 31, 2018 . In 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , we granted a nominal amount of PSUs to members of our executive leadership team, payment of which are based upon achievements of certain performance criteria. Crewmember Stock Purchase Plan In May 2011, our Shareholders approved the 2011 Crewmember Stock Purchase Plan, or the CSPP. At inception, the CSPP had 8 million shares of our common stock reserved for issuance. The CSPP, by its terms, will terminate no later than the last business day of April 2021. At our Annual Shareholders Meeting held on May 21, 2015, our Shareholders approved amendments to the CSPP increasing the number of shares of Company common stock that remain available for issuance under the plan by 15 million . The CSPP has a series of six month offering periods, with a new offering period beginning on the first business day of May and November each year. Crewmembers can enroll in CSPP nearly year-round, with the exception of specific blackout dates. Crewmembers may contribute up to 10% of their pay towards the purchase of common stock via payroll deductions. Purchase dates occur on the last business day of April and October each year. The purchase price is the stock price on the purchase date, less a 15% discount. The compensation cost relating to the discount is recognized over the offering period. The total expense recognized relating to the CSPP for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 was approximately $9 million , $8 million and $6 million , respectively. Under this plan, Crewmembers purchased 3.2 million , 2.5 million , and 2.2 million new shares for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively, at weighted average prices of $15.21 , $17.46 , and $15.88 per share, respectively. Under the CSPP, should we be acquired by merger or sale of substantially all of our assets or sale of more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities, all outstanding purchase rights will automatically be exercised immediately prior to the effective date of the acquisition at a price equal to 85% of the fair market value per share immediately prior to the acquisition. Taxation The Compensation-Stock Compensation topic of the Codification requires deferred taxes be recognized on temporary differences that arise with respect to stock-based compensation attributable to nonqualified stock options and awards. However, no tax benefit is recognized for stock-based compensation attributable to incentive stock options, or ISO, or CSPP shares until there is a disqualifying disposition, if any, for income tax purposes. A portion of our historical stock-based compensation was attributable to CSPP shares; therefore, our effective tax rate was subject to fluctuation.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Our income tax (benefit) expense consisted of the following for the years ended December 31 (in millions): 2018 2017 2016 Deferred: Federal $ 82 $ (344 ) $ 227 State 7 24 24 Foreign 1 23 — Deferred income tax (benefit) expense 90 (297 ) 251 Current: Federal (60 ) 93 129 State (5 ) 18 26 Foreign 6 (25 ) 31 Current income tax (benefit) expense (59 ) 86 186 Total income tax (benefit) expense $ 31 $ (211 ) $ 437 The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or The Act, was enacted on December 22, 2017. The Act made significant changes to the federal tax code, including a reduction in the federal corporate statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% . At December 31, 2017, the Company was able to make a reasonable estimate of the tax effects of enactment of The Act as written, on the existing deferred tax balances. As a result of these estimates, the Company recognized a provisional benefit in the amount of $551 million . During 2018, the Company continued to refine the calculations as we gained a more thorough understanding of the Act, including those related to the deductibility of purchased assets, state tax treatment, deferred revenue, as well as changes in interpretations of The Act and additional regulatory guidance that was issued. The calculations of measurement period adjustments of $28 million were completed by December 22, 2018. We also adopted the requirements of ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2018 utilizing the full retrospective method of transition, which recast amounts previously reported for 2017 and 2016. The effective tax rate on income before income taxes differed from the federal income tax statutory rate for the years ended December 31 for the following reasons (in millions): 2018 2017 2016 Income tax expense at statutory rate $ 46 $ 319 $ 407 State income tax, net of federal benefit 8 27 32 Adjustment of net deferred tax liability from enacted tax rate change (28 ) (551 ) — Nondeductible expenses 7 4 4 Foreign rate differential (2 ) (7 ) (1 ) Other, net — (3 ) (5 ) Total income tax (benefit) expense $ 31 $ (211 ) $ 437 Cash payments for income taxes were $11 million in 2018 , $139 million in 2017 , and $173 million in 2016 . The components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are as follows (in millions): 2018 2017 Deferred tax assets: Deferred revenue/gains $ 106 $ 129 Employee benefits 35 32 Foreign tax credit 32 23 Net operating loss carryforward 28 — Terminal 5 lease 28 45 Rent expense 20 22 Other 11 7 Total deferred tax assets 260 258 Valuation allowance (21 ) (1 ) Deferred tax assets, net 239 257 Deferred tax liabilities: Accelerated depreciation (1,327 ) (1,256 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (1,327 ) (1,256 ) Net deferred tax liability $ (1,088 ) $ (999 ) We have a U.S. federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward of $42 million that does not expire and foreign NOL carryforwards of $56 million that begin to expire in 2019 . We also have a U.S. foreign tax credit carryforward of $9 million which expires in 2028 . In evaluating the realizability of the deferred tax assets, we assess whether it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets, will be realized. We consider, among other things, the generation of future taxable income (including reversals of deferred tax liabilities) during the periods in which the related temporary differences will become deductible. At December 31, 2018, we provided a $21 million valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets to an amount that we consider is more likely than not to be realized. The $20 million net change in our valuation allowance during 2018 relates to foreign NOL carryforwards. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in millions): 2018 2017 2016 Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, $ 31 $ 26 $ 21 Increases for tax positions taken during a prior period — 2 10 Increases for tax positions taken during the period 5 6 5 Decreases for tax positions taken during a prior period (3 ) (3 ) (4 ) Decreases for settlement with tax authorities during the period — — (6 ) Unrecognized tax benefits December 31, $ 33 $ 31 $ 26 Interest and penalties accrued on unrecognized tax benefits were not significant. If recognized, $16 million of the unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2018 would impact our effective tax rate. We do not expect any significant change in the amount of the unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months. As a result of net operating losses and statute of limitations in our major tax jurisdictions, years 2004 through 2017 remain subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities.

Employee Retirement Plan

Employee Retirement Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Employee Retirement Plan	Crewmember Retirement Plan We sponsor a retirement savings 401(k) defined contribution plan, or the Plan, covering all of our Crewmembers where we match 100% of our Crewmember contributions up to 5% of their eligible wages. The matching contributions vest over three years and are measured from a Crewmember’s hire date. Crewmembers are immediately vested in their voluntary contributions. Another component of the Plan is a Company discretionary contribution of 5% of eligible non-management Crewmember compensation, which we refer to as Retirement Plus . Retirement Plus contributions vest over three years and are measured from a Crewmember’s hire date. Certain Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA-licensed Crewmembers, receive an additional contribution of 3% of eligible compensation, which we refer to as Retirement Advantage. Effective August 1, 2018, pilots receive a non-elective Company contribution of 15% of eligible pilot compensation per the terms of the finalized collective bargaining agreement, in lieu of the above 401(k) Company matching contribution, Retirement Plus , and Retirement Advantage contributions. Refer to Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The Company's non-elective contribution of 15% of eligible pilot compensation vests after three years of service. For years of service prior to 2017, our non-management Crewmembers were also eligible to receive profit sharing, calculated as 15% of adjusted pre-tax income before profit sharing and special items with the result reduced by Retirement Plus contributions. Beginning with 2017, our non-management Crewmembers are eligible to receive profit sharing, calculated as 10% of adjusted pre-tax income before profit sharing and special items up to a pre-tax margin of 18% with the result reduced by Retirement Plus contributions and the equivalent of Retirement Plus contributions for pilots. If JetBlue's resulting pre-tax margin exceeds 18% , non-management Crewmembers would be eligible to receive 20% profit sharing on amounts above an 18% pre-tax margin. Total 401(k) company match, Retirement Plus, Retirement Advantage , pilot retirement contribution, and profit sharing expensed for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 were $172 million , $182 million , and $290 million , respectively.

Commitments

Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments	Commitments Flight Equipment Commitments As of December 31, 2018 , our firm aircraft orders consisted of 85 Airbus A321 new engine option (A321neo) aircraft, and 60 Airbus A220 aircraft, all scheduled for delivery through 2025 . Committed expenditures for these aircraft and related flight equipment, including estimated amounts for contractual price escalations and predelivery deposits, will be approximately $1.2 billion in 2019 , $1.3 billion in 2020 , $1.4 billion in 2021 , $1.3 billion in 2022 , $1.6 billion in 2023 and $1.6 billion thereafter. We are scheduled to receive 13 new Airbus A321neo aircraft in 2019 , and depending on market conditions, we anticipate paying cash for some portion of our 2019 deliveries. The amount of committed expenditures stated above represents the current delivery schedule set forth in our Airbus order book as of December 31, 2018. In October 2018, we received notice from Airbus of anticipated delivery delays of the A321neo aircraft. We expect a delivery of a minimum of six Airbus A321neo aircraft in 2019 as a result of the delays. In July 2018, we announced an order for 60 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, previously called the Bombardier CS300, for expected deliveries beginning in 2020 through 2025, with the option for 60 additional aircraft though 2028 . In conjunction with the new order, we also reshaped our Airbus order book by converting our order of 25 A320neo aircraft to A321neo and adjusting the timing of future deliveries. We have the option to take certain A321neo deliveries with the long range configuration, the A321-LR. Other Commitments We utilize several credit card processors to process our ticket sales. Our agreements with these processors do not contain covenants, but do generally allow the processor to withhold cash reserves to protect the processor from potential liability for tickets purchased, but not yet used for travel. While we currently do not have any collateral requirements related to our credit card processors, we may be required to issue collateral to our credit card processors, or other key business partners, in the future. As of December 31, 2018 , we had approximately $28 million pledged related to our workers' compensation insurance policies and other business partner agreements, which will expire according to the terms of the related policies or agreements. In April 2014, the Air Line Pilots Association, or ALPA, was certified by the National Mediation Board, or NMB, as the representative body for JetBlue pilots after winning a representation election. We reached a final agreement for our first collective bargaining agreement which was ratified by the pilots in July 2018. The agreement is a four-year, renewable contract effective August 1, 2018 which included compensation, benefits, work rules, and other policies. During the third quarter of 2018, we recorded a one-time ratification bonus totaling $50 million to be allocated amongst the pilots as determined by ALPA. Refer to Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. In April 2018, JetBlue inflight Crewmembers elected to be solely represented by the Transport Workers Union of America, or TWU. The NMB certified the TWU as the representative body for JetBlue inflight Crewmembers and we are working with the TWU to reach a collective bargaining agreement. Except as noted above, our Crewmembers do not have third party representation. We enter into individual employment agreements with each of our non-unionized FAA-licensed Crewmembers which include dispatchers, technicians, and inspectors as well as air traffic controllers. Each employment agreement is for a term of five years and automatically renews for an additional five years unless either the Crewmember or we elect not to renew it by giving at least 90 days ' notice before the end of the relevant term. Pursuant to these agreements, these Crewmembers can only be terminated for cause. In the event of a downturn in our business that would require a reduction in work hours, we are obligated to pay these Crewmembers a guaranteed level of income and to continue their benefits if they do not obtain other aviation employment.

Contingencies

Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Contingencies We self-insure a portion of our losses from claims related to workers’ compensation, environmental issues, property damage, medical insurance for Crewmembers and general liability. Losses are accrued based on an estimate of the ultimate aggregate liability for claims incurred, using standard industry practices and our actual experience. We are a party to many routine contracts under which we indemnify third parties for various risks. These indemnities consist of the following: All of our bank loans, including our aircraft mortgages obligate us to reimburse the bank for any increased costs arising from regulatory changes, including changes in reserve requirements and bank capital requirements; these obligations are standard terms present in loans of this type. These indemnities would increase the interest rate on our debt if they were to be triggered. In all cases, we have the option to repay the loan and avoid the increased costs. These terms match the length of the related loan up to 15 years . Under both aircraft leases with foreign lessors and aircraft mortgages with foreign lenders, we have agreed to customary indemnities concerning withholding tax law changes. Under these contracts we are responsible, should withholding taxes be imposed, for paying such amount of additional rent or interest as is necessary to ensure that the lessor or lender still receives, after taxes, the rent stipulated in the lease or the interest stipulated under the loan. The term of these indemnities matches the length of the related lease or loan up to 20 years . We have various leases with respect to real property as well as various agreements among airlines relating to fuel consortia or fuel farms at airports. Under these contracts we have agreed to standard language indemnifying the lessor against environmental liabilities associated with the real property or operations described under the agreement, even if we are not the party responsible for the initial event that caused the environmental damage. In the case of fuel consortia at airports, these indemnities are generally joint and several among the participating airlines. We have purchased a standalone environmental liability insurance policy to help mitigate this exposure. Our existing aviation hull and liability policy includes some limited environmental coverage when a cleanup is part of an associated single identifiable covered loss. Under certain contracts, we indemnify specified parties against legal liability arising out of actions by other parties. The terms of these contracts range up to 25 years . Generally, we have liability insurance protecting ourselves for the obligations we have undertaken relative to these indemnities. We are unable to estimate the potential amount of future payments under the foregoing indemnities and agreements. Under a certain number of our operating lease agreements we are required to restore certain property or equipment to its original form upon expiration of the related agreement. We have recorded the estimated fair value of these retirement obligations of approximately $7 million as of December 31, 2018 . This liability may increase over time. Legal Matters Occasionally we are involved in various claims, lawsuits, regulatory examinations, investigations, and other legal matters involving suppliers, Crewmembers, Customers, and governmental agencies, arising, for the most part, in the ordinary course of business. The outcome of litigation and other legal matters is always uncertain. The Company believes it has valid defenses to the legal matters currently pending against it, is defending itself vigorously and has recorded accruals determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, where appropriate. In making a determination regarding accruals, using available information, we evaluate the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome in legal or regulatory proceedings to which we are a party to and record a loss contingency when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. These subjective determinations are based on the status of such legal or regulatory proceedings, the merits of our defenses, and consultation with legal counsel. Actual outcomes of these legal and regulatory proceedings may materially differ from our current estimates. It is possible that resolution of one or more of the legal matters currently pending or threatened could result in losses material to our consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition. To date, none of these types of litigation matters has had a material impact on our operations or financial condition. We have insured and continue to insure against most of these types of claims. A judgment on any claim not covered by, or in excess of, our insurance coverage could materially adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

Financial Derivative Instrument

Financial Derivative Instruments and Risk Management	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Financial Derivative Instruments and Risk Management	Financial Derivative Instruments and Risk Management As part of our risk management techniques, we periodically purchase over the counter energy derivative instruments and enter into fixed forward price agreements, or FFPs, to manage our exposure to the effect of changes in the price of aircraft fuel. Prices for the underlying commodities have historically been highly correlated to aircraft fuel, making derivatives of them effective at providing short-term protection against volatility in average fuel prices. We also periodically enter into jet fuel basis swaps for the differential between heating oil and jet fuel to further limit the variability in fuel prices at various locations. To manage the variability of the cash flows associated with our variable rate debt, we have also entered into interest rate swaps. We do not hold or issue any derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. Aircraft fuel derivatives We attempt to obtain cash flow hedge accounting treatment for each aircraft fuel derivative that we enter into. This treatment is provided for under the Derivatives and Hedging topic of the Codification. It allows for gains and losses on the effective portion of qualifying hedges to be deferred until the underlying planned jet fuel consumption occurs, rather than recognizing the gains and losses on these instruments into earnings during each period they are outstanding. The effective portion of realized aircraft fuel hedging derivative gains and losses is recognized in aircraft fuel expense in the period the underlying fuel is consumed. Ineffectiveness occurs, in certain circumstances, when the change in the total fair value of the derivative instrument differs from the change in the value of our expected future cash outlays for the purchase of aircraft fuel. As discussed in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we early adopted ASU 2017-12 Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities as of January 1, 2018. This update eliminated the requirement for companies to separately measure and record ineffectiveness after initial qualification. If a hedge does not qualify for hedge accounting, the periodic changes in its fair value are recognized in interest income and other. When aircraft fuel is consumed and the related derivative contract settles, any gain or loss previously recorded in other comprehensive income is recognized in aircraft fuel expense. All cash flows related to our fuel hedging derivatives are classified as operating cash flows. Our current approach to fuel hedging is to enter into hedges on a discretionary basis without a specific target of hedge percentage needs. We view our hedge portfolio as a form of insurance to help mitigate the impact of price volatility and protect us against severe spikes in oil prices, when possible. The following table illustrates the approximate hedge percentages of our projected 2019 fuel usage by quarter as of December 31, 2018 , related to our outstanding fuel hedging contracts that were designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. Jet fuel call option agreements Jet fuel call option spread agreements Total First Quarter 2019 7 % — % 7 % Second Quarter 2019 7 % — % 7 % Third Quarter 2019 — % — % — % Fourth Quarter 2019 — % — % — % Interest rate swaps The final interest payment relating to our interest rate swaps took place in August 2016. As such, we did not have any notional debt outstanding related to these swaps as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 . These interest rate hedges effectively swapped floating rate debt for fixed rate debt. They took advantage of lower borrowing rates in existence at the time of the hedge transaction as compared to the date our original debt instruments were executed. The notional amount decreased over time to match scheduled repayments of the related debt. All of our interest rate swap contracts qualified as cash flow hedges in accordance with the Derivatives and Hedging topic of the Codification. Since all of the critical terms of our swap agreements matched the debt to which they pertain, there was no ineffectiveness relating to these interest rate swaps for the year ended December 31, 2016 , and all related unrealized losses were deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income. We recognized approximately a $1 million gain in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2016. The table below reflects quantitative information related to our derivative instruments and where these amounts are recorded in our financial statements (dollar amounts in millions). As of December 31, 2018 2017 Fuel derivatives Asset fair value recorded in prepaid expenses and other (1) $ — $ — Longest remaining term (months) 6 — Hedged volume (barrels, in thousands) 756 — Estimated amount of existing (gains) losses expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months $ 4 $ — 2018 2017 2016 Fuel derivatives Hedge effectiveness (gains) losses recognized in aircraft fuel expense $ 2 $ (15 ) $ (9 ) Hedge (gains) losses on derivatives recognized in comprehensive income $ 6 $ 6 $ (34 ) Percentage of actual consumption economically hedged 4 % 10 % 12 % (1) Gross asset of each contract prior to consideration of offsetting positions with each counterparty and prior to impact of collateral paid. Any outstanding derivative instrument exposes us to credit loss in connection with our fuel contracts in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements, but we do not expect any of our counterparties will fail to meet their obligations. The amount of such credit exposure is generally the fair value of our outstanding contracts for which we are in a liability position. To manage credit risks we select counterparties based on credit assessments, limit our overall exposure to any single counterparty and monitor the market position with each counterparty. Some of our agreements require cash deposits from either counterparty if market risk exposure exceeds a specified threshold amount. We have master netting arrangements with our counterparties allowing us the right of offset to mitigate credit risk in derivative transactions. The financial derivative instrument agreements we have with our counterparties may require us to fund all, or a portion of, outstanding loss positions related to these contracts prior to their scheduled maturities. The amount of collateral posted, if any, is periodically adjusted based on the fair value of the hedge contracts. Our policy is to offset the liabilities represented by these contracts with any cash collateral paid to the counterparties. There were no offsetting derivative instruments as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Fair Value

Fair Value	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value	Fair Value Under the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the Codification, disclosures are required about how fair value is determined for assets and liabilities and a hierarchy for which these assets and liabilities must be grouped is established, based on significant levels of inputs as follows: Level 1 quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability; or Level 3 unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, such as discounted cash flow models or valuations. The determination of where assets and liabilities fall within this hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The following is a listing of our assets and liabilities required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis and where they are classified within the fair value hierarchy (in millions): As of December 31, 2018 Assets Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Cash equivalents $ 198 $ — $ — $ 198 Available-for-sale investment securities 39 197 — 236 Aircraft fuel derivatives — — — — As of December 31, 2017 Assets Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Cash equivalents $ 173 $ — $ — $ 173 Available-for-sale investment securities — 136 — 136 The carrying values of all other financial instruments approximated their fair values at December 31, 2018 and 2017 . Refer to Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for fair value information related to our outstanding debt obligations as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 . Cash equivalents Our cash equivalents include money market securities and commercial paper which are readily convertible into cash, have maturities of 90 days or less when purchased and are considered to be highly liquid and easily tradable. These securities are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities and are therefore classified as Level 1 within our fair value hierarchy. Available-for-sale investment securities Included in our available-for-sale investment securities are U.S. treasury bills, time deposits, commercial paper and debt securities. The U.S. treasury bills are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities and are therefore classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of remaining instruments are based on observable inputs in non-active markets, which are therefore classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy. We did not record any material gains or losses on these securities during the year ended December 31, 2018 or 2017 . Aircraft fuel derivatives Our aircraft fuel derivatives include call option spreads and call options which are not traded on public exchanges. Their fair values are determined using a market approach based on inputs that are readily available from public markets for commodities and energy trading activities; therefore, they are classified as Level 2 inputs. The data inputs are combined into quantitative models and processes to generate forward curves and volatilities related to the specific terms of the underlying hedge contracts. The fair value of our outstanding aircraft fuel derivatives was immaterial as of December 31, 2018. There were no aircraft fuel derivatives outstanding as of December 31, 2017.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in fair value of our aircraft fuel derivatives and interest rate swap agreements, which qualify for hedge accounting. A rollforward of the amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 is as follows (in millions): Aircraft Fuel Derivatives (1) Interest Rate Swaps (2) Total Balance of accumulated income (losses), at December 31, 2015 $ (4 ) $ 1 $ (3 ) Reclassifications into earnings, net of tax benefit of $4 (5 ) (1 ) (6 ) Change in fair value, net of tax (expense) of $(12) 22 — 22 Balance of accumulated income, at December 31, 2016 13 — 13 Reclassifications into earnings, net of tax benefit of $6 (9 ) — (9 ) Change in fair value, net of tax benefit of $2 (4 ) — (4 ) Balance of accumulated income, at December 31, 2017 — — — Reclassifications into earnings, net of tax benefit of $0 1 — 1 Change in fair value, net of tax benefit of $2 (4 ) — (4 ) Balance of accumulated (losses), at December 31, 2018 $ (3 ) $ — $ (3 ) (1) Reclassified to aircraft fuel expense (2) Reclassified to interest expense

Geographic Information

Geographic Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Geographic Information	Geographic Information Under the Segment Reporting topic of the Codification, disclosures are required for operating segments that are regularly reviewed by chief operating decision makers. Air transportation services accounted for substantially all of the Company’s operations in 2018 , 2017 and 2016 . Operating revenues are allocated to geographic regions, as defined by the Department of Transportation, or DOT, based upon the origination and destination of each flight segment. As of December 31 2018, we served 33 locations in the Caribbean and Latin American region, or Latin America as defined by the DOT. However, our management includes our three destinations in Puerto Rico and two destinations in the U.S. Virgin Islands in our Caribbean and Latin America allocation of revenues. Therefore, we have reflected these locations within the Caribbean and Latin America region in the table below. Operating revenues by geographic regions for the years ended December 31 are summarized below (in millions): 2018 2017 2016 Domestic $ 5,386 $ 4,999 $ 4,717 Caribbean & Latin America 2,272 2,013 1,867 Total $ 7,658 $ 7,012 $ 6,584 Our tangible assets primarily consist of our fleet of aircraft, which is deployed system wide, with no individual aircraft dedicated to any specific route or region; therefore our assets do not require any allocation to a geographic area.

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 are summarized below (in millions, except per share amounts): First Second Third Fourth 2018 Operating revenues $ 1,754 $ 1,928 $ 2,008 $ 1,968 Operating income (1)(2)(3) 128 (144 ) 83 221 Net income (1)(2)(3)(4) 88 (120 ) 50 169 Basic earnings per share $ 0.28 $ (0.38 ) $ 0.16 $ 0.55 Diluted earnings per share (1)(2)(3)(4) $ 0.27 $ (0.38 ) $ 0.16 $ 0.55 2017 Operating revenues $ 1,600 $ 1,836 $ 1,818 $ 1,758 Operating income 142 347 314 190 Net income (5) 82 207 181 654 Basic earnings per share $ 0.25 $ 0.63 $ 0.56 $ 2.04 Diluted earnings per share (5) $ 0.24 $ 0.62 $ 0.55 $ 2.03 (1) During the second quarter of 2018, we recorded $319 million or $(0.76) per diluted share of special items related to the Embraer E190 fleet transition. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for details. (2) During the third quarter of 2018, we recorded $112 million or $(0.27) per diluted share of special items related to the Embraer E190 fleet transition and the ratification of our pilots' collective bargaining agreement. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for details. (3) During the fourth quarter of 2018, we recorded $4 million or $(0.01) per diluted shares of special items related to the Embraer E190 fleet transition and the implementation of our pilots' collective bargaining agreement. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for details. (4) During the fourth quarter of 2018, we recorded a one-time tax benefit of $17 million or $0.06 per diluted share related to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. (5) During the fourth quarter of 2017, we recorded a one-time tax benefit of $551 million or $1.71 per diluted share related to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The sum of the quarterly results may not equal the annual amount reported due to immaterial rounding differences. The sum of the quarterly earnings per share amounts does not equal the annual amount reported since per share amounts are computed independently for each quarter and for the full year based on respective weighted-average common shares outstanding and other dilutive potential common shares.

Valuation and Qualifying Accoun

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (in millions) Balance at Additions Charged to Deductions Balance at Year Ended December 31, 2018 Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets $ 1 $ 20 $ — $ 21 Allowance for obsolete inventory parts 14 4 — (1) 18 Allowance for doubtful accounts 1 2 2 (2) 1 Total 16 26 2 40 Year Ended December 31, 2017 Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets $ — $ 1 $ — $ 1 Allowance for obsolete inventory parts 12 2 — (1) 14 Allowance for doubtful accounts 5 — 4 (2) 1 Total 17 3 4 16 Year Ended December 31, 2016 Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets $ — $ — $ — $ — Allowance for obsolete inventory parts 10 2 — (1) 12 Allowance for doubtful accounts 6 — 1 (2) 5 Total 16 2 1 17 (1) Inventory scrapped. (2) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.

Special Items (Notes)

Special Items (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both, Disclosure [Text Block]	Special Items The following is a listing of special items presented on our consolidated statements of operations: Year Ended December 31, Special Items 2018 2017 2016 Embraer E190 fleet transition costs (1) $ 362 $ — $ — Union contract costs (2) 73 — — Total $ 435 $ — $ — (1) Embraer E190 fleet transition costs include a $319 million impairment charge of flight equipment and other property and equipment related to our June 2018 fleet review. The impairment was triggered by our decision to exit the Embraer E190 fleet and order 60 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, formerly known as the Bombardier CS300, for expected deliveries beginning in 2020 through 2025 , with the option for 60 additional aircraft through 2028 . We expect to transition owned Embraer E190 aircraft starting in 2020, and we expect the transition to be completed by 2025. We believe this decision will provide financial and network advantages over the current Embraer E190 aircraft. We assessed our Embraer E190 asset group by comparing projected undiscounted cash flows over the remaining time period we expect to utilize the aircraft to the book value of the asset group and determined the book value was in excess of the cash flows. We estimated the fair value of our Embraer E190 asset group using third party valuations and considering specific circumstances of our fleet such as aircraft age, maintenance requirements and condition and therefore classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. We reassessed our Embraer E190 assets and adjusted the depreciable lives and salvage value to align with our expected transition dates. Also included in Embraer E190 fleet transition costs are certain contract termination costs associated with the transition. Recorded amounts represent our best estimate of these costs and are based upon current facts and assumptions; actual amounts may be materially different. Additional expenses may be recorded in future periods as we continue to work through the transition of the Embraer E190 fleet. (2) Union contract costs include the one-time $50 million ratification bonus and other negotiated contractual provisions` related to our pilots' collective bargaining agreement.

Revenue Recognition (Notes)

Revenue Recognition (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block]	Revenue Recognition The Company categorizes the revenues received from contracts with its Customers by revenue source as we believe it best depicts the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of our revenue and cash flow. The following table provides the revenues recognized by revenue source for the years ended December 31 , 2018, 2017, and 2016 (in millions): 2018 2017 2016 Passenger revenue Passenger travel $ 7,221 $ 6,659 $ 6,324 Loyalty revenue - air transportation 160 102 56 Other Revenue Loyalty revenue 168 140 92 Other revenue 109 111 112 Total revenue $ 7,658 $ 7,012 $ 6,584 Contract Liabilities Our contract liabilities primarily consist of ticket sales for which transportation has not yet been provided, unused credits available to Customers, and outstanding loyalty points available for redemption. (in millions) December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Air traffic liability - passenger travel $ 892 $ 836 Air traffic liability - loyalty program (air transportation) 580 502 Deferred revenue 10 13 Total $ 1,482 $ 1,351 During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , we recognized passenger revenue of $825 million and $821 million respectively, that was included in passenger travel liability at the beginning of the respective periods. The Company elected the practical expedient that allows entities to not disclose the amount of the remaining transaction price and its expected timing of recognition for passenger tickets if the contract has an original expected duration of one year or less or if certain other conditions are met. We elected to apply this practical expedient to our contract liabilities relating to passenger travel and ancillary services as our tickets or any related passenger credits expire one year from the date of issuance. TrueBlue ® points are combined in one homogeneous pool and are not separately identifiable. As such, the revenue is comprised of the points that were part of the air traffic liability balance at the beginning of the period as well as points that were issued during the period. The table below presents the activity of the current and non-current air traffic liability, and includes points earned and sold to participating companies (in millions). Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 417 TrueBlue ® points redeemed (102 ) TrueBlue ® points earned and sold 187 Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 502 TrueBlue ® points redeemed (160 ) TrueBlue ® points earned and sold 238 Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 580 The timing of our TrueBlue ® point redemptions can vary; however, the majority of our points are redeemed within approximately three years of the date of issuance.

Summary of Significant Accoun_2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation JetBlue provides air transportation services across the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America. Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., or U.S. GAAP, and include the accounts of JetBlue and our subsidiaries. All majority-owned subsidiaries are consolidated with all intercompany transactions and balances being eliminated.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with U.S. GAAP require us to make certain estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value	Fair Value The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification ® , or Codification, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. This topic clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The topic also requires disclosure about how fair value is determined for assets and liabilities and establishes a hierarchy for which these assets and liabilities must be grouped, based on significant levels of inputs. Refer to Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Our cash and cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments which are readily convertible into cash. These investments include money market securities and commercial paper with maturities of three months or less when purchased. Cash equivalents Our cash equivalents include money market securities and commercial paper which are readily convertible into cash, have maturities of 90 days or less when purchased and are considered to be highly liquid and easily tradable. These securities are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities and are therefore classified as Level 1 within our fair value hierarchy.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash Restricted cash primarily consists of security deposits, funds held in escrow for estimated workers’ compensation obligations, and performance bonds for aircraft and facility leases.
Accounts and Other Receivables	Accounts and Other Receivables Accounts and other receivables are carried at cost. They primarily consist of amounts due from credit card companies associated with sales of tickets for future travel. We estimate an allowance for doubtful accounts based on known troubled accounts, if any, and historical experience of losses incurred.
Investment Securities	Investment Securities Investment securities consist of available-for-sale investment securities and held-to-maturity investment securities. When sold, we use a specific identification method to determine the cost of the securities. Available-for-sale investment securities Our available-for-sale investment securities include highly liquid investments such as certificates of deposit and U.S. treasury bills with maturities between three and twelve months which are stated at fair value. Held-to-maturity investment securities Our held-to-maturity investments consist of investment-grade interest bearing instruments, primarily U.S. treasury notes and bills, which are stated at amortized cost. We do not intend to sell these investment securities and the contractual maturities are not greater than 24 months. Those with maturities less than twelve months are included in short-term investments on our consolidated balance sheets. Those with remaining maturities in excess of twelve months are included in long-term investments on our consolidated balance sheets. We did not record any material gains or losses on these securities during the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 or 2016 . The estimated fair value of these investments approximated their carrying value as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 . The carrying values of investment securities consisted of the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions): December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Available-for-sale securities Time deposits $ 190 $ 130 U.S. Treasury 39 — Debt securities 7 6 Total available-for-sale securities 236 136 Held-to-maturity securities U.S. Treasury 180 220 Corporate bonds — 36 Total held-to-maturity securities 180 256 Total investment securities $ 416 $ 392 Available-for-sale investment securities Included in our available-for-sale investment securities are U.S. treasury bills, time deposits, commercial paper and debt securities. The U.S. treasury bills are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities and are therefore classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of remaining instruments are based on observable inputs in non-active markets, which are therefore classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy. We did not record any material gains or losses on these securities during the year ended December 31, 2018 or 2017 .
Derivative Instruments	Derivative Instruments Derivative instruments, including fuel hedge contracts, fuel basis swap agreements, and interest rate swap agreements are stated at fair value, net of any collateral postings. Derivative instruments are included in other current assets and other current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information. Aircraft fuel derivatives Our aircraft fuel derivatives include call option spreads and call options which are not traded on public exchanges. Their fair values are determined using a market approach based on inputs that are readily available from public markets for commodities and energy trading activities; therefore, they are classified as Level 2 inputs. The data inputs are combined into quantitative models and processes to generate forward curves and volatilities related to the specific terms of the underlying hedge contracts. The fair value of our outstanding aircraft fuel derivatives was immaterial as of December 31, 2018. There were no aircraft fuel derivatives outstanding as of December 31, 2017.
Inventories	Inventories Inventories consist of expendable aircraft spare parts and supplies that are stated at average cost, as well as aircraft fuel that is accounted for on a first-in, first-out basis. These items are expensed when used or consumed. An allowance for obsolescence on aircraft spare parts is provided over the remaining useful life of the related aircraft fleet.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment We record our property and equipment at cost and depreciate these assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values. We capitalize additions, modifications enhancing the operating performance of our assets and the interest related to predelivery deposits used to acquire new aircraft and the construction of our facilities. Estimated useful lives and residual values for our property and equipment are as follows: Property and Equipment Type Estimated Useful Life Residual Value Aircraft 25 years 20 % In-flight entertainment systems 5-10 years 0 % Aircraft parts Fleet life 10 % Flight equipment leasehold improvements Lower of lease term or economic life 0 % Ground property and equipment 2-10 years 0 % Leasehold improvements—other Lower of lease term or economic life 0 % Buildings on leased land Lease term 0 % Property under capital leases is initially recorded at an amount equal to the present value of future minimum lease payments which is computed on the basis of our incremental borrowing rate or, when known, the interest rate implicit in the lease. Amortization of property under capital leases is on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life and is included in depreciation and amortization expense. We record impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate the assets may be impaired and the undiscounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by the assets are less than the assets’ net book value. If impairment occurs, the loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the asset to its carrying amount.
Software	Software We capitalize certain costs related to the acquisition and development of computer software. We amortize these costs using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, which is generally between five and ten years. The net book value of computer software, which is included in other assets on our consolidated balance sheets, was $96 million and $92 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Amortization expense related to computer software was $46 million , $41 million and $32 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 , respectively. As of December 31, 2018 , amortization expense related to computer software is expected to be approximately $36 million in 2019 , $18 million in 2020 , $14 million in 2021 , $11 million in 2022 , and $6 million in 2023 .
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets Our intangible assets consist primarily of acquired take-off and landing slots, or Slots, at certain domestic airports. Slots are the rights to take-off or land at a specific airport during a specific time period of the day and are a means by which airport capacity and congestion can be managed. We account for Slots at High Density Airports, including Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., LaGuardia Airport, and JFK Airport, both in New York City, as indefinite life intangible assets which results in no amortization expense. We evaluate our intangible assets for impairment at least annually or when events and circumstances indicate they may be impaired. Indicators include operating or cash flow losses as well as significant decreases in market value. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , our intangible assets for Slots at High Density Airports with indefinite lives was $139 million .
Passenger Revenues	Passenger Revenue Ticket sales and the fees collected for related ancillary services are initially deferred in air traffic liability. Air traffic liability represents tickets sold but not yet flown, credits which can be used for future travel, and a portion of the liability related to our TrueBlue ® loyalty program. We allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation identified in a passenger ticket on a relative standalone basis. Passenger revenue, including certain ancillary fees directly related to passenger tickets, is recognized when the transportation is provided. Taxes that we are required to collect from our Customers, including foreign and U.S. federal transportation taxes, security taxes, and airport facility charges, are excluded from passenger revenue. Those taxes and fees are recorded as a liability upon collection and are relieved from the liability upon remittance to the applicable governmental agency. The majority of the tickets sold are non-refundable. Non-refundable fares may be canceled prior to the scheduled departure date for a credit for future travel. Refundable fares may be canceled at any time prior to the scheduled departure date. Failure to cancel a refundable fare prior to departure will result in the cancellation of original ticket and an issuance of a credit for future travel. Passenger credits can be used for future travel up to a year from the date of issuance. Passenger breakage revenue from unused tickets and passenger credits will be recognized in proportion to flown revenue based on estimates of expected expiration of when the likelihood of the Customer exercising his or her remaining rights becomes remote. Breakage revenue consists of nonrefundable tickets that remain unused past the departure date, have continued validity, and are expected to ultimately expire unused, as well as passenger credits that are not expected to be redeemed prior to expiration. JetBlue used estimates based on historical experience of expired tickets and credits and considered other factors that could impact future expiration patterns of tickets and credits. Tickets which do not have continued validity past the departure date are recognized as revenue after the scheduled departure date has lapsed. Passenger ticket costs primarily include credit card fees, commissions paid, and global distribution systems booking fees. Costs are allocated entirely to the purchased travel services and are capitalized until recognized when travel services are provided to the Customer.
Loyalty Program	Loyalty Program Customers may earn points under our customer loyalty program, TrueBlue ® , based on the fare paid and fare product purchased for a flight. Customers can also earn points through business partners such as credit card companies, hotels, car rental companies, and our participating airline partners. Points Earned From a Ticket Purchase. When a TrueBlue ® member travels, we recognize a portion of the fare as revenue and defer in air traffic liabilities the portion that represents the value of the points net of spoilage, or breakage. We allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative standalone basis. We determine the standalone selling price of TrueBlue® points issued using the redemption value approach. To maximize the use of observable inputs, we utilize the actual ticket value of the tickets purchased with TrueBlue® points. The liability is relieved and passenger revenue is recognized when the points are redeemed and the free travel is provided. Points Sold to TrueBlue ® Partners . Our most significant contract to sell TrueBlue ® points is with our co-branded credit card partner. Co-branded credit card partnerships have the following identified performance obligations: air transportation; use of the JetBlue brand name and access to our frequent flyer customer lists; advertising; and other airline benefits. In determining the estimated selling price, JetBlue considered multiple inputs, methods and assumptions, including: discounted cash flows; estimated redemption value, net of fulfillment discount; points expected to be awarded and redeemed; estimated annual spending by cardholders; estimated annual royalty for use of JetBlue's frequent flyer customer lists; and estimated utilization of other airline benefits. Payments are typically due monthly based on the volume of miles sold during the period, and the terms of our marketing contracts are generally from one to seven years. The overall consideration received is allocated to each performance obligation based on their standalone relative selling prices. The air transportation element is deferred and recognized as passenger revenue when the points are utilized. The other elements are recognized as other revenue when the performance obligation related to those service are satisfied, which is generally the same period as when consideration is received from the participating company. Amounts allocated to the air transportation element which are initially deferred include a portion that are expected to be redeemed during the following twelve months (classified as a component of Air traffic liability), and a portion that are not expected to be redeemed during the following twelve months (classified as Air traffic liability - loyalty non-current). We periodically update this analysis and adjust the split between current and non-current liabilities as appropriate. Points earned by TrueBlue® members never expire. TrueBlue® members can pool points between small groups of people, branded as Points Pooling™. Breakage is estimated using historical redemption patterns to determine a breakage rate. Breakage rates used to estimate breakage revenue are evaluated annually. Changes to breakage estimates impact revenue recognition prospectively.
Airframe and Engine Maintenance and Repair	Airframe and Engine Maintenance and Repair Regular airframe maintenance for owned and leased flight equipment is charged to expense as incurred unless covered by a third-party long-term flight hour service agreement. We have separate service agreements in place covering scheduled and unscheduled repairs of certain airframe line replacement unit components as well as the engines in our fleet. Certain of these agreements, whose original terms generally range from 10 to 15 years, require monthly payments at rates based either on the number of cycles each aircraft was operated during each month or the number of flight hours each engine was operated during each month, subject to annual escalations. These power by the hour agreements transfer certain risks, including cost risks, to the third-party service providers. They generally fix the amount we pay per flight hour or number of cycles in exchange for maintenance and repairs under a predefined maintenance program, which are representative of the time and materials that would be consumed. These costs are expensed as the related flight hours or cycles are incurred.
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs Advertising costs, which are included in sales and marketing, are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was $72 million in 2018 , $66 million in 2017 and $65 million in 2016 .
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation We record compensation expense for share-based awards based on the grant date fair value of those awards. Share-based compensation expense includes an estimate for pre-vesting forfeitures and is recognized over the requisite service periods of the awards on a straight-line basis.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We account for income taxes utilizing the liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax and financial statement reporting bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is provided unless realizability is judged by us to be more likely than not. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards New accounting rules and disclosure requirements can impact our financial results and the comparability of our financial statements. The authoritative literature which has recently been issued and that we believe will impact our consolidated financial statements is described below. There are also several new proposals under development. If and when enacted, these proposals may have a significant impact on our financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) of the Codification, which requires lessees to recognize leases on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842 ; ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases ; ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements; and ASU 2018-20, Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors . Under the new standard, a lessee will recognize liabilities on the balance sheet, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, and right-of-use (ROU) assets representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less at the commencement date, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. The new standard also eliminates the current build-to-suit lease accounting guidance which will result in the derecognition of build-to-suit assets and liabilities that remained on the balance sheet after the end of the construction period. The new standard is effective for us on January 1, 2019 with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. An entity may choose either its effective date or the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented on the financial statements as its date of initial application. An entity electing to apply the standard prospectively at its effective date would recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption and will not recast prior period results presented. We have substantially completed our assessment of the new standard and expect to adopt as of January 1, 2019 utilizing the modified retrospective transition method. We will record a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2017 for the impacts of the new standard. For JetBlue, we believe the most significant impact of the new standard relates to the recognition of new assets and liabilities on our balance sheet for operating leases related to our aircraft, engines, airport terminal space, airport hangars, office space, and other facilities and equipment. Upon adoption, we expect to recognize additional lease assets and lease liabilities ranging from $1.0 billion to $1.4 billion . We also expect to derecognize the existing asset constructed for others and construction obligation related to our JFK T5 build-to-suit project which was $561 million and $457 million , respectively, as of January 1, 2017. The effects of changing the method of accounting for the JFK T5 facility under the new lease standard will result in approximately $24 million of previously reported interest expense to be reported as rent expense for the period ended December 31, 2017. The new standard is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or cash flows. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other— Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The update provides guidance for determining if a cloud computing arrangement is within the scope of internal-use software guidance, and would require capitalization of certain implementation costs. ASU 2018-15 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. We are still evaluating the full impact of adopting the amendments on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement . The update eliminates, adds, and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted of the entire standard or of only the provisions that eliminate or modify disclosure requirements. We are still evaluating the full impact of adopting the amendments on our consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) of the Codification, which supersedes existing revenue recognition guidance. Under the new standard, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We adopted the requirements of ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2018 utilizing the full retrospective method of transition. We recorded a $48 million cumulative adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2016, the beginning of the retrospective reporting period, for the impacts of the new accounting standard. The adoption of the new standard did not have a significant impact on our earnings. For JetBlue, the most significant impact of the new standard relates to the accounting for our TrueBlue ® Loyalty Program. The new standard eliminated the incremental cost method for loyalty program accounting which we previously used. As a result, we revalued the liability for points earned on qualifying JetBlue purchases using a relative fair value approach. The application of a relative fair value approach increased our air traffic liability by $286 million , net of breakage, as of the beginning of the retrospective reporting period. In addition, we had a liability for outstanding points that were earned in conjunction with our previous co-branded credit card agreement that had been recorded using the residual method. The new standard does not permit the use of the residual method for this contract and instead, the transaction price is now allocated to the performance obligations on a relative selling price basis. This change decreased the relative value allocated to the air transportation performance obligation and resulted in a decrease of $159 million , net of breakage, to the liability as of the beginning of the retrospective reporting period. The standard also resulted in a change in the timing and classification of our revenue recognition for certain ancillary fees directly related to passenger tickets. As a result, we reclassified $471 million and $425 million from other revenue under the prior presentation to passenger revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Refer to Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information . During the first quarter of 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-01 , Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities of the Codification. The update made several changes, including the elimination of the available-for-sale classification of equity investments, and requires equity investments with readily determinable fair values to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. For equity investments without readily determinable fair values, the standard provides an alternative which allows entities to measure these investments at cost, less any impairment, adjusted for changes from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identifiable or similar investments of the same issuer. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, JetBlue Technology Ventures, LLC, or JTV, has several equity investments in emerging companies which do not have readily determinable fair values. These investments were accounted for at cost during 2017. Under the updated standard, these investments are now accounted for using the measurement alternative. As of December 31, 2018, the carrying amount of these investments was $25 million . During the first quarter of 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash of the Codification. The update clarified how entities should present restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 requires entities to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. Our consolidated statement of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 reflect retrospective application. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities of the Codification . The update expands the activities that qualify for hedge accounting and simplifies the rules for reporting hedging relationships. ASU 2017-12 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We elected to early adopt this update prospectively as of January 1, 2018. Our adoption of this update had no impact to the Company's financial results.
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		$ 48

Long-term Debt, Short-term Bo_2

Long-term Debt, Short-term Borrowings, and Capital Lease Obligations Short Term Borrowings (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Short-term Debt [Text Block]	Short-term Borrowings We have two lines of credit which bear interest at a floating rate based upon LIBOR plus a margin range of between 1.0% and 2.0% . Citibank Line of Credit We have a revolving Credit and Guaranty Agreement with Citibank, N.A. as the administrative agent for up to approximately $425 million . The term of the facility runs through April 2021 . Borrowings under the Credit and Guaranty Agreement bear interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR, plus a margin . The Credit and Guaranty Agreement is secured by Slots at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Reagan National Airport, as well as certain other assets. Slots are rights to take-off or land at a specific airport during a specific time period during the day and a means by which airport capacity and congestion can be managed. The Credit and Guaranty Agreement includes covenants that require us to maintain certain minimum balances in unrestricted cash, cash equivalents, and unused commitments available under all revolving credit facilities. In addition, the covenants restrict our ability to, among other things, dispose of certain collateral, or merge, consolidate, or sell assets. As of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , we did not have a balance outstanding or borrowings under this line of credit. Morgan Stanley Line of Credit We have a revolving line of credit with Morgan Stanley for up to approximately $200 million . This line of credit is secured by a portion of our investment securities held by Morgan Stanley and the amount available to us under this line of credit may vary accordingly. This line of credit bears interest at a floating rate based upon LIBOR, plus a margin . As of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , we did not have a balance outstanding or borrowings under this line of credit.

Summary of Significant Accoun_3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	The carrying values of investment securities consisted of the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in millions): December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Available-for-sale securities Time deposits $ 190 $ 130 U.S. Treasury 39 — Debt securities 7 6 Total available-for-sale securities 236 136 Held-to-maturity securities U.S. Treasury 180 220 Corporate bonds — 36 Total held-to-maturity securities 180 256 Total investment securities $ 416 $ 392
Property, Plant and Equipment	Estimated useful lives and residual values for our property and equipment are as follows: Property and Equipment Type Estimated Useful Life Residual Value Aircraft 25 years 20 % In-flight entertainment systems 5-10 years 0 % Aircraft parts Fleet life 10 % Flight equipment leasehold improvements Lower of lease term or economic life 0 % Ground property and equipment 2-10 years 0 % Leasehold improvements—other Lower of lease term or economic life 0 % Buildings on leased land Lease term 0 %

Operating Leases (Tables)

Operating Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Leases [Abstract]
Future minimum lease payments under non cancelable operating leases	Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases, including those described above, with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2018 , are as follows (in millions): Aircraft Other Total 2019 $ 54 $ 105 $ 159 2020 52 86 138 2021 46 78 124 2022 41 72 113 2023 45 64 109 Thereafter 67 379 446 Total minimum operating lease payments $ 305 $ 784 $ 1,089

Long-term Debt, Short-term Bo_3

Long-term Debt, Short-term Borrowings, and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of debt	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations and the related weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2018 and 2017 consisted of the following (in millions): 2018 2017 Secured Debt Floating rate equipment notes, due through 2028 (1) $ 247 4.9 % $ 153 4.7 % Fixed rate enhanced equipment notes, due through 2023 (2) 152 4.5 % 171 4.5 % Fixed rate equipment notes, due through 2028 (3) 1,131 4.7 % 716 5.4 % Fixed rate specialty bonds, due through 2036 (4) 43 4.9 % 43 4.9 % Capital Leases (5) 107 4.7 % 124 4.5 % Total debt and capital lease obligations 1,680 1,207 Less: Current maturities (309 ) (196 ) Less: Debt acquisition cost (10 ) (8 ) Long-term debt and capital lease obligations $ 1,361 $ 1,003 (1) Interest rates adjust quarterly or semi-annually based on LIBOR, plus a margin . In 2018, we issued $120 million in floating rate equipment notes due through 2028, which are secured by six Airbus A320 aircraft and one Airbus A321 aircraft. (2) In March 2014, we completed a private placement of $226 million in pass-through certificates, Series 2013-1. The certificates were issued by a pass-through trust and are not obligations of JetBlue. The proceeds from the issuance of the pass-through certificates were used to purchase equipment notes issued by JetBlue and secured by 14 of our aircraft. Principal and interest are payable semi-annually . (3) In 2018, we issued $567 million in fixed rate equipment notes due through 2028, which are secured by 14 Airbus A320 aircraft and 10 Airbus A321 aircraft. (4) In November 2005, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, or GOAA, issued special purpose airport facilities revenue bonds to JetBlue as reimbursement for certain airport facility construction and other costs. In April 2013, GOAA issued $42 million in special purpose airport facility revenue bonds to refund the bonds issued in 2005. The proceeds from the refunded bonds were loaned to us and we recorded the issuance of $43 million , net of $1 million premium, as long-term debt on our consolidated balance sheets. (5) As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , four capital leased Airbus A320 aircraft and two capital leased Airbus A321 aircraft were included in property and equipment at a cost of $253 million with accumulated amortization of $72 million and $64 million , respectively. The future minimum lease payments under these non-cancelable leases are $23 million in 2019 , $35 million in 2020 , $39 million in 2021 , $9 million in 2022 , $9 million in 2023 and $5 million in the years thereafter. Included in the future minimum lease payments is $14 million representing interest, resulting in a present value of capital leases of $107 million with a current portion of $17 million and a long-term portion of $90 million .
Schedule of maturities of long-term debt	Maturities of long-term debt and capital leases, net of debt acquisition costs, for the next five years are as follows (in millions): Year Maturities 2019 $ 306 2020 273 2021 262 2022 240 2023 223 Thereafter 366
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term debt, net of debt acquisition costs, at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows (in millions): December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Public Debt Fixed rate special facility bonds, due through 2036 $ 42 $ 44 $ 42 $ 46 Non-Public Debt Fixed rate enhanced equipment notes, due through 2023 151 153 169 178 Floating rate equipment notes, due through 2028 245 245 152 159 Fixed rate equipment notes, due through 2028 1,125 1,135 712 771 Total (1) $ 1,563 $ 1,577 $ 1,075 $ 1,154

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of earnings per share, basic and diluted	The following table shows how we computed basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31 (dollars and share data in millions): 2018 2017 2016 Numerator: Net income $ 188 $ 1,125 $ 727 Effect of dilutive securities: Interest on convertible debt, net of income taxes and profit sharing — — 2 Net income applicable to common stockholders after assumed conversions for diluted earnings per share $ 188 $ 1,125 $ 729 Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share 312.9 328.7 326.5 Effect of dilutive securities: Employee stock options and restricted stock units 1.6 1.7 2.1 Convertible debt — — 13.6 Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding and assumed conversions for diluted earnings per share 314.5 330.4 342.2

Share-Based Compensation (Table

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of restricted stock unit activity	The following is a summary of RSU activity under the 2011 Plan for the year ended December 31, 2018 (in millions except per share data): Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Nonvested at beginning of year 1.6 $ 20.14 Granted 1.1 20.62 Vested (0.8 ) 19.71 Forfeited (0.2 ) 20.51 Nonvested at end of year 1.7 $ 20.59

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of provision for income taxes	Our income tax (benefit) expense consisted of the following for the years ended December 31 (in millions): 2018 2017 2016 Deferred: Federal $ 82 $ (344 ) $ 227 State 7 24 24 Foreign 1 23 — Deferred income tax (benefit) expense 90 (297 ) 251 Current: Federal (60 ) 93 129 State (5 ) 18 26 Foreign 6 (25 ) 31 Current income tax (benefit) expense (59 ) 86 186 Total income tax (benefit) expense $ 31 $ (211 ) $ 437
Schedule of income taxes differed from the federal income tax statutory rate	The effective tax rate on income before income taxes differed from the federal income tax statutory rate for the years ended December 31 for the following reasons (in millions): 2018 2017 2016 Income tax expense at statutory rate $ 46 $ 319 $ 407 State income tax, net of federal benefit 8 27 32 Adjustment of net deferred tax liability from enacted tax rate change (28 ) (551 ) — Nondeductible expenses 7 4 4 Foreign rate differential (2 ) (7 ) (1 ) Other, net — (3 ) (5 ) Total income tax (benefit) expense $ 31 $ (211 ) $ 437
Schedule of deferred tax assets and deferred liabilities	The components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are as follows (in millions): 2018 2017 Deferred tax assets: Deferred revenue/gains $ 106 $ 129 Employee benefits 35 32 Foreign tax credit 32 23 Net operating loss carryforward 28 — Terminal 5 lease 28 45 Rent expense 20 22 Other 11 7 Total deferred tax assets 260 258 Valuation allowance (21 ) (1 ) Deferred tax assets, net 239 257 Deferred tax liabilities: Accelerated depreciation (1,327 ) (1,256 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (1,327 ) (1,256 ) Net deferred tax liability $ (1,088 ) $ (999 )
Schedule of reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in millions): 2018 2017 2016 Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, $ 31 $ 26 $ 21 Increases for tax positions taken during a prior period — 2 10 Increases for tax positions taken during the period 5 6 5 Decreases for tax positions taken during a prior period (3 ) (3 ) (4 ) Decreases for settlement with tax authorities during the period — — (6 ) Unrecognized tax benefits December 31, $ 33 $ 31 $ 26

Financial Derivative Instrume_2

Financial Derivative Instruments and Risk Management (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Percentage fuel covered under derivative contracts	The following table illustrates the approximate hedge percentages of our projected 2019 fuel usage by quarter as of December 31, 2018 , related to our outstanding fuel hedging contracts that were designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. Jet fuel call option agreements Jet fuel call option spread agreements Total First Quarter 2019 7 % — % 7 % Second Quarter 2019 7 % — % 7 % Third Quarter 2019 — % — % — % Fourth Quarter 2019 — % — % — %
Derivative instrument in statement of financial position and financial performance	The table below reflects quantitative information related to our derivative instruments and where these amounts are recorded in our financial statements (dollar amounts in millions). As of December 31, 2018 2017 Fuel derivatives Asset fair value recorded in prepaid expenses and other (1) $ — $ — Longest remaining term (months) 6 — Hedged volume (barrels, in thousands) 756 — Estimated amount of existing (gains) losses expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months $ 4 $ — 2018 2017 2016 Fuel derivatives Hedge effectiveness (gains) losses recognized in aircraft fuel expense $ 2 $ (15 ) $ (9 ) Hedge (gains) losses on derivatives recognized in comprehensive income $ 6 $ 6 $ (34 ) Percentage of actual consumption economically hedged 4 % 10 % 12 % (1) Gross asset of each contract prior to consideration of offsetting positions with each counterparty and prior to impact of collateral paid.

Fair Value (Tables)

Fair Value (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value measurements, recurring	The following is a listing of our assets and liabilities required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis and where they are classified within the fair value hierarchy (in millions): As of December 31, 2018 Assets Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Cash equivalents $ 198 $ — $ — $ 198 Available-for-sale investment securities 39 197 — 236 Aircraft fuel derivatives — — — — As of December 31, 2017 Assets Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Cash equivalents $ 173 $ — $ — $ 173 Available-for-sale investment securities — 136 — 136

Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Ta

Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	Comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in fair value of our aircraft fuel derivatives and interest rate swap agreements, which qualify for hedge accounting. A rollforward of the amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 , and 2016 is as follows (in millions): Aircraft Fuel Derivatives (1) Interest Rate Swaps (2) Total Balance of accumulated income (losses), at December 31, 2015 $ (4 ) $ 1 $ (3 ) Reclassifications into earnings, net of tax benefit of $4 (5 ) (1 ) (6 ) Change in fair value, net of tax (expense) of $(12) 22 — 22 Balance of accumulated income, at December 31, 2016 13 — 13 Reclassifications into earnings, net of tax benefit of $6 (9 ) — (9 ) Change in fair value, net of tax benefit of $2 (4 ) — (4 ) Balance of accumulated income, at December 31, 2017 — — — Reclassifications into earnings, net of tax benefit of $0 1 — 1 Change in fair value, net of tax benefit of $2 (4 ) — (4 ) Balance of accumulated (losses), at December 31, 2018 $ (3 ) $ — $ (3 ) (1) Reclassified to aircraft fuel expense (2) Reclassified to interest expense

Geographic Information (Tables)

Geographic Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of operating revenues by geographic regions	Operating revenues are allocated to geographic regions, as defined by the Department of Transportation, or DOT, based upon the origination and destination of each flight segment. As of December 31 2018, we served 33 locations in the Caribbean and Latin American region, or Latin America as defined by the DOT. However, our management includes our three destinations in Puerto Rico and two destinations in the U.S. Virgin Islands in our Caribbean and Latin America allocation of revenues. Therefore, we have reflected these locations within the Caribbean and Latin America region in the table below. Operating revenues by geographic regions for the years ended December 31 are summarized below (in millions): 2018 2017 2016 Domestic $ 5,386 $ 4,999 $ 4,717 Caribbean & Latin America 2,272 2,013 1,867 Total $ 7,658 $ 7,012 $ 6,584

Quarterly Financial Data (Una_2

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of quarterly financial information	Quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 are summarized below (in millions, except per share amounts): First Second Third Fourth 2018 Operating revenues $ 1,754 $ 1,928 $ 2,008 $ 1,968 Operating income (1)(2)(3) 128 (144 ) 83 221 Net income (1)(2)(3)(4) 88 (120 ) 50 169 Basic earnings per share $ 0.28 $ (0.38 ) $ 0.16 $ 0.55 Diluted earnings per share (1)(2)(3)(4) $ 0.27 $ (0.38 ) $ 0.16 $ 0.55 2017 Operating revenues $ 1,600 $ 1,836 $ 1,818 $ 1,758 Operating income 142 347 314 190 Net income (5) 82 207 181 654 Basic earnings per share $ 0.25 $ 0.63 $ 0.56 $ 2.04 Diluted earnings per share (5) $ 0.24 $ 0.62 $ 0.55 $ 2.03

Special Items (Tables)

Special Items (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both [Table Text Block]	The following is a listing of special items presented on our consolidated statements of operations: Year Ended December 31, Special Items 2018 2017 2016 Embraer E190 fleet transition costs (1) $ 362 $ — $ — Union contract costs (2) 73 — — Total $ 435 $ — $ — (1) Embraer E190 fleet transition costs include a $319 million impairment charge of flight equipment and other property and equipment related to our June 2018 fleet review. The impairment was triggered by our decision to exit the Embraer E190 fleet and order 60 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, formerly known as the Bombardier CS300, for expected deliveries beginning in 2020 through 2025 , with the option for 60 additional aircraft through 2028 . We expect to transition owned Embraer E190 aircraft starting in 2020, and we expect the transition to be completed by 2025. We believe this decision will provide financial and network advantages over the current Embraer E190 aircraft. We assessed our Embraer E190 asset group by comparing projected undiscounted cash flows over the remaining time period we expect to utilize the aircraft to the book value of the asset group and determined the book value was in excess of the cash flows. We estimated the fair value of our Embraer E190 asset group using third party valuations and considering specific circumstances of our fleet such as aircraft age, maintenance requirements and condition and therefore classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. We reassessed our Embraer E190 assets and adjusted the depreciable lives and salvage value to align with our expected transition dates. Also included in Embraer E190 fleet transition costs are certain contract termination costs associated with the transition. Recorded amounts represent our best estimate of these costs and are based upon current facts and assumptions; actual amounts may be materially different. Additional expenses may be recorded in future periods as we continue to work through the transition of the Embraer E190 fleet. (2) Union contract costs include the one-time $50 million ratification bonus and other negotiated contractual provisions` related to our pilots' collective bargaining agreement.

Revenue Recognition (Tables)

Revenue Recognition (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]	The following table provides the revenues recognized by revenue source for the years ended December 31 , 2018, 2017, and 2016 (in millions): 2018 2017 2016 Passenger revenue Passenger travel $ 7,221 $ 6,659 $ 6,324 Loyalty revenue - air transportation 160 102 56 Other Revenue Loyalty revenue 168 140 92 Other revenue 109 111 112 Total revenue $ 7,658 $ 7,012 $ 6,584
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Table Text Block]	Our contract liabilities primarily consist of ticket sales for which transportation has not yet been provided, unused credits available to Customers, and outstanding loyalty points available for redemption. (in millions) December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Air traffic liability - passenger travel $ 892 $ 836 Air traffic liability - loyalty program (air transportation) 580 502 Deferred revenue 10 13 Total $ 1,482 $ 1,351 The table below presents the activity of the current and non-current air traffic liability, and includes points earned and sold to participating companies (in millions). Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 417 TrueBlue ® points redeemed (102 ) TrueBlue ® points earned and sold 187 Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 502 TrueBlue ® points redeemed (160 ) TrueBlue ® points earned and sold 238 Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 580

Summary of Significant Accoun_4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption				$ 48,000,000
Expected Range of Additional Lease Assets and Liabilities to be Recognized (Minimum)			$ 1,000,000,000
Expected Range of Additional Lease Assets and Liabilities to be Recognized (Maximum)			1,400,000,000
Assets Constructed For Others	$ 561,000,000	$ 561,000,000	561,000,000
Construction Obligation	441,000,000	457,000,000	424,000,000
Effect of Adoption of New Accounting Principles, Interest Expense to be Reported as Rent Expense	24,000,000
Change to Air Traffic Liability - Elimination of Cost Method for Loyalty Accounting				286,000,000
Change to Air Traffic Liability - Elimination of Residual Method				$ 159,000,000
Reclassification of Other Revenue to Passenger Revenue due to Adoption of ASU 2014-09	471,000,000	425,000,000
Cost Method Investments - JetBlue Tech Ventures			25,000,000
Schedule of AFS and HTM Securities [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Derivative, Cumulative Gain (Loss)	0	$ 0
Available-for-sale securities	136,000,000		236,000,000
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	6,000,000		7,000,000
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity	256,000,000		180,000,000
Total investment securities	392,000,000		416,000,000
High Density Airports, Take-Off and Landing Slots [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	139,000,000		139,000,000
Bank Time Deposits [Member]
Schedule of AFS and HTM Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	130,000,000		190,000,000
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Schedule of AFS and HTM Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities	0		39,000,000
Held-to-maturity securities	220,000,000		180,000,000
Corporate Bond Securities [Member]
Schedule of AFS and HTM Securities [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity securities	$ 36,000,000		$ 0

Summary of Significant Accoun_5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 1) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
JFK Terminal 5 [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Leasehold Improvements, Gross	$ 76
Net Costs For Terminal Construction Project Subject To Underlying Ground Lease	$ 637
Aircraft [Member]
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	25 years
Residual Value	20.00%
In-flight entertainment systems [Member]
Property and Equipment
Residual Value	0.00%
Aircraft Parts [Member]
Property and Equipment
Residual Value	10.00%
Flight equipment leasehold improvements [Member]
Property and Equipment
Residual Value	0.00%
Ground property and equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment
Residual Value	0.00%
Leasehold improvements-other [Member]
Property and Equipment
Residual Value	0.00%
Buildings on Leased Land Member
Property and Equipment
Residual Value	0.00%
JFK Terminal 5 International [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Net Costs For Terminal Construction Project Subject To Underlying Ground Lease	$ 207
Minimum [Member] | In-flight entertainment systems [Member]
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Ground property and equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	2 years
Maximum [Member] | In-flight entertainment systems [Member]
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	10 years
Maximum [Member] | Ground property and equipment [Member]
Property and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	10 years

Summary of Significant Accoun_6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Derivative, Cumulative Gain (Loss)		$ 0	$ 0
Aircraft Maintenance, Materials, and Repairs	$ 625,000,000	622,000,000	563,000,000
Maintenance service agreements, Minimum	10 years
Maintenance service agreements, Maximum	15 years
Advertising expense	$ 72,000,000	66,000,000	65,000,000
Deferred income taxes	1,088,000,000	999,000,000
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption				$ 48,000,000
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Capitalized Computer Software, Net	96,000,000	92,000,000
Amortization expense	46,000,000	41,000,000	$ 32,000,000
Estimated Amortization expense related to computer software, Year one	36,000,000
Estimated Amortization expense related to computer software, Year two	18,000,000
Estimated Amortization expense related to computer software, Year three	14,000,000
Estimated Amortization expense related to computer software, Year four	11,000,000
Estimated Amortization expense related to computer software, Year five	6,000,000
High Density Airports, Take-Off and Landing Slots [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 139,000,000	$ 139,000,000

Summary of Significant Accoun_7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Held-to-Maturities Securities, Gains (Losses) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Sold, Realized Gain (Loss)	$ 0
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Derivative, Cumulative Gain (Loss)		$ 0	$ 0

Operating Leases (Details)

Operating Leases (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)aircraft	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)aircraft	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)aircraft
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of Operating Aircrafts, Sold and Leased Back | aircraft	40
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net	$ 331	$ 315	$ 294
Future minimum lease payments under non cancelable operating leases
Future minimum lease payments, 2016	159
Future minimum lease payments, 2017	138
Future minimum lease payments, 2018	124
Future minimum lease payments, 2019	113
Future minimum lease payments, 2020	109
Thereafter	446
Total minimum operating lease payments	1,089
Collateral Assets For Letters Of Credit Related To Leases	$ 31
Number Of Aircraft Variable Rate Rent | aircraft	0
Number Of Aircraft Lease Rate Renewed Based On Fair Market Value | aircraft	40
Number Of Aircraft Having Purchase Options | aircraft	42
Operating Lease Buyout, Value of Buyout	$ 65	$ 51	$ 164
Future Minimum Lease Payments Due To Vies	$ 257
A-320-200 [Member]
Future minimum lease payments under non cancelable operating leases
Operating Lease Buyout, Number of Aircraft | aircraft	1	3	9
A-321-200 [Member]
Future minimum lease payments under non cancelable operating leases
Operating Lease Buyout, Number of Aircraft | aircraft	1
Aircraft [Domain]
Future minimum lease payments under non cancelable operating leases
Future minimum lease payments, 2016	$ 54
Future minimum lease payments, 2017	52
Future minimum lease payments, 2018	46
Future minimum lease payments, 2019	41
Future minimum lease payments, 2020	45
Thereafter	67
Total minimum operating lease payments	$ 305
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Number of Units | aircraft	42
Number of Aircraft Operated at Period End | aircraft	253
Other [Member]
Future minimum lease payments under non cancelable operating leases
Future minimum lease payments, 2016	$ 105
Future minimum lease payments, 2017	86
Future minimum lease payments, 2018	78
Future minimum lease payments, 2019	72
Future minimum lease payments, 2020	64
Thereafter	379
Total minimum operating lease payments	$ 784
Minimum [Member]
Future minimum lease payments under non cancelable operating leases
Operating Lease Term Expiration Range	2,019
Maximum [Member]
Future minimum lease payments under non cancelable operating leases
Operating Lease Term Expiration Range	2,028
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Future minimum lease payments under non cancelable operating leases
Operating Leases of Lessee, Contingent Rentals, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR

Long-term Debt, Short-term Bo_4

Long-term Debt, Short-term Borrowings, and Capital Lease Obligations (Details) shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)aircraft	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)aircraft	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shares	Mar. 30, 2014USD ($)aircraft	Apr. 30, 2013USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Pledged Assets Not Separately Reported Flight Equipment	$ 2,900,000,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months	306,000,000
Long-term Debt	1,563,000,000	$ 1,075,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,577,000,000	1,154,000,000
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations and the weighted average interest rate
Capital Leases (7)	107,000,000	124,000,000
Total debt and capital lease obligations	1,680,000,000	1,207,000,000
Less: current maturities	(309,000,000)	(196,000,000)
Debt Acquisition Cost	(10,000,000)	(8,000,000)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,361,000,000	1,003,000,000
Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Accumulated Depreciation	72,000,000	64,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	40,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	40,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	40,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	40,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years	40,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter	416,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Interest Included in Payments	14,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Present Value of Net Minimum Payments	107,000,000
Capital Lease Obligations, Current	17,000,000
Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent	90,000,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	273,000,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	262,000,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	240,000,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	223,000,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	366,000,000
Interest Paid, Including Capitalized Interest, Operating and Investing Activities	$ 59,000,000	$ 60,000,000	$ 78,000,000
Floating rate equipment notes due through 2025 [Member]
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations and the weighted average interest rate
Weighted average interest rate	4.90%	4.70%
Secured Debt	$ 247,000,000	$ 153,000,000
Fixed Rate Equipment Notes Due Through Two Thousand Twenty Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 226,000,000
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations and the weighted average interest rate
Weighted average interest rate	4.50%	4.50%
Secured Debt	$ 152,000,000	$ 171,000,000
Fixed rate equipment notes, due through 2026 [Member]
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations and the weighted average interest rate
Weighted average interest rate	4.70%	5.40%
Secured Debt	$ 1,131,000,000	$ 716,000,000
Public Debt Fixed rate special facility bonds, due through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 42,000,000
Long-term Debt	42,000,000	42,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 44,000,000	$ 46,000,000
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations and the weighted average interest rate
Weighted average interest rate	4.90%	4.90%
Secured Debt	$ 43,000,000	$ 43,000,000
Debt Instrument, Net Amount					43,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium					$ 1,000,000
Public Debt 6.75% convertible debentures due in 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities | shares			17.6
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations and the weighted average interest rate
Weighted average interest rate	4.70%	4.50%
Non Public Debt Fixed Rate Enhanced Equipment Notes Due Through Two Thousand And Twenty Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 151,000,000	$ 169,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	153,000,000	178,000,000
Non Public Debt Floating Rate Equipment Notes Due Through Two Thousand And Twenty Eight [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	245,000,000	152,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	245,000,000	159,000,000
Non Public Debt Fixed Rate Equipment Notes Due Through Two Thousand Twenty Eight [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	1,125,000,000	712,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 1,135,000,000	771,000,000
Secured Debt [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Floating rate equipment notes due through 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR, plus a margin
Fixed Rate Equipment Notes Due Through Two Thousand Twenty Three [Member]
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations and the weighted average interest rate
Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment	semi-annually
Line of Credit [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Description	LIBOR plus a margin
Line of Credit [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description	0.01
Line of Credit [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description	0.02
Morgan Stanley [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit	$ 0	0
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 200,000,000
Morgan Stanley [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR, plus a margin
Revolving Credit Facility and Letter of Credit Facility [Member] | Citibank [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit	$ 0	$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 425,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility and Letter of Credit Facility [Member] | Citibank [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR, plus a margin
A-320-200 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital Lease Obligations, Number of Aircraft | aircraft	4	4
A-320-200 [Member] | Fixed Rate Equipment Notes Due Through Two Thousand Twenty Three [Member]
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations and the weighted average interest rate
Number of New Aircraft Held As Security | aircraft				14
A-321-200 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital Lease Obligations, Number of Aircraft | aircraft	2	2
Aircraft [Domain]
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations and the weighted average interest rate
Capital Leases (7)	$ 253,000,000	$ 253,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	23,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	35,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	39,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	9,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years	9,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter	$ 5,000,000

Operating Leases (Details Textu

Operating Leases (Details Textual) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)aircraft	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)aircraft	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)aircraft
Operating Leases (Textual) [Abstract]
Total rental expense for operating leases | $	$ 331	$ 315	$ 294
Collateral assets for letters of credit related to leases | $	$ 31
Number of aircraft variable rate rent	0
Number of aircraft lease rate renewed based on fair market value	40
Number of aircraft having purchase options	42
Number of Operating Aircrafts, Sold and Leased Back	40
Future Minimum Lease Payments Due To Vies | $	$ 257
Operating Lease Buyout, Value of Buyout | $	$ 65	$ 51	$ 164
Minimum [Member]
Operating Leases (Textual) [Abstract]
Operating Lease Term Expiration Range	2,019
Maximum [Member]
Operating Leases (Textual) [Abstract]
Operating Lease Term Expiration Range	2,028
Aircraft [Domain]
Operating Leases (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of aircraft leased	42
Number of Aircraft Operated at Period End	253
A-320-200 [Member]
Operating Leases (Textual) [Abstract]
Operating Lease Buyout, Number of Aircraft	1	3	9
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Operating Leases (Textual) [Abstract]
Operating Leases of Lessee, Contingent Rentals, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR

Long-term Debt, Short-term Bo_5

Long-term Debt, Short-term Borrowings, and Capital Lease Obligations (Details 1) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Maturities of long-term debt and capital leases
2,016	$ 306
2,017	273
2,018	262
2,019	240
2,020	223
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	$ 366

Long-term Debt, Short-term Bo_6

Long-term Debt, Short-term Borrowings, and Capital Lease Obligations (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2013
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt
Carrying Value	$ 1,563	$ 1,075
Estimated Fair Value	1,577	1,154
Public Debt Fixed rate special facility bonds, due through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 42
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt
Carrying Value	42	42
Estimated Fair Value	44	46
Non Public Debt Fixed Rate Enhanced Equipment Notes Due Through Two Thousand And Twenty Three [Member]
Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long-term debt
Carrying Value	151	169
Estimated Fair Value	$ 153	$ 178

Long-term Debt, Short-term Bo_7

Long-term Debt, Short-term Borrowings, and Capital Lease Obligations (Details Textual) shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)aircraft	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)aircraft	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shares
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible debt redemption			$ 86,000,000
Capital leases	$ 107,000,000	$ 124,000,000
Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Accumulated Depreciation	72,000,000	64,000,000
Long-term Debt	1,563,000,000	1,075,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	40,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	40,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	40,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	40,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years	40,000,000
Thereafter	416,000,000
Future minimum lease interest payments	14,000,000
Present value of capital leases	107,000,000
Capital Lease Obligations, Current	17,000,000
Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent	90,000,000
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,361,000,000	1,003,000,000
Value of aircraft, engines and other equipment and facilities which were pledged as security under various loan agreements	2,900,000,000
Cash payments for interest related to debt and capital lease obligations, net of capitalized interest	59,000,000	60,000,000	$ 78,000,000
Morgan Stanley [Member]
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]
Long-term Line of Credit	0	0
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 200,000,000
Morgan Stanley [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR, plus a margin
Line of Credit [Member] | Citibank [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility and Letter of Credit Facility [Member]
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]
Long-term Line of Credit	$ 0	$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 425,000,000
Line of Credit [Member] | Citibank [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility and Letter of Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis	LIBOR, plus a margin
A-320-200 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital Lease Obligations, Number of Aircraft | aircraft	4	4
A-321-200 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital Lease Obligations, Number of Aircraft | aircraft	2	2
Aircraft [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital leases	$ 253,000,000	$ 253,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	23,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	35,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	39,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	9,000,000
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years	9,000,000
Thereafter	$ 5,000,000
Public Debt 6.75% convertible debentures due in 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities | shares			17.6
Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Amount			$ 86,000,000

JFK Terminal 5 (Details)

JFK Terminal 5 (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)aft²airport_gate	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	$ 40
Principal Reduction of Construction Obligation Due in Next 12 Months	18
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	40
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	$ 40
JFK Terminal 5 (Textual) [Abstract]
Responsible for construction under facility lease agreement of 26-gate terminal | ft²	635,000
Number of Gates in a Terminal | airport_gate	26
Number of International Arrival Gates, New Gates and Gates Converted from T5 | airport_gate	6
Number of International Arrival Gates, New Gates | airport_gate	3
Number of International Arrival Gates, Gates Converted from T5 | airport_gate	3
Lease agreement extension, additional area of property | a	19
Assets constructed for others	$ 561	$ 561	$ 561
Non-cancelable lease term	25 years
Amortization expense	$ 22	22	23
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years	40
Construction obligation, 2016	19
Principal Reduction of Construction Obligation Due in Next 3 Years	20
Principal Reduction of Construction Obligation Due in Next 4 Years	21
Principal Reduction of Construction Obligation Due in Next 5 Years	22
Interest Expense, Lessee, Assets under Capital Lease	23	$ 24	$ 25
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter	416
JFK Terminal 5 [Member]
JFK Terminal 5 (Textual) [Abstract]
Total costs incurred for the elements of the project subject to underlying ground lease	637
Leasehold improvements included in ground property and equipment	76
JFK Terminal 5 International [Member]
JFK Terminal 5 (Textual) [Abstract]
Total costs incurred for the elements of the project subject to underlying ground lease	$ 207

Stockholders' Equity (Details)

Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 08, 2017	Dec. 07, 2016	Sep. 10, 2015
Stock repurchase program, period in force											3 years
Net income	$ 169	$ 50	$ (120)	$ 88	$ 181	$ 207	$ 82	$ 188	$ 1,125	$ 727
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount												$ 750	$ 500	$ 250
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock								$ 375	$ 380	$ 120
Common Stock reserved for issuance	22,404,023							22,404,023			22,404,023
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired								19,100,000	18,700,000	5,800,000
Treasury Stock, Shares	116,102,701							116,102,701	97,000,000		116,102,701
Accelerated Share Repurchases, Final Price Paid Per Share								$ 19.60	$ 20.36	$ 20.84

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Numerator:
Net income	$ 169	$ 50	$ (120)	$ 88	$ 181	$ 207	$ 82	$ 188	$ 1,125	$ 727
Interest on Convertible Debt, Net of Tax and Profit Sharing								0	0	2
Effect of dilutive securities:
Net income applicable to common stockholders after assumed conversions for diluted earnings per share								$ 188	$ 1,125	$ 729
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share								312.9	328.7	326.5
Employee stock options and restricted stock units								1.6	1.7	2.1
Convertible debt								0	0	13.6
Adjusted weighted average shares outstanding and assumed conversions for diluted earnings per share								314.5	330.4	342.2
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Net Income									$ 22	$ 32
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired								19.1	18.7	5.8
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock								$ 375	$ 380	$ 120

EarningsPer Share Convertible D

EarningsPer Share Convertible Debt (Details) - Public Debt Six Point Seven Five Percentage Convertible Debentures Due In Two Thousand Thirty Nine [Member] shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shares
Debt Conversion, Original Debt, Amount | $	$ 86
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities | shares	17.6

EarningsPer Share Share Repurch

EarningsPer Share Share Repurchases (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	19,100,000	18,700,000	5,800,000
Treasury Stock, Shares	116,102,701	97,000,000

Share-Based Compensation (Detai

Share-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended				19 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Amount	$ 7	$ 4	$ 4
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 0.85
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price		$ 0.50
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 22.6
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year
Summary of restricted stock unit activity
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 28	$ 29	$ 23
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized				15	7.5
Period For Shares Issuance Following Departure Of Director	six months and one day
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	8
Period For Successive Overlapping	6 months
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans	3.2
Incentive Compensation Plan Two Thousand Eleven [Member]
Summary of restricted stock unit activity
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized						15
Restricted Stock Unit Activity Under 2011 Plan [Member]
Summary of restricted stock unit activity
Nonvested shares, beginning balance	1.6
Restricted stock unit activity granted, shares	1.1
Restricted stock unit activity granted, weighted average grant date fair value	$ 20.62	$ 19.76	$ 22.95
Restricted stock unit activity vested, shares	(0.8)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	(0.2)
Nonvested shares, ending balance	1.7	1.6
Stock Option 2002 Plan [Member]
Summary of restricted stock unit activity
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised		$ 3	$ 2
Crewmember Stock Purchase Plan 2011 [Member]
Summary of restricted stock unit activity
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Maximum Employee Subscription Rate	10.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Discount from Market Price, Purchase Date	15.00%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), Expense	$ 9	$ 8	$ 6
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Per Share Weighted Average Price of Shares Purchased	$ 15.21	$ 17.46	$ 15.88		$ 15.88
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested	$ 16	$ 20	$ 30
Summary of restricted stock unit activity
Nonvested shares, ending balance	2.2
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Restricted Stock Unit Activity Under 2011 Plan [Member]
Summary of restricted stock unit activity
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Deferred Stock Units (DSU's) [Member]
Summary of restricted stock unit activity
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Award Restricted Stock Units Vesting Period Minimum	1 year
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Award Restricted Stock Units Vesting Period Maximum	3 years

Share-Based Compensation (Det_2

Share-Based Compensation (Details 1)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018$ / shares
Summary of stock option activity
Outstanding at beginning of year, per share	$ 0.50
Exercised, per share	$ 0.85
Outstanding at end of year, per share

Share-Based Compensation (Det_3

Share-Based Compensation (Details 3) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended		19 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized		15	7.5
Summary of CSPP share reserve activity
Common stock purchased	(3.2)

Share-Based Compensation (Det_4

Share-Based Compensation (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended				19 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2012
Share-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	$ 22.6
Number of years expected to recognize stock-based compensation	1 year
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 28	$ 29	$ 23
Shares issued following the Director's departure from the Board	six months and one day
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross	8
Common stock purchased	(3.2)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized				15	7.5
Incentive Compensation Plan 2011 [Member]
Share-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized						15
Restricted Stock Unit Activity Under 2011 Plan [Member]
Share-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options	1.7	1.6
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 20.62	$ 19.76	$ 22.95
Crewmember Stock Purchase Plan 2011 [Member]
Share-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Employees contribution towards purchase of common stock	10.00%
Purchase price discount based upon the stock price	15.00%
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), Expense	$ 9	$ 8	$ 6
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Per Share Weighted Average Price of Shares Purchased	$ 15.21	$ 17.46	$ 15.88		$ 15.88
Stock Option 2002 Plan [Member]
Share-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Cash from stock option exercises		$ 3	$ 2
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested	$ 16	$ 20	$ 30
Share-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options	2.2
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Restricted Stock Unit Activity Under 2011 Plan [Member]
Share-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years
Deferred Stock Units (DSU's) [Member]
Share-Based Compensation (Textual) [Abstract]
Minimum Vesting Period	1 year
Maximum Vesting Period	3 years

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Domestic	$ 42		$ 42
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, Foreign	56		56
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	16		16
Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance			20
Tax Credit Carryforward, Limitations on Use	9		9
Deferred Tax Assets, Deferred Income	106	$ 129	$ 106	$ 129
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent			35.00%
Statutory Tax Rate After 2017 Reform			21.00%
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Foreign	32	23	$ 32	23
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Enacted Tax Rate, Amount			(28)	(551)	$ 0
Other Tax Expense (Benefit)	17	551	28
Deferred:
Federal			82	(344)	227
State			7	24	24
Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit)			1	23	0
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense			90	(297)	251
Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit)			(60)	93	129
Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit)			(5)	18	26
Current Foreign Tax Expense (Benefit)			6	(25)	31
Current income tax (benefit) expense			(59)	86	186
Total income tax (benefit) expense			31	(211)	437
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Amount			7	4	4
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential, Amount			(2)	(7)	$ (1)
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Benefits	35	32	35	32
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	28	0	28	0
Deferred Tax Asset Tax Deferred T5	28	45	28	45
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Deferred Rent	20	22	20	22
Deferred Tax Assets, Other	11	7	11	7
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	260	258	260	258
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	21	1	21	1
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance	239	257	239	257
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment	1,327	1,256	1,327	1,256
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	1,327	1,256	1,327	1,256
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	$ 1,088	$ 999	$ 1,088	$ 999

Income Taxes (Details 1)

Income Taxes (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of income taxes differed from the federal income tax statutory rate
Income tax expense at statutory rate	$ 46	$ 319	$ 407
Increase resulting from:
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Amount	8	27	32
Other, net	$ 0	$ (3)	$ (5)

Income Taxes (Details 2)

Income Taxes (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefits	$ 35	$ 32
Terminal 5 lease	106	129
Other	11	7
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	260	258
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	21	1
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance	239	257
Deferred tax liabilities:
Accelerated depreciation	(1,327)	(1,256)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	(1,327)	(1,256)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	(1,088)	(999)
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	28	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Foreign	32	23
Deferred Tax Asset Tax Deferred T5	28	45
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Deferred Rent	$ 20	$ 22

Income Taxes (Details Textual)

Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 33	$ 31	$ 26		$ 21
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	(1,327)	(1,256)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment	(1,327)	(1,256)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance	239	257
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	21	1
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Benefits	35	32
Deferred Tax Assets, Other	11	7
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	(1,088)	(999)
Deferred Tax Asset Tax Deferred T5	28	45
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Amount	8	27	32
Income Taxes Paid	11	139	173
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Reconciling Items, Amount	0	(3)	(5)
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Deferred Rent	20	22
Deferred Tax Assets, Deferred Income	106	129
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	0	2	10
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption				$ 48
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions	5	6	5
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions	(3)	(3)	(4)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Amount	46	319	407
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities	0	0	$ (6)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent	1,088	$ 999
Unrecognized tax benefits would impact on effective tax rate	$ 16

Employee Retirement Plan (Detai

Employee Retirement Plan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Profit Sharing Calculation Trigger, Pretax Margin	18.00%
Percentage of Eligible Pre-tax Profits the Company Contributes to Profit Sharing when Pre-tax Margin is above 18%	20.00%
Percentage of Eligible Pre-tax Profits the Company Contributes to Profit Sharing until the Pre-tax Margin is 18%	10.00%
Employee retirement plan (Textual) [Abstract]
Percentage of compensation in cash	100.00%
Percentage of employees' pay	5.00%
Years of service	3 years
Percentage of employee's pay for profit sharing match	5.00%
Period of discretionary contribution	3 years
Percentage of Its Eligible Pre Tax Profits for which the employer contributes to the Plan.		15.00%
Percentage of FAA licensed employees gross pay for which ER can contribute discretionary profit sharing contribution to plan	3.00%
Percentage of Company Contribution to Pilots Retirement Program	15.00%
Pilots Retirement Vesting Period	3 years
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost	$ 172	$ 182	$ 290

Commitments (Details)

Commitments (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)aircraft	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	$ 319	$ 319	$ 0	$ 0
Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months		1,200
Purchase Obligation, Due in Second Year		1,300
Purchase Obligation, Due in Third Year		1,400
Purchase Obligation, Due in Fourth Year		1,300
Purchase Obligation, Due in Fifth Year		1,600
Other Commitment, Due in Fifth Year		$ 1,600
Number of Optional Aircraft Deliveries | aircraft		60
Commitments (Textual) [Abstract]
Restricted assets pledged related to workers compensation insurance policies and other business partner agreements		$ 28
Ratification Bonus		$ 50
Employment agreement		5 years
Employment Agreement Automatic Renewal Term		5 years
Renewal notice period		90 days
A-321 [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Number of aircraft and spare engine orders by the firm | aircraft		85
A220-300 [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Number of aircraft and spare engine orders by the firm | aircraft		60
A-321 Neo [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Number Of Aircraft Scheduled To Receive Next Year | aircraft		13
Number of Aircraft Expected to be Delivered within Twelve Months | aircraft		6

Contingencies (Details)

Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Maximum period of limit for loan repayment	15 years
Maximum period of limit for repayment regarding leases with foreign lenders	20 years
Maximum period of contract range of specified parties related to legal liability	25 years
Asset retirement obligations, noncurrent	$ 7

Financial Derivative Instrume_3

Financial Derivative Instruments and Risk Management (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)bbl	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)bbl	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Percentage Fuel Hedged - First Quarter Second Year	7.00%
Gain (Loss) on Price Risk Derivatives, Net			$ 0
Percentage fuel covered under derivative contracts
Percentage Fuel Hedged - Second Quarter Second Year	7.00%
Percentage Fuel Hedged - Third Quarter Second Year	0.00%
Percentage Fuel Hedged - Fourth Quarter Second Year	0.00%
Fuel derivatives [Member]
Percentage fuel covered under derivative contracts
Longest remaining term (months)	6 months	0 months
Barrels Of Fuel Covered Under Derivative Contracts | bbl	756,000	0
Price Risk Cash Flow Hedge Unrealized Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months	$ (4,000,000)	$ 0
Percentage of actual consumption hedged	4.00%	10.00%	12.00%
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	$ 0	$ 0
Fuel [Member] | Jet Fuel Call Option Agreement [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Percentage Fuel Hedged - First Quarter Second Year	7.00%
Percentage fuel covered under derivative contracts
Percentage Fuel Hedged - Second Quarter Second Year	7.00%
Percentage Fuel Hedged - Third Quarter Second Year	0.00%
Percentage Fuel Hedged - Fourth Quarter Second Year	0.00%
Fuel [Member] | Jet Fuel Call Option Spread Agreements [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Percentage Fuel Hedged - First Quarter Second Year	0.00%
Percentage fuel covered under derivative contracts
Percentage Fuel Hedged - Second Quarter Second Year	0.00%
Percentage Fuel Hedged - Third Quarter Second Year	0.00%
Percentage Fuel Hedged - Fourth Quarter Second Year	0.00%
Interest Expense [Member] | Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Percentage fuel covered under derivative contracts
Gain from Components Excluded from Assessment of Cash Flow Hedge Effectiveness			$ (1,000,000)
Aircraft Fuel Expense [Member] | Fuel derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	$ 2,000,000	(15,000,000)	(9,000,000)
Comprehensive Income [Member] | Fuel derivatives [Member]
Percentage fuel covered under derivative contracts
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, before Tax	6,000,000	6,000,000	$ (34,000,000)
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	0	0
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | Fuel derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Current	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	$ 0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	$ 0

Financial Derivative Instrume_4

Financial Derivative Instruments and Risk Management (Details 1) - Fuel derivatives [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)bbl	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)bbl
Derivative instrument in statement of financial position
Longest remaining term (months)	6 months	0 months
Hedged volume (barrels, in thousands) | bbl	756,000	0
Estimated amount of existing (gains) losses expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months | $	$ 4,000,000	$ 0

Financial Derivative Instrume_5

Financial Derivative Instruments and Risk Management (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fuel derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Longest remaining term (months)	6 months	0 months
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	$ 0	$ 0
Aircraft fuel expense [Member] | Fuel derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Hedge effectiveness (gains) losses recognized in aircraft fuel expense	(2)	15	$ 9
Comprehensive Income [Member] | Fuel derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Hedge (gains) losses on derivatives recognized in comprehensive income	(6)	(6)	$ 34
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 0	$ 0

Financial Derivative Instrume_6

Financial Derivative Instruments and Risk Management (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fuel derivatives [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	$ 0	$ 0

Financial Derivative Instrume_7

Financial Derivative Instruments and Risk Management (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Price Risk Derivatives, Net	$ 0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount of interest rate cash flow hedge derivatives		$ 0	$ 0
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Other income (expense) [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Price Risk Derivatives, Net	$ 0

Fair Value (Details)

Fair Value (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss), before Tax	$ 0	$ 0
Assets
Available-for-sale investment securities	236,000,000	136,000,000
Recurring [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	198,000,000	173,000,000
Available-for-sale investment securities	236,000,000	136,000,000
Aircraft fuel derivatives	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	198,000,000	173,000,000
Available-for-sale investment securities	39,000,000	0
Aircraft fuel derivatives	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Available-for-sale investment securities	197,000,000	136,000,000
Aircraft fuel derivatives	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Available-for-sale investment securities	0	$ 0
Aircraft fuel derivatives	$ 0

Fair Value (Details Textual)

Fair Value (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Cash Equivalent Maturity Period Description	<div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;text-align:left;text-indent:32px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">90 days or less</font></div></div>" id="sjs-B4">&lt;div style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;">&lt;div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:8px;text-align:left;text-indent:32px;font-size:10pt;">&lt;font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">90 days or less&lt;/font>&lt;/div>&lt;/div>
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss), before Tax	$ 0	$ 0

Comprehensive Income (Loss) (De

Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
Accumulated gains (losses), beginning balance	$ 0	$ 13,000,000	$ (3,000,000)
Reclassifications into earnings	1,000,000	(9,000,000)	(6,000,000)
Reclassification into earnings, Tax	0	(6,000,000)	(4,000,000)
Change in fair value	4,000,000	4,000,000	(22,000,000)
Change in fair value, Tax	(2,000,000)	(2,000,000)	12,000,000
Accumulated gains (losses), ending balance	(3,000,000)	0	13,000,000
Aircraft Fuel Derivatives [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
Accumulated gains (losses), beginning balance	0	13,000,000	(4,000,000)
Reclassifications into earnings	1,000,000	(9,000,000)	(5,000,000)
Change in fair value	4,000,000	4,000,000	(22,000,000)
Accumulated gains (losses), ending balance	(3,000,000)	0	13,000,000
Interest Rate Contract [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
Accumulated gains (losses), beginning balance	0	0	1,000,000
Reclassifications into earnings	0	0	(1,000,000)
Change in fair value	0	0	0
Accumulated gains (losses), ending balance	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Geographic Information (Details

Geographic Information (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018destination$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)destination	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Pro Forma Adjustment | $ / shares	$ 0.06				$ 1.71
Summarization of operating revenues by geographic regions
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax | $		$ 2,008	$ 1,928	$ 1,754	$ 1,758	$ 1,818	$ 1,836	$ 1,600	$ 7,658	$ 7,012	$ 6,584
Domestic [Member]
Summarization of operating revenues by geographic regions
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax | $									5,386	4,999	4,717
Latin America [Member]
Summarization of operating revenues by geographic regions
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax | $									$ 2,272	$ 2,013	$ 1,867
Latin America Destination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number Of Destinations | destination	33								33
PUERTO RICO
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number Of Destinations | destination	3								3
U.S Virgin Islands [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number Of Destinations | destination	2								2

Geographic Information (Detai_2

Geographic Information (Details Textual)	Dec. 31, 2018destination
Latin America Destination [Member]
Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of destinations	33
Puerto Rico [Member]
Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of destinations	3
U.S Virgin Islands [Member]
Geographic Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of destinations	2

Quarterly Financial Data (Una_3

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use			$ 319						$ 319	$ 0	$ 0
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Pro Forma Adjustment	$ 0.06				$ 1.71
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax		$ 2,008	1,928	$ 1,754	$ 1,758	$ 1,818	$ 1,836	$ 1,600	7,658	7,012	6,584
Operating income(1)(2)(3)	$ 221	83	(144)	128	$ 190	314	347	142	288	993	1,260
Net income	$ 169	$ 50	$ (120)	$ 88		$ 181	$ 207	$ 82	$ 188	$ 1,125	$ 727
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.55	$ 0.16	$ (0.38)	$ 0.28	$ 2.04	$ 0.56	$ 0.63	$ 0.25	$ 0.60	$ 3.42	$ 2.23
Diluted earnings per share(1)(2)(3)(4)	$ 0.55	$ 0.16	(0.38)	$ 0.27	$ 2.03	$ 0.55	$ 0.62	$ 0.24	$ 0.60	$ 3.41	$ 2.13
Impairment Effect on Earnings Per Share, after Tax			$ (0.76)
Special Items	$ 4	$ 112							$ 435	$ 0	$ 0
Specials Items Effect on Earnings Per Share	$ (0.01)	$ (0.27)
Other Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ (17)				$ (551)				$ (28)

Valuation and Qualifying Acco_2

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$ 1
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at beginning of period	16	$ 17	$ 16
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses	26	3	2
Deductions	2	4	1
Balance at end of period	40	16	17
Allowance for doubtful accounts [Member]
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current		1
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at beginning of period	1	5	6
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses	2	0	0
Deductions	2	4	1
Balance at end of period	1	1	5
Allowance for obsolete inventory parts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at beginning of period	14	12	10
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses	4	2	2
Deductions	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	18	14	12
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Balance at beginning of period	1	0	0
Additions Charged to Costs and Expenses	20	1	0
Deductions	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	$ 21	$ 1	$ 0

Special Items (Details)

Special Items (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use			$ 319	$ 319	$ 0	$ 0
Special Items - E190 Fleet Exit				362	0	0
Special Items - Union Contract Costs				73	0	0
Special Items	$ 4	$ 112		$ 435	$ 0	$ 0

Revenue Recognition (Details)

Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period								3 years
Air Traffic Liability				$ 502				$ 580	$ 502	$ 417
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized								825	821
Air Traffic Liability - Passenger Travel				836				892	836
Passenger Travel Revenue								7,221	6,659	6,324
Passenger Revenue - Loyalty Air Travel								160	102	56
Other Revenue - Loyalty								168	140	92
Other Revenue - Non Loyalty								109	111	112
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 2,008	$ 1,928	$ 1,754	1,758	$ 1,818	$ 1,836	$ 1,600	7,658	7,012	$ 6,584
Air Traffic Liability - Loyalty Program (Air Transportation)				502				580	502
Other Deferred Revenue				13				10	13
Contract with Customer, Liability				$ 1,351				1,482	1,351
Increase (Decrease) to Air Traffic Liability - Points Redeemed								(160)	(102)
Increase (Decrease) to Air Traffic Liability - Points Earned								$ 238	$ 187

Uncategorized Items - jblu-2018

Label	Element	Value
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents	$ 381,000,000