United Airlines 10-Q 19 Jul 17 2017 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jul. 12, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	UAL
Entity Registrant Name	United Continental Holdings, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	100,517
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		304,225,391
United Airlines, Inc.
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	United Airlines, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	319,687
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,000

Statements of Consolidated Oper

Statements of Consolidated Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Operating revenue:
Passenger-Mainline	$ 7,056	$ 6,525	$ 12,887	$ 12,102
Passenger-Regional	1,566	1,578	2,909	2,991
Total passenger revenue	8,622	8,103	15,796	15,093
Cargo	254	208	474	402
Other operating revenue	1,124	1,085	2,150	2,096
Total operating revenue	10,000	9,396	18,420	17,591
Operating expense:
Salaries and related costs	2,868	2,592	5,529	5,082
Aircraft fuel	1,669	1,437	3,229	2,655
Regional capacity purchase	549	551	1,085	1,073
Landing fees and other rent	541	541	1,085	1,066
Depreciation and amortization	536	491	1,054	970
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs	472	448	926	850
Distribution expenses	362	339	669	642
Aircraft rent	152	175	331	353
Special charges (Note 10)	44	434	95	624
Other operating expenses	1,408	1,328	2,740	2,567
Total operating expenses	8,601	8,336	16,743	15,882
Operating income	1,399	1,060	1,677	1,709
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense	(158)	(157)	(308)	(316)
Interest capitalized	21	14	44	28
Interest income	13	9	24	17
Miscellaneous, net (Note 10)	(1)	5	(18)	(13)
Total nonoperating expense, net	(125)	(129)	(258)	(284)
Income before income taxes	1,274	931	1,419	1,425
Income tax expense	456	343	505	524
Net income	$ 818	$ 588	$ 914	$ 901
Earnings per share, basic	$ 2.67	$ 1.78	$ 2.95	$ 2.63
Earnings per share, diluted	$ 2.66	$ 1.78	$ 2.94	$ 2.63
United Airlines, Inc.
Operating revenue:
Passenger-Mainline	$ 7,056	$ 6,525	$ 12,887	$ 12,102
Passenger-Regional	1,566	1,578	2,909	2,991
Total passenger revenue	8,622	8,103	15,796	15,093
Cargo	254	208	474	402
Other operating revenue	1,124	1,085	2,150	2,096
Total operating revenue	10,000	9,396	18,420	17,591
Operating expense:
Salaries and related costs	2,868	2,592	5,529	5,082
Aircraft fuel	1,669	1,437	3,229	2,655
Regional capacity purchase	549	551	1,085	1,073
Landing fees and other rent	541	541	1,085	1,066
Depreciation and amortization	536	491	1,054	970
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs	472	448	926	850
Distribution expenses	362	339	669	642
Aircraft rent	152	175	331	353
Special charges (Note 10)	44	434	95	624
Other operating expenses	1,407	1,328	2,739	2,566
Total operating expenses	8,600	8,336	16,742	15,881
Operating income	1,400	1,060	1,678	1,710
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense	(158)	(157)	(308)	(316)
Interest capitalized	21	14	44	28
Interest income	13	9	24	17
Miscellaneous, net (Note 10)	(2)	5	(18)	(13)
Total nonoperating expense, net	(126)	(129)	(258)	(284)
Income before income taxes	1,274	931	1,420	1,426
Income tax expense	456	343	505	524
Net income	$ 818	$ 588	$ 915	$ 902

Statements of Consolidated Comp

Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Net income	$ 818	$ 588	$ 914	$ 901
Other comprehensive income (loss), net change related to:
Fuel derivative financial instruments, net of taxes		33	1	111
Employee benefit plans, net of taxes	4	10	(4)	(14)
Investments and other, net of taxes	(12)		(12)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net	(8)	43	(15)	97
Total comprehensive income, net	810	631	899	998
United Airlines, Inc.
Net income	818	588	915	902
Other comprehensive income (loss), net change related to:
Fuel derivative financial instruments, net of taxes		33	1	111
Employee benefit plans, net of taxes	4	10	(4)	(14)
Investments and other, net of taxes	(12)		(12)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net	(8)	43	(15)	97
Total comprehensive income, net	$ 810	$ 631	$ 900	$ 999

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,371	$ 2,179
Short-term investments	2,278	2,249
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2017 - $11; 2016 - $10)	1,499	1,176
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2017 - $329; 2016 - $295)	882	873
Prepaid expenses and other	1,218	832
Total current assets	8,248	7,309
Operating property and equipment: Owned-
Flight equipment	28,397	25,873
Other property and equipment	6,103	5,652
Total owned property and equipment	34,500	31,525
Less-Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(10,894)	(9,975)
Total owned property and equipment, net	23,606	21,550
Purchase deposits for flight equipment	822	1,059
Capital leases-
Flight equipment	1,124	1,319
Other property and equipment	343	331
Total capital leases	1,467	1,650
Less-Accumulated amortization	(878)	(941)
Total capital leases, net	589	709
Total operating property and equipment, net	25,017	23,318
Other assets:
Goodwill	4,523	4,523
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2017 - $1,274; 2016 - $1,234)	3,592	3,632
Deferred income taxes	127	655
Restricted cash	115	124
Other, net	685	579
Total other assets	9,042	9,513
Total assets	42,307	40,140
Current liabilities:
Advance ticket sales	5,102	3,730
Accounts payable	2,225	2,139
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	2,069	2,135
Accrued salaries and benefits	1,812	2,307
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,436	849
Current maturities of capital leases	115	116
Other	837	1,010
Total current liabilities	13,596	12,286
Long-term debt	10,668	9,918
Long-term obligations under capital leases	944	822
Other liabilities and deferred credits:
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	2,799	2,748
Postretirement benefit liability	1,597	1,581
Pension liability	1,739	1,892
Advanced purchase of miles	214	430
Lease fair value adjustment, net	237	277
Other	1,659	1,527
Total other liabilities and deferred credits	8,245	8,455
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholder's equity:
Preferred stock
Common stock	3	3
Additional capital invested	6,577	6,569
Retained earnings	4,354	3,427
Stock held in treasury, at cost	(1,236)	(511)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(844)	(829)
Total stockholder's equity	8,854	8,659
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity	42,307	40,140
United Airlines, Inc.
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	2,365	2,173
Short-term investments	2,278	2,249
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2017 - $11; 2016 - $10)	1,499	1,176
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2017 - $329; 2016 - $295)	882	873
Prepaid expenses and other	1,219	832
Total current assets	8,243	7,303
Operating property and equipment: Owned-
Flight equipment	28,397	25,873
Other property and equipment	6,103	5,652
Total owned property and equipment	34,500	31,525
Less-Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(10,894)	(9,975)
Total owned property and equipment, net	23,606	21,550
Purchase deposits for flight equipment	822	1,059
Capital leases-
Flight equipment	1,124	1,319
Other property and equipment	343	331
Total capital leases	1,467	1,650
Less-Accumulated amortization	(878)	(941)
Total capital leases, net	589	709
Total operating property and equipment, net	25,017	23,318
Other assets:
Goodwill	4,523	4,523
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2017 - $1,274; 2016 - $1,234)	3,592	3,632
Deferred income taxes	83	612
Restricted cash	115	124
Other, net	685	579
Total other assets	8,998	9,470
Total assets	42,258	40,091
Current liabilities:
Advance ticket sales	5,102	3,730
Accounts payable	2,230	2,144
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	2,069	2,135
Accrued salaries and benefits	1,812	2,307
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,436	849
Current maturities of capital leases	115	116
Other	838	1,009
Total current liabilities	13,602	12,290
Long-term debt	10,668	9,918
Long-term obligations under capital leases	944	822
Other liabilities and deferred credits:
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	2,799	2,748
Postretirement benefit liability	1,597	1,581
Pension liability	1,739	1,892
Advanced purchase of miles	214	430
Lease fair value adjustment, net	237	277
Other	1,659	1,527
Total other liabilities and deferred credits	8,245	8,455
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholder's equity:
Additional capital invested	2,866	3,573
Retained earnings	6,866	5,937
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(844)	(829)
Receivable from related parties	(89)	(75)
Total stockholder's equity	8,799	8,606
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity	$ 42,258	$ 40,091

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 11	$ 10
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, obsolescence allowance	329	295
Intangibles, accumulated amortization	$ 1,274	$ 1,234
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common shares, authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common shares, outstanding	305,010,180	314,612,744
United Airlines, Inc.
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 11	$ 10
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, obsolescence allowance	329	295
Intangibles, accumulated amortization	$ 1,274	$ 1,234
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common shares, authorized	1,000	1,000
Common shares, issued	1,000	1,000
Common shares, outstanding	1,000	1,000

Condensed Statements of Consoli

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities		$ 2,108	$ 3,746
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures		(1,780)	(1,654)
Purchases of short-term and other investments		(1,587)	(1,273)
Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments		1,561	1,264
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		5	19
Investment in and loans to affiliates			(8)
Other		123	(6)
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,678)	(1,658)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		1,139	75
Repurchases of common stock		(712)	(2,182)
Payments of long-term debt		(525)	(453)
Principal payments under capital leases		(59)	(66)
Other, net		(75)	(24)
Net cash used in financing activities		(232)	(2,650)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		198	(562)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period		2,303	3,212
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period	[1]	2,501	2,650
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt and capital leases		907	59
Airport construction financing		32	35
Operating lease conversions to capital lease			7
United Airlines, Inc.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities		2,095	3,740
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures		(1,780)	(1,654)
Purchases of short-term investments and other investments		(1,587)	(1,273)
Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments		1,561	1,264
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		5	19
Investment in and loans to affiliates			(8)
Other		123	(6)
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,678)	(1,658)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		1,139	75
Dividend to UAL		(712)	(2,182)
Payments of long-term debt		(525)	(453)
Principal payments under capital leases		(59)	(66)
Other, net		(62)	(18)
Net cash used in financing activities		(219)	(2,644)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		198	(562)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period		2,297	3,206
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period	[2]	2,495	2,644
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt and capital leases		907	59
Airport construction financing		$ 32	35
Operating lease conversions to capital lease			$ 7
[1]	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to amounts reported within the consolidated balance sheet: Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,371 $ 2,483 Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other 15 43 Other assets: Restricted cash 115 124 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 2,501 $ 2,650
[2]	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to amounts reported within the consolidated balance sheet: Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,365 $ 2,477 Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other 15 43 Other assets: Restricted cash 115 124 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 2,495 $ 2,644

Condensed Statements of Consol7

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 2,371	$ 2,483
Other assets:
Restricted cash		115	124
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	[1]	2,501	2,650
United Airlines, Inc.
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		2,365	2,477
Other assets:
Restricted cash		115	124
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	[2]	2,495	2,644
Prepaid Expenses and Other
Current assets:
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other		15	43
Prepaid Expenses and Other | United Airlines, Inc.
Current assets:
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other		$ 15	$ 43
[1]	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to amounts reported within the consolidated balance sheet: Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,371 $ 2,483 Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other 15 43 Other assets: Restricted cash 115 124 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 2,501 $ 2,650
[2]	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to amounts reported within the consolidated balance sheet: Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,365 $ 2,477 Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other 15 43 Other assets: Restricted cash 115 124 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 2,495 $ 2,644

Recently Issued Accounting Stan

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	NOTE 1 - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Revenue Recognition In February 2016, the FASB amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 842, Leases Leases In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost .

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share	NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE The computations of UAL’s basic and diluted earnings per share are set forth below (in millions, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Earnings available to common stockholders $ 818 $ 588 $ 914 $ 901 Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 306.9 330.5 310.3 342.4 Effect of employee stock awards 0.8 0.3 0.8 0.3 Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 307.7 330.8 311.1 342.7 Earnings per share, basic $ 2.67 $ 1.78 $ 2.95 $ 2.63 Earnings per share, diluted $ 2.66 $ 1.78 $ 2.94 $ 2.63 The number of antidilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share amounts was not material. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, UAL repurchased approximately 6 million and 10 million shares of UAL common stock in open market transactions, respectively, for $0.4 billion and $0.7 billion, respectively. As of June 30, 2017, the Company had approximately $1.1 billion remaining to purchase shares under its existing share repurchase authority. UAL may repurchase shares through the open market, privately negotiated transactions, block trades or accelerated share repurchase transactions from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws. UAL will repurchase shares of UAL common stock subject to prevailing market conditions, and may discontinue such repurchases at any time. See Part II, Item 2., “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” of this report for additional information.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	NOTE 3 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) The tables below present the components of the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (“AOCI”) (in millions): Deferred Taxes UAL Pension and Fuel Investments Pension and Fuel Investments Total Balance at March 31, 2017 $ (867) $ — $ 1 $ 29 $ — $ 1 $ (836) Changes in value (7) — (17) 2 — 6 (16) Amounts reclassified to earnings 14 — — (5) — (1) 8 Net change 7 — (17) (3) — 5 (8) Balance at June 30, 2017 $ (860) $ — $ (16) $ 26 $ — $ 6 $ (844) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (854) $ (2) $ 1 $ 24 $ 1 $ 1 $ (829) Changes in value (33) — (17) 12 — 6 (32) Amounts reclassified to earnings 27 2 — (10) (1) (1) 17 Net change (6) 2 (17) 2 (1) 5 (15) Balance at June 30, 2017 $ (860) $ — $ (16) $ 26 $ — $ 6 $ (844) Deferred Taxes UAL Pension and Fuel Investments Pension and Fuel Investments Total Balance at March 31, 2016 $ (401) $ (93) $ 3 $ (140) $ (146) $ — $ (777) Changes in value 10 17 — (4) (6) — 17 Amounts reclassified to earnings 6 35 — (2) (13) — 26 Net change 16 52 — (6) (19) — 43 Balance at June 30, 2016 $ (385) $ (41) $ 3 $ (146) $ (165) $ — $ (734) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (363) $ (215) $ 3 $ (154) $ (102) $ — $ (831) Changes in value (33) 1 — 12 — — (20) Amounts reclassified to earnings 11 173 — (4) (63) — 117 Net change (22) 174 — 8 (63) — 97 Balance at June 30, 2016 $ (385) $ (41) $ 3 $ (146) $ (165) $ — $ (734) Details about AOCI Components Amount Reclassified from AOCI to Income Affected Line Item in the Statements of Consolidated Operations Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Pension and other postretirement liabilities Amortization of unrecognized losses and prior service cost (a) $ 14 $ 6 $ 27 $ 11 Salaries and related costs Fuel derivative contracts Reclassifications of losses into earnings — 35 2 173 Aircraft fuel (a) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs (see Note 5 of this report for additional information).

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Income Taxes	NOTE 4 - INCOME TAXES The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was 35.8% and 35.6%, respectively, and the effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was 36.9% and 36.8%, respectively. The effective tax rates represented a blend of federal, state and foreign taxes and included the impact of certain nondeductible items. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 reflects the impact of a change in the mix of domestic and foreign earnings and the impact of discrete events including the recognition of excess tax benefits related to employee stock compensation as a result of the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 requires excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies, which arise due to differences between the measure of compensation expense and the amount deductible for tax purposes, to be recorded directly through earnings as a component of income tax expense.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Employee Benefit Plans	NOTE 5 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Three Months Ended June 30, Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost $ 49 $ 27 $ 4 $ 6 Interest cost 55 50 17 22 Expected return on plan assets (61) (54) (1) (1) Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit) 32 20 (18) (14) Settlement loss 1 1 — — Total $ 76 $ 44 $ 2 $ 13 Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Six Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost $ 98 $ 55 $ 6 $ 10 Interest cost 110 101 34 44 Expected return on plan assets (121) (108) (1) (1) Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit) 63 38 (36) (27) Settlement loss 2 2 — — Total $ 152 $ 88 $ 3 $ 26 During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company contributed $160 million and $240 million, respectively, to its U.S. domestic tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans. Share-Based Compensation. In the six months ended June 30, 2017, UAL granted share-based compensation awards pursuant to both the 2008 Plan and the 2017 Plan. These share-based compensation awards include 1.5 million RSUs, consisting of 0.9 million time-vested RSUs and 0.6 million performance-based RSUs, and approximately 36 thousand stock options. The time-vested RSUs vest pro-rata, on February 28th of each year, over a three year period from the date of grant. These RSUs are generally equity awards settled in stock for domestic employees and liability awards settled in cash for international employees. The cash payments are based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date. The performance-based RSUs vest based on the Company’s relative improvement in pre-tax margin for the three years ending December 31, 2019. If this performance condition is achieved, cash payments will be made after the end of the performance period based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date. The Company accounts for the performance-based RSUs as liability awards. The table below presents information related to share-based compensation (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Share-based compensation expense $ 33 $ 3 $ 56 $ 13 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Unrecognized share-based compensation $ 123 $ 65 Profit Sharing Plans.

Financial Instruments and Fair

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements	NOTE 6 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS The table below presents disclosures about the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in UAL’s financial statements (in millions): June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,371 $ 2,371 $ — $ — $ 2,179 $ 2,179 $ — $ — Short-term investments: Corporate debt 826 — 826 — 835 — 835 — Asset-backed securities 898 — 898 — 792 — 792 — Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (“CDARS”) 151 — 151 — 246 — 246 — U.S. government and agency notes 101 — 101 — 140 — 140 — Other fixed-income securities 119 — 119 — 54 — 54 — Other investments measured at NAV 183 — — — 182 — — — Restricted cash 130 130 — — 124 124 — — Long-term investments: Equity securities 88 88 — — — — — — Enhanced equipment trust certificates (“EETC”) 22 — — 22 23 — — 23 Available-for-sale investment maturities Restricted cash Equity securities Investments presented in the table above have the same fair value as their carrying value. The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above (in millions): Fair Value of Debt by Fair Value Hierarchy Level June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Carrying Fair Value Carrying Fair Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Long-term debt $ 12,104 $ 12,606 $ — $ 9,178 $ 3,428 $ 10,767 $ 11,055 $ — $ 8,184 $ 2,871 Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows: Description Fair Value Methodology Cash and cash equivalents The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these assets. Short-term investments, Equity securities, EETC and Restricted cash Fair value is based on (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar instruments, (b) an income approach, which uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts into a single present amount based on current market expectations about those future amounts when observable trading prices are not available, or (c) broker quotes obtained by third-party valuation services. Long-term debt Fair values were based on either market prices or the discounted amount of future cash flows using our current incremental rate of borrowing for similar liabilities. Other investments measured at NAV In accordance with the relevant accounting standards, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in the table above are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the statement of financial position. The investments measured using NAV are shares of mutual funds that invest in fixed-income instruments including bonds, debt securities, and other similar instruments issued by various U.S. and non-U.S. public- or private-sector entities. The Company can redeem its shares at any time at NAV subject to a three-day settlement period.

Hedging Activities

Hedging Activities	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Hedging Activities	NOTE 7 - HEDGING ACTIVITIES Fuel Derivatives As of June 30, 2017, the Company did not have any fuel hedging contracts outstanding to hedge its fuel consumption. The last of the Company’s fuel hedge derivatives designated for cash flow hedge accounting expired in December 2016. The Company’s current strategy is to not enter into transactions to hedge its fuel consumption, although the Company regularly reviews its strategy based on market conditions and other factors. The following table presents the impact of derivative instruments and their location within the Company’s unaudited statements of consolidated operations (in millions): Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges Amount of Gain Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion) Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Fuel Expense Three Months Ended Three Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Fuel contracts $ — $ 17 $ — $ (35) Amount of Gain Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion) Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Fuel Expense (a) Six Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Fuel contracts $ — $ 1 $ (2) $ (173) (a) The 2017 loss reclassified from AOCI into fuel expense represents hedge losses on December 2016 settled trades, but for which the associated fuel purchased in December was not consumed until January 2017.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies	NOTE 8 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments. Aircraft Type Number of Firm Airbus A350 35 Boeing 737NG/737 MAX 165 Boeing 777-300ER 4 Boeing 787 19 Embraer E175 14 (a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft. The aircraft listed in the table above are scheduled for delivery through 2027. To the extent the Company and the aircraft manufacturers with whom the Company has existing orders for new aircraft agree to modify the contracts governing those orders, the amount and timing of the Company’s future capital commitments could change. For the remainder of 2017, United expects to take delivery of four Boeing 737NG aircraft, one Boeing 787-9 aircraft, and 14 Embraer E175 aircraft. Additionally, the Company also currently expects to take delivery of four used Airbus A319s for the remainder of 2017. In June 2017, the Company announced it will take delivery of four additional Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in 2018. The Company also converted 100 of its current Boeing 737 MAX orders into Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft and expects to take delivery of the aircraft starting in late 2020. All these aircraft are reflected in the table above. The table below summarizes United’s commitments as of June 30, 2017, which primarily relate to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and include other capital purchase commitments. Any new firm aircraft orders, including through the exercise of purchase options and purchase rights, will increase the total future capital commitments of the Company. (in billions) Last six months of 2017 $ 2.1 2018 2.9 2019 3.6 2020 2.9 2021 2.3 After 2021 8.2 $ 22.0 As of June 30, 2017, United had $278 million in financing available through a previously issued EETC transaction that it intends to use for the financing of certain aircraft delivered in the first half of 2017. Additionally United secured individual bank financing for eight Embraer E175 aircraft to be delivered in the second half of 2017. See Note 9 of this report for additional information on aircraft financing. The Company has also secured backstop financing commitments from certain of its aircraft manufacturers for a limited number of its future aircraft deliveries, subject to certain customary conditions. Financing may be necessary to satisfy the Company’s capital commitments for its firm order aircraft and other related capital expenditures. Regional CPAs. The table below summarizes the Company’s future payments through the end of the terms of our CPAs, excluding variable pass-through costs such as fuel and landing fees, among others. (in billions) Last six months of 2017 $ 0.9 2018 2.0 2019 1.5 2020 1.2 2021 1.1 After 2021 4.2 $ 10.9 Guarantees. In the Company’s financing transactions that include loans, the Company typically agrees to reimburse lenders for any reduced returns with respect to the loans due to any change in capital requirements and, in the case of loans in which the interest rate is based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), for certain other increased costs that the lenders incur in carrying these loans as a result of any change in law, subject, in most cases, to obligations of the lenders to take certain limited steps to mitigate the requirement for, or the amount of, such increased costs. At June 30, 2017, the Company had $3.1 billion of floating rate debt and $75 million of fixed rate debt, with remaining terms of up to 11 years, that are subject to these increased cost provisions. In several financing transactions involving loans or leases from non-U.S. entities, with remaining terms of up to 11 years and an aggregate balance of $3.1 billion, the Company bears the risk of any change in tax laws that would subject loan or lease payments thereunder to non-U.S. entities to withholding taxes, subject to customary exclusions. As of June 30, 2017, United is the guarantor of $163 million of aircraft mortgage debt issued by one of United’s regional carriers. The aircraft mortgage debt is subject to similar increased cost provisions as described above for the Company’s debt and the Company would potentially be responsible for those costs under the guarantees. Labor Negotiations.

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Debt	NOTE 9 - DEBT As of June 30, 2017, a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, principally aircraft, route authorities, airport slots and loyalty program intangible assets, was pledged under various loan and other agreements. As of June 30, 2017, UAL and United were in compliance with their debt covenants. 2017 Credit and Guaranty Agreement. Borrowings under the 2017 Credit Agreement bear interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR, subject to a 0% floor, plus a margin of 2.25% per annum, or another rate based on certain market interest rates, plus a margin of 1.25% per annum. The principal amount of the term loan must be repaid in consecutive quarterly installments of 0.25% of the original principal amount thereof, commencing on June 30, 2017, with any unpaid balance due on April 1, 2024. United may prepay all or a portion of the loan from time to time, at par plus accrued and unpaid interest. United pays a commitment fee equal to 0.75% per annum on the undrawn amount available under the revolving credit facility. The 2017 Credit Agreement includes covenants that, among other things, require the Company to maintain at least $2.0 billion of unrestricted liquidity and a minimum ratio of appraised value of collateral to the outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement of 1.60 to 1.0. The 2017 Credit Agreement contains events of default customary for this type of financing, including a cross default and cross acceleration provision to certain other material indebtedness of the Company. Under the provisions of the 2017 Credit Agreement, UAL’s ability to make investments and to pay dividends on, or repurchase, UAL’s common stock is restricted. EETCs . EETC Date Class Principal Final expected Stated Total debt recorded as of June 30, 2017 Proceeds received from Remaining September 2016 AA $ 637 October 2028 2.875% $ 445 $ 364 $ 192 September 2016 A 283 October 2028 3.10% 197 162 86 June 2016 AA 729 July 2028 3.10% 729 319 — June 2016 A 324 July 2028 3.45% 324 142 — $ 1,973 $ 1,695 $ 987 $ 278 Secured Notes Payable. 5% Senior Notes due 2024. The table below presents the Company’s contractual principal payments (not including debt discount or debt issuance costs) at June 30, 2017 under then-outstanding long-term debt agreements (in millions): Last six months of 2017 $ 333 2018 1,495 2019 1,082 2020 1,086 2021 1,071 After 2021 7,199 $ 12,266

Special Charges

Special Charges	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Special Charges	NOTE 10 - SPECIAL CHARGES For the three and six months ended June 30, special charges consisted of the following (in millions): Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Operating: 2017 2016 2017 2016 Severance and benefit costs $ 41 $ 6 $ 78 $ 14 Impairment of assets — 412 — 412 Labor agreement costs — 10 — 110 Cleveland airport lease restructuring — — — 74 (Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges 3 6 17 14 Special charges 44 434 95 624 Nonoperating: Other (gain) loss — (9) — (1) Special charges before income taxes 44 425 95 623 Income tax benefit related to special charges (16) (153) (34) (225) Total special charges, net of tax $ 28 $ 272 $ 61 $ 398 During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded $36 million ($23 million net of taxes) and $57 million ($37 million net of taxes), respectively, of severance and benefit costs related to a voluntary early-out program for its technicians and related employees represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. In the first quarter of 2017, approximately 1,000 technicians and related employees elected to voluntarily separate from the Company and will receive a severance payment, with a maximum value of $100,000 per participant, based on years of service, with retirement dates through early 2019. Also, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded $5 million ($3 million net of taxes) and $21 million ($13 million net of taxes), respectively, of severance primarily related to its management reorganization initiative. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded $6 million ($4 million net of taxes) and $14 million ($9 million net of taxes), respectively, of severance and benefit costs primarily related to a voluntary early-out program for its flight attendants. In April 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) announced that, effective October 30, 2016, it would designate Newark Liberty International Airport (“Newark”) as a Level 2 schedule-facilitated airport under the International Air Transport Association Worldwide Slot Guidelines. The designation was associated with an updated demand and capacity analysis of Newark by the FAA. In the second quarter of 2016, the Company determined that the FAA’s action impaired the entire value of its Newark slots because the slots are no longer the mechanism that governs take-off and landing rights. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $412 million special charge ($264 million net of taxes) to write off the intangible asset. In April 2016, the fleet service, passenger service, storekeeper and other employees represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (the “IAM”) ratified seven new contracts with the Company which extended the contracts through 2021. During three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded $10 million ($6 million net of taxes) and $110 million ($70 million net of taxes), respectively, of special charges primarily for bonus payments in conjunction with the IAM agreements. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the City of Cleveland agreed to amend the Company’s lease, which runs through 2029, associated with certain excess airport terminal space (principally Terminal D) and related facilities at Hopkins International Airport. The Company recorded an accrual for remaining payments under the lease for facilities that the Company no longer uses and will continue to incur costs under the lease without economic benefit to the Company. This liability was measured and recorded at its fair value when the Company ceased its right to use such facilities leased to it pursuant to the lease. The Company recorded a special charge of $74 million ($47 million net of taxes) related to the amended lease. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded gains and losses on sale of assets and other special charges of $3 million ($2 million net of taxes) and $17 million ($11 million net of taxes), respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded gains and losses on sale of assets and other special charges of $6 million ($4 million net of taxes) and $14 million ($9 million net of taxes), respectively. During the three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded a $9 million ($6 million net of taxes) gain on the sale of an affiliate. Also during the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded $8 million ($5 million net of taxes) of losses due to exchange rate changes in Venezuela applicable to funds held in local currency. Both of these charges were recorded as part of Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net. Accrual The accrual balance for severance and benefits was $27 million as of June 30, 2017, compared to $30 million as of June 30, 2016. The severance-related accrual as of June 30, 2017 is expected to be mostly paid through early 2019. The accrual balance for future lease payments on permanently grounded aircraft was $29 million as of June 30, 2017, compared to $41 million as of June 30, 2016. The grounded aircraft related accrual as of June 30, 2017 is expected to be mostly paid through 2025. The following is a reconciliation of severance and permanently grounded aircraft accrual activity for the six months ended June 30: Severance and Permanently Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 14 $ 41 Accrual 78 — Payments (65) (12) Balance at June 30, 2017 $ 27 $ 29 Severance and Permanently Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 27 $ 78 Accrual 14 (17) Payments (11) (20) Balance at June 30, 2016 $ 30 $ 41

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Computation of Earnings Per Share	The computations of UAL’s basic and diluted earnings per share are set forth below (in millions, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Earnings available to common stockholders $ 818 $ 588 $ 914 $ 901 Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 306.9 330.5 310.3 342.4 Effect of employee stock awards 0.8 0.3 0.8 0.3 Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 307.7 330.8 311.1 342.7 Earnings per share, basic $ 2.67 $ 1.78 $ 2.95 $ 2.63 Earnings per share, diluted $ 2.66 $ 1.78 $ 2.94 $ 2.63

Accumulated Other Comprehensi19

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	The tables below present the components of the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (“AOCI”) (in millions): Deferred Taxes UAL Pension and Fuel Investments Pension and Fuel Investments Total Balance at March 31, 2017 $ (867) $ — $ 1 $ 29 $ — $ 1 $ (836) Changes in value (7) — (17) 2 — 6 (16) Amounts reclassified to earnings 14 — — (5) — (1) 8 Net change 7 — (17) (3) — 5 (8) Balance at June 30, 2017 $ (860) $ — $ (16) $ 26 $ — $ 6 $ (844) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (854) $ (2) $ 1 $ 24 $ 1 $ 1 $ (829) Changes in value (33) — (17) 12 — 6 (32) Amounts reclassified to earnings 27 2 — (10) (1) (1) 17 Net change (6) 2 (17) 2 (1) 5 (15) Balance at June 30, 2017 $ (860) $ — $ (16) $ 26 $ — $ 6 $ (844) Deferred Taxes UAL Pension and Fuel Investments Pension and Fuel Investments Total Balance at March 31, 2016 $ (401) $ (93) $ 3 $ (140) $ (146) $ — $ (777) Changes in value 10 17 — (4) (6) — 17 Amounts reclassified to earnings 6 35 — (2) (13) — 26 Net change 16 52 — (6) (19) — 43 Balance at June 30, 2016 $ (385) $ (41) $ 3 $ (146) $ (165) $ — $ (734) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (363) $ (215) $ 3 $ (154) $ (102) $ — $ (831) Changes in value (33) 1 — 12 — — (20) Amounts reclassified to earnings 11 173 — (4) (63) — 117 Net change (22) 174 — 8 (63) — 97 Balance at June 30, 2016 $ (385) $ (41) $ 3 $ (146) $ (165) $ — $ (734) Details about AOCI Components Amount Reclassified from AOCI to Income Affected Line Item in the Statements of Consolidated Operations Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Pension and other postretirement liabilities Amortization of unrecognized losses and prior service cost (a) $ 14 $ 6 $ 27 $ 11 Salaries and related costs Fuel derivative contracts Reclassifications of losses into earnings — 35 2 173 Aircraft fuel (a) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs (see Note 5 of this report for additional information).

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The Company’s net periodic benefit cost includes the following components (in millions): Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Three Months Ended June 30, Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost $ 49 $ 27 $ 4 $ 6 Interest cost 55 50 17 22 Expected return on plan assets (61) (54) (1) (1) Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit) 32 20 (18) (14) Settlement loss 1 1 — — Total $ 76 $ 44 $ 2 $ 13 Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits Six Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost $ 98 $ 55 $ 6 $ 10 Interest cost 110 101 34 44 Expected return on plan assets (121) (108) (1) (1) Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit) 63 38 (36) (27) Settlement loss 2 2 — — Total $ 152 $ 88 $ 3 $ 26
Share-Based Compensation Expense	The table below presents information related to share-based compensation (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Share-based compensation expense $ 33 $ 3 $ 56 $ 13 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Unrecognized share-based compensation $ 123 $ 65

Financial Instruments and Fai21

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The table below presents disclosures about the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in UAL’s financial statements (in millions): June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,371 $ 2,371 $ — $ — $ 2,179 $ 2,179 $ — $ — Short-term investments: Corporate debt 826 — 826 — 835 — 835 — Asset-backed securities 898 — 898 — 792 — 792 — Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (“CDARS”) 151 — 151 — 246 — 246 — U.S. government and agency notes 101 — 101 — 140 — 140 — Other fixed-income securities 119 — 119 — 54 — 54 — Other investments measured at NAV 183 — — — 182 — — — Restricted cash 130 130 — — 124 124 — — Long-term investments: Equity securities 88 88 — — — — — — Enhanced equipment trust certificates (“EETC”) 22 — — 22 23 — — 23
Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments	The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above (in millions): Fair Value of Debt by Fair Value Hierarchy Level June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Carrying Fair Value Carrying Fair Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Long-term debt $ 12,104 $ 12,606 $ — $ 9,178 $ 3,428 $ 10,767 $ 11,055 $ — $ 8,184 $ 2,871

Hedging Activities (Tables)

Hedging Activities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Schedule of Gain on Derivative Instruments	The following table presents the impact of derivative instruments and their location within the Company’s unaudited statements of consolidated operations (in millions): Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges Amount of Gain Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion) Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Fuel Expense Three Months Ended Three Months Ended 2017 2016 2017 2016 Fuel contracts $ — $ 17 $ — $ (35) Amount of Gain Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion) Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Fuel Expense (a) Six Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Fuel contracts $ — $ 1 $ (2) $ (173) (a) The 2017 loss reclassified from AOCI into fuel expense represents hedge losses on December 2016 settled trades, but for which the associated fuel purchased in December was not consumed until January 2017.

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Schedule of Commitments to Purchase Aircrafts	The table below summarizes United’s commitments as of June 30, 2017, which primarily relate to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and include other capital purchase commitments. Any new firm aircraft orders, including through the exercise of purchase options and purchase rights, will increase the total future capital commitments of the Company. (in billions) Last six months of 2017 $ 2.1 2018 2.9 2019 3.6 2020 2.9 2021 2.3 After 2021 8.2 $ 22.0
Future Lease Payment Under Terms of Capacity Purchase Agreement	The table below summarizes the Company’s future payments through the end of the terms of our CPAs, excluding variable pass-through costs such as fuel and landing fees, among others. (in billions) Last six months of 2017 $ 0.9 2018 2.0 2019 1.5 2020 1.2 2021 1.1 After 2021 4.2 $ 10.9
Aircraft Type
Schedule of Commitments to Purchase Aircrafts	As of June 30, 2017, United had firm commitments and options to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company (“Boeing”), Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”), and Embraer S.A. (“Embraer”) presented in the table below: Aircraft Type Number of Firm Airbus A350 35 Boeing 737NG/737 MAX 165 Boeing 777-300ER 4 Boeing 787 19 Embraer E175 14 (a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft.

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Details of Pass Through Trusts	Certain details of the pass-through trusts with proceeds received from issuance of debt in 2017 are as follows (in millions, except stated interest rate): EETC Date Class Principal Final expected Stated Total debt recorded as of June 30, 2017 Proceeds received from Remaining September 2016 AA $ 637 October 2028 2.875% $ 445 $ 364 $ 192 September 2016 A 283 October 2028 3.10% 197 162 86 June 2016 AA 729 July 2028 3.10% 729 319 — June 2016 A 324 July 2028 3.45% 324 142 — $ 1,973 $ 1,695 $ 987 $ 278
Contractual Principal Payments	The table below presents the Company’s contractual principal payments (not including debt discount or debt issuance costs) at June 30, 2017 under then-outstanding long-term debt agreements (in millions): Last six months of 2017 $ 333 2018 1,495 2019 1,082 2020 1,086 2021 1,071 After 2021 7,199 $ 12,266

Special Charges (Tables)

Special Charges (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
Components of Special Charges	For the three and six months ended June 30, special charges consisted of the following (in millions): Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Operating: 2017 2016 2017 2016 Severance and benefit costs $ 41 $ 6 $ 78 $ 14 Impairment of assets — 412 — 412 Labor agreement costs — 10 — 110 Cleveland airport lease restructuring — — — 74 (Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges 3 6 17 14 Special charges 44 434 95 624 Nonoperating: Other (gain) loss — (9) — (1) Special charges before income taxes 44 425 95 623 Income tax benefit related to special charges (16) (153) (34) (225) Total special charges, net of tax $ 28 $ 272 $ 61 $ 398
Schedule of Severance Related Accrual	The following is a reconciliation of severance and permanently grounded aircraft accrual activity for the six months ended June 30: Severance and Permanently Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 14 $ 41 Accrual 78 — Payments (65) (12) Balance at June 30, 2017 $ 27 $ 29 Severance and Permanently Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 27 $ 78 Accrual 14 (17) Payments (11) (20) Balance at June 30, 2016 $ 30 $ 41

Computation of Earnings Per Sha

Computation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Earnings available to common stockholders	$ 818	$ 588	$ 914	$ 901
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	306.9	330.5	310.3	342.4
Effect of employee stock awards	0.8	0.3	0.8	0.3
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	307.7	330.8	311.1	342.7
Earnings per share, basic	$ 2.67	$ 1.78	$ 2.95	$ 2.63
Earnings per share, diluted	$ 2.66	$ 1.78	$ 2.94	$ 2.63

Earnings Per Share - Additional

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) shares in Millions, $ in Billions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)shares	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)shares
Earnings Loss Per Share [Line Items]
Amount remaining under repurchase programs	$ 1.1	$ 1.1
Open Market Repurchase Program
Earnings Loss Per Share [Line Items]
Number of shares repurchased | shares	6	10
Repurchases of common stock	$ 0.4	$ 0.7

Components of Accumulated Other

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, net of tax		$ (777)	$ 8,659	$ (831)
Changes in value, net of tax		17		(20)
Amounts reclassified to earnings, net of tax		26		117
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net	$ (8)	43	(15)	97
Ending Balance, net of tax	8,854	(734)	8,854	(734)
Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, before tax	(867)	(401)	(854)	(363)
Changes in value, before tax	(7)	10	(33)	(33)
Amounts reclassified to earnings, before tax	14	6	27	11
Net change, before tax	7	16	(6)	(22)
Ending Balance, before tax	(860)	(385)	(860)	(385)
Beginning Balance, deferred taxes	29	(140)	24	(154)
Changes in value, deferred taxes	2	(4)	12	12
Amounts reclassified to earnings, deferred taxes	(5)	(2)	(10)	(4)
Net change, deferred taxes	(3)	(6)	2	8
Ending Balance, deferred taxes	26	(146)	26	(146)
Derivative Contracts | Fuel
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, before tax		(93)	(2)	(215)
Changes in value, before tax		17		1
Amounts reclassified to earnings, before tax		35	2	173
Net change, before tax		52	2	174
Ending Balance, before tax		(41)		(41)
Beginning Balance, deferred taxes		(146)	1	(102)
Changes in value, deferred taxes		(6)
Amounts reclassified to earnings, deferred taxes		(13)	(1)	(63)
Net change, deferred taxes		(19)	(1)	(63)
Ending Balance, deferred taxes		(165)		(165)
Investments and Other
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, before tax	1	3	1	3
Changes in value, before tax	(17)		(17)
Net change, before tax	(17)		(17)
Ending Balance, before tax	(16)	$ 3	(16)	$ 3
Beginning Balance, deferred taxes	1		1
Changes in value, deferred taxes	6		6
Amounts reclassified to earnings, deferred taxes	(1)		(1)
Net change, deferred taxes	5		5
Ending Balance, deferred taxes	6		6
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance, net of tax	(836)		(829)
Changes in value, net of tax	(16)		(32)
Amounts reclassified to earnings, net of tax	8		17
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net	(8)		(15)
Ending Balance, net of tax	$ (844)		$ (844)

Details about Accumulated Other

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Salaries And Related Costs
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amortization of unrecognized losses and prior service cost	[1]	$ 14	$ 6	$ 27	$ 11
Fuel Oil Contract | Aircraft Fuel
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassifications of losses into earnings			$ 35	$ 2	$ 173
[1]	This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs (see Note 5 of this report for additional information).

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	35.80%	36.90%	35.60%	36.80%

Components of Net Periodic Bene

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 49	$ 27	$ 98	$ 55
Interest cost	55	50	110	101
Expected return on plan assets	(61)	(54)	(121)	(108)
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)	32	20	63	38
Settlement loss	1	1	2	2
Total	76	44	152	88
Other Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	4	6	6	10
Interest cost	17	22	34	44
Expected return on plan assets	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)	(18)	(14)	(36)	(27)
Total	$ 2	$ 13	$ 3	$ 26

Employee Benefit Plans - Additi

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017
Minimum
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Percentage of pre-tax earnings paid for profit sharing plan		5.00%
Maximum
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Percentage of pre-tax earnings paid for profit sharing plan		20.00%
Pension Benefits
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employer contribution to tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans	$ 160	$ 240
RSUs
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Share-based compensation, other than options, awards granted		1,500
Share-based compensation, vesting period		3 years
Performance Shares
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Share-based compensation, vesting period		3 years
Share-Based Compensation, vesting date		Dec. 31, 2019
Number of days used to compute performance period average closing price of restricted stock units		20 days
Stock Options
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Share-based compensation, option awards granted		36
Time Vested Restricted Stock Units RSU
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Share-based compensation, other than options, awards granted		900
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units RSU
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Share-based compensation, other than options, awards granted		600

Share-Based Compensation Expens

Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 33	$ 3	$ 56	$ 13
Unrecognized share-based compensation	$ 123		$ 123		$ 65

Financial Assets and Liabilitie

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,371	$ 2,179
Restricted cash	130	124
Equity securities	88
Enhanced equipment trust certificates ("EETC")	22	23
Corporate Debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	826	835
Asset-backed Securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	898	792
CDARS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	151	246
U.S. Government and Agency Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	101	140
Other Fixed Income Securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	119	54
Other Investments Measured At NAV
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	183	182
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	2,371	2,179
Restricted cash	130	124
Equity securities	88
Level 2 | Corporate Debt
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	826	835
Level 2 | Asset-backed Securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	898	792
Level 2 | CDARS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	151	246
Level 2 | U.S. Government and Agency Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	101	140
Level 2 | Other Fixed Income Securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-term investments	119	54
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Enhanced equipment trust certificates ("EETC")	$ 22	$ 23

Financial Instruments and Fai35

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017
EETC
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	2,019
Asset-backed Securities | Minimum
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	1 year
Asset-backed Securities | Maximum
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	17 years
Corporate Debt | Minimum
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	1 year
Corporate Debt | Maximum
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	3 years
CDARS | Maximum
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	1 year
U.S. Government and Other Securities | Minimum
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	1 year
U.S. Government and Other Securities | Maximum
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	3 years

Carrying Values and Estimated F

Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 12,104	$ 10,767
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt fair value	12,606	11,055
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure | Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt fair value	9,178	8,184
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt fair value	$ 3,428	$ 2,871

Hedging Activities - Additional

Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) - Fuel Contract	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017Contract
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Fuel hedging contracts outstanding	0
Cash Flow Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Fuel hedges expiration date	2016-12

Schedule of Gain on Derivative

Schedule of Gain on Derivative Instruments (Detail) - Designated as Hedging Instrument - Cash Flow Hedging - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	[1]	Jun. 30, 2016
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	$ 17			$ 1
Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Fuel Expense	$ (35)	$ (2)		$ (173)
[1]	The 2017 loss reclassified from AOCI into fuel expense represents hedge losses on December 2016 settled trades, but for which the associated fuel purchased in December was not consumed until January 2017.

Schedule of Commitments to Purc

Schedule of Commitments to Purchase Aircrafts (Detail) - United Airlines, Inc. - Capital Addition Purchase Commitments	Jun. 30, 2017Aircraft	[1]
Airbus A350 Aircraft
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Number of new aircraft committed to purchase	35
Boeing 737NG/737 MAX Aircraft
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Number of new aircraft committed to purchase	165
Boeing 777-300ER Aircraft
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Number of new aircraft committed to purchase	4
Boeing 787 Aircraft
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Number of new aircraft committed to purchase	19
Embraer E175 Aircraft
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Number of new aircraft committed to purchase	14
[1]	United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft.

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)	Feb. 17, 2017Aircraft	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)EmployeeAircraft
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Aggregate balance		$ 10,900,000,000
Tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure		1,900,000,000
Operating leases obligations		1,400,000,000
Capital leases obligations		432,000,000
Floating Rate Debt
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount		3,100,000,000
Fixed Rate Debt
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount		75,000,000
Loans And Leases From Non U S Entities
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Aggregate balance		3,100,000,000
Aircraft Mortgage Debt
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure		$ 163,000,000
Minimum | Tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity year		2,017
Maximum
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument, remaining terms (years)		11 years
Maximum | Tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity year		2,038
Maximum | Loans And Leases From Non U S Entities
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument, remaining terms (years)		11 years
United Airlines, Inc.
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity year		2,027
Debt instrument principal amount		$ 167,000,000
Number of employees | Employee		90,600
Percentage of employees represented by various U.S. labor organizations		80.00%
United Airlines, Inc. | EETC
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods		$ 278,000,000
Debt instrument principal amount		$ 1,973,000,000
United Airlines, Inc. | Boeing 777-300ER Aircraft
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of additional aircraft ordered for future delivery | Aircraft		4
United Airlines, Inc. | Boeing 737 MAX 10s
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of aircraft to be converted | Aircraft		100
United Airlines, Inc. | Delivered in Second Half of Twenty Seventeen [Member] | Embraer E175 Aircraft
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of additional aircraft ordered for future delivery | Aircraft		8
United Airlines, Inc. | Capital Addition Purchase Commitments
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
New aircraft, scheduled delivery date		2,027
United Airlines, Inc. | Capital Addition Purchase Commitments | Boeing 737NG
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of aircraft expected to be delivered through the remainder of 2017 | Aircraft		4
United Airlines, Inc. | Capital Addition Purchase Commitments | B 787-9
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of aircraft expected to be delivered through the remainder of 2017 | Aircraft		1
United Airlines, Inc. | Capital Addition Purchase Commitments | Embraer E175 Aircraft
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of aircraft expected to be delivered through the remainder of 2017 | Aircraft		14
United Airlines, Inc. | Capital Addition Purchase Commitments | A319 aircraft
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of aircraft expected to be delivered through the remainder of 2017 | Aircraft		4
Air Wisconsin | Minimum | CRJ 200
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of aircraft to operate | Aircraft	50
Air Wisconsin | Maximum | CRJ 200
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of aircraft to operate | Aircraft	65

Schedule of Acquisition of Airc

Schedule of Acquisition of Aircrafts and Related Spare Engines (Detail) $ in Billions	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Last six months of 2017	$ 2.1
2,018	2.9
2,019	3.6
2,020	2.9
2,021	2.3
After 2,021	8.2
Total commitments	$ 22

Future Lease Payment Under Term

Future Lease Payment Under Terms of Capacity Purchase Agreement (Detail) $ in Billions	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Last six months of 2017	$ 0.9
2,018	2
2,019	1.5
2,020	1.2
2,021	1.1
After 2,021	4.2
Contractual Obligation, Total	$ 10.9

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Minimum ratio of appraised value of collateral to the outstanding obligations		1.60
Credit Agreement | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Agreement Covenants Minimum Liquidity Requirement Value		$ 2,000,000,000
United Airlines, Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount		$ 167,000,000
Debt instrument maturity year		2,027
United Airlines, Inc. | 5% Senior Notes due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount	$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument maturity date	Feb. 1, 2024
Debt instrument stated interest rate	5.00%
Notes repurchase price	101.00%
United Airlines, Inc. | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage		0.75%
United Airlines, Inc. | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Quarterly principal repayment amount		0.25%
United Airlines, Inc. | Secured Debt | Term Loan Due April 1, 2024 [Member] | Interest Rate Floor
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		0.00%
United Airlines, Inc. | Secured Debt | Term Loan Due April 1, 2024 [Member] | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		2.25%
United Airlines, Inc. | Secured Debt | Term Loan Due April 1, 2024 [Member] | Certain Market Interest Rates
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		1.25%
United Airlines, Inc. | Secured Debt | Term Loan Facility Due April 1, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount		$ 1,500,000,000
Debt instrument maturity date		Apr. 1, 2024
Increase in term loan balance		$ 440,000,000
United Airlines, Inc. | Secured Debt | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit agreement		2,000,000,000
United Airlines, Inc. | Secured Debt | Revolving Credit Facility Available For Drawing Until April 1, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit agreement		$ 2,000,000,000
Revolving credit facility available for drawing date		Apr. 1, 2022

Details of Pass Through Trusts

Details of Pass Through Trusts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds received from issuance of debt	$ 1,139	$ 75
United Airlines, Inc.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	167
Proceeds received from issuance of debt	1,139	$ 75
United Airlines, Inc. | Class AA Pass Through Certificates | September 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	$ 637
Final expected distribution date	2028-10
Stated interest rate	2.875%
Total debt recorded	$ 445
Proceeds received from issuance of debt	364
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods	192
United Airlines, Inc. | Class AA Pass Through Certificates | June 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	$ 729
Final expected distribution date	2028-07
Stated interest rate	3.10%
Total debt recorded	$ 729
Proceeds received from issuance of debt	319
United Airlines, Inc. | Class A Pass Through Certificates | September 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	$ 283
Final expected distribution date	2028-10
Stated interest rate	3.10%
Total debt recorded	$ 197
Proceeds received from issuance of debt	162
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods	86
United Airlines, Inc. | Class A Pass Through Certificates | June 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	$ 324
Final expected distribution date	2028-07
Stated interest rate	3.45%
Total debt recorded	$ 324
Proceeds received from issuance of debt	142
United Airlines, Inc. | EETC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	1,973
Total debt recorded	1,695
Proceeds received from issuance of debt	987
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods	$ 278

Contractual Principal Payments

Contractual Principal Payments Not Including Debt Discount Or Debt Issuance Costs (Detail) - UAL and United $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Last six months of 2017	$ 333
2,018	1,495
2,019	1,082
2,020	1,086
2,021	1,071
After 2,021	7,199
Long-term debt	$ 12,266

Components of Special Charges (

Components of Special Charges (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Operating:
Severance and benefit costs	$ 41	$ 6	$ 78	$ 14
Impairment of assets		412		412
Labor agreement costs		10		110
Cleveland airport lease restructuring				74
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges	3	6	17	14
Special charges	44	434	95	624
Nonoperating:
Other (gain) loss		(9)		(1)
Special charges before income taxes	44	425	95	623
Income tax benefit related to special charges	(16)	(153)	(34)	(225)
Total special charges, net of tax	$ 28	$ 272	$ 61	$ 398

Special Charges - Additional In

Special Charges - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)Technician	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)
Special Charges [Line Items]
Severance and benefits costs	$ 41,000,000		$ 6,000,000	$ 78,000,000	$ 14,000,000
Severance and benefits costs net of tax			4,000,000		9,000,000
Labor agreement costs			10,000,000		$ 110,000,000
Lease maturity year					2,029
Cleveland airport lease restructuring					$ 74,000,000
Cleveland airport lease restructuring, net of taxes					47,000,000
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges	3,000,000		6,000,000	17,000,000	14,000,000
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges, net of tax	2,000,000		4,000,000	11,000,000	9,000,000
Venezuela local currency loss					8,000,000
Venezuela local currency loss, net of tax					5,000,000
Sale of an affiliate			9,000,000
Sale of an affiliate, net of tax			6,000,000
Accrual severance and benefit	27,000,000		30,000,000	$ 27,000,000	30,000,000
Severance-related accrual expected payment date				2,019
Accrual for permanently grounded aircraft	29,000,000		41,000,000	$ 29,000,000	41,000,000
Grounded aircraft related accrual expected payment date				2,025
Newark Liberty International Airport
Special Charges [Line Items]
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets			412,000,000
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets, net of tax benefits			264,000,000
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Special Charges [Line Items]
Severance and benefits costs	36,000,000			$ 57,000,000
Severance and benefits costs net of tax	23,000,000			37,000,000
Int'l Association of Machinists
Special Charges [Line Items]
Labor agreement costs			10,000,000		110,000,000
Labor agreement costs net of tax			$ 6,000,000		$ 70,000,000
Voluntary early out program | International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Special Charges [Line Items]
Number of positions eliminated | Technician		1,000
Voluntary early out program | International Brotherhood of Teamsters | Maximum
Special Charges [Line Items]
Severance payment per participant		$ 100,000
Management Reorganization Initiative
Special Charges [Line Items]
Severance and benefits costs	5,000,000			21,000,000
Severance and benefits costs net of tax	$ 3,000,000			$ 13,000,000

Schedule of Severance Related A

Schedule of Severance Related Accrual (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Severance and Benefits Costs
Schedule Of Accrual Activity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 14	$ 27
Accrual	78	14
Payments	(65)	(11)
Ending Balance	27	30
Permanently Grounded Aircraft
Schedule Of Accrual Activity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	41	78
Accrual		(17)
Payments	(12)	(20)
Ending Balance	$ 29	$ 41