Alaska Air (ALK) 10-Q 4 Aug 20 2020 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

COVER

COVER - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Quarterly Report	true
Entity File Number	1-8957
Entity Registrant Name	ALASKA AIR GROUP, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	91-1292054
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.01 par value
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Trading Symbol	ALK
Entity Address, Address Line One	19300 International Boulevard,
Entity Address, City or Town	Seattle,
Entity Address, State or Province	WA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	98188
City Area Code	(206)
Local Phone Number	392-5040
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		123,639,730
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Central Index Key	0000766421
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,509	$ 221
Marketable securities	1,294	1,300
Total cash and marketable securities	2,803	1,521
Receivables - net	280	323
Inventories and supplies - net	56	72
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	105	121
Total Current Assets	3,244	2,037
Property and Equipment
Aircraft and other flight equipment	8,257	8,549
Other property and equipment	1,381	1,306
Deposits for future flight equipment	591	533
Property and Equipment Total	10,229	10,388
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	3,434	3,486
Total Property and Equipment - Net	6,795	6,902
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	1,568	1,711
Goodwill	1,943	1,943
Intangible assets - net	109	122
Other noncurrent assets	339	278
Other Assets	3,959	4,054
Total Assets	13,998	12,993
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	102	146
Accrued wages, vacation and payroll taxes	284	470
DeferredPSPGrant	361	0
Other accrued liabilities	327	431
Deferred revenue, current	555	750
Operating Lease, Liability, Current	273	269
Total Current Liabilities	4,120	3,201
Noncurrent Liabilities
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent	1,376	1,439
Deferred revenue, noncurrent	1,519	1,240
Obligation for pension and postretirement medical benefits	581	571
Other liabilities	373	232
Other Liabilities and Credits Totals	4,468	4,197
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, Authorized: 5,000,000 shares, none issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, Authorized: 400,000,000 shares, Issued: 2020 - 132,989,258 shares; 2019 - 131,812,173 shares, Outstanding: 2020 - 123,639,314 shares; 2019 - 123,000,307 shares	1	1
Capital in excess of par value	350	305
Treasury stock (common), at cost: 2020 - 9,349,944 shares; 2019 - 8,811,866 shares	(674)	(643)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(458)	(465)
Retained earnings	4,642	5,133
Total Shareholders' Equity	3,861	4,331
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	13,998	12,993
Deferred Tax and Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	619	715
Contract with Customer, Liability, Current	1,131	900
Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation, Current	1,087	235
Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation	1,549	1,264
DeferredPSPGrant	$ 361	$ 0

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANC_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (PARENTHETICALS) - $ / shares	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred Stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (shares)	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (shares)	0
Common stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	400,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	132,989,258	131,812,173
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	123,639,314	123,000,307
Treasury Stock, Shares (shares)	9,349,944	8,811,866

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Operating Revenues
Total Operating Revenues	$ 421	$ 2,288	$ 2,057	$ 4,164
Costs and Expenses, Total	709	1,924	2,666	3,775
Wages and benefits	472	567	1,084	1,124
Variable incentive pay	16	44	23	79
Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses	59	502	443	922
Aircraft maintenance	45	115	160	235
Aircraft rent	74	82	155	165
Landing fees and other rentals	83	113	214	245
Contracted services	30	70	102	142
Selling expenses	4	87	59	159
Depreciation and amortization	107	105	215	211
Food and beverage service	7	53	56	102
Third-party regional carrier expense	26	42	63	83
Other	78	136	221	274
Special items - merger-related costs	1	8	4	34
Special items—other		0	229	0
Operating Income (Loss)	(288)	364	(609)	389
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Interest income	7	11	16	20
Interest capitalized	1	3	4	7
Other—net	6	(7)	11	(17)
Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total	(3)	(13)	1	(32)
Income (Loss) Before Income Tax	(291)	351	(608)	357
Income tax (benefit) expense	(77)	89	(162)	91
Net Income (Loss)	$ (214)	$ 262	$ (446)	$ 266
Basic Earnings Per Share (usd per share)	$ (1.74)	$ 2.12	$ (3.62)	$ 2.15
Diluted Earnings Per Share (usd per share)	$ (1.73)	$ 2.11	$ (3.60)	$ 2.14
Shares used for computation:
Basic shares (shares)	123,296	123,418	123,058	123,355
Diluted shares (shares)	123,965	124,301	123,685	124,179
Special items - Impairment charges and other	$ 69		$ 229	$ 0
Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Liability			231	385
Interest Costs Incurred	17	$ 20	30	42
PSPGrantRecognized	(362)	0	(362)	0
ProceedsFromPayrollSupportProgramGrant			723	0
Passenger Revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	309	2,111	1,790	3,827
Passenger Revenue [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	309	2,111	1,790	3,827
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	129	290	390	553
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	56	172	208	325
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member] | Mileage plan other revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	73	118	182	228
Cargo and Other Revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	39	59	85	109
Cargo and Other Revenue [Member] | Cargo and Freight [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 39	$ 59	$ 85	$ 109

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss)	$ (214)	$ 262	$ (446)	$ 266
Related to marketable securities:
Unrealized holding gain (loss) arising during the period	31	13	30	27
Reclassification of (gain) loss into Other - net nonoperating income (expense)	(6)	0	(9)	2
Income tax effect	(6)	(3)	(5)	(7)
Total	19	10	16	22
Related to employee benefit plans:
Reclassification of net pension expense into Wages and benefits and Other - net nonoperating income (expense)	8	8	15	16
Income tax effect	(2)	(2)	(4)	(4)
Total	6	6	11	12
Related to interest rate derivative instruments:
Unrealized holding gain (loss) arising during the period	(2)	(7)	(27)	(12)
Reclassification of loss into Aircraft rent	0	0	1	1
Income tax effect	1	2	6	3
Total	(1)	(5)	(20)	(8)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	24	11	7	26
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$ (190)	$ 273	$ (439)	$ 292

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)		123.194
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 3,751,000	$ 1,000	$ 232,000	$ (568,000)	$ (448,000)	$ 4,534,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss)	4,000					4,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	15,000				15,000
Stock repurchased during period (shares)		(0.215)
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	(13,000)		0	(13,000)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	12,000		12,000
Dividends, Cash	(43,000)					(43,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans		0.391
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures		0.134
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan	20,000		20,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	3,000		3,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Mar. 31, 2019	3,746,000	$ 1,000	261,000	(581,000)	(433,000)	4,498,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Dec. 31, 2018	3,751,000	1,000	232,000	(568,000)	(448,000)	4,534,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss)	266,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	26,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Jun. 30, 2019	3,973,000	$ 1,000	270,000	(593,000)	(422,000)	4,717,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)		123.504
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Mar. 31, 2019	3,746,000	$ 1,000	261,000	(581,000)	(433,000)	4,498,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss)	262,000					262,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	11,000				11,000
Stock repurchased during period (shares)		(0.194)
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	(12,000)			(12,000)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	9,000		9,000
Dividends, Cash	$ (43,000)					(43,000)
Cash dividend declared per share (usd per share)	$ 0.35
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures		0.028
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	$ 0		0
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 3,973,000	$ 1,000	270,000	(593,000)	(422,000)	4,717,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)		123.338
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	123,000,307	123
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 4,331,000	$ 1,000	305,000	(643,000)	(465,000)	5,133,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss)	(232,000)					(232,000)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(17,000)				(17,000)
Stock repurchased during period (shares)		(0.538)
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	(31,000)		0	(31,000)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	9,000		9,000
Dividends, Cash	(45,000)					(45,000)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures		0.123
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	0		0
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Mar. 31, 2020	4,015,000	$ 1,000	314,000	(674,000)	(482,000)	4,856,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Dec. 31, 2019	4,331,000	1,000	305,000	(643,000)	(465,000)	5,133,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss)	(446,000)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	7,000
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Jun. 30, 2020	3,861,000	$ 1,000	350,000	(674,000)	(458,000)	4,642,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)		122.585
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Mar. 31, 2020	4,015,000	$ 1,000	314,000	(674,000)	(482,000)	4,856,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss)	(214,000)					(214,000)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	24,000				24,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	$ 2,000		2,000
Cash dividend declared per share (usd per share)	$ 0.375
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans		1
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures		0.054
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan			27,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	$ 0
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Jun. 30, 2020	3,861,000	$ 1,000	350,000	$ (674,000)	$ (458,000)	$ 4,642,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued	$ 7,000		$ 7,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	123,639,314	123.639

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Income	$ (446)	$ 266
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	215	211
Stock-based compensation and other	7	16
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Changes in deferred tax provision	(98)	62
Increase in deferred revenue	84	75
Other - net	(262)	18
Net cash provided by operating activities	321	1,033
Property and equipment additions:
Aircraft and aircraft purchase deposits	(58)	(172)
Other flight equipment	(43)	(83)
Other property and equipment	(67)	(78)
Total property and equipment additions, including capitalized interest	(168)	(333)
Purchases of marketable securities	(1,004)	(885)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities	1,038	663
Other investing activities	10	25
Net cash used in investing activities	(124)	(530)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt	1,265	254
Long-term debt payments	(125)	(532)
Common stock repurchases	(31)	(25)
Dividends paid	(45)	(86)
Other financing activities	27	26
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,091	(363)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	1,288	140
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year	232	114
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the period	1,520	254
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest (net of amount capitalized)	25	34
Income taxes	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	1,509	244
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$ 11	$ 10

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,509	$ 221	$ 244
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets	11		10
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the period	$ 1,520	$ 232	$ 254	$ 114

GENERAL AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFIC

GENERAL AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
GENERAL AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	GENERAL AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Organization and Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Air Group, or the Company, and its primary subsidiaries, Alaska and Horizon. The condensed consolidated financial statements also include McGee Air Services (McGee), a ground services subsidiary of Alaska. The Company conducts substantially all of its operations through these subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information. Consistent with these requirements, this Form 10-Q does not include all the information required by GAAP for complete financial statements. It should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. In the opinion of management, all adjustments have been made that are necessary to fairly present the Company’s financial position as of June 30, 2020 and the results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. Such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. In preparing these statements, the Company is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses, including impairment charges. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, these estimates and assumptions require more judgment than they would be otherwise given the uncertainty of the future demand for air travel, among other considerations. Further, due to seasonal variations in the demand for air travel, the volatility of aircraft fuel prices, changes in global economic conditions, changes in the competitive environment and other factors, operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the entire year. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement

COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 Pandemic	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Impacts of COVID-19	COVID-19 PANDEMIC The public health and economic crises resulting from the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) beginning in the first quarter of 2020 has had an unprecedented impact on the Company. Travel restrictions, event cancellations and social distancing guidelines implemented throughout the country drove significant declines in demand beginning in February, and adversely impacted revenues beginning in March. Consistent with expectations, the financial impact to the second quarter was more significant than the first quarter. There continue to be travel restrictions in place throughout the United States, and the resurgence in COVID-19 cases threatens to halt or reverse progress towards reopening in many states and cities. It is uncertain when these restrictions may lift and when demand may return. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company implemented a "Peace-of-Mind" waiver, which allows travelers to book tickets for travel for a specified period of time that can be changed or canceled without incurring change fees. In the second quarter, the waiver has been extended to cover all ticketed travel purchased through September 8, 2020. Cancellations and postponement of travel exceeded new bookings in March and April, and had a material impact on second quarter passenger revenues, air traffic liability, and cash position. Refer to Note 3 for further discussion. The Company has taken decisive action to reduce costs and preserve cash and liquidity. In the first quarter, the Company implemented a company-wide hiring freeze, reduced salaries of senior management and hours for management employees, suspended annual pay increases and solicited voluntary leaves of absence. In addition to these payroll saving measures, the Company has actively negotiated with vendor partners to reduce contractual minimums and spending in line with the reduction in demand. With demand dramatically depressed, the Company has significantly reduced its planned flying capacity. As a result, many aircraft have been parked or removed from service. As of June 30, 2020, 101 mainline aircraft were temporarily grounded. The Company made the decision in the first quarter of 2020 to permanently remove 12 Airbus aircraft from the operating fleet. As of June 30, 2020, all operating regional aircraft were in service. Valuation of long-lived assets The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes indicate that the total carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. To determine if impairment exists, a recoverability test is performed comparing the sum of estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be directly generated by the assets to the asset carrying value. Assets are grouped at the individual fleet level, which is the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available. The Company developed estimates of future cash flows utilizing historical results, adjusted for the current operating environment, including the impact of parked aircraft. Given the temporary and permanent parking of certain aircraft described above, the Company performed impairment tests on certain long-lived assets as of March 31, 2020 and again as of June 30, 2020. All individual fleets passed the recoverability test, except for the Q400 fleet and the permanently parked Airbus aircraft, which did not pass in the first quarter of 2020. In the first quarter, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $83 million for the 12 permanently parked Airbus aircraft, which was comprised of operating lease right of use assets, estimable return costs, and related leasehold improvements. In the second quarter, the Company identified additional estimable return costs relating to those permanently parked aircraft, and recorded an additional $70 million charge. Also in the first quarter, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $58 million reflecting the amount for which carrying value exceeded fair value of the Q400 fleet. The Company also recorded additional impairment charges relating to two non-operating Q400 aircraft, which remain parked and held-for-sale, in the first quarter of 2020. A summary of the impairment charges recorded for aircraft and other flight equipment in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 is as follows (in millions): Airbus Aircraft Q400 Aircraft Total Impairment Aircraft and other flight equipment, net $ 11 $ 58 $ 69 Operating lease assets 62 — 62 Inventory and supplies - net 2 — 2 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 3 3 Other accrued liabilities 78 — 78 Total impairment charges - Long-lived assets $ 153 $ 61 $ 214 The Company will continue to evaluate the need for further impairment of long-lived assets as expectations of future demand, market conditions and fleet decisions evolve. Valuation of intangible assets and goodwill The Company reviews definite- and indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter, or more frequently should events or circumstances indicate that an impairment may exist. Given strain in the general economic environment and a significant decline in Alaska Air Group market capitalization, the Company performed impairment tests on all three asset types as of March 31, 2020 and again as of June 30, 2020. As a result of these analyses, indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill were deemed recoverable, and no impairment charges were recorded. Of the company’s definite-lived intangibles, leased gates at Dallas-Love Field (DAL Gates) were deemed not recoverable and an impairment charge of $10 million was recorded in the first quarter. No additional impairment charges were identified for definite-lived intangibles as a result of the June 30, 2020 impairment test. Other considerations The Company also evaluated outstanding receivable balances for risk of non-payment. The Company identified a $5 million receivable from a vendor that filed for bankruptcy during the first quarter. The Company fully expects to file a bankruptcy claim but, as the note is unsecured, management determined that collectability is not probable. Therefore, the full $5 million was reserved and charged to Special charges - impairment charges and other in the condensed consolidated statement of operations in the first quarter. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company concluded that the use of a year-to-date effective tax rate estimate was more appropriate than the annual effective tax rate method as estimates of the Company's full-year loss is not reliable at this time given the uncertainty of the travel demand environment. Although it is not certain when the impacts of COVID-19 will subside and demand for air travel will return, the Company has implemented meaningful plans to reduce expenses, build liquidity and preserve cash. At June 30, 2020, given the balance of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, as well as anticipated access to liquidity and cash flows from future operations, the Company expects it will meet all cash obligations, as well as remain in compliance with the financial debt covenants in its existing financing arrangements, for the next 12 months. Refer to Note 5. Long-Term Debt for further information regarding liquidity obtained in response to the COVID-19 crisis. CARES Act Funding During the second quarter, Alaska, Horizon, and McGee finalized agreements with the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the payroll support program (PSP) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Under the PSP and associated agreements, Alaska and Horizon received $992 million in the second quarter. Similarly, McGee entered into an agreement to receive a total of $30 million, of which $15 million was received in the second quarter, with the remainder expected to be received in two installments in the third quarter. The funds are to be used exclusively toward continuing to pay employee salaries, wages and benefits. Upon receipt of the funds, the Company is subject to various conditions, including, but not limited to, refraining from conducting involuntary furloughs or reducing employee rates of pay through September 30, 2020 and placing limits on executive compensation. Other conditions also prohibit the Company from repurchasing common stock and from paying dividends until September 30, 2021, and require the Company to continue to maintain essential air service as directed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUS

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS	REVENUE Ticket revenue is recorded as Passenger revenue, and represents the primary source of the Company's revenue. Also included in Passenger revenue are passenger ancillary revenues, such as bag fees, on-board food and beverage, ticket change fees, and certain revenue from the frequent flyer program. Mileage Plan other revenue includes brand and marketing revenue from the Company's co-branded credit card and other partners and certain interline frequent flyer revenue, net of commissions. Cargo and other revenue includes freight and mail revenue, and to a lesser extent, other ancillary revenue products such as lounge membership and certain commissions. The Company disaggregates revenue by segment in Note 9. The details within the Company’s statements of operations, segment disclosures, and in this footnote depict the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and how cash flows are affected by economic and other factors. Passenger Ticket and Ancillary Services Revenue Passenger revenue recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Passenger ticket revenue, including ticket breakage and net of taxes and fees $ 222 $ 1,792 $ 1,435 $ 3,231 Passenger ancillary revenue 31 147 147 271 Mileage Plan passenger revenue 56 172 208 325 Total Passenger revenue $ 309 $ 2,111 $ 1,790 $ 3,827 Mileage Plan™ Loyalty Program Mileage Plan™ revenue included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Passenger revenue $ 56 $ 172 $ 208 $ 325 Mileage Plan other revenue 73 118 182 228 Total Mileage Plan revenue $ 129 $ 290 $ 390 $ 553 Cargo and Other Cargo and other revenue included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Cargo revenue $ 28 $ 38 $ 52 $ 68 Other revenue 11 21 33 41 Total Cargo and other revenue $ 39 $ 59 $ 85 $ 109 Air Traffic Liability and Deferred Revenue Passenger ticket and ancillary services liabilities The Company recognized Passenger revenue of $484 million and $563 million from the prior year-end air traffic liability balance for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. Given the ongoing reduction in demand for air travel stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has observed unprecedented declines in advance bookings and associated cash receipts. The Company also saw significant cancellations beginning in March 2020, which has led to cash refunds or the issuance of credits for future travel. Since the onset of the pandemic, the Company has issued cash refunds of $363 million and credits for future travel of $695 million. At June 30, 2020, such credits, which are included in the air traffic liability balance, totaled $568 million, net of breakage. In April 2020, the Company announced updated expiration terms for these credits, extending to July 2021. At this time, the Company is unable to estimate how and when the air traffic liability will be recognized in earnings given ongoing uncertainty around the return in demand for air travel. Mileage Plan TM assets and liabilities The Company records a receivable for amounts due from the bank partner and from other partners as mileage credits are sold until the payments are collected. The Company had $42 million of such receivables as of June 30, 2020 and $105 million as of December 31, 2019. Consistent with the significant cancellation activity outlined above, the Company saw a substantial number of redeposits in the second quarter. Given the uncertainty around the return in demand for air travel, the Company is unable to determine how and when mileage credits will be recognized in earnings. The table below presents a roll forward of the total frequent flyer liability (in millions): Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 Total Deferred Revenue balance at January 1 $ 1,990 $ 1,874 Travel miles and companion certificate redemption - Passenger revenue (208) (325) Miles redeemed on partner airlines - Other revenue (21) (51) Increase in liability for mileage credits issued 313 451 Total Deferred Revenue balance at June 30 $ 2,074 $ 1,949

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS In determining fair value, there is a three-level hierarchy based on the reliability of the inputs used. Level 1 refers to fair values based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 refers to fair values estimated using significant other observable inputs and Level 3 refers to fair values estimated using significant unobservable inputs. Fair Value of Financial Instruments on a Recurring Basis As of June 30, 2020, total cost basis for all marketable securities was $1.3 billion. There were no significant differences between the cost basis and fair value of any individual class of marketable securities. Fair values of financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheet (in millions): June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Assets Marketable securities U.S. government and agency securities $ 281 $ — $ 281 $ 330 $ — $ 330 Equity mutual funds 5 — 5 6 — 6 Foreign government bonds — 22 22 — 31 31 Asset-backed securities — 197 197 — 211 211 Mortgage-backed securities — 214 214 — 176 176 Corporate notes and bonds — 546 546 — 523 523 Municipal securities — 29 29 — 23 23 Total Marketable securities 286 1,008 1,294 336 964 1,300 Derivative instruments Fuel hedge—call options — 5 5 — 11 11 Interest rate swap agreements — — — — 3 3 Total Assets $ 286 $ 1,013 $ 1,299 $ 336 $ 978 $ 1,314 Liabilities Derivative instruments Interest rate swap agreements — (33) (33) — (10) (10) Total Liabilities $ — $ (33) $ (33) $ — $ (10) $ (10) The Company uses both the market and income approach to determine the fair value of marketable securities. U.S. government securities and equity mutual funds are Level 1 as the fair value is based on quoted prices in active markets. Foreign government bonds, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate notes and bonds, and municipal securities are Level 2 as the fair value is based on standard valuation models that are calculated based on observable inputs such as quoted interest rates, yield curves, credit ratings of the security and other observable market information. The Company uses the market approach and the income approach to determine the fair value of derivative instruments. The fair value for fuel hedge call options is determined utilizing an option pricing model based on inputs that are readily available in active markets or can be derived from information available in active markets. In addition, the fair value considers the exposure to credit losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties. Interest rate swap agreements are Level 2 as the fair value of these contracts is determined based on the difference between the fixed interest rate in the agreements and the observable LIBOR-based interest forward rates at period end multiplied by the total notional value. Activity and Maturities for Marketable Securities Unrealized losses from marketable securities are primarily attributable to changes in interest rates. Management does not believe any unrealized losses are the result of expected credit losses based on its evaluation of available information as of June 30, 2020. Maturities for marketable securities (in millions): June 30, 2020 Cost Basis Fair Value Due in one year or less $ 133 $ 134 Due after one year through five years 1,063 1,094 Due after five years through 10 years 60 61 Total $ 1,256 $ 1,289 Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments The Company uses the following methods and assumptions to determine the fair value of financial instruments that are not recognized at fair value as described below. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash : Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, such as money market funds, commercial paper and certificates of deposit. They are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company's restricted cash balances are primarily used to guarantee various letters of credit, self-insurance programs or other contractual rights. Restricted cash consists of highly liquid securities with original maturities of three months or less. They are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Debt : Debt assumed in the acquisition of Virgin America was subject to a non-recurring fair valuation adjustment as part of purchase price accounting. The adjustment is amortized over the life of the associated debt. All other fixed-rate debt is carried at cost. To estimate the fair value of all fixed-rate debt as of June 30, 2020, the Company uses the income approach by discounting cash flows using borrowing rates for comparable debt over the remaining life of the outstanding debt. The estimated fair value of the fixed-rate debt is Level 3 as certain inputs used are unobservable. Fixed-rate debt on the consolidated balance sheet and the estimated fair value of long-term fixed-rate debt is as follows (in millions): June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Fixed-rate debt at cost $ 444 $ 473 Non-recurring purchase price accounting fair value adjustment 2 2 Total fixed-rate debt $ 446 $ 475 Estimated fair value $ 463 $ 483 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Nonrecurring Basis

LONG-TERM DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT	LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt obligations on the condensed consolidated balance sheet (in millions): June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Fixed-rate notes payable due through 2029 $ 446 $ 475 Fixed-rate PSP notes payable due through 2030 276 — Variable-rate notes payable due through 2029 1,925 1,032 Less debt issuance costs (11) (8) Total debt 2,636 1,499 Less current portion 1,087 235 Long-term debt, less current portion $ 1,549 $ 1,264 Weighted-average fixed-interest rate 2.4 % 3.3 % Weighted-average variable-interest rate 2.0 % 2.9 % Approximately $666 million of the Company's total variable-rate notes payable are effectively fixed via interest rate swaps at June 30, 2020. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company obtained additional secured debt financing of $589 million from multiple lenders. The new debt is secured by a total of 32 aircraft. The Company also made scheduled debt payments of $125 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The $276 million PSP note is an unsecured senior term loan with a 10-year term, bearing an interest rate of 1% in years 1 through 5, and an interest rate equal to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus 2% in years 6 through 10. The loan is prepayable at par at any time. Alaska and Horizon PSP proceeds were deposited into an account which will be drawn down over time for payroll expenses. That account and the balance of the proceeds will serve as the only collateral for the loan. At June 30, 2020 long-term debt principal payments for the next five years and thereafter are as follows (in millions): Total Remainder of 2020 $ 529 2021 742 2022 281 2023 245 2024 153 Thereafter 695 Total $ 2,645 Subsequent to quarter end, the Company obtained $1.2 billion in private funding through the issuance of Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (EETC). The EETCs are collateralized by 42 Boeing 737 aircraft and 19 Embraer E175 aircraft. Bank Lines of Credit The Company has three credit facilities with capacity totaling $516 million, and availability of $509 million, as of June 30, 2020. All three facilities have variable interest rates based on LIBOR plus a specified margin. One credit facility for $250 million expires in June 2021 and is secured by aircraft. A second credit facility with capacity of $150 million and availability of $143 million expires in March 2022 and is secured by certain accounts receivable, spare engines, spare parts and ground service equipment. The third credit facility for $116 million expires in July 2020, with a mechanism for annual renewal, and is secured by aircraft.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Net periodic benefit costs for qualified defined-benefit plans include the following (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Service cost $ 13 $ 10 $ 26 $ 21 Pension expense included in Wages and benefits 13 10 26 21 Interest cost 19 22 38 44 Expected return on assets (27) (23) (55) (47) Recognized actuarial loss 8 9 17 18 Pension expense included in Nonoperating Income (Expense) $ — $ 8 $ — $ 15

COMMITMENTS

COMMITMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Future minimum payments for commitments as of June 30, 2020 (in millions): Aircraft Commitments (a) Capacity Purchase Agreements (b) Aircraft Maintenance Deposits Remainder of 2020 $ 335 $ 36 $ 12 2021 554 166 53 2022 337 174 45 2023 186 179 24 2024 18 184 6 Thereafter 25 880 2 Total $ 1,455 $ 1,619 $ 142 (a) Includes non-cancelable contractual commitments for aircraft and engines, aircraft maintenance and parts management. (b) Includes all non-aircraft lease costs associated with capacity purchase agreements. In the second quarter, Alaska entered into an agreement with SkyWest to defer a portion of 2020 payments and eliminate contractual minimums through September 30, 2020. In the second quarter, the Company renegotiated scheduled payments with certain lessors and vendor partners, including the reduction of minimum obligations and rates. The impact of those negotiations on our leases was not material to the operating lease liability. The Company has also deferred the payment of remaining 2020 contractual aircraft commitments, including those related to the B737 MAX9, to periods beyond 2020. Aircraft Commitments Aircraft purchase commitments include non-cancelable contractual commitments for aircraft and engines. As of June 30, 2020, Alaska had commitments to purchase 32 B737 MAX9 aircraft, with contracted deliveries between 2020 and 2023. As a result of the grounding order mandated by the FAA on March 13, 2019, the delivery schedule for these MAX aircraft is subject to change. Future minimum contractual payments for these aircraft have been updated to reflect the possible delivery timing, but are also subject to change. Horizon also has commitments to purchase three E175 aircraft with deliveries in 2023. Alaska has cancelable purchase commitments for 30 Airbus A320neo aircraft with deliveries from 2024 through 2026. In addition, Alaska has options to purchase 37 B737 MAX aircraft, and Horizon has options to purchase 30 E175 aircraft. Alaska also has the option to increase capacity flown by SkyWest with eight additional E175 aircraft with deliveries in 2022. The cancelable purchase commitments and option payments are not reflected in the table above. Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Company is in discussion with aircraft manufacturers regarding these purchase commitments and delivery timelines. Contingencies The Company is a party to routine litigation matters incidental to its business and with respect to which no material liability is expected. Liabilities for litigation related contingencies are recorded when a loss is determined to be probable and estimable. In 2015, three flight attendants filed a class action lawsuit seeking to represent all Virgin America flight attendants for damages based on alleged violations of California and City of San Francisco wage and hour laws. The court certified a class of approximately 1,800 flight attendants in November 2016. The Company believes the claims in this case are without factual and legal merit. In July 2018, the Court granted in part Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment, finding Virgin America, and Alaska Airlines, as a successor-in-interest to Virgin America, responsible for various damages and penalties sought by the class members. On February 4, 2019, the Court entered final judgment against Virgin America and Alaska Airlines in the amount of approximately $78 million. It did not award injunctive relief against Alaska Airlines. The Company is seeking an appellate court ruling that the California laws on which the judgment is based are invalid as applied to national airlines pursuant to the U.S. Constitution and federal law and for other employment law and improper class certification reasons. The Company remains confident that a higher court will respect the federal preemption principles that were enacted to shield inter-state common carriers from a patchwork of state and local wage and hour regulations such as those at issue in this case and agree with the Company's other bases for appeal. For these reasons, no loss has been accrued. The Company is involved in other litigation around the application of state and local employment laws, like many air carriers. Our defenses are similar to those identified above, including that the state and local laws are preempted by federal law and are unconstitutional because they impede interstate commerce. None of these additional disputes are material. This forward-looking statement is based on management's current understanding of the relevant law and facts, and it is subject to various contingencies, including the potential costs and risks associated with litigation and the actions of judges and juries.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Common Stock Repurchase In August 2015, the Board of Directors authorized a $1 billion share repurchase program. As of June 30, 2020, the Company has repurchased 7.6 million shares for $544 million under this program. In March 2020, the Company suspended the share repurchase program indefinitely. CARES Act Warrant Issuance As additional taxpayer protection required under the PSP, the Company granted the Treasury Department 874,344 warrants to purchase Alaska Air Group (ALK) common stock at a strike price of $31.61, based on the closing price on April 9, 2020. The warrants are non-voting, freely transferable, may be settled as net shares or in cash at Alaska's option, and have a five year term. Additional warrants to purchase 14,327 shares of Air Group common stock will be issued to Treasury in connection with McGee's receipt of the remaining second and third installments of PSP funds in the third quarter. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (in millions): June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Related to marketable securities $ 25 $ 9 Related to employee benefit plans (458) (469) Related to interest rate derivatives (25) (5) Total $ (458) $ (465)

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION	OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION Alaska Air Group has two operating airlines—Alaska and Horizon. Each is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration. Alaska has CPAs for regional capacity with Horizon, as well as with third-party carriers, under which Alaska receives all passenger revenues. Under U.S. GAAP, operating segments are defined as components of a business for which there is discrete financial information that is regularly assessed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) in making resource allocation decisions. Financial performance for the operating airlines and CPAs is managed and reviewed by the Company's CODM as part of three reportable operating segments: • Mainline - includes scheduled air transportation on Alaska's Boeing or Airbus jet aircraft for passengers and cargo throughout the U.S., and in parts of Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica. • Regional - includes Horizon's and other third-party carriers’ scheduled air transportation for passengers across a shorter distance network within the U.S. under a CPA. This segment includes the actual revenues and expenses associated with regional flying, as well as an allocation of corporate overhead incurred by Air Group on behalf of the regional operations. • Horizon - includes the capacity sold to Alaska under CPA. Expenses include those typically borne by regional airlines such as crew costs, ownership costs and maintenance costs. The CODM makes resource allocation decisions for these reporting segments based on flight profitability data, aircraft type, route economics and other financial information. The "Consolidating and Other" column reflects Air Group parent company activity, McGee Air Services, consolidating entries and other immaterial business units of the company. The “Air Group Adjusted” column represents a non-GAAP measure that is used by the Company's CODM to evaluate performance and allocate resources. Adjustments are further explained below in reconciling to consolidated GAAP results. Operating segment information is as follows (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Mainline Regional Horizon Consolidating & Other (a) Air Group Adjusted (b) Special Items (c) Consolidated Operating Revenues Passenger revenues $ 225 $ 84 $ — $ — $ 309 $ — $ 309 CPA revenues — — 81 (81) — — — Mileage Plan other revenue 56 17 — — 73 — 73 Cargo and other 39 — — — 39 — 39 Total Operating Revenues 320 101 81 (81) 421 — 421 Operating Expenses Operating expenses, excluding fuel 746 210 68 (82) 942 (292) 650 Economic fuel 45 20 — — 65 (6) 59 Total Operating Expenses 791 230 68 (82) 1,007 (298) 709 Nonoperating Income (Expense) Interest income 11 — — (4) 7 — 7 Interest expense (18) — (5) 6 (17) — (17) Interest capitalized 1 — — — 1 — 1 Other - net 6 — — — 6 — 6 Total Nonoperating Income (Expense) — — (5) 2 (3) — (3) Income (Loss) Before Income Tax $ (471) $ (129) $ 8 $ 3 $ (589) $ 298 $ (291) Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Mainline Regional Horizon Consolidating & Other (a) Air Group Adjusted (b) Special Items (c) Consolidated Operating Revenues Passenger revenues $ 1,767 $ 344 $ — $ — $ 2,111 $ — $ 2,111 CPA revenues — — 112 (112) — — — Mileage Plan other revenue 105 13 — — 118 — 118 Cargo and other 57 — — 2 59 — 59 Total Operating Revenues 1,929 357 112 (110) 2,288 — 2,288 Operating Expenses Operating expenses, excluding fuel 1,167 268 95 (116) 1,414 8 1,422 Economic fuel 422 77 — — 499 3 502 Total Operating Expenses 1,589 345 95 (116) 1,913 11 1,924 Nonoperating Income (Expense) Interest income 17 — — (6) 11 — 11 Interest expense (19) — (7) 6 (20) — (20) Interest capitalized 3 — — — 3 — 3 Other - net (7) — — — (7) — (7) Total Nonoperating Income (Expense) (6) — (7) — (13) — (13) Income (Loss) Before Income Tax $ 334 $ 12 $ 10 $ 6 $ 362 $ (11) $ 351 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Mainline Regional Horizon Consolidating & Other (a) Air Group Adjusted (b) Special Items (c) Consolidated Operating Revenues Passenger revenues 1,459 331 — — 1,790 — 1,790 CPA revenues — — 186 (186) — — — Mileage Plan other revenue 154 28 — — 182 — 182 Cargo and other 83 — — 2 85 — 85 Total Operating Revenues 1,696 359 186 (184) 2,057 — 2,057 Operating Expenses Operating expenses, excluding fuel 1,905 479 160 (192) 2,352 (129) 2,223 Economic fuel 358 82 — — 440 3 443 Total Operating Expenses 2,263 561 160 (192) 2,792 (126) 2,666 Nonoperating Income (Expense) Interest income 25 — — (9) 16 — 16 Interest expense (30) — (10) 10 (30) — (30) Interest capitalized 4 — — — 4 — 4 Other - net 12 — — (1) 11 — 11 Total Nonoperating Income (Expense) 11 — (10) — 1 — 1 Income (Loss) Before Income Tax (556) (202) 16 8 (734) 126 (608) Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Mainline Regional Horizon Consolidating & Other (a) Air Group Adjusted (b) Special Items (c) Consolidated Operating Revenues Passenger revenues 3,189 638 — — 3,827 — 3,827 CPA revenues — — 228 (228) — — — Mileage Plan other revenue 205 23 — — 228 — 228 Cargo and other 105 1 1 2 109 — 109 Total Operating Revenues 3,499 662 229 (226) 4,164 — 4,164 Operating Expenses Operating expenses, excluding fuel 2,319 542 192 (234) 2,819 34 2,853 Economic fuel 780 143 — — 923 (1) 922 Total Operating Expenses 3,099 685 192 (234) 3,742 33 3,775 Nonoperating Income (Expense) Interest income 33 — — (13) 20 — 20 Interest expense (40) — (15) 13 (42) — (42) Interest capitalized 7 — — — 7 — 7 Other - net (17) — — — (17) — (17) Total Nonoperating Income (Expense) (17) — (15) — (32) — (32) Income (Loss) Before Income Tax 383 (23) 22 8 390 (33) 357 (a) Includes consolidating entries, Air Group parent company, McGee Air Services, and other immaterial business units. (b) The Air Group Adjusted column represents the financial information that is reviewed by management to assess performance of operations and determine capital allocations and excludes certain income and charges. (c) Includes payroll support program grant wage offsets, special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments. Total assets were as follows (in millions): June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Mainline $ 20,261 $ 19,207 Horizon 1,199 1,266 Consolidating & Other (7,462) (7,480) Consolidated $ 13,998 $ 12,993

GENERAL AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIF_2

GENERAL AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization and Basis of Presentation	Organization and Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Air Group, or the Company, and its primary subsidiaries, Alaska and Horizon. The condensed consolidated financial statements also include McGee Air Services (McGee), a ground services subsidiary of Alaska. The Company conducts substantially all of its operations through these subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information. Consistent with these requirements, this Form 10-Q does not include all the information required by GAAP for complete financial statements. It should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. In the opinion of management, all adjustments have been made that are necessary to fairly present the Company’s financial position as of June 30, 2020 and the results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. Such adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. In preparing these statements, the Company is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses, including impairment charges. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, these estimates and assumptions require more judgment than they would be otherwise given the uncertainty of the future demand for air travel, among other considerations. Further, due to seasonal variations in the demand for air travel, the volatility of aircraft fuel prices, changes in global economic conditions, changes in the competitive environment and other factors, operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the entire year.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC (Tables)

COVID-19 PANDEMIC (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Details of Impairment of Long-Lived Assets by Asset [Table Text Block]	A summary of the impairment charges recorded for aircraft and other flight equipment in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 is as follows (in millions): Airbus Aircraft Q400 Aircraft Total Impairment Aircraft and other flight equipment, net $ 11 $ 58 $ 69 Operating lease assets 62 — 62 Inventory and supplies - net 2 — 2 Prepaid expenses and other current assets — 3 3 Other accrued liabilities 78 — 78 Total impairment charges - Long-lived assets $ 153 $ 61 $ 214

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_2

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	Passenger revenue recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Passenger ticket revenue, including ticket breakage and net of taxes and fees $ 222 $ 1,792 $ 1,435 $ 3,231 Passenger ancillary revenue 31 147 147 271 Mileage Plan passenger revenue 56 172 208 325 Total Passenger revenue $ 309 $ 2,111 $ 1,790 $ 3,827 Mileage Plan™ revenue included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Passenger revenue $ 56 $ 172 $ 208 $ 325 Mileage Plan other revenue 73 118 182 228 Total Mileage Plan revenue $ 129 $ 290 $ 390 $ 553 Cargo and other revenue included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Cargo revenue $ 28 $ 38 $ 52 $ 68 Other revenue 11 21 33 41 Total Cargo and other revenue $ 39 $ 59 $ 85 $ 109
Contract with Customer Liabilities	The table below presents a roll forward of the total frequent flyer liability (in millions): Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 Total Deferred Revenue balance at January 1 $ 1,990 $ 1,874 Travel miles and companion certificate redemption - Passenger revenue (208) (325) Miles redeemed on partner airlines - Other revenue (21) (51) Increase in liability for mileage credits issued 313 451 Total Deferred Revenue balance at June 30 $ 2,074 $ 1,949

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	Maturities for marketable securities (in millions): June 30, 2020 Cost Basis Fair Value Due in one year or less $ 133 $ 134 Due after one year through five years 1,063 1,094 Due after five years through 10 years 60 61 Total $ 1,256 $ 1,289
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	Fair values of financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheet (in millions): June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Assets Marketable securities U.S. government and agency securities $ 281 $ — $ 281 $ 330 $ — $ 330 Equity mutual funds 5 — 5 6 — 6 Foreign government bonds — 22 22 — 31 31 Asset-backed securities — 197 197 — 211 211 Mortgage-backed securities — 214 214 — 176 176 Corporate notes and bonds — 546 546 — 523 523 Municipal securities — 29 29 — 23 23 Total Marketable securities 286 1,008 1,294 336 964 1,300 Derivative instruments Fuel hedge—call options — 5 5 — 11 11 Interest rate swap agreements — — — — 3 3 Total Assets $ 286 $ 1,013 $ 1,299 $ 336 $ 978 $ 1,314 Liabilities Derivative instruments Interest rate swap agreements — (33) (33) — (10) (10) Total Liabilities $ — $ (33) $ (33) $ — $ (10) $ (10) Fixed-rate debt on the consolidated balance sheet and the estimated fair value of long-term fixed-rate debt is as follows (in millions): June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Fixed-rate debt at cost $ 444 $ 473 Non-recurring purchase price accounting fair value adjustment 2 2 Total fixed-rate debt $ 446 $ 475 Estimated fair value $ 463 $ 483

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	Long-term debt obligations on the condensed consolidated balance sheet (in millions): June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Fixed-rate notes payable due through 2029 $ 446 $ 475 Fixed-rate PSP notes payable due through 2030 276 — Variable-rate notes payable due through 2029 1,925 1,032 Less debt issuance costs (11) (8) Total debt 2,636 1,499 Less current portion 1,087 235 Long-term debt, less current portion $ 1,549 $ 1,264 Weighted-average fixed-interest rate 2.4 % 3.3 % Weighted-average variable-interest rate 2.0 % 2.9 %
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	At June 30, 2020 long-term debt principal payments for the next five years and thereafter are as follows (in millions): Total Remainder of 2020 $ 529 2021 742 2022 281 2023 245 2024 153 Thereafter 695 Total $ 2,645

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs	Net periodic benefit costs for qualified defined-benefit plans include the following (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Service cost $ 13 $ 10 $ 26 $ 21 Pension expense included in Wages and benefits 13 10 26 21 Interest cost 19 22 38 44 Expected return on assets (27) (23) (55) (47) Recognized actuarial loss 8 9 17 18 Pension expense included in Nonoperating Income (Expense) $ — $ 8 $ — $ 15

COMMITMENTS (Tables)

COMMITMENTS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases and Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligtaions	Future minimum payments for commitments as of June 30, 2020 (in millions): Aircraft Commitments (a) Capacity Purchase Agreements (b) Aircraft Maintenance Deposits Remainder of 2020 $ 335 $ 36 $ 12 2021 554 166 53 2022 337 174 45 2023 186 179 24 2024 18 184 6 Thereafter 25 880 2 Total $ 1,455 $ 1,619 $ 142 (a) Includes non-cancelable contractual commitments for aircraft and engines, aircraft maintenance and parts management. (b) Includes all non-aircraft lease costs associated with capacity purchase agreements. In the second quarter, Alaska entered into an agreement with SkyWest to defer a portion of 2020 payments and eliminate contractual minimums through September 30, 2020.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (in millions): June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Related to marketable securities $ 25 $ 9 Related to employee benefit plans (458) (469) Related to interest rate derivatives (25) (5) Total $ (458) $ (465)

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION (

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	Operating segment information is as follows (in millions): Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Mainline Regional Horizon Consolidating & Other (a) Air Group Adjusted (b) Special Items (c) Consolidated Operating Revenues Passenger revenues $ 225 $ 84 $ — $ — $ 309 $ — $ 309 CPA revenues — — 81 (81) — — — Mileage Plan other revenue 56 17 — — 73 — 73 Cargo and other 39 — — — 39 — 39 Total Operating Revenues 320 101 81 (81) 421 — 421 Operating Expenses Operating expenses, excluding fuel 746 210 68 (82) 942 (292) 650 Economic fuel 45 20 — — 65 (6) 59 Total Operating Expenses 791 230 68 (82) 1,007 (298) 709 Nonoperating Income (Expense) Interest income 11 — — (4) 7 — 7 Interest expense (18) — (5) 6 (17) — (17) Interest capitalized 1 — — — 1 — 1 Other - net 6 — — — 6 — 6 Total Nonoperating Income (Expense) — — (5) 2 (3) — (3) Income (Loss) Before Income Tax $ (471) $ (129) $ 8 $ 3 $ (589) $ 298 $ (291) Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Mainline Regional Horizon Consolidating & Other (a) Air Group Adjusted (b) Special Items (c) Consolidated Operating Revenues Passenger revenues $ 1,767 $ 344 $ — $ — $ 2,111 $ — $ 2,111 CPA revenues — — 112 (112) — — — Mileage Plan other revenue 105 13 — — 118 — 118 Cargo and other 57 — — 2 59 — 59 Total Operating Revenues 1,929 357 112 (110) 2,288 — 2,288 Operating Expenses Operating expenses, excluding fuel 1,167 268 95 (116) 1,414 8 1,422 Economic fuel 422 77 — — 499 3 502 Total Operating Expenses 1,589 345 95 (116) 1,913 11 1,924 Nonoperating Income (Expense) Interest income 17 — — (6) 11 — 11 Interest expense (19) — (7) 6 (20) — (20) Interest capitalized 3 — — — 3 — 3 Other - net (7) — — — (7) — (7) Total Nonoperating Income (Expense) (6) — (7) — (13) — (13) Income (Loss) Before Income Tax $ 334 $ 12 $ 10 $ 6 $ 362 $ (11) $ 351 Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Mainline Regional Horizon Consolidating & Other (a) Air Group Adjusted (b) Special Items (c) Consolidated Operating Revenues Passenger revenues 1,459 331 — — 1,790 — 1,790 CPA revenues — — 186 (186) — — — Mileage Plan other revenue 154 28 — — 182 — 182 Cargo and other 83 — — 2 85 — 85 Total Operating Revenues 1,696 359 186 (184) 2,057 — 2,057 Operating Expenses Operating expenses, excluding fuel 1,905 479 160 (192) 2,352 (129) 2,223 Economic fuel 358 82 — — 440 3 443 Total Operating Expenses 2,263 561 160 (192) 2,792 (126) 2,666 Nonoperating Income (Expense) Interest income 25 — — (9) 16 — 16 Interest expense (30) — (10) 10 (30) — (30) Interest capitalized 4 — — — 4 — 4 Other - net 12 — — (1) 11 — 11 Total Nonoperating Income (Expense) 11 — (10) — 1 — 1 Income (Loss) Before Income Tax (556) (202) 16 8 (734) 126 (608) Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Mainline Regional Horizon Consolidating & Other (a) Air Group Adjusted (b) Special Items (c) Consolidated Operating Revenues Passenger revenues 3,189 638 — — 3,827 — 3,827 CPA revenues — — 228 (228) — — — Mileage Plan other revenue 205 23 — — 228 — 228 Cargo and other 105 1 1 2 109 — 109 Total Operating Revenues 3,499 662 229 (226) 4,164 — 4,164 Operating Expenses Operating expenses, excluding fuel 2,319 542 192 (234) 2,819 34 2,853 Economic fuel 780 143 — — 923 (1) 922 Total Operating Expenses 3,099 685 192 (234) 3,742 33 3,775 Nonoperating Income (Expense) Interest income 33 — — (13) 20 — 20 Interest expense (40) — (15) 13 (42) — (42) Interest capitalized 7 — — — 7 — 7 Other - net (17) — — — (17) — (17) Total Nonoperating Income (Expense) (17) — (15) — (32) — (32) Income (Loss) Before Income Tax 383 (23) 22 8 390 (33) 357 (a) Includes consolidating entries, Air Group parent company, McGee Air Services, and other immaterial business units. (b) The Air Group Adjusted column represents the financial information that is reviewed by management to assess performance of operations and determine capital allocations and excludes certain income and charges. (c) Includes payroll support program grant wage offsets, special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments. Total assets were as follows (in millions): June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Mainline $ 20,261 $ 19,207 Horizon 1,199 1,266 Consolidating & Other (7,462) (7,480) Consolidated $ 13,998 $ 12,993

COVID-19 PANDEMIC (Details)

COVID-19 PANDEMIC (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)aircraft	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)aircraft	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 23, 2020USD ($)	Apr. 23, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				$ 214
Number of Mainline Aircraft Parked | aircraft	101			101
ProceedsFromPayrollSupportProgramGrant				$ 723	$ 0
Unsecured Term Loan through PSP of CARES Act	$ 276			276					$ 0
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived				10
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Writeoff				$ 5
Number of Mainline Aircraft Parked | aircraft	101			101
ProceedsFromPayrollSupportProgramGrant				$ 723	0
PSPGrantRecognized	$ (362)		$ 0	(362)	$ 0
Unsecured Term Loan through PSP of CARES Act	276			276					$ 0
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total Expected Relief From PSP of CARES Act								$ 992
Total Expected Relief From PSP of CARES Act								$ 992
McGee Air Services [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total Expected Relief From PSP of CARES Act							$ 30
PSP Installments Received							15
Total Expected Relief From PSP of CARES Act							30
PSP Installments Received							$ 15
Subsequent Event [Member] | McGee Air Services [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
PSP Installments Received						$ 15
Unsecured Term Loan through PSP of CARES Act						5
Unsecured Term Loan through PSP of CARES Act						5
PSP Installments Received						$ 15
Aircraft [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				69
Operating Lease Asset
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				62
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				3
Inventories
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				2
Lease Return Costs
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				78
Airbus [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 70	$ 83		153
Aircraft Permanently Parked | aircraft	12
Aircraft Permanently Parked | aircraft	12
Airbus [Member] | Aircraft [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				11
Airbus [Member] | Operating Lease Asset
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				62
Airbus [Member] | Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				0
Airbus [Member] | Inventories
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				2
Airbus [Member] | Lease Return Costs
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				78
Q400 [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				61
Aircraft Permanently Parked | aircraft	2
Aircraft Permanently Parked | aircraft	2
Q400 [Member] | Aircraft [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				58
Q400 [Member] | Operating Lease Asset
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				0
Q400 [Member] | Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				3
Q400 [Member] | Inventories
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				0
Q400 [Member] | Lease Return Costs
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				$ 0

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_3

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Passenger Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 309	$ 2,111	$ 1,790	$ 3,827
Passenger Revenue [Member] | Passenger ticket revenue, including ticket breakage and net of taxes and fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	222	1,792	1,435	3,231
Passenger Revenue [Member] | Passenger ancillary revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	31	147	147	271
Passenger Revenue [Member] | Mileage Plan passenger revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	56	172	208	325
Passenger Revenue [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	309	2,111	1,790	3,827
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	129	290	390	553
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	56	172	208	325
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member] | Mileage plan other revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	73	118	182	228
Cargo and Other Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	39	59	85	109
Cargo and Other Revenue [Member] | Cargo revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	28	38	52	68
Cargo and Other Revenue [Member] | Other revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 11	$ 21	$ 33	$ 41

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_4

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Receivable	$ 280		$ 280		$ 323
Costs and Expenses	709	$ 1,924	2,666	$ 3,775
COVID-19 Related Credits Issued			695
COVID-19 Credits Issued, Balance	568		568
Deferred Revenue, Refund Payments			363
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Receivable	$ 42		42		$ 105
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member] | Mileage plan other revenue [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Contract liability revenue recognized			(21)	(51)
Passenger Revenue [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Contract liability revenue recognized			$ 484	$ 563

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_5

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Contract Liabilities Activity (Details) - Mileage Plan Revenue [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Roll Forward]
Total Deferred Revenue balance at January 1	$ 1,990	$ 1,874
Increase in liability for mileage credits issued	313	451
Total Deferred Revenue balance at June 30	2,074	1,949
Passenger revenue [Member]
Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Roll Forward]
Revenue recognized	(208)	(325)
Mileage plan other revenue [Member]
Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Roll Forward]
Revenue recognized	$ (21)	$ (51)

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - FAIR

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Details) - Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	$ 1,294	$ 1,300
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,299	1,314
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(33)	(10)
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	286	336
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	286	336
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	1,008	964
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,013	978
Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(33)	(10)
Fuel hedge contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative instruments, assets	5	11
Fuel hedge contracts [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative instruments, assets	0	0
Fuel hedge contracts [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative instruments, assets	5	11
Interest rate swaps agreements [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative instruments, assets	0	3
Derivative instruments, liabilities	33	10
Interest rate swaps agreements [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative instruments, assets	0	0
Derivative instruments, liabilities	0	0
Interest rate swaps agreements [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative instruments, assets	0	3
Derivative instruments, liabilities	33	10
U.S. government and agency securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	281	330
U.S. government and agency securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	281	330
U.S. government and agency securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0	0
Equity Funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	5	6
Equity Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	5	6
Equity Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0	0
Foreign government bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	22	31
Foreign government bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0	0
Foreign government bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	22	31
Asset-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	197	211
Asset-backed securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0	0
Asset-backed securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	197	211
Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	214	176
Mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0	0
Mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	214	176
Corporate notes and bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	546	523
Corporate notes and bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0	0
Corporate notes and bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	546	523
Municipal securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	29	23
Municipal securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	0	0
Municipal securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	$ 29	$ 23

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - MATUR

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - MATURITIES FOR MARKETABLE SECURITIES (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
Cost Basis
Due in one year or less	$ 133
Due after one year through five years	1,063
Due after five years through 10 years	60
Total	1,256
Fair Value
Due in one year or less	134
Due after one year through five years	1,094
Due after five years through 10 years	61
Total	$ 1,289

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - LONG-

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Non-recurring purchase price accounting fair value adjustment	$ 2	$ 2
Carrying amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed rate debt at cost	444	473
Long-term debt	446	475
Fair value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 463	$ 483

LONG-TERM DEBT - SCHEDULE OF LO

LONG-TERM DEBT - SCHEDULE OF LONG-TERM DEBT (Details)	Jul. 02, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)credit_facility	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Apr. 22, 2030	Apr. 23, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Issuance Costs, Net		$ (11,000,000)				$ (8,000,000)
Total		$ 2,636,000,000				$ 1,499,000,000
Weighted-average fixed-interest rate		2.40%				3.30%
Weighted-average variable-interest rate		2.00%				2.90%
Long-term debt payments		$ 125,000,000	$ 532,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt		589,000,000
Proceeds from Lines of Credit		$ 400,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Number Drawn in Current Period | credit_facility		2
Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation, Current		$ 1,087,000,000				$ 235,000,000
Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation		1,549,000,000				1,264,000,000
Unsecured Term Loan through PSP of CARES Act		276,000,000				0
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		$ 509,000,000
LONG-TERM DEBT		LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt obligations on the condensed consolidated balance sheet (in millions): June 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Fixed-rate notes payable due through 2029 $ 446 $ 475 Fixed-rate PSP notes payable due through 2030 276 — Variable-rate notes payable due through 2029 1,925 1,032 Less debt issuance costs (11) (8) Total debt 2,636 1,499 Less current portion 1,087 235 Long-term debt, less current portion $ 1,549 $ 1,264 Weighted-average fixed-interest rate 2.4 % 3.3 % Weighted-average variable-interest rate 2.0 % 2.9 % Approximately $666 million of the Company's total variable-rate notes payable are effectively fixed via interest rate swaps at June 30, 2020. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company obtained additional secured debt financing of $589 million from multiple lenders. The new debt is secured by a total of 32 aircraft. The Company also made scheduled debt payments of $125 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020. The $276 million PSP note is an unsecured senior term loan with a 10-year term, bearing an interest rate of 1% in years 1 through 5, and an interest rate equal to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus 2% in years 6 through 10. The loan is prepayable at par at any time. Alaska and Horizon PSP proceeds were deposited into an account which will be drawn down over time for payroll expenses. That account and the balance of the proceeds will serve as the only collateral for the loan. At June 30, 2020 long-term debt principal payments for the next five years and thereafter are as follows (in millions): Total Remainder of 2020 $ 529 2021 742 2022 281 2023 245 2024 153 Thereafter 695 Total $ 2,645 Subsequent to quarter end, the Company obtained $1.2 billion in private funding through the issuance of Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (EETC). The EETCs are collateralized by 42 Boeing 737 aircraft and 19 Embraer E175 aircraft. Bank Lines of Credit The Company has three credit facilities with capacity totaling $516 million, and availability of $509 million, as of June 30, 2020. All three facilities have variable interest rates based on LIBOR plus a specified margin. One credit facility for $250 million expires in June 2021 and is secured by aircraft. A second credit facility with capacity of $150 million and availability of $143 million expires in March 2022 and is secured by certain accounts receivable, spare engines, spare parts and ground service equipment. The third credit facility for $116 million expires in July 2020, with a mechanism for annual renewal, and is secured by aircraft.
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		$ 509,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt	$ 1,200,000,000
Aircraft Type [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Collateral		32
Fixed rate notes payable due through 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total		$ 446,000,000				475,000,000
Variable rate notes payable due through 2029 [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total		1,925,000,000				$ 1,032,000,000
CARES Act Unsecured Interest Rate Years 1 to 5 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					1.00%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				2.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					1.00%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				2.00%
Credit Facility 3 [Member] | Secured by certain accounts receivable, spare engines, spare parts and ground service equipment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		143,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		143,000,000
Variable Rate debt with interest rate swap [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total		$ 666,000,000

LONG-TERM DEBT LONG-TERM DEBT -

LONG-TERM DEBT LONG-TERM DEBT - FUTURE PAYMENTS (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2019	$ 529
2020	742
2021	281
2022	245
2023	153
Thereafter	695
Total	$ 2,645

LONG-TERM DEBT - LINE OF CREDIT

LONG-TERM DEBT - LINE OF CREDIT (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)credit_facility	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Secured Debt	$ 1,265,000,000	$ 254,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Number of Credit Facilities | credit_facility	3
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 516,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Asset Restrictions	500,000,000
Credit Facility 1 [Member] | Secured by aircraft [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	250,000,000
Credit Facility 2 [Member] | Secured by aircraft [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	116,000,000
Credit Facility 3 [Member] | Secured by certain accounts receivable, spare engines, spare parts and ground service equipment [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 150,000,000

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - NET PE

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - NET PENSION EXPENSE (Details) - Qualified Defined Benefit [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 13	$ 10	$ 26	$ 21
Interest cost	19	22	38	44
Expected return on assets	(27)	(23)	(55)	(47)
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	8	9	17	18
Wages and Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net pension expense	13	10	26	21
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net pension expense	$ 0	$ 8	$ 0	$ 15

COMMITMENTS (Details)

COMMITMENTS (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)aircraft
B-737 [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	32
Options to Purchase Additional (in Aircraft) | aircraft	37
A320neo [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Option to Cancel | aircraft	30
E175 [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	3
Options to Purchase Additional (in Aircraft) | aircraft	30
SkyWest CPA E175 [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Number of Optional Additional Units | aircraft	8
Aircraft Maintenance Deposits [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2018	$ 12
2019	53
2020	45
2021	24
2022	6
Thereafter	2
Total	142
Aircraft Commitments [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2018	335
2019	554
2020	337
2021	186
2022	18
Thereafter	25
Total	1,455
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2018	36
2019	166
2020	174
2021	179
2022	184
Thereafter	880
Total	1,619
Virgin America Flight Attendants [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 78

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY, CASH DIVI

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY, CASH DIVIDEND (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Cash dividend declared per share (usd per share)	$ 0.375	$ 0.35
Payments of Dividends			$ 45	$ 86

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY, COMMON ST

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY, COMMON STOCK REPURCHASE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			49 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Aug. 31, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	$ 31	$ 12	$ 13
2015 1 Billion Repurchase Program [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount					$ 1,000
Stock repurchased during period (shares)				7,600,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value				$ 544

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY, ACCUMULAT

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY, ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Related to marketable securities	$ 25	$ 9
Related to employee benefit plans	(458)	(469)
Related to interest rate derivatives	(25)	(5)
Total	$ (458)	$ (465)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) - ALK Common Stock Warrant [Member]	Apr. 23, 2020$ / sharesshares
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Each Warrant or Right | shares	874,344
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights | $ / shares	$ 31.61

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION_2

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)segment	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments | segment			3
Operating Revenues
Total Operating Revenues	$ 421	$ 2,288	$ 2,057	$ 4,164
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	650	1,422	2,223	2,853
Economic fuel	59	502	443	922
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Interest income	7	11	16	20
Interest Costs Capitalized	1	3	4	7
Other	6	(7)	11	(17)
Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total	(3)	(13)	1	(32)
Income (loss) before income tax	(291)	351	(608)	357
Costs and Expenses, Total	709	1,924	2,666	3,775
Interest Costs Incurred	17	20	30	42
Air Group Adjusted [Member]
Operating Revenues
Total Operating Revenues	421	2,288	2,057	4,164
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	942	1,414	2,352	2,819
Economic fuel	65	499	440	923
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Interest income	7	11	16	20
Interest Costs Capitalized	1	3	4	7
Other	6	(7)	11	(17)
Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total	(3)	(13)	1	(32)
Income (loss) before income tax	(589)	362	(734)	390
Costs and Expenses, Total	1,007	1,913	2,792	3,742
Interest Costs Incurred	17	20	30	42
Alaska Mainline [Member]
Operating Revenues
Total Operating Revenues	320	1,929	1,696	3,499
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	746	1,167	1,905	2,319
Economic fuel	45	422	358	780
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Interest income	11	17	25	33
Interest Costs Capitalized	1	3	4	7
Other	6	(7)	12	(17)
Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total	0	(6)	11	(17)
Income (loss) before income tax	(471)	334	(556)	383
Costs and Expenses, Total	791	1,589	2,263	3,099
Interest Costs Incurred	18	19	30	40
Alaska Regional [Member]
Operating Revenues
Total Operating Revenues	101	357	359	662
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	210	268	479	542
Economic fuel	20	77	82	143
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Interest Costs Capitalized	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income tax	(129)	12	(202)	(23)
Costs and Expenses, Total	230	345	561	685
Interest Costs Incurred	0	0	0	0
Horizon [Member]
Operating Revenues
Total Operating Revenues	81	112	186	229
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	68	95	160	192
Economic fuel	0	0	0	0
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Interest Costs Capitalized	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total	(5)	(7)	(10)	(15)
Income (loss) before income tax	8	10	16	22
Costs and Expenses, Total	68	95	160	192
Interest Costs Incurred	5	7	10	15
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Operating Revenues
Total Operating Revenues	(81)	(110)	(184)	(226)
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	(82)	(116)	(192)	(234)
Economic fuel	0	0	0	0
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Interest income	(4)	(6)	(9)	(13)
Interest Costs Capitalized	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	(1)	0
Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total	2	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income tax	3	6	8	8
Costs and Expenses, Total	(82)	(116)	(192)	(234)
Interest Costs Incurred	(6)	(6)	(10)	(13)
Special Revenue and Charges [Member]
Operating Revenues
Total Operating Revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	(292)	8	(129)	34
Economic fuel	(6)	3	3	(1)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Interest Costs Capitalized	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income tax	298	(11)	126	(33)
Costs and Expenses, Total	(298)	11	(126)	33
Interest Costs Incurred	0	0	0	0
Passenger [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	309	2,111	1,790	3,827
Passenger [Member] | Air Group Adjusted [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	309	2,111	1,790	3,827
Passenger [Member] | Alaska Mainline [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	225	1,767	1,459	3,189
Passenger [Member] | Alaska Regional [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	84	344	331	638
Passenger [Member] | Horizon [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	0	0	0	0
Passenger [Member] | Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	0	0	0	0
Passenger [Member] | Special Revenue and Charges [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	0	0	0	0
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	0	0	0	0
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member] | Air Group Adjusted [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	0	0	0	0
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member] | Alaska Mainline [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	0	0	0	0
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member] | Alaska Regional [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	0	0	0	0
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member] | Horizon [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	81	112	186	228
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member] | Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	(81)	(112)	(186)	(228)
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member] | Special Revenue and Charges [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	0	0	0	0
Mileage plan other revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	73	118	182	228
Mileage plan other revenue [Member] | Air Group Adjusted [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	73	118	182	228
Mileage plan other revenue [Member] | Alaska Mainline [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	56	105	154	205
Mileage plan other revenue [Member] | Alaska Regional [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	17	13	28	23
Mileage plan other revenue [Member] | Horizon [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	0	0	0	0
Mileage plan other revenue [Member] | Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	0	0	0	0
Mileage plan other revenue [Member] | Special Revenue and Charges [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	0	0	0	0
Cargo and Freight [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	39	59	85	109
Cargo and Freight [Member] | Air Group Adjusted [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	39	59	85	109
Cargo and Freight [Member] | Alaska Mainline [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	39	57	83	105
Cargo and Freight [Member] | Alaska Regional [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	0	0	0	1
Cargo and Freight [Member] | Horizon [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	0	0	0	1
Cargo and Freight [Member] | Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	0	2	2	2
Cargo and Freight [Member] | Special Revenue and Charges [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from contract with customer, including assessed taxes	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION,

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION, ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Total assets	$ 13,998	$ 12,993
Alaska Airlines [Member]
Total assets	20,261	19,207
Horizon [Member]
Total assets	1,199	1,266
Parent [Member]
Total assets	$ (7,462)	$ (7,480)

SUBSEQUENT EVENT (Details)

SUBSEQUENT EVENT (Details)	Sep. 30, 2020shares
Subsequent Event [Member] | ALK Common Stock Warrant [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Number of Securities Called by Warrants or Rights	14,327

Uncategorized Items - alk-20200

Label	Element	Value
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Reclassification from AOCI to Retained Earnings, Tax Effect	alk_TaxCutsandJobsActReclassificationfromAOCItoRetainedEarningsTaxEffect	$ 3,000,000
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Reclassification from AOCI to Retained Earnings, Tax Effect	alk_TaxCutsandJobsActReclassificationfromAOCItoRetainedEarningsTaxEffect	0
Retained Earnings [Member]
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Reclassification from AOCI to Retained Earnings, Tax Effect	alk_TaxCutsandJobsActReclassificationfromAOCItoRetainedEarningsTaxEffect	$ 3,000,000
B-737 [Member] | Aircraft [Domain] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCollateral	42
E175 [Member] | Aircraft [Domain] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument, Collateral	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCollateral	19