Alaska Air (ALK) 10-Q 5 May 22 2022 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

COVER

COVER - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Apr. 29, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2022
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		126,091,824
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0000766421
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 628	$ 470
Marketable securities	2,262	2,646
Total cash and marketable securities	2,890	3,116
Receivables - net	658	546
Inventories and supplies - net	78	62
Prepaid expenses, assets held-for-sale, and other current assets	348	196
Total Current Assets	3,974	3,920
Property and Equipment
Aircraft and other flight equipment	8,244	8,127
Other property and equipment	1,529	1,489
Deposits for future flight equipment	283	384
Property and Equipment Total	10,056	10,000
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	3,814	3,862
Total Property and Equipment - Net	6,242	6,138
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	1,541	1,453
Goodwill	2,042	2,044
Other noncurrent assets	411	396
Other Assets	3,994	3,893
Total Assets	14,210	13,951
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	299	200
Accrued wages, vacation and payroll taxes	367	457
Other accrued liabilities	659	625
Operating Lease, Liability, Current	272	268
Current portion of long-term debt	292	366
Total Current Liabilities	4,570	3,991
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion	2,078	2,173
Noncurrent Liabilities
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent	1,357	1,279
Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net	509	578
Deferred revenue, noncurrent	1,394	1,446
Obligation for pension and postretirement medical benefits	302	305
Other liabilities	363	378
Other Liabilities and Credits Totals	3,925	3,986
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: 2021 - 133,792,045 shares; 2020 - 133,567,534 shares, Outstanding: 2021 - 124,442,101 shares; 2020 - 124,217,590 shares	1	1
Capital in excess of par value	503	494
Treasury stock (common), at cost: 2020 - 9,349,944 shares; 2020 - 9,349,944 shares	(674)	(674)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(292)	(262)
Retained earnings	4,099	4,242
Total Shareholders' Equity	3,637	3,801
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	14,210	13,951
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member]
Current Liabilities
Contract with Customer, Liability, Current	1,038	912
Contract with Customer, Liability, Current	1,038	912
Passenger Revenue [Member]
Current Liabilities
Contract with Customer, Liability, Current	1,643	1,163
Contract with Customer, Liability, Current	$ 1,643	$ 1,163

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANC_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (PARENTHETICALS) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
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)	135,437,808	135,255,808
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	126,087,864	125,905,864
Treasury Stock, Shares (shares)	9,349,944	9,349,944

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 1,681	$ 797
Operating Expenses
Wages and benefits	606	493
Variable incentive pay	36	33
PSPGrantRecognized	0	(411)
Aircraft fuel, including hedging gains and losses	347	203
Aircraft maintenance	135	81
Aircraft rent	73	62
Landing fees and other rentals	138	129
Contracted services	78	51
Selling expenses	58	33
Depreciation and amortization	102	97
Food and beverage service	41	23
Third-party regional carrier expense	42	30
Other	152	105
Special items - Impairment charges and other	75	18
Restructuring Charges	0	11
Operating Expenses	1,883	958
Costs and Expenses, Total	1,883	958
Operating Income (Loss)	(202)	(161)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Interest income	7	7
Interest expense	(27)	(32)
Interest capitalized	2	3
Other—net	14	10
Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total	(4)	(12)
Income (Loss) Before Income Tax	(206)	(173)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(63)	(42)
Net Income (Loss)	$ (143)	$ (131)
Basic Earnings Per Share (usd per share)	$ (1.14)	$ (1.05)
Diluted Earnings Per Share (usd per share)	$ (1.14)	$ (1.05)
Shares used for computation:
Basic shares (shares)	125,984,000	124,299,000
Diluted shares (shares)	125,984,000	124,299,000
Passenger [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 1,511	$ 659
Mileage plan other revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	112	94
Cargo and Freight [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	58	44
Passenger Revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,511	659
Passenger Revenue [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,511	659
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	300	178
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member] | Mileage plan other revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	112	94
Cargo and Other Revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	58	44
Cargo and Other Revenue [Member] | Cargo and Freight [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 58	$ 44

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss)	$ (143)	$ (131)
Related to marketable securities:
Total	(40)	(12)
Related to employee benefit plans:
Total	1	6
Related to interest rate derivative instruments:
Total	9	6
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$ (173)	$ (131)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY Statement - USD ($) $ in Millions	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)		124.217
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 2,988	$ 1	$ 391	$ (674)	$ (494)	$ 3,764
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss)	(131)					(131)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	0				0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	12		12
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	(2)		(2)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Mar. 31, 2021	2,875	$ 1	409	(674)	(494)	3,633
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued	$ 8		8
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures		0.225
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)		124.442
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	125,905,864	125.906
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 3,801	$ 1	494	(674)	(262)	4,242
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income (Loss)	(143)					(143)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(30)				(30)
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition	13		13
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	(4)		(4)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Mar. 31, 2022	$ 3,637	$ 1	$ 503	$ (674)	$ (292)	$ 4,099
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures		0.182
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	126,087,864	126.088

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Income	$ (143)	$ (131)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	102	97
Stock-based compensation and other	5	12
Special items - Impairment charges and other	75	18
Restructuring Charges	0	11
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Changes in deferred tax provision	(58)	39
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable	(112)	(37)
Increase (Decrease) in Contract with Customer, Liability	480	224
Increase in deferred revenue	74	48
Other - net	(136)	(36)
Net cash provided by operating activities	287	167
Property and equipment additions:
Aircraft and aircraft purchase deposits	(207)	(3)
Other flight equipment	(24)	(11)
Other property and equipment	(57)	(13)
Total property and equipment additions, including capitalized interest	(288)	(27)
Purchases of marketable securities	(552)	(1,243)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities	880	732
Other investing activities	(1)	(5)
Net cash used in investing activities	39	(543)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt	0	189
Long-term debt payments	(170)	(115)
Other financing activities	2	8
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(168)	82
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	158	(294)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year	494	1,386
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the period	652	1,092
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest (net of amount capitalized)	35	50
Income taxes		0
Non-cash transactions:
Right-of-use assets acquired through operating leases	158	75
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the period
Cash and cash equivalents	628	1,076
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses, assets held-for-sale and other current assets	24	16
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the period	$ 652	$ 1,092

GENERAL AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFIC

GENERAL AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
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, 2021. In the opinion of management, all adjustments have been made that are necessary to fairly present the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2022 and the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. 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 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the Company's business, these estimates and assumptions require more judgment than they would 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 months ended March 31, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the entire year.

FLEET TRANSITION

FLEET TRANSITION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Fleet Transition and Related Activities Disclosure	FLEET TRANSITION In the first quarter of 2022, the Company announced plans to accelerate the transition of mainline operations to an all-Boeing 737 fleet. It also announced new plans to transition its regional operations to an all-Embraer fleet, retiring the Q400 fleet. Under these plans, Alaska will accelerate the retirement of its 30 operating Airbus A320 aircraft, with all expected to exit the fleet by early 2023. Alaska also operates ten A321neo aircraft, and is evaluating options to remove them from its fleet by the end of 2023, subject to agreement with counterparties. Also by the end of 2023, Horizon will exit its Q400 fleet, which includes 25 owned and 7 leased aircraft in operation at March 31, 2022. 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. The decisions made by the Company to accelerate the retirement of the A320 and Q400 aircraft represented a significant adverse change in the extent in which those long-lived asset group would be used and an expectation that each asset group would be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of their previously estimated useful lives. Indicators of impairment were not present for the A321neo aircraft as the majority of these aircraft have contractual lease return dates through 2029 to 2031, and are high-demand assets given their relative age and desirable technology. For the purposes of recoverability testing, assets are grouped at the individual fleet level, which is the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available. The Company performed recoverability tests for the A320 and Q400 fleets, comparing the sum of estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be directly generated by each asset group to the asset group's carrying value. Future cash flows were estimated utilizing a combination of historical data, forecasted results, and anticipated use of the aircraft as of March 31, 2022. The analysis indicated the A320 fleet was recoverable and no impairment measurement was required. However, the Company will adjust the useful lives of the A320 aircraft and related assets to correspond with the anticipated cease-use date. The analysis indicated the Q400 fleet was not recoverable, and impairment measurement was required. The Company evaluated the fair market value for the Q400 fleet using available market price information with adjustments based on quantitative and qualitative considerations. Based on this fair market value, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $70 million, reflecting the amount by which carrying value exceeded fair value of the owned Q400 aircraft. This amount is included within the "Special items - fleet transition and related charges" line within the consolidated statement of operations. In conjunction with the impairment, the Company adjusted the useful lives of Q400 aircraft and related assets to correspond with the anticipated cease-use date. The Company will continue to evaluate the need for further impairment or adjustments for owned and leased long-lived assets as fleet decisions evolve. Other Special Items In addition to the impairment described above, the Company recorded $5 million incremental expense to "Special items - fleet transition and related charges" within the condensed consolidated statement of operations. This includes adjustments related to the outstanding accrual for costs to return leased aircraft and a write-down of right of use assets for two A320 aircraft for which return to service work was initiated but was subsequently ceased.

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUS

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
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, and certain revenue from the frequent flyer program. Mileage Plan other revenue includes brand and marketing revenue from the 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. In the first quarter of 2022, the Company amended its Mileage Plan co-branded credit card agreement with Bank of America. The amendment extended the term of the agreement into 2030 and resulted in modifications to the separately identifiable performance obligations. The Company disaggregates revenue by segment in Note 9. The level of detail within the Company’s condensed consolidated 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 March 31, 2022 2021 Passenger ticket revenue, including ticket breakage, net of taxes and fees $ 1,232 $ 525 Passenger ancillary revenue 91 50 Mileage Plan passenger revenue 188 84 Total Passenger revenue $ 1,511 $ 659 Mileage Plan Loyalty Program Mileage Plan revenue included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 Passenger revenue $ 188 $ 84 Mileage Plan other revenue 112 94 Total Mileage Plan revenue $ 300 $ 178 Cargo and Other Cargo and other revenue included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 Cargo revenue $ 29 $ 27 Other revenue 29 17 Total Cargo and other revenue $ 58 $ 44 Air Traffic Liability and Deferred Revenue Passenger ticket and ancillary services liabilities The Company recognized Passenger revenue of $390 million and $136 million from the prior year-end air traffic liability balance for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. Mileage Plan assets and liabilities The Company records a receivable for amounts due from the affinity card partner and from other partners as mileage credits are sold until the payments are collected. The Company had $108 million of such receivables as of March 31, 2022 and $64 million as of December 31, 2021. As demand for air travel remains unpredictable, the timing of recognition of mileage credits may differ from current assumptions. The table below presents a roll forward of the total frequent flyer liability (in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 Total Deferred revenue balance at January 1 $ 2,358 $ 2,277 Travel miles and companion certificate redemption - Passenger revenue (176) (84) Miles redeemed on partner airlines - Other revenue (9) (4) Increase in liability for mileage credits issued 259 136 Total Deferred revenue balance at March 31 $ 2,432 $ 2,325

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
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 March 31, 2022, total cost basis for all marketable securities was $2.3 billion. In the three months ended March 31, 2022, fair value of marketable securities declined by $57 million primarily due 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 March 31, 2022. Fair values of financial instruments on the condensed consolidated balance sheet (in millions): March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Assets Marketable securities U.S. government and agency securities $ 416 $ — $ 416 $ 331 $ — $ 331 Equity mutual funds 6 — 6 6 — 6 Foreign government bonds — 29 29 — 38 38 Asset-backed securities — 244 244 — 311 311 Mortgage-backed securities — 190 190 — 232 232 Corporate notes and bonds — 1,314 1,314 — 1,663 1,663 Municipal securities — 63 63 — 65 65 Total Marketable securities 422 1,840 2,262 337 2,309 2,646 Derivative instruments Fuel hedge - call options — 203 203 — 81 81 Interest rate swap agreements — 6 6 — — — Total Assets $ 422 $ 2,049 $ 2,471 $ 337 $ 2,390 $ 2,727 Liabilities Derivative instruments Interest rate swap agreements — (2) (2) — (9) (9) Total Liabilities $ — $ (2) $ (2) $ — $ (9) $ (9) 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 are 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 Maturities for marketable securities (in millions): March 31, 2022 Cost Basis Fair Value Due in one year or less $ 628 $ 626 Due after one year through five years 1,651 1,597 Due after five years 34 33 Total $ 2,313 $ 2,256 As of March 31, 2022, $6 million of total marketable securities do not have a maturity date and are therefore excluded from the total fair value of maturities for marketable securities above. 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 : To estimate the fair value of all fixed-rate debt as of March 31, 2022, the Company uses the income approach by discounting cash flows or estimation using quoted market prices, utilizing borrowing rates for comparable debt over the remaining life of the outstanding debt. The estimated fair value of the fixed-rate Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate debt is Level 2, as it is estimated using observable inputs, while the estimated fair value of $750 million of other fixed-rate debt, including PSP notes payable, is classified as Level 3, as it is not actively traded and is valued using discounted cash flows which is an unobservable input. Fixed-rate debt on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and the estimated fair value of long-term fixed-rate debt is as follows (in millions): March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Total fixed-rate debt $ 1,752 $ 1,821 Estimated fair value $ 1,770 $ 1,919 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

LONG-TERM DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
LONG-TERM DEBT	LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt obligations on the condensed consolidated balance sheet (in millions): March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Fixed-rate notes payable due through 2029 $ 150 $ 163 Fixed-rate PSP notes payable due through 2031 600 600 Fixed-rate EETC payable due through 2025 & 2027 1,002 1,058 Variable-rate notes payable due through 2029 636 738 Less debt issuance costs (18) (20) Total debt 2,370 2,539 Less current portion 292 366 Long-term debt, less current portion $ 2,078 $ 2,173 Weighted-average fixed-interest rate 3.6 % 3.7 % Weighted-average variable-interest rate 1.7 % 1.3 % Approximately $396 million of the Company's total variable-rate notes payable are effectively fixed via interest rate swaps at March 31, 2022, resulting in an effective weighted-average interest rate for the full debt portfolio of 3.3%. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company made scheduled debt payments of $170 million. Debt Maturity At March 31, 2022, long-term debt principal payments for the next five years and thereafter are as follows (in millions): Total Remainder of 2022 $ 201 2023 334 2024 240 2025 261 2026 176 Thereafter 1,176 Total $ 2,388 Bank Lines of Credit Alaska has three credit facilities totaling $486 million as of March 31, 2022. One of the credit facilities for $150 million expires in March 2025 and is secured by certain accounts receivable, spare engines, spare parts and ground service equipment. A second credit facility for $250 million expires in June 2024 and is secured by aircraft. Both facilities have variable interest rates based on LIBOR plus a specified margin. A third credit facility for $86 million expires in June 2022 and is secured by aircraft. Alaska has secured letters of credit against the third facility, but has no plans to borrow using either of the other two facilities. All credit facilities have a requirement to maintain a minimum unrestricted cash and marketable securities balance of $500 million. Alaska was in compliance with this covenant at March 31, 2022.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
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 March 31, 2022 2021 Service cost $ 11 $ 13 Pension expense included in Wages and benefits 11 13 Interest cost 16 14 Expected return on assets (32) (31) Recognized actuarial loss 2 9 Pension expense included in Nonoperating Income (Expense) $ (14) $ (8)

COMMITMENTS

COMMITMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Future minimum payments for commitments as of March 31, 2022 (in millions): Aircraft Commitments (a) Capacity Purchase Agreements (b) Remainder of 2022 $ 1,159 $ 133 2023 1,781 182 2024 414 188 2025 111 194 2026 47 195 Thereafter 275 740 Total $ 3,787 $ 1,632 (a) Includes non-cancelable contractual commitments for aircraft and engines, aircraft maintenance and parts management. Contractual commitments do not reflect the impact of the impending fleet transition. Option deliveries are excluded from minimum commitments until exercise. (b) Includes all non-aircraft lease costs associated with capacity purchase agreements. Aircraft Commitments Aircraft purchase commitments include non-cancelable contractual commitments for aircraft and engines. In March 2022, Alaska amended its aircraft purchase agreement with Boeing, adding the 737-8 and 737-10 models to its existing order book of 737-9 aircraft. The amended agreement also includes options to purchase additional aircraft with deliveries between 2024 and 2026. Details are outlined in the table below. Horizon also has commitments to purchase 12 Embraer E175 aircraft with deliveries between 2022 and 2025. Future minimum contractual payments for these aircraft reflect the expected delivery timing, but are also subject to change. Firm Orders Options Total Aircraft Type 2022-2025 2024-2026 2022 - 2026 Boeing 737-8 10 — 10 Boeing 737-9 51 11 62 Boeing 737-10 6 41 47 Embraer E175 12 — 12 Total 79 52 131 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. In February 2021, an appellate court reversed portions of the lower court decision and significantly reduced the judgment, again without awarding injunctive relief against Alaska. The determination of total judgment has not been completed as of the date of this filing. Based on the facts and circumstances available, the Company believes the range of potential loss to be between $0 and $22 million, and holds an accrual for $22 million in Other accrued liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Alaska is seeking a conclusive U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the California laws on which the judgment is based are invalid as applied to airlines pursuant to the U.S. Constitution and provisions of federal law 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. If appeal efforts are unsuccessful, compliance with California and other states' laws may have an adverse impact on the Company's operations and financial position. Like other U.S. airlines, Alaska and Horizon are involved in other litigation around the application of state and local employment laws. 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.

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Equity [Abstract]
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Common Stock Repurchase In August 2015, the Board of Directors authorized a $1 billion share repurchase program. The Company repurchased 7.6 million shares for $544 million under this program. In March 2020, subject to restrictions under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES) Act, the Company suspended the share repurchase program indefinitely. CARES Act Warrant Issuances As additional taxpayer protection required under the Payroll Support Program (PSP) under the CARES Act, the Company granted the Treasury a total of 1,455,438 warrants to purchase ALK common stock in 2020 and 2021. An additional 427,080 warrants were issued in conjunction with a draw on the CARES Act Loan in 2020. These warrants are non-voting, freely transferable, may be settled as net shares or in cash at the Company's option, and have a five-year term. The value of the warrants was estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The total fair value of all outstanding warrants was $30 million, recorded in stockholders' equity at issuance. Total warrants outstanding are as follows as of March 31, 2022: Number of shares of ALK common stock Strike Price PSP 1 928,127 31.61 CARES Act loan warrants 427,080 31.61 PSP 2 305,499 52.25 PSP 3 221,812 66.39 Outstanding March 31, 2022 1,882,518 Accumulated other comprehensive loss Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (in millions): Marketable Securities Employee Benefit Plan Interest Rate Derivatives Total Balance at December 31, 2021, net of tax effect of $83 $ (4) $ (252) $ (6) $ (262) Reclassifications into earnings, net of tax impact of $0 2 1 — 3 Change in value, net of tax impact of $10 (42) — 9 (33) Balance at March 31, 2022, net of tax effect of $93 $ (44) $ (251) $ 3 $ (292) Balance at December 31, 2020, net of tax effect of $160 $ 23 $ (498) $ (19) $ (494) Reclassifications into earnings, net of tax impact of $2 (4) 6 — (2) Change in value, net of tax impact of $(2) (8) — 6 2 Balance at March 31, 2021, net of tax effect of $160 $ 11 $ (492) $ (13) $ (494) Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EPS) EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the average number of common shares outstanding plus the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding assuming the exercise of in-the-money stock options, restricted stock units, and warrants, using the treasury-stock method. Loss per share is calculated by dividing net loss by the average number of basic shares outstanding. For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of EPS were not material.

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
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 and SkyWest, 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, Costa Rica, and Belize. • Regional - includes Horizon's and other third-party carriers’ scheduled air transportation for passengers across a shorter distance network within the U.S. and Canada 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 March 31, 2022 Mainline Regional Horizon Consolidating & Other (a) Air Group Adjusted (b) Special Items (c) Consolidated Operating Revenues Passenger revenues $ 1,243 $ 268 $ — $ — $ 1,511 $ — $ 1,511 CPA revenues — — 94 (94) — — — Mileage Plan other revenue 100 12 — — 112 — 112 Cargo and other 57 — — 1 58 — 58 Total Operating Revenues 1,400 280 94 (93) 1,681 — 1,681 Operating Expenses Operating expenses, excluding fuel 1,194 262 99 (94) 1,461 75 1,536 Fuel expense 381 73 — — 454 (107) 347 Total Operating Expenses 1,575 335 99 (94) 1,915 (32) 1,883 Non-operating Income (Expense) 1 — (5) — (4) — (4) Income (Loss) Before Income Tax $ (174) $ (55) $ (10) $ 1 $ (238) $ 32 $ (206) Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Mainline Regional Horizon Consolidating & Other (a) Air Group Adjusted (b) Special Items (c) Consolidated Operating Revenues Passenger revenues $ 506 $ 153 $ — $ — $ 659 $ — $ 659 CPA revenues — — 104 (104) — — — Mileage Plan other revenue 80 14 — — 94 — 94 Cargo and other 44 — — — 44 — 44 Total Operating Revenues 630 167 104 (104) 797 — 797 Operating Expenses Operating expenses, excluding fuel 893 265 88 (109) 1,137 (382) 755 Fuel expense 174 52 — (1) 225 (22) 203 Total Operating Expenses 1,067 317 88 (110) 1,362 (404) 958 Non-operating Income (Expense) (7) — (5) — (12) — (12) Income (Loss) Before Income Tax $ (444) $ (150) $ 11 $ 6 $ (577) $ 404 $ (173) (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 allocation and excludes certain charges. (c) Includes Payroll Support Program wage offsets, special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments.

GENERAL AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIF_2

GENERAL AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
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, 2021. In the opinion of management, all adjustments have been made that are necessary to fairly present the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2022 and the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. 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 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the Company's business, these estimates and assumptions require more judgment than they would 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 months ended March 31, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the entire year.

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_2

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	Passenger revenue recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 Passenger ticket revenue, including ticket breakage, net of taxes and fees $ 1,232 $ 525 Passenger ancillary revenue 91 50 Mileage Plan passenger revenue 188 84 Total Passenger revenue $ 1,511 $ 659 Mileage Plan revenue included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 Passenger revenue $ 188 $ 84 Mileage Plan other revenue 112 94 Total Mileage Plan revenue $ 300 $ 178 Cargo and other revenue included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 Cargo revenue $ 29 $ 27 Other revenue 29 17 Total Cargo and other revenue $ 58 $ 44
Contract with Customer Liabilities	The table below presents a roll forward of the total frequent flyer liability (in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 2021 Total Deferred revenue balance at January 1 $ 2,358 $ 2,277 Travel miles and companion certificate redemption - Passenger revenue (176) (84) Miles redeemed on partner airlines - Other revenue (9) (4) Increase in liability for mileage credits issued 259 136 Total Deferred revenue balance at March 31 $ 2,432 $ 2,325

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	Maturities for marketable securities (in millions): March 31, 2022 Cost Basis Fair Value Due in one year or less $ 628 $ 626 Due after one year through five years 1,651 1,597 Due after five years 34 33 Total $ 2,313 $ 2,256 As of March 31, 2022, $6 million of total marketable securities do not have a maturity date and are therefore excluded from the total fair value of maturities for marketable securities above.
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	Fair values of financial instruments on the condensed consolidated balance sheet (in millions): March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total Assets Marketable securities U.S. government and agency securities $ 416 $ — $ 416 $ 331 $ — $ 331 Equity mutual funds 6 — 6 6 — 6 Foreign government bonds — 29 29 — 38 38 Asset-backed securities — 244 244 — 311 311 Mortgage-backed securities — 190 190 — 232 232 Corporate notes and bonds — 1,314 1,314 — 1,663 1,663 Municipal securities — 63 63 — 65 65 Total Marketable securities 422 1,840 2,262 337 2,309 2,646 Derivative instruments Fuel hedge - call options — 203 203 — 81 81 Interest rate swap agreements — 6 6 — — — Total Assets $ 422 $ 2,049 $ 2,471 $ 337 $ 2,390 $ 2,727 Liabilities Derivative instruments Interest rate swap agreements — (2) (2) — (9) (9) Total Liabilities $ — $ (2) $ (2) $ — $ (9) $ (9) Fixed-rate debt on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and the estimated fair value of long-term fixed-rate debt is as follows (in millions): March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Total fixed-rate debt $ 1,752 $ 1,821 Estimated fair value $ 1,770 $ 1,919

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	Long-term debt obligations on the condensed consolidated balance sheet (in millions): March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Fixed-rate notes payable due through 2029 $ 150 $ 163 Fixed-rate PSP notes payable due through 2031 600 600 Fixed-rate EETC payable due through 2025 & 2027 1,002 1,058 Variable-rate notes payable due through 2029 636 738 Less debt issuance costs (18) (20) Total debt 2,370 2,539 Less current portion 292 366 Long-term debt, less current portion $ 2,078 $ 2,173 Weighted-average fixed-interest rate 3.6 % 3.7 % Weighted-average variable-interest rate 1.7 % 1.3 %
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	At March 31, 2022, long-term debt principal payments for the next five years and thereafter are as follows (in millions): Total Remainder of 2022 $ 201 2023 334 2024 240 2025 261 2026 176 Thereafter 1,176 Total $ 2,388

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
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 March 31, 2022 2021 Service cost $ 11 $ 13 Pension expense included in Wages and benefits 11 13 Interest cost 16 14 Expected return on assets (32) (31) Recognized actuarial loss 2 9 Pension expense included in Nonoperating Income (Expense) $ (14) $ (8)

COMMITMENTS (Tables)

COMMITMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022
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 March 31, 2022 (in millions): Aircraft Commitments (a) Capacity Purchase Agreements (b) Remainder of 2022 $ 1,159 $ 133 2023 1,781 182 2024 414 188 2025 111 194 2026 47 195 Thereafter 275 740 Total $ 3,787 $ 1,632 (a) Includes non-cancelable contractual commitments for aircraft and engines, aircraft maintenance and parts management. Contractual commitments do not reflect the impact of the impending fleet transition. Option deliveries are excluded from minimum commitments until exercise.
Schedule of Future Aircraft Delivery	Future minimum contractual payments for these aircraft reflect the expected delivery timing, but are also subject to change. Firm Orders Options Total Aircraft Type 2022-2025 2024-2026 2022 - 2026 Boeing 737-8 10 — 10 Boeing 737-9 51 11 62 Boeing 737-10 6 41 47 Embraer E175 12 — 12 Total 79 52 131

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (in millions): Marketable Securities Employee Benefit Plan Interest Rate Derivatives Total Balance at December 31, 2021, net of tax effect of $83 $ (4) $ (252) $ (6) $ (262) Reclassifications into earnings, net of tax impact of $0 2 1 — 3 Change in value, net of tax impact of $10 (42) — 9 (33) Balance at March 31, 2022, net of tax effect of $93 $ (44) $ (251) $ 3 $ (292) Balance at December 31, 2020, net of tax effect of $160 $ 23 $ (498) $ (19) $ (494) Reclassifications into earnings, net of tax impact of $2 (4) 6 — (2) Change in value, net of tax impact of $(2) (8) — 6 2 Balance at March 31, 2021, net of tax effect of $160 $ 11 $ (492) $ (13) $ (494)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	$ 3	$ (2)
Schedule of Stockholders' Equity Note, Warrants or Rights	Total warrants outstanding are as follows as of March 31, 2022: Number of shares of ALK common stock Strike Price PSP 1 928,127 31.61 CARES Act loan warrants 427,080 31.61 PSP 2 305,499 52.25 PSP 3 221,812 66.39 Outstanding March 31, 2022 1,882,518
Related to marketable securities	$ (292)	$ (494)	$ (262)	$ (494)

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION (

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	Operating segment information is as follows (in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 Mainline Regional Horizon Consolidating & Other (a) Air Group Adjusted (b) Special Items (c) Consolidated Operating Revenues Passenger revenues $ 1,243 $ 268 $ — $ — $ 1,511 $ — $ 1,511 CPA revenues — — 94 (94) — — — Mileage Plan other revenue 100 12 — — 112 — 112 Cargo and other 57 — — 1 58 — 58 Total Operating Revenues 1,400 280 94 (93) 1,681 — 1,681 Operating Expenses Operating expenses, excluding fuel 1,194 262 99 (94) 1,461 75 1,536 Fuel expense 381 73 — — 454 (107) 347 Total Operating Expenses 1,575 335 99 (94) 1,915 (32) 1,883 Non-operating Income (Expense) 1 — (5) — (4) — (4) Income (Loss) Before Income Tax $ (174) $ (55) $ (10) $ 1 $ (238) $ 32 $ (206) Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Mainline Regional Horizon Consolidating & Other (a) Air Group Adjusted (b) Special Items (c) Consolidated Operating Revenues Passenger revenues $ 506 $ 153 $ — $ — $ 659 $ — $ 659 CPA revenues — — 104 (104) — — — Mileage Plan other revenue 80 14 — — 94 — 94 Cargo and other 44 — — — 44 — 44 Total Operating Revenues 630 167 104 (104) 797 — 797 Operating Expenses Operating expenses, excluding fuel 893 265 88 (109) 1,137 (382) 755 Fuel expense 174 52 — (1) 225 (22) 203 Total Operating Expenses 1,067 317 88 (110) 1,362 (404) 958 Non-operating Income (Expense) (7) — (5) — (12) — (12) Income (Loss) Before Income Tax $ (444) $ (150) $ 11 $ 6 $ (577) $ 404 $ (173) (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 allocation and excludes certain charges. (c) Includes Payroll Support Program wage offsets, special items and mark-to-market fuel hedge accounting adjustments.
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	$ (4)	$ (12)
Interest income	7	7
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	1,536	755
Economic fuel	347	203
Operating Expenses	1,883	958
Income (Loss) Before Income Tax	$ (206)	$ (173)

FLEET TRANSITION (Details)

FLEET TRANSITION (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)
Q400 Impairment Charges
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 70
Other Fleet Transition Impairment
Impaired Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 5

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_3

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 1,681	$ 797
Passenger [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,511	659
Mileage plan other revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	112	94
Passenger Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,511	659
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	1,232	525
Passenger Revenue [Member] | Passenger ancillary revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	91	50
Passenger Revenue [Member] | Mileage Plan passenger revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	188	84
Passenger Revenue [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,511	659
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	300	178
Mileage Plan 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	188	84
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member] | Mileage plan other revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	112	94
Cargo and Other Revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	58	44
Cargo and Other Revenue [Member] | Cargo revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	29	27
Cargo and Other Revenue [Member] | Other revenue [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 29	$ 17

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_4

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Receivable	$ 658		$ 546
Costs and Expenses	1,883	$ 958
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Receivable	108		$ 64
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member] | Mileage plan other revenue [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Contract liability revenue recognized	(9)	(4)
Passenger Revenue [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Contract liability revenue recognized	$ 390	$ 136

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH C_5

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Contract Liabilities Activity (Details) - Mileage Plan Revenue [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Roll Forward]
Total Deferred Revenue balance at January 1	$ 2,358	$ 2,277
Increase in liability for mileage credits issued	259	136
Total Deferred Revenue balance at Sept 30	2,432	2,325
Passenger revenue [Member]
Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Roll Forward]
Revenue recognized	(176)	(84)
Mileage plan other revenue [Member]
Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Roll Forward]
Revenue recognized	$ (9)	$ (4)

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - FAIR

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	$ 2,256
Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	2,471	$ 2,727
Derivative instruments, liabilities	2	9
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	2,262	2,646
Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	422	337
Derivative instruments, liabilities	0	0
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	422	337
Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	2,049	2,390
Derivative instruments, liabilities	2	9
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	1,840	2,309
Fuel hedge contracts [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative instruments, assets	203	81
Fuel hedge contracts [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [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] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative instruments, assets	203	81
Interest rate swaps agreements [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative instruments, assets	6	0
Derivative instruments, liabilities	2	9
Interest rate swaps agreements [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [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] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative instruments, assets	6	0
Derivative instruments, liabilities	2	9
U.S. government and agency securities [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	416	331
U.S. government and agency securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	416	331
U.S. government and agency securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	0	0
Equity Funds [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	6	6
Equity Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	6	6
Equity Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	0	0
Foreign government bonds [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	29	38
Foreign government bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	0	0
Foreign government bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	29	38
Asset-backed securities [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	244	311
Asset-backed securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	0	0
Asset-backed securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	244	311
Mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	190	232
Mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	0	0
Mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	190	232
Corporate notes and bonds [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	1,314	1,663
Corporate notes and bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	0	0
Corporate notes and bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	1,314	1,663
Municipal securities [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	63	65
Municipal securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	0	0
Municipal securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale	$ 63	$ 65

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - ACTIV

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - ACTIVITY FOR MARKETABLE SECURITIES (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Unrealized holding gain (loss) arising during the period	$ 57

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - MATUR

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - MATURITIES FOR MARKETABLE SECURITIES (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)
Cost Basis
Due in one year or less	$ 628
Due after one year through five years	1,651
Due after five years through 10 years	34
Fair Value
Due in one year or less	626
Due after one year through five years	1,597
Due after five years through 10 years	33
Total	2,313
Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, without Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost	$ 6

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - LONG-

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 750
Carrying amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	1,752	$ 1,821
Fair value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 1,770	$ 1,919

LONG-TERM DEBT - SCHEDULE OF LO

LONG-TERM DEBT - SCHEDULE OF LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Issuance Costs, Net	$ (18)			$ (20)
Total	2,370			2,539
Less current portion	292			366
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 2,078			$ 2,173
Weighted-average fixed-interest rate	3.60%			3.70%
Weighted-average variable-interest rate	1.70%			1.30%
Long-term debt payments	$ (170)	$ (115)
Proceeds from issuance of debt	$ 0	189
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued		$ 8
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	3.30%
LONG-TERM DEBT	LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt obligations on the condensed consolidated balance sheet (in millions): March 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Fixed-rate notes payable due through 2029 $ 150 $ 163 Fixed-rate PSP notes payable due through 2031 600 600 Fixed-rate EETC payable due through 2025 & 2027 1,002 1,058 Variable-rate notes payable due through 2029 636 738 Less debt issuance costs (18) (20) Total debt 2,370 2,539 Less current portion 292 366 Long-term debt, less current portion $ 2,078 $ 2,173 Weighted-average fixed-interest rate 3.6 % 3.7 % Weighted-average variable-interest rate 1.7 % 1.3 % Approximately $396 million of the Company's total variable-rate notes payable are effectively fixed via interest rate swaps at March 31, 2022, resulting in an effective weighted-average interest rate for the full debt portfolio of 3.3%. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company made scheduled debt payments of $170 million. Debt Maturity At March 31, 2022, long-term debt principal payments for the next five years and thereafter are as follows (in millions): Total Remainder of 2022 $ 201 2023 334 2024 240 2025 261 2026 176 Thereafter 1,176 Total $ 2,388 Bank Lines of Credit Alaska has three credit facilities totaling $486 million as of March 31, 2022. One of the credit facilities for $150 million expires in March 2025 and is secured by certain accounts receivable, spare engines, spare parts and ground service equipment. A second credit facility for $250 million expires in June 2024 and is secured by aircraft. Both facilities have variable interest rates based on LIBOR plus a specified margin. A third credit facility for $86 million expires in June 2022 and is secured by aircraft. Alaska has secured letters of credit against the third facility, but has no plans to borrow using either of the other two facilities. All credit facilities have a requirement to maintain a minimum unrestricted cash and marketable securities balance of $500 million. Alaska was in compliance with this covenant at March 31, 2022.
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 486
Fixed rate notes payable due through 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	150			$ 163
Variable rate notes payable due through 2029 [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	636			738
US Treasury CARES Act Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued			$ 30
July 2020 EETC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	1,002			1,058
Credit Facility 1 [Member] | Secured by certain accounts receivable, spare engines, spare parts and ground service equipment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	150
PSP Notes Payable through 2031
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	600			$ 600
Variable Rate debt with interest rate swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps agreements [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	396
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 396

LONG-TERM DEBT LONG-TERM DEBT -

LONG-TERM DEBT LONG-TERM DEBT - FUTURE PAYMENTS (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2021	$ 201
2022	334
2023	240
2024	261
2025	176
Thereafter	1,176
Total	$ 2,388

LONG-TERM DEBT - LINE OF CREDIT

LONG-TERM DEBT - LINE OF CREDIT (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)airline	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Secured Debt	$ 0	$ 189
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued		$ 8
Line of Credit Facility, Number of Credit Facilities | airline	3
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 486
Line of Credit Facility, Asset Restrictions	500
Credit Facility 1 [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
Credit Facility 2 [Member] | Secured by aircraft [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	250
Credit Facility 3 [Member] | Secured by aircraft [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 86
US Treasury CARES Act Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued			$ 30

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - NET PE

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - NET PENSION EXPENSE (Details) - Qualified Defined Benefit [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 11	$ 13
Interest cost	16	14
Expected return on assets	32	31
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)	(2)	(9)
Wages and Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net pension expense	11	13
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Net pension expense	$ (14)	$ (8)

COMMITMENTS (Details)

COMMITMENTS (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022USD ($)aircraft
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	131
Loss Contingency Accrual	$ 22
Firm aircraft commitment
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	79
Aircraft purchase option
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	52
Maximum
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Portion Not Accrued	$ 22
Minimum
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Portion Not Accrued	$ 0
E175 [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	12
E175 [Member] | Firm aircraft commitment
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	12
E175 [Member] | Aircraft purchase option
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	0
B 737-8
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	10
B 737-8 | Firm aircraft commitment
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	10
B 737-8 | Aircraft purchase option
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	0
B 737-9
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	62
B 737-9 | Firm aircraft commitment
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	51
B 737-9 | Aircraft purchase option
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	11
B 737-10
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	47
B 737-10 | Firm aircraft commitment
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	6
B 737-10 | Aircraft purchase option
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Committed to Purchase (in Aircraft) | aircraft	41
Aircraft Commitments [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Remainder of 2021	$ 1,159
2022	1,781
2023	414
2024	111
2025	47
Thereafter	275
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	3,787
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Remainder of 2021	133
2022	182
2023	188
2024	194
2025	195
Thereafter	740
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	1,632
Virgin America Flight Attendants [Member]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 78

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY, COMMON ST

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY, COMMON STOCK REPURCHASE (Details) - 2015 1 Billion Repurchase Program [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	67 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2015
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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Related to marketable securities	$ (292)	$ (494)	$ (262)	$ (494)
Total	(292)		(262)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
OCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss), before Adjustment, after Tax	(33)	2
Related to marketable securities	(292)	(494)	(262)	(494)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	3	(2)
Marketable Securities
Equity [Abstract]
Related to marketable securities	(44)	11	(4)	23
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
OCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss), before Adjustment, after Tax	(42)	(8)
Related to marketable securities	(44)	11	(4)	23
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	2	(4)
AOCI Employee Benefit Plan
Equity [Abstract]
Related to marketable securities	(251)	(492)	(252)	(498)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
OCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss), before Adjustment, after Tax	0	0
Related to marketable securities	(251)	(492)	(252)	(498)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	1	6
AOCI - Interest Rate Derivatives
Equity [Abstract]
Related to marketable securities	3	(13)	(6)	(19)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
OCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss), before Adjustment, after Tax	9	6
Related to marketable securities	3	(13)	$ (6)	$ (19)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	$ 0	$ 0

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY , WARRANT

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY , WARRANT ACTIVITY (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2022
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding			1,882,518
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued	$ 8
US Treasury CARES Act Loan [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Warrant Issued		$ 30
PSP 1 Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding			928,127
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights			$ 31.61
US Treasury CARES Act Loan [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding			427,080
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights			$ 31.61
PSP 2 Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding			305,499
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights			$ 52.25
PSP 3 Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding			221,812
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights			$ 66.39
CARES Act PSP [Domain]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding			1,455,438

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION_2

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2021
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 1,681	$ 797
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	1,536	755
Economic fuel	347	203
Total Operating Expenses	1,883	958
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Interest income	7	7
Interest expense	(27)	(32)
Interest capitalized	2	3
Other—net	14	10
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(4)	(12)
Costs and Expenses, Total	1,883	958
Mileage Plan Revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	300	178
Air Group Adjusted [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,681	797
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	1,461	1,137
Economic fuel	454	225
Total Operating Expenses	1,915	1,362
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(4)	(12)
Income (loss) before income tax	(238)	(577)
Alaska Mainline [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,400	630
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	1,194	893
Economic fuel	381	174
Total Operating Expenses	1,575	1,067
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	1	(7)
Income (loss) before income tax	(174)	(444)
Alaska Regional [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	280	167
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	262	265
Economic fuel	73	52
Total Operating Expenses	335	317
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	0	0
Income (loss) before income tax	(55)	(150)
Horizon [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	94	104
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	99	88
Economic fuel	0	0
Total Operating Expenses	99	88
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(5)	(5)
Income (loss) before income tax	(10)	11
Consolidating and Other [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	(93)	(104)
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	(94)	(109)
Economic fuel	0	(1)
Total Operating Expenses	(94)	(110)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	0	0
Income (loss) before income tax	1	6
Special Charges [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Operating expenses
Operating Expenses, Excluding Fuel	75	(382)
Economic fuel	(107)	(22)
Total Operating Expenses	(32)	(404)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	0	0
Income (loss) before income tax	32	404
Passenger [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,511	659
Passenger [Member] | Air Group Adjusted [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,511	659
Passenger [Member] | Alaska Mainline [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,243	506
Passenger [Member] | Alaska Regional [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	268	153
Passenger [Member] | Horizon [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Passenger [Member] | Consolidating and Other [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Passenger [Member] | Special Charges [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member] | Air Group Adjusted [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member] | Alaska Mainline [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member] | Alaska Regional [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member] | Horizon [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	94	104
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member] | Consolidating and Other [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	(94)	(104)
Capacity Purchase Agreements [Member] | Special Charges [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Mileage plan other revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	112	94
Mileage plan other revenue [Member] | Mileage Plan Revenue [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	112	94
Mileage plan other revenue [Member] | Air Group Adjusted [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	112	94
Mileage plan other revenue [Member] | Alaska Mainline [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	100	80
Mileage plan other revenue [Member] | Alaska Regional [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	12	14
Mileage plan other revenue [Member] | Horizon [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Mileage plan other revenue [Member] | Consolidating and Other [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Mileage plan other revenue [Member] | Special Charges [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Cargo and Freight [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	58	44
Cargo and Freight [Member] | Air Group Adjusted [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	58	44
Cargo and Freight [Member] | Alaska Mainline [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	57	44
Cargo and Freight [Member] | Alaska Regional [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Cargo and Freight [Member] | Horizon [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Cargo and Freight [Member] | Consolidating and Other [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1	0
Cargo and Freight [Member] | Special Charges [Member]
Operating Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 0	$ 0

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION,

OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION, ASSETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Total assets	$ 14,210	$ 13,951
Alaska Airlines [Member]
Total assets	19,684	19,258
Horizon [Member]
Total assets	1,125	1,212
Consolidating and Other [Member]
Total assets	$ (6,599)	$ (6,519)