Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Detail)

v3.5.0.2
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Detail)
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2016
USD ($)
Employees
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Employees
Dec. 31, 2007
USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Number of employees under a national master agreement and various supplemental agreements with local unions affiliated with Teamsters | Employees       266,000  
Remittance of retroactive economic benefits   $ (46) $ 5    
Majority of ground mechanics not employed under agreements | Employees   3,100      
Multiemployer Plans, Payment Term   46 years      
Number of pilots under a collective bargaining agreement with the Independent Pilots Association | Employees   2,600      
International Pension Benefits          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Amount contributed to company- sponsored benefit plans   $ 1,227      
Estimated future employer contributions to defined benefit plan, current fiscal year   9      
U.S. Postretirement Medical Benefits          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Amount contributed to company- sponsored benefit plans   $ 71      
Estimated future employer contributions to defined benefit plan, current fiscal year   30      
Multiemployer Plans, Pension [Member]          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation, Present Value   $ 867   $ 872  
Multi-employer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation, Fair Value Disclosure   941   $ 841  
National Master Agreement (NMA) [Member]          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Remittance of retroactive economic benefits $ 53        
Central States Pension Fund          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Withdrawal liability         $ 6,100
Pension liability   $ 4,000      
Minimum [Member]          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Employer contribution percentage   3.00%      
Maximum [Member]          
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]          
Employer contribution percentage   8.00%