COMPANY-SPONSORED EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

v3.6.0.2

COMPANY-SPONSORED EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Net Periodic Benefit Cost for Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans	Information about net periodic benefit cost for the company-sponsored pension and postretirement benefit plans is as follows (in millions):   U.S. Pension Benefits   U.S. Postretirement Medical Benefits   International Pension Benefits   2016   2015   2014   2016   2015   2014   2016   2015   2014 Net Periodic Benefit Cost:                                   Service cost $ 1,412   $ 1,527   $ 1,137   $ 28   $ 34   $ 62   $ 49   $ 48   $ 43 Interest cost 1,828   1,694   1,604   124   117   152   41   44   49 Expected return on assets (2,516 )   (2,489 )   (2,257 )   (6 )   (17 )   (25 )   (58 )   (61 )   (61 ) Amortization of:                                   Transition obligation —   —   —   —   —   —   —   —   — Prior service cost 166   168   169   5   5   —   1   1   1 Actuarial (gain) loss 2,520   70   991   17   17   767   114   31   48 Curtailment and settlement loss —   —   —   —   —   356   —   —   — Other —   —   —   —   —   —   —   —   4 Net periodic benefit cost $ 3,410   $ 970   $ 1,644   $ 168   $ 156   $ 1,312   $ 147   $ 63   $ 84
Weighted Average Actuarial Assumptions Used Disclosure	The table below provides the weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations of our plans.   U.S. Pension Benefits   U.S. Postretirement Medical Benefits   International Pension Benefits   2016   2015   2016   2015   2016   2015 Discount rate 4.41 %   4.86 %   4.23 %   4.79 %   2.75 %   3.51 % Rate of compensation increase 4.27 %   4.29 %   N/A   N/A   3.17 %   3.04 % The table below provides the weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit cost.   U.S. Pension Benefits   U.S. Postretirement Medical Benefits   International Pension Benefits   2016   2015   2014   2016   2015   2014   2016   2015   2014 Discount rate 4.86 %   4.40 %   5.32 %   4.79 %   4.18 %   4.89 %   3.51 %   3.56 %   4.35 % Rate of compensation increase 4.29 %   4.29 %   4.29 %   N/A   N/A   N/A   3.04 %   3.08 %   3.22 % Expected return on assets 8.75 %   8.75 %   8.75 %   8.75 %   8.75 %   8.75 %   5.73 %   6.03 %   6.29 %
Effects of One Percent Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend	A one percent change in assumed healthcare cost trend rates would have had the following effects on 2016 results (in millions):   1% Increase   1% Decrease Effect on total of service cost and interest cost $ 3   $ (3 ) Effect on postretirement benefit obligation $ 71   $ (76 )
Reconciliation of the Changes in the Plans' Benefit Obligations and Fair Value of Plan Assets	The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the plans’ benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets as of the respective measurement dates in each year (in millions).   U.S. Pension Benefits   U.S. Postretirement Medical Benefits   International Pension Benefits   2016   2015   2016   2015   2016   2015 Benefit Obligations:                       Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 36,846   $ 37,521   $ 2,673   $ 2,883   $ 1,219   $ 1,274 Service cost 1,412   1,527   28   34   49   48 Interest cost 1,828   1,694   124   117   41   44 Gross benefits paid (1,885 )   (1,056 )   (264 )   (261 )   (28 )   (30 ) Plan participants’ contributions —   —   27   21   3   3 Plan amendments(1) 285   —   15   —   —   (2 ) Actuarial (gain)/loss 2,583   (2,840 )   126   (120 )   208   13 Foreign currency exchange rate changes —   —   —   —   (67 )   (138 ) Curtailments and settlements —   —   —   —   (3 )   (3 ) Other —   —   1   (1 )   3   10 Projected benefit obligation at end of year $ 41,069   $ 36,846   $ 2,730   $ 2,673   $ 1,425   $ 1,219                         (1) Resulting from a new labor contract with the Independent Pilots Association. See "Status of Collective Bargaining Agreements" in note 5.               U.S. Pension Benefits   U.S. Postretirement Medical Benefits   International Pension Benefits   2016   2015   2016   2015   2016   2015 Fair Value of Plan Assets:                       Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 28,887   $ 28,828   $ 130   $ 259   $ 1,014   $ 1,042 Actual return on plan assets 1,735   67   3   —   108   43 Employer contributions 2,478   1,048   119   111   71   70 Plan participants’ contributions —   —   27   21   3   3 Gross benefits paid (1,885 )   (1,056 )   (264 )   (261 )   (28 )   (30 ) Foreign currency exchange rate changes —   —   —   —   (73 )   (113 ) Curtailments and settlements —   —   —   —   (3 )   (3 ) Other —   —   —   —   —   2 Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 31,215   $ 28,887   $ 15   $ 130   $ 1,092   $ 1,014
Funded Status as of the Respective Measurement Dates in Each Year and the Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet	The following table discloses the funded status of our plans and the amounts recognized in our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31st (in millions):   U.S. Pension Benefits   U.S. Postretirement Medical Benefits   International Pension Benefits   2016   2015   2016   2015   2016   2015 Funded Status:                       Fair value of plan assets $ 31,215   $ 28,887   $ 15   $ 130   $ 1,092   $ 1,014 Benefit obligation (41,069 )   (36,846 )   (2,730 )   (2,673 )   (1,425 )   (1,219 ) Funded status recognized at December 31 $ (9,854 )   $ (7,959 )   $ (2,715 )   $ (2,543 )   $ (333 )   $ (205 ) Funded Status Recognized in our Balance Sheet:                       Other non-current assets $ —   $ —   $ —   $ —   $ 28   $ 48 Other current liabilities (17 )   (16 )   (216 )   (98 )   (3 )   (3 ) Pension and postretirement benefit obligations (9,837 )   (7,943 )   (2,499 )   (2,445 )   (358 )   (250 ) Net liability at December 31 $ (9,854 )   $ (7,959 )   $ (2,715 )   $ (2,543 )   $ (333 )   $ (205 ) Amounts Recognized in AOCI:                       Unrecognized net prior service cost $ (1,074 )   $ (954 )   $ (36 )   $ (26 )   $ (3 )   $ (4 ) Unrecognized net actuarial gain (loss) (4,107 )   (3,263 )   (80 )   32   (150 )   (103 ) Gross unrecognized cost at December 31 (5,181 )   (4,217 )   (116 )   6   (153 )   (107 ) Deferred tax assets (liabilities) at December 31 1,948   1,585   44   (2 )   37   26 Net unrecognized cost at December 31 $ (3,233 )   $ (2,632 )   $ (72 )   $ 4   $ (116 )   $ (81 )
Projected Benefit Obligation, Accumulated Benefit Obligation, and Fair Value of Plan Assets for Pension Plans With an Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets	At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the projected benefit obligation, the accumulated benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets for pension plans with benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were as follows (in millions):   Projected Benefit Obligation Exceeds the Fair Value of Plan Assets   Accumulated Benefit Obligation Exceeds the Fair Value of Plan Assets 2016   2015   2016   2015 U.S. Pension Benefits:               Projected benefit obligation $ 41,069   $ 36,846   $ 41,069   $ 36,846 Accumulated benefit obligation 38,194   34,210   38,194   34,210 Fair value of plan assets 31,215   28,887   31,215   28,887 International Pension Benefits:               Projected benefit obligation $ 1,370   $ 493   $ 1,365   $ 477 Accumulated benefit obligation 1,238   416   1,234   401 Fair value of plan assets 1,020   247   1,016   232
Fair Values of U.S. Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets by Asset Category as Well as the Percentage That Each Category Comprises of Total Plan Assets and the Respective Target Allocations	The fair values of U.S. and international pension and postretirement benefit plan assets by asset category as of December 31, 2016 are presented below (in millions), as well as the percentage that each category comprises of our total plan assets and the respective target allocations.   Total Assets(1)   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Percentage of Plan Assets - 2016   Target Allocation 2016 Asset Category (U.S. Plans):                       Cash and cash equivalents $ 304   $ 102   $ 202   $ —   1.0 %   0-5 Equity Securities:                       U.S. Large Cap 4,883   2,327   2,556   —         U.S. Small Cap 542   393   149   —         Emerging Markets 1,396   1,236   160   —         Global Equity 2,603   2,555   48   —         International Equity 3,026   2,197   829   —         Total Equity Securities 12,450   8,708   3,742   —   39.9   35-55 Fixed Income Securities:                       U.S. Government Securities 6,173   5,821   352   —         Corporate Bonds 4,492   —   4,492   —         Global Bonds 161   —   59   —         Municipal Bonds 24   —   24   —         Total Fixed Income Securities 10,850   5,821   4,927   —   34.6   25-35 Other Investments:                       Hedge Funds 2,867   —   763   —   9.2   5-15 Private Equity 1,716   —   —   —   5.5   1-10 Private Debt 496   —   —   —   1.6   1-10 Real Estate 1,734   122   144   —   5.6   1-10 Structured Products(2) 492   —   492   —   1.6   0-5 Risk Parity Funds 321   —   —   —   1.0   1-10 Total U.S. Plan Assets $ 31,230   $ 14,753   $ 10,270   $ —   100.0 %     Asset Category (International Plans):                       Cash and cash equivalents $ 54   $ 37   $ 17   —   4.9   0-15 Equity Securities:                       Local Markets Equity 188   —   188   —         U.S. Equity 20   —   20   —         Emerging Markets 26   26   —   —         International / Global Equity 288   141   147   —         Total Equity Securities 522   167   355   —   47.7   50-65 Fixed Income Securities:                       Local Government Bonds 84   22   62   —         Corporate Bonds 158   51   107   —         Total Fixed Income Securities 242   73   169   —   22.2   15-35 Other Investments:                       Real Estate 93   —   57   —   8.5   0-17 Other 181   —   175   —   16.7   0-20 Total International Plan Assets $ 1,092   $ 277   $ 773   $ —   100.0 %     Total Plan Assets $ 32,322   $ 15,030   $ 11,043   $ —         (1) In accordance with ASU No. 2015-07, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy but are included in the category totals. (2) Represents mortgage and asset-backed securities. The fair values of U.S. and international pension and postretirement benefit plan assets by asset category as of December 31, 2015 are presented below (in millions), as well as the percentage that each category comprises of our total plan assets and the respective target allocations.   Total Assets(1)   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Percentage of Plan Assets - 2015   Target Allocation 2015 Asset Category (U.S. Plans):                       Cash and cash equivalents $ 811   $ 716   $ 95   $ —   2.8 %   0-5 Equity Securities:                       U.S. Large Cap 4,246   2,542   1,704   —         U.S. Small Cap 352   310   42   —         Emerging Markets 1,426   1,271   155   —         Global Equity 2,935   2,935   —   —         International Equity 3,089   2,308   781   —         Total Equity Securities 12,048   9,366   2,682   —   41.5   35-55 Fixed Income Securities:                       U.S. Government Securities 3,469   3,257   212   —         Corporate Bonds 3,961   —   3,682   6         Global Bonds 733   —   147   —         Municipal Bonds 36   —   36   —         Total Fixed Income Securities 8,199   3,257   4,077   6   28.2   25-35 Other Investments:                       Hedge Funds 3,617   —   —   —   12.5   5-15 Private Equity 1,415   —   —   —   4.9   1-10 Real Estate 1,848   126   155   —   6.4   1-10 Structured Products(2) 324   —   324   —   1.1   0-5 Risk Parity Funds 755   —   —   —   2.6   1-10 Total U.S. Plan Assets $ 29,017   $ 13,465   $ 7,333   $ 6   100.0 %     Asset Category (International Plans):                       Cash and cash equivalents $ 25   $ 9   $ 16   —   2.5   0-5 Equity Securities:                       Local Markets Equity 240   133   107   —         U.S. Equity 16   16   —   —         Emerging Markets 16   16   —   —         International / Global Equity 176   84   92   —         Total Equity Securities 448   249   199   —   44.1   50-65 Fixed Income Securities:                       Local Government Bonds 72   72   —   —         Corporate Bonds 149   56   93   —         Total Fixed Income Securities 221   128   93   —   21.8   15-35 Other Investments:                       Real Estate 111   —   69   —   10.9   0-17 Other 209   —   160   49   20.7   0-20 Total International Plan Assets $ 1,014   $ 386   $ 537   $ 49   100.0 %     Total Plan Assets $ 30,031   $ 13,851   $ 7,870   $ 55         (1) In accordance with ASU No. 2015-07, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy but are included in the category totals. (2) Represents mortgage and asset-backed securities.
Fair Value Measurement of Plan Assets Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	The following table presents the changes in the Level 3 instruments measured on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in millions).   Corporate Bonds   Other   Total(1) Balance on January 1, 2015 $ 8   $ 53   $ 61 Actual Return on Assets:           Assets Held at End of Year (1 )   (4 )   (5 ) Assets Sold During the Year —   —   — Purchases 3   —   3 Sales (4 )   —   (4 ) Transfers Into (Out of) Level 3 —   —   — Balance on December 31, 2015 $ 6   $ 49   $ 55 Actual Return on Assets:           Assets Held at End of Year —   —   — Assets Sold During the Year —   (49 )   (49 ) Purchases —   —   — Sales (6 )   —   (6 ) Transfers Into (Out of) Level 3 —   —   — Balance on December 31, 2016 $ —   $ —   $ —
Amounts in AOCI Expected to be Amortized and Recognized as a Component of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The estimated amounts of prior service cost in AOCI expected to be amortized and recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost in 2017 are as follows (in millions):   U.S. Pension Benefits   U.S. Postretirement Medical Benefits   International Pension Benefits Prior service cost / (benefit) $ 192   $ 7   $ 1
Expected Cash Flows for Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans	Information about expected cash flows for the pension and postretirement benefit plans is as follows (in millions):   U.S. Pension Benefits   U.S. Postretirement Medical Benefits   International Pension Benefits Expected Employer Contributions:           2017 to plan trusts $ 2,291   $ 154   $ 66 2017 to plan participants 17   87   3 Expected Benefit Payments:           2017 $ 1,180   $ 239   $ 23 2018 1,292   235   23 2019 1,412   236   26 2020 1,542   232   29 2021 1,680   225   34 2022-2026 10,627   986   235
schedule of one basis point change in discount rate on the projected benefit obligation [Table Text Block]	As of December 31, 2016, the impact of each basis point change in the discount rate on the projected benefit obligation of the pension and postretirement medical benefit plans is as follows (in millions):   Increase (Decrease) in the Projected Benefit Obligation   Pension Benefits   Postretirement Medical Benefits One basis point increase in discount rate $ (67 )   $ (2 ) One basis point decrease in discount rate $ 71   $ 3