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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2016	Oct. 11, 2016
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	UAL
Entity Registrant Name	United Continental Holdings, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000100517
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		317,285,583
United Airlines, Inc.
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	United Airlines, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000319687
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,000

Statements of Consolidated Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Operating revenue:
Passenger-Mainline	$ 7,017	$ 7,254	$ 19,119	$ 20,153
Passenger-Regional	1,586	1,706	4,577	4,903
Total passenger revenue	8,603	8,960	23,696	25,056
Cargo	224	235	626	706
Other operating revenue	1,086	1,111	3,182	3,066
Total revenue	9,913	10,306	27,504	28,828
Operating expense:
Salaries and related costs	2,625	2,534	7,707	7,289
Aircraft fuel	1,603	1,934	4,258	5,904
Regional capacity purchase	572	572	1,645	1,725
Landing fees and other rent	546	551	1,612	1,647
Depreciation and amortization	503	469	1,473	1,343
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs	451	424	1,301	1,252
Distribution expenses	345	366	987	1,026
Aircraft rent	168	185	521	580
Special charges (Note 10)	45	76	669	195
Other operating expenses	1,431	1,296	3,998	3,782
Total operating expenses	8,289	8,407	24,171	24,743
Operating income	1,624	1,899	3,333	4,085
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense	(150)	(164)	(466)	(504)
Interest capitalized	20	13	48	38
Interest income	14	5	31	16
Miscellaneous, net (Note 10)	2	(147)	(11)	(321)
Total other expense	(114)	(293)	(398)	(771)
Income before income taxes	1,510	1,606	2,935	3,314
Income tax expense (benefit)	545	(3,210)	1,069	(3,203)
Net income	$ 965	$ 4,816	$ 1,866	$ 6,517
Earnings per share, basic	$ 3.02	$ 12.83	$ 5.57	$ 17.19
Earnings per share, diluted	$ 3.01	$ 12.82	$ 5.57	$ 17.15
United Airlines, Inc.
Operating revenue:
Passenger-Mainline	$ 7,017	$ 7,254	$ 19,119	$ 20,153
Passenger-Regional	1,586	1,706	4,577	4,903
Total passenger revenue	8,603	8,960	23,696	25,056
Cargo	224	235	626	706
Other operating revenue	1,086	1,111	3,182	3,066
Total revenue	9,913	10,306	27,504	28,828
Operating expense:
Salaries and related costs	2,625	2,534	7,707	7,289
Aircraft fuel	1,603	1,934	4,258	5,904
Regional capacity purchase	572	572	1,645	1,725
Landing fees and other rent	546	551	1,612	1,647
Depreciation and amortization	503	469	1,473	1,343
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs	451	424	1,301	1,252
Distribution expenses	345	366	987	1,026
Aircraft rent	168	185	521	580
Special charges (Note 10)	45	76	669	195
Other operating expenses	1,431	1,295	3,997	3,780
Total operating expenses	8,289	8,406	24,170	24,741
Operating income	1,624	1,900	3,334	4,087
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense	(150)	(164)	(466)	(504)
Interest capitalized	20	13	48	38
Interest income	14	5	31	16
Miscellaneous, net (Note 10)	2	(147)	(11)	(322)
Total other expense	(114)	(293)	(398)	(772)
Income before income taxes	1,510	1,607	2,936	3,315
Income tax expense (benefit)	545	(3,169)	1,069	(3,163)
Net income	$ 965	$ 4,776	$ 1,867	$ 6,478

Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net income	$ 965	$ 4,816	$ 1,866	$ 6,517
Other comprehensive income (loss), net change related to:
Fuel derivative financial instruments	12	(104)	123	129
Employee benefit plans	(75)	(12)	(89)	18
Investments and other	(1)	(6)	(1)	(2)
Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments	(64)	(122)	33	145
Total comprehensive income, net	901	4,694	1,899	6,662
United Airlines, Inc.
Net income	965	4,776	1,867	6,478
Other comprehensive income (loss), net change related to:
Fuel derivative financial instruments	12	(104)	123	129
Employee benefit plans	(75)	(12)	(89)	18
Investments and other	(1)	(6)	(1)	(1)
Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments	(64)	(122)	33	146
Total comprehensive income, net	$ 901	$ 4,654	$ 1,900	$ 6,624

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,630	$ 3,006
Short-term investments	2,226	2,190
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2016-$12; 2015-$18)	1,481	1,128
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2016-$263; 2015-$235)	842	738
Prepaid expenses and other	791	766
Total current assets	7,970	7,828
Operating property and equipment: Owned-
Flight equipment	25,093	23,728
Other property and equipment	5,237	4,542
Operating property and equipment - owned, gross	30,330	28,270
Less-Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(9,529)	(8,339)
Operating property and equipment - owned, net	20,801	19,931
Purchase deposits for flight equipment	1,068	788
Capital leases-
Flight equipment	1,398	1,527
Other property and equipment	337	332
Operating property and equipment - capital leases, gross	1,735	1,859
Less-Accumulated amortization	(959)	(998)
Operating property and equipment - capital leases, net	776	861
Total property, plant, and equipment, net	22,645	21,580
Other assets:
Goodwill	4,523	4,523
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2016-$1,212; 2015-$1,144)	3,654	4,136
Deferred income taxes	863	2,037
Restricted cash	123	204
Other, net	549	553
Other assets total	9,712	11,453
Total assets	40,327	40,861
Current liabilities:
Advance ticket sales	4,558	3,753
Accounts payable	2,138	1,869
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	2,168	2,117
Accrued salaries and benefits	2,282	2,350
Current maturities of long-term debt	969	1,224
Current maturities of capital leases	124	135
Fuel derivative instruments	4	124
Other	1,010	842
Total current liabilities	13,253	12,414
Long-term debt	9,612	9,673
Long-term obligations under capital leases	752	727
Other liabilities and deferred credits:
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	2,743	2,826
Postretirement benefit liability	1,927	1,882
Pension liability	1,220	1,488
Advanced purchase of miles	574	1,010
Lease fair value adjustment, net	299	359
Other	1,508	1,516
Total Other liabilities and deferred credits	8,271	9,081
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholder's equity:
Preferred stock
Common stock	4	4
Additional capital invested	7,974	7,946
Retained earnings	5,323	3,457
Stock held in treasury, at cost	(4,064)	(1,610)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(798)	(831)
Total stockholders' equity	8,439	8,966
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	40,327	40,861
United Airlines, Inc.
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	2,624	3,000
Short-term investments	2,226	2,190
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts (2016-$12; 2015-$18)	1,481	1,128
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, less obsolescence allowance (2016-$263; 2015-$235)	842	738
Prepaid expenses and other	840	813
Total current assets	8,013	7,869
Operating property and equipment: Owned-
Flight equipment	25,093	23,728
Other property and equipment	5,237	4,542
Operating property and equipment - owned, gross	30,330	28,270
Less-Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(9,529)	(8,339)
Operating property and equipment - owned, net	20,801	19,931
Purchase deposits for flight equipment	1,068	788
Capital leases-
Flight equipment	1,398	1,527
Other property and equipment	337	332
Operating property and equipment - capital leases, gross	1,735	1,859
Less-Accumulated amortization	(959)	(998)
Operating property and equipment - capital leases, net	776	861
Total property, plant, and equipment, net	22,645	21,580
Other assets:
Goodwill	4,523	4,523
Intangibles, less accumulated amortization (2016-$1,212; 2015-$1,144)	3,654	4,136
Deferred income taxes	821	1,995
Restricted cash	123	204
Other, net	549	554
Other assets total	9,670	11,412
Total assets	40,328	40,861
Current liabilities:
Advance ticket sales	4,558	3,753
Accounts payable	2,143	1,874
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	2,168	2,117
Accrued salaries and benefits	2,282	2,350
Current maturities of long-term debt	969	1,224
Current maturities of capital leases	124	135
Fuel derivative instruments	4	124
Other	1,009	840
Total current liabilities	13,257	12,417
Long-term debt	9,612	9,673
Long-term obligations under capital leases	752	727
Other liabilities and deferred credits:
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	2,743	2,826
Postretirement benefit liability	1,927	1,882
Pension liability	1,220	1,488
Advanced purchase of miles	574	1,010
Lease fair value adjustment, net	299	359
Other	1,509	1,516
Total Other liabilities and deferred credits	8,272	9,081
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholder's equity:
Additional capital invested	3,718	6,138
Retained earnings	5,540	3,673
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(798)	(831)
Receivable from related parties	(25)	(17)
Total stockholders' equity	8,435	8,963
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	$ 40,328	$ 40,861

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 12	$ 18
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, obsolescence allowance	263	235
Intangibles, accumulated amortization	$ 1,212	$ 1,144
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common shares, authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common shares, outstanding	317,905,672	364,609,108
United Airlines, Inc.
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 12	$ 18
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, obsolescence allowance	263	235
Intangibles, accumulated amortization	$ 1,212	$ 1,144
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common shares, authorized	1,000	1,000
Common shares, issued	1,000	1,000
Common shares, outstanding	1,000	1,000

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 4,884	$ 4,877
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(2,343)	(1,984)
Purchases of short-term and other investments	(1,989)	(1,859)
Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments	1,957	2,069
Decrease in restricted cash	82	112
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	24	50
Investment in and loans to affiliates	(8)	(130)
Other	(5)	23
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,282)	(1,719)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Repurchases of common stock	(2,442)	(710)
Payments of long-term debt	(911)	(1,528)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	510	613
Principal payments under capital leases	(95)	(80)
Other, net	(40)	(28)
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,978)	(1,733)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(376)	1,425
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	3,006	2,002
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	2,630	3,427
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt	115	797
Airport construction financing	68	5
Operating lease conversions to capital lease	12	285
Exchanges of certain convertible notes for common stock		201
United Airlines, Inc.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,878	4,866
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(2,343)	(1,984)
Purchases of short-term and other investments	(1,989)	(1,859)
Proceeds from sale of short-term and other investments	1,957	2,069
Decrease in restricted cash	82	112
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	24	50
Investment in and loans to affiliates	(8)	(130)
Other	(5)	23
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,282)	(1,719)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Dividend to UAL	(2,442)	(709)
Payments of long-term debt	(911)	(1,528)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	510	613
Principal payments under capital leases	(95)	(80)
Other, net	(34)	(18)
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,972)	(1,722)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(376)	1,425
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	3,000	1,996
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	2,624	3,421
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt	115	797
Airport construction financing	68	5
Operating lease conversions to capital lease	$ 12	$ 285

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

NOTE 1 - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This amendment prescribes that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendment supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Accounting Standards Codification, and is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Under the new standard, certain airline ancillary fees directly related to passenger revenue tickets, such as airline change fees and baggage fees, are likely to no longer be considered distinct performance obligations separate from the passenger travel component. In addition, the change fees which were previously recognized when received, will likely be recognized when transportation is provided. The Company is evaluating other possible impacts on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB amended the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and created a new Topic 842, Leases (“Topic 842”). The guidance requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date and recognize expenses on their income statements similar to the current Topic 840, Leases. It is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. Lessees and lessors are required to adopt Topic 842 using a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at or commencing after the date of initial application with an option to use certain practical expedients. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and believes this standard will have a significant impact on its consolidated balance sheets.

In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). The update requires excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies, which arise due to differences between the measure of compensation expense and the amount deductible for tax purposes, to be recorded directly through earnings as a component of income tax expense. Under current GAAP, these differences are generally recorded in additional paid-in capital and thus have no impact on net income. The change in treatment of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies will also impact the computation of diluted earnings per share, and the cash flows associated with those items will be classified as operating activities on the condensed statements of consolidated cash flows. Additionally, entities will be permitted to make an accounting policy election for the impact of forfeitures on the recognition of expense for share-based payment awards. Forfeitures can be estimated, as required under current GAAP, or recognized when they occur. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-09 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”). The update amends the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification 230, Statement of Cash Flows, and clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice related to eight specific cash flow issues. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-15 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

The FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). Under the standard, investments for which fair value is measured at net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent) using the practical expedient will no longer be categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2016. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had approximately $202 million of such investments as part of its Short-term investments balance sheet total. In addition, pension plan investments measured at NAV per share will no longer be categorized within the fair value hierarchy. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had approximately $1.9 billion of such investments.

- Definition

The entire disclosure of changes in accounting principles, including adoption of new accounting pronouncements, that describes the new methods, amount and effects on financial statement line items.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507316

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Direct Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66092750

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22583-107794

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Indirect Effects of a Change in Accounting Principle
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515603

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22580-107794

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.10-01.(b)(6))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27015980&loc=d3e46468-122699

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Accounting Change
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503790

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 250
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64853466&loc=d3e22499-107794

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Retrospective Application
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6523989

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064558&loc=d3e765-108305

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68064558&loc=d3e725-108305

+ Details

Earnings Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Earnings Per Share

NOTE 2 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The computations of UAL’s basic and diluted earnings per share are set forth below (in millions, except per share amounts):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings available to common stockholders	$	965	$	4,816	$	1,866	$	6,517

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		320		375		335		379

Earnings per share, basic	$	3.02	$	12.83	$	5.57	$	17.19

Diluted earnings per share:
Earnings available to common stockholders including the effect of dilutive securities	$	965	$	4,816	$	1,866	$	6,517

Diluted shares outstanding:
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		320		375		335		379
Effect of employee stock awards		1		1		—		1

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding		321		376		335		380

Earnings per share, diluted	$	3.01	$	12.82	$	5.57	$	17.15

The number of antidilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share amounts was not material. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, UAL repurchased 5 million and 48 million shares of UAL common stock in open market transactions, respectively, for $255 million and $2.4 billion, respectively. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had approximately $2 billion remaining to purchase shares under its existing share repurchase authority. UAL may repurchase shares through the open market, privately negotiated transactions, block trades or accelerated share repurchase transactions from time to time in accordance with applicable securities laws. UAL will repurchase shares of UAL common stock subject to prevailing market conditions, and may discontinue such repurchases at any time. See Part II, Item 2, “Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds” of this report for additional information.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

NOTE 3 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The tables below present the components of the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (“AOCI”) (in millions):


							Deferred Taxes
UAL (a)	Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities		Fuel Derivative Contracts		Investments and Other		Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities		Fuel Derivative Contracts			Total
Balance at June 30, 2016	$	(385)	$	(41)	$	3	$	(146)	$	(165)		$	(734)
Changes in value		(124)		(6)		(2)		45		2			(85)
Amounts reclassified to earnings		6		24		1		(2)		(8)			21

Net change		(118)		18		(1)		43		(6)			(64)

Balance at September 30, 2016	$	(503)	$	(23)	$	2	$	(103)	$	(171)	(b)	$	(798)

Balance at December 31, 2015	$	(363)	$	(215)	$	3	$	(154)	$	(102)		$	(831)
Changes in value		(157)		(5)		(2)		57		2			(105)
Amounts reclassified to earnings		17		197		1		(6)		(71)			138

Net change		(140)		192		(1)		51		(69)			33

Balance at September 30, 2016	$	(503)	$	(23)	$	2	$	(103)	$	(171)	(b)	$	(798)


							Deferred Taxes
UAL (a)	Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities		Fuel Derivative Contracts		Investments and Other		Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities		Fuel Derivative Contracts			Total
Balance at June 30, 2015	$	(442)	$	(266)	$	11	$	(115)	$	—	(c)	$	(812)
Changes in value		(10)		(181)		(6)		(1)		82			(116)
Amounts reclassified to earnings		8		150		—		(9)		(155)			(6)

Net change		(2)		(31)		(6)		(10)		(73)			(122)

Balance at September 30, 2015	$	(444)	$	(297)	$	5	$	(125)	$	(73)		$	(934)

Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(472)	$	(499)	$	7	$	(115)	$	—	(c)	$	(1,079)
Changes in value		3		(227)		(1)		(1)		82			(144)
Amounts reclassified to earnings		25		429		(1)		(9)		(155)			289

Net change		28		202		(2)		(10)		(73)			145

Balance at September 30, 2015	$	(444)	$	(297)	$	5	$	(125)	$	(73)		$	(934)


Details about AOCI Components	Amount Reclassified from AOCI to Income								Affected Line Item in the Statements of Consolidated Operations
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Fuel derivative contracts
Reclassifications of losses into earnings		$ 24		$ 150		$ 197		$ 429		Aircraft fuel
Pension and other postretirement liabilities
Amortization of unrecognized losses and prior service cost (credit) (d)		6		8		17		25		Salaries and related costs
Investments and other
Available-for-sale securities-reclassifications of gains into earnings		1		—		1		(1)		Miscellaneous, net

(a) UAL and United amounts are substantially the same except for an additional gain related to investments and other of $1 million at United for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

(b) Includes deferred income tax expense of $180 million that will remain in AOCI until all fuel derivatives which are designated for hedge accounting are settled.

(d) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs (see Note 5 of this report for additional information).

Prior to the release of the valuation allowance in the third quarter of 2015, the Company recorded $180 million of deferred income tax expense adjustments in AOCI related to losses on fuel hedges designated for hedge accounting. This deferred income tax expense of $180 million will remain in AOCI until all fuel derivatives which are designated for hedge accounting are settled. Currently, our fuel hedges that are designated for hedge accounting have settlement dates through December 2016. If we do not enter into and designate additional fuel derivative contracts for hedge accounting by the end of 2016, a non-cash income tax expense of $180 million will be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2016.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for comprehensive income, which includes, but is not limited to, 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66004124&loc=d3e689-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66004124&loc=SL7669619-108580

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 12
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
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-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 11
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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66004124&loc=d3e681-108580

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Reclassification Adjustments
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6522872

+ Details

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Income Taxes

NOTE 4 - INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was 36% which represented a blend of federal, state and foreign taxes and the impact of certain nondeductible items. During 2015, after considering all positive and negative evidence, the Company concluded that its deferred income taxes would more likely than not be realized. The Company released substantially all of its valuation allowance in the third quarter of 2015, which resulted in a $3.2 billion benefit in its provision for income taxes.

Employee Benefit Plans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Employee Benefit Plans

NOTE 5 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans. The Company’s net periodic benefit cost includes the following components (in millions):


	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Service cost	$	29	$	31	$	4	$	5
Interest cost		50		50		22		20
Expected return on plan assets		(54)		(49)		—		—
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)		19		21		(13)		(13)
Settlement loss		2		1		—		—
Curtailment gain		—		—		(47)		—

Total	$	46	$	54	$	(34)	$	12


	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016				Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Service cost	$	84	$	93	$	14	$	15
Interest cost		151		150		66		61
Expected return on plan assets		(162)		(147)		(1)		(1)
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)		57		65		(40)		(40)
Settlement loss		4		2		—		—
Curtailment gain		—		—		(47)		—

Total	$	134	$	163	$	(8)	$	35

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company contributed $240 million and $400 million, respectively, to its U.S. domestic tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans.

Plan Curtailments. As part of the recently ratified contract with the Association of Flight Attendants (“AFA”), the Company amended its postretirement medical plans. The amendments triggered curtailment accounting, resulting in the recognition of a one-time $47 million gain for accelerated recognition of a prior service credit in the third quarter of 2016. The Company remeasured the plans’ liabilities using an average weighted discount rate of 3.43% compared to the year-end 2015 weighted average discount rate of 4.52%. As a result of the amendments, remeasurements and curtailments, the projected benefit obligation of the plans increased by $49 million and Other comprehensive loss increased by $96 million, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation.

During 2016, UAL granted share-based compensation awards pursuant to the United Continental Holdings, Inc. 2008 Incentive Compensation Plan. These share-based compensation awards include approximately 0.4 million stock options, 0.4 million shares of restricted stock and 1.9 million restricted stock units (“RSUs”).

The stock options vest in one-third increments over either (i) the first three anniversaries of the date of grant (for seven-year term options) or (ii) the fourth, fifth and sixth anniversaries of the date of grant (for ten-year term options). The restricted stock awards and the time-vested RSUs vest in one-third increments over the first three anniversaries of the date of grant. The time-vested RSUs are generally stock-settled for domestic employees and cash-settled for international employees based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date. The remainder of the RSUs are performance-based and vest based on the Company’s return on invested capital and the Company’s relative improvement in pre-tax margin for the three years ending December 31, 2018. If the applicable performance conditions are achieved, cash payments will be made after the end of the performance period based on the 20-day average closing price of UAL common stock immediately prior to the vesting date. The Company accounts for the performance-based RSUs as liability awards.

The table below presents information related to share-based compensation (in millions):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Share-based compensation expense	$	23	$	7	$	36	$	40

	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Unrecognized share-based compensation	$	79	$	41

Profit Sharing Plans. Substantially all employees participate in profit sharing based on a percentage of pre-tax earnings, excluding special items, profit sharing expense and share-based compensation. Profit sharing percentages range from 5% to 20% depending on the work group, and in some cases profit sharing percentages vary above and below certain pre-tax margin thresholds. Eligible U.S. co-workers in each participating work group receive a profit sharing payout using a formula based on the ratio of each qualified co-worker’s annual eligible earnings to the eligible earnings of all qualified co-workers in all domestic work groups. Eligible non-U.S. co-workers receive profit sharing based on the calculation under the U.S. profit sharing plan for management and administrative employees. Profit sharing expense is recorded as a component of Salaries and related costs in the Company’s statements of consolidated operations.

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

NOTE 6 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The table below presents disclosures about the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s financial statements (in millions):


	September 30, 2016								December 31, 2015
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,630	$	2,630	$	—	$	—	$	3,006	$	3,006	$	—	$	—
Short-term investments:
Corporate debt		861		—		861		—		891		—		891		—
Asset-backed securities		764		—		764		—		710		—		710		—
Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (“CDARS”)		252		—		252		—		281		—		281		—
U.S. government and agency notes		97		—		97		—		72		—		72		—
Auction rate securities		—		—		—		—		9		—		—		9
Other fixed-income securities		50		—		50		—		26		—		26		—
Other investments measured at NAV (a)		202		—		—		—		201		—		—		—
Restricted cash		124		124		—		—		206		206		—		—
Enhanced equipment trust certificates (“EETC”)		23		—		—		23		26		—		—		26
Fuel derivatives liability, net		4		—		4		—		124		—		124		—
Foreign currency derivatives liability, net		1		—		1		—		—		—		—		—

(a) In accordance with the relevant accounting standards, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the statement of financial position. The investments measured using NAV are shares of mutual funds that invest in fixed-income instruments including bonds, debt securities, and other similar instruments issued by various U.S. and non-U.S. public- or private-sector entities. The Company can redeem its shares at any time at NAV subject to a three-day settlement period.

Available-for-sale investment maturities - The short-term investments shown in the table above are classified as available-for-sale. As of September 30, 2016, asset-backed securities have remaining maturities of less than one year to approximately 33 years, corporate debt securities have remaining maturities of less than one year to approximately six years and CDARS have maturities of less than one year. U.S. government and other securities have maturities of less than one year to approximately three years. The EETC securities mature in 2019.

Derivative instruments and investments presented in the tables above have the same fair value as their carrying value. The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above (in millions):


	Fair Value of Debt by Fair Value Hierarchy Level
	September 30, 2016										December 31, 2015
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value								Carrying Amount		Fair Value
			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3				Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Long-term debt	$	10,581	$	11,218	$	—	$	8,359	$	2,859	$	10,897	$	11,371	$	—	$	8,646	$	2,725

Fair value of the financial instruments included in the tables above was determined as follows:


Description		Fair Value Methodology
Cash and cash equivalents		The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these assets.

Short-term investments and Restricted cash		Fair value is based on (a) the trading prices of the investment or similar instruments, (b) an income approach, which uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts into a single present amount based on current market expectations about those future amounts when observable trading prices are not available, (c) internally-developed models of the expected future cash flows related to the securities, or (d) broker quotes obtained by third-party valuation services.

Fuel derivatives		Derivative contracts are privately negotiated contracts and are not exchange traded. Fair value measurements are estimated with option pricing models that employ observable inputs. Inputs to the valuation models include contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, fuel price curves and measures of volatility, among others.

Foreign currency derivatives		Fair value is determined with a formula utilizing observable inputs. Significant inputs to the valuation models include contractual terms, risk-free interest rates and forward exchange rates.

Debt		Fair values were based on either market prices or the discounted amount of future cash flows using our current incremental rate of borrowing for similar liabilities.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Hedging Activities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Hedging Activities

NOTE 7 - HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Fuel Derivatives

The Company may hedge a portion of its future fuel requirements to protect against increases in the price of fuel. The Company may restructure hedges in response to market conditions prior to their original settlement dates which may result in changes in hedge coverage levels and the potential recognition of gains or losses on such hedge contracts. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had hedged approximately 13% of its projected fuel requirements (126 million gallons) for the remainder of 2016 with commonly used financial hedge instruments based on aircraft fuel or crude oil. As of September 30, 2016, the Company had fuel hedges expiring through December 2016.

As required, the Company assesses the effectiveness of each of its individual hedges on a quarterly basis. The Company also examines the effectiveness of its entire hedging program on a quarterly basis utilizing statistical analysis. This analysis involves utilizing regression and other statistical analyses that compare changes in the price of aircraft fuel to changes in the prices of the commodities used for hedging purposes.

Upon proper qualification, the Company accounts for certain fuel derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. All derivatives designated as hedges that meet certain requirements are granted hedge accounting treatment. The types of instruments the Company utilizes that qualify for hedge accounting treatment typically include swaps, call options, collars (which consist of a purchased call option and a sold put option), four-way collars (a collar with a higher strike sold call option and a lower strike purchased put option) and other combinations of options. Generally, utilizing hedge accounting, all periodic changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as hedges that are considered to be effective are recorded in AOCI until the underlying fuel is consumed and recorded in fuel expense. The Company is exposed to the risk that its hedges may not be effective in offsetting changes in the cost of fuel and that its hedges may not continue to qualify for hedge accounting. Hedge ineffectiveness results when the change in the fair value of the derivative instrument exceeds the change in the value of the Company’s expected future cash outlay to purchase and consume fuel. To the extent that the periodic changes in the fair value of the derivatives are not effective, that ineffectiveness is classified as Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations.

The Company also uses certain combinations of derivative contracts that are economic hedges but do not qualify for hedge accounting under GAAP. Additionally, the Company may enter into contracts at different times and later combine those contracts into structures designated for hedge accounting. As with derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting, the economic hedges and individual contracts are part of the Company’s program to mitigate the adverse financial impact of potential increases in the price of fuel. The Company records changes in the fair value of these various contracts that are not designated for hedge accounting to Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations.

If the Company settles a derivative prior to its contractual settlement date, then the cumulative gain or loss recognized in AOCI at the termination date remains in AOCI until the forecasted transaction occurs. In a situation where it becomes probable that a hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, any gains and/or losses that have been recorded to AOCI would be required to be immediately reclassified into earnings. All cash flows associated with purchasing and settling derivatives are classified as operating cash flows in the condensed statements of consolidated cash flows.

In addition to cash flow hedges, the Company from time to time enters into fair value hedges related to its aircraft fuel inventory using derivatives such as swaps and futures contracts based on aircraft fuel. Under fair value hedge accounting, the Company records changes in the fair value of both the hedging derivative and the hedged aircraft fuel inventory as fuel expense. The Company records ineffectiveness on fair value hedges as Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net in the statements of consolidated operations. As of September 30, 2016, the Company did not have any fair value hedges.

The Company records each derivative instrument as a derivative asset or liability (on a gross basis) in its consolidated balance sheets, and, accordingly, records any related collateral on a gross basis. The table below presents the fair value amounts of fuel derivative assets and liabilities and the location of amounts recognized in the Company’s financial statements.

The Company’s derivatives were reported in its consolidated balance sheets as follows (in millions):


Classification	Balance Sheet Location	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
Liabilities:
Fuel contracts due within one year	Fuel derivative instruments	$	4	$	119
Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting
Liabilities:
Fuel contracts due within one year	Fuel derivative instruments	$	—	$	5

Total derivatives
Total liabilities		$	4	$	124

Derivative Credit Risk and Fair Value

The Company is exposed to credit losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to its derivative instruments. While the Company records derivative instruments on a gross basis, the Company monitors its net derivative position with each counterparty to monitor credit risk. Based on the fair value of our fuel derivative instruments, our counterparties may require us to post collateral when the price of the underlying commodity decreases, and we may require our counterparties to provide us with collateral when the price of the underlying commodity increases. The Company did not hold or post collateral as of September 30, 2016. The Company had on deposit $26 million of collateral with fuel derivative counterparties as of December 31, 2015. The collateral is recorded as Prepaid expenses and other on the Company’s balance sheets.

We have master trading agreements with all of our fuel hedging counterparties that allow us to net our fuel hedge derivative positions. We have elected not to net the fair value positions recorded on our consolidated balance sheets. The following table shows the potential net fair value positions (including fuel derivatives and related collateral) had we elected to offset. The table reflects offset at the counterparty level (in millions):


	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Fuel derivative instruments, net of collateral	$	(4)	$	(98)

The following tables present the impact of derivative instruments and their location within the Company’s unaudited statements of consolidated operations (in millions):

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges


	Amount of Loss Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)				Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Fuel Expense				Amount of Loss Recognized in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net (Ineffective Portion)
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015		2016		2015
Fuel contracts	$	(6)	$	(181)	$	(24)	$	(150)	$	—	$	—

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges


	Amount of Loss Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)				Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Fuel Expense				Amount of Loss Recognized in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net (Ineffective Portion)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015		2016		2015
Fuel contracts	$	(5)	$	(227)	$	(197)	$	(429)	$	—	$	—

Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting

Fuel contracts


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Amount of loss recognized in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net	$	—	$	(67)	$	—	$	(69)

Foreign Currency Derivatives

The Company generates revenues and incurs expenses in numerous foreign currencies. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates impact the Company’s results of operations through changes in the dollar value of foreign currency-denominated operating revenues and expenses. Some of the Company’s more significant foreign currency exposures include the Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, European euro, British pound and Japanese yen. At times, the Company uses derivative financial instruments, such as options, collars and forward contracts, to hedge its exposure to foreign currency. At September 30, 2016, the Company had foreign currency derivative contracts in place to hedge both European euro denominated sales and Japanese yen denominated sales. The notional amount of the hedges equates to 16% of the Company’s projected European euro denominated net cash inflows for the remainder of 2016; and 18% of the Company’s projected Japanese yen denominated net cash inflows for the remainder of 2016. Net cash relates primarily to passenger ticket sales inflows, partially offset by expenses paid in local currencies. At September 30, 2016, the fair value of the Company’s foreign currency derivatives was a liability of $1 million.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for derivative instruments and hedging activities including, but not limited to, risk management strategies, non-hedging derivative instruments, assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts.

+ References

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-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=d3e41638-113959

Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(n))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies

NOTE 8 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments. As of September 30, 2016, United had firm commitments and options to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company (“Boeing”) and Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”) presented in the table below:


Aircraft Type	Number of Firm Commitments (a)
Airbus A350-1000		35
Boeing 737NG/737 MAX		172
Boeing 777-300ER		14
Boeing 787-8/-9/-10		21
(a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft.

The aircraft listed in the table above are scheduled for delivery through 2024. For the remainder of 2016, United expects to take delivery of seven Boeing 737NG aircraft and one Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

The table below summarizes United’s commitments as of September 30, 2016, which primarily relate to the acquisition of aircraft and related spare engines, aircraft improvements and include other commitments primarily to acquire information technology services and assets. Any new firm aircraft orders, including through the exercise of purchase options and purchase rights, will increase the total future capital commitments of the Company.


	(in billions)
Last three months of 2016	$	1.2
2017		4.5
2018		4.1
2019		3.3
2020		2.6
After 2020		6.9

	$	22.6

As of September 30, 2016, United had $1.7 billion in financing available through EETC transactions for the financing of all of its aircraft deliveries scheduled for the remainder of 2016 and first half of 2017. See Note 9 of this report for additional information on aircraft financing. The Company has also secured backstop financing commitments from certain of its aircraft manufacturers for a limited number of its future aircraft deliveries, subject to certain customary conditions. Financing may be necessary to satisfy the Company’s capital commitments for its firm order aircraft and other related capital expenditures.

Facility and Other Operating Leases. In October 2016, United signed a seven year lease extension through 2024 with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to continue its use of terminals at Washington Dulles International Airport. The table below summarizes the Company’s scheduled future minimum lease payments under facility operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms of more than one year.


(In millions)	Facility and Other Operating Leases
Last three months of 2016	$	200
2017		1,156
2018		1,024
2019		954
2020		1,083
After 2020		7,450

	$	11,867

Guarantees. As of September 30, 2016, United is the guarantor of approximately $1.9 billion in aggregate principal amount of tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds and interest thereon. These bonds, issued by various airport municipalities, are payable solely from rentals paid under long-term agreements with the respective governing bodies. The leasing arrangements associated with $1.4 billion of these obligations are accounted for as operating leases with the associated expense recorded on a straight-line basis resulting in ratable accrual of the lease obligation over the expected lease term. The leasing arrangements associated with $376 million of these obligations are accounted for as capital leases. All of these bonds are due between 2017 and 2038.

In the Company’s financing transactions that include loans, the Company typically agrees to reimburse lenders for any reduced returns with respect to the loans due to any change in capital requirements and, in the case of loans in which the interest rate is based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), for certain other increased costs that the lenders incur in carrying these loans as a result of any change in law, subject, in most cases, to obligations of the lenders to take certain limited steps to mitigate the requirement for, or the amount of, such increased costs. At September 30, 2016, the Company had $2.5 billion of floating rate debt and $97 million of fixed rate debt, with remaining terms of up to 12 years, that are subject to these increased cost provisions. In several financing transactions involving loans or leases from non-U.S. entities, with remaining terms of up to 12 years and an aggregate balance of $2.6 billion, the Company bears the risk of any change in tax laws that would subject loan or lease payments thereunder to non-U.S. entities to withholding taxes, subject to customary exclusions.

As of September 30, 2016, United is the guarantor of $171 million of aircraft mortgage debt issued by one of United’s regional carriers. The aircraft mortgage debt is subject to similar increased cost provisions as described above for the Company’s debt and the Company would potentially be responsible for those costs under the guarantees.

Labor Negotiations. As of September 30, 2016, United had approximately 87,500 active employees, of whom approximately 80% were represented by various U.S. labor organizations.

In January 2016, United’s pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International, agreed to extend their contract through January 31, 2019. Increases in the pay and benefits resulting from new pilot agreements could activate United pilot contract clauses requiring the Company to match contract terms. In March 2016, the Company’s dispatchers, represented by the Professional Airline Flight Control Association, agreed to extend their current contract through 2021. In April 2016, the fleet service, passenger service, storekeeper and other employees represented by the Int’l Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (“IAM”) ratified seven new contracts with the Company which extended the contracts through 2021. In August 2016, United’s flight attendants, represented by the AFA, ratified a five-year joint collective bargaining agreement through 2021. In September 2016, the Company reached a tentative agreement with the Int’l Brotherhood of Teamsters (the “IBT”) for a six-year joint collective bargaining agreement with its technicians and related employees.

Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Debt

NOTE 9 - DEBT

As of September 30, 2016, a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, principally aircraft, route authorities, airport slots and loyalty program intangible assets, was pledged under various loan and other agreements. As of September 30, 2016, UAL and United were in compliance with their debt covenants. As of September 30, 2016, United had its entire capacity of $1.35 billion available under the revolving credit facility of the Company’s 2013 Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”).

EETCs. In September 2016 and June 2016, United created EETC pass-through trusts, each of which issued pass-through certificates. The proceeds of the issuance of the pass-through certificates are used to purchase equipment notes issued by United and secured by its aircraft. The Company records the debt obligation upon issuance of the equipment notes rather than upon the initial issuance of the pass-through certificates. The pass-through certificates represent fractional undivided interests in the respective pass-through trusts and are not obligations of United. The payment obligations under the equipment notes are those of United. Proceeds received from the sale of pass-through certificates are initially held by a depositary in escrow for the benefit of the certificate holders until United issues equipment notes to the trust, which purchases such notes with a portion of the escrowed funds. These escrowed funds are not guaranteed by United and are not reported as debt on our consolidated balance sheet because the proceeds held by the depositary are not United’s assets. Certain details of the pass-through trusts with proceeds received from issuance of debt in 2016 are as follows (in millions, except stated interest rate):


EETC Date	Class	Principal		Final expected distribution date	Stated interest rate		Total debt recorded as of September 30, 2016		Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods
September 2016	AA		$ 637	October 2028		2.875%		$ —		$ 637
September 2016	A		283	October 2028		3.10%		—		283
June 2016	AA		729	July 2028		3.10%		222		507
June 2016	A		324	July 2028		3.45%		99		225

			$ 1,973					$ 321		$ 1,652

In 2016, United borrowed approximately $272 million aggregate principal amount from various financial institutions to finance the purchase of several aircraft delivered in 2016. The notes evidencing these borrowings, which are secured by the related aircraft, mature in 2028 and have interest rates comprised of LIBOR plus a specified margin.

4.5% Convertible Notes due 2015. In the first quarter of 2015, the holders of substantially all of the remaining $202 million principal amount of the 4.5% Convertible Notes due 2015 exercised their conversion option resulting in the issuance of 11 million shares of UAL common stock.

6% Notes due 2026. In the first quarter of 2015, UAL used cash to repurchase $18 million par value 6% Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) in market transactions. On April 1, 2015, UAL used cash to redeem, at par, the remaining $303 million balance of the 2026 Notes.

6% Notes due 2028. In the first quarter of 2015, UAL used cash to repurchase $13 million par value 6% Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”) in market transactions. On May 1, 2015, UAL used cash to redeem, at par, the remaining $298 million balance of the 2028 Notes.

Special Items

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Special Items

NOTE 10 - SPECIAL ITEMS

For the three and nine months ended September 30, special items consisted of the following (in millions):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Operating:	2016		2015		2016		2015
Labor agreement costs	$	14	$	—	$	124	$	—
Severance and benefit costs		13		28		27		103
Impairment of intangible asset related to Newark Liberty International Airport (“Newark”) slots		—		—		412		—
Cleveland airport lease restructuring		—		—		74		—
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges		18		48		32		92

Special charges		45		76		669		195
Nonoperating and income taxes:
Losses on extinguishment of debt and other		—		61		(1)		195
Income tax benefit related to special charges		(16)		—		(241)		—

Total special charges, net of tax		29		137		427		390
Income tax valuation allowance release (Note 4)		—		(3,218)		—		(3,218)

Total special items	$	29	$	(3,081)	$	427	$	(2,828)

The fleet service, passenger service, storekeeper and other employees represented by the IAM ratified seven new contracts with the Company which extended the contracts through 2021. The Company also reached a tentative agreement with the IBT. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded $61 million ($39 million net of taxes) and $171 million ($109 million net of taxes), respectively, of special charges primarily for payments to be made in conjunction with the IAM and IBT agreements described above. Also, as part of the recently ratified contract with the AFA, the Company amended two of its flight attendant postretirement medical plans. The amendments triggered curtailment accounting, resulting in the recognition of a one-time $47 million gain ($30 million net of taxes) for accelerated recognition of a prior service credit.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded $13 million ($8 million net of taxes) and $27 million ($17 million net of taxes), respectively, of severance and benefit costs. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded $28 million and $103 million, respectively, of severance and benefit costs. The severance and benefit costs relate to a voluntary early-out program for the Company’s flight attendants and other severance agreements. In 2014, more than 2,500 flight attendants elected to voluntarily separate from the Company for a severance payment, with a maximum value of $100,000 per participant, based on years of service, with retirement dates through the end of 2016.

In April 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) announced that it will designate Newark as a Level 2 schedule-facilitated airport under the International Air Transport Association Worldwide Slot Guidelines effective October 30, 2016. The designation was associated with an updated demand and capacity analysis of Newark by the FAA. In the second quarter of 2016, the Company determined that the FAA’s action impaired the entire value of its Newark slots because the slots will no longer be the mechanism that governs take-off and landing rights. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $412 million special charge ($264 million net of taxes) to write off the intangible asset. The Newark slots served as part of the collateral for the term loans under the Company’s Credit Agreement and under the Second Amended and Restated Co-Branded Card Marketing Services Agreement with Chase Bank USA, N.A. (the “Chase Agreement”). The Credit Agreement and the Chase Agreement have been amended to remove the Newark slots as collateral with no replacement collateral required.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the City of Cleveland agreed to amend the lease, which runs through 2029, associated with certain excess airport terminal space (principally Terminal D) and related facilities at Hopkins International Airport. The Company recorded an accrual for remaining payments under the lease for facilities that the Company no longer uses and will continue to incur costs under the lease without economic benefit to the Company. This liability was measured and recorded at its fair value when the Company ceased its right to use such facilities leased to it pursuant to the lease. The Company recorded a net charge of $74 million ($47 million net of taxes) related to the amended lease.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded gains and losses on sale of assets and other special charges of $18 million ($12 million net of taxes) and $32 million ($20 million net of taxes), respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded $48 million and $92 million, respectively, for integration costs, impairment of assets and other special gains and losses.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded $8 million ($5 million net of taxes) of losses due to exchange rate changes in Venezuela applicable to funds held in local currency and recorded a $9 million ($6 million net of taxes) gain on the sale of an affiliate.

During the third quarter of 2015, the Company recorded $61 million of losses due to exchange rate changes in Venezuela applicable to funds held in local currency. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded a charge of $134 million due to the write-off of the unamortized non-cash debt discount related to the extinguishment of the 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes. Both of the charges were recorded as part of Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net.

Accruals

The accrual balance for severance and benefits was $34 million as of September 30, 2016, compared to $110 million as of September 30, 2015. The severance-related accrual as of September 30, 2016 is expected to be mostly paid through 2016. The following is a reconciliation of severance accrual activity for the period:


	Severance and Benefits
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	27
Accrual		27
Payments		(20)

Balance at September 30, 2016	$	34

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Computation of Earnings Per Share

The computations of UAL’s basic and diluted earnings per share are set forth below (in millions, except per share amounts):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings available to common stockholders	$	965	$	4,816	$	1,866	$	6,517

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		320		375		335		379

Earnings per share, basic	$	3.02	$	12.83	$	5.57	$	17.19

Diluted earnings per share:
Earnings available to common stockholders including the effect of dilutive securities	$	965	$	4,816	$	1,866	$	6,517

Diluted shares outstanding:
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		320		375		335		379
Effect of employee stock awards		1		1		—		1

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding		321		376		335		380

Earnings per share, diluted	$	3.01	$	12.82	$	5.57	$	17.15

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax

The tables below present the components of the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (“AOCI”) (in millions):


							Deferred Taxes
UAL (a)	Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities		Fuel Derivative Contracts		Investments and Other		Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities		Fuel Derivative Contracts			Total
Balance at June 30, 2016	$	(385)	$	(41)	$	3	$	(146)	$	(165)		$	(734)
Changes in value		(124)		(6)		(2)		45		2			(85)
Amounts reclassified to earnings		6		24		1		(2)		(8)			21

Net change		(118)		18		(1)		43		(6)			(64)

Balance at September 30, 2016	$	(503)	$	(23)	$	2	$	(103)	$	(171)	(b)	$	(798)

Balance at December 31, 2015	$	(363)	$	(215)	$	3	$	(154)	$	(102)		$	(831)
Changes in value		(157)		(5)		(2)		57		2			(105)
Amounts reclassified to earnings		17		197		1		(6)		(71)			138

Net change		(140)		192		(1)		51		(69)			33

Balance at September 30, 2016	$	(503)	$	(23)	$	2	$	(103)	$	(171)	(b)	$	(798)


							Deferred Taxes
UAL (a)	Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities		Fuel Derivative Contracts		Investments and Other		Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities		Fuel Derivative Contracts			Total
Balance at June 30, 2015	$	(442)	$	(266)	$	11	$	(115)	$	—	(c)	$	(812)
Changes in value		(10)		(181)		(6)		(1)		82			(116)
Amounts reclassified to earnings		8		150		—		(9)		(155)			(6)

Net change		(2)		(31)		(6)		(10)		(73)			(122)

Balance at September 30, 2015	$	(444)	$	(297)	$	5	$	(125)	$	(73)		$	(934)

Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(472)	$	(499)	$	7	$	(115)	$	—	(c)	$	(1,079)
Changes in value		3		(227)		(1)		(1)		82			(144)
Amounts reclassified to earnings		25		429		(1)		(9)		(155)			289

Net change		28		202		(2)		(10)		(73)			145

Balance at September 30, 2015	$	(444)	$	(297)	$	5	$	(125)	$	(73)		$	(934)


Details about AOCI Components	Amount Reclassified from AOCI to Income								Affected Line Item in the Statements of Consolidated Operations
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Fuel derivative contracts
Reclassifications of losses into earnings		$ 24		$ 150		$ 197		$ 429		Aircraft fuel
Pension and other postretirement liabilities
Amortization of unrecognized losses and prior service cost (credit) (d)		6		8		17		25		Salaries and related costs
Investments and other
Available-for-sale securities-reclassifications of gains into earnings		1		—		1		(1)		Miscellaneous, net

(a) UAL and United amounts are substantially the same except for an additional gain related to investments and other of $1 million at United for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

(b) Includes deferred income tax expense of $180 million that will remain in AOCI until all fuel derivatives which are designated for hedge accounting are settled.

(d) This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs (see Note 5 of this report for additional information).

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The Company’s net periodic benefit cost includes the following components (in millions):


	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Service cost	$	29	$	31	$	4	$	5
Interest cost		50		50		22		20
Expected return on plan assets		(54)		(49)		—		—
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)		19		21		(13)		(13)
Settlement loss		2		1		—		—
Curtailment gain		—		—		(47)		—

Total	$	46	$	54	$	(34)	$	12


	Pension Benefits				Other Postretirement Benefits
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016				Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Service cost	$	84	$	93	$	14	$	15
Interest cost		151		150		66		61
Expected return on plan assets		(162)		(147)		(1)		(1)
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)		57		65		(40)		(40)
Settlement loss		4		2		—		—
Curtailment gain		—		—		(47)		—

Total	$	134	$	163	$	(8)	$	35

Share-Based Compensation Expense

The table below presents information related to share-based compensation (in millions):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Share-based compensation expense	$	23	$	7	$	36	$	40

	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Unrecognized share-based compensation	$	79	$	41

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The table below presents disclosures about the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s financial statements (in millions):


	September 30, 2016								December 31, 2015
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,630	$	2,630	$	—	$	—	$	3,006	$	3,006	$	—	$	—
Short-term investments:
Corporate debt		861		—		861		—		891		—		891		—
Asset-backed securities		764		—		764		—		710		—		710		—
Certificates of deposit placed through an account registry service (“CDARS”)		252		—		252		—		281		—		281		—
U.S. government and agency notes		97		—		97		—		72		—		72		—
Auction rate securities		—		—		—		—		9		—		—		9
Other fixed-income securities		50		—		50		—		26		—		26		—
Other investments measured at NAV (a)		202		—		—		—		201		—		—		—
Restricted cash		124		124		—		—		206		206		—		—
Enhanced equipment trust certificates (“EETC”)		23		—		—		23		26		—		—		26
Fuel derivatives liability, net		4		—		4		—		124		—		124		—
Foreign currency derivatives liability, net		1		—		1		—		—		—		—		—

Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The table below presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments not presented in the tables above (in millions):


	Fair Value of Debt by Fair Value Hierarchy Level
	September 30, 2016										December 31, 2015
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value								Carrying Amount		Fair Value
			Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3				Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Long-term debt	$	10,581	$	11,218	$	—	$	8,359	$	2,859	$	10,897	$	11,371	$	—	$	8,646	$	2,725

Hedging Activities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Description of Derivative Instruments

The Company’s derivatives were reported in its consolidated balance sheets as follows (in millions):


Classification	Balance Sheet Location	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
Liabilities:
Fuel contracts due within one year	Fuel derivative instruments	$	4	$	119
Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting
Liabilities:
Fuel contracts due within one year	Fuel derivative instruments	$	—	$	5

Total derivatives
Total liabilities		$	4	$	124

Offsetting Liabilities

The following table shows the potential net fair value positions (including fuel derivatives and related collateral) had we elected to offset. The table reflects offset at the counterparty level (in millions):


	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Fuel derivative instruments, net of collateral	$	(4)	$	(98)

Schedule of Losses on Derivative Instruments

The following tables present the impact of derivative instruments and their location within the Company’s unaudited statements of consolidated operations (in millions):

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges


	Amount of Loss Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)				Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Fuel Expense				Amount of Loss Recognized in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net (Ineffective Portion)
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015		2016		2015
Fuel contracts	$	(6)	$	(181)	$	(24)	$	(150)	$	—	$	—

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges


	Amount of Loss Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)				Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Fuel Expense				Amount of Loss Recognized in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net (Ineffective Portion)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015		2016		2015
Fuel contracts	$	(5)	$	(227)	$	(197)	$	(429)	$	—	$	—

Schedule of Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedges Losses

Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting

Fuel contracts


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Amount of loss recognized in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net	$	—	$	(67)	$	—	$	(69)

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Schedule of Commitments to Purchase Aircrafts


	(in billions)
Last three months of 2016	$	1.2
2017		4.5
2018		4.1
2019		3.3
2020		2.6
After 2020		6.9

	$	22.6

Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital and Operating Leases

The table below summarizes the Company’s scheduled future minimum lease payments under facility operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms of more than one year.


(In millions)	Facility and Other Operating Leases
Last three months of 2016	$	200
2017		1,156
2018		1,024
2019		954
2020		1,083
After 2020		7,450

	$	11,867

Aircraft Type

Schedule of Commitments to Purchase Aircrafts

As of September 30, 2016, United had firm commitments and options to purchase aircraft from The Boeing Company (“Boeing”) and Airbus S.A.S. (“Airbus”) presented in the table below:


Aircraft Type	Number of Firm Commitments (a)
Airbus A350-1000		35
Boeing 737NG/737 MAX		172
Boeing 777-300ER		14
Boeing 787-8/-9/-10		21
(a) United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft.

Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Details of Pass Through Trusts

Certain details of the pass-through trusts with proceeds received from issuance of debt in 2016 are as follows (in millions, except stated interest rate):


EETC Date	Class	Principal		Final expected distribution date	Stated interest rate		Total debt recorded as of September 30, 2016		Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods
September 2016	AA		$ 637	October 2028		2.875%		$ —		$ 637
September 2016	A		283	October 2028		3.10%		—		283
June 2016	AA		729	July 2028		3.10%		222		507
June 2016	A		324	July 2028		3.45%		99		225

			$ 1,973					$ 321		$ 1,652

Special Items (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Components of Special Items

For the three and nine months ended September 30, special items consisted of the following (in millions):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
Operating:	2016		2015		2016		2015
Labor agreement costs	$	14	$	—	$	124	$	—
Severance and benefit costs		13		28		27		103
Impairment of intangible asset related to Newark Liberty International Airport (“Newark”) slots		—		—		412		—
Cleveland airport lease restructuring		—		—		74		—
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges		18		48		32		92

Special charges		45		76		669		195
Nonoperating and income taxes:
Losses on extinguishment of debt and other		—		61		(1)		195
Income tax benefit related to special charges		(16)		—		(241)		—

Total special charges, net of tax		29		137		427		390
Income tax valuation allowance release (Note 4)		—		(3,218)		—		(3,218)

Total special items	$	29	$	(3,081)	$	427	$	(2,828)

Schedule of Severance Related Accruals

The following is a reconciliation of severance accrual activity for the period:


	Severance and Benefits
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	27
Accrual		27
Payments		(20)

Balance at September 30, 2016	$	34

Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Additional Information (Detail) - Recently Issued Accounting Standards $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Pension Benefits
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Pension plan investments measured at net asset value per share	$ 1,900
Short-term Investments
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share included in short-term investments	$ 202

Computation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings available to common stockholders	$ 965	$ 4,816	$ 1,866	$ 6,517
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	320	375	335	379
Earnings per share, basic	$ 3.02	$ 12.83	$ 5.57	$ 17.19
Diluted earnings per share:
Earnings available to common stockholders including the effect of dilutive securities	$ 965	$ 4,816	$ 1,866	$ 6,517
Diluted shares outstanding:
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	320	375	335	379
Effect of employee stock awards	1	1		1
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	321	376	335	380
Earnings per share, diluted	$ 3.01	$ 12.82	$ 5.57	$ 17.15

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) shares	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) shares
Earnings Loss Per Share [Line Items]
Amount remaining under repurchase programs	$ 2,000.0	$ 2,000.0
Open Market Repurchase Program
Earnings Loss Per Share [Line Items]
Number of shares repurchased \| shares	5	48
Repurchases of common stock	$ 255.0	$ 2,400.0

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

Beginning Balance

$ 8,966

Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments

$ (64)

$ (122)

$ 145

Ending Balance

8,439

Pension and Other Postretirement Liabilities

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

Beginning Balance

^[1]

(385)

(442)

(363)

(472)

Changes in value

^[1]

(124)

(10)

(157)

Amounts reclassified to earnings

^[1]

Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments

^[1]

(118)

(2)

(140)

Ending Balance

^[1]

(503)

(444)

(503)

(444)

Derivative Contracts | Fuel

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

Beginning Balance

^[1]

(41)

(266)

(215)

(499)

Changes in value

^[1]

(6)

(181)

(5)

(227)

Amounts reclassified to earnings

^[1]

150

197

429

Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments

^[1]

(31)

192

202

Ending Balance

^[1]

(23)

(297)

(23)

(297)

Investments and Other

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

Beginning Balance

^[1]

Changes in value

^[1]

(2)

(6)

(2)

(1)

Amounts reclassified to earnings

^[1]

(1)

Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments

^[1]

(1)

(6)

(1)

(2)

Ending Balance

^[1]

Pension and Other Postretirement Deferred Taxes

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

Beginning Balance

^[1]

(146)

(115)

(154)

(115)

Changes in value

^[1]

(1)

Amounts reclassified to earnings

^[1]

(2)

(9)

(6)

(9)

Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments

^[1]

(10)

Ending Balance

^[1]

(103)

(125)

(103)

(125)

Derivative Contracts Deferred Taxes | Fuel

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

Beginning Balance

^[1]

(165)

(102)

Changes in value

^[1]

Amounts reclassified to earnings

^[1]

(8)

(155)

(71)

(155)

Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments

^[1]

(6)

(73)

(69)

(73)

Ending Balance

^[1]

(171)

^[2]

(73)

(171)

^[2]

(73)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

Beginning Balance

^[1]

(734)

(812)

(831)

(1,079)

Changes in value

^[1]

(85)

(116)

(105)

(144)

Amounts reclassified to earnings

^[1]

(6)

138

289

Comprehensive income (loss) adjustments

^[1]

(64)

(122)

145

Ending Balance

^[1]

$ (798)

$ (934)

$ (798)

$ (934)

[1]	UAL and United amounts are substantially the same except for an additional gain related to investments and other of $1 million at United for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
[2]	Includes deferred income tax expense of $180 million that will remain in AOCI until all fuel derivatives which are designated for hedge accounting are settled.

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Salaries And Related Costs

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

Amortization of unrecognized losses and prior service cost (credit)

^[1]

$ 6

$ 8

$ 17

$ 25

Miscellaneous, Net

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

Available-for-sale securities-reclassifications of gains into earnings

(1)

Fuel Oil Contract | Aircraft Fuel

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]

Reclassifications of losses into earnings

$ 24

$ 150

$ 197

$ 429

[1]	This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs (see Note 5 of this report for additional information).

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
United Airlines, Inc.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Additional gain related to investments and other		$ 1
Fuel \| Designated as Hedging Instrument
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Deferred income tax expense	$ 180
Fuel \| Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Pension and Other Postretirement Deferred Taxes
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Deferred income tax expense	$ 180

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Additional Information (Detail) - Fuel - Designated as Hedging Instrument - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Deferred income tax expense		$ 180
Scenario Forecast
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Deferred income tax expense	$ 180

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate	36.00%		36.00%
Income tax benefit associated with valuation allowance release		$ 3,218		$ 3,218

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 29	$ 31	$ 84	$ 93
Interest cost	50	50	151	150
Expected return on plan assets	(54)	(49)	(162)	(147)
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)	19	21	57	65
Settlement loss	2	1	4	2
Total	46	54	134	163
Other Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	4	5	14	15
Interest cost	22	20	66	61
Expected return on plan assets			(1)	(1)
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss and prior service cost (credit)	(13)	(13)	(40)	(40)
Curtailment gain	(47)		(47)
Total	$ (34)	$ 12	$ (8)	$ 35

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Pension Benefits
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employer contribution to tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans	$ 240	$ 400
Postretirement Medical Plan \| Flight Attendant Postretirement Medical Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Curtailment gain recognition of prior service credit	$ 47	$ 47
Defined benefit plan, discount rate	3.43%	3.43%	4.52%
Increase in projected benefit obligation of the plans		$ 49
Increase in other comprehensive loss due to actuarial loss		$ (96)
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of pre-tax earnings paid for profit sharing plan		5.00%
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of pre-tax earnings paid for profit sharing plan		20.00%
RSUs
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, other than options, awards granted		1.9
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, other than options, awards granted		0.4
Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-Based Compensation, vesting period		3 years
Share-Based Compensation, vesting date		Dec. 31, 2018
Number of days used to compute performance period average closing price of restricted stock units		20 days
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation, options, awards granted		0.4
Employee Stock Option \| First three anniversaries of the date of grant (seven-year term option)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-Based Compensation, options vesting percentage		33.33%
Share-Based Compensation, vesting period		3 years
Share-Based Compensation, options term		7 years
Employee Stock Option \| Fourth, fifth and sixth anniversaries of the date of grant (ten-year term option)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-Based Compensation, options vesting percentage		33.33%
Share-Based Compensation, vesting period		3 years
Share-Based Compensation, options term		10 years

Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 23	$ 7	$ 36	$ 40
Unrecognized share-based compensation	$ 79		$ 79		$ 41

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - USD ($)
$ in Millions

Sep. 30, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 2,630

$ 3,006

Restricted cash

124

206

Enhanced equipment trust certificates ("EETC")

Corporate Debt

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Short-term investments

861

891

Asset-backed Securities

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Short-term investments

764

710

CDARS

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Short-term investments

252

281

U.S. Government and Agency Notes

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Short-term investments

Auction Rate Securities

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Short-term investments

Other Fixed Income Securities

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Short-term investments

Other Investments Measured At NAV

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Short-term investments

^[1]

202

201

Fuel Derivatives Liability, Net

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Derivatives, net

124

Foreign Currency Derivatives Liability , Net

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Derivatives, net

Level 1

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Cash and cash equivalents

2,630

3,006

Restricted cash

124

206

Level 2 | Corporate Debt

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Short-term investments

861

891

Level 2 | Asset-backed Securities

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Short-term investments

764

710

Level 2 | CDARS

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Short-term investments

252

281

Level 2 | U.S. Government and Agency Notes

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Short-term investments

Level 2 | Other Fixed Income Securities

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Short-term investments

Level 2 | Fuel Derivatives Liability, Net

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Derivatives, net

124

Level 2 | Foreign Currency Derivatives Liability , Net

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Derivatives, net

Level 3

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Enhanced equipment trust certificates ("EETC")

$ 23

Level 3 | Auction Rate Securities

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Short-term investments

$ 9

[1]

In accordance with the relevant accounting standards, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in this table are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the statement of financial position. The investments measured using NAV are shares of mutual funds that invest in fixed-income instruments including bonds, debt securities, and other similar instruments issued by various U.S. and non-U.S. public- or private-sector entities. The Company can redeem its shares at any time at NAV subject to a three-day settlement period.

Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Parenthetical) (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Redeemable shares, settlement period	3 days

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
EETC
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	2019
Asset-backed Securities \| Minimum
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	1 year
Asset-backed Securities \| Maximum
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	33 years
Corporate Debt \| Minimum
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	1 year
Corporate Debt \| Maximum
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	6 years
CDARS \| Maximum
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	1 year
U.S. Government and Other Securities \| Minimum
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	1 year
U.S. Government and Other Securities \| Maximum
Fair Value [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities remaining maturities	3 years

Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 10,581	$ 10,897
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt fair value	11,218	11,371
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure \| Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt fair value	8,359	8,646
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure \| Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt fair value	$ 2,859	$ 2,725

Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) gal	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Percentage of projection for hedging financial instruments for the remainder of 2016	13.00%
Volume of fuel hedging for the remainder of 2016 \| gal	126,000,000
Fuel hedges expiration date	2016-12
Cash Flow Hedging
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Percentage of projection of European euro for hedging financial instruments for remainder of 2016	16.00%
Fair value of derivative liability	$ 4	$ 124
Percentage of projection of Japanese yen for hedging financial instruments for remainder of 2016	18.00%
Foreign Currency Derivatives Liability , Net
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative liability	$ 1
Fuel Derivative Instruments
Derivatives And Hedging Activities [Line Items]
Fuel hedge collateral deposits		$ 26

Description of Derivative Instruments (Detail) - Cash Flow Hedging - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fuel contracts, liabilities	$ 4	$ 124
Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Fuel Derivative Instruments
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fuel contracts, liabilities	$ 4	119
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Fuel Derivative Instruments
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fuel contracts, liabilities		$ 5

Offsetting Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fuel Derivative Instruments
Offsetting Asset and Liabilities [Line Items]
Potential net fair value positions elected to offset	$ (4)	$ (98)

Schedule of Losses on Derivative Instruments (Detail) - Designated as Hedging Instrument - Cash Flow Hedging - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Loss Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	$ (6)	$ (181)	$ (5)	$ (227)
Loss Reclassified from AOCI into Fuel Expense	(24)	(150)	(197)	(429)
Amount of Loss Recognized in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net (Ineffective Portion)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Schedule of Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedges Losses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of loss recognized in Nonoperating income (expense): Miscellaneous, net	$ (67)	$ (69)

Schedule of Commitments to Purchase Aircrafts (Detail) - United Airlines, Inc. - Capital Addition Purchase Commitments

Sep. 30, 2016

Aircraft

^[1]

Airbus A350-1000 Aircraft

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Number of new aircraft committed to purchase

Boeing 737NG/737 MAX Aircraft

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Number of new aircraft committed to purchase

172

Boeing 777-300ER Aircraft

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Number of new aircraft committed to purchase

Boeing 787-8/-9/-10 Aircraft

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]

Number of new aircraft committed to purchase

[1]	United also has options and purchase rights for additional aircraft.

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
	Oct. 17, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) Employee Aircraft	Aug. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016 Contract	Jan. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) Employee Aircraft Contract
Aircraft Mortgage Debt
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure		$ 171,000,000				$ 171,000,000
Floating Rate Debt
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount		2,500,000,000				2,500,000,000
Fixed Rate Debt
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount		97,000,000				97,000,000
Loans And Leases From Non U S Entities
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount		2,600,000,000				2,600,000,000
Tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure		1,900,000,000				1,900,000,000
Operating leases obligations		1,400,000,000				1,400,000,000
Capital leases obligations		$ 376,000,000				$ 376,000,000
Minimum \| Tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity year						2017
Maximum
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument, remaining terms (years)						12 years
Maximum \| Loans And Leases From Non U S Entities
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument, remaining terms (years)						12 years
Maximum \| Tax-exempt special facilities revenue bonds
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity year						2038
Air Line Pilots Association International
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Service contract extended year					Jan. 31, 2019
Professional Airline Flight Control Association
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Service contract extended year				2021
Int'1 Association of Machinists
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Service contract extended year				2021		2021
Number of new contracts extended \| Contract				7		7
United And The Association Of Flight Attendants
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Contract period			5 years
Int'1 Brotherhood of Teamsters
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Contract period		6 years
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority \| Subsequent Event
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease extension term	7 years
Operating lease expiration year	2024
United Airlines, Inc.
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Borrowed principal amount		$ 272,000,000				$ 272,000,000
Debt instrument maturity year						2028
Number of employees \| Employee		87,500				87,500
Percentage of employees represented by various U.S. labor organizations						80.00%
United Airlines, Inc. \| EETC
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Borrowed principal amount		$ 1,700,000,000				$ 1,700,000,000
Debt instrument principal amount		$ 321,000,000				$ 321,000,000
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments \| United Airlines, Inc.
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
New aircraft, scheduled delivery date						2024
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments \| United Airlines, Inc. \| Boeing 737NG
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of aircraft expected to be delivered in the remainder of 2016 \| Aircraft		7				7
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments \| United Airlines, Inc. \| Boeing 777-300ER Aircraft
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of aircraft expected to be delivered in the remainder of 2016 \| Aircraft		1				1

Schedule of Acquisition of Aircrafts and Related Spare Engines (Detail) $ in Billions	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Last three months of 2016	$ 1.2
2017	4.5
2018	4.1
2019	3.3
2020	2.6
After 2020	6.9
Total commitments	$ 22.6

Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital and Operating Leases (Detail) - Facility and Other Operating Leases $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Last three months of 2016	$ 200
2017	1,156
2018	1,024
2019	954
2020	1,083
After 2020	7,450
Operating leases obligations	$ 11,867

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) - United Airlines, Inc. - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	May 01, 2015	Apr. 01, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowed principal amount					$ 272
Debt instrument maturity year					2028
Unsecured Debt \| 4.5% Convertible Notes Due 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity year				2015
Debt instrument stated interest rate				4.50%
Long-term Debt, Gross			$ 202
Common stock issued in exchange for convertible notes			11
Unsecured Debt \| 6% Notes Due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity year			2026
Debt instrument stated interest rate			6.00%
Debt purchased and retired		$ 303	$ 18
Unsecured Debt \| 6% Notes Due 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity year			2028
Debt instrument stated interest rate			6.00%
Debt purchased and retired	$ 298		$ 13
Secured Debt \| Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Available under revolving credit facility					$ 1,350

Details of Pass Through Trusts (Detail) - United Airlines, Inc. $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Class AA Pass Through Certificates \| September Twenty Sixteen [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	$ 637
Final expected distribution date	2028-10
Stated interest rate	2.875%
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods	$ 637
Class AA Pass Through Certificates \| June 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	$ 729
Final expected distribution date	2028-07
Stated interest rate	3.10%
Total debt recorded	$ 222
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods	507
Class A Pass Through Certificates \| September Twenty Sixteen [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	$ 283
Final expected distribution date	2028-10
Stated interest rate	3.10%
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods	$ 283
Class A Pass Through Certificates \| June 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	$ 324
Final expected distribution date	2028-07
Stated interest rate	3.45%
Total debt recorded	$ 99
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods	225
EETC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal	1,973
Total debt recorded	321
Remaining proceeds from issuance of debt to be received in future periods	$ 1,652

Components of Special Items (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Operating:
Labor agreement costs	$ 14		$ 124
Severance and benefit costs	13	$ 28	27	$ 103
Cleveland airport lease restructuring			74
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges	18	48	32	92
Special charges	45	76	669	195
Nonoperating and income taxes:
Losses on extinguishment of debt and other		61	(1)	195
Income tax benefit related to special charges	(16)		(241)
Total special charges, net of tax	29	137	427	390
Income tax valuation allowance release (Note 4)		(3,218)		(3,218)
Total special items	$ 29	$ (3,081)	427	$ (2,828)
Newark Liberty International Airport
Operating:
Impairment of intangible asset related to Newark Liberty International Airport ("Newark") slots			$ 412

Special Items - Additional Information (Detail)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Special Items - Additional Information (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2016 Contract	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) Contract plan	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 Attendant	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Special Charges [Line Items]
Labor agreement costs		$ 14,000,000		$ 124,000,000
Severance and benefits costs		13,000,000	$ 28,000,000	27,000,000	$ 103,000,000
Severance and benefits costs net of tax		8,000,000		17,000,000
Charge related to the amended lease				$ 74,000,000
Lease maturity year				2029
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges		18,000,000	48,000,000	$ 32,000,000	92,000,000
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special charges net of tax		12,000,000		20,000,000
Venezuela local currency loss			61,000,000	8,000,000
Venezuela local currency loss net of tax				5,000,000
Sale of an affiliate				9,000,000
Sale of an affiliate net of tax				6,000,000
Write off of unamortized discount					134,000,000
Accrual severance and benefit		34,000,000	$ 110,000,000	$ 34,000,000	$ 110,000,000
Severance-related accrual expected payment date				2016
Newark Liberty International Airport
Special Charges [Line Items]
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets				$ 412,000,000
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets, net of tax benefits				$ 264,000,000
Flight Attendant Postretirement Medical Plan \| Postretirement Medical Plan
Special Charges [Line Items]
Number of plans amended \| plan				2
Curtailment gain recognition of prior service credit		47,000,000		$ 47,000,000
Curtailment gain recognition of prior service credit,net of tax				$ 30,000,000
Int'1 Association of Machinists
Special Charges [Line Items]
Number of new contracts extended \| Contract	7			7
Service contract extended year	2021			2021
Labor agreement costs		61,000,000		$ 171,000,000
Labor agreement costs net of tax		$ 39,000,000		109,000,000
Lease Amendment Charges
Special Charges [Line Items]
Charge related to the amended lease				74,000,000
Charge related to the amended lease net of tax				$ 47,000,000
Voluntary early out program
Special Charges [Line Items]
Number of positions eliminated \| Attendant						2,500
Voluntary early out program \| Maximum
Special Charges [Line Items]
Severance payment per participant							$ 100,000

Schedule of Severance Related Accruals (Detail) - Severance and Benefits $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Schedule Of Accrual Activity [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 27
Accrual	27
Payments	(20)
Ending Balance	$ 34