Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2009

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

Description Of New Accounting Pronouncements Changes In Revenue

	Year Ended December 31, 2011
	UAL		United		Continental
Operating revenue	$	340	$	215	$	125
Per basic share		1.03		NM		NM
Per diluted share		0.89		NM		NM

Special Revenue

	Year Ended December 31, 2011
	UAL		United		Continental
Special revenue item	$	107	$	88	$	19
Per basic share		0.33		NM		NM
Per diluted share		0.28		NM		NM

Schedule Of Information Related To Amounts Recorded Related To Frequent Flyer Programs

Year Ended December 31,	Cash Proceeds from Miles  Sold		Other Revenue Recognized Upon Award of Miles to Third-Party Customers (b)		Increase in Frequent Flyer Deferred Revenue for Miles Awarded (c)		Net Increase in Advanced Purchase of Miles (d)
2011 United	$	1,823	$	376	$	1,249	$	198
2011 Continental Successor		1,348		190		1,158		—
2011 UAL (a)	$	3,171	$	566	$	2,407	$	198
2010 United	$	1,863	$	300	$	1,477	$	86
2010 Continental Successor		293		31		262		—
2010 UAL (a)	$	2,156	$	331	$	1,739	$	86
2009 UAL / United	$	1,703	$	256	$	1,377	$	70

(a) Continental's results are included in UAL's results from October 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011.

(b) This amount represents other revenue recognized during the period from the sale of miles to third parties, representing the marketing services component of the sale.

(c) This amount represents the increase to frequent flyer deferred revenue during the period.

(d) This amount represents the net increase in the advance purchase of miles obligation due to cash payments for the sale of miles in excess of miles awarded to customers.

Estimated Useful Lives Of Property And Equipment

	Estimated Useful Life (in years)
Aircraft and related rotable parts		27 to 30
Buildings		25 to 45
Other property and equipment		4 to 15
Computer software		5
Building improvements		1 to 40

Advertising Expenses

	UAL		United		Continental Successor		Continental Predecessor
2011	$	142	$	73	$	69		N/A
2010		90		67		23	$	74
2009		44		44		N/A		102

Classifications Of Certain Revenue And Expenses In The Statements Of Consolidated Operations

	Year Ended December 31, 2010
	As Reclassified		Historical
Operating revenue:
Passenger — Mainline	$	16,019	$	16,069
Passenger— Regional		4,217		4,229
Other operating revenue		2,257		2,099
	$	22,493	$	22,397
Operating expense:
Other operating expenses	$	3,266	$	3,170

	For the Year Ended December 31, 2009
	As Reclassified		Historical
Operating revenue:
Passenger—Mainline	$	11,313	$	11,910
Passenger—Regional		2,884		3,064
Other operating revenue		1,602		825
	$	15,799	$	15,799
Operating expense:
Aircraft fuel	$	4,204	$	3,405
Salaries and related costs		3,919		3,773
Regional capacity purchase		1,523		2,939
Landing fees and other rent		1,011		905
Depreciation and amortization		917		902
Distribution expenses		670		534
Other operating expenses		2,567		956
Purchased services		—		1,167
Cost of third party sales		—		230
	$	14,811	$	14,811

Co-Brand Agreement [Member]

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

Description Of New Accounting Pronouncements Changes In Revenue

	Year Ended December 31, 2011
	UAL		United		Continental
Operating revenue	$	260	$	180	$	80
Per basic share		0.79		NM		NM
Per diluted share		0.68		NM		NM

Frequent Flyer [Member]

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

Description Of New Accounting Pronouncements Changes In Revenue

	UAL			United			Continental
Frequent flyer deferred revenue at December 31, 2011	$	5,658		$	3,502		$	2,156
% of miles earned expected to expire or go unredeemed		24	%		24	%		25	%
Impact of 1% change in outstanding miles or estimated selling price on deferred revenue	$	74		$	33		$	41