Increased Passenger Revenue Per Basic Share

No definition available.

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- Definition

Increased passenger revenue per diluted share.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Number Of Regional Jet Aircraft Operated Under Certain Regional Carriers

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of the cost of tangible assets over the assets' useful lives. Includes production and non-production related depreciation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 12

-Paragraph 5

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

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- Definition

Gross carrying amount before accumulated amortization as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs to ready software for sale or licensing, or for long-term internal use.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16323-109275

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- Definition

The net cash inflow or outflow during the period for the aggregate increase (decrease) associated with funds and investments that are not available for withdrawal or use (such as assets held in escrow or contractually limited as to use or disposition) and are associated with underlying transactions that are classified as investing activities.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of the effect of a change in accounting principle on operating profit or loss.

+ References

Reference 1: 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=6801783&loc=d3e22580-107794

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 250

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)(2)

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-Topic 250

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

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- Definition

A transportation (plane, train, ship) carrier's fare revenue recognized in the period from carrying passengers between destinations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-AIR

-Chapter 3

-Paragraph 4

-IssueDate 2003-05-01

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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- Definition

Stated as a percentage, the estimated or actual value of the asset at the end of its useful life or when it is no longer serviceable (cannot be used for its original purpose) divided by its [historical] capitalized cost.

+ References

No definition available.

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Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended							3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 United Airlines Inc [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 United Airlines Inc [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 United Airlines Inc [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 UAL And United [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Successor [Member] Continental Airlines Inc [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Successor [Member] Continental Airlines Inc [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Predecessor [Member] Continental Airlines Inc [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Predecessor [Member] Continental Airlines Inc [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Rotable Spare Parts [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Jet Aircraft [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Minimum [Member] Aircraft And Related Rotable Parts [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Maximum [Member] Aircraft And Related Rotable Parts [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Cash inflows (outflows) associated with its restricted cash balances	$ (185)	$ 68	$ (19)
Carrying value of computer software	361
Depreciation expense related to computer software	133
Increase in passenger revenue	32,511	20,236	14,197	18,088	17,070	14,197	250	3,165	14,417	9,503	11,040
Passenger revenue per basic share		$ 1.21
Passenger revenue per diluted share		$ 0.99
Number of jet aircraft	196
Residual values												10.00%	15.00%	7.00%	11.00%
Total impact on company's profit sharing	$ 90