Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 7	$ 6
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, obsolescence allowance	89	64
Intangibles, accumulated amortization	670	504
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common shares, authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common shares, outstanding	330,906,192	327,922,565
United Airlines Inc [Member]
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	5	5
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, obsolescence allowance	73	61
Intangibles, accumulated amortization	534	473
Common stock, par value	$ 5	$ 5
Common shares, authorized	1,000	1,000
Common shares, issued	205	205
Successor [Member] | Continental Airlines Inc [Member]
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	2
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, obsolescence allowance	16
Intangibles, accumulated amortization	136
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01
Common shares, authorized	1,000
Common shares, issued	1,000
Common shares, outstanding	1,000
Predecessor [Member] | Continental Airlines Inc [Member]
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts		1
Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, obsolescence allowance		3
Intangibles, accumulated amortization		$ 31
Common stock, par value		$ 0.01
Common shares, authorized		1,000
Common shares, issued		1,000
Common shares, outstanding		1,000