Statements Of Consolidated Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, 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 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]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 840	$ 253	$ (651)	$ 281	$ 399	$ (628)	$ (95)	$ 569	$ 441	$ (282)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities -
Depreciation and amortization	1,547	1,079	917	921	903	917	177	626	380	494
Special charges, non cash portion	46	166	374	36	166	374		10	18	145
Proceeds from lease amendment			160			160
Debt and lease discount amortization	(186)	28	97	56	93	97	(64)	(242)	8	15
Deferred income taxes	(6)	(10)	(16)		(12)	(16)	(6)	(6)		(158)
Share-based compensation	17	14	21	9	13	21	1	9	10	9
Other operating activities	77	86	74	77	83	48	(10)	25	10	11
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of Merger -
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	220	265	(217)	200	262	(213)	1	40	230	(275)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(181)	59	(25)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	177	255	94	241	221	94	213	(12)	44	(3)
Increase (decrease) in advance ticket sales	115	(205)	(38)	116	44	(38)	(248)	(1)	400	(50)
Increase (decrease) in frequent flyer deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles	(110)	(67)	123	(235)	(126)	123	59	125	141	24
(Increase) decrease in other current assets				(129)	(103)	(19)	56	(71)	(176)	71
(Increase) decrease in receivables	(87)	(33)	105	(123)	(160)	110	5	(54)	(188)	442
(Increase) decrease in fuel hedge collateral	(59)	10	955	(59)	10	955
Unrealized (gain)/loss on fuel derivatives and change in related pending settlements	(2)	7	(1,007)	27	4	(1,007)	4	(29)	(11)	(81)
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,408	1,907	966	1,418	1,797	978	93	989	1,307	362
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
(Increase) decrease in short-term and other investments, net	(898)	(84)		(269)	18		(102)	(629)	(171)	180
Capital expenditures	(700)	(371)	(317)	(464)	(318)	(317)	(54)	(236)	(246)	(381)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash, net	(185)	68	(19)	(210)	68	(24)		25	3	26
Aircraft purchase deposits refunded (paid), net	(140)	(45)		(6)	(42)		(2)	(134)	10	29
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	123	48	77	15	40	77	20	108	32	64
Increase in cash from acquisition of Continental		3,698
Proceeds from asset sale-leasebacks			175			175
Proceeds from sale of investments, net										30
Expenditures for airport operating rights										(22)
Other, net	1	6	4	2	7	3				(4)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,799)	3,320	(80)	(932)	(227)	(86)	(138)	(866)	(372)	(78)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments of long-term debt	(2,367)	(2,023)	(794)	(1,456)	(1,667)	(793)	(358)	(915)	(836)	(610)
Principal payments under capital leases	(250)	(484)	(190)	(246)	(482)	(190)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	152	2,086	907		1,995	562	90	152	1,025	538
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	26	21		2	9		13	24	28	11
Proceeds from sale of common stock			222							158
Capital contribution from parent				2	8	559
Decrease in aircraft lease deposits	15	236	23	15	236	23
Increase in deferred financing costs	(8)	(33)	(49)	(8)	(33)	(49)
Purchases of treasury stock		(3)	(2)
Other, net					1	(1)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(2,432)	(200)	117	(1,693)	59	111	(255)	(739)	217	97
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,823)	5,027	1,003	(1,207)	1,629	1,003	(300)	(616)	1,152	381
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	8,069	3,042	2,039	4,665	3,036	2,033	3,698	3,398	2,546	2,165
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 6,246	$ 8,069	$ 3,042	$ 3,458	$ 4,665	$ 3,036	$ 3,398	$ 2,782	$ 3,698	$ 2,546