Statements Of Consolidated Operations (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Operating revenue:
Passenger-Mainline	$ 5,954	$ 5,707
Passenger-Regional	1,554	1,410
Total passenger revenue	7,508	7,117
Cargo	264	283
Other operating revenue	830	802
Total revenue	8,602	8,202
Operating expense:
Aircraft fuel	3,229	2,672
Salaries and related costs	1,897	1,806
Regional capacity purchase	616	573
Landing fees and other rent	469	473
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs	407	439
Depreciation and amortization	380	388
Distribution expenses	337	350
Aircraft rent	251	253
Special charges (Note 10)	164	77
Other operating expenses	1,123	1,137
Total operating expenses	8,873	8,168
Operating income (loss)	(271)	34
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense	(216)	(254)
Interest capitalized	8	6
Interest income	5	4
Miscellaneous, net	27	(1)
Total other income (expense)	(176)	(245)
Loss before income taxes	(447)	(211)
Income tax expense (benefit)	1	2
Net loss	(448)	(213)
Loss per share, basic and diluted	(1.36)	(0.65)
United Airlines Inc [Member]
Operating revenue:
Passenger-Mainline	3,158	3,087
Passenger-Regional	876	878
Total passenger revenue	4,034	3,965
Cargo	171	167
Other operating revenue	570	544
Total revenue	4,775	4,676
Operating expense:
Aircraft fuel	1,842	1,512
Salaries and related costs	1,027	987
Regional capacity purchase	379	382
Landing fees and other rent	255	252
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs	267	292
Depreciation and amortization	231	227
Distribution expenses	182	187
Aircraft rent	78	81
Special charges (Note 10)	96	74
Other operating expenses	726	674
Total operating expenses	5,083	4,668
Operating income (loss)	(308)	8
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense	(137)	(168)
Interest capitalized	3	3
Interest income	3	2
Miscellaneous, net	18	(5)
Total other income (expense)	(113)	(168)
Loss before income taxes	(421)	(160)
Income tax expense (benefit)	2
Net loss	(423)	(160)
Continental Airlines Inc [Member]
Operating revenue:
Passenger-Mainline	2,796	2,619
Passenger-Regional	678	532
Total passenger revenue	3,474	3,151
Cargo	92	115
Other operating revenue	356	292
Total revenue	3,922	3,558
Operating expense:
Aircraft fuel	1,387	1,160
Salaries and related costs	847	805
Regional capacity purchase	237	192
Landing fees and other rent	214	220
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs	146	149
Depreciation and amortization	149	161
Distribution expenses	155	163
Aircraft rent	174	172
Special charges (Note 10)	68	3
Other operating expenses	505	504
Total operating expenses	3,882	3,529
Operating income (loss)	40	29
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense	(80)	(83)
Interest capitalized	5	4
Interest income	3	2
Miscellaneous, net	23	(7)
Total other income (expense)	(49)	(84)
Loss before income taxes	(9)	(55)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(1)	2
Net loss	$ (8)	$ (57)