Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Salaries And Related Costs
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Amortization of unrecognized (gains) losses and prior service cost (credit)	$ (16)	[1],[2]	$ 10	[1],[2]	$ (50)	[1],[2]	$ 48	[1],[2]
Miscellaneous, Net
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Available for sale securities-reclassifications of gains into earnings	(2)	[1]			(8)	[1]
Fuel Oil Contract | Cash Flow Hedging | Aircraft Fuel
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Fuel contracts-reclassifications of (gains) losses into earnings			$ (14)	[1]	$ 4	[1]	$ 4	[1]

[1] Income tax expense for these items was offset by the Company's valuation allowance.

[2] This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and other postretirement costs (see Note 5 of this report for additional information).