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Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2011	May 31, 2010	May 31, 2009
Advertising Abstract
Advertising and promotion expenses	$ 375,000,000	$ 374,000,000	$ 379,000,000
Capitalized Interest Abstract
Interest Costs Capitalized	71,000,000	80,000,000	71,000,000
Dividends Declared Abstract
Dividends Payable Amount Per Share	$ 0.13
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Abstract
Intangible assets amortization periods	3 to 12 years
Foreign Currency Translation Abstract
Cumulative net foreign currency translation gains in accumulated other comprehensive income	156,000,000	30,000,000	56,000,000
Impairment Of Long Lived Assets Abstract
Asset impairments	29,000,000		202,000,000
Pension And Postretirement Healthcare Plans Equity Impact Abstract
Benefit plans adjustments at year-end measurement date, net of tax	350,000,000	1,000,000,000
Property And Equipment Abstract
Net property and equipment	15,543,000,000	14,385,000,000
Depreciation expense, excluding gains and losses on sales of property and equipment	1,900,000,000	1,900,000,000	1,800,000,000
Depreciable Life Range For Majority Of Aircraft Costs	15 to 18 years
Wide Body Aircraft And Related Equipment [Member]
Property And Equipment Abstract
Depreciable lives range	15 to 30 years
Net property and equipment	6,536,000,000	5,897,000,000
Narrow Body And Feeder Aircraft And Related Equipment [Member]
Property And Equipment Abstract
Depreciable lives range	5 to 18 years
Net property and equipment	1,517,000,000	1,049,000,000
Package Handling And Ground Support Equipment [Member]
Property And Equipment Abstract
Depreciable lives range	3 to 30 years
Net property and equipment	1,985,000,000	1,895,000,000
Vehicles Property [Member]
Property And Equipment Abstract
Depreciable lives range	3 to 15 years
Net property and equipment	1,076,000,000	1,095,000,000
Computer And Electronic Equipment [Member]
Property And Equipment Abstract
Depreciable lives range	2 to 10 years
Net property and equipment	776,000,000	649,000,000
Facilities And Other Property [Member]
Property And Equipment Abstract
Depreciable lives range	2 to 40 years
Net property and equipment	3,653,000,000	3,800,000,000
FedEx Freight Segment [Member]
Business Realignment Information Abstract
Severance	40,000,000
Lease Terminations	20,000,000
Asset impairments	29,000,000
Impairment and other charges	89,000,000
Other program costs	44,000,000
Total program costs	133,000,000
Accelerated Depreciation Expense	15,000,000
Cash received from FedEx Freight asset sales	$ 88,000,000