Customer Financing (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Customer Financing [Line Items]
Financing receivables individually evaluated for impairment	$ 658	$ 854
Impaired financing receivables	454	485
American Airlines [Member]
Customer Financing [Line Items]
Financing receivables individually evaluated for impairment	$ 556
CCC Credit Rating [Member]
Customer Financing [Line Items]
Percentage of internal credit default rates applied for receivables	45.00%