Summary Of Business Segment Data (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Revenues	$ 17,727	$ 16,967	$ 49,180	$ 47,756
Earnings from operations	1,714	1,387	4,247	3,868
Other income/(expense), net	49	(13)	76	20
Interest and debt expense	(121)	(130)	(374)	(384)
Earnings before income taxes	1,642	1,244	3,949	3,504
Income tax expense	(548)	(407)	(1,325)	(1,359)
Net earnings from continuing operations	1,094	837	2,624	2,145
Net gain/(loss) on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes of ($2), $0, $0, $1	4		1	(2)
Net earnings	1,098	837	2,625	2,143
Research and development expense, net	901	986	3,005	2,987
Commercial Airplanes [Member]
Revenues	9,515	8,749	25,476	23,650
Earnings from operations	1,085	1,017	2,514	2,379
Research and development expense, net	633	711	2,191	2,102
Boeing Defense, Space & Security [Member] | Boeing Military Aircraft [Member]
Revenues	3,964	3,790	10,998	10,611
Earnings from operations	397	312	1,152	935
Research and development expense, net	119	139	369	459
Boeing Defense, Space & Security [Member] | Network & Space Systems [Member]
Revenues	2,276	2,344	6,706	7,021
Earnings from operations	179	152	520	493
Research and development expense, net	109	106	320	327
Boeing Defense, Space & Security [Member] | Global Services & Support [Member]
Revenues	1,960	2,048	5,801	6,146
Earnings from operations	248	220	621	631
Research and development expense, net	22	30	84	99
Boeing Capital Corporation [Member]
Revenues	126	170	416	494
Earnings from operations	19	45	133	146
Other Segment [Member]
Revenues	33	27	107	107
Earnings from operations	92	(132)	11	(254)
Research and development expense, net	18		41
Unallocated Items And Eliminations [Member]
Revenues	(147)	(161)	(324)	(273)
Earnings from operations	(306)	(227)	(704)	(462)
Total Boeing Defense, Space & Security [Member]
Revenues	8,200	8,182	23,505	23,778
Earnings from operations	824	684	2,293	2,059
Research and development expense, net	$ 250	$ 275	$ 773	$ 885