Segment Information (Schedule Of Research And Development By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Research and Development Expense	$ 3,918	$ 4,121	$ 6,506
Commercial Airplanes [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Research and Development Expense	2,715	2,975	5,383
Other Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Research and Development Expense	65	10	22
Boeing Defense, Space & Security [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Research and Development Expense	1,138	1,136	1,101
Boeing Defense, Space & Security [Member] \| Boeing Military Aircraft [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Research and Development Expense	541	589	582
Boeing Defense, Space & Security [Member] \| Network & Space Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Research and Development Expense	476	417	397
Boeing Defense, Space & Security [Member] \| Global Services & Support [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Research and Development Expense	$ 121	$ 130	$ 122

- Definition

The aggregate costs incurred (1) in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process; or (2) to translate research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or the entity's use, during the reporting period charged to research and development projects, including the costs of developing computer software up to the point in time of achieving technological feasibility, and costs allocated in accounting for a business combination to in-process projects deemed to have no alternative future use.

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