Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating Revenue [Abstract]
Passenger Revenue, Mainline	$ 8,144	$ 7,566	$ 21,950	$ 20,222
Passenger Revenue, Regional carriers	1,632	1,688	4,769	4,846
Total passenger revenue	9,776	9,254	26,719	25,068
Cargo Revenue	244	229	691	699
Other Revenue	1,158	1,007	3,305	2,930
Total operating revenue	11,178	10,490	30,715	28,697
Operating Expense [Abstract]
Aircraft fuel and related taxes	2,952	2,291	7,612	7,175
Salaries and related costs	2,069	1,976	6,084	5,809
Regional carrier expense	1,353	1,459	4,033	4,302
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs	440	474	1,354	1,437
Depreciation and amortization	440	418	1,333	1,238
Contracted services	459	429	1,326	1,239
Passenger commissions and other selling expenses	476	447	1,289	1,212
Landing fees and other rents	393	378	1,089	1,060
Profit sharing	384	249	823	387
Passenger service	227	214	615	575
Aircraft rent	65	47	172	162
Restructuring and other items	570	106	649	242
Other operating expense	515	439	1,302	1,160
Total operating expense	10,343	8,927	27,681	25,998
Operating Income	835	1,563	3,034	2,699
Other (Expense) Income [Abstract]
Interest expense, net	(140)	(176)	(460)	(526)
Amortization of debt discount, net	(14)	(37)	(53)	(120)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(134)	0	(263)	0
Miscellaneous, net	32	13	(46)	(1)
Total other expense, net	(256)	(200)	(822)	(647)
Income Before Income Taxes	579	1,363	2,212	2,052
Income Tax (Provision) Benefit	(222)	6	(841)	9
Net Income	357	1,369	1,371	2,061
Basic Earnings Per Share	$ 0.43	$ 1.61	$ 1.63	$ 2.42
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$ 0.42	$ 1.59	$ 1.61	$ 2.40
Cash Dividends Declared Per Share	$ 0.09	$ 0.06	$ 0.21	$ 0.06
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive Income	$ 394	$ 1,376	$ 1,401	$ 2,314