Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Special Items (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Quarterly financial information, quarterly charges and credits, amount affecting comparability	$ (2,157)	$ (1,058)	$ (140)	$ (109)	$ 7,921	$ 157	$ (159)	$ (78)
MTM adjustments
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Quarterly financial information, quarterly charges and credits, amount affecting comparability	(1,966)	(347)	1	(34)	92	285	(125)	24
Restructuring and other
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Quarterly financial information, quarterly charges and credits, amount affecting comparability	(67)	(570)	(30)	(49)	(160)	(128)	(34)	(102)
Loss on extingushment of debt
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Quarterly financial information, quarterly charges and credits, amount affecting comparability	(5)	(134)	(111)	(18)
Virgin Atlantic MTM adjustment
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Quarterly financial information, quarterly charges and credits, amount affecting comparability	(119)	(7)	0	(8)
Release of tax valuation allowance
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Quarterly financial information, quarterly charges and credits, amount affecting comparability					$ 7,989	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0