Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,122	$ 2,088
Short-term investments	1,447	1,217
Accounts receivable, net of an allowance for uncollectible accounts of $9 and $11 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	2,057	2,297
Hedge margin receivable	383	925
Fuel inventory	475	534
Expendable parts and supplies inventories, net of an allowance for obsolescence of $119 and $127 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	326	318
Hedge derivatives asset	1,575	1,078
Deferred income taxes, net	3,091	3,275
Prepaid expenses and other	790	733
Total current assets	12,266	12,465
Property and Equipment, Net:
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $9,765 and $9,340 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	22,023	21,929
Other Assets:
Goodwill	9,794	9,794
Identifiable intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $797 and $793 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	4,599	4,603
Deferred income taxes, net	4,051	4,320
Other noncurrent assets	1,019	1,010
Total other assets	19,463	19,727
Total assets	53,752	54,121
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases	1,261	1,216
Air traffic liability	5,866	4,296
Accounts payable	2,492	2,622
Accrued salaries and related benefits	1,622	2,266
Hedge derivatives liability	2,512	2,772
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	1,575	1,580
Other accrued liabilities	1,991	2,127
Total current liabilities	17,319	16,879
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Long-term debt and capital leases	8,305	8,561
Pension, postretirement and related benefits	14,170	15,138
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	2,455	2,602
Other noncurrent liabilities	2,457	2,128
Total noncurrent liabilities	27,387	28,429
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock at $0.0001 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized, 837,176,320 and 845,048,310 shares issued at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	12,578	12,981
Retained earnings	4,127	3,456
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,294)	(7,311)
Treasury stock, at cost, 20,879,542 and 19,790,077 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	(365)	(313)
Total stockholders' equity	9,046	8,813
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 53,752	$ 54,121