Derivatives (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance [Table Text Block]

The following table shows the impact of fuel hedge gains (losses) for both designated and undesignated contracts on aircraft fuel and related taxes:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in millions)	2012		2011
Market adjustments for changes in fair value	$	183	$	47
Effective portion reclassified from AOCI to earnings	13		60
Gain recorded in aircraft fuel and related taxes	$	196	$	107

Gains (losses) related to our designated hedge contracts, including those previously designated as accounting hedges, are as follows:

	Effective Portion Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings						Effective Portion Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in millions)	2012			2011			2012			2011
Fuel hedge contracts	$	13		$	60		$	(13	)	$	88
Interest rate contracts	—			—			6			18
Foreign currency exchange contracts	(13		)	(11		)	123			59
Total designated	$	—		$	49		$	116		$	165

Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]

The following tables reflect the estimated fair value asset (liability) positions, notional balances and maturity dates of our hedge contracts:

As of March 31, 2012:

(in millions)	Notional Balance			Final Maturity Date	Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets		Other Noncurrent Assets		Other Accrued Liabilities			Other Noncurrent Liabilities			Hedge Derivatives, net
Designated as hedges
Interest rate contracts (cash flow hedges)	$	952	U.S. dollars	May 2019	$	—	$	—	$	(27	)	$	(51	)	$	(78	)
Interest rate contracts (fair value hedges)	$	485	U.S. dollars	August 2022	5		—		—			(18		)	(13		)
Foreign currency exchange contracts	110,802		Japanese yen	November 2014	18		23		(6		)	(1		)	34
	322		Canadian dollars
Not designated as hedges
Fuel hedge contracts	2,430		gallons - heating oil, crude oil, jet fuel and diesel	September 2013	426		—		(221		)	(15		)	190
Total derivative contracts					$	449	$	23	$	(254	)	$	(85	)	$	133

As of December 31, 2011:

(in millions)	Notional Balance			Final Maturity Date	Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets		Other Noncurrent Assets		Other Accrued Liabilities			Other Noncurrent Liabilities			Hedge Derivatives, net
Designated as hedges
Interest rate contracts (cash flow hedges)	$	989	U.S. dollars	May 2019	$	—	$	—	$	(27	)	$	(57	)	$	(84	)
Interest rate contracts (fair value hedges)	$	500	U.S. dollars	August 2022	—		—		—			(7		)	(7		)
Foreign currency exchange contracts	126,993		Japanese yen	April 2014	7		5		(58		)	(43		)	(89		)
	313		Canadian dollars
Not designated as hedges
Fuel hedge contracts	1,225		gallons - heating oil, crude oil, jet fuel and diesel	December 2012	570		—		(500		)	—			70
Total derivative contracts					$	577	$	5	$	(585	)	$	(107	)	$	(110	)