Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$ 36	$ 33
Airline Related Inventory, Valuation Reserves	122	101
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	6,337	5,472
Other Assets [Abstract]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 651	$ 600
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	1,500,000,000	1,500,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	866,884,968	861,499,734
Treasury Stock, Shares	16,434,647	16,253,791