Restructuring and Other Items (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Employee Severance [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Employee Severance [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Employee Severance [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Employee Severance [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Gain on Divestiture of Slot Swaps [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Gain on Divestiture of Slot Swaps [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Gain on Divestiture of Slot Swaps [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Gain on Divestiture of Slot Swaps [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Gain on Divestiture of Slot Swaps [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member] Special Termination Benefits [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Delta Employee Severance [Member] Employee Severance [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Comair Employee Severance [Member] Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	$ 149	$ 3	$ 330	$ 154		$ 66	$ 3	$ 237	$ 83	$ (39)	$ (39)	$ 0	$ (78)	$ 0
Entity Number of Employees																				2,000	1,700
Defined Benefit Plan, Other Costs															6	0	110	0	110
Deferred Gain on Sale of Property					$ 78