Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Passenger Revenue [Abstract]
Passenger Revenue, Mainline	$ 7,017	$ 6,852	$ 19,323	$ 18,186
Passenger Revenue, Regional	1,675	1,716	5,046	4,848
Passenger Revenue	8,692	8,568	24,369	23,034
Cargo and Freight Revenue	243	257	749	771
Other Revenue, Net	988	991	2,950	2,911
Revenues	9,923	9,816	28,068	26,716
Operating Expenses [Abstract]
Fuel Costs	2,221	2,881	7,759	7,710
Labor and Related Expense	1,850	1,717	5,438	5,183
Airline, Capacity Purchase Arrangements	1,447	1,432	4,238	4,142
Aircraft Maintenance, Materials, and Repairs	493	428	1,602	1,398
Selling and Marketing Expense	440	480	1,213	1,289
Professional and Contract Services Expense	402	419	1,177	1,259
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	392	384	1,166	1,141
Landing Fees and Other Rentals	360	342	1,012	975
Other Cost of Services	201	207	559	552
Other Labor-related Expenses	174	167	309	175
Aircraft Rental	65	72	208	224
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	149	3	330	154
Other Cost and Expense, Operating	421	424	1,233	1,265
Operating Expenses	8,615	8,956	26,244	25,467
Operating Income (Loss)	1,308	860	1,824	1,249
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest Income (Expense), Net	(195)	(229)	(623)	(683)
Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium)	(48)	(48)	(148)	(141)
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	(12)	(5)	(12)	(38)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(1)	(31)	(27)	(35)
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(256)	(313)	(810)	(897)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	1,052	547	1,014	352
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(5)	2	(11)	77
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	1,047	549	1,003	429
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 1.24	$ 0.66	$ 1.19	$ 0.51
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 1.23	$ 0.65	$ 1.18	$ 0.51
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$ 1,073	$ 418	$ 1,305	$ 283