Long Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended					3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 2012 Pacific Facilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 2012 Pacific Revolving Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Term Loan Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Revolving Credit Facility Letters of Credit [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Pacific Routes Term Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Pacific Routes Term Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Pacific Routes Term Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Pacific Routes Revolving Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Pacific Routes Revolving Facility [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Senior Secured Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Senior Secured Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Secured Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Senior Second Lien Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Senior Second Lien Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Secured Financing Arrangements [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Secured Financing Arrangements [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Certificates [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 1,400				$ 250	$ 250				$ 750	$ 750		$ 600	$ 600
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount	294
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				2,000	450		1,200	2,600	500				500	500
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Percentage Of Principal	0.01					0.01
Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment						quarterly
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date					Oct. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Apr. 30, 2016				Mar. 31, 2016			Mar. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014			Mar. 31, 2015
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount										246			0		600			306		502	532
Debt Instrument, Original Maturity Date												Sep. 30, 2013							Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument, Decrease, Repayments																	150
Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance	We were in compliance with all covenants in our financing agreements at December 31, 2012
Debt Instrument, Restructuring Amount																					820
Restructuring Debt Extingushment Threasehold		10.00%
Debt Instrument, Collateral																						264 aircraft
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	$ (118)	$ (68)	$ (391)