Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity (USD $) In Millions	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Delta's Plan of Reorganization [Member]	Delta's Plan of Reorganization [Member] Common Stock [Member]	Northwest's Plan of Reorganization [Member]	Northwest's Plan of Reorganization [Member] Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Period Start at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 245	$ 0	$ 13,827	$ (9,845)	$ (3,563)	$ (174)
Shares, Issued Period Start at Dec. 31, 2009		795				11
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	593			593
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(15)				(15)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Other								44		5
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Other							0	0	0	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures		3
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	64	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition			89
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired						2
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method						(25)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period		1
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	10	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Requisite Service Period Recognition			10
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Period End at Dec. 31, 2010	897	0	13,926	(9,252)	(3,578)	(199)
Shares, Issued Period End at Dec. 31, 2010		848				13
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	854			854
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(3,188)				(3,188)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Other								9		1
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Other							0	0	0	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures		3
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	40	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition			72
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired						3
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method						(32)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period		0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	1	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Requisite Service Period Recognition			1
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Period End at Dec. 31, 2011	(1,396)	0	13,999	(8,398)	(6,766)	(231)
Shares, Issued Period End at Dec. 31, 2011		861				16
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	1,009			1,009
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(1,811)				(1,811)
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures		5
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	51	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition			54
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired						0
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method						(3)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period		2
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	16	0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Requisite Service Period Recognition			16
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Period End at Dec. 31, 2012	$ (2,131)	$ 0	$ 14,069	$ (7,389)	$ (8,577)	$ (234)
Shares, Issued Period End at Dec. 31, 2012		868				16