Special Items (Summary of Accrual Activity) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Increase (decrease) in accrual	$ 224	$ (90)
Severance/ Medical Costs [Member]
Balance	102	45
Increase (decrease) in accrual	(4)
Payments	(28)	(22)
Balance	70	23
Permanently Grounded Aircraft [Member]
Balance	41	83
Increase (decrease) in accrual	1
Payments	(8)	(24)
Balance	$ 34	$ 59

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable, pertaining to costs that are statutory in nature, are incurred on contractual obligations, or accumulate over time and for which invoices have not yet been received or will not be rendered. Examples include taxes, interest, rent and utilities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 9
-Section 03
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.15(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 7
-Section 03
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph a

Name:	us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant