Loss Per Share (Computation Of Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Earnings Loss Per Share [Line Items]
Loss available to common stockholders	$ (448)	$ (213)
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted	330,000,000	328,000,000
Loss per share, basic and diluted	(1.36)	(0.65)
Debt instrument stated interest rate	8.00%
Continental 4.5% Convertible Notes [Member]
Earnings Loss Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts	12,000,000	12,000,000
Debt instrument stated interest rate	4.50%
UAL 4.5% Senior Limited-Subordination Convertible Notes [Member]
Earnings Loss Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts	5,000,000	22,000,000
Debt instrument stated interest rate	4.50%
Continental 6% Convertible Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]
Earnings Loss Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts	4,000,000	4,000,000
Debt instrument stated interest rate	6.00%
UAL 6% Senior Convertible Notes [Member]
Earnings Loss Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts	40,000,000	40,000,000
Debt instrument stated interest rate	6.00%
Restricted Stock And Units And Stock Options [Member]
Earnings Loss Per Share [Line Items]
Potentially dilutive shares excluded from diluted per share amounts	7,000,000	9,000,000

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Antidilution

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505113

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 128

-Paragraph 171

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 128

-Paragraph 40

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 128

-Paragraph 13, 14

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 07-4

-Paragraph 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Diluted Earnings Per Share

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6510752

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Contingent Stock Agreement

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6508534

+ Details