DEBT - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended				12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 UAL 8% Contingent Senior Notes	Jun. 30, 2011 UAL 8% Contingent Senior Notes	Dec. 31, 2011 UAL 8% Contingent Senior Notes	Jun. 30, 2012 Continental Airlines Inc	Jun. 30, 2011 Continental Airlines Inc	Mar. 31, 2012 Continental Airlines Inc Class A Pass Through Certificates	Mar. 31, 2012 Continental Airlines Inc Class B Pass Through Certificates	Jun. 30, 2012 Continental Airlines Inc Class A Pass Through Certificates and Class B Pass Through Certificates	Mar. 31, 2012 Continental Airlines Inc Class A Pass Through Certificates and Class B Pass Through Certificates
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount trusts issued								$ 753	$ 139		$ 892
Debt instrument stated interest rate								4.15%	6.25%
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	86	142				86	142			392
UAL's obligation to issue notes to the PBGC, principal			500
Debt instrument convertible effective interest rate			8.00%	8.00%	8.00%
Issuance of senior notes equal tranches			62.5		62.5
Number of tranches issued			1	1	2
Present value of obligation recorded as liability			$ 48	$ 49	$ 88