SPECIAL ITEMS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended					12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012 Attendant AirCraft	Mar. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012 AirCraft	Jun. 30, 2012 Minimum	Jun. 30, 2012 Maximum	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 United Continental Holdings Inc	Jun. 30, 2012 United Continental Holdings Inc	Jun. 30, 2011 United Continental Holdings Inc	Jun. 30, 2012 United Airlines Inc	Jun. 30, 2012 United Airlines Inc	Jun. 30, 2011 United Airlines Inc	Jun. 30, 2012 United Airlines Inc UAL 8% Contingent Senior Notes	Jun. 30, 2011 United Airlines Inc UAL 8% Contingent Senior Notes	Jun. 30, 2012 Continental Airlines Inc	Jun. 30, 2011 Continental Airlines Inc
Special Charges [Line Items]
Debt instrument convertible effective interest rate						8.00%	8.00%	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
Severance and benefits	76		125						76	125		76	125
Number of mechanics offering to retire early		400
Number of flight attendants voluntarily on leave		1,800
Number of flight attendants accepted voluntarily retirement	1,300
Number of aircraft sold	3		9
Accounting charges for facility consolidation				60	80
Accrual severance and medical costs									153	153	70	137	137	40			16	30
Accrual balance of future lease									$ 8	$ 8	$ 34	$ 8	$ 8	$ 34