CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (109)	$ 325
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities -
Depreciation and amortization	758	773
Debt and lease discount amortization	(151)	(119)
Special charges, non-cash portion	52	(48)
Other, net	67	106
Increase (decrease) in advance ticket sales	1,553	1,499
(Increase) decrease in receivables	(402)	(387)
Increase (decrease) in frequent flyer deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles	(347)	(89)
Increase in other current assets	(344)	(251)
Increase (decrease)in accounts payable	153	202
Decrease in other liabilities	(86)	(224)
Increase (decrease) in fuel hedge collateral	(61)	(29)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,083	1,758
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(552)	(350)
Increase in short-term and other investments, net	(96)	(443)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	145	54
Aircraft purchase deposits paid, net	(67)	(70)
Increase (decrease) in restricted cash, net	(5)	(20)
Net cash used in investing activities	(575)	(829)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments of long-term debt	(696)	(1,477)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	86	142
Principal payments under capital leases	(64)	(176)
Other, net	6	32
Net cash used in financing activities	(668)	(1,479)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period	(160)	(550)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	6,246	8,069
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	6,086	7,519
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt	341	97
8% Contingent Senior Unsecured Notes, net of discount	48	49
Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport Terminal B Construction Obligation	27
Reclassification of debt to advanced purchases of miles		270
Reclassification of debt discount to other assets		60
Interest paid in kind on UAL 6% Senior Notes		18
United Airlines Inc
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	(494)	121
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities -
Depreciation and amortization	463	456
Debt and lease discount amortization	18	8
Special charges, non-cash portion	51	(28)
Other, net	44	93
Increase (decrease) in advance ticket sales	2,829	915
(Increase) decrease in receivables	(785)	(199)
Increase (decrease) in frequent flyer deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles	(309)	(180)
Increase in other current assets	(238)	(77)
Increase (decrease)in accounts payable	283	253
Decrease in other liabilities	(77)	(231)
Increase (decrease) in fuel hedge collateral	(27)	(29)
Increase (decrease) in payables to related parties	40	(2)
Increase (decrease) in receivables from related parties	(586)	(58)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,212	1,042
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(245)	(222)
Increase in short-term and other investments, net	(63)	(153)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	55	1
Aircraft purchase deposits paid, net	(3)	(3)
Increase (decrease) in restricted cash, net	1	(20)
Net cash used in investing activities	(255)	(397)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments of long-term debt	(269)	(1,037)
Principal payments under capital leases	(64)	(175)
Other, net	(6)	9
Net cash used in financing activities	(339)	(1,203)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period	618	(558)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	3,458	4,665
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	4,076	4,107
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Transfer of frequent flyer liability and advanced purchase of miles	2,387
8% Contingent Senior Unsecured Notes, net of discount	48	49
Interest paid in kind on UAL 6% Senior Notes		18
Continental Airlines Inc
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	432	205
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities -
Depreciation and amortization	295	317
Debt and lease discount amortization	(170)	(127)
Special charges, non-cash portion	1	(20)
Other, net	69	30
Increase (decrease) in advance ticket sales	(1,276)	583
(Increase) decrease in receivables	383	(188)
Increase (decrease) in frequent flyer deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles	(39)	91
Increase in other current assets	(204)	(133)
Increase (decrease)in accounts payable	(128)	(53)
Decrease in other liabilities	(1)	(34)
Increase (decrease) in fuel hedge collateral	(34)
Increase (decrease) in payables to related parties	542	42
Increase (decrease) in receivables from related parties	(1)	3
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(131)	716
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(307)	(127)
Increase in short-term and other investments, net	(31)	(291)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	89	52
Aircraft purchase deposits paid, net	(64)	(67)
Increase (decrease) in restricted cash, net	(5)	1
Net cash used in investing activities	(318)	(432)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments of long-term debt	(427)	(440)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	86	142
Other, net	12	22
Net cash used in financing activities	(329)	(276)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the period	(778)	8
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	2,782	3,398
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	2,004	3,406
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Transfer of frequent flyer liability and advanced purchase of miles	2,387
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt	341	97
Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport Terminal B Construction Obligation	27
Reclassification of debt to advanced purchases of miles		270
Reclassification of debt discount to other assets		$ 60