Statements of Consolidated Operations (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Operating revenue:
Passenger-Mainline	$ 6,993	$ 7,237	$ 19,891	$ 19,780
Passenger-Regional	1,781	1,772	5,159	4,916
Total passenger revenue	8,774	9,009	25,050	24,696
Cargo	246	283	775	882
Special revenue item (Note 10)				107
Other operating revenue	889	879	2,625	2,497
Total revenue	9,909	10,171	28,450	28,182
Operating expense:
Aircraft fuel	3,406	3,371	10,043	9,270
Salaries and related costs	2,038	2,020	5,959	5,742
Regional capacity purchase	628	619	1,887	1,807
Landing fees and other rent	504	476	1,476	1,451
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs	469	447	1,308	1,330
Depreciation and amortization	379	384	1,137	1,157
Distribution expenses	356	377	1,038	1,102
Aircraft rent	245	255	747	760
Special charges (Note 10)	514	120	884	343
Other operating expenses	1,170	1,167	3,467	3,443
Total operating expenses	9,709	9,236	27,946	26,405
Operating income (loss)	200	935	504	1,777
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense	(202)	(227)	(631)	(731)
Interest capitalized	9	10	26	24
Interest income	4	6	16	15
Miscellaneous, net	4	(64)	(7)	(94)
Total other income (expense)	(185)	(275)	(596)	(786)
Income (loss) before income taxes	15	660	(92)	991
Income tax expense	9	7	11	13
Net income (loss)	6	653	(103)	978
Earnings (loss) per share, basic	$ 0.02	$ 1.97	$ (0.31)	$ 2.96
Earnings (loss) per share, diluted	$ 0.02	$ 1.69	$ (0.31)	$ 2.59
United Air Lines Inc
Operating revenue:
Passenger-Mainline	3,734	4,007	10,587	10,812
Passenger-Regional	1,027	1,078	2,936	2,995
Total passenger revenue	4,761	5,085	13,523	13,807
Cargo	157	177	505	535
Special revenue item (Note 10)				88
Other operating revenue	738	595	1,878	1,673
Total revenue	5,656	5,857	15,906	16,103
Operating expense:
Aircraft fuel	1,914	1,949	5,685	5,294
Salaries and related costs	1,046	1,092	3,166	3,117
Regional capacity purchase	387	407	1,152	1,190
Landing fees and other rent	271	246	807	773
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs	313	299	862	881
Depreciation and amortization	232	228	695	684
Distribution expenses	172	194	526	580
Aircraft rent	78	82	234	243
Special charges (Note 10)	332	72	604	236
Other operating expenses	912	709	2,400	2,081
Total operating expenses	5,657	5,278	16,131	15,079
Operating income (loss)	(1)	579	(225)	1,024
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense	(122)	(135)	(395)	(462)
Interest capitalized	4	6	10	12
Interest income		2	5	7
Miscellaneous, net	(1)	(35)	(8)	(43)
Total other income (expense)	(119)	(162)	(388)	(486)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(120)	417	(613)	538
Income tax expense	7	2	8	2
Net income (loss)	(127)	415	(621)	536
Continental Airlines Inc
Operating revenue:
Passenger-Mainline	3,259	3,227	9,304	8,962
Passenger-Regional	754	695	2,223	1,922
Total passenger revenue	4,013	3,922	11,527	10,884
Cargo	89	105	270	346
Special revenue item (Note 10)				19
Other operating revenue	411	345	1,226	965
Total revenue	4,513	4,372	13,023	12,214
Operating expense:
Aircraft fuel	1,493	1,422	4,359	3,976
Salaries and related costs	943	906	2,692	2,575
Regional capacity purchase	240	211	735	617
Landing fees and other rent	234	230	670	678
Aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs	171	152	479	455
Depreciation and amortization	147	156	442	473
Distribution expenses	184	183	512	523
Aircraft rent	167	171	513	516
Special charges (Note 10)	182	48	280	107
Other operating expenses	549	533	1,604	1,531
Total operating expenses	4,310	4,012	12,286	11,451
Operating income (loss)	203	360	737	763
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest expense	(81)	(88)	(241)	(259)
Interest capitalized	5	4	16	12
Interest income	5	3	11	7
Miscellaneous, net	(28)	(41)	14	(76)
Total other income (expense)	(99)	(122)	(200)	(316)
Income (loss) before income taxes	104	238	537	447
Income tax expense	2	2	3	6
Net income (loss)	$ 102	$ 236	$ 534	$ 441