Accrual for Severance and Medical Costs

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- Definition

Debt Instrument, Issuable Amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Expected Labor Related Payments

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Number Of Flight Attendants Offering To Retire Early

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Number of flight attendants voluntarily on leave

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Number of mechanics offering to retire early

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Number Of Tranches Issued

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Present Value Of Obligation Recorded As Liability

+ References

No definition available.

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- Details

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- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for contractual rent under lease arrangements.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.15(5))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph a

-Article 7

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph 5

-Article 9

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- Definition

The effective interest rate on the liability component of convertible debt instrument which may be settled in cash upon conversion, including partial cash settlement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928298&loc=SL6036836-161870

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-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number APB14-1

-Paragraph 33

-Subparagraph a

-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.

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- Definition

Amount of payroll tax expense, compensation, postemployment and benefit-related expenses not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy (such as health plan, profit sharing, incentives, tuition reimbursement, other fringe benefits and perquisites) incurred in the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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- Definition

Period expense related to postemployment benefits.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The number of aircraft sold by the entity during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount expected to be charged against earnings in the current and future periods for the specified restructuring cost.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394695&loc=d3e140904-122747

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 146

-Paragraph 20

-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.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 95-3

-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.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

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Special Items - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012 Attendant	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012 AirCraft	Sep. 30, 2012 Minimum	Sep. 30, 2012 Maximum	Jun. 30, 2012 UAL 8% Contingent Senior Notes	Jun. 30, 2011 UAL 8% Contingent Senior Notes	Sep. 30, 2012 UAL 8% Contingent Senior Notes	Sep. 30, 2011 UAL 8% Contingent Senior Notes	Dec. 31, 2011 UAL 8% Contingent Senior Notes	Sep. 30, 2012 United Continental Holdings Inc	Sep. 30, 2012 United Continental Holdings Inc	Sep. 30, 2011 United Continental Holdings Inc	Sep. 30, 2012 United Air Lines Inc	Sep. 30, 2012 United Air Lines Inc	Sep. 30, 2011 United Air Lines Inc	Sep. 30, 2012 United Air Lines Inc UAL 8% Contingent Senior Notes	Sep. 30, 2011 United Air Lines Inc UAL 8% Contingent Senior Notes	Sep. 30, 2012 Continental Airlines Inc	Sep. 30, 2012 Continental Airlines Inc	Sep. 30, 2011 Continental Airlines Inc
Special Charges [Line Items]
Labor agreement costs											$ 454	$ 454		$ 296	$ 296				$ 158	$ 158
Expected cash payment												250
Debt instrument convertible effective interest rate						8.00%	8.00%	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									125			125
Number of mechanics offering to retire early		400
Number of flight attendants voluntarily on leave		1,800
Number of flight attendants accepted voluntary retirement	1,300
Number of aircraft sold			9
Accounting charges for facility consolidation				45	65
Accrual severance and medical costs											59	59	73	42	42	42			17	17	31
Accrual balance of future lease											$ 6	$ 6	$ 31	$ 6	$ 6	$ 31