Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (103)	$ 978
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities -
Depreciation and amortization	1,137	1,157
Debt and lease discount amortization	(196)	(171)
Special charges, non-cash portion	61	(15)
Other, net	112	112
Increase (decrease) in advance ticket sales	735	762
(Increase) decrease in receivables	(434)	(517)
Increase (decrease) in frequent flyer deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles	(544)	82
Increase in other current assets	(452)	(209)
Increase (decrease)in accounts payable	169	1
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	360	24
Decrease in fuel hedge collateral		(61)
Net cash provided by operating activities	845	2,143
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(774)	(510)
Increase in short-term and other investments, net	(22)	(754)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	146	107
Aircraft purchase deposits paid, net	(253)	(121)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash, net	98	(4)
Net cash used in investing activities	(805)	(1,282)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments of long-term debt	(1,158)	(1,925)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	86	142
Principal payments under capital leases	(89)	(199)
Other, net	4	36
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,157)	(1,946)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(1,117)	(1,085)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	6,246	8,069
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	5,129	6,984
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt	526	130
Special facility payment financing	101
8% Contingent Senior Unsecured Notes, net of discount	48	49
Airport construction financing	31
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 Air Lines Inc
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	(621)	536
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities -
Depreciation and amortization	695	684
Debt and lease discount amortization	26	11
Special charges, non-cash portion	59	(19)
Other, net	78	109
Increase (decrease) in advance ticket sales	2,124	579
(Increase) decrease in receivables	(885)	(144)
Increase (decrease) in frequent flyer deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles	(506)	(150)
Increase in other current assets	(392)	(88)
Increase (decrease)in accounts payable	296	113
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	390	(38)
Decrease in fuel hedge collateral		(61)
(Increase) decrease in receivables from related parties	(543)	(93)
Increase (decrease) in payables to related parties	2	(1)
Net cash provided by operating activities	723	1,438
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(391)	(332)
Increase in short-term and other investments, net	(64)	(180)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	56	15
Aircraft purchase deposits paid, net	(126)	(6)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash, net	79	(28)
Net cash used in investing activities	(446)	(531)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments of long-term debt	(634)	(1,316)
Principal payments under capital leases	(88)	(198)
Other, net	(8)	12
Net cash used in financing activities	(730)	(1,502)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(453)	(595)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	3,458	4,665
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	3,005	4,070
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Transfer of frequent flyer liability and advanced purchase of miles (Note 11)	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)	534	441
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities -
Depreciation and amortization	442	473
Debt and lease discount amortization	(222)	(182)
Special charges, non-cash portion	2	4
Other, net	49	30
Increase (decrease) in advance ticket sales	(1,389)	183
(Increase) decrease in receivables	451	(373)
Increase (decrease) in frequent flyer deferred revenue and advanced purchase of miles	(39)	233
Increase in other current assets	(72)	(83)
Increase (decrease)in accounts payable	(127)	(113)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	(44)	23
(Increase) decrease in receivables from related parties		3
Increase (decrease) in payables to related parties	536	66
Net cash provided by operating activities	121	705
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(383)	(178)
Increase in short-term and other investments, net	43	(574)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	90	92
Aircraft purchase deposits paid, net	(127)	(116)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash, net	19	25
Net cash used in investing activities	(358)	(751)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments of long-term debt	(524)	(609)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	86	142
Other, net	12	23
Net cash used in financing activities	(426)	(444)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(663)	(490)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	2,782	3,398
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	2,119	2,908
Investing and Financing Activities Not Affecting Cash:
Transfer of frequent flyer liability and advanced purchase of miles (Note 11)	2,387
Property and equipment acquired through the issuance of debt	526	130
Special facility payment financing	101
Airport construction financing	31
Reclassification of debt to advanced purchases of miles		270
Reclassification of debt discount to other assets		$ 60