Indebtedness (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current	$ 853,000,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	1,000,000,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	977,000,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	900,000,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	860,000,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	5,100,000,000
2013-1 EETC Class A Interest Rate	4.00%
2013-1 EETC Class B Interest Rate	5.625%
Boeing 737-800 Aircraft [Member]
Number of aircrafts delivered	8
Number of Aircraft Included in Sale-Leaseback Arrangement	32
Boeing 777-300ER Aircraft [Member]
Number of aircrafts delivered	3
2013-1 EETC [Member]
2013-1 EETC Amount	664,000,000
2013-1 EETC [Member] | Boeing Seven Three Seven Eight Two Three [Member]
Number of Aircraft to be Collateralized	8
2013-1 EETC [Member] | Boeing Seven Seven Seven Two Two Three E R [Member]
Number of Aircraft to be Collateralized	1
2013-1 EETC [Member] | Boeing Seven Seven Seven Three Two Three E R [Member]
Number of Aircraft to be Collateralized	4
Refinancing EETC [Member]
Amount of Refinancing EETC to be offered pursuant to Rule 144A	1,500,000,000
Refinancing EETC [Member] | Boeing Seven Three Seven Eight Two Three [Member]
Number of Aircraft to be Collateralized	41
Refinancing EETC [Member] | Boeing Seven Five Seven Two Two Three [Member]
Number of Aircraft to be Collateralized	14
Refinancing EETC [Member] | Boeing Seven Six Seven Three Two Three E R [Member]
Number of Aircraft to be Collateralized	1
Refinancing EETC [Member] | Boeing Seven Seven Seven Two Two Three E R [Member]
Number of Aircraft to be Collateralized	19
Secured Debt, Tax Exempt [Member]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	1,500,000,000
Secured Debt [Member]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	4,100,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	842,000,000
Liabilities Subject to Compromise [Member]
Deferred Rent Credit	201,000,000
Accrued liabilities and other liabilities and deferred credits [Member]
Deferred Rent Credit	$ 163,000,000