Chapter 11 Reorganization (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Nov. 01, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Reorganization [Line Items]
August 8 Assumed Non-Residential Real Property Leases	1
August 8 Extended Non-Residential Real Property Leases	15
August 22 Assumed Non-Residential Real Property Leases	3
August 22 Extended Non-Residential Real Property Leases	12
September 20 Assumed Non-Residential Real Property Leases	9
September 20 Extended Non-Residential Real Property Leases				34
July 24 Extended Non-Residential Real Property Leases	19
July 19 Assumed Non-Residential Real Property Leases	9
June 21 Extended Non-Residential Real Property Leases			88
June 20 Assumed Non-Residential Real Property Leases			463
Ground leases rejected	10
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	40
Reached agreement to modify leases	155
Bankruptcy Claims, Number Claims Filed	13,259
Bankruptcy Claims, Amount of Claims Filed	$ 305,200,000,000
Bankruptcy Claims, Amount of Claims under Review by Management	116,500,000,000
Unsecured claims threshold	$ 190,000,000
Substantial Equity Holder Ownership Percentage Threshold	4.50%
Super Saver 401(k) Company Match		5.50%
MD-80 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	21
Reached agreement to modify leases	83
Fokker 100 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	4
Boeing 757-200 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	7
Reached agreement to modify leases	36
Airbus A300-600R Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Relinquished Aircraft Subject to Mortgage	1
Boeing 737-800, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 777-200ER, Bombardier CRJ-700, And McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft leases retained	340
Spare Engines [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	8
Aircraft leases retained	87
Super ATR Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	39
Aircraft returned to lessor	26
Airplanes to be returned to lessor	13
Boeing 737-800 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	9
Boeing 767-200ER Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	11
Boeing 767-300ER Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	13
Boeing Seven Seven Seven Two Zero Zero Er Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	3
Embraer RJ-135 [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Airplanes Surrendered to Lender	18