Indebtedness (Components Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Less current maturities	$ 1,508	$ 1,518
Long-term debt, less current maturities	6,097	6,702
Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate percentage - minimum	1.00%
Effective interest rate percentage - maximum	13.00%
Debt instrument maturity year	2023
6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	6.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	8.50%
Debt instrument maturity year	2036
6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of debt instrument, interest rate	6.25%
Debt instrument maturity year	2014
9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	9.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.20%
Debt instrument maturity year	2021
7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	7.88%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.55%
Debt instrument maturity year	2039
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	7,605	8,220
Less current maturities	1,508	1,518
Long-term debt, less current maturities	6,097	6,702
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	2,648	2,952
Effective interest rate percentage - minimum	1.00%
Effective interest rate percentage - maximum	13.00%
Debt instrument maturity year	2023
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	1,830	1,942
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	5.10%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.375%
Debt instrument maturity year	2021
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	1,318	1,436
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	6.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	8.50%
Debt instrument maturity year	2036
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	1,000	1,000
Percentage of debt instrument, interest rate	7.50%
Debt instrument maturity year	2016
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	809	890
Effective interest rate percentage	8.30%
Debt instrument discount, net	56
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	0	0
Percentage of debt instrument, interest rate	6.25%
Debt instrument maturity year	2014
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	0	0
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	9.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.20%
Debt instrument maturity year	2021
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 0	$ 0
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	7.88%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.55%
Debt instrument maturity year	2039

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

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When presenting a range of interest rates, the highest effective rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

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Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

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When presenting a range of maturity dates, the latest date when the outstanding debt instruments are required to be repaid. May be presented in a variety of ways (for example: year only, month and year, day, month and year, and number of years).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Paragraph 4

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-Number 210

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

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-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

The amount of debt discount (net of debt premium) that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date. May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.

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Total of the portions of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of long-term debt, which may include notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans, and commercial paper, which are scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.

+ References

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Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year (current maturities) or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.

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