Fair Value Measurements (Long Term Debt And Current Maturities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value						$ 7,605	$ 8,220	$ 2,648	$ 2,952	$ 1,830	$ 1,942	$ 1,318	$ 1,436	$ 1,000	$ 1,000	$ 809	$ 890	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 2,267	$ 2,482	$ 1,241	$ 1,456	$ 0	$ 0	$ 186	$ 186	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 460	$ 460	$ 214	$ 214	$ 166	$ 166
Fair Value						$ 7,665	$ 7,417	$ 2,568	$ 2,647	$ 1,949	$ 1,927	$ 1,332	$ 1,230	$ 1,001	$ 711	$ 815	$ 902	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,606	$ 1,341	$ 1,024	$ 1,123	$ 0	$ 0	$ 106	$ 37	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 307	$ 101	$ 138	$ 46	$ 31	$ 34
Effective interest rate percentage - minimum	1.00%
Effective interest rate percentage - maximum	13.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum		6.00%		9.00%	7.88%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum		8.50%		10.20%	10.55%
Percentage of debt instrument, interest rate			6.25%