Chapter 11 Reorganization (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended							1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012 MD-80 Aircraft [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Fokker 100 Aircraft [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Boeing 757-200 Aircraft [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Airbus A300-600R Aircraft [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Boeing 737-800, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 777-200ER, Bombardier CRJ-700, And McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Aircraft [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Spare Engines [Member]	Feb. 29, 2012 Super ATR Aircraft [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Super ATR Aircraft [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Boeing 737-800 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Boeing 737-800 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Boeing 767-200ER Aircraft [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Boeing 767-300ER Aircraft [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Embraer RJ-135 [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Ground leases rejected	2
Aircraft leases rejected	40		4	16
Aircraft leases number of aircraft		21		7
Aircraft Leases Number Of Spare Engines							8
Aircraft leases retained						347	87
Additional aircraft leases rejected	139	70		36	1						9	11	13
Bankruptcy Court to modify aircraft leases	158			33					39	6		11	10
Airplanes still to be released back under modified agreement								18
Aircraft to be surrendered to the lender														18
Percentage of common stock shares, outstanding	4.50%
Unsecured claims	$ 190