Merger and Related Matters - Schedule of Allocation of Consideration Transferred (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 09, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Cash			$ 206
Short-term investments			3,517
Other current assets			1,459
Operating property and equipment			5,536
Goodwill	4,091us-gaap_Goodwill	4,086us-gaap_Goodwill	4,091us-gaap_Goodwill
Identifiable intangibles			1,501
Other noncurrent assets			123
Long-term debt and capital leases, including current portion			(6,026)
Air traffic liability			(1,417)
Frequent flyer liability			(1,256)
Other liabilities assumed			(3,142)
Total purchase price			$ 4,592

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed, Air Traffic Liability

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- Definition

Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Debt And Capital Lease Obligations

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- Definition

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed, Frequent Flyer Liability

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- Definition

Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, acquired at the acquisition date. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates.

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- Definition

Amount of investments in debt and equity securities, including, but not limited to, held-to-maturity, trading and available-for-sale expected to be converted to cash, sold or exchanged within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

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- Definition

Amount of other assets expected to be realized or consumed before one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

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- Definition

The amount of identifiable intangible assets recognized as of the acquisition date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

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-SubTopic 10

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- Definition

Amount recognized as of the acquisition date for the identifiable assets acquired in excess of (less than) the aggregate liabilities assumed.

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- Definition

Amount of other liabilities due after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date.

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- Definition

Amount of other assets expected to be realized or consumed after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

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- Definition

The amount of property, plant, and equipment recognized as of the acquisition date.

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- Definition

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

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