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LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $)
0 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Net book value of assets pledged as collateral for the company's secured borrowings, primarily aircraft and engines$ 922,000,000 
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]  
Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Maturities Repayments Of Principal Remainder Of Year24,000,000 
Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Maturities Repayments Of Principal In Year One After Current Year66,000,000 
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two77,000,000 
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three76,000,000 
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four90,000,000 
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five193,000,000 
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five320,000,000 
Line Of Credit, Amount Terminated100,000,000 
Debt assumed in aquisition1,100,000,000 
Conversion option, amount35,000,000 
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium10,000,000 
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Latest maturity date2017 
Less current maturities986,000,000505,000,000
Long-term debt less current maturities3,220,000,0002,875,000,000
Derivative, Higher Remaining Maturity Range2020 
Derivative, Lower Remaining Maturity Range2016 
AirTran Airways [Member] | Floating-rate B737 aircraft notes payable through 2020 [Member]
  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Collateral to secure loannote is secured by a first mortgage on the aircraft to which it relates first mortgage on the aircraft to which it relates 
Carrying amount of debt616,000,000 
Number of mortgages on secured aircraft27 
Earliest maturity date2016 
Latest maturity date2020 
Weighted average interest rate1.91% 
AirTran Airways [Member] | Fixed-rate B737 aircraft notes payable through 2018 [Member]
  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Carrying amount of debt43,000,000 
Number of mortgages on secured aircraft3 
Latest maturity date2018 
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)7.02% 
Fixed-rate B737 aircraft notes payable through 2018 [Member]
  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Earliest maturity date2016 
AirTran Airways [Member] | Fixed-rate B717 aircraft notes payable through 2017 [Member]
  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Carrying amount of debt78,000,000 
Number of mortgages on secured aircraft8 
Latest maturity dateApril 2017 
Weighted average interest rate10.23% 
5.5% Convertible Debt due 2015 [Member]
  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Face amount of debt70,000,000 
Latest maturity date2015 
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)5.50% 
Shares issued for conversions of debt6,200,000 
Cash paid for conversions of debt73,000,000 
7.0% Convertible Debt Due 2023 [Member]
  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Face amount of debt5,000,000 
Latest maturity date2023 
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)7.00% 
AirTran Airways [Member] | 5.25% Convertible Debt Due 2016 [Member]
  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Issuance date of debtOctober 2009 
Face amount of debt115,000,000 
Carrying amount of debt119,000,000 
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)5.25% 
Conversion ratio164.136 
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount5,000,000 
5.25% Convertible Debt Due 2016 [Member]
  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Face amount of debt115,000,000 
Latest maturity date2016 
5.25% Convertible Debt Due 2016 [Member] | Southwest Airlines Co. [Member]
  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Conversion ratio52.6877 
Conversion Price$ 615.17 
AirTran Airways [Member]
  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]  
Carrying amount of debt856,000,000 
Less current maturities(75,000,000) 
Long-term debt less current maturities$ 781,000,000