LEASES (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 CapitalLeases		Dec. 31, 2011 CapitalLeases	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 B717 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 B717 [Member] Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 B717 [Member] Minimum [Member]
Capital leases, aircraft included in property and equipment [Abstract]
Flight equipment	$ 45		$ 177
Less accumulated depreciation	8		132
Net	37		45
Rental expense for operating leases [Abstract]
Rental expense for operating leases	943		847	631
Future minimum lease payments under capital leases [Abstract]
2013	5
2014	6
2015	6
2016	5
2017	6
Thereafter	18
Total minimum lease payments	46
Less amount representing interest	10
Present value of minimum lease payments	36
Less current portion	3
Long-term portion	33
Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases [Abstract]
2013	693	[1]
2014	663	[1]
2015	598	[1]
2016	497	[1]
2017	474	[1]
Thereafter	2,161	[1]
Total minimum lease payments	5,086	[1]
Future minimum lease payments receivable under subleased operating leases [Abstract]
2013	(5)
2014	(49)
2015	(91)
2016	(105)
2017	(105)
Thereafter	(338)
Total minimum sublease payments receivable	(693)
Future minimum operating lease payments, net
2013	688
2014	614
2015	507
2016	392
2017	369
Thereafter	1,823
Total minimum lease payments, net	4,393
Capital And Operating Lease Renewal Term	one to five years
Capital Unit [Line Items]
Capital Leased Assets, Number of Units	2		7		2
Operating Lease, Number of Units	187				78
Owned Assets, Number of Units					8
Total Assets Available for Lease/Sublease, Number of Units					88
Lessee					Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Sublease Terms for Leased Aircraft						12 years	6 years
Estimated Total Cost Of Sublease					137
Lease Terms For Owned Aircraft					7 years
Contingent Termination Penalties					$ 106

[1] * Includes LFMP airport rental payments. See Note 4.