FINANCIAL DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	$ 1,004	[1]	$ 1,300	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	880	[1]	1,410	[1]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Premiums paid for fuel derivative contracts	36		107		134
Current Unrealized Net Gains (Losses) in OCI	92
Cumulative ineffectiveness recognized for unsettled hedges	52
Proceeds from termination of interest rate derivatives	38		76		0
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Letters of credit (LC)	208
Non-investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Cash collateral provided as a percentage of derivative contract value (in hundredths)	100.00%
Maximum Sum Of Derivatives Of Counterparty To Be Included In Other	20
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average Floating Rate	2.78%
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
(Gain) Loss recognized in AOCI on derivatives (effective portion)	(18)		76
(Gain) Loss reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion)	101	[2]	111	[2]
(Gain) Loss recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion)	43	[3]	35	[3]
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	386	[1]	815	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	142	[1]	271	[1]
Derivatives Not in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	618	[1]	485	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	738	[1]	1,139	[1]
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash collateral deposits provided to counterparty - noncurrent	0		226
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Fair Value of fuel derivatives	219
Cash collateral held from (by) CP	0		226
Aircraft collateral pledged to CP	0
Letters of credit (LC)	0
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Counterparty A [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Fair Value of fuel derivatives	16
Cash collateral held from (by) CP	0
Aircraft collateral pledged to CP	0
Letters of credit (LC)	0
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Counterparty A [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Option to substitute LC for aircraft	(340)
Investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(40)
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 2	(740)
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP	75
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which aircraft or cash collateral is pledged to CP	(340)
Non-investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(40)
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 2	(740)
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP		[4]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which aircraft collateral is pledged to CP	(340)
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Counterparty A [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Option to substitute LC for aircraft	(740)	[5]
Investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(340)
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which aircraft or cash collateral is pledged to CP	(740)	[5]
Non-investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(340)
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which aircraft collateral is pledged to CP	(740)
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Counterparty B [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Fair Value of fuel derivatives	42
Cash collateral held from (by) CP	0
Aircraft collateral pledged to CP	0
Letters of credit (LC)	0
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Counterparty B [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Option to substitute LC for aircraft	(125)	[5]
Investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	0
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 2	(625)
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP	150
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which aircraft or cash collateral is pledged to CP	(125)
Non-investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	0
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 2	(625)
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP		[4]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which aircraft collateral is pledged to CP	(125)
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Counterparty B [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(125)
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which aircraft or cash collateral is pledged to CP	(625)	[5]
Non-investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(125)
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which aircraft collateral is pledged to CP	(625)
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Counterparty C [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Fair Value of fuel derivatives	(11)
Cash collateral held from (by) CP	0
Aircraft collateral pledged to CP	0
Letters of credit (LC)	0
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Counterparty C [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Option to substitute LC for cash	(100)
Investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(50)
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP	175	[6]
Non-investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1		[4]
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP		[4]
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Counterparty C [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Option to substitute LC for cash	(150)	[7]
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Counterparty D [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Fair Value of fuel derivatives	18
Cash collateral held from (by) CP	0
Aircraft collateral pledged to CP	0
Letters of credit (LC)	0
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Counterparty D [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(75)
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP	125	[6]
Non-investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1		[4]
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP		[4]
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Counterparty E [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Fair Value of fuel derivatives	115
Cash collateral held from (by) CP	0
Aircraft collateral pledged to CP	0
Letters of credit (LC)	0
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Counterparty E [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Option to substitute LC for cash	(50)	[7]
Investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(50)
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP	200
Non-investment grade credit rating [Abstract]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1		[4]
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP		[4]
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Counterparty Other [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Fair Value of fuel derivatives	39	[8]
Cash collateral held from (by) CP	0	[8]
Aircraft collateral pledged to CP	0	[8]
Letters of credit (LC)	0	[8]
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
(Gain) Loss recognized in AOCI on derivatives (effective portion)	(19)	[9]	44	[9]
(Gain) Loss reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion)	101	[2],[9]	111	[2],[9]
(Gain) Loss recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion)	43	[3]	35	[3]
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Derivatives Not in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
(Gain) loss recognized in income on derivatives	(264)		53
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Receivable from third parties for settled fuel contracts - noncurrent	54		0
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash collateral deposits provided to counterparty - current	0		185
Due to third parties for settled fuel contracts	0		21
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash collateral deposits provided to counterparty - noncurrent	0		41
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Accounts And Other Receivables [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Receivable from third parties for settled fuel contracts - current	0		3
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Prepaid Expenses [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Prepaid settlement for fuel contracts - current	15		0
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Assets Current [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	[1]	17	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	355	[1]	542	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	16	[1]	107	[1]
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	[1]	97	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	[1]	8	[1]
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	[1]	93	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	[1]	24	[1]
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Derivatives Not in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member] | Other Assets Current [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	375	[1]	124	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	327	[1]	58	[1]
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Derivatives Not in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	233	[1]	26	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	351	[1]	272	[1]
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Derivatives Not in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	10	[1]	326	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	60	[1]	687	[1]
Fuel hedge derivatives [Member] | Derivatives Not in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member] | Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	[1]	9	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	[1]	122	[1]
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash collateral deposits provided to counterparty - noncurrent	89		96
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Underlying Risk	interest rate
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | AirTran Airways [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Hedge Designation	cash flow 305
Derivative, Description of Hedged Item	AirTran has also entered into a number of interest rate swap agreements, which convert a portion of AirTran’s floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis for the remaining life of the debt, thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future interest expense and cash flows. Under these agreements, which expire between 2016 and 2020, it pays fixed rates between 4.35 percent and 6.435 percent and receives either three-month or six-month LIBOR on the notional values.
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Paid on Swap	fixed rates between 4.35 percent and 6.435 percent
Derivative, Description of Variable Rate Basis	three-month or six-month LIBOR
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
(Gain) Loss recognized in AOCI on derivatives (effective portion)	1	[9]	32	[9]
(Gain) Loss reclassified from AOCI into income (effective portion)	0	[2]	0	[2]
(Gain) Loss recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion)	0	[3]	0	[3]
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | AirTran Airways [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash collateral deposits provided to counterparty - noncurrent	23
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Southwest Airlines [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash collateral deposits provided to counterparty - noncurrent	66
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Assets Current [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	[1]	0	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	[1]	0	[1]
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	31	[1]	64	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	[1]	0	[1]
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	[1]	2	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	[1]	0	[1]
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	[1]	0	[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	$ 126	[1]	$ 132	[1]
Current Year [Member]
Volume of Fuel Hedging [Line Items]
Fuel Hedged (in gallons)	218,000,000	[10]
Next Year [Member]
Volume of Fuel Hedging [Line Items]
Fuel Hedged (in gallons)	1,171,000,000	[10]
Third Year [Member]
Volume of Fuel Hedging [Line Items]
Fuel Hedged (in gallons)	735,000,000	[10]
Fourth Year [Member]
Volume of Fuel Hedging [Line Items]
Fuel Hedged (in gallons)	697,000,000	[10]
Fifth Year [Member]
Volume of Fuel Hedging [Line Items]
Fuel Hedged (in gallons)	184,000,000	[10]

[1] * Represents the position of each trade before consideration of offsetting positions with each counterparty and does not include the impact of cash collateral deposits provided to or received from counterparties. See discussion of credit risk and collateral following in this Note.

[2] (a) Amounts related to fuel derivative contracts and interest rate derivatives are included in Fuel and oil and Interest expense, respectively.

[3] (b) Amounts are included in Other (gains) losses, net.

[4] (b) Cash collateral is provided at 100 percent of fair value of fuel derivative contracts.

[5] (d) The Company has the option of providing cash, letters of credit, or pledging aircraft as collateral. No cash, letters of credit, or aircraft were pledged as collateral with such counterparties as of December 31, 2012.

[6] (c) Thresholds may vary based on changes in credit ratings within investment grade.

[7] (e) The Company has the option of providing cash or letters of credit as collateral. No cash or letters of credit were pledged as collateral with such counterparties as of December 31, 2012.

[8] (a) Individual counterparties with fair value of fuel derivatives <$20 million.

[9] *Net of tax

[10] (a) The Company determines gallons hedged based on market prices and forward curves as of December 31, 2012. Due to the types of derivatives utilized by the Company, these volumes may vary significantly as market prices fluctuate.