Components of Special Charges (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Special Charges [Line Items]
Labor agreement costs	$ 127	$ 454	$ 127	$ 454
Merger integration-related costs	50	60	165	331
Additional costs associated with the temporarily grounded Boeing 787 aircraft			18
Voluntary severance and benefits			14	125
(Gains) losses on sale of assets and other special items, net	34		31	(26)
Subtotal special charges	211	514	355	884
Income tax benefit				(2)
Total special charges, net of income taxes	$ 211	$ 514	$ 355	$ 882

Aircraft Related Charges Gains Net

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- Definition

Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Restructuring

+ References

No definition available.

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Significant and non-routine operating expenses such as asset impairments and restructuring charges that may not be an indicator of future cash flows.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Restructuring And Other Charges Net Of Tax

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Costs incurred to effect a business combination which have been expensed during the period. Such costs could include business integration costs, systems integration and conversion costs, and severance and other employee-related costs.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of other assets.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

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- Definition

Amount of payroll tax expense, compensation, postemployment and benefit-related expenses not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy (such as health plan, profit sharing, incentives, tuition reimbursement, other fringe benefits and perquisites) incurred in the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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Period expense related to postemployment benefits.

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