Chapter 11 Reorganization (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Reorganization [Line Items]
Ground leases rejected	10
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	40
Reached agreement to modify leases	146
Bankruptcy Claims, Number Claims Filed	8,876
Bankruptcy Claims, Amount of Claims Filed	$ 95,100,000,000
Unsecured claims threshold	$ 190,000,000
Substantial Equityholder Ownership Percentage Threshold	4.50%
Rejected Leases Resulting in Reorganization Charges	16
Modification Of Aircraft and or Engine Leases Resulting in Reorganization Charges	168
MD-80 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	21
Reached agreement to modify leases	74
Rejected Leases Resulting in Reorganization Charges	1
Modification Of Aircraft and or Engine Leases Resulting in Reorganization Charges	63
Fokker 100 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	4
Boeing 757-200 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	7
Reached agreement to modify leases	36
Rejected Leases Resulting in Reorganization Charges	7
Modification Of Aircraft and or Engine Leases Resulting in Reorganization Charges	33
Airbus A300-600R Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Relinquished Aircraft Subject to Mortgage	1
Relinquished Aircraft Subject to Mortgage Resulting in Reorganization Charges	1
Boeing 737-800, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 777-200ER, Bombardier CRJ-700, And McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft leases retained	340
Spare Engines [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	8
Aircraft leases retained	87
Rejected Leases Resulting in Reorganization Charges	8
Super ATR Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	39
Aircraft returned to lessor	22
Aircraft to be returned to lessor	17
Modification Of Aircraft and or Engine Leases Resulting in Reorganization Charges	39
Boeing 737-800 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	9
Boeing 767-200ER Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	11
Modification Of Aircraft and or Engine Leases Resulting in Reorganization Charges	11
Boeing 767-300ER Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	13
Modification Of Aircraft and or Engine Leases Resulting in Reorganization Charges	13
Boeing Seven Seven Seven Two Zero Zero Er Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	3
Embraer RJ-135 [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft Surrendered to Lender	18