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 Equity Holder Ownership Percentage Threshold	4.50%
MD-80 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	21
Reached agreement to modify leases	74
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
Airbus A300-600R Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Relinquished Aircraft Subject to Mortgage	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
Super ATR Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	39
Aircraft returned to lessor	22
Airplanes to be returned to lessor	17
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
Boeing 767-300ER Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	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]
Airplanes Surrendered to Lender	18