Commitments, Contingencies And Guarantees (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012 Purchase Commitment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Lease [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Capacity Purchase Arrangements [Member]	Jan. 23, 2013 Capacity Purchase Arrangements [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Capacity Purchase Arrangements [Member] Embraer RJ [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Capacity Purchase Arrangements [Member] Minimum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Capacity Purchase Arrangements [Member] Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Capital Additions [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 information technology support [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligations Due within One Year				$ 2,100	$ 727	$ 249	$ 353				$ 52	$ 80
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligations Due within Two Years				1,000	889	188	589				10	70
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligations Due within Three Years				314	1,100	179	739				17
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligations Due within Four Years				355	1,400	170	736
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligations Due within Five Years				745	1,600	11	580
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligations Due after Five Years				6,600	11,300	0	4,800
Purchase Commitment Expiration Year									2014	2017
Leased Aircraft Put to American Upon Termination of Contract								15
Annual Lease Payment Obligation Upon Termination Contract						20
Annual Lease Payment Obligation Under Termination of Contract Expiration Date									2018	2019
Deposits on Flight Equipment	710	710	746
Indebtedness and operating leases with event risk covenants	497	497
Maximum Amount Required To Paid By Company Under The JAL Guarantee In Each Year	100	100
Maximum Amount Of JAL Guarantee Each Year Based on Current Capacity	75	75
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation											79
Debt Instrument, Covenant Description		These covenants permit the holders of such obligations to receive a higher rate of return (between 100 and 600 basis points above the stated rate) if a designated event, as defined, should occur and the credit ratings of such obligations are downgraded below certain levels within a certain period of time.
Benefit from Settlement of Commercial Dispute	$ 280