Fair Value Measurements (Long Term Debt And Current Maturities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Six Point Two Five Senior Convertible Notes Due Two Thousand Fourteen [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Six Point Two Five Senior Convertible Notes Due Two Thousand Fourteen [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Six Point Two Five Senior Convertible Notes Due Two Thousand Fourteen [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Six Point Two Five Senior Convertible Notes Due Two Thousand Fourteen [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value					$ 7,902	$ 8,123	$ 3,004	$ 3,297	$ 1,851	$ 1,741	$ 1,314	$ 1,313	$ 1,000	$ 1,000	$ 733	$ 772	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,198	$ 1,198	$ 172	$ 172	$ 0	$ 0	$ 186	$ 186	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 460	$ 460	$ 214	$ 214	$ 166	$ 166
Fair Value					$ 8,171	$ 8,115	$ 2,883	$ 3,143	$ 1,946	$ 1,811	$ 1,453	$ 1,308	$ 1,150	$ 1,074	$ 739	$ 779	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,138	$ 885	$ 148	$ 154	$ 0	$ 0	$ 194	$ 186	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 509	$ 400	$ 238	$ 112	$ 49	$ 33
Effective interest rate percentage - minimum	1.00%
Effective interest rate percentage - maximum	13.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum		6.00%	9.00%	7.88%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum		8.50%	10.20%	10.55%