Merger and Related Matters (Reclassifications) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues
Mainline passenger																	$ 20,218	$ 18,743	$ 17,947
Regional passenger																	3,131	2,914	2,724
Cargo																	685	675	709
Other																	2,709	2,523	2,599
Total operating revenues	7,367	[1]	6,828	[1]	6,449	[1]	6,098	[1]	5,937	[1]	6,429	[1]	6,452	[1]	6,037	[1]	26,743	24,855	23,979
Operating expenses
Aircraft fuel and related taxes																	7,839	7,705	7,358
Salaries, wages and benefits																	5,460	6,217	6,361
Regional expenses																	3,326	3,028	3,009
Maintenance, materials and repairs																	1,260	1,158	1,039
Other rent and landing fees																	1,152	1,083	1,194
Aircraft rent																	768	553	645
Selling expenses																	1,158	1,058	1,102
Depreciation and amortization																	853	845	915
Special items, net																	559	386	756
Other																	2,969	2,674	2,637
Total operating expenses	7,252	[1]	6,128	[1]	5,937	[1]	6,026	[1]	5,930	[1]	6,367	[1]	6,289	[1]	6,121	[1]	25,344	24,707	25,016
Operating income (loss)	115	[1]	700	[1]	512	[1]	71	[1]	7	[1]	62	[1]	163	[1]	(84)	[1]	1,399	148	(1,037)
Nonoperating income (expense)
Interest income																	20	26	26
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest																	(856)	(632)	(811)
Other, net																	(88)	221	(39)
Total nonoperating expense, net																	(924)	(385)	(824)
Reclassification adjustment from current to noncurrent liabilities	31,203								15,880								31,203	15,880
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Nonoperating income (expense)
Reclassification adjustment from current to noncurrent liabilities									292									292
Historical [Member]
Revenues
Mainline passenger																		18,743	17,947
Regional passenger																		2,914	2,724
Cargo																		669	703
Other																		2,529	2,605
Total operating revenues																		24,855	23,979
Operating expenses
Aircraft fuel and related taxes																		8,717	8,304
Salaries, wages and benefits																		6,897	7,053
Regional expenses																		0	0
Maintenance, materials and repairs																		1,400	1,284
Other rent and landing fees																		1,304	1,432
Aircraft rent																		550	662
Selling expenses																		1,050	1,062
Depreciation and amortization																		1,015	1,086
Special items, net																		387	725
Other																		3,428	3,425
Total operating expenses																		24,748	25,033
Operating income (loss)																		107	(1,054)
Nonoperating income (expense)
Interest income																		26	26
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest																		(612)	(786)
Other, net																		242	(47)
Total nonoperating expense, net																		$ (344)	$ (807)

[1] To conform to current year presentation, certain operating revenue and expenses in prior years have been reclassified. As a result, prior year amounts may not agree to the amounts previously reported. See Note 4 for additional information.