Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 2,276	$ 1,887
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures and aircraft purchase deposits	(4,006)	(2,400)
Decrease (increase) in short-term investments	1,390	(2,634)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash and short-term investments	160	(85)
Net proceeds from slot transaction	307	0
Funds transferred to affiliates	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	24	27
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,125)	(5,092)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on long-term debt and capital leases	(2,780)	(2,052)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	2,407	4,082
Sale-leaseback transactions	531	1,496
Treasury stock repurchases	(155)	0
Dividend payment	72	0
Premium paid for debt extinguishment	(39)	0
Deferred financing costs	(29)	(84)
Exercise of stock options	9	0
Funds transferred to affiliates	0
Other financing activities	15	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(113)	3,442
Net increase (decrease) in cash	38	237
Cash at beginning of period	1,140	480
Cash at end of period	1,178	717
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Settlement of bankruptcy obligations	5,469	0
Capital lease obligations	479	0
Supplemental information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	640	431
Income tax paid	8	10
AA [Member]
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,034	1,842
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures and aircraft purchase deposits	(2,746)	(2,391)
Decrease (increase) in short-term investments	1,363	(2,635)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash and short-term investments	50	(85)
Net proceeds from slot transaction	299	0
Funds transferred to affiliates	(198)	0
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	5	22
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,227)	(5,089)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on long-term debt and capital leases	(2,201)	(2,052)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,098	4,082
Sale-leaseback transactions	531	1,496
Treasury stock repurchases	0
Dividend payment	0
Premium paid for debt extinguishment	(39)	0
Deferred financing costs	(17)	(84)
Exercise of stock options	0
Funds transferred to affiliates	0	43
Other financing activities	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(628)	3,485
Net increase (decrease) in cash	179	238
Cash at beginning of period	829	474
Cash at end of period	1,008	712
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Settlement of bankruptcy obligations	5,105	0
Capital lease obligations	479	0
Supplemental information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	466	431
Income tax paid	$ 3	$ 6