Long-Term Debt (Components Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Long-term debt	$ 11,169	$ 10,532
Less current maturities	1,741	1,776
Long-term debt, less current maturities	9,428	8,756
Secured Variable and Fixed Rate Indebtedness due Through 2021 [Member]
Long-term debt	4,844	5,114
Effective interest rate percentage - minimum	1.00
Effective interest rate percentage - maximum	13.00
Debt instrument maturity years	2021
Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates due Through 2021 [Member]
Long-term debt	1,946	2,002
Debt instrument interest percentage - minimum	5.10
Debt instrument interest percentage - maximum	12.00
Debt instrument maturity years	2021
6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds due Through 2036 [Member]
Long-term debt	1,642	1,641
Debt instrument interest percentage - minimum	6.00
Debt instrument interest percentage - maximum	8.50
Debt instrument maturity years	2036
7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 [Member]
Long-term debt	1,000
Debt instrument interest percentage	7.50%
Debt instrument maturity years	2016
AAdvantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]
Long-term debt	890	890
Effective interest rate percentage	8.30%
Debt instrument discount, net	110
6.25% Senior Convertible Notes due 2014 [Member]
Long-term debt	460	460
Debt instrument interest percentage	6.25%
Debt instrument maturity years	2014
9.0% - 10.20% Debentures due Through 2021 [Member]
Long-term debt	214	214
Debt instrument interest percentage - minimum	9.0
Debt instrument interest percentage - maximum	10.20
Debt instrument maturity years	2021
7.88% - 10.55% Notes due Through 2039 [Member]
Long-term debt	$ 173	$ 211
Debt instrument interest percentage - minimum	7.88
Debt instrument interest percentage - maximum	10.55
Debt instrument maturity years	2039

Debt Instrument Maturity Year

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- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

When presenting a range of interest rates, the highest effective rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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- Definition

When presenting a range of interest rates, the lowest effective rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
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- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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- Definition

When presenting a range of interest rates, the highest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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- Definition

When presenting a range of interest rates, the lowest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of debt discount (net of debt premium) that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 21
-Paragraph 16, 20

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date. May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total of the portions of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of long-term debt, which may include notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans, and commercial paper, which are scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20
-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19
-Article 5

+ Details

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- Definition

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year (current maturities) or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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