Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Assets
Cash	$ 283	$ 168
Short-term investments	3,718	4,328
Restricted cash and short-term investments	738	450
Receivables, less allowance for uncollectible accounts (2011- $52; 2010 - $58)	902	738
Inventories, less allowance for obsolescence (2011- $575; 2010 - $530)	617	594
Fuel derivative contracts	97	269
Other current assets	402	291
Total current assets	6,757	6,838
Equipment and Property
Flight equipment, at cost	18,136	20,345
Less accumulated depreciation	7,095	8,081
Flight equipment, net	11,041	12,264
Purchase deposits for flight equipment	746	375
Other equipment and property, at cost	5,131	5,173
Less accumulated depreciation	3,005	2,974
Other equipment and property, net	2,126	2,199
Equipment and property, net	13,913	14,838
Equipment and Property Under Capital Leases
Flight equipment	641	605
Other equipment and property	200	219
Equipment and Property Under Capital Leases, gross	841	824
Less accumulated amortization	448	580
Equipment and property under capital leases, net	393	244
Other Assets
International slots and route authorities	708	708
Domestic slots and airport operating and gate lease rights, less accumulated amortization (2011- $489; 2010 - $473)	186	224
Other assets	1,891	2,236
Other assets, total	2,785	3,168
Total Assets	23,848	25,088
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	1,007	1,156
Accrued salaries and wages	524	498
Accrued liabilities	1,358	1,587
Air traffic liability	4,223	3,656
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,518	1,776
Current obligations under capital leases		107
Total current liabilities	8,630	8,780
Long-Term Debt, Less Current Maturities	6,702	8,756
Obligations Under Capital Leases, Less Current Obligations		497
Other Liabilities and Credits
Deferred gains	110	270
Pension and postretirement benefits	9,204	7,877
Other liabilities and deferred credits	1,470	2,853
Other Liabilities and Credits Total	10,784	11,000
Liabilities Subject to Compromise	4,843
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Preferred stock-20,000,000 shares authorized; None issued
Common stock - $1 par value; 750,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued: 2011 - 341,207,797; 2010 - 339,389,724	341	339
Additional paid-in capital	4,465	4,445
Treasury shares at cost: 2011 and 2010-5,940,399	(367)	(367)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,964)	(2,755)
Accumulated deficit	(7,586)	(5,607)
Total stockholders' equity	(7,111)	(3,945)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)	$ 23,848	$ 25,088