Special Charges And Restructuring Activities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2009	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Aircraft Charges [Line Items]
Total number of aircraft acquired				460
Depreciation expense, expected decrease					$ 954,000,000	$ 967,000,000	$ 979,000,000
Net present value of future lease payments and lease return costs							94,000,000
Estimated salvage value on aircraft and related inventories			20,000,000
Impairment charge	725,000,000		42,000,000
Deferred liability for claims	2,300,000,000				2,300,000,000
Insurance proceeds from partial settlement of claims		576,000,000,000
Other assets	2,785,000,000				2,785,000,000	3,168,000,000
Other liabilities and deferred credits	10,784,000,000				10,784,000,000	11,000,000,000
Boeing 757 Aircraft [Member]
Aircraft Charges [Line Items]
Averaging depreciated over remaining useful lives (in years)					4
Depreciation expense, expected decrease					24,000,000
Impairment charge					$ 713,000,000