Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash Flow from Operating Activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ (1,979)	$ (471)	$ (1,468)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation	954	967	979
Amortization	132	126	125
Equity based stock compensation	40	43	61
Special charges	725		171
Reorganization Items	118
Pension and postretirement	180	236	657
Change in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in receivables	(164)	29	43
Decrease (increase) in inventories	(64)	(81)	(79)
Decrease (increase) in derivative collateral and unwound derivative contracts	(73)	87	561
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(354)	(19)	(75)
Increase (decrease) in air traffic liability	567	225	(277)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities and deferred credits	199	144	220
Other, net	399	(45)	12
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	680	1,241	930
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures, including purchase deposits on flight equipment	(1,610)	(1,962)	(1,521)
Net decrease (increase) in short-term investments	610	(82)	(1,330)
Net decrease (increase) in restricted cash and short-term investments	(288)	10	(1)
Proceeds from sale of equipment, property and investments/subsidiaries	(4)	4	76
Other			53
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,292)	(2,030)	(2,723)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(2,545)	(1,154)	(2,416)
Proceeds from:
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs			412
Reimbursement from construction reserve account		7
Exercise of stock options		1	1
Issuance of long-term debt	2,569	542	2,990
Sale leaseback transactions	703	1,408	768
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	727	804	1,755
Net increase (decrease) in cash	115	15	(38)
Cash at beginning of year	168	153	191
Cash at end of year	$ 283	$ 168	$ 153