Chapter 11 Reorganization (Schedule Of Reorganization Items) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aircraft financing renegotiations and rejections	1,017	[1],[2]
Rejection of facility bond related obligations	339	[2]
Professional fees	45
Total reorganization items, net	1,401
Aircraft leases rejected	40
Additional aircraft leases rejected	139
Bankruptcy Court to modify aircraft leases	158
MD-80 Aircraft [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aircraft Leases Number Of Aircraft	21
Additional aircraft leases rejected	70
Fokker 100 Aircraft [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aircraft leases rejected	4
Boeing 757-200 Aircraft [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aircraft leases rejected	16
Aircraft Leases Number Of Aircraft	7
Additional aircraft leases rejected	36
Bankruptcy Court to modify aircraft leases	33
Airbus A300-600R Aircraft [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional aircraft leases rejected	1
Spare Engines [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aircraft Leases Number Of Spare Engines	8
McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Aircraft [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aircraft leases rejected	1
Aircraft Leases Number Of Spare Engines	8
Bankruptcy Court to modify aircraft leases	59
Super ATR Aircraft [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bankruptcy Court to modify aircraft leases	39
Boeing 737-800 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional aircraft leases rejected			9
Bankruptcy Court to modify aircraft leases	6
Boeing 767-200ER Aircraft [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional aircraft leases rejected	11
Bankruptcy Court to modify aircraft leases	11
Boeing 767-300ER Aircraft [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional aircraft leases rejected	13
Bankruptcy Court to modify aircraft leases	10

[1] The Debtors record an estimated claim associated with the rejection of an executory contract or unexpired lease when a motion is filed with the Bankruptcy Court to reject such contract or lease and the Debtors believe that it is probable the motion will be approved and there is sufficient information to estimate the claim. The Debtors record an estimated claim associated with the renegotiation of an executory contract or unexpired lease when the renegotiated terms of such contract or lease are not opposed or are otherwise approved by the Bankruptcy Court and there is sufficient information to estimate the claim.

[2] Estimated allowed claims from (i) rejecting 16 leases of seven Boeing 757-200 aircraft, one McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft, and eight spare engines, (ii) relinquishing one Airbus A300-600R aircraft that was subject to a mortgage, (iii) filing a motion to reject facility agreements supporting special facility revenue bonds at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Fort Worth Alliance Airport, and (iv) filing motions to modify the leases of 158 aircraft, including 39 Super ATR aircraft, six Boeing 737-800 aircraft, 33 Boeing 757-200 aircraft, 11 Boeing 767-200ER aircraft, 10 Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, and 59 McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft. The rejections of the leases of such aircraft and spare engines and the modification of the leases relating to such aircraft have been approved by the Bankruptcy Court. See above, "Special Protection Applicable to Leases and Secured Financing of Aircraft and Aircraft Equipment," for further information.