Fair Value Measurements (Long Term Debt Current Maturities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$ 2,238
Effective interest rate percentage		7.50%
Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,212
Effective interest rate percentage - minimum	1.00%
Effective interest rate percentage - maximum	13.00%
Debt instrument maturity year	2023
Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	5.10%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.375%
Debt instrument maturity year	2021
6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	186
Effective interest rate percentage - minimum	6.00%	6.00%
Effective interest rate percentage - maximum	8.50%	8.50%
Debt instrument maturity year	2036
7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate percentage	7.50%
Debt instrument maturity year	2016
Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate percentage	8.30%	8.30%
Debt instrument discount, net	110	110
6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	460
Percentage of debt instrument, interest rate	6.25%	6.25%
Debt instrument maturity year	2014
9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	214
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	9.00%	9.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.20%	10.20%
Debt instrument maturity year	2021
7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	166
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	7.88%	7.88%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.55%	10.55%
Debt instrument maturity year	2039
Not Classified [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	8,168	8,220
Fair Value	7,913	7,417
Not Classified [Member] \| Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	2,958	2,952
Fair Value	2,791	2,647
Not Classified [Member] \| Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,891	1,942
Fair Value	1,969	1,927
Not Classified [Member] \| 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,437	1,436
Fair Value	1,390	1,230
Not Classified [Member] \| 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,000	1,000
Fair Value	879	711
Not Classified [Member] \| Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	882	890
Fair Value	884	902
Classified [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	2,238	2,482
Fair Value	1,416	1,341
Classified [Member] \| Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,212	1,456
Fair Value	1,013	1,123
Classified [Member] \| 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	186	186
Fair Value	83	37
Classified [Member] \| 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	460	460
Fair Value	215	101
Classified [Member] \| 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	214	214
Fair Value	83	46
Classified [Member] \| 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	166	166
Fair Value	$ 22	34

Debt Instrument Maturity Year

No definition available.

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Period Type:	duration

- 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

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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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

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- 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

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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- Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- 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 FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28567-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28555-108399

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 20

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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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 FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 7

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Reference 6: 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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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant