Receivable Balances by Internal Rating Category (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	$ 2,186	$ 2,348
A [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	34
BBB [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	1,221	1,316
BB [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	62	67
B [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	54	103
CCC [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	537	512
D [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	278	350
Out-of-Production Aircraft [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	1,778	1,784
Out-of-Production Aircraft [Member] | BBB [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	1,221	1,316
Out-of-Production Aircraft [Member] | B [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	54	103
Out-of-Production Aircraft [Member] | CCC [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	298	194
Out-of-Production Aircraft [Member] | D [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	205	171
In-Production /Other Aircraft [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	408	564
In-Production /Other Aircraft [Member] | A [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	34
In-Production /Other Aircraft [Member] | BB [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	62	67
In-Production /Other Aircraft [Member] | CCC [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	239	318
In-Production /Other Aircraft [Member] | D [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Carrying value of loan and lease receivables	$ 73	$ 179