EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Postemployment Benefit Obligations [Table Text Block]

(in millions)		2011		2010
APBO at beginning of period		$	91	$	86
	Service cost		17		16
	Interest cost		4		4
	Benefits paid		(5)		(7)
	Acquisition of AirTran		3		0
	Actuarial (gain)/loss		(3)		(8)
APBO at end of period		$	107	$	91

Schedule of Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Table Text Block]

(in millions)	1% increase		1% decrease
Increase (decrease) in total service and interest costs	$	2	$	(2)
Increase (decrease) in the APBO	$	8	$	(7)

Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]

(in millions)	2011		2010
Funded status	$	(107)	$	(91)
Unrecognized net actuarial gain		(53)		(57)
Unrecognized prior service cost		1		2
Accumulated other comprehensive income		52		55
Cost recognized on Consolidated Balance Sheet	$	(107)	$	(91)

Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]

(in millions)	2011		2010		2009
Service cost	$	17	$	16	$	10
Interest cost		4		4		4
Amortization of prior service cost		0		0		1
Recognized actuarial gain		(6)		(5)		(7)
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	15	$	15	$	8

Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]

		2011(2)		2010		2009
	Wtd-average discount rate	4.05	%	4.30	%	4.80	%
	Assumed healthcare cost trend rate(1)	7.50	%	7.50	%	8.00	%
(1)	The assumed healthcare cost trend rate is assumed to remain at 7.5% for 2012, then decline gradually to 5.0% by 2024 and remain level thereafter.
(2)	Includes AirTran plans.