Delta Air Lines (DAL) 10-K 24 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'DELTA AIR LINES INC /DE/	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000027904	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$16.10
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	849,378,918	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$2,844	$2,416
Short-term investments	959	958
Restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	122	375
Accounts receivable, net of an allowance for uncollectible accounts	1,609	1,693
Fuel Inventory	706	619
Expendable parts and supplies inventories, net of an allowance for obsolescence	357	404
Deferred income taxes, net	1,736	463
Prepaid expenses and other	1,318	1,344
Total current assets	9,651	8,272
Property and Equipment, Net [Abstract]	'	'
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	21,854	20,713
Other Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Goodwill	9,794	9,794
Identifiable intangibles, net of accumulated amortization	4,658	4,679
Deferred income taxes, net	4,992	0
Other noncurrent assets	1,303	1,092
Total other assets	20,747	15,565
Total assets	52,252	44,550
Current Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital leases	1,547	1,627
Air traffic liability	4,122	3,696
Accounts payable	2,300	2,293
Accrued salaries and related benefits	1,926	1,680
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	1,861	1,806
Taxes payable	673	585
Fuel card obligation	602	455
Other accrued liabilities	1,121	1,128
Total current liabilities	14,152	13,270
Noncurrent Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term debt and capital leases	9,795	11,082
Pension, postretirement and related benefits	12,392	16,005
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	2,559	2,628
Deferred income taxes, net	0	2,047
Other noncurrent liabilities	1,711	1,649
Total noncurrent liabilities	26,457	33,411
Commitments and Contingencies	0	0
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	13,982	14,069
Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)	3,049	-7,389
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-5,130	-8,577
Treasury stock, at cost	-258	-234
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)	11,643	-2,131
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)	$52,252	$44,550

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts	$23	$36
Allowance for Obsolescence	118	127
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	7,792	6,656
Other Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Accumulated Amortization	$738	$670
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) [Abstract]	'	'
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.00	$0.00
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	1,500,000,000	1,500,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	869,484,981	867,866,505
Treasury Stock, at cost, shares	18,041,848	16,464,472

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Passenger Revenue [Abstract]	'	'	'
Passenger Revenue, Mainline	$26,534	$25,173	$23,843
Passenger Revenue, Regional	6,408	6,581	6,414
Total Passenger Revenue	32,942	31,754	30,257
Cargo Revenue	937	990	1,027
Other Revenue	3,894	3,926	3,831
Total Operating Revenue	37,773	36,670	35,115
Operating Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'
Aircraft fuel and related taxes	9,397	10,150	9,730
Salaries and related costs	7,720	7,266	6,894
Regional carrier expense	5,669	5,647	5,470
Aircraft maintenance, materials and outside repairs	1,852	1,955	1,765
Contracted services	1,665	1,566	1,642
Depreciation and amortization	1,658	1,565	1,523
Passenger commissions and other selling expenses	1,603	1,590	1,682
Landing fees and other rents	1,410	1,336	1,281
Passenger service	762	732	721
Profit sharing	506	372	264
Aircraft rent	209	272	298
Restructuring and other items	402	452	242
Other operating expense	1,520	1,592	1,628
Total operating expense	34,373	34,495	33,140
Operating Income (Loss)	3,400	2,175	1,975
Other Expense [Abstract]	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	-698	-812	-901
Amortization of debt discount, net	-154	-193	-193
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	-118	-68
Miscellaneous, net	-21	-27	-44
Total other expense, net	-873	-1,150	-1,206
Income Before Income Taxes	2,527	1,025	769
Income Tax Benefit (Provision)	8,013	-16	85
Net Income	$10,540	$1,009	$854
Basic earnings per share	$12.41	$1.20	$1.02
Diluted earnings per share	$12.29	$1.19	$1.01
Cash dividends declared per common share	$0.12	$0	$0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net Income	$10,540	$1,009	$854
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net gain (loss) on derivatives	482	211	-167
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Net change in pension and other benefit liabilities	2,965	-2,022	-3,021
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	3,447	-1,811	-3,188
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$13,987	($802)	($2,334)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net Income	$10,540	$1,009	$854
Depreciation and amortization	1,658	1,565	1,523
Amortization of Debt Discount, net	154	193	193
Fuel hedge derivative contracts	-114	-209	135
Deferred Income Taxes	-7,991	17	-2
Pension, postretirement and postemployment expense less than payments	-624	-208	-308
Restructuring and Other Items	285	184	142
SkyMiles used pursuant to advance purchase under American Express Agreements	-333	-333	-49
Receivables	90	-116	-76
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	231	-51	153
Fuel Inventory	-87	-451	-8
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	28	-134	-8
Air Traffic Liability	426	216	174
Frequent Flyer Deferred Revenue	-121	-115	82
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	213	899	303
Other Assets and Liabilities	-36	-66	-373
Other Operating Activities, net	185	76	99
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	4,504	2,476	2,834
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Flight Equipment, including advance payments	-2,117	-1,196	-907
Ground Property and Equipment, including technology	-451	-772	-347
Purchase of Virgin Atlantic shares	-360	0	0
Purchase of Short-term Investments	-959	-958	-1,078
Redemption of short-term investments	1,117	1,019	844
Other Investing Activities, net	14	-55	-10
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	-2,756	-1,962	-1,498
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Payments on Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	-1,461	-2,864	-4,172
Cash Dividends	-102	0	0
Proceeds from Long-term Obligations	268	1,965	2,395
Repurchase of Common Stock	-250	0	0
Fuel Card Obligation	147	137	318
Other Financing Activities, net	78	7	-112
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	-1,320	-755	-1,571
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	428	-241	-235
Cash and Cash Equivalents at beginning of period	2,416	2,657	2,892
Cash and Cash Equivalents at end of period	2,844	2,416	2,657
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Paid for Interest	698	834	925
Other Noncash Investing and Financing Items [Abstract]	'	'	'
Flight Equipment under Capital Leases	67	28	117
Built-to-suit Leased Facilities	114	214	126
American Express advance purchase of restricted SkyMiles	$285	$0	$0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Delta's Plan of Reorganization [Member]	Delta's Plan of Reorganization [Member]
In Millions								Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) Period Start at Dec. 31, 2010	$897	$0	$13,926	($9,252)	($3,578)	($199)	'	'
Shares, Issued Period Start at Dec. 31, 2010	'	848	'	'	'	13	'	'
Net Income	854	'	'	854	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-3,188	'	'	'	-3,188	'	'	'
Shares of common stock issued to settle bankruptcy claims under Plans of Reorganization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10
Shares of common stock issued to settle bankruptcy claims under Plans of Reorganization	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	'	3	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	40	0	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	'	'	72	'	'	'	'	'
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	'	'	'	'	'	3	'	'
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	'	'	'	'	'	-32	'	'
Stock options exercised	'	0	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock options exercised	1	0	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock options exercised	'	'	1	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) Period End at Dec. 31, 2011	-1,396	0	13,999	-8,398	-6,766	-231	'	'
Shares, Issued Period End at Dec. 31, 2011	'	861	'	'	'	16	'	'
Net Income	1,009	'	'	1,009	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,811	'	'	'	-1,811	'	'	'
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	'	5	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	51	0	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	'	'	54	'	'	'	'	'
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	'	'	'	'	'	0	'	'
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	'	'	'	'	'	-3	'	'
Stock options exercised	'	2	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock options exercised	16	0	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock options exercised	'	'	16	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) Period End at Dec. 31, 2012	-2,131	0	14,069	-7,389	-8,577	-234	'	'
Shares, Issued Period End at Dec. 31, 2012	'	868	'	'	'	16	'	'
Net Income	10,540	'	'	10,540	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared	-102	'	'	-102	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,447	'	'	'	3,447	'	'	'
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	'	5	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	66	0	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	'	'	90	'	'	'	'	'
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
Shares of common stock issued and compensation expense associated with equity awards	'	'	'	'	'	-24	'	'
Stock options exercised	'	6	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock options exercised	73	0	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock options exercised	'	'	73	'	'	'	'	'
Stock purchased and retired	-10	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock purchased and retired	-250	0	-250	'	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) Period End at Dec. 31, 2013	$11,643	$0	$13,982	$3,049	($5,130)	($258)	'	'
Shares, Issued Period End at Dec. 31, 2013	'	869	'	'	'	18	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto1

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'
weighted average price per treasury share withheld for taxes	$14.97	$10.91	$9.63

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Presentation
	Delta Air Lines, Inc., a Delaware corporation, provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo throughout the United States (“U.S.”) and around the world. Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Delta Air Lines, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”). We do not consolidate the financial statements of any company in which we have an ownership interest of 50% or less. We are not the primary beneficiary of, nor do we have a controlling financial interest in, any variable interest entity. Accordingly, we have not consolidated any variable interest entity. We reclassified certain prior period amounts, none of which were material, to conform to the current period presentation.
	We have marketing alliances with other airlines to enhance our access to domestic and international markets. These arrangements may include codesharing, reciprocal frequent flyer program benefits, shared or reciprocal access to passenger lounges, joint promotions, common use of airport gates and ticket counters, ticket office co-location and other marketing agreements. We have received antitrust immunity for certain marketing arrangements, which enables us to offer a more integrated route network and develop common sales, marketing and discount programs for customers. Some of our marketing arrangements provide for the sharing of revenues and expenses. Revenues and expenses associated with collaborative arrangements are presented on a gross basis in the applicable line items on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	As described in Note 18, we became the sole owner of Endeavor Air, Inc. ("Endeavor"), formerly Pinnacle Airlines, Inc., on May 1, 2013, pursuant to a confirmed plan of reorganization in the bankruptcy cases of Endeavor and its affiliates. Prior to this acquisition, Endeavor served as a regional carrier under a capacity purchase agreement where we purchased all of Endeavor's seat inventory and marketed it under the Delta tradename. Accordingly, Endeavor's passenger revenue was included in regional carriers passenger revenue in Delta's Consolidated Statements of Operations. All of the expenses Delta incurred under this arrangement were included in contract carrier arrangements expense. Subsequent to this acquisition, we have maintained this presentation and have re-titled contract carrier arrangements expense as regional carrier expense to reflect the inclusion of a wholly-owned regional carrier. This presentation aligns with the regional revenue presentation on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Use of Estimates
	We are required to make estimates and assumptions when preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
	Recent Accounting Standards
	Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Recently issued accounting guidance revises the reporting of items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted this guidance in the March 2013 quarter and have presented amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income in a note to the financial statements. For more information about accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), see Note 14.
	Presentation of Comprehensive Income
	In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued "Presentation of Comprehensive Income." The standard revises the presentation and prominence of the items reported in other comprehensive income and is effective retrospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. We adopted this standard in 2012 and have presented comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
	Short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Investments with maturities of greater than three months, but not in excess of one year, when purchased are classified as short-term investments.
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable primarily consist of amounts due from credit card companies from the sale of passenger airline tickets, customers of our aircraft maintenance and cargo transportation services and other companies for the purchase of mileage credits under our SkyMiles Program. We provide an allowance for uncollectible accounts equal to the estimated losses expected to be incurred based on historical chargebacks, write-offs, bankruptcies and other specific analyses. Bad debt expense was not material in any period presented.
	Inventories
	Spare Parts. Inventories of expendable parts related to flight equipment, which cannot be economically repaired, reconditioned or reused after removal from the aircraft, are carried at moving average cost and charged to operations as consumed. An allowance for obsolescence is provided over the remaining useful life of the related fleet for spare parts expected to be available at the date aircraft are retired from service. We also provide allowances for parts identified as excess or obsolete to reduce the carrying costs to the lower of cost or net realizable value. These parts are assumed to have an estimated residual value of 5% of the original cost.
	Refinery. Refined product, feedstock and blendstock inventories, all of which are finished goods, are carried at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Costs include the raw material consumed plus direct manufacturing costs (such as labor, utilities and supplies) as incurred and an applicable portion of manufacturing overhead. Ending inventory costs in excess of market value are written down to net recoverable values and charged to operating expense.
	Accounting for Refinery Related Buy/Sell Agreements
	To the extent that we receive jet fuel for non-jet fuel products (as defined in Note 2) exchanged under buy/sell agreements, we account for these transactions as non-monetary exchanges. We have recorded these non-monetary exchanges at the carrying amount of the non-jet fuel products transferred within aircraft fuel and related taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Derivatives
	Changes in aircraft fuel prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates impact our results of operations. In an effort to manage our exposure to these risks, we enter into derivative contracts and may adjust our derivative portfolio as market conditions change. We recognize derivative contracts at fair value on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Not Designated as Accounting Hedges. During 2011, we stopped designating substantially all of our new fuel derivative contracts as accounting hedges and discontinued hedge accounting for fuel derivative contracts that had previously been designated as accounting hedges. As a result, we record changes in the fair value of our fuel hedges in aircraft fuel and related taxes. Prior to this change in accounting designation, gains or losses on these contracts were deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") until contract settlement. At contract settlement, the gains or losses were then reclassified to aircraft fuel and related taxes. As of December 31, 2013, there are no fuel derivative contracts designated as accounting hedges.
	Designated as Cash Flow Hedges. For derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges (interest rate contracts and foreign currency exchange rates), the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of AOCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The effective portion of the derivative represents the change in fair value of the hedge that offsets the change in fair value of the hedged item. To the extent the change in the fair value of the hedge does not perfectly offset the change in the fair value of the hedged item, the ineffective portion of the hedge is immediately recognized in other (expense) income.
	Designated as Fair Value Hedges. For derivative contracts designated as fair value hedges (interest rate contracts), the gain or loss on the derivative and the offsetting loss or gain on the hedge item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current earnings. We include the gain or loss on the hedged item in the same account as the offsetting loss or gain on the related derivative contract, resulting in no impact to our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	The following table summarizes the risk each type of derivative contract is hedging and the classification of related gains and losses on our Consolidated Statements of Operations:
	Derivative Type	Hedged Risk	Classification of Gains and Losses
	Fuel hedge contracts	Increases in jet fuel prices	Aircraft fuel and related taxes
	Interest rate contracts	Increases in interest rates	Interest expense, net
	Foreign currency exchange contracts	Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates	Passenger revenue
	The following table summarizes the accounting treatment of our derivative contracts:
		Impact of Unrealized Gains and Losses
	Accounting Designation	Effective Portion	Ineffective Portion
	Not designated as hedges	Change in fair value of hedge is recorded in earnings
	Designated as cash flow hedges	Market adjustments are recorded in AOCI	Excess, if any, over effective portion of hedge is recorded in other expense
	Designated as fair value hedges	Market adjustments are recorded in long-term debt and capital leases	Excess, if any, over effective portion of hedge is recorded in other expense
	We perform, at least quarterly, an assessment of the effectiveness of our derivative contracts designated as hedges, including assessing the possibility of counterparty default. If we determine that a derivative is no longer expected to be highly effective, we discontinue hedge accounting prospectively and recognize subsequent changes in the fair value of the hedge in earnings. We believe our derivative contracts that continue to be designated as hedges, consisting of interest rate and foreign currency exchange contracts, will continue to be highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flow attributable to the hedged risk.
	Hedge Margin. In accordance with our fuel, interest rate and foreign currency hedge contracts, we may require counterparties to fund the margin associated with our gain position and/or counterparties may require us to fund the margin associated with our loss position on these contracts. The amount of the margin, if any, is periodically adjusted based on the fair value of the hedge contracts. The margin requirements are intended to mitigate a party's exposure to the risk of contracting party default. We do not offset margin funded to counterparties or margin funded to us by counterparties against fair value amounts recorded for our hedge contracts.
	The hedge margin we receive from counterparties is recorded in cash and cash equivalents or restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, with the offsetting obligation in accounts payable. The hedge margin we provide to counterparties is recorded in accounts receivable. All cash flows associated with purchasing and settling hedge contracts are classified as operating cash flows.
	Passenger Tickets
	We record sales of passenger tickets in air traffic liability. Passenger revenue is recognized when we provide transportation or when the ticket expires unused, reducing the related air traffic liability. We periodically evaluate the estimated air traffic liability and record any adjustments in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. These adjustments relate primarily to refunds, exchanges, transactions with other airlines and other items for which final settlement occurs in periods subsequent to the sale of the related tickets at amounts other than the original sales price.
	Passenger Taxes and Fees
	We are required to charge certain taxes and fees on our passenger tickets, including U.S. federal transportation taxes, federal security charges, airport passenger facility charges and foreign arrival and departure taxes. These taxes and fees are assessments on the customer for which we act as a collection agent. Because we are not entitled to retain these taxes and fees, we do not include such amounts in passenger revenue. We record a liability when the amounts are collected and reduce the liability when payments are made to the applicable government agency or operating carrier.
	Frequent Flyer Program
	The SkyMiles Program offers incentives to travel on Delta. This program allows customers to earn mileage credits by flying on Delta, regional air carriers with which we have contract carrier agreements and airlines that participate in the SkyMiles Program, as well as through participating companies such as credit card companies, hotels and car rental agencies. We sell mileage credits to non-airline businesses, customers and other airlines.
	The SkyMiles Program includes two types of transactions that are considered revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. As discussed below, these are (1) passenger ticket sales earning mileage credits and (2) the sale of mileage credits to participating companies with which we have marketing agreements. Mileage credits are a separate unit of accounting as they can be redeemed by customers in future periods for air travel on Delta and participating airlines, membership in our Sky Club and other program awards.
	Passenger Ticket Sales Earning Mileage Credits. Passenger ticket sales earning mileage credits under our SkyMiles Program provide customers with two deliverables: (1) mileage credits earned and (2) air transportation. We value each deliverable on a standalone basis. Our estimate of the selling price of a mileage credit is based on an analysis of our sales of mileage credits to other airlines and customers, which is re-evaluated at least annually. We use established ticket prices to determine the estimated selling price of air transportation. We allocate the total amount collected from passenger ticket sales between the deliverables based on their relative selling prices.
	We defer revenue for the mileage credits related to passenger ticket sales and recognize it as passenger revenue when miles are redeemed and services are provided. We record the air transportation portion of the passenger ticket sales in air traffic liability and recognize these amounts in passenger revenue when we provide transportation or when the ticket expires unused.
	Sale of Mileage Credits. Customers may earn mileage credits through participating companies such as credit card companies, hotels and car rental agencies with which we have marketing agreements to sell mileage credits. Our contracts to sell mileage credits under these marketing agreements have multiple deliverables, as defined below.
	Our most significant contract to sell mileage credits relates to our co-brand credit card relationship with American Express. Our agreements with American Express provide for joint marketing, grant certain benefits to Delta-American Express co-branded credit card holders ("Cardholders") and American Express Membership Rewards Program participants and allow American Express to market using our customer database. Cardholders earn mileage credits for making purchases using co-branded cards, may check their first bag for free, are granted access to Delta SkyClub lounges and receive other benefits while traveling on Delta. These benefits that we provide in the form of separate products and services under the SkyMiles agreements are referred to as "deliverables." Additionally, participants in the American Express Membership Rewards program may exchange their points for mileage credits under the SkyMiles Program. As a result, we sell mileage credits at agreed upon rates to American Express for provision to their customers under the co-brand credit card program and the Membership Rewards program.
	In September 2013, we and American Express modified our SkyMiles agreements. This modification required that we use a different accounting standard for recording SkyMiles sold. Prior to the modifications, we allocated consideration we received from selling miles to American Express among two primary deliverables: credit redeemable for future travel and marketing deliverables. We deferred revenue related to the portion of mileage credits redeemable for future travel based on the rate at which we sell mileage credits to other airlines. We calculated the value of the marketing component based on the residual method and recognize it as other revenue as related marketing services are provided.
	The September 2013 modifications introduced new deliverables and modified existing deliverables. Because these modifications were material to the SkyMiles agreements, we are required to use a different accounting standard that allocates the consideration received from selling miles to all deliverables based on their relative standalone sales price. Accordingly, we determined our best estimate of selling prices by considering discounted cash flows analysis using multiple inputs and assumptions, including: (1) the expected number of miles awarded and number of miles redeemed, (2) the rate at which we sell mileage credits to other airlines, (3) published rates on our website for baggage fees, access to Delta SkyClub lounges and other benefits while traveling on Delta and (4) brand value. The effect of this change in accounting standard lowered the deferral rate we use to record miles sold under the agreements, which increases revenue we will record in future periods. The revenue impact of the SkyMiles agreement modifications was insignificant for 2013 and is expected to increase 2014 revenue by approximately $100 million. Additionally, upon application of this accounting standard, we were required to adjust the recorded value of miles currently deferred in our Frequent Flyer Liability that originated through the American Express programs. Accordingly, we adjusted the liability in the September 2013 quarter by less than $10 million.
	Breakage. For mileage credits that we estimate are not likely to be redeemed (“breakage”), we recognize the associated value proportionally during the period in which the remaining mileage credits are expected to be redeemed. Management uses statistical models to estimate breakage based on historical redemption patterns. A change in assumptions as to the period over which mileage credits are expected to be redeemed, the actual redemption activity for mileage credits or the estimated fair value of mileage credits expected to be redeemed could have a material impact on our revenue in the year in which the change occurs and in future years.
	Regional Carriers Revenue
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, we had contract carrier agreements with third party regional carriers ("Contract Carriers"), in addition to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Endeavor. In May 2013, Endeavor (formerly Pinnacle Airlines, Inc.) emerged from bankruptcy and we became its sole owner pursuant to a confirmed plan of reorganization. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Comair, Inc. ("Comair") ceased operations in September 2012 (see Note 16).
	Our Contract Carrier agreements are structured as either (1) capacity purchase agreements where we purchase all or a portion of the Contract Carrier's capacity and are responsible for selling the seat inventory we purchase or (2) revenue proration agreements, which are based on a fixed dollar or percentage division of revenues for tickets sold to passengers traveling on connecting flight itineraries. We record revenue related to all of our Contract Carrier agreements as regional carriers passenger revenue. We record expenses related to our Contract Carrier agreements, as regional carrier expense.
	Cargo Revenue
	Cargo revenue is recognized when we provide the transportation.
	Other Revenue
	Other revenue is primarily comprised of (1) the marketing component of the sale of mileage credits discussed above, (2) baggage fee revenue, (3) other miscellaneous service revenue, including ticket change fees and (4) revenue from ancillary businesses, such as the aircraft maintenance and repair and staffing services we provide to third parties.
	Long-Lived Assets
	The following table shows our property and equipment:
		December 31,
(in millions, except for estimated useful life)	Estimated Useful Life	2013			2012
Flight equipment	21-30 years	$	23,373		$	21,481
Ground property and equipment	3-40 years	4,596			4,254
Flight and ground equipment under capital leases	Shorter of lease term or estimated useful life	1,296			1,381
Advance payments for equipment		381			253
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization(1)		(7,792		)	(6,656		)
Total property and equipment, net		$	21,854		$	20,713
(1) Includes accumulated amortization for flight and ground equipment under capital leases in the amount of $657 million and $653 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
We record property and equipment at cost and depreciate or amortize these assets on a straight-line basis to their estimated residual values over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful life for leasehold improvements is the shorter of lease term or estimated useful life. Depreciation expense for each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $1.4 billion. Residual values for owned aircraft, engines, spare parts and simulators are generally 5% to 10% of cost.
We capitalize certain internal and external costs incurred to develop and implement software, and amortize those costs over an estimated useful life of three to seven years. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we recorded $110 million, $76 million and $64 million, respectively, for amortization of capitalized software. The net book value of these assets totaled $383 million and $344 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
We record impairment losses on flight equipment and other long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate the assets may be impaired and the estimated future cash flows generated by those assets are less than their carrying amounts. Factors which could cause impairment include, but are not limited to, (1) a decision to permanently remove flight equipment or other long-lived assets from operations, (2) significant changes in the estimated useful life, (3) significant changes in projected cash flows, (4) permanent and significant declines in fleet fair values and (5) changes to the regulatory environment. For long-lived assets held for sale, we discontinue depreciation and record impairment losses when the carrying amount of these assets is greater than the fair value less the cost to sell.
To determine whether impairments exist for aircraft used in operations, we group assets at the fleet-type level (the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows) and then estimate future cash flows based on projections of capacity, passenger mile yield, fuel costs, labor costs and other relevant factors. If an impairment occurs, the impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the aircraft's carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value. We estimate aircraft fair values using published sources, appraisals and bids received from third parties, as available.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We apply a fair value-based impairment test to the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis (as of October 1) and, if certain events or circumstances indicate that an impairment loss may have been incurred, on an interim basis. In 2012, the FASB issued "Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment." The standard gives companies the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired rather than calculating the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. It is effective prospectively for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this standard and have applied the provisions to our annual indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests in both the December 2013 and 2012 quarters. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In September 2011, the FASB issued "Testing Goodwill for Impairment." The standard revises the way in which entities test goodwill for impairment. We adopted this standard and applied its provisions to our annual goodwill impairment tests in each of the December 2013, 2012 and 2011 quarters.
We value goodwill and identified intangible assets primarily using market capitalization and income approach valuation techniques. These measurements include the following significant unobservable inputs: (1) our projected revenues, expenses and cash flows, (2) an estimated weighted average cost of capital, (3) assumed discount rates depending on the asset and (4) a tax rate. These assumptions are consistent with those hypothetical market participants would use. Since we are required to make estimates and assumptions when evaluating goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, the actual amounts may differ materially from these estimates.
Changes in certain events and circumstances could result in impairment. Factors which could cause impairment include, but are not limited to, (1) negative trends in our market capitalization, (2) an increase in fuel prices, (3) declining passenger mile yields, (4) lower passenger demand as a result of a weakened U.S. and global economy, (5) interruption to our operations due to a prolonged employee strike, terrorist attack, or other reasons and (6) changes to the regulatory environment.
Goodwill. Our goodwill balance, which is related to the airline segment, was $9.8 billion at December 31, 2013. In evaluating goodwill for impairment, we estimate the fair value of our reporting unit by considering market capitalization and other factors if it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If the reporting unit's fair value exceeds its carrying value, no further testing is required. If, however, the reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, we then determine the amount of the impairment charge, if any. We recognize an impairment charge if the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its estimated fair value.
Identifiable Intangible Assets. Our identifiable intangible assets, which are related to the airline segment, had a net carrying amount of $4.7 billion at December 31, 2013. Indefinite-lived assets are not amortized and consist of routes, slots, the Delta tradename and assets related to SkyTeam. Definite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of marketing agreements and are amortized on a straight-line basis or under the undiscounted cash flows method over the estimated economic life of the respective agreements. Costs incurred to renew or extend the term of an intangible asset are expensed as incurred.
We assess our indefinite-lived assets under a qualitative or quantitative approach. We analyze market factors to determine if events and circumstances have affected the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets. If we determine that it is more likely than not that the asset value may be impaired, we use the quantitative approach to assess the asset's fair value and the amount of the impairment. We perform the quantitative impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets by comparing the asset's fair value to its carrying value. Fair value is estimated based on (1) recent market transactions, where available, (2) a combination of limited market transactions and the lease savings method for certain airport slots (which reflects potential lease savings from owning the slots rather than leasing them from another airline at market rates), (3) the royalty method for the Delta tradename (which assumes hypothetical royalties generated from using our tradename) or (4) projected discounted future cash flows. We recognize an impairment charge if the asset's carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value.
Income Taxes
We account for deferred income taxes under the liability method. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities, as measured by current enacted tax rates. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded net as current and noncurrent deferred income taxes. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when necessary. For additional information about our income taxes, see Note 12.
Manufacturers' Credits
We periodically receive credits in connection with the acquisition of aircraft and engines. These credits are deferred until the aircraft and engines are delivered, and then applied on a pro rata basis as a reduction to the cost of the related equipment.
Maintenance Costs
We record maintenance costs to aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs. Maintenance costs are expensed as incurred, except for costs incurred under power-by-the-hour contracts, which are expensed based on actual hours flown. Power-by-the-hour contracts transfer certain risk to third party service providers and fix the amount we pay per flight hour to the service provider in exchange for maintenance and repairs under a predefined maintenance program. Modifications that enhance the operating performance or extend the useful lives of airframes or engines are capitalized and amortized over the remaining estimated useful life of the asset or the remaining lease term, whichever is shorter.
Advertising Costs
We expense advertising costs as other selling expenses in the year incurred. Advertising expense was approximately $200 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Commissions
Passenger sales commissions are recognized in operating expense when the related revenue is recognized.

Oil_Refinery_Notes

Oil Refinery (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	OIL REFINERY
	Fuel expense is our single largest expense. Prior to our acquisition of an oil refinery, global demand for jet fuel and related products had increased while jet fuel refining capacity had decreased in the U.S. (particularly in the Northeast), resulting in increases in the refining margin reflected in the prices we paid for jet fuel. In June 2012, we purchased an oil refinery as part of our strategy to mitigate the increasing cost of the refining margin we pay. Our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Monroe Energy, LLC and MIPC, LLC (collectively, “Monroe”), acquired the Trainer refinery and related assets located near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from Phillips 66, which had shut down operations at the refinery. Monroe invested $180 million to acquire the refinery. Monroe received a $30 million grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The acquisition includes pipelines and terminal assets that allow the refinery to supply jet fuel to our airline operations throughout the Northeastern U.S., including our New York hubs at LaGuardia and JFK.
	We accounted for the refinery acquisition as a business combination. The refinery, pipelines and terminal assets acquired were recorded at $180 million in property and equipment, net based on their respective fair values on the closing date of the transaction.
	Refinery Operations and Strategic Agreements
	BP is the primary supplier of crude oil used by the refinery under a three year agreement. The refinery's production consists of jet fuel, as well as gasoline, diesel and other refined products ("non-jet fuel products"). Under a multi-year agreement, we are exchanging a significant portion of the non-jet fuel products with Phillips 66 for jet fuel to be used in our airline operations. In addition, we are selling most of the remaining production of non-jet fuel products to BP under a buy/sell agreement, effectively exchanging those non-jet fuel products for jet fuel. Substantially all of the refinery's production of non-jet fuel products is included in these agreements. The gross fair value of the products exchanged under these agreements during years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $5.4 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively.
	Segment Reporting
	Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources to our segments and in assessing performance. Our chief operating decision maker is considered to be our executive leadership team. Our executive leadership team regularly reviews discrete information for our two operating segments, which are determined by the products and services provided: our airline segment and our refinery segment.
	Our airline segment provides scheduled air transportation for passengers and cargo throughout the United States and around the world and other ancillary airline services, including maintenance and repair services for third parties. Our refinery segment provides jet fuel to the airline segment from its own production and through jet fuel obtained through the agreements with Phillips 66 and BP. The costs included in the refinery segment are primarily for the benefit of the airline segment. As a result, our segments are not designed to measure operating income or loss directly related to the products and services included in each segment on a stand-alone basis.
	Segment results are prepared based on our internal accounting methods described below, with reconciliations to consolidated amounts in accordance with GAAP.
	(in millions)	Airline		Refinery			Intersegment Sales/Other				Consolidated
	Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Operating revenue:	$	37,773	$	7,003						$	37,773
	Sales to airline segment						$	(1,156	)	(1)
	Exchanged products						(5,352		)	(2)
	Sales of refined products to third parties						(495		)	(3)
	Operating income (loss)	3,516		(116		)					3,400
	Interest expense, net	698		—							698
	Depreciation and amortization expense	1,641		17							1,658
	Total assets, end of period	51,080		1,172							52,252
	Capital expenditures	2,516		52							2,568
	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Operating revenue:	$	36,670	$	1,347						$	36,670
	Sales to airline segment						$	(213	)	(1)
	Exchanged products						(1,121		)	(2)
	Sales of refined products to third parties						(13		)	(3)
	Operating income (loss)	2,238		(63		)					2,175
	Interest expense, net	812		—							812
	Depreciation and amortization expense	1,561		4							1,565
	Total assets, end of period	43,386		1,164							44,550
	Capital expenditures	1,637		331							1,968
	-1	Represents transfers, valued on a market price basis, from the refinery to the airline segment for use in airline operations. We determine market price by reference to the market index for the primary delivery location for jet fuel from the refinery, which is New York Harbor.
	-2	Represents value of products exchanged under our buy/sell agreements, as discussed above, determined on a market price basis.
	-3	Represents sales of refined products to third parties. These sales were at or near cost; accordingly, the margin on these sales is de minimis.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Notes

Fair Value Measurements (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
	•	Level 1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
	•	Level 2. Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
	•	Level 3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on the valuation techniques identified in the tables below. The valuation techniques are as follows:
	(a)	Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; and
	(b)	Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).
	Assets (Liabilities) Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis(1)
	(in millions)	December 31, 2013			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Valuation
												Technique
	Cash equivalents	$	2,487		$	2,487	$	—		$	—	(a)
	Short-term investments	959			959		—			—		(a)
	Restricted cash equivalents and investments	118			118		—			—		(a)
	Long-term investments	109			80		29			—		(a)(b)
	Hedge derivatives, net
	Fuel hedge contracts	314			16		298			—		(a)(b)
	Interest rate contracts	(67		)	—		(67		)	—		(a)(b)
	Foreign currency exchange contracts	257			—		257			—		(a)
	(in millions)	December 31, 2012			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Valuation
												Technique
	Cash equivalents	$	2,176		$	2,176	$	—		$	—	(a)
	Short-term investments	958			958		—			—		(a)
	Restricted cash equivalents and investments	344			344		—			—		(a)
	Long-term investments	208			100		27			81		(a)(b)
	Hedge derivatives, net
	Fuel hedge contracts	249			27		222			—		(a)(b)
	Interest rate contracts	(66		)	—		(66		)	—		(a)(b)
	Foreign currency exchange contracts	123			—		123			—		(a)
	(1)	See Note 11, “Employee Benefit Plans”, for fair value of benefit plan assets.
	Cash Equivalents, Short-term Investments and Restricted Cash Equivalents and Investments. Cash equivalents and short-term investments generally consist of money market funds and treasury bills. Restricted cash equivalents and investments primarily support letters of credit that meet certain projected self-insurance obligations and airport commitments and generally consist of money market funds and time deposits. These investments are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value. Fair value is based on a market approach using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets.
	Long-term Investments. Our long-term investments that are measured at fair value primarily consist of equity investments in Grupo Aeromexico, S.A.B. de C.V., the parent company of Aeromexico, and GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes, S.A, the parent company of GOL. Shares of the parent companies of Aeromexico and GOL are traded on public exchanges and we have valued our investments based on quoted market prices. The investments are classified in other noncurrent assets. In 2013, we sold our remaining auction rate securities, which were previously classified as Level 3 instruments.
	Hedge Derivatives. Our derivative contracts are generally negotiated with counterparties without going through a public exchange. Accordingly, our fair value assessments give consideration to the risk of counterparty default (as well as our own credit risk).
	•	Fuel Derivatives. Our fuel hedge portfolio consists of call options; put options; combinations of two or more call options and put options; swap contracts; and futures contracts. The products underlying the hedge contracts include crude oil, diesel fuel and jet fuel as these commodities are highly correlated with the price of jet fuel that we consume. Option contracts are valued under an income approach using option pricing models based on data either readily observable in public markets, derived from public markets or provided by counterparties who regularly trade in public markets. Volatilities used in these valuations ranged from 9% to 25% depending on the maturity dates, underlying commodities and strike prices of the option contracts. Swap contracts are valued under an income approach using a discounted cash flow model based on data either readily observable or derived from public markets. Discount rates used in these valuations vary with the maturity dates of the respective contracts and are based on LIBOR. Futures contracts and options on futures contracts are traded on a public exchange and valued based on quoted market prices.
	•	Interest Rate Derivatives. Our interest rate derivatives consist primarily of swap contracts and are valued primarily based on data readily observable in public markets.
	•	Foreign Currency Derivatives. Our foreign currency derivatives consist of Japanese yen and Canadian dollar forward contracts and are valued based on data readily observable in public markets.

Derivatives_and_Risk_Managemen

Derivatives and Risk Management (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	DERIVATIVES AND RISK MANAGEMENT
	Changes in aircraft fuel prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates impact our results of operations. In an effort to manage our exposure to these risks, we enter into derivative contracts and may adjust our derivative portfolio as market conditions change.
	Aircraft Fuel Price Risk
	Changes in aircraft fuel prices materially impact our results of operations. We actively manage our fuel price risk through a hedging program intended to reduce the financial impact on us from changes in the price of jet fuel. We utilize several different contract and commodity types in this program and frequently test its economic effectiveness against our financial targets. We rebalance the hedge portfolio from time to time according to market conditions, which may result in locking in gains or losses on hedge contracts prior to their settlement dates.
	During 2011, we stopped designating substantially all of our new fuel derivative contracts as accounting hedges and discontinued hedge accounting for fuel derivative contracts that had previously been designated as accounting hedges. As a result, we record changes in the fair value of our fuel hedges in aircraft fuel and related taxes. These changes in fair value include settled gains and losses as well as mark to market adjustments ("MTM adjustments"). MTM adjustments are based on market prices as of the end of the reporting period for contracts settling in future periods. Prior to this change in accounting designation, gains or losses on these contracts were deferred in AOCI until contract settlement. At contract settlement, the gains or losses were then reclassified to aircraft fuel and related taxes. As of December 31, 2013, there are no fuel derivative contracts designated as accounting hedges.
	The following table shows the impact of fuel hedge losses (gains) for both designated and undesignated contracts on aircraft fuel and related taxes:
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012			2011
	Airline segment	$	(444	)	$	81		$	(187	)
	Refinery Segment	(49		)	—			—
	Effective portion reclassified from AOCI to earnings	—			(15		)	(233		)
	(Gains) losses recorded in aircraft fuel and related taxes	$	(493	)	$	66		$	(420	)
	Interest Rate Risk
	Our exposure to market risk from adverse changes in interest rates is primarily associated with our long-term debt obligations. Market risk associated with our fixed and variable rate long-term debt relates to the potential reduction in fair value and negative impact to future earnings, respectively, from an increase in interest rates.
	In an effort to manage our exposure to the risk associated with our variable rate long-term debt, we periodically enter into interest rate swaps. We designate interest rate contracts used to convert the interest rate exposure on a portion of our debt portfolio from a floating rate to a fixed rate as cash flow hedges, while those contracts converting our interest rate exposure from a fixed rate to a floating rate are designated as fair value hedges.
	We also have exposure to market risk from adverse changes in interest rates associated with our cash and cash equivalents and benefit plan obligations. Market risk associated with our cash and cash equivalents relates to the potential decline in interest income from a decrease in interest rates. Pension, postretirement, postemployment, and worker's compensation obligation risk relates to the potential increase in our future obligations and expenses from a decrease in interest rates used to discount these obligations.
	Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
	We are subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk because we have revenue and expense denominated in foreign currencies with our primary exposures being the Japanese yen and Canadian dollar. To manage exchange rate risk, we execute both our international revenue and expense transactions in the same foreign currency to the extent practicable. From time to time, we may also enter into foreign currency option and forward contracts. These foreign currency exchange contracts are designated as cash flow hedges.
	Hedge Position as of December 31, 2013
	(in millions)	Notional Balance				Final Maturity Date	Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets			Other Noncurrent Assets			Other Accrued Liabilities			Other Noncurrent Liabilities			Hedge Derivatives, net
	Designated as hedges
	Interest rate contracts (cash flow hedges)	$	477		U.S. dollars	May-19	$	—		$	—		$	(17	)	$	(26	)	$	(43	)
	Interest rate contracts (fair value hedges)	$	445		U.S. dollars	Aug-22	—			—			(2		)	(22		)	(24		)
	Foreign currency exchange contracts	120,915			Japanese yen	Aug-16	157			100			—			—			257
		438			Canadian dollars
	Not designated as hedges
	Fuel hedge contracts	4,077			gallons - crude oil, diesel and jet fuel	Mar-15	428			29			(127		)	(16		)	314
	Total derivative contracts						$	585		$	129		$	(146	)	$	(64	)	$	504
	Hedge Position as of December 31, 2012
	(in millions)	Notional Balance				Final Maturity Date	Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets			Other Noncurrent Assets			Other Accrued Liabilities			Other Noncurrent Liabilities			Hedge Derivatives, net
	Designated as hedges
	Interest rate contracts (cash flow hedges)	$	740		U.S. dollars	May-19	$	—		$	—		$	(22	)	$	(48	)	$	(70	)
	Interest rate contracts (fair value hedges)	$	469		U.S. dollars	Aug-22	—			6			(2		)	—			4
	Foreign currency exchange contracts	119,277			Japanese yen	Dec-15	62			63			(1		)	(1		)	123
		430			Canadian dollars
	Not designated as hedges
	Fuel contracts	1,792			gallons - heating oil, crude oil and jet fuel	Dec-13	511			—			(262		)	—			249
	Total derivative contracts						$	573		$	69		$	(287	)	$	(49	)	$	306
	Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
	We have master netting arrangements with all of our counterparties giving us the right of setoff. We have elected not to offset the fair value positions recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table shows the potential net fair value positions had we elected to offset.
	(in millions)	Prepaid Expenses and Other			Other Noncurrent Assets			Other Accrued Liabilities			Other Noncurrent Liabilities			Hedge Derivatives, Net
	December 31, 2013
	Net derivative contracts	$	456		$	116		$	(19	)	$	(49	)	$	504
	December 31, 2012
	Net derivative contracts	$	320		$	69		$	(34	)	$	(49	)	$	306
	Designated Hedge Gains (Losses)
	Gains (losses) related to our designated hedge contracts, including those previously designated as accounting hedges, are as follows:
		Effective Portion Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings										Effective Portion Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012			2011				2013			2012			2011
	Fuel hedge contracts	$	—		$	15		$	233			$	—		$	(15	)	$	(166	)
	Interest rate contracts	—			(5		)	—				28			14			(8		)
	Foreign currency exchange contracts	135			(25		)	(61		)		133			212			7
	Total designated	$	135		$	(15	)	$	172			$	161		$	211		$	(167	)
	As of December 31, 2013, we have recorded $157 million of net gains on cash flow hedge contracts in AOCI, which are scheduled to settle and be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.
	Credit Risk
	To manage credit risk associated with our aircraft fuel price, interest rate and foreign currency hedging programs, we select counterparties based on their credit ratings and limit our exposure to any one counterparty.
	Our hedge contracts contain margin funding requirements. The margin funding requirements may cause us to post margin to counterparties or may cause counterparties to post margin to us as market prices in the underlying hedged items change. Due to the fair value position of our hedge contracts, we received net margin of $65 million and $62 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Margin received is recorded in accounts payable and margin posted is recorded in prepaid expenses and other.
	Our accounts receivable are generated largely from the sale of passenger airline tickets and cargo transportation services. The majority of these sales are processed through major credit card companies, resulting in accounts receivable that may be subject to certain holdbacks by the credit card processors. We also have receivables from the sale of mileage credits under our SkyMiles Program to participating airlines and non-airline businesses such as credit card companies, hotels and car rental agencies. The credit risk associated with our receivables is minimal.
	Self-Insurance Risk
	We self-insure a portion of our losses from claims related to workers' compensation, environmental issues, property damage, medical insurance for employees and general liability. Losses are accrued based on an estimate of the aggregate liability for claims incurred, using independent actuarial reviews based on standard industry practices and our historical experience. A portion of our projected workers' compensation liability is secured with restricted cash collateral.

JFK_Redevelopment_Notes

JFK Redevelopment (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
JFK Redevelopment [Abstract]	'
JFKRedevelopment [Text Block]	'
	JFK REDEVELOPMENT
	We are optimizing our international and trans-continental flight schedule and undertaking a redevelopment project at John F. Kennedy International Airport (“JFK”) to facilitate convenient connections for our passengers and improve coordination with our SkyTeam alliance partners. Prior to beginning the redevelopment project, we primarily operated domestic flights out of Terminal 2 and international flights out of Terminal 3 under leases with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (“Port Authority”), which operates JFK. Our redevelopment project, which began in 2010, is on schedule. Terminal 4 is operated by JFK International Air Terminal LLC (“IAT”), a private party, under its lease with the Port Authority. We have constructed nine new international gates in Terminal 4, which opened in 2013. We have relocated our operations from Terminal 3 to our newly constructed facilities at Terminal 4 and have begun the demolition of Terminal 3. During 2013, we announced plans for an additional $180 million expansion project that will add 11 more gates at Terminal 4. With the expansion project, we will relocate our regional jet operations from Terminal 2 to Terminal 4.
	In December 2010, the Port Authority issued approximately $800 million principal amount of special project bonds to fund the substantial majority of the project. Also in December 2010, we entered into a 33 year agreement with IAT (“Sublease”) to sublease space in Terminal 4. IAT is unconditionally obligated under its lease with the Port Authority to pay rentals from the revenues it receives from its operation and management of Terminal 4, including among others our rental payments under the Sublease, in an amount sufficient to pay principal and interest on the bonds. We do not guarantee payment of the bonds. The balance of the project costs will be provided by Port Authority passenger facility charges, Transportation Security Administration funding and our contributions. Our future rental payments will vary based on our share of total passenger and baggage counts at Terminal 4, the number of gates we occupy in Terminal 4, IAT's actual expenses of operating Terminal 4 and other factors.
	We are responsible for the management and construction of the project and bear construction risk, including cost overruns. We record an asset for project costs as construction takes place, regardless of funding source. These costs include design fees, labor and construction permits, as well as physical construction costs such as paving, systems, utilities and other costs generally associated with construction projects. The project will also include capitalized interest based on amounts we spend calculated based on our weighted average incremental borrowing rate. The related construction obligation is recorded as a liability and is equal to project costs funded by parties other than us. Future rental payments will reduce the construction obligation and result in the recording of interest expense, calculated using the effective interest method. During the construction period, we are also incurring costs for construction site ground rental expense and remediation and abatement activities, which are expensed as incurred. As of December 31, 2013, we have recorded $675 million as a fixed asset as if we owned the asset and $646 million as the related construction obligation.
	We have an equity-method investment in the entity which owns IAT, our sublessor at Terminal 4. The Sublease requires us to pay certain fixed management fees. We determined the investment is a variable interest and assessed whether we have a controlling financial interest in IAT. Our rights under the Sublease with respect to management of Terminal 4 are consistent with rights granted to an anchor tenant under a standard airport lease. Accordingly, we do not consolidate the entity in which we have an investment in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Intangible_Assets_Notes

Intangible Assets (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
		Carrying Amount at December 31,
	(in millions)	2013		2012
	International routes and slots	$	2,287	$	2,240
	Delta tradename	850		850
	SkyTeam related assets	661		661
	Domestic slots	622		622
	Total	$	4,420	$	4,373
	International Routes and Slots. Our remaining international routes and slots primarily relate to the Pacific region. The U.S. and Japan have a bilateral agreement that allows U.S. air carriers unlimited flying to and from Japan under route authorities granted by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Access to the primary Japanese airports (Haneda and Narita airports in Tokyo) is regulated through allocations of slots, which limit the rights of carriers to operate at these airports. The U.S. and Japan have agreed on plans for a limited number of additional slots at these airports. The substantial number of slots we hold at Tokyo Narita Airport, combined with limited-entry rights we hold in other countries, enables us to operate a hub at Tokyo serving the Asia-Pacific region. We currently believe that the current U.S.-Japan bilateral agreement will not have a significant long-term impact on our Pacific routes and slots; therefore, these assets continue to have an indefinite life and are not presently impaired.
	Negative changes to our operations could result in an impairment charge or a change from indefinite-lived to definite-lived in the period in which the changes occur or are projected to occur.
	Domestic Slots. In December 2011, we and US Airways exchanged takeoff and landing rights at LaGuardia Airport ("LaGuardia") and Reagan National airports. Under the agreement, (1) we acquired 132 slot pairs at LaGuardia from US Airways and (2) US Airways acquired from us 42 slot pairs at Reagan National and $67 million in cash. Additionally, we divested 16 slot pairs at LaGuardia and eight slot pairs at Reagan National to airlines with limited or no service at those airports and received $90 million in cash proceeds from the sale of the divested slot pairs. The divestiture of these slot pairs resulted in the recognition of a $43 million gain during the December 2011 quarter in restructuring and other items on our Consolidated Statement of Operations. This gain was offset by a $50 million impairment charge recorded on our Moscow slots, for a net $7 million loss recorded during 2011.
	The 132 slot pairs at LaGuardia acquired in 2011 were recorded at fair value. We estimated their fair value using a combination of limited market transactions and the lease savings method, which is an income approach. These assets are classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The carrying value related to the 42 slot pairs at Reagan National acquired by US Airways was removed from our indefinite-lived intangible assets. In approving the transaction, the Department of Transportation restricted our use of the exchanged slots. We recorded a $78 million deferred gain in December 2011. We recognized this deferred gain in 2012 as the restrictions lapsed.
	Definite-Lived Intangible Assets
		December 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
	(in millions)	Gross					Gross
		Carrying		Accumulated			Carrying		Accumulated
		Amount		Amortization			Amount		Amortization
	Marketing agreements	$	730	$	(602	)	$	730	$	(545	)
	Contracts	193		(83		)	193		(72		)
	Other	53		(53		)	53		(53		)
	Total	$	976	$	(738	)	$	976	$	(670	)
	Amortization expense for each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $70 million. The following table summarizes the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years:
	Years Ending December 31,
	(in millions)
	2014	$	67
	2015	67
	2016	9
	2017	9
	2018	8

American_Express_Relationship_

American Express Relationship (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
American Express Relationship [Abstract]	'
American Express Relationship [Text Block]	'
	AMERICAN EXPRESS RELATIONSHIP
	General. Our agreements with American Express provide for joint marketing, grant certain benefits to Delta-American Express co-branded credit card holders ("Cardholders") and American Express Membership Rewards Program participants and allow American Express to market using our customer database. Cardholders earn mileage credits for making purchases using co-branded cards, may check their first bag for free, are granted access to Delta SkyClub lounges and receive other benefits while traveling on Delta. These benefits that we provide in the form of separate products and services under the SkyMiles agreements are referred to as "deliverables." Additionally, participants in the American Express Membership Rewards program may exchange their points for mileage credits under the SkyMiles Program. As a result, we sell mileage credits at agreed upon rates to American Express for provision to their customers under the co-brand credit card program and the Membership Rewards program.
	During 2013, we amended our agreements with American Express that modified the products and services provided under the agreements. The amendments changed certain mileage award redemptions, access to SkyClubs, among other things. For a description of how these amendments changed our accounting, please see Note 1 under Frequent Flyer Program.
	Advance Purchase of Restricted SkyMiles. In 2008, we entered into a multi-year extension of our American Express agreements and received $1.0 billion from American Express for an advance purchase of Restricted SkyMiles (the "prepayment"). The 2008 agreement provided that our obligations with respect to the advance purchase would be satisfied as American Express uses the purchased miles over a specified future period (“SkyMiles Usage Period”), rather than by cash payments from us to American Express. Due to the SkyMiles Usage Period and other restrictions placed upon American Express regarding the timing and use of the SkyMiles, we classified the $1.0 billion prepayment we received as long-term debt.
	In 2010, we amended our 2008 American Express agreement. The amendments, among other things, (1) provided that Cardholders could check their first bag for free on every Delta flight through June 2013 ("Baggage Fee Waiver Period"), (2) changed the SkyMiles Usage Period to a three-year period beginning in the December 2011 quarter from a two-year period beginning in December 2010 quarter and (3) gave American Express the option to extend our agreements with them for one year.
	During the SkyMiles Usage Period, American Express was drawing down on the prepayment instead of paying cash to Delta for SkyMiles used. As SkyMiles are used by American Express, we recognized the two separate revenue components of these SkyMiles consistent with our accounting policy discussed in Note 1. In December 2013, we and American Express amended this agreement to allow American Express to use these SkyMiles immediately and without restriction. As a result, in the December 2013 quarter, the remaining $285 million of the original $1.0 billion pre-payment was classified as frequent flyer deferred revenue with a portion related to the marketing component recorded within other accrued liabilities.
	Annual Sale of Unrestricted SkyMiles. In December 2011, we amended our American Express agreements to sell to American Express $675 million of unrestricted SkyMiles in each of the four years ending 2014. The December 2011 amendment also extends the Baggage Fee Waiver Period. The SkyMiles purchased pursuant to the December 2011 amendment may be used immediately by American Express. The usage of these SkyMiles is not restricted in any way. These annual purchases of SkyMiles are recorded as deferred revenue within current liabilities. The portion of each purchase of SkyMiles related to mileage credits redeemable for future travel are classified within frequent flyer deferred revenue and the portion related to the marketing component are classified within other accrued liabilities. The December 2011 amendment does not change the number of miles that we expect American Express to purchase from us over the four year period; it only impacts the timing of those purchases.
	Fuel Card Obligation. In December 2011, we obtained a purchasing card with American Express for the purpose of buying jet fuel and crude oil. The card currently carries a maximum credit limit of $612 million and must be paid monthly. At December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had $602 million and $455 million, respectively, outstanding on this purchasing card, which was classified as fuel card obligation.

Long_Term_Debt_Notes

Long Term Debt (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	LONG-TERM DEBT
	The following table summarizes our long-term debt:
		Maturity			Interest Rate(s) Per Annum at			December 31,
	(in millions)	Dates			December 31, 2013			2013			2012
	Pacific Facilities:
	Pacific Term Loan B-1(2)	Oct-18			4.00%	variable(1)		$	1,089		$	1,100
	Pacific Term Loan B-2(2)	Apr-16			3.25%	variable(1)		396			400
	Pacific Revolving Facility ($450)	Oct-17			undrawn	variable(1)		—			—
	2011 Credit Facilities:
	Term Loan Facility(2)	Apr-17			3.50%	variable(1)		1,341			1,354
	Revolving Credit Facility ($1,225)	Apr-16			undrawn	variable(1)		—			—
	Other Secured Financing Arrangements:
	Certificates(2)(3)	2014	to	2023	4.75%	to	9.75%	3,834			4,314
	Aircraft financings(2)(3)	2014	to	2025	0.64%	to	6.76%	3,787			3,964
	Other financings(2)(4)	2014	to	2031	0.00%	to	6.12%	627			707
	Other Revolving Credit Facilities ($250)	2014	to	2015	undrawn	variable(1)		—			—
	Total secured debt							11,074			11,839
	American Express - Advance Purchase of Restricted SkyMiles(5)							—			619
	Other unsecured debt(2)	2014	to	2035	3.01%	to	9.00%	154			175
	Total unsecured debt							154			794
	Total secured and unsecured debt							11,228			12,633
	Unamortized discount, net							(383		)	(527		)
	Total debt							10,845			12,106
	Less: current maturities							(1,449		)	(1,507		)
	Total long-term debt							$	9,396		$	10,599
	(1)	Interest rate equal to LIBOR (generally subject to a floor) or another index rate, in each case plus a specified margin.
	(2)	Due in installments.
	(3)	Secured by aircraft.
	(4)	Primarily includes loans secured by spare parts, spare engines and real estate.
	(5)	For additional information about our debt associated with American Express, see Note 7.
	Pacific Facilities
	In October 2012, we entered into senior secured credit facilities (the "Pacific Facilities") to borrow up to $2.0 billion. The Pacific Facilities consist of two first lien term loan facilities (the "Pacific Term Loans") and a $450 million revolving credit facility (the "Pacific Revolving Facility"). Borrowings under the Pacific Term Loans must be repaid annually in an amount equal to 1% per year of the original principal amount of the respective loans (to be paid in equal quarterly installments). The remaining unamortized principal amounts under the Pacific Term Loans are due on their final maturity dates.
	Our obligations under the Pacific Facilities are guaranteed by substantially all of our domestic subsidiaries (the "Guarantors") and secured by a first lien on our Pacific route authorities and certain related assets. For a discussion of related financial covenants, see "Key Financial Covenants" below.
	2011 Credit Facilities
	In 2011, we entered into senior secured first-lien credit facilities (the “2011 Credit Facilities”) to borrow up to $2.6 billion. The 2011 Credit Facilities consist of a $1.4 billion first-lien term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”) and a $1.2 billion first-lien revolving credit facility, up to $500 million of which may be used for the issuance of letters of credit (the “Revolving Credit Facility”).
	Borrowings under the Term Loan Facility must be repaid annually in an amount equal to 1% of the original principal amount (to be paid in equal quarterly installments), with the balance due in 2017. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are due in 2016.
	Our obligations under the 2011 Credit Facilities are guaranteed by the Guarantors. The 2011 Credit Facilities and the related guarantees are secured by liens on certain of our and the Guarantors' assets, including accounts receivable, flight equipment, ground property and equipment, certain aircraft, spare engines and parts, certain non-Pacific international routes, domestic slots, real estate and certain investments (the “Collateral”). For a discussion of related financial covenants, see "Key Financial Covenants" below.
	Key Financial Covenants
	The credit facilities discussed above include affirmative, negative and financial covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things, make investments, sell or otherwise dispose of collateral if we are not in compliance with the collateral coverage ratio tests described below, pay dividends or repurchase stock. We were in compliance with all covenants in our financing agreements at December 31, 2013.
		Pacific Facilities	2011 Credit Facilities
	Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (1)	1.20:1	1.20:1
	Minimum Unrestricted Liquidity
	Unrestricted cash and permitted investments	n/a	$1.0 billion
	Unrestricted cash, permitted investments and undrawn revolving credit facilities	$2.0 billion	$2.0 billion
	Minimum Collateral Coverage Ratio (2)	1.60:1	1.67:1 (3)
	(1)	Defined as the ratio of (a) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and aircraft rent and other adjustments to net income to (b) the sum of gross cash interest expense (including the interest portion of our capitalized lease obligations) and cash aircraft rent expense, for the 12-month period ending as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.
	(2)	Defined as the ratio of (a) certain of the collateral that meets specified eligibility standards to (b) the sum of the aggregate outstanding obligations and certain other obligations.
	(3)	Excluding the non-Pacific international routes from the collateral for purposes of the calculation, the required minimum collateral coverage ratio is 0.75:1
	Availability Under Revolving Credit Facilities
	The table below shows availability under revolving credit facilities, all of which were undrawn, as of December 31, 2013:
	(in millions)
	Revolving Credit Facility	$	1,225
	Pacific Revolving Credit Facility	450
	Other Revolving Credit Facilities	250
	Total availability under revolving credit facilities	$	1,925
	Future Maturities
	The following table summarizes scheduled maturities of our debt, including current maturities, at December 31, 2013:
	Years Ending December 31,	Total Secured and Unsecured Debt			Amortization of Debt Discount, net
	(in millions)
	2014	$	1,491		$	(80	)
	2015	1,089			(73		)
	2016	1,472			(67		)
	2017	2,190			(58		)
2018	2,159			(47		)
Thereafter	2,827			(58		)
Total	$	11,228		$	(383	)	$	10,845
Fair Value of Debt
Market risk associated with our fixed and variable rate long-term debt relates to the potential reduction in fair value and negative impact to future earnings, respectively, from an increase in interest rates. In the table below, the aggregate fair value of debt was based primarily on reported market values, recently completed market transactions and estimates based on interest rates, maturities, credit risk and underlying collateral and is classified primarily as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
	December 31,
(in millions)	2013			2012
Total debt at par value	$	11,228		$	12,633
Unamortized discount, net	(383		)	(527		)
Net carrying amount	$	10,845		$	12,106
Fair value	$	11,600		$	13,000

Lease_Obligations_Notes

Lease Obligations (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	LEASE OBLIGATIONS
	We lease aircraft, airport terminals, maintenance facilities, ticket offices and other property and equipment from third parties. Rental expense for operating leases, which is recorded on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease term, totaled approximately $1.1 billion for each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. Amounts due under capital leases are recorded as liabilities, while assets acquired under capital leases are recorded as property and equipment. Amortization of assets recorded under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense. Our airport terminal leases include contingent rents, which vary based upon: facility usage, enplanements, aircraft weight and other factors. Many of our aircraft, facility and equipment leases include rental escalation clauses and/or renewal options. Our leases do not include residual value guarantees and we are not the primary beneficiary in or have other forms of variable interest with the lessor of the leased assets. As a result, we have not consolidated any of the entities that lease to us.
	The following tables summarize, as of December 31, 2013, our minimum rental commitments under capital leases and noncancelable operating leases (including certain aircraft flown by Contract Carriers) with initial or remaining terms in excess of one year:
	Capital Leases
	Years Ending December 31,	Total
	(in millions)
	2014	$	165
	2015	158
	2016	143
	2017	100
	2018	54
	Thereafter	74
	Total minimum lease payments	694
	Less: amount of lease payments representing interest	(197		)
	Present value of future minimum capital lease payments	497
	Less: current obligations under capital leases	(98		)
	Long-term capital lease obligations	$	399
	Operating Leases
	Years Ending December 31,	Delta Lease Payments(1)			Contract Carrier Aircraft Lease Payments(2)		Total
	(in millions)
	2014	$	1,079		$	350	$	1,429
	2015	1,028			328		1,356
	2016	900			286		1,186
	2017	785			241		1,026
	2018	635			196		831
	Thereafter	5,442			224		5,666
	Total minimum lease payments	$	9,869		$	1,625	$	11,494
	(1)	Includes payments accounted for as construction obligations. See Note 5.
	(2)	Represents the minimum lease obligations under our Contract Carrier agreements with Chautauqua Airlines, Inc. (“Chautauqua”), Compass Airlines, Inc., ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., GoJet Airlines, LLC, Shuttle America Corporation (“Shuttle America”) and SkyWest Airlines, Inc.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Aircraft Purchase and Lease Commitments
	At December 31, 2013, future aircraft purchase commitments total approximately $9.1 billion and include 88 B-737-900ER, 30 A321-200, 28 CRJ-900, 18 B-787-8 aircraft and 10 A330-300 aircraft. We have obtained long-term financing commitments for a substantial portion of the purchase price of all of these aircraft, except for the 18 B-787-8 aircraft. Our purchase commitment for the 18 B-787-8 aircraft provides for certain aircraft substitution rights.
	Years Ending December 31,	Total
	(in millions)
	2014	$	1,585
	2015	1,215
	2016	1,700
	2017	1,495
	2018	450
	Thereafter	2,700
	Total	$	9,145
	We also have agreements with Southwest Airlines and The Boeing Company to lease 88 B-717-200 aircraft. We took delivery of 13 B-717-200 aircraft during 2013 and deliveries will continue through 2015.
	Contract Carrier Agreements
	We have contract carrier agreements with regional carriers with agreements expiring from 2016 to 2022.
	Capacity Purchase Agreements. Most of our Contract Carriers operate for us under capacity purchase agreements. Under these agreements, the Contract Carriers operate some or all of their aircraft using our flight designator codes, and we control the scheduling, pricing, reservations, ticketing and seat inventories of those aircraft and retain the revenues associated with those flights. We pay those airlines an amount, as defined in the applicable agreement, which is based on a determination of their cost of operating those flights and other factors intended to approximate market rates for those services.
	The following table shows our minimum fixed obligations under our existing capacity purchase agreements. The obligations set forth in the table contemplate minimum levels of flying by the Contract Carriers under the respective agreements and also reflect assumptions regarding certain costs associated with the minimum levels of flying such as the cost of fuel, labor, maintenance, insurance, catering, property tax and landing fees. Accordingly, our actual payments under these agreements could differ materially from the minimum fixed obligations set forth in the table below.
	Years Ending December 31,	Amount(1)
	(in millions)
	2014	$	2,110
	2015	2,040
	2016	1,780
	2017	1,560
	2018	1,320
	Thereafter	1,930
	Total	$	10,740
	(1)	These amounts exclude Contract Carrier payments accounted for as operating leases of aircraft, which are described in Note 9. The contingencies described below under “Contingencies Related to Termination of Contract Carrier Agreements” are also excluded from this table.
	Revenue Proration Agreement. As of December 31, 2013, a portion of our Contract Carrier agreement with SkyWest Airlines, Inc. is structured as a revenue proration agreement. This revenue proration agreement establishes a fixed dollar or percentage division of revenues for tickets sold to passengers traveling on connecting flight itineraries.
	Contingencies Related to Termination of Contract Carrier Agreements
	We may terminate without cause our agreement with Chautauqua at any time and our agreement with Shuttle America at any time after January 2016 by providing certain advance notice. If we terminate either the Chautauqua or Shuttle America agreements without cause, Chautauqua or Shuttle America, respectively, has the right to (1) assign to us leased aircraft that the airline operates for us, provided we are able to continue the leases on the same terms the airline had prior to the assignment and (2) require us to purchase or lease any aircraft the airline owns and operates for us at the time of the termination. If we are required to purchase aircraft owned by Chautauqua or Shuttle America, the purchase price would be equal to the amount necessary to (1) reimburse Chautauqua or Shuttle America for the equity it provided to purchase the aircraft and (2) repay in full any debt outstanding at such time that is not being assumed in connection with such purchase. If we are required to lease aircraft owned by Chautauqua or Shuttle America, the lease would have (1) a rate equal to the debt payments of Chautauqua or Shuttle America for the debt financing of the aircraft calculated as if 90% of the aircraft was debt financed by Chautauqua or Shuttle America and (2) other specified terms and conditions. Because these contingencies depend on our termination of the agreements without cause prior to their expiration dates, no obligation exists unless such termination occurs.
	We estimate that the total fair values, determined as of December 31, 2013, of the aircraft Chautauqua or Shuttle America could assign to us or require that we purchase if we terminate without cause our contract carrier agreements with those airlines (the "Put Right") are approximately $119 million and $294 million, respectively. The actual amount we may be required to pay in these circumstances may be materially different from these estimates. If the Put Right is exercised, we must also pay the exercising carrier 10% interest (compounded monthly) on the equity the carrier provided when it purchased the put aircraft. These equity amounts for Chautauqua and Shuttle America total $25 million and $52 million, respectively.
	Legal Contingencies
	We are involved in various legal proceedings related to employment practices, environmental issues, antitrust matters and other matters concerning our business. We record liabilities for losses from legal proceedings when we determine that it is probable that the outcome in a legal proceeding will be unfavorable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We cannot reasonably estimate the potential loss for certain legal proceedings because, for example, the litigation is in its early stages or the plaintiff does not specify the damages being sought. Although the outcome of the legal proceedings in which we are involved cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes that the resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Credit Card Processing Agreements
	Our VISA/MasterCard and American Express credit card processing agreements provide that no cash reserve ("Reserve") is required, and no withholding of payment related to receivables collected will occur, except in certain circumstances, including when we do not maintain a required level of liquidity as outlined in the merchant processing agreements. In circumstances in which the credit card processor can establish a Reserve or withhold payments, the amount of the Reserve or payments that may be withheld would be equal to the potential liability of the credit card processor for tickets purchased with VISA/MasterCard or American Express credit cards, as applicable, that had not yet been used for travel. There was no Reserve or amounts withheld as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Other Contingencies
	General Indemnifications
	We are the lessee under many commercial real estate leases. It is common in these transactions for us, as the lessee, to agree to indemnify the lessor and the lessor's related parties for tort, environmental and other liabilities that arise out of or relate to our use or occupancy of the leased premises. This type of indemnity would typically make us responsible to indemnified parties for liabilities arising out of the conduct of, among others, contractors, licensees and invitees at, or in connection with, the use or occupancy of the leased premises. This indemnity often extends to related liabilities arising from the negligence of the indemnified parties, but usually excludes any liabilities caused by either their sole or gross negligence or their willful misconduct.
	Our aircraft and other equipment lease and financing agreements typically contain provisions requiring us, as the lessee or obligor, to indemnify the other parties to those agreements, including certain of those parties' related persons, against virtually any liabilities that might arise from the use or operation of the aircraft or such other equipment.
	We believe that our insurance would cover most of our exposure to liabilities and related indemnities associated with the commercial real estate leases and aircraft and other equipment lease and financing agreements described above. While our insurance does not typically cover environmental liabilities, we have certain insurance policies in place as required by applicable environmental laws.
	Certain of our aircraft and other financing transactions include provisions that require us to make payments to preserve an expected economic return to the lenders if that economic return is diminished due to certain changes in law or regulations. In certain of these financing transactions, we also bear the risk of certain changes in tax laws that would subject payments to non-U.S. lenders to withholding taxes.
	We cannot reasonably estimate our potential future payments under the indemnities and related provisions described above because we cannot predict (1) when and under what circumstances these provisions may be triggered and (2) the amount that would be payable if the provisions were triggered because the amounts would be based on facts and circumstances existing at such time.
	Employees Under Collective Bargaining Agreements
	At December 31, 2013, we had approximately 78,000 full-time equivalent employees, approximately 18% of whom were represented by unions. The following table shows our domestic airline employee groups that are represented by unions.
	Employee Group	Approximate Number of Active Employees Represented		Union	Date on which Collective Bargaining Agreement Becomes Amendable
	Delta Pilots	10,700		ALPA	December 31, 2015
	Delta Flight Superintendents (Dispatchers)(1)	370		PAFCA	December 31, 2013
	Endeavor Air Pilots	1,820		ALPA	January 1, 2020
	Endeavor Air Flight Attendants	990		AFA	December 31, 2018
	Endeavor Air Dispatchers	60		DISTWU	December 31, 2018
	(1) We are in discussions with representatives of the Flight Superintendents.
	In addition, 210 refinery employees of Monroe are represented by the United Steel Workers under an agreement that expires on February 26, 2015.
	Labor unions periodically engage in organizing efforts to represent various groups of our employees, including at our operating subsidiaries, that are not represented for collective bargaining purposes.
	War-Risk Insurance Contingency
	As a result of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, aviation insurers significantly (1) reduced the maximum amount of insurance coverage available to commercial air carriers for liability to persons (other than employees or passengers) for claims from acts of terrorism, war or similar events and (2) increased the premiums for such coverage. Since September 24, 2001, the U.S. government has been providing U.S. airlines with war-risk insurance to cover losses, including those resulting from terrorism, to passengers, third parties (ground damage) and the aircraft hull. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation has extended coverage through September 30, 2014, and we expect the coverage to be further extended. The withdrawal of government support of airline war-risk insurance would require us to obtain war-risk insurance coverage commercially. Such commercial insurance could have substantially less desirable coverage than currently provided by the U.S. government, may not be adequate to protect our risk of loss from future acts of terrorism or, may result in a material increase to our operating expense.
	Other
	We have certain contracts for goods and services that require us to pay a penalty, acquire inventory specific to us or purchase contract specific equipment, as defined by each respective contract, if we terminate the contract without cause prior to its expiration date. Because these obligations are contingent on our termination of the contract without cause prior to its expiration date, no obligation would exist unless such a termination occurs.

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Notes

Employee Benefit Plans (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	We sponsor defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans, healthcare plans and disability and survivorship plans for eligible employees and retirees and their eligible family members.
	Defined Benefit Pension Plans. We sponsor defined benefit pension plans for eligible employees and retirees. These plans are closed to new entrants and frozen for future benefit accruals. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 allows commercial airlines to elect alternative funding rules (“Alternative Funding Rules”) for defined benefit plans that are frozen. Delta elected the Alternative Funding Rules under which the unfunded liability for a frozen defined benefit plan may be amortized over a fixed 17-year period and is calculated using an 8.85% discount rate. We estimate the funding under these plans will total approximately $925 million in 2014, which includes $250 million of contributions above the minimum funding requirements.
	Defined Contribution Pension Plans. Delta sponsors several defined contribution plans. These plans generally cover different employee groups and employer contributions vary by plan. The cost associated with our defined contribution pension plans is shown in the tables below.
	Postretirement Healthcare Plans. We sponsor healthcare plans that provide benefits to eligible retirees and their dependents who are under age 65. We have generally eliminated company-paid post age 65 healthcare coverage, except for (1) subsidies available to a limited group of retirees and their dependents and (2) a group of retirees who retired prior to 1987. Benefits under these plans are funded from current assets and employee contributions. During 2012, we remeasured our postretirement healthcare obligation to account for changes to retiree medical benefits resulting from the final integration of wages and benefits following our merger with Northwest Airlines and the voluntary workforce reduction programs offered to eligible employees. As a result, we recorded $116 million of special termination benefits in restructuring and other items (see Note 16).
	Postemployment Plans. We provide certain other welfare benefits to eligible former or inactive employees after employment but before retirement, primarily as part of the disability and survivorship plans. Substantially all employees are eligible for benefits under these plans in the event of death and/or disability.
	Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets and Funded Status
		Pension Benefits							Other Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits
		December 31,							December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012				2013			2012
	Benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	21,489		$	19,293			$	3,582		$	3,570
	Service cost	—			—				49			56
	Interest cost	861			930				143			164
	Actuarial (gain) loss	(2,212		)	2,334				(301		)	147
	Benefits paid, including lump sums and annuities	(1,078		)	(1,057		)		(313		)	(310		)
	Participant contributions	—			—				45			58
	Plan amendments	—			—				—			(219		)
	Special termination benefits	—			—				—			116
	Settlements	—			(11		)		—			—
	Benefit obligation at end of period(1)	$	19,060		$	21,489			$	3,205		$	3,582
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	8,196		$	7,789			$	1,004		$	972
	Actual gain on plan assets	905			778				129			134
	Employer contributions	914			697				191			222
	Participant contributions	—			—				45			58
	Benefits paid, including lump sums and annuities	(1,078		)	(1,057		)		(326		)	(382		)
	Settlements	—			(11		)		—			—
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	8,937		$	8,196			$	1,043		$	1,004
	Funded status at end of period	$	(10,123	)	$	(13,293	)		$	(2,162	)	$	(2,578	)
	(1)	At each period-end presented, our accumulated benefit obligations for our pension plans are equal to the benefit obligations shown above.
	Balance Sheet Position
		Pension Benefits							Other Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits
		December 31,							December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012				2013			2012
	Current liabilities	$	(22	)	$	(24	)		$	(139	)	$	(132	)
	Noncurrent liabilities	(10,101		)	(13,269		)		(2,023		)	(2,446		)
	Total liabilities	$	(10,123	)	$	(13,293	)		$	(2,162	)	$	(2,578	)
	Net actuarial loss	$	(5,349	)	$	(7,958	)		$	(103	)	$	(473	)
	Prior service credit	—			—				161			187
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), pre-tax	$	(5,349	)	$	(7,958	)		$	58		$	(286	)
	During 2013, the net actuarial loss recorded in AOCI related to our benefit plans decreased to $5.3 billion from $8.2 billion. This decrease is primarily due to the increase in discount rates from 2012 to 2013.
	Estimated amounts that will be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit cost in 2014 are a net actuarial loss of $111 million. Amounts are generally amortized from AOCI over the expected future lifetime of plan participants.
	Net Periodic Cost
		Pension Benefits										Other Postretirement and
												Postemployment Benefits
		Year Ended December 31,										Year Ended December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012			2011				2013			2012			2011
	Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	—			$	49		$	56		$	52
	Interest cost	861			930			969				143			164			180
	Expected return on plan assets	(734		)	(705		)	(724		)		(84		)	(77		)	(90		)
	Amortization of prior service credit	—			—			—				(26		)	(21		)	(3		)
	Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)	221			143			55				25			23			(11		)
	Settlements	6			—			—				—			—			—
	Special termination benefits	—			—			—				—			116			—
	Net periodic cost	$	354		$	368		$	300			$	107		$	261		$	128
	Defined contribution plan costs	490			426			377				—			—			—
	Total cost	$	844		$	794		$	677			$	107		$	261		$	128
	Assumptions
	We used the following actuarial assumptions to determine our benefit obligations and our net periodic cost for the periods presented:
		December 31,
	Benefit Obligations(1)(2)	2013		2012
	Weighted average discount rate	5.01	%	4.11	%
		Year Ended December 31,
	Net Periodic Cost(2)	2013		2012		2011
Weighted average discount rate - pension benefit	4.1	%	4.95	%	5.7	%
Weighted average discount rate - other postretirement benefit(4)	4	%	4.63	%	5.55	%
Weighted average discount rate - other postemployment benefit	4.13	%	4.88	%	5.63	%
Weighted average expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	8.94	%	8.94	%	8.93	%
Assumed healthcare cost trend rate(3)	7	%	7	%	7	%
(1)	Our 2013 and 2012 benefit obligations are measured using a mortality table projected to 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(2)	Future compensation levels do not impact our frozen defined benefit pension plans or other postretirement plans and impact only a small portion of our other postemployment liability.
(3)	Assumed healthcare cost trend rate at December 31, 2013 is assumed to decline gradually to 5.00% by 2022 and remain level thereafter.
(4)	Our assumptions reflect various remeasurements of certain portions of our obligations and represent the weighted average of the assumptions used for each measurement date.
Healthcare Cost Trend Rate. Assumed healthcare cost trend rates have an effect on the amounts reported for the other postretirement benefit plans. A 1% change in the healthcare cost trend rate used in measuring the accumulated plan benefit obligation for these plans at December 31, 2013, would have the following effects:
(in millions)	1% Increase			1% Decrease
Increase (decrease) in total service and interest cost	$	1		$	(1	)
Increase (decrease) in the accumulated plan benefit obligation	15			(25		)
Expected Long-Term Rate of Return. Our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based primarily on plan-specific investment studies using historical market return and volatility data. Modest excess return expectations versus some public market indices are incorporated into the return projections based on the actively managed structure of the investment programs and their records of achieving such returns historically. We also expect to receive a premium for investing in less liquid private markets. We review our rate of return on plan asset assumptions annually. Our annual investment performance for one particular year does not, by itself, significantly influence our evaluation. Our actual historical annualized three and five year rate of return on plan assets for our defined benefit pension plans was approximately 9% and 12%, respectively, as of December 31, 2013. The investment strategy for our defined benefit pension plan assets is to use a diversified mix of global public and private equity portfolios, public and private fixed income portfolios and private real estate and natural resource investments to earn a long-term investment return that meets or exceeds our annualized return target. Our expected long-term rate of return on assets for net periodic pension benefit cost for the year ended December 31, 2013 was 9%.
Benefit Payments
Benefit payments in the table below are based on the same assumptions used to measure the related benefit obligations. Actual benefit payments may vary significantly from these estimates. Benefits earned under our pension plans and certain postemployment benefit plans are expected to be paid from funded benefit plan trusts, while our other postretirement benefits are funded from current assets.
The following table summarizes, the benefit payments that are scheduled to be paid in the years ending December 31:
(in millions)	Pension Benefits			Other Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits
2014	$	1,128		$	272
2015	1,136			272
2016	1,154			273
2017	1,175			270
2018	1,194			264
2019-2023	6,226			1,311
Plan Assets
We have adopted and implemented investment policies for our defined benefit pension plans and disability and survivorship plan for pilots that incorporate strategic asset allocation mixes intended to best meet the plans' long-term obligations. This asset allocation policy mix utilizes a diversified mix of investments and is reviewed periodically. The weighted average target and actual asset allocations for the plans are as follows:
	December 31, 2013
	Target			Actual
Diversified fixed income	23	%		12	%
Domestic equity securities	21			14
Non-U.S. developed equity securities	20			23
Alternative investments	19			21
Non-U.S. emerging equity securities	6			6
Hedge funds	5			6
Cash equivalents	5			14
High yield fixed income	1			4
Total	100	%		100	%
The overall asset mix of the portfolios is more heavily weighted in equity-like investments. Active management strategies are utilized where feasible in an effort to realize investment returns in excess of market indices. As part of these strategies, we are required to hold increased amounts of cash collateral associated with certain derivative investments. We use derivatives instead of holding the underlying securities to mitigate certain risks and facilitate asset allocation.
Benefit Plan Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
•	Level 1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
•	Level 2. Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
•	Level 3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on the valuation techniques identified in the tables below. The valuation techniques are as follows:
(a)	Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; and
(b)	Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single current value based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).
Benefit Plan Assets. Benefit plan assets relate to our defined benefit pension plans and certain of our postemployment benefit plans that are funded through trusts. The following table shows our benefit plan assets by asset class. These investments are presented net of the related benefit obligation in pension, postretirement and related benefits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	December 31, 2013														December 31, 2012
(in millions)	Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Valuation Technique		Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Valuation Technique
Common stock
U.S.	$	558		$	558		$	—		$	—		(a)		$	575		$	575	$	—	$	—	(a)
Non-U.S.	1,269			1,216			53			—			(a)		923			886		37		—		(a)
Mutual funds
U.S.	3			—			3			—			(a)		69			—		69		—		(a)
Non-U.S.	43			—			43			—			(a)		129			—		129		—		(a)
Non-U.S. emerging markets	327			—			327			—			(a)		466			—		466		—		(a)
Diversified fixed income	218			—			218			—			(a)		390			—		390		—		(a)
High yield	348			—			348			—			(a)(b)		153			—		153		—		(a)(b)
Commingled funds
U.S.	864			—			864			—			(a)		824			—		824		—		(a)
Non-U.S.	782			—			782			—			(a)		688			—		688		—		(a)
Non-U.S. emerging markets	319			—			319			—			(a)		178			—		178		—		(a)
Diversified fixed income	680			—			680			—			(a)		763			—		763		—		(a)
High yield	98			—			39			59			(a)		38			—		25		13		(a)
Alternative investments
Private equity	1,366			—			—			1,366			(a)(b)		1,466			—		—		1,466		(a)(b)
Real estate and natural resources	688			—			—			688			(a)(b)		613			—		—		613		(a)(b)
Hedge Funds	552			—			—			552			(a)(b)		484			—		—		484		(a)(b)
Fixed income	155			—			155			—			(a)(b)		573			—		573		—		(a)(b)
Cash equivalents and other	1,610			28			1,582			—			(a)		818			77		741		—		(a)
Total benefit plan assets	$	9,880		$	1,802		$	5,413		$	2,665				$	9,150		$	1,538	$	5,036	$	2,576
Common Stock. Common stock is valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.
Mutual and Commingled Funds. These funds are valued using the net asset value divided by the number of shares outstanding, which is based on quoted market prices of the underlying assets owned by the fund.
Alternative Investments. The valuation of alternative investments requires significant judgment due to the absence of quoted market prices as well as the inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of these assets. Accordingly, these assets are generally classified in Level 3. Alternative investments include private equity, real estate, energy and timberland. Investments are valued based on valuation models where one or more of the significant inputs into the model cannot be observed and which require the development of assumptions. We also assess the potential for adjustment to the fair value of these investments due to the lag in the availability of data. In these cases, we solicit preliminary valuation updates at year-end from the investment managers and use that information and corroborating data from public markets to determine any needed adjustments to estimate fair value.
Fixed Income. Investments include corporate bonds, government bonds, collateralized mortgage obligations and other asset backed securities. These investments are generally valued at the bid price or the average of the bid and ask price. Prices are based on pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or broker quotes.
Hedge Funds. Our hedge fund investments are primarily made through shares of limited partnerships or similar structures for which a liquid secondary market does not exist. Hedge funds are considered Level 3 assets. Hedge funds are valued monthly by a third-party administrator that has been appointed by the fund's general partner.
Foreign Currency Derivatives. Our foreign currency derivatives consist of various forward contracts and are valued based on data readily observable in public markets.
Cash Equivalents and Other. These investments primarily consist of short term investment funds which are valued using the net asset value. Cash is not included in the table above.
Changes in Level 3. The following table shows the changes in our benefit plan assets classified in Level 3:
(in millions)	Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Funds			Commingled Funds			Total
Balance at January 1, 2012	$	1,517		$	527		$	432		$	11		$	2,487
Actual return on plan assets:
Related to assets still held at the reporting date	—			(11		)	50			2			41
Related to assets sold during the period	44			8			(9		)	—			43
Purchases, sales and settlements, net	(95		)	89			(2		)	—			(8		)
Transfers from Level 3	—			—			13			—			13
Balance at December 31, 2012	1,466			613			484			13			2,576
Actual return on plan assets:
Related to assets still held at the reporting date	98			61			49			2			210
Related to assets sold during the period	64			19			—			—			83
Purchases, sales and settlements, net	(262		)	(5		)	19			44			(204		)
Transfers to Level 3	—			—			—			—			—
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	1,366		$	688		$	552		$	59		$	2,665
Other
We also sponsor defined benefit pension plans for eligible employees in certain foreign countries. These plans did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements in any period presented.
Profit Sharing Program
Our broad based employee profit sharing program provides that, for each year in which we have an annual pre-tax profit, as defined, we will pay a specified portion of that profit to employees. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we accrued $506 million, $372 million and $264 million under the profit sharing program, respectively.

Income_Taxes_Notes

Income Taxes (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	INCOME TAXES
	Income Tax Benefit (Provision)
	Our income tax benefit (provision) consisted of the following:
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012			2011
	Current tax benefit (provision):
	Federal	$	24		$	—		$	91
	State and local	(3		)	15			(6		)
	International	1			(14		)	(2		)
	Deferred tax provision:
	Federal	7,197			(4		)	2
	State and local	794			(13		)	—
	Income tax benefit (provision)	$	8,013		$	(16	)	$	85
	The following table presents the principal reasons for the difference between the effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	35	%	35	%	35	%
	State taxes	3		3.3		3.4
	Other	(0.4	)	4		(3.7	)
		37.6		42.3		34.7
	Decrease in valuation allowance	(367.5	)	(40.8	)	(45.7	)
	Income tax allocation	12.7		—		—
	Effective income tax rate	(317.2	)%	1.5	%	(11.0	)%
	Deferred Taxes
	Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes. The following table shows significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities:
		December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	6,024		$	6,414
	Pension, postretirement and other benefits	4,982			6,415
	AMT credit carryforward	378			402
	Deferred revenue	1,965			2,133
	Other	698			881
	Valuation allowance	(177		)	(10,963		)
	Total deferred tax assets	$	13,870		$	5,282
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation	$	4,799		$	4,851
	Intangible assets	1,704			1,730
	Other	639			285
	Total deferred tax liabilities	$	7,142		$	6,866
	The following table shows the current and noncurrent deferred tax assets (liabilities):
		December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012
	Current deferred tax assets, net	$	1,736		$	463
	Noncurrent deferred tax assets (liabilities), net	4,992			(2,047		)
	Total deferred tax assets (liabilities), net	$	6,728		$	(1,584	)
	The current and noncurrent components of our deferred tax balances are generally based on the balance sheet classification of the asset or liability creating the temporary difference. If the deferred tax asset or liability is not based on a component of our balance sheet, such as our net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards, the classification is presented based on the expected reversal date of the temporary difference. Our valuation allowance has been allocated between current or noncurrent based on the percentages of current and noncurrent deferred tax assets to total deferred tax assets.
	At December 31, 2013, we had (1) $378 million of federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credit carryforwards, which do not expire and (2) $15.3 billion of federal pretax NOL carryforwards, which will not begin to expire until 2023.
	Valuation Allowance
	We periodically assess whether it is more likely than not that we will generate sufficient taxable income to realize our deferred income tax assets. We establish valuation allowances if it is not likely we will realize our deferred income tax assets. In making this determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence and make certain assumptions. We consider, among other things, our future projections of sustained profitability, deferred income tax liabilities, the overall business environment, our historical financial results, our industry's historically cyclical financial results and potential current and future tax planning strategies. We recorded a full valuation allowance in 2004 due to our cumulative loss position at that time, compounded by the negative industry-wide business trends and outlook. At December 31, 2012, we had an $11.0 billion valuation allowance established against our deferred income tax assets, which represented a full valuation allowance against our net deferred income tax assets.
	For 2012, we recorded a pre-tax profit of $1.0 billion and during 2012 we moved from a three-year cumulative loss position to a cumulative income position for the first time since we established the full valuation allowance. However given the industry's recent history of significant losses, we concluded as of December 31, 2012 that another year of significant profitability was needed to support a release of valuation allowance.
	During 2013, we continued our trend of sustained profitability, recording a pre-tax profit of $2.5 billion for the year. During the December 2013 quarter, after considering all relevant factors, we concluded that our deferred income tax assets are more likely than not to be realized. In evaluating the likelihood of utilizing our net deferred net assets, the significant relevant factors that we considered are: (1) our recent history of profitability; (2) growth in the U.S. and global economies; (3) forecast of airline revenue trends; (4) estimate of future fuel prices; and (5) future impact of taxable temporary differences. Accordingly, at December 31, 2013, we released almost all of our valuation allowance against our net deferred income tax assets, resulting in an $8.3 billion benefit in our provision for income taxes. We have retained a valuation allowance of $107 million against capital loss carryforwards, as well as $70 million against certain state and local operating loss and credit carryforwards, due to limited carryforward periods. In addition to tax valuation allowance release of $8.3 billion, we recorded an income tax expense of $321 million related to an income tax allocation as discussed below, resulting in a net income tax benefit of $8.0 billion in 2013.
	The following table shows the balance of our valuation allowance and the associated activity:
	(in millions)	2013			2012			2011
	Valuation allowance at beginning of period	$	10,963		$	10,705		$	9,632
	Income tax provision	(975		)	(432		)	(351		)
	Other comprehensive income tax benefit	(1,186		)	690			1,241
	Release(1)	(8,310		)	—			—
	Other	(315		)	—			183
	Valuation allowance at end of period(2)	$	177		$	10,963		$	10,705
	(1)	In addition to tax valuation allowance release of $8.3 billion, we recorded an income tax expense of $321 million related to an income tax allocation as discussed below, resulting in a net income tax benefit of $8.0 billion in 2013.
	(2)	At December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, $13 million, $3.1 billion and $2.5 billion of deferred income tax expense was recorded in AOCI on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively.
	Income Tax Allocation
We consider all income sources, including other comprehensive income, in determining the amount of tax benefit allocated to continuing operations (the "Income Tax Allocation"). At the end of 2013, we released our tax valuation allowance, as discussed above. GAAP requires that the release of a valuation allowance be recognized in current earnings, even when a portion of the related deferred tax asset originated through amounts recognized in AOCI. As a result, $1.9 billion of income tax expense remains in AOCI, primarily related to pension obligations, and will not be recognized in net income until the pension obligations are fully extinguished, which will not occur for approximately 25 years.
During 2009, as a result of the Income Tax Allocation, we recorded a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $321 million on other comprehensive income as a result of hedge gains on fuel derivatives and an offsetting non-cash income tax benefit of $321 million. This deferred income tax expense remained in AOCI until all amounts in AOCI that related to fuel derivatives which were designated as accounting hedges were recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. All of the remaining amounts held in AOCI for fuel derivatives previously designated as hedges were reclassified to earnings during 2013. As a result, an income tax expense of $321 million was recognized in 2013 upon the settlement of the fuel derivative contracts designated as accounting hedges.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The amount of and changes to our uncertain tax positions were not material in any of the years presented. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits at the end of 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $37 million, $44 million and $22 million, respectively. We accrue interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and operating expense, respectively. Interest and penalties are not material in any period presented.
We are currently under audit by the IRS for the 2013 and 2012 tax years.

Equity_and_Equity_Compensation

Equity and Equity Compensation (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Equity and Equity Compensation [Text Block]	'
	EQUITY AND EQUITY COMPENSATION
	Equity
	We are authorized to issue 2.0 billion shares of capital stock, of which up to 1.5 billion may be shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share and up to 500 million may be shares of preferred stock.
	Preferred Stock. We may issue preferred stock in one or more series. The Board of Directors is authorized (1) to fix the descriptions, powers (including voting powers), preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions with respect to any series of preferred stock and (2) to specify the number of shares of any series of preferred stock. We have not issued any preferred stock.
	Treasury Stock. We generally withhold shares of Delta common stock to cover employees' portion of required tax withholdings when employee equity awards are issued or vest. These shares are valued at cost, which equals the market price of the common stock on the date of issuance or vesting. The weighted average cost of shares held in treasury was $14.31 and $14.24 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Equity-Based Compensation
	Our broad based equity and cash compensation plan provides for grants of restricted stock, stock options, performance awards, including cash incentive awards and other equity-based awards (the "2007 Plan"). Shares of common stock issued under the 2007 Plan may be made available from authorized but unissued common stock or common stock we acquire. If any shares of our common stock are covered by an award that is canceled, forfeited or otherwise terminates without delivery of shares (including shares surrendered or withheld for payment of the exercise price of an award or taxes related to an award), such shares will again be available for issuance under the 2007 Plan. The 2007 Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 157 million shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2013, there were 28 million shares available for future grants.
	We make long term incentive awards annually to eligible employees under the 2007 Plan. Generally, awards vest over time, subject to the employee's continued employment. Equity compensation expense for these awards is recognized in salaries and related costs over the employee's requisite service period (generally, the vesting period of the award) and totaled $90 million, $54 million and $72 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We record expense on a straight-line basis for awards with installment vesting. As of December 31, 2013, unrecognized costs related to unvested shares and stock options totaled $45 million. We expect substantially all unvested awards to vest.
	Restricted Stock. Restricted stock is common stock that may not be sold or otherwise transferred for a period of time and is subject to forfeiture in certain circumstances. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the closing price of the common stock on the grant date. As of December 31, 2013, there were seven million unvested restricted stock awards.
	Stock Options. Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price of Delta common stock on the grant date and generally have a 10-year term. We determine the fair value of stock options at the grant date using an option pricing model. As of December 31, 2013, there were eight million outstanding stock option awards with a weighted average exercise price of $11.80, and seven million were exercisable.
	Performance Shares. Performance shares are long-term incentive opportunities which are payable in common stock or cash and are generally contingent upon our achieving certain financial goals.
	Other. There was no tax benefit recognized in 2013, 2012 or 2011 related to equity-based compensation as a full valuation allowance was recorded against our deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty regarding the ultimate realization of those assets. At December 31, 2013, we released almost all of our valuation allowance against our net deferred income tax assets. For more information regarding our income taxes, see Note 12.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	The following table shows the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
	(in millions)	Pension and Other Benefits Liabilities			Derivative Contracts(1)			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2011	$	(3,271	)	$	(307	)	$	(3,578	)
	Changes in value (net of tax effect of $0)	(3,062		)	5			(3,057		)
	Reclassification into earnings (net of tax effect of $0)	41			(172		)	(131		)
	Balance at December 31, 2011	(6,292		)	(474		)	(6,766		)
	Changes in value (net of tax effect of $0)	(2,171		)	196			(1,975		)
	Reclassification into earnings (net of tax effect of $0)	149			15			164
	Balance at December 31, 2012	(8,314		)	(263		)	(8,577		)
	Changes in value (net of tax effect of $0)	2,741			296			3,037
	Reclassification into earnings (net of tax effect of $321)	224			186			410
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(5,349	)	$	219		$	(5,130	)
	(1)	Included $321 million of deferred income tax expense that remained in AOCI until 2013 when all amounts in AOCI that related to fuel derivatives designated as accounting hedges were recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Geographic_Information_Notes

Geographic Information (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
	Operating segments, airline and refinery, are defined as components of an enterprise whose separate financial information is regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker and used in resource allocation and performance assessments.
	Our airline segment is managed as a single business unit that provides air transportation for passengers and cargo. This allows us to benefit from an integrated revenue pricing and route network. Our flight equipment forms one fleet, which is deployed through a single route scheduling system. When making resource allocation decisions, our chief operating decision maker evaluates flight profitability data, which considers aircraft type and route economics, but gives no weight to the financial impact of the resource allocation decision on an individual carrier basis. Our objective in making resource allocation decisions is to optimize our consolidated financial results.
	Our refinery segment operates for the benefit of the airline segment. The revenues of the refinery, primarily consisting of fuel sales to the airline, have been eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements. For more information regarding our refinery and segment information, see Note 2.
	Operating revenue is assigned to a specific geographic region based on the origin, flight path and destination of each flight segment. Our operating revenue by geographic region (as defined by the United States Department of Transportation) is summarized in the following table:
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in millions)	2013		2012		2011
	Domestic	$	24,857	$	23,989	$	22,722
	Atlantic	6,446		6,329		6,486
	Pacific	4,086		4,198		3,644
	Latin America	2,384		2,154		2,263
	Total	$	37,773	$	36,670	$	35,115
	Our tangible assets consist primarily of flight equipment, which is mobile across geographic markets. Accordingly, assets are not allocated to specific geographic regions.

Restructuring_and_Other_Items_

Restructuring and Other Items (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER ITEMS
	The following table shows amounts recorded in restructuring and other items on our Consolidated Statements of Operations:
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012			2011
	Facilities, fleet and other	$	402		$	293		$	135
	Severance and related costs	—			237			100
	Routes and slots (See Note 6)	—			(78		)	7
	Total restructuring and other items	$	402		$	452		$	242
	Facilities, Fleet and Other. We recorded restructuring charges of $402 million and $293 million during 2013 and 2012 primarily related to our fleet restructuring initiative. Under the fleet restructuring initiative, we are focused on removing older, less efficient aircraft from our fleet and replacing them with B-737-900ER, B-717-200 and CRJ-900 aircraft that we have committed to acquire. The 2013 and 2012 restructuring charges are related to older, retiring aircraft, including remaining lease payments for grounded aircraft, the acceleration of aircraft depreciation and lease return costs and related equipment disposals. As an extension of our fleet restructuring initiative and our desire to reduce the number of regional jets in our network, we shut down the operations of Comair, a wholly-owned regional airline subsidiary, as of September 29, 2012. The restructuring charges in 2012 also include amounts associated with the closure of Comair.
	During 2011, we recorded charges related to consolidation of facilities and certain aircraft that were removed from our operations.
	An important component of the fleet restructuring initiative is to reduce 50-seat CRJ aircraft, which are our least fuel efficient aircraft and have the lowest customer satisfaction ratings. We are targeting a fleet size of 100 to 125 aircraft within the next two years. Our current fleet includes aircraft we lease and aircraft that are operated for us by regional carriers that own or lease aircraft through third parties. As part of the reduction, we will retire a significant portion of the fleet that is leased by us. We expect to continue to recognize material restructuring charges as we retire the leased aircraft for the remaining obligations under the leases. Although many factors could change over the next two years, we currently estimate that future charges will be between $200 million to $300 million, in addition to the $107 million recorded in 2013. The timing and amount of these charges will depend on a number of factors, including our final negotiations with lessors, the timing of removing aircraft from service and the ultimate disposition of aircraft included in the fleet restructuring program. Also, to accelerate the restructuring of the fleet, we may park a portion of the fleet on a temporary basis until contracts for aircraft flying under contract carrier agreements expire. The temporarily parked aircraft will be returned to service as aircraft flying under these expiring agreements exit the fleet. We will continue to incur operating lease expense for these temporarily parked aircraft. As a result of restructuring the fleet, we expect to benefit from improved operational and fuel efficiency, customer service and reduced future maintenance cost that we will experience over the life of the new aircraft.
	Severance and Related Costs. During 2012, we recognized a severance charge of $237 million, which included $116 million of special termination benefits (see Note 11). We offered voluntary severance programs in which more than 2,000 employees elected to participate. These participants became eligible for retiree healthcare benefits. Also, we accrued $66 million in severance and related costs in 2012 to provide severance benefits to Comair's 1,700 employees, as we ceased operations at the carrier.
	During 2011, we recorded charges associated primarily with voluntary workforce reduction programs to align staffing with expected future capacity.
	Gain on Slot Exchange. During December 2011, we closed transactions with US Airways where we received takeoff and landing rights (each a "slot pair") at LaGuardia in exchange for slot pairs at Reagan National. In approving these transactions, the Department of Transportation restricted our use of the exchanged slots. We recorded a $78 million deferred gain in December 2011. We recognized this deferred gain in 2012 as the restrictions lapsed.
	The following table shows the balances and activity for restructuring charges:
		Severance and Related Costs									Lease Restructuring
	(in millions)	2013			2012			2011			2013			2012			2011
	Liability at beginning of period	$	49		$	46		$	20		$	77		$	64		$	85
	Additional costs and expenses	—			126			100			114			45			—
	Other	(3		)	—			—			(5		)	—			—
	Payments	(46		)	(123		)	(74		)	(18		)	(32		)	(21		)
	Liability at end of period	$	—		$	49		$	46		$	168		$	77		$	64

Earnings_Per_Share_Notes

Earnings Per Share (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	We calculate basic earnings per share by dividing the net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, excluding restricted shares. The following table shows our computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in millions, except per share data)	2013		2012		2011
	Net income	$	10,540	$	1,009	$	854
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	849		845		838
	Dilutive effects of share based awards	9		5		6
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	858		850		844
	Basic earnings per share	$	12.41	$	1.2	$	1.02
	Diluted earnings per share	$	12.29	$	1.19	$	1.01
	Antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings per share	8		18		17

Other_Investments_Notes

Other Investments (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments and Other Noncurrent Assets [Text Block]	'
	OTHER INVESTMENTS
	Endeavor Acquisition
	In May 2013, Endeavor (formerly Pinnacle Airlines, Inc.) emerged from bankruptcy and we became its sole owner pursuant to a confirmed plan of reorganization. Consideration for our acquisition of Endeavor totaled $30 million, primarily consisting of previous loans and advances we made to Endeavor. The primary assets acquired and liabilities assumed related to 16 CRJ-900 aircraft with a fair value of $270 million and related debt of $240 million on the date of acquisition. These aircraft and 169 other aircraft leased by Endeavor were already in service to Delta; accordingly, our capacity was unaffected by the acquisition.
	Transatlantic Joint Venture With Virgin Atlantic
	In June 2013, we purchased 49% of Virgin Atlantic, a privately held London-based airline, from Singapore Airlines for $360 million. In addition, we entered into a collaborative arrangement with Virgin Atlantic on non-stop routes between the United Kingdom and North America. In September 2013, the U.S. Department of Transportation granted antitrust immunity on these routes. Effective January 1, 2014, we began our immunized collaborative arrangement, which allows for joint marketing and sales, coordinated pricing and revenue management, networking planning and scheduling with respect to operations on routes between North America and the United Kingdom. As a result of this relationship, our customers have increased access and frequencies to London's Heathrow airport from points in the U.S., primarily from our hub at New York's JFK airport.
	We account for the investment under the equity method of accounting and recognize our portion of Virgin Atlantic's results in other expense in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. As part of equity method of accounting, we allocated the investment in Virgin Atlantic to (1) our portion of their equity, (2) adjustments in the fair market value of assets and liabilities and (3) implied goodwill. Our share of Virgin Atlantic's equity was approximately $60 million; accordingly, the majority of the allocation was to the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets and implied goodwill.

Dividend_and_Share_Repurchase_

Dividend and Share Repurchase (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Dividend and Share Repurchase [Abstract]	'
Dividend and Share Repurchase [Text Block]	'
	DIVIDEND AND SHARE REPURCHASE
	In May 2013, we announced a plan to return more than $1 billion to shareholders over the next three years. As part of this plan, our Board of Directors initiated a quarterly dividend program and declared a $0.06 per share dividend for shareholders of record as of August 9, 2013 and November 6, 2013. These dividends were paid in September 2013 and November 2013 and each totaled $51 million. In addition, the Board of Directors authorized a $500 million share repurchase program, to be completed no later than June 30, 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we repurchased and retired approximately 10 million shares at a cost of approximately $250 million. On February 7, 2014, the Board of Directors declared a $0.06 dividend for shareholders of record on February 21, 2014, and payable on March 14, 2014.

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	'
	QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
	The following table summarizes our unaudited results of operations on a quarterly basis. The quarterly earnings (loss) per share amounts for a year will not add to the earnings per share for that year due to the weighting of shares used in calculating per share data.
		Three Months Ended
	(in millions, except per share data)	31-Mar			30-Jun			30-Sep			31-Dec
	2013
	Operating revenue	$	8,500		$	9,707		$	10,490		$	9,076
	Operating income	222			914			1,563			701
	Net income	7			685			1,369			8,479
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.01		$	0.81		$	1.61		$	10.02
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.01		$	0.8		$	1.59		$	9.89
	2012
	Operating revenue	$	8,413		$	9,732		$	9,923		$	8,602
	Operating income	382			134			1,308			352
	Net income (loss)	124			(168		)	1,047			7
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.15		$	(0.20	)	$	1.24		$	0.01
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.15		$	(0.20	)	$	1.23		$	0.01
	The following are included in the results above:
		Three Months Ended
	(in millions)	31-Mar			30-Jun			30-Sep			31-Dec
	2013
	Facilities, fleet and other	$	(102	)	$	(34	)	$	(128	)	$	(160	)
	MTM adjustments	24			(125		)	285			92
	Release of tax valuation allowance	—			—			—			7,989
	Total income (loss)	$	(78	)	$	(159	)	$	157		$	7,921
	2012
	Severance and related cost	$	—		$	(171	)	$	(66	)	$	—
	Facilities, fleet and other	(27		)	(22		)	(122		)	(122		)
	Gain on slot exchange	39			—			39			—
	Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			—			(12		)	(106		)
	MTM adjustments	151			(561		)	440			(3		)
	Total income (loss)	$	163		$	(754	)	$	279		$	(231	)

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Consolidation, Subsidiaries or Other Investments, Consolidated Entities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	We do not consolidate the financial statements of any company in which we have an ownership interest of 50% or less.
Basis of Accounting [Policy Text Block]	'
	Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Delta Air Lines, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”). We do not consolidate the financial statements of any company in which we have an ownership interest of 50% or less. We are not the primary beneficiary of, nor do we have a controlling financial interest in, any variable interest entity. Accordingly, we have not consolidated any variable interest entity. We reclassified certain prior period amounts, none of which were material, to conform to the current period presentation.
	We have marketing alliances with other airlines to enhance our access to domestic and international markets. These arrangements may include codesharing, reciprocal frequent flyer program benefits, shared or reciprocal access to passenger lounges, joint promotions, common use of airport gates and ticket counters, ticket office co-location and other marketing agreements. We have received antitrust immunity for certain marketing arrangements, which enables us to offer a more integrated route network and develop common sales, marketing and discount programs for customers. Some of our marketing arrangements provide for the sharing of revenues and expenses. Revenues and expenses associated with collaborative arrangements are presented on a gross basis in the applicable line items on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Use of Estimates
	We are required to make estimates and assumptions when preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Standards, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Recent Accounting Standards
	Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Recently issued accounting guidance revises the reporting of items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2012. We adopted this guidance in the March 2013 quarter and have presented amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income in a note to the financial statements. For more information about accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), see Note 14.
	Presentation of Comprehensive Income
	In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued "Presentation of Comprehensive Income." The standard revises the presentation and prominence of the items reported in other comprehensive income and is effective retrospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. We adopted this standard in 2012 and have presented comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased are classified as cash and cash equivalents.
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Investments with maturities of greater than three months, but not in excess of one year, when purchased are classified as short-term investments.
Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable primarily consist of amounts due from credit card companies from the sale of passenger airline tickets, customers of our aircraft maintenance and cargo transportation services and other companies for the purchase of mileage credits under our SkyMiles Program. We provide an allowance for uncollectible accounts equal to the estimated losses expected to be incurred based on historical chargebacks, write-offs, bankruptcies and other specific analyses. Bad debt expense was not material in any period presented.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Inventories
	Spare Parts. Inventories of expendable parts related to flight equipment, which cannot be economically repaired, reconditioned or reused after removal from the aircraft, are carried at moving average cost and charged to operations as consumed. An allowance for obsolescence is provided over the remaining useful life of the related fleet for spare parts expected to be available at the date aircraft are retired from service. We also provide allowances for parts identified as excess or obsolete to reduce the carrying costs to the lower of cost or net realizable value. These parts are assumed to have an estimated residual value of 5% of the original cost.
	Refinery. Refined product, feedstock and blendstock inventories, all of which are finished goods, are carried at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Costs include the raw material consumed plus direct manufacturing costs (such as labor, utilities and supplies) as incurred and an applicable portion of manufacturing overhead. Ending inventory costs in excess of market value are written down to net recoverable values and charged to operating expense.
Refinery related buy/sell agreements [Policy Text Block]	'
	Accounting for Refinery Related Buy/Sell Agreements
	To the extent that we receive jet fuel for non-jet fuel products (as defined in Note 2) exchanged under buy/sell agreements, we account for these transactions as non-monetary exchanges. We have recorded these non-monetary exchanges at the carrying amount of the non-jet fuel products transferred within aircraft fuel and related taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Derivatives
	Changes in aircraft fuel prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates impact our results of operations. In an effort to manage our exposure to these risks, we enter into derivative contracts and may adjust our derivative portfolio as market conditions change. We recognize derivative contracts at fair value on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Not Designated as Accounting Hedges. During 2011, we stopped designating substantially all of our new fuel derivative contracts as accounting hedges and discontinued hedge accounting for fuel derivative contracts that had previously been designated as accounting hedges. As a result, we record changes in the fair value of our fuel hedges in aircraft fuel and related taxes. Prior to this change in accounting designation, gains or losses on these contracts were deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") until contract settlement. At contract settlement, the gains or losses were then reclassified to aircraft fuel and related taxes. As of December 31, 2013, there are no fuel derivative contracts designated as accounting hedges.
	Designated as Cash Flow Hedges. For derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges (interest rate contracts and foreign currency exchange rates), the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of AOCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The effective portion of the derivative represents the change in fair value of the hedge that offsets the change in fair value of the hedged item. To the extent the change in the fair value of the hedge does not perfectly offset the change in the fair value of the hedged item, the ineffective portion of the hedge is immediately recognized in other (expense) income.
	Designated as Fair Value Hedges. For derivative contracts designated as fair value hedges (interest rate contracts), the gain or loss on the derivative and the offsetting loss or gain on the hedge item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current earnings. We include the gain or loss on the hedged item in the same account as the offsetting loss or gain on the related derivative contract, resulting in no impact to our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	The following table summarizes the risk each type of derivative contract is hedging and the classification of related gains and losses on our Consolidated Statements of Operations:
	Derivative Type	Hedged Risk	Classification of Gains and Losses
	Fuel hedge contracts	Increases in jet fuel prices	Aircraft fuel and related taxes
	Interest rate contracts	Increases in interest rates	Interest expense, net
	Foreign currency exchange contracts	Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates	Passenger revenue
	The following table summarizes the accounting treatment of our derivative contracts:
		Impact of Unrealized Gains and Losses
	Accounting Designation	Effective Portion	Ineffective Portion
	Not designated as hedges	Change in fair value of hedge is recorded in earnings
	Designated as cash flow hedges	Market adjustments are recorded in AOCI	Excess, if any, over effective portion of hedge is recorded in other expense
	Designated as fair value hedges	Market adjustments are recorded in long-term debt and capital leases	Excess, if any, over effective portion of hedge is recorded in other expense
	We perform, at least quarterly, an assessment of the effectiveness of our derivative contracts designated as hedges, including assessing the possibility of counterparty default. If we determine that a derivative is no longer expected to be highly effective, we discontinue hedge accounting prospectively and recognize subsequent changes in the fair value of the hedge in earnings. We believe our derivative contracts that continue to be designated as hedges, consisting of interest rate and foreign currency exchange contracts, will continue to be highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flow attributable to the hedged risk.
	Hedge Margin. In accordance with our fuel, interest rate and foreign currency hedge contracts, we may require counterparties to fund the margin associated with our gain position and/or counterparties may require us to fund the margin associated with our loss position on these contracts. The amount of the margin, if any, is periodically adjusted based on the fair value of the hedge contracts. The margin requirements are intended to mitigate a party's exposure to the risk of contracting party default. We do not offset margin funded to counterparties or margin funded to us by counterparties against fair value amounts recorded for our hedge contracts.
	The hedge margin we receive from counterparties is recorded in cash and cash equivalents or restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, with the offsetting obligation in accounts payable. The hedge margin we provide to counterparties is recorded in accounts receivable. All cash flows associated with purchasing and settling hedge contracts are classified as operating cash flows.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Passenger Tickets
	We record sales of passenger tickets in air traffic liability. Passenger revenue is recognized when we provide transportation or when the ticket expires unused, reducing the related air traffic liability. We periodically evaluate the estimated air traffic liability and record any adjustments in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. These adjustments relate primarily to refunds, exchanges, transactions with other airlines and other items for which final settlement occurs in periods subsequent to the sale of the related tickets at amounts other than the original sales price.
	Passenger Taxes and Fees
	We are required to charge certain taxes and fees on our passenger tickets, including U.S. federal transportation taxes, federal security charges, airport passenger facility charges and foreign arrival and departure taxes. These taxes and fees are assessments on the customer for which we act as a collection agent. Because we are not entitled to retain these taxes and fees, we do not include such amounts in passenger revenue. We record a liability when the amounts are collected and reduce the liability when payments are made to the applicable government agency or operating carrier.
	Frequent Flyer Program
	The SkyMiles Program offers incentives to travel on Delta. This program allows customers to earn mileage credits by flying on Delta, regional air carriers with which we have contract carrier agreements and airlines that participate in the SkyMiles Program, as well as through participating companies such as credit card companies, hotels and car rental agencies. We sell mileage credits to non-airline businesses, customers and other airlines.
	The SkyMiles Program includes two types of transactions that are considered revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. As discussed below, these are (1) passenger ticket sales earning mileage credits and (2) the sale of mileage credits to participating companies with which we have marketing agreements. Mileage credits are a separate unit of accounting as they can be redeemed by customers in future periods for air travel on Delta and participating airlines, membership in our Sky Club and other program awards.
	Passenger Ticket Sales Earning Mileage Credits. Passenger ticket sales earning mileage credits under our SkyMiles Program provide customers with two deliverables: (1) mileage credits earned and (2) air transportation. We value each deliverable on a standalone basis. Our estimate of the selling price of a mileage credit is based on an analysis of our sales of mileage credits to other airlines and customers, which is re-evaluated at least annually. We use established ticket prices to determine the estimated selling price of air transportation. We allocate the total amount collected from passenger ticket sales between the deliverables based on their relative selling prices.
	We defer revenue for the mileage credits related to passenger ticket sales and recognize it as passenger revenue when miles are redeemed and services are provided. We record the air transportation portion of the passenger ticket sales in air traffic liability and recognize these amounts in passenger revenue when we provide transportation or when the ticket expires unused.
	Sale of Mileage Credits. Customers may earn mileage credits through participating companies such as credit card companies, hotels and car rental agencies with which we have marketing agreements to sell mileage credits. Our contracts to sell mileage credits under these marketing agreements have multiple deliverables, as defined below.
	Our most significant contract to sell mileage credits relates to our co-brand credit card relationship with American Express. Our agreements with American Express provide for joint marketing, grant certain benefits to Delta-American Express co-branded credit card holders ("Cardholders") and American Express Membership Rewards Program participants and allow American Express to market using our customer database. Cardholders earn mileage credits for making purchases using co-branded cards, may check their first bag for free, are granted access to Delta SkyClub lounges and receive other benefits while traveling on Delta. These benefits that we provide in the form of separate products and services under the SkyMiles agreements are referred to as "deliverables." Additionally, participants in the American Express Membership Rewards program may exchange their points for mileage credits under the SkyMiles Program. As a result, we sell mileage credits at agreed upon rates to American Express for provision to their customers under the co-brand credit card program and the Membership Rewards program.
	In September 2013, we and American Express modified our SkyMiles agreements. This modification required that we use a different accounting standard for recording SkyMiles sold. Prior to the modifications, we allocated consideration we received from selling miles to American Express among two primary deliverables: credit redeemable for future travel and marketing deliverables. We deferred revenue related to the portion of mileage credits redeemable for future travel based on the rate at which we sell mileage credits to other airlines. We calculated the value of the marketing component based on the residual method and recognize it as other revenue as related marketing services are provided.
	The September 2013 modifications introduced new deliverables and modified existing deliverables. Because these modifications were material to the SkyMiles agreements, we are required to use a different accounting standard that allocates the consideration received from selling miles to all deliverables based on their relative standalone sales price. Accordingly, we determined our best estimate of selling prices by considering discounted cash flows analysis using multiple inputs and assumptions, including: (1) the expected number of miles awarded and number of miles redeemed, (2) the rate at which we sell mileage credits to other airlines, (3) published rates on our website for baggage fees, access to Delta SkyClub lounges and other benefits while traveling on Delta and (4) brand value. The effect of this change in accounting standard lowered the deferral rate we use to record miles sold under the agreements, which increases revenue we will record in future periods. The revenue impact of the SkyMiles agreement modifications was insignificant for 2013 and is expected to increase 2014 revenue by approximately $100 million. Additionally, upon application of this accounting standard, we were required to adjust the recorded value of miles currently deferred in our Frequent Flyer Liability that originated through the American Express programs. Accordingly, we adjusted the liability in the September 2013 quarter by less than $10 million.
	Breakage. For mileage credits that we estimate are not likely to be redeemed (“breakage”), we recognize the associated value proportionally during the period in which the remaining mileage credits are expected to be redeemed. Management uses statistical models to estimate breakage based on historical redemption patterns. A change in assumptions as to the period over which mileage credits are expected to be redeemed, the actual redemption activity for mileage credits or the estimated fair value of mileage credits expected to be redeemed could have a material impact on our revenue in the year in which the change occurs and in future years.
	Regional Carriers Revenue
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, we had contract carrier agreements with third party regional carriers ("Contract Carriers"), in addition to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Endeavor. In May 2013, Endeavor (formerly Pinnacle Airlines, Inc.) emerged from bankruptcy and we became its sole owner pursuant to a confirmed plan of reorganization. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Comair, Inc. ("Comair") ceased operations in September 2012 (see Note 16).
	Our Contract Carrier agreements are structured as either (1) capacity purchase agreements where we purchase all or a portion of the Contract Carrier's capacity and are responsible for selling the seat inventory we purchase or (2) revenue proration agreements, which are based on a fixed dollar or percentage division of revenues for tickets sold to passengers traveling on connecting flight itineraries. We record revenue related to all of our Contract Carrier agreements as regional carriers passenger revenue. We record expenses related to our Contract Carrier agreements, as regional carrier expense.
	Cargo Revenue
	Cargo revenue is recognized when we provide the transportation.
	Other Revenue
	Other revenue is primarily comprised of (1) the marketing component of the sale of mileage credits discussed above, (2) baggage fee revenue, (3) other miscellaneous service revenue, including ticket change fees and (4) revenue from ancillary businesses, such as the aircraft maintenance and repair and staffing services we provide to third parties.
Revenue Recognition, Sales of Services [Policy Text Block]	'
	Passenger Tickets
	We record sales of passenger tickets in air traffic liability. Passenger revenue is recognized when we provide transportation or when the ticket expires unused, reducing the related air traffic liability. We periodically evaluate the estimated air traffic liability and record any adjustments in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. These adjustments relate primarily to refunds, exchanges, transactions with other airlines and other items for which final settlement occurs in periods subsequent to the sale of the related tickets at amounts other than the original sales price.
Revenue Recognition, Loyalty Programs [Policy Text Block]	'
	Frequent Flyer Program
	The SkyMiles Program offers incentives to travel on Delta. This program allows customers to earn mileage credits by flying on Delta, regional air carriers with which we have contract carrier agreements and airlines that participate in the SkyMiles Program, as well as through participating companies such as credit card companies, hotels and car rental agencies. We sell mileage credits to non-airline businesses, customers and other airlines.
	The SkyMiles Program includes two types of transactions that are considered revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. As discussed below, these are (1) passenger ticket sales earning mileage credits and (2) the sale of mileage credits to participating companies with which we have marketing agreements. Mileage credits are a separate unit of accounting as they can be redeemed by customers in future periods for air travel on Delta and participating airlines, membership in our Sky Club and other program awards.
	Passenger Ticket Sales Earning Mileage Credits. Passenger ticket sales earning mileage credits under our SkyMiles Program provide customers with two deliverables: (1) mileage credits earned and (2) air transportation. We value each deliverable on a standalone basis. Our estimate of the selling price of a mileage credit is based on an analysis of our sales of mileage credits to other airlines and customers, which is re-evaluated at least annually. We use established ticket prices to determine the estimated selling price of air transportation. We allocate the total amount collected from passenger ticket sales between the deliverables based on their relative selling prices.
	We defer revenue for the mileage credits related to passenger ticket sales and recognize it as passenger revenue when miles are redeemed and services are provided. We record the air transportation portion of the passenger ticket sales in air traffic liability and recognize these amounts in passenger revenue when we provide transportation or when the ticket expires unused.
	Sale of Mileage Credits. Customers may earn mileage credits through participating companies such as credit card companies, hotels and car rental agencies with which we have marketing agreements to sell mileage credits. Our contracts to sell mileage credits under these marketing agreements have multiple deliverables, as defined below.
	Our most significant contract to sell mileage credits relates to our co-brand credit card relationship with American Express. Our agreements with American Express provide for joint marketing, grant certain benefits to Delta-American Express co-branded credit card holders ("Cardholders") and American Express Membership Rewards Program participants and allow American Express to market using our customer database. Cardholders earn mileage credits for making purchases using co-branded cards, may check their first bag for free, are granted access to Delta SkyClub lounges and receive other benefits while traveling on Delta. These benefits that we provide in the form of separate products and services under the SkyMiles agreements are referred to as "deliverables." Additionally, participants in the American Express Membership Rewards program may exchange their points for mileage credits under the SkyMiles Program. As a result, we sell mileage credits at agreed upon rates to American Express for provision to their customers under the co-brand credit card program and the Membership Rewards program.
	In September 2013, we and American Express modified our SkyMiles agreements. This modification required that we use a different accounting standard for recording SkyMiles sold. Prior to the modifications, we allocated consideration we received from selling miles to American Express among two primary deliverables: credit redeemable for future travel and marketing deliverables. We deferred revenue related to the portion of mileage credits redeemable for future travel based on the rate at which we sell mileage credits to other airlines. We calculated the value of the marketing component based on the residual method and recognize it as other revenue as related marketing services are provided.
	The September 2013 modifications introduced new deliverables and modified existing deliverables. Because these modifications were material to the SkyMiles agreements, we are required to use a different accounting standard that allocates the consideration received from selling miles to all deliverables based on their relative standalone sales price. Accordingly, we determined our best estimate of selling prices by considering discounted cash flows analysis using multiple inputs and assumptions, including: (1) the expected number of miles awarded and number of miles redeemed, (2) the rate at which we sell mileage credits to other airlines, (3) published rates on our website for baggage fees, access to Delta SkyClub lounges and other benefits while traveling on Delta and (4) brand value. The effect of this change in accounting standard lowered the deferral rate we use to record miles sold under the agreements, which increases revenue we will record in future periods. The revenue impact of the SkyMiles agreement modifications was insignificant for 2013 and is expected to increase 2014 revenue by approximately $100 million. Additionally, upon application of this accounting standard, we were required to adjust the recorded value of miles currently deferred in our Frequent Flyer Liability that originated through the American Express programs. Accordingly, we adjusted the liability in the September 2013 quarter by less than $10 million.
	Breakage. For mileage credits that we estimate are not likely to be redeemed (“breakage”), we recognize the associated value proportionally during the period in which the remaining mileage credits are expected to be redeemed. Management uses statistical models to estimate breakage based on historical redemption patterns. A change in assumptions as to the period over which mileage credits are expected to be redeemed, the actual redemption activity for mileage credits or the estimated fair value of mileage credits expected to be redeemed could have a material impact on our revenue in the year in which the change occurs and in future years.
Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue [Policy Text Block]	'
	Passenger Ticket Sales Earning Mileage Credits. Passenger ticket sales earning mileage credits under our SkyMiles Program provide customers with two deliverables: (1) mileage credits earned and (2) air transportation. We value each deliverable on a standalone basis. Our estimate of the selling price of a mileage credit is based on an analysis of our sales of mileage credits to other airlines and customers, which is re-evaluated at least annually. We use established ticket prices to determine the estimated selling price of air transportation. We allocate the total amount collected from passenger ticket sales between the deliverables based on their relative selling prices.
	We defer revenue for the mileage credits related to passenger ticket sales and recognize it as passenger revenue when miles are redeemed and services are provided. We record the air transportation portion of the passenger ticket sales in air traffic liability and recognize these amounts in passenger revenue when we provide transportation or when the ticket expires unused.
	Sale of Mileage Credits. Customers may earn mileage credits through participating companies such as credit card companies, hotels and car rental agencies with which we have marketing agreements to sell mileage credits. Our contracts to sell mileage credits under these marketing agreements have multiple deliverables, as defined below.
	Our most significant contract to sell mileage credits relates to our co-brand credit card relationship with American Express. Our agreements with American Express provide for joint marketing, grant certain benefits to Delta-American Express co-branded credit card holders ("Cardholders") and American Express Membership Rewards Program participants and allow American Express to market using our customer database. Cardholders earn mileage credits for making purchases using co-branded cards, may check their first bag for free, are granted access to Delta SkyClub lounges and receive other benefits while traveling on Delta. These benefits that we provide in the form of separate products and services under the SkyMiles agreements are referred to as "deliverables." Additionally, participants in the American Express Membership Rewards program may exchange their points for mileage credits under the SkyMiles Program. As a result, we sell mileage credits at agreed upon rates to American Express for provision to their customers under the co-brand credit card program and the Membership Rewards program.
	In September 2013, we and American Express modified our SkyMiles agreements. This modification required that we use a different accounting standard for recording SkyMiles sold. Prior to the modifications, we allocated consideration we received from selling miles to American Express among two primary deliverables: credit redeemable for future travel and marketing deliverables. We deferred revenue related to the portion of mileage credits redeemable for future travel based on the rate at which we sell mileage credits to other airlines. We calculated the value of the marketing component based on the residual method and recognize it as other revenue as related marketing services are provided.
	The September 2013 modifications introduced new deliverables and modified existing deliverables. Because these modifications were material to the SkyMiles agreements, we are required to use a different accounting standard that allocates the consideration received from selling miles to all deliverables based on their relative standalone sales price. Accordingly, we determined our best estimate of selling prices by considering discounted cash flows analysis using multiple inputs and assumptions, including: (1) the expected number of miles awarded and number of miles redeemed, (2) the rate at which we sell mileage credits to other airlines, (3) published rates on our website for baggage fees, access to Delta SkyClub lounges and other benefits while traveling on Delta and (4) brand value. The effect of this change in accounting standard lowered the deferral rate we use to record miles sold under the agreements, which increases revenue we will record in future periods. The revenue impact of the SkyMiles agreement modifications was insignificant for 2013 and is expected to increase 2014 revenue by approximately $100 million. Additionally, upon application of this accounting standard, we were required to adjust the recorded value of miles currently deferred in our Frequent Flyer Liability that originated through the American Express programs. Accordingly, we adjusted the liability in the September 2013 quarter by less than $10 million.
	Breakage. For mileage credits that we estimate are not likely to be redeemed (“breakage”), we recognize the associated value proportionally during the period in which the remaining mileage credits are expected to be redeemed. Management uses statistical models to estimate breakage based on historical redemption patterns. A change in assumptions as to the period over which mileage credits are expected to be redeemed, the actual redemption activity for mileage credits or the estimated fair value of mileage credits expected to be redeemed could have a material impact on our revenue in the year in which the change occurs and in future years.
Revenue Recognition, Regional Carriers and Passengers, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Regional Carriers Revenue
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, we had contract carrier agreements with third party regional carriers ("Contract Carriers"), in addition to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Endeavor. In May 2013, Endeavor (formerly Pinnacle Airlines, Inc.) emerged from bankruptcy and we became its sole owner pursuant to a confirmed plan of reorganization. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Comair, Inc. ("Comair") ceased operations in September 2012 (see Note 16).
	Our Contract Carrier agreements are structured as either (1) capacity purchase agreements where we purchase all or a portion of the Contract Carrier's capacity and are responsible for selling the seat inventory we purchase or (2) revenue proration agreements, which are based on a fixed dollar or percentage division of revenues for tickets sold to passengers traveling on connecting flight itineraries. We record revenue related to all of our Contract Carrier agreements as regional carriers passenger revenue. We record expenses related to our Contract Carrier agreements, as regional carrier expense.
Revenue Recognition, Cargo and Freight, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Cargo Revenue
	Cargo revenue is recognized when we provide the transportation.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Long-Lived Assets
	The following table shows our property and equipment:
			December 31,
	(in millions, except for estimated useful life)	Estimated Useful Life	2013			2012
	Flight equipment	21-30 years	$	23,373		$	21,481
	Ground property and equipment	3-40 years	4,596			4,254
	Flight and ground equipment under capital leases	Shorter of lease term or estimated useful life	1,296			1,381
	Advance payments for equipment		381			253
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization(1)		(7,792		)	(6,656		)
	Total property and equipment, net		$	21,854		$	20,713
	(1) Includes accumulated amortization for flight and ground equipment under capital leases in the amount of $657 million and $653 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	We record property and equipment at cost and depreciate or amortize these assets on a straight-line basis to their estimated residual values over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful life for leasehold improvements is the shorter of lease term or estimated useful life. Depreciation expense for each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $1.4 billion. Residual values for owned aircraft, engines, spare parts and simulators are generally 5% to 10% of cost.
	We capitalize certain internal and external costs incurred to develop and implement software, and amortize those costs over an estimated useful life of three to seven years. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we recorded $110 million, $76 million and $64 million, respectively, for amortization of capitalized software. The net book value of these assets totaled $383 million and $344 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	We record impairment losses on flight equipment and other long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate the assets may be impaired and the estimated future cash flows generated by those assets are less than their carrying amounts. Factors which could cause impairment include, but are not limited to, (1) a decision to permanently remove flight equipment or other long-lived assets from operations, (2) significant changes in the estimated useful life, (3) significant changes in projected cash flows, (4) permanent and significant declines in fleet fair values and (5) changes to the regulatory environment. For long-lived assets held for sale, we discontinue depreciation and record impairment losses when the carrying amount of these assets is greater than the fair value less the cost to sell.
	To determine whether impairments exist for aircraft used in operations, we group assets at the fleet-type level (the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows) and then estimate future cash flows based on projections of capacity, passenger mile yield, fuel costs, labor costs and other relevant factors. If an impairment occurs, the impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the aircraft's carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value. We estimate aircraft fair values using published sources, appraisals and bids received from third parties, as available.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Impairment [Policy Text Block]	'
	We record impairment losses on flight equipment and other long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate the assets may be impaired and the estimated future cash flows generated by those assets are less than their carrying amounts. Factors which could cause impairment include, but are not limited to, (1) a decision to permanently remove flight equipment or other long-lived assets from operations, (2) significant changes in the estimated useful life, (3) significant changes in projected cash flows, (4) permanent and significant declines in fleet fair values and (5) changes to the regulatory environment. For long-lived assets held for sale, we discontinue depreciation and record impairment losses when the carrying amount of these assets is greater than the fair value less the cost to sell.
	To determine whether impairments exist for aircraft used in operations, we group assets at the fleet-type level (the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows) and then estimate future cash flows based on projections of capacity, passenger mile yield, fuel costs, labor costs and other relevant factors. If an impairment occurs, the impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the aircraft's carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value. We estimate aircraft fair values using published sources, appraisals and bids received from third parties, as available.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Identifiable Intangible Assets. Our identifiable intangible assets, which are related to the airline segment, had a net carrying amount of $4.7 billion at December 31, 2013. Indefinite-lived assets are not amortized and consist of routes, slots, the Delta tradename and assets related to SkyTeam. Definite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of marketing agreements and are amortized on a straight-line basis or under the undiscounted cash flows method over the estimated economic life of the respective agreements. Costs incurred to renew or extend the term of an intangible asset are expensed as incurred.
	We assess our indefinite-lived assets under a qualitative or quantitative approach. We analyze market factors to determine if events and circumstances have affected the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets. If we determine that it is more likely than not that the asset value may be impaired, we use the quantitative approach to assess the asset's fair value and the amount of the impairment. We perform the quantitative impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets by comparing the asset's fair value to its carrying value.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	We apply a fair value-based impairment test to the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis (as of October 1) and, if certain events or circumstances indicate that an impairment loss may have been incurred, on an interim basis. In 2012, the FASB issued "Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment." The standard gives companies the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired rather than calculating the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. It is effective prospectively for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this standard and have applied the provisions to our annual indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests in both the December 2013 and 2012 quarters. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In September 2011, the FASB issued "Testing Goodwill for Impairment." The standard revises the way in which entities test goodwill for impairment. We adopted this standard and applied its provisions to our annual goodwill impairment tests in each of the December 2013, 2012 and 2011 quarters.
	We value goodwill and identified intangible assets primarily using market capitalization and income approach valuation techniques. These measurements include the following significant unobservable inputs: (1) our projected revenues, expenses and cash flows, (2) an estimated weighted average cost of capital, (3) assumed discount rates depending on the asset and (4) a tax rate. These assumptions are consistent with those hypothetical market participants would use. Since we are required to make estimates and assumptions when evaluating goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, the actual amounts may differ materially from these estimates.
	Changes in certain events and circumstances could result in impairment. Factors which could cause impairment include, but are not limited to, (1) negative trends in our market capitalization, (2) an increase in fuel prices, (3) declining passenger mile yields, (4) lower passenger demand as a result of a weakened U.S. and global economy, (5) interruption to our operations due to a prolonged employee strike, terrorist attack, or other reasons and (6) changes to the regulatory environment.
	Goodwill. Our goodwill balance, which is related to the airline segment, was $9.8 billion at December 31, 2013. In evaluating goodwill for impairment, we estimate the fair value of our reporting unit by considering market capitalization and other factors if it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If the reporting unit's fair value exceeds its carrying value, no further testing is required. If, however, the reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, we then determine the amount of the impairment charge, if any. We recognize an impairment charge if the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its estimated fair value.
	Identifiable Intangible Assets. Our identifiable intangible assets, which are related to the airline segment, had a net carrying amount of $4.7 billion at December 31, 2013. Indefinite-lived assets are not amortized and consist of routes, slots, the Delta tradename and assets related to SkyTeam. Definite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of marketing agreements and are amortized on a straight-line basis or under the undiscounted cash flows method over the estimated economic life of the respective agreements. Costs incurred to renew or extend the term of an intangible asset are expensed as incurred.
	We assess our indefinite-lived assets under a qualitative or quantitative approach. We analyze market factors to determine if events and circumstances have affected the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets. If we determine that it is more likely than not that the asset value may be impaired, we use the quantitative approach to assess the asset's fair value and the amount of the impairment. We perform the quantitative impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets by comparing the asset's fair value to its carrying value.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Goodwill. Our goodwill balance, which is related to the airline segment, was $9.8 billion at December 31, 2013. In evaluating goodwill for impairment, we estimate the fair value of our reporting unit by considering market capitalization and other factors if it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If the reporting unit's fair value exceeds its carrying value, no further testing is required. If, however, the reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, we then determine the amount of the impairment charge, if any. We recognize an impairment charge if the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its estimated fair value.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes
	We account for deferred income taxes under the liability method. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities, as measured by current enacted tax rates. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded net as current and noncurrent deferred income taxes. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when necessary. For additional information about our income taxes, see Note 12.
Manufacturers Credits [Policy Text Block]	'
	Manufacturers' Credits
	We periodically receive credits in connection with the acquisition of aircraft and engines. These credits are deferred until the aircraft and engines are delivered, and then applied on a pro rata basis as a reduction to the cost of the related equipment.
Maintenance Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Maintenance Costs
	We record maintenance costs to aircraft maintenance materials and outside repairs. Maintenance costs are expensed as incurred, except for costs incurred under power-by-the-hour contracts, which are expensed based on actual hours flown. Power-by-the-hour contracts transfer certain risk to third party service providers and fix the amount we pay per flight hour to the service provider in exchange for maintenance and repairs under a predefined maintenance program. Modifications that enhance the operating performance or extend the useful lives of airframes or engines are capitalized and amortized over the remaining estimated useful life of the asset or the remaining lease term, whichever is shorter.
Advertising Cost, Policy, Expensed Advertising Cost [Policy Text Block]	'
	Advertising Costs
	We expense advertising costs as other selling expenses in the year incurred. Advertising expense was approximately $200 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Commissions, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Commissions
	Passenger sales commissions are recognized in operating expense when the related revenue is recognized.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table shows our property and equipment:
			December 31,
	(in millions, except for estimated useful life)	Estimated Useful Life	2013			2012
	Flight equipment	21-30 years	$	23,373		$	21,481
	Ground property and equipment	3-40 years	4,596			4,254
	Flight and ground equipment under capital leases	Shorter of lease term or estimated useful life	1,296			1,381
	Advance payments for equipment		381			253
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization(1)		(7,792		)	(6,656		)
	Total property and equipment, net		$	21,854		$	20,713
	(1) Includes accumulated amortization for flight and ground equipment under capital leases in the amount of $657 million and $653 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Oil_Refinery_Tables

Oil Refinery (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	Segment results are prepared based on our internal accounting methods described below, with reconciliations to consolidated amounts in accordance with GAAP.
	(in millions)	Airline		Refinery			Intersegment Sales/Other				Consolidated
	Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Operating revenue:	$	37,773	$	7,003						$	37,773
	Sales to airline segment						$	(1,156	)	(1)
	Exchanged products						(5,352		)	(2)
	Sales of refined products to third parties						(495		)	(3)
	Operating income (loss)	3,516		(116		)					3,400
	Interest expense, net	698		—							698
	Depreciation and amortization expense	1,641		17							1,658
	Total assets, end of period	51,080		1,172							52,252
	Capital expenditures	2,516		52							2,568
	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Operating revenue:	$	36,670	$	1,347						$	36,670
	Sales to airline segment						$	(213	)	(1)
	Exchanged products						(1,121		)	(2)
	Sales of refined products to third parties						(13		)	(3)
	Operating income (loss)	2,238		(63		)					2,175
	Interest expense, net	812		—							812
	Depreciation and amortization expense	1,561		4							1,565
	Total assets, end of period	43,386		1,164							44,550
	Capital expenditures	1,637		331							1,968
	-1	Represents transfers, valued on a market price basis, from the refinery to the airline segment for use in airline operations. We determine market price by reference to the market index for the primary delivery location for jet fuel from the refinery, which is New York Harbor.
	-2	Represents value of products exchanged under our buy/sell agreements, as discussed above, determined on a market price basis.
	-3	Represents sales of refined products to third parties. These sales were at or near cost; accordingly, the margin on these sales is de minimis.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
	(in millions)	December 31, 2013			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Valuation
												Technique
	Cash equivalents	$	2,487		$	2,487	$	—		$	—	(a)
	Short-term investments	959			959		—			—		(a)
	Restricted cash equivalents and investments	118			118		—			—		(a)
	Long-term investments	109			80		29			—		(a)(b)
	Hedge derivatives, net
	Fuel hedge contracts	314			16		298			—		(a)(b)
	Interest rate contracts	(67		)	—		(67		)	—		(a)(b)
	Foreign currency exchange contracts	257			—		257			—		(a)
	(in millions)	December 31, 2012			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Valuation
												Technique
	Cash equivalents	$	2,176		$	2,176	$	—		$	—	(a)
	Short-term investments	958			958		—			—		(a)
	Restricted cash equivalents and investments	344			344		—			—		(a)
	Long-term investments	208			100		27			81		(a)(b)
	Hedge derivatives, net
	Fuel hedge contracts	249			27		222			—		(a)(b)
	Interest rate contracts	(66		)	—		(66		)	—		(a)(b)
	Foreign currency exchange contracts	123			—		123			—		(a)
	(1)	See Note 11, “Employee Benefit Plans”, for fair value of benefit plan assets.

Derivatives_and_Risk_Managemen1

Derivatives and Risk Management (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Price Risk Derivatives [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table shows the impact of fuel hedge losses (gains) for both designated and undesignated contracts on aircraft fuel and related taxes:
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012			2011
	Airline segment	$	(444	)	$	81		$	(187	)
	Refinery Segment	(49		)	—			—
	Effective portion reclassified from AOCI to earnings	—			(15		)	(233		)
	(Gains) losses recorded in aircraft fuel and related taxes	$	(493	)	$	66		$	(420	)
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	'
	Hedge Position as of December 31, 2013
	(in millions)	Notional Balance				Final Maturity Date	Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets			Other Noncurrent Assets			Other Accrued Liabilities			Other Noncurrent Liabilities			Hedge Derivatives, net
	Designated as hedges
	Interest rate contracts (cash flow hedges)	$	477		U.S. dollars	May-19	$	—		$	—		$	(17	)	$	(26	)	$	(43	)
	Interest rate contracts (fair value hedges)	$	445		U.S. dollars	Aug-22	—			—			(2		)	(22		)	(24		)
	Foreign currency exchange contracts	120,915			Japanese yen	Aug-16	157			100			—			—			257
		438			Canadian dollars
	Not designated as hedges
	Fuel hedge contracts	4,077			gallons - crude oil, diesel and jet fuel	Mar-15	428			29			(127		)	(16		)	314
	Total derivative contracts						$	585		$	129		$	(146	)	$	(64	)	$	504
	Hedge Position as of December 31, 2012
	(in millions)	Notional Balance				Final Maturity Date	Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets			Other Noncurrent Assets			Other Accrued Liabilities			Other Noncurrent Liabilities			Hedge Derivatives, net
	Designated as hedges
	Interest rate contracts (cash flow hedges)	$	740		U.S. dollars	May-19	$	—		$	—		$	(22	)	$	(48	)	$	(70	)
	Interest rate contracts (fair value hedges)	$	469		U.S. dollars	Aug-22	—			6			(2		)	—			4
	Foreign currency exchange contracts	119,277			Japanese yen	Dec-15	62			63			(1		)	(1		)	123
		430			Canadian dollars
	Not designated as hedges
	Fuel contracts	1,792			gallons - heating oil, crude oil and jet fuel	Dec-13	511			—			(262		)	—			249
	Total derivative contracts						$	573		$	69		$	(287	)	$	(49	)	$	306
	Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
	We have master netting arrangements with all of our counterparties giving us the right of setoff. We have elected not to offset the fair value positions recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table shows the potential net fair value positions had we elected to offset.
	(in millions)	Prepaid Expenses and Other			Other Noncurrent Assets			Other Accrued Liabilities			Other Noncurrent Liabilities			Hedge Derivatives, Net
	December 31, 2013
	Net derivative contracts	$	456		$	116		$	(19	)	$	(49	)	$	504
	December 31, 2012
	Net derivative contracts	$	320		$	69		$	(34	)	$	(49	)	$	306
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance [Table Text Block]	'
	Gains (losses) related to our designated hedge contracts, including those previously designated as accounting hedges, are as follows:
		Effective Portion Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings										Effective Portion Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012			2011				2013			2012			2011
	Fuel hedge contracts	$	—		$	15		$	233			$	—		$	(15	)	$	(166	)
	Interest rate contracts	—			(5		)	—				28			14			(8		)
	Foreign currency exchange contracts	135			(25		)	(61		)		133			212			7
	Total designated	$	135		$	(15	)	$	172			$	161		$	211		$	(167	)

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	'
		Carrying Amount at December 31,
	(in millions)	2013		2012
	International routes and slots	$	2,287	$	2,240
	Delta tradename	850		850
	SkyTeam related assets	661		661
	Domestic slots	622		622
	Total	$	4,420	$	4,373
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	'
		December 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
	(in millions)	Gross					Gross
		Carrying		Accumulated			Carrying		Accumulated
		Amount		Amortization			Amount		Amortization
	Marketing agreements	$	730	$	(602	)	$	730	$	(545	)
	Contracts	193		(83		)	193		(72		)
	Other	53		(53		)	53		(53		)
	Total	$	976	$	(738	)	$	976	$	(670	)
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years:
	Years Ending December 31,
	(in millions)
	2014	$	67
	2015	67
	2016	9
	2017	9
	2018	8

Long_Term_Debt_Tables

Long Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes our long-term debt:
		Maturity			Interest Rate(s) Per Annum at			December 31,
	(in millions)	Dates			December 31, 2013			2013			2012
	Pacific Facilities:
	Pacific Term Loan B-1(2)	Oct-18			4.00%	variable(1)		$	1,089		$	1,100
	Pacific Term Loan B-2(2)	Apr-16			3.25%	variable(1)		396			400
	Pacific Revolving Facility ($450)	Oct-17			undrawn	variable(1)		—			—
	2011 Credit Facilities:
	Term Loan Facility(2)	Apr-17			3.50%	variable(1)		1,341			1,354
	Revolving Credit Facility ($1,225)	Apr-16			undrawn	variable(1)		—			—
	Other Secured Financing Arrangements:
	Certificates(2)(3)	2014	to	2023	4.75%	to	9.75%	3,834			4,314
	Aircraft financings(2)(3)	2014	to	2025	0.64%	to	6.76%	3,787			3,964
	Other financings(2)(4)	2014	to	2031	0.00%	to	6.12%	627			707
	Other Revolving Credit Facilities ($250)	2014	to	2015	undrawn	variable(1)		—			—
	Total secured debt							11,074			11,839
	American Express - Advance Purchase of Restricted SkyMiles(5)							—			619
	Other unsecured debt(2)	2014	to	2035	3.01%	to	9.00%	154			175
	Total unsecured debt							154			794
	Total secured and unsecured debt							11,228			12,633
	Unamortized discount, net							(383		)	(527		)
	Total debt							10,845			12,106
	Less: current maturities							(1,449		)	(1,507		)
	Total long-term debt							$	9,396		$	10,599
	(1)	Interest rate equal to LIBOR (generally subject to a floor) or another index rate, in each case plus a specified margin.
	(2)	Due in installments.
	(3)	Secured by aircraft.
	(4)	Primarily includes loans secured by spare parts, spare engines and real estate.
	(5)	For additional information about our debt associated with American Express, see Note 7.
		Pacific Facilities	2011 Credit Facilities
	Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (1)	1.20:1	1.20:1
	Minimum Unrestricted Liquidity
	Unrestricted cash and permitted investments	n/a	$1.0 billion
	Unrestricted cash, permitted investments and undrawn revolving credit facilities	$2.0 billion	$2.0 billion
	Minimum Collateral Coverage Ratio (2)	1.60:1	1.67:1 (3)
	(1)	Defined as the ratio of (a) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and aircraft rent and other adjustments to net income to (b) the sum of gross cash interest expense (including the interest portion of our capitalized lease obligations) and cash aircraft rent expense, for the 12-month period ending as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.
	(2)	Defined as the ratio of (a) certain of the collateral that meets specified eligibility standards to (b) the sum of the aggregate outstanding obligations and certain other obligations.
	(3)	Excluding the non-Pacific international routes from the collateral for purposes of the calculation, the required minimum collateral coverage ratio is 0.75:1
		December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012
	Total debt at par value	$	11,228		$	12,633
	Unamortized discount, net	(383		)	(527		)
	Net carrying amount	$	10,845		$	12,106
	Fair value	$	11,600		$	13,000
Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities [Table Text Block]	'
	The table below shows availability under revolving credit facilities, all of which were undrawn, as of December 31, 2013:
	(in millions)
	Revolving Credit Facility	$	1,225
	Pacific Revolving Credit Facility	450
	Other Revolving Credit Facilities	250
	Total availability under revolving credit facilities	$	1,925
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes scheduled maturities of our debt, including current maturities, at December 31, 2013:
	Years Ending December 31,	Total Secured and Unsecured Debt			Amortization of Debt Discount, net
	(in millions)
	2014	$	1,491		$	(80	)
	2015	1,089			(73		)
	2016	1,472			(67		)
	2017	2,190			(58		)
	2018	2,159			(47		)
	Thereafter	2,827			(58		)
	Total	$	11,228		$	(383	)	$	10,845

Lease_Obligations_Tables

Lease Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases [Table Text Block]	'
	Capital Leases
	Years Ending December 31,	Total
	(in millions)
	2014	$	165
	2015	158
	2016	143
	2017	100
	2018	54
	Thereafter	74
	Total minimum lease payments	694
	Less: amount of lease payments representing interest	(197		)
	Present value of future minimum capital lease payments	497
	Less: current obligations under capital leases	(98		)
	Long-term capital lease obligations	$	399
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	'
	Operating Leases
	Years Ending December 31,	Delta Lease Payments(1)			Contract Carrier Aircraft Lease Payments(2)		Total
	(in millions)
	2014	$	1,079		$	350	$	1,429
	2015	1,028			328		1,356
	2016	900			286		1,186
	2017	785			241		1,026
	2018	635			196		831
	Thereafter	5,442			224		5,666
	Total minimum lease payments	$	9,869		$	1,625	$	11,494

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Aircraft Purchase and Lease Commitments	'
	Accordingly, our actual payments under these agreements could differ materially from the minimum fixed obligations set forth in the table below.
	Years Ending December 31,	Amount(1)
	(in millions)
	2014	$	2,110
	2015	2,040
	2016	1,780
	2017	1,560
	2018	1,320
	Thereafter	1,930
	Total	$	10,740
	(1)	These amounts exclude Contract Carrier payments accounted for as operating leases of aircraft, which are described in Note 9. The contingencies described below under “Contingencies Related to Termination of Contract Carrier Agreements” are also excluded from this table.
	Years Ending December 31,	Total
	(in millions)
	2014	$	1,585
	2015	1,215
	2016	1,700
	2017	1,495
	2018	450
	Thereafter	2,700
	Total	$	9,145
Employees Under Collective Bargaining Agreements	'
	Employee Group	Approximate Number of Active Employees Represented		Union	Date on which Collective Bargaining Agreement Becomes Amendable
	Delta Pilots	10,700		ALPA	December 31, 2015
	Delta Flight Superintendents (Dispatchers)(1)	370		PAFCA	December 31, 2013
	Endeavor Air Pilots	1,820		ALPA	January 1, 2020
	Endeavor Air Flight Attendants	990		AFA	December 31, 2018
	Endeavor Air Dispatchers	60		DISTWU	December 31, 2018

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]	'
	Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets and Funded Status
		Pension Benefits							Other Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits
		December 31,							December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012				2013			2012
	Benefit obligation at beginning of period	$	21,489		$	19,293			$	3,582		$	3,570
	Service cost	—			—				49			56
	Interest cost	861			930				143			164
	Actuarial (gain) loss	(2,212		)	2,334				(301		)	147
	Benefits paid, including lump sums and annuities	(1,078		)	(1,057		)		(313		)	(310		)
	Participant contributions	—			—				45			58
	Plan amendments	—			—				—			(219		)
	Special termination benefits	—			—				—			116
	Settlements	—			(11		)		—			—
	Benefit obligation at end of period(1)	$	19,060		$	21,489			$	3,205		$	3,582
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period	$	8,196		$	7,789			$	1,004		$	972
	Actual gain on plan assets	905			778				129			134
	Employer contributions	914			697				191			222
	Participant contributions	—			—				45			58
	Benefits paid, including lump sums and annuities	(1,078		)	(1,057		)		(326		)	(382		)
	Settlements	—			(11		)		—			—
	Fair value of plan assets at end of period	$	8,937		$	8,196			$	1,043		$	1,004
	Funded status at end of period	$	(10,123	)	$	(13,293	)		$	(2,162	)	$	(2,578	)
	(1)	At each period-end presented, our accumulated benefit obligations for our pension plans are equal to the benefit obligations shown above.
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	'
	Balance Sheet Position
		Pension Benefits							Other Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits
		December 31,							December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012				2013			2012
	Current liabilities	$	(22	)	$	(24	)		$	(139	)	$	(132	)
	Noncurrent liabilities	(10,101		)	(13,269		)		(2,023		)	(2,446		)
	Total liabilities	$	(10,123	)	$	(13,293	)		$	(2,162	)	$	(2,578	)
	Net actuarial loss	$	(5,349	)	$	(7,958	)		$	(103	)	$	(473	)
	Prior service credit	—			—				161			187
	Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), pre-tax	$	(5,349	)	$	(7,958	)		$	58		$	(286	)
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	Net Periodic Cost
		Pension Benefits										Other Postretirement and
												Postemployment Benefits
		Year Ended December 31,										Year Ended December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012			2011				2013			2012			2011
	Service cost	$	—		$	—		$	—			$	49		$	56		$	52
	Interest cost	861			930			969				143			164			180
	Expected return on plan assets	(734		)	(705		)	(724		)		(84		)	(77		)	(90		)
	Amortization of prior service credit	—			—			—				(26		)	(21		)	(3		)
	Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)	221			143			55				25			23			(11		)
	Settlements	6			—			—				—			—			—
	Special termination benefits	—			—			—				—			116			—
	Net periodic cost	$	354		$	368		$	300			$	107		$	261		$	128
	Defined contribution plan costs	490			426			377				—			—			—
	Total cost	$	844		$	794		$	677			$	107		$	261		$	128
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	'
	We used the following actuarial assumptions to determine our benefit obligations and our net periodic cost for the periods presented:
		December 31,
	Benefit Obligations(1)(2)	2013		2012
	Weighted average discount rate	5.01	%	4.11	%
		Year Ended December 31,
	Net Periodic Cost(2)	2013		2012		2011
	Weighted average discount rate - pension benefit	4.1	%	4.95	%	5.7	%
	Weighted average discount rate - other postretirement benefit(4)	4	%	4.63	%	5.55	%
	Weighted average discount rate - other postemployment benefit	4.13	%	4.88	%	5.63	%
	Weighted average expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	8.94	%	8.94	%	8.93	%
	Assumed healthcare cost trend rate(3)	7	%	7	%	7	%
	(1)	Our 2013 and 2012 benefit obligations are measured using a mortality table projected to 2017 and 2016, respectively.
	(2)	Future compensation levels do not impact our frozen defined benefit pension plans or other postretirement plans and impact only a small portion of our other postemployment liability.
	(3)	Assumed healthcare cost trend rate at December 31, 2013 is assumed to decline gradually to 5.00% by 2022 and remain level thereafter.
	(4)	Our assumptions reflect various remeasurements of certain portions of our obligations and represent the weighted average of the assumptions used for each measurement date.
Schedule of Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Table Text Block]	'
	A 1% change in the healthcare cost trend rate used in measuring the accumulated plan benefit obligation for these plans at December 31, 2013, would have the following effects:
	(in millions)	1% Increase			1% Decrease
	Increase (decrease) in total service and interest cost	$	1		$	(1	)
	Increase (decrease) in the accumulated plan benefit obligation	15			(25		)
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes, the benefit payments that are scheduled to be paid in the years ending December 31:
	(in millions)	Pension Benefits			Other Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits
	2014	$	1,128		$	272
	2015	1,136			272
	2016	1,154			273
	2017	1,175			270
	2018	1,194			264
	2019-2023	6,226			1,311
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	The weighted average target and actual asset allocations for the plans are as follows:
		December 31, 2013
		Target			Actual
	Diversified fixed income	23	%		12	%
	Domestic equity securities	21			14
	Non-U.S. developed equity securities	20			23
	Alternative investments	19			21
	Non-U.S. emerging equity securities	6			6
	Hedge funds	5			6
	Cash equivalents	5			14
	High yield fixed income	1			4
	Total	100	%		100	%
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
		December 31, 2013														December 31, 2012
	(in millions)	Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Valuation Technique		Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Valuation Technique
	Common stock
	U.S.	$	558		$	558		$	—		$	—		(a)		$	575		$	575	$	—	$	—	(a)
	Non-U.S.	1,269			1,216			53			—			(a)		923			886		37		—		(a)
	Mutual funds
	U.S.	3			—			3			—			(a)		69			—		69		—		(a)
	Non-U.S.	43			—			43			—			(a)		129			—		129		—		(a)
	Non-U.S. emerging markets	327			—			327			—			(a)		466			—		466		—		(a)
	Diversified fixed income	218			—			218			—			(a)		390			—		390		—		(a)
	High yield	348			—			348			—			(a)(b)		153			—		153		—		(a)(b)
	Commingled funds
	U.S.	864			—			864			—			(a)		824			—		824		—		(a)
	Non-U.S.	782			—			782			—			(a)		688			—		688		—		(a)
	Non-U.S. emerging markets	319			—			319			—			(a)		178			—		178		—		(a)
	Diversified fixed income	680			—			680			—			(a)		763			—		763		—		(a)
	High yield	98			—			39			59			(a)		38			—		25		13		(a)
	Alternative investments
	Private equity	1,366			—			—			1,366			(a)(b)		1,466			—		—		1,466		(a)(b)
	Real estate and natural resources	688			—			—			688			(a)(b)		613			—		—		613		(a)(b)
	Hedge Funds	552			—			—			552			(a)(b)		484			—		—		484		(a)(b)
	Fixed income	155			—			155			—			(a)(b)		573			—		573		—		(a)(b)
	Cash equivalents and other	1,610			28			1,582			—			(a)		818			77		741		—		(a)
	Total benefit plan assets	$	9,880		$	1,802		$	5,413		$	2,665				$	9,150		$	1,538	$	5,036	$	2,576
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table shows the changes in our benefit plan assets classified in Level 3:
	(in millions)	Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Funds			Commingled Funds			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2012	$	1,517		$	527		$	432		$	11		$	2,487
	Actual return on plan assets:
	Related to assets still held at the reporting date	—			(11		)	50			2			41
	Related to assets sold during the period	44			8			(9		)	—			43
	Purchases, sales and settlements, net	(95		)	89			(2		)	—			(8		)
	Transfers from Level 3	—			—			13			—			13
	Balance at December 31, 2012	1,466			613			484			13			2,576
	Actual return on plan assets:
	Related to assets still held at the reporting date	98			61			49			2			210
	Related to assets sold during the period	64			19			—			—			83
	Purchases, sales and settlements, net	(262		)	(5		)	19			44			(204		)
	Transfers to Level 3	—			—			—			—			—
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	1,366		$	688		$	552		$	59		$	2,665

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Benefit (Provision)	'
	Our income tax benefit (provision) consisted of the following:
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012			2011
	Current tax benefit (provision):
	Federal	$	24		$	—		$	91
	State and local	(3		)	15			(6		)
	International	1			(14		)	(2		)
	Deferred tax provision:
	Federal	7,197			(4		)	2
	State and local	794			(13		)	—
	Income tax benefit (provision)	$	8,013		$	(16	)	$	85
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	'
	The following table presents the principal reasons for the difference between the effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	35	%	35	%	35	%
	State taxes	3		3.3		3.4
	Other	(0.4	)	4		(3.7	)
		37.6		42.3		34.7
	Decrease in valuation allowance	(367.5	)	(40.8	)	(45.7	)
	Income tax allocation	12.7		—		—
	Effective income tax rate	(317.2	)%	1.5	%	(11.0	)%
Deferred Taxes	'
	The following table shows significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities:
		December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	$	6,024		$	6,414
	Pension, postretirement and other benefits	4,982			6,415
	AMT credit carryforward	378			402
	Deferred revenue	1,965			2,133
	Other	698			881
	Valuation allowance	(177		)	(10,963		)
	Total deferred tax assets	$	13,870		$	5,282
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciation	$	4,799		$	4,851
	Intangible assets	1,704			1,730
	Other	639			285
	Total deferred tax liabilities	$	7,142		$	6,866
	The following table shows the current and noncurrent deferred tax assets (liabilities):
		December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012
	Current deferred tax assets, net	$	1,736		$	463
	Noncurrent deferred tax assets (liabilities), net	4,992			(2,047		)
	Total deferred tax assets (liabilities), net	$	6,728		$	(1,584	)
Valuation Allowance	'
	The following table shows the balance of our valuation allowance and the associated activity:
	(in millions)	2013			2012			2011
	Valuation allowance at beginning of period	$	10,963		$	10,705		$	9,632
	Income tax provision	(975		)	(432		)	(351		)
	Other comprehensive income tax benefit	(1,186		)	690			1,241
	Release(1)	(8,310		)	—			—
	Other	(315		)	—			183
	Valuation allowance at end of period(2)	$	177		$	10,963		$	10,705
	(1)	In addition to tax valuation allowance release of $8.3 billion, we recorded an income tax expense of $321 million related to an income tax allocation as discussed below, resulting in a net income tax benefit of $8.0 billion in 2013.
	(2)	At December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, $13 million, $3.1 billion and $2.5 billion of deferred income tax expense was recorded in AOCI on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table shows the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
	(in millions)	Pension and Other Benefits Liabilities			Derivative Contracts(1)			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2011	$	(3,271	)	$	(307	)	$	(3,578	)
	Changes in value (net of tax effect of $0)	(3,062		)	5			(3,057		)
	Reclassification into earnings (net of tax effect of $0)	41			(172		)	(131		)
	Balance at December 31, 2011	(6,292		)	(474		)	(6,766		)
	Changes in value (net of tax effect of $0)	(2,171		)	196			(1,975		)
	Reclassification into earnings (net of tax effect of $0)	149			15			164
	Balance at December 31, 2012	(8,314		)	(263		)	(8,577		)
	Changes in value (net of tax effect of $0)	2,741			296			3,037
	Reclassification into earnings (net of tax effect of $321)	224			186			410
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(5,349	)	$	219		$	(5,130	)
	(1)	Included $321 million of deferred income tax expense that remained in AOCI until 2013 when all amounts in AOCI that related to fuel derivatives designated as accounting hedges were recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Geographic_Information_Tables

Geographic Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating Revenue by Geographic Region [Table Text Block]	'
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in millions)	2013		2012		2011
	Domestic	$	24,857	$	23,989	$	22,722
	Atlantic	6,446		6,329		6,486
	Pacific	4,086		4,198		3,644
	Latin America	2,384		2,154		2,263
	Total	$	37,773	$	36,670	$	35,115

Restructuring_and_Other_Items_1

Restructuring and Other Items (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table shows amounts recorded in restructuring and other items on our Consolidated Statements of Operations:
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in millions)	2013			2012			2011
	Facilities, fleet and other	$	402		$	293		$	135
	Severance and related costs	—			237			100
	Routes and slots (See Note 6)	—			(78		)	7
	Total restructuring and other items	$	402		$	452		$	242
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table shows the balances and activity for restructuring charges:
		Severance and Related Costs									Lease Restructuring
	(in millions)	2013			2012			2011			2013			2012			2011
	Liability at beginning of period	$	49		$	46		$	20		$	77		$	64		$	85
	Additional costs and expenses	—			126			100			114			45			—
	Other	(3		)	—			—			(5		)	—			—
	Payments	(46		)	(123		)	(74		)	(18		)	(32		)	(21		)
	Liability at end of period	$	—		$	49		$	46		$	168		$	77		$	64

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table shows our computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in millions, except per share data)	2013		2012		2011
	Net income	$	10,540	$	1,009	$	854
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	849		845		838
	Dilutive effects of share based awards	9		5		6
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	858		850		844
	Basic earnings per share	$	12.41	$	1.2	$	1.02
	Diluted earnings per share	$	12.29	$	1.19	$	1.01
	Antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings per share	8		18		17

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud1

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The following are included in the results above:
		Three Months Ended
	(in millions)	31-Mar			30-Jun			30-Sep			31-Dec
	2013
	Facilities, fleet and other	$	(102	)	$	(34	)	$	(128	)	$	(160	)
	MTM adjustments	24			(125		)	285			92
	Release of tax valuation allowance	—			—			—			7,989
	Total income (loss)	$	(78	)	$	(159	)	$	157		$	7,921
	2012
	Severance and related cost	$	—		$	(171	)	$	(66	)	$	—
	Facilities, fleet and other	(27		)	(22		)	(122		)	(122		)
	Gain on slot exchange	39			—			39			—
	Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			—			(12		)	(106		)
	MTM adjustments	151			(561		)	440			(3		)
	Total income (loss)	$	163		$	(754	)	$	279		$	(231	)
		Three Months Ended
	(in millions, except per share data)	31-Mar			30-Jun			30-Sep			31-Dec
	2013
	Operating revenue	$	8,500		$	9,707		$	10,490		$	9,076
	Operating income	222			914			1,563			701
	Net income	7			685			1,369			8,479
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.01		$	0.81		$	1.61		$	10.02
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.01		$	0.8		$	1.59		$	9.89
	2012
	Operating revenue	$	8,413		$	9,732		$	9,923		$	8,602
	Operating income	382			134			1,308			352
	Net income (loss)	124			(168		)	1,047			7
	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.15		$	(0.20	)	$	1.24		$	0.01
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.15		$	(0.20	)	$	1.23		$	0.01

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	($7,792)	($6,656)
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	21,854	20,713
Flight Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	23,373	21,481
Long-Lived Assets, Estimated Useful Lives	'21-30 years	'
Ground Property and Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	4,596	4,254
Long-Lived Assets, Estimated Useful Lives	'3-40 years	'
Flight and Ground Equipment Under Capital Lease [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,296	1,381
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	657	653
Long-Lived Assets, Estimated Useful Lives	'Shorter of lease term or estimated useful life	'
Advance Payments for Equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$381	$253

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Ownership Interest	50.00%	'	'
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	($7,792,000,000)	($6,656,000,000)	'
Amortization of Capitalized Computer Software	110,000,000	76,000,000	64,000,000
Net Book Value of Capitalized Computer Software	383,000,000	344,000,000	'
Goodwill	9,794,000,000	9,794,000,000	'
Identifiable intangibles, net of accumulated amortization	4,658,000,000	4,679,000,000	'
Depreciation, Nonproduction	1,500,000,000	1,400,000,000	1,400,000,000
Advertising Expense	222,000,000	235,000,000	214,000,000
Flight and Ground Equipment Under Capital Lease [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-Lived Assets, Estimated Useful Lives	'Shorter of lease term or estimated useful life	'	'
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	$657,000,000	$653,000,000	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-Lived Assets, Estimated Useful Lives	'3	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-Lived Assets, Estimated Useful Lives	'7	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Spare Parts Residual Value	10.00%	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Spare Parts Residual Value	5.00%	'	'
Future revenue increase [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements, Allocation to Specific Unit of Accounting, Effect of Changes, Selling Price	'100	'	'
Current period change [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revenue Recognition, Multiple-deliverable Arrangements, Allocation to Specific Unit of Accounting, Effect of Changes, Selling Price	'10	'	'

Oil_Refinery_Details

Oil Refinery (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Operating Revenue	$9,076	$10,490	$9,707	$8,500	$8,602	$9,923	$9,732	$8,413	$37,773	$36,670	$35,115
Operating Income (Loss)	701	1,563	914	222	352	1,308	134	382	3,400	2,175	1,975
Interest Expense, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	698	812	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,658	1,565	'
Total assets	52,252	'	'	'	44,550	'	'	'	52,252	44,550	'
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,568	1,968	'
Airline [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Operating Revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	37,773	36,670	'
Operating Income (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,516	2,238	'
Interest Expense, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	698	812	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,641	1,561	'
Total assets	51,080	'	'	'	43,386	'	'	'	51,080	43,386	'
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,516	1,637	'
Refinery [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Operating Revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,003	1,347	'
Operating Income (Loss)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-116	-63	'
Interest Expense, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	17	4	'
Total assets	1,172	'	'	'	1,164	'	'	'	1,172	1,164	'
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	52	331	'
Sales to airline segment [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Operating Revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,156	-213	'
Exchanged products [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Operating Revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-5,352	-1,121	'
Sales of refined products to third parties [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Operating Revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($495)	($13)	'

Oil_Refinery_Narrative_Details

Oil Refinery (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Date of Acquisition Agreement	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22-Jun-12	'	'
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price	'	'	'	'	$180	'	'	'	'	$180	'
Grants Receivable	'	'	'	'	30	'	'	'	'	30	'
Total Operating Revenue	$9,076	$10,490	$9,707	$8,500	$8,602	$9,923	$9,732	$8,413	$37,773	$36,670	$35,115

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	2,487	2,176
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	118	344
Fuel Contracts, Derivatives, Net	314	249
Interest Rate Derivatives, at Fair Value, Net	-67	-66
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts, Hedge Derivatives, Net	257	123
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	2,487	2,176
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	118	344
Fuel Contracts, Derivatives, Net	16	27
Interest Rate Derivatives, at Fair Value, Net	0	0
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts, Hedge Derivatives, Net	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fuel Contracts, Derivatives, Net	298	222
Interest Rate Derivatives, at Fair Value, Net	-67	-66
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts, Hedge Derivatives, Net	257	123
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fuel Contracts, Derivatives, Net	0	0
Interest Rate Derivatives, at Fair Value, Net	0	0
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts, Hedge Derivatives, Net	0	0
Short-term Investments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	959	958
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	959	958
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Short-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Other Long-term Investments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	109	208
Other Long-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	80	100
Other Long-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	29	27
Other Long-term Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	81
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Short-term Investments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Other Assets [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Other Long-term Investments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).
Fuel Contract [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).
Interest Rate Contract [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Narrat

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements, Significant Assumptions	'Volatilities used in these valuations ranged from 9% to 25% depending on the maturity dates, underlying commodities and strike prices of the option contracts.

Derivatives_and_Risk_Managemen2

Derivatives and Risk Management (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effective Portion Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings	($135)	$15	($172)
Gains (Losses) recorded in aircraft fuel and related taxes	-114	-209	135
Fuel Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effective Portion Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings	0	-15	-233
Gains (Losses) recorded in aircraft fuel and related taxes	-493	66	-420
Airline [Member] | Fuel Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) recorded in aircraft fuel and related taxes	-444	81	-187
Refinery [Member] | Fuel Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gains (Losses) recorded in aircraft fuel and related taxes	($49)	$0	$0

Derivatives_and_Risk_Managemen3

Derivatives and Risk Management (Details 1)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

USD ($)

USD ($)

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets [Member]

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets [Member]

Other Assets [Member]

Other Assets [Member]

Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]

Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Fuel Contract [Member]

Fuel Contract [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Fair Value Hedging [Member]

Fair Value Hedging [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets [Member]

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets [Member]

Other Assets [Member]

Other Assets [Member]

Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]

Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets [Member]

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets [Member]

Other Assets [Member]

Other Assets [Member]

Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Other Accrued Liabilities [Member]

Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]

Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

Interest Rate Contract [Member]

Interest Rate Contract [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

gal

gal

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

CAD

JPY (¥)

CAD

JPY (¥)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Notional Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$477

$740

438

¥ 120,915

430

¥ 119,277

$445

$469

Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,077,000,000

1,792,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative, Maturity Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Mar-15

31-Dec-13

31-May-19

31-May-19

31-Aug-16

31-Aug-16

31-Dec-15

31-Dec-15

31-Aug-22

31-Aug-22

Interest Rate Contracts (Cash Flow Hedges), Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate Contracts (Cash Flow Hedges), Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-17

-22

-26

-48

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate Contracts (Cash Flow Hedges), Hedge Derivatives, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-43

-70

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate Contracts (Fair Value Hedges), Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate Contracts (Fair Value Hedges), Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2

-2

-22

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate Contracts (Fair Value Hedges), Hedge Derivatives, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-24

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

157

62

100

63

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

-1

0

-1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts, Hedge Derivatives, Net

257

123

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

257

123

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fuel Contracts, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

428

511

29

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fuel Contracts, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-127

-262

-16

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fuel Contracts, Derivatives, Net

314

249

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

314

249

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Derivative Contracts, Assets

'

'

585

573

129

69

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Derivative Contracts, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

-146

-287

-64

-49

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Derivative Contracts, Hedge Derivatives, Net

504

306

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Derivative Contracts, Assets

'

'

456

320

116

69

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Derivative Contracts, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

($19)

($34)

($49)

($49)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives_and_Risk_Managemen4

Derivatives and Risk Management (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash Flow Hedge Gain to be Reclassified within Twelve Months	$157	'	'
Effective Portion Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings	135	-15	172
Effective Portion Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	161	211	-167
Fuel Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effective Portion Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings	0	15	233
Effective Portion Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	0	-15	-166
Interest Rate Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effective Portion Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings	0	-5	0
Effective Portion Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	28	14	-8
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effective Portion Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings	135	-25	-61
Effective Portion Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$133	$212	$7

Derivatives_and_Risk_Managemen5

Derivatives and Risk Management (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash	($65)	($62)

JFK_Redevelopment_Narrative_De

JFK Redevelopment (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
JFK Redevelopment [Abstract]	'
Estimated Cost Of Project	$180
Special Project Bonds Face Amount	800
Term of agreement to sublease space	33
Construction in Progress, Gross	675
Construction Payable	$646

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	$4,420	$4,373
International routes and slots [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	2,287	2,240
Delta tradename [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	850	850
SkyTeam related assets [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	661	661
Domestic slots [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	$622	$622

Intangible_Assets_Details_1

Intangible Assets (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	$976	$976
Accumulated Amortization	-738	-670
Marketing agreements [Member]	'	'
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	730	730
Accumulated Amortization	-602	-545
Contracts [Member]	'	'
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	193	193
Accumulated Amortization	-83	-72
Other [Member]	'	'
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Amount	53	53
Accumulated Amortization	($53)	($53)

Intangible_Assets_Details_2

Intangible Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Maturity Schedule [Abstract]	'
2014 amortization expense	$67
2015 amortization expense	67
2016 amortization expense	9
2017 amortization expense	9
2018 amortization expense	$8

Intangible_Assets_Narrative_De

Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Number of Slot Pairs Acquired	'	'	132
Number of Slot Pairs Sold	'	'	42
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	'	'	$67
Proceeds from Sale of Intangible Assets	'	'	90
Restructuring and other items	402	452	242
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	'	'	50
Definite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense	70	70	70
Gain on slot exchange and divestiture [Member] [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	'	'	-43
Routes and slots [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	0	-78	7
Net loss from restructuring and other charges [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	'	'	$7
LaGuardia [Member]	'	'	'
Number of Slot Pairs Divested	'	'	16
Reagan National [Member]	'	'	'
Number of Slot Pairs Divested	'	'	8

American_Express_Relationship_1

American Express Relationship (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	$1,861,000,000	$1,806,000,000	'
Deferred Revenue, Additions	675,000,000	675,000,000	675,000,000
Fuel card obligation	602,000,000	455,000,000	'
Deferred Revenue, Future Additions in Next Twelve Months	675,000,000	'	'
American Express Advance Purchase of SkyMiles [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	1,000,000,000	'	'
Frequent flyer deferred revenue	285,000,000	'	'
Fuel Card Obligation [Member]	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$612,000,000	'	'

Long_Term_Debt_Details

Long Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Secured Debt	$11,074		$11,839
Unsecured Debt	154		794
Long-term Debt, Gross	11,228		12,633
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net	-383		-527
Long-term Debt	10,845		12,106
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	-1,449		-1,507
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	9,396		10,599
Pacific Term Loan B1 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	31-Oct-18		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.00%	[1]	'
Secured Debt	1,089	[2]	1,100	[2]
Pacific Term Loan B2 [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	30-Apr-16		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.25%	[1]	'
Secured Debt	396	[2]	400	[2]
Pacific Revolving Facility [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	31-Oct-17		'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0		0
Term Loan Facility [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	30-Apr-17		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.50%	[1]	'
Secured Debt	1,341	[2]	1,354	[2]
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	30-Apr-16		'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0		0
Certificates [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Secured Debt	3,834	[2],[3]	4,314	[2],[3]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	1-Jan-14		'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	31-Dec-23		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	4.75%		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	9.75%		'
Aircraft Financings [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Secured Debt	3,787	[2],[3]	3,964	[2],[3]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	1-Jan-14		'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	31-Dec-25		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.64%		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	6.76%		'
Other Secured Financings [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Secured Debt	627	[2],[4]	707	[2],[4]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	1-Jan-14		'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	31-Dec-31		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.00%		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	6.12%		'
Bank Revolving Credit Facilities [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0		0
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	1-Jan-14		'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	31-Dec-15		'
American Express Advance Purchase of SkyMiles [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Unsecured Debt	0	[5]	619	[5]
Other Unsecured Debt [Member]	'		'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'		'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	1-Jan-14		'
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	31-Dec-35		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	3.01%		'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	9.00%		'
Unsecured Debt	$154	[2]	$175	[2]
[1]	(1)B Interest rate equal to LIBOR (generally subject to a floor) or another index rate, in each case plus a specified margin.
[2]	(2)B Due in installments
[3]	(3)B Secured by aircraft.
[4]	(4)B Primarily includes loans secured by spare parts, spare engines and real estate.
[5]	(5)B For additional information about our debt associated with American Express, see Note 7.

Long_Term_Debt_Details_1

Long Term Debt (Details 1)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
2011 Credit Facilities [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Covenant Description	'Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio 1.20:1; Minimum Unrestricted Liquidity - Unrestricted cash and permitted investments $1.0 billion, Unrestricted cash, permitted investments, and undrawn revolving credit facilities $2.0 billion; Minimum Collateral Coverage Ratio 1.67:1; Excluding the non-Pacific international routes from the collateral for purposes of the calculation, the required minimum collateral coverage ratio is 0.75:1
Pacific Facilities [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Covenant Description	'Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio 1.20:1; Minimum Unrestricted Liquidity - Unrestricted cash, permitted investments, and undrawn revolving credit facilities $2.0 billion; Minimum Collateral Coverage Ratio 1.60:1

Long_Term_Debt_Details_2

Long Term Debt (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$1,925
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	1,225
Pacific Routes Revolving Facility [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	450
Bank Revolving Credit Facilities [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$250

Long_Term_Debt_Details_3

Long Term Debt (Details 3) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months	$1,491	'
Debt Instrument, Amortization Discount (Premium), Net Year One	-80	'
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	1,089	'
Debt Instrument, Amortization Discount (Premium), Net Year Two	-73	'
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	1,472	'
Debt Instrument, Amortization Discount (Premium), Net Year Three	-67	'
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	2,190	'
Debt Instrument, Amortization Discount (Premium), Net Year Four	-58	'
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	2,159	'
Debt Instrument, Amortization Discount (Premium), Net Year Five	-47	'
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	2,827	'
Debt Instrument, Amortization Discount (Premium), Net After Year Five	-58	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	11,228	12,633
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net	-383	-527
Long-term Debt	$10,845	$12,106

Long_Term_Debt_Details_4

Long Term Debt (Details 4) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term Debt, Gross	$11,228	$12,633
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net	-383	-527
Debt, Long-term and Short-term, Combined Amount	10,845	12,106
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$11,600	$13,000

Long_Term_Debt_Narrative_Detai

Long Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Line of Credit [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Covenant Compliance	'We were in compliance with all covenants in our financing agreements at DecemberB 31, 2013
Senior Secured Pacific Facilities [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	2,000,000,000
Pacific Routes Revolving Facility [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	450,000,000
Pacific Routes Term Facility [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Percentage Of Principal	0.01
Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment	'quarterly
Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	2,600,000,000
Term Loan Facility [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Percentage Of Principal	0.01
Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment	'quarterly
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	1,400,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	30-Apr-17
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,200,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	30-Apr-16
Revolving Credit Facility Letters of Credit [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	500,000,000

Lease_Obligations_Details

Lease Obligations (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current	$165
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years	158
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years	143
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years	100
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years	54
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter	74
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	694
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Interest Included in Payments	-197
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Present Value of Net Minimum Payments	497
Capital Lease Obligations, Current	-98
Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent	$399

Lease_Obligations_Details_1

Lease Obligations (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mainline [Member]	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current	$1,079	[1]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	1,028	[1]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	900	[1]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	785	[1]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	635	[1]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	5,442	[1]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	9,869	[1]
Regional Carrier [Member]	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current	350
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	328
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	286
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	241
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	196
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	224
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	1,625
Reporting Entity [Member]	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current	1,429
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	1,356
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	1,186
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	1,026
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	831
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	5,666
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	$11,494
[1]	(1)B Includes payments accounted for as construction obligations. See Note 5.

Lease_Obligations_Narrative_De

Lease Obligations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$1.10	$1.10	$1.10

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (Capital Addition Purchase Commitments [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Due in 2014	$1,585
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Due in 2015	1,215
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Due in 2016	1,700
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Due in 2017	1,495
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Due in 2018	450
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Due after 2018	2,700
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Total	$9,145

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 1) (Airline Capacity Purchase Arrangements [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Airline Capacity Purchase Arrangements [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Due in 2014	$2,110	[1]
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Due in 2015	2,040	[1]
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Due in 2016	1,780	[1]
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Due in 2017	1,560	[1]
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Due in 2018	1,320	[1]
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Due after 2018	1,930	[1]
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Total	$10,740	[1]
[1]	These amounts exclude Contract Carrier payments accounted for as operating leases of aircraft, which are described in Note 9. The contingencies described below under bContingencies Related to Termination of Contract Carrier Agreementsb are also excluded from this table.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_4

Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Delta Pilots	'
Entity Number of Employees	10,700
Union Representing Employee Group	'ALPA
Date Which Collective Bargaining Agreement Becomes Amendable	31-Dec-15
Delta Flight Superintendents (Dispatchers) [Member]	'
Entity Number of Employees	370
Union Representing Employee Group	'PAFCA
Date Which Collective Bargaining Agreement Becomes Amendable	31-Dec-13
Endeavor Air Pilots	'
Entity Number of Employees	1,820
Union Representing Employee Group	'ALPA
Date Which Collective Bargaining Agreement Becomes Amendable	1-Jan-20
Endeavor Air Flight Attendants	'
Entity Number of Employees	990
Union Representing Employee Group	'AFA
Date Which Collective Bargaining Agreement Becomes Amendable	31-Dec-18
Endeavor Air Dispatchers	'
Entity Number of Employees	60
Union Representing Employee Group	'DISTWU
Date Which Collective Bargaining Agreement Becomes Amendable	31-Dec-18

Commitments_and_Contingencies_5

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Contract carriers expiration dates	'2016 to 2022
Terms Of Aircraft Lease	'the lease would have (1) a rate equal to the debt payments of Chautauqua or Shuttle America for the debt financing of the aircraft calculated as if 90% of the aircraft was debt financed by Chautauqua or Shuttle America and (2) other specified terms and conditions
Rate Of Interest On The Equity To Be Paid On Exercising Put Right	10.00%
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Aircraft Purchase Commitments, Total	9,145
B 737 900ER [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Minimum Quantity Required	88
A321-200 [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Minimum Quantity Required	30
CRJ 900 [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Minimum Quantity Required	28
B-787-8 aircraft [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Minimum Quantity Required	18
A330-300 [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Minimum Quantity Required	10
B 717 200 aircraft [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Other Aircraft Commitments	88
Number of Aircraft Delivered	13
Shuttle America [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Contract carriers expiration dates	'January 2016
Aircraft Put Right	294
Equity Amount To Be Paid On Exercise Of Put Right	52
Chautauqua [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Aircraft Put Right	119
Equity Amount To Be Paid On Exercise Of Put Right	25

Commitments_and_Contingencies_6

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative 1) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Percentage Of Employees Represented By Unions Under Collective Bargaining Agreements	18.00%	'
Required Cash Reserve for Credit Card Agreements	$0	$0
Required Amount of Withholding of Payments for Credit Card Agreements	0	0
Cash Reserve for Credit Card Processing Agreements	0	0
Amount Withheld for Credit Card Processing Agreements	$0	$0
All Employees [Member]	'	'
Entity Number of Employees	78,000	'
Refinery Employees [Member]	'	'
Entity Number of Employees	210	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets period End	$9,880		$9,150		'
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation Period Start	21,489	[1]	19,293		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	0		0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	861		930		969
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Net (Gains) Losses	-2,212		2,334		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	-1,078		-1,057		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Plan Participants	0		0		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments	0		0		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Special Termination Benefits	0		0		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Settlements, Benefit Obligation	0		-11		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation Period End	19,060	[1]	21,489	[1]	19,293
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets Period Start	8,196		7,789		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets	905		778		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	914		697		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Plan Participants	0		0		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	-1,078		-1,057		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Settlements, Plan Assets	0		-11		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets period End	8,937		8,196		7,789
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan [Abstract]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	-10,123		-13,293		'
United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation Period Start	3,582	[1]	3,570		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	49		56		52
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	143		164		180
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Net (Gains) Losses	-301		147		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	-313		-310		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Plan Participants	45		58		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments	0		-219		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Special Termination Benefits	0		116		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Settlements, Benefit Obligation	0		0		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation Period End	3,205	[1]	3,582	[1]	3,570
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets Period Start	1,004		972		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets	129		134		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	191		222		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Plan Participants	45		58		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	-313		-310		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets, Period Increase (Decrease)	-326		-382		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Settlements, Plan Assets	0		0		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets period End	1,043		1,004		972
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan [Abstract]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	($2,162)		($2,578)		'
[1]	(1)B At each period-end presented, our accumulated benefit obligations for our pension plans are equal to the benefit obligations shown above.

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details1

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent	($12,392)	($16,005)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax, [Abstract]	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	-5,300	-8,200
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Current Liabilities	-22	-24
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent	-10,101	-13,269
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities	-10,123	-13,293
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax, [Abstract]	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	-5,349	-7,958
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax	0	0
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	-5,349	-7,958
United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Current Liabilities	-139	-132
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent	-2,023	-2,446
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities	-2,162	-2,578
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax, [Abstract]	'	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	-103	-473
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax	161	187
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	$58	($286)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details2

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	$0	$0	$0
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	861	930	969
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets	-734	-705	-724
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	221	143	55
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net (Gain) Loss Due to Settlements	6	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Other Costs	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	354	368	300
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	490	426	377
Defined Benefit Plan Cost Benefit	844	794	677
United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	49	56	52
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	143	164	180
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets	-84	-77	-90
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	-26	-21	-3
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	25	23	-11
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net (Gain) Loss Due to Settlements	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Other Costs	0	116	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	107	261	128
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan Cost Benefit	$107	$261	$128

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details3

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 3)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate	5.01%	[1],[2]	4.11%	[1],[2]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	9.00%		'		'
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	4.10%	[2]	4.95%	[2]	5.70%	[2]
United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	4.00%	[2],[3]	4.63%	[2],[3]	5.55%	[2],[3]
Defined Benefit Plan, Health Care Cost Trend Rate Assumed for Next Fiscal Year	7.00%	[2],[4]	7.00%	[2],[4]	7.00%	[2],[4]
Other Pension Plans, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	4.13%	[2]	4.88%	[2]	5.63%	[2]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	8.94%	[2]	8.94%	[2]	8.93%	[2]
[1]	(1)B Our 2013 and 2012 benefit obligations are measured using a mortality table projected to 2017 and 2016, respectively.
[2]	(2)B Future compensation levels do not impact our frozen defined benefit pension plans or other postretirement plans and impact only a small portion of our other postemployment liability.
[3]	(4)B Our assumptions reflect various remeasurements of certain portions of our obligations and represent the weighted average of the assumptions used for each measurement date.
[4]	Assumed healthcare cost trend rate at DecemberB 31, 2013 is assumed to decline gradually to 5.00% by 2022 and remain level thereafter.

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details4

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 4) (United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Service and Interest Cost Components	$1
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Service and Interest Cost Components	-1
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation	15
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation	($25)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details5

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 5) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year One	$1,128
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Two	1,136
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Three	1,154
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Four	1,175
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Five	1,194
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	6,226
United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year One	272
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Two	272
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Three	273
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Four	270
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Five	264
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	$1,311

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details6

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 6)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage of Assets, Debt Securities	100.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Debt Securities	100.00%
Debt Securities [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage of Assets, Debt Securities	23.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Debt Securities	12.00%
Domestic equity securities [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage of Assets, Debt Securities	21.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Debt Securities	14.00%
Non US developed equity securities [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage of Assets, Debt Securities	20.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Debt Securities	23.00%
Alternative investments [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage of Assets, Debt Securities	19.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Debt Securities	21.00%
Non US emerging equity securities [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage of Assets, Debt Securities	6.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Debt Securities	6.00%
Hedge Funds [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage of Assets, Debt Securities	5.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Debt Securities	6.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage of Assets, Debt Securities	5.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Debt Securities	14.00%
Fixed Income Funds [Member]	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage of Assets, Debt Securities	1.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Debt Securities	4.00%

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details7

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 7) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$9,880	$9,150
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,802	1,538
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	5,413	5,036
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,665	2,576
Equity Securities [Member] | U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	558	575
Equity Securities [Member] | Non-U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,269	923
Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	558	575
Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Non-U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,216	886
Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Non-U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	53	37
Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Non-U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	3	69
Mutual Funds [Member] | Non-U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	43	129
Mutual Funds [Member] | Non-U.S. Emerging Markets [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	327	466
Mutual Funds [Member] | Diversified Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	218	390
Mutual Funds [Member] | High Yield [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	348	153
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Non-U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Non-U.S. Emerging Markets [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Diversified Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | High Yield [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	3	69
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Non-U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	43	129
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Non-U.S. Emerging Markets [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	327	466
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Diversified Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	218	390
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | High Yield [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	348	153
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Non-U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Non-U.S. Emerging Markets [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Diversified Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Mutual Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | High Yield [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Commingled Funds [Member] | U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	864	824
Commingled Funds [Member] | Non-U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	782	688
Commingled Funds [Member] | Non-U.S. Emerging Markets [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	319	178
Commingled Funds [Member] | Diversified Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	680	763
Commingled Funds [Member] | High Yield [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	98	38
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Non-U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Non-U.S. Emerging Markets [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Diversified Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | High Yield [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	864	824
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Non-U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	782	688
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Non-U.S. Emerging Markets [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	319	178
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Diversified Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	680	763
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | High Yield [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	39	25
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Non-U.S. [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Non-U.S. Emerging Markets [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Diversified Fixed Income [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | High Yield [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	59	13
Private Equity Funds [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,366	1,466
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Private Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,366	1,466
Real Estate [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	688	613
Real Estate [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Real Estate [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Real Estate [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	688	613
Hedge Funds [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	552	484
Hedge Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Hedge Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Hedge Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	552	484
Fixed Income Funds [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities; Income approach. Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	155	573
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	155	573
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Assets [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.	'Market approach. Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,610	818
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	28	77
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,582	741
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$0	$0

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details8

Employee Benefit Plans (Details 8) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Private Equity Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	$1,366	$1,466	$1,517
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements	-262	-95	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	'	0	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3	0	'	'
Real Estate Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	688	613	527
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements	-5	89	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	'	0	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3	0	'	'
Hedge Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	552	484	432
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements	19	-2	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	'	13	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3	0	'	'
Commingled Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	59	13	11
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements	44	0	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	'	0	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3	0	'	'
Benefit Plan Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value	2,665	2,576	2,487
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases, Sales, Issues, Settlements	-204	-8	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	'	13	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3	0	'	'
Assets Still Held At The Reporting Date [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	98	0	'
Assets Still Held At The Reporting Date [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	61	-11	'
Assets Still Held At The Reporting Date [Member] | Hedge Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	49	50	'
Assets Still Held At The Reporting Date [Member] | Commingled Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	2	2	'
Assets Still Held At The Reporting Date [Member] | Benefit Plan Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	210	41	'
Assets Sold During The Period [Member] | Private Equity Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	64	44	'
Assets Sold During The Period [Member] | Real Estate Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	19	8	'
Assets Sold During The Period [Member] | Hedge Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	0	-9	'
Assets Sold During The Period [Member] | Commingled Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	0	0	'
Assets Sold During The Period [Member] | Benefit Plan Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Period Increase (Decrease)	$83	$43	'

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Narrati

Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Rate			Total funding under pension plans [Member]	Contribution above minimum funding requirement [Member]	United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Other Information	8.85%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	'	'	'	$925	$250	'	'	'
Assumed Health care plan pre age	65	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assumed Health care plan post age	65	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Other Costs	'	'	'	'	'	0	116	0
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	5,300	8,200	'	'	'	103	473	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amounts that Will be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Next Fiscal Year	111	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Description of Direction and Pattern of Change for Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rate	'0.05	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Annualized three year rate of return on plan assets	9.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Annualized five year rate of return on plan assets	12.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	9.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred Compensation Cash-based Arrangements, Liability, Current	$506	$372	$264	'	'	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]	'	'	'
Federal Current Tax Benefit (Provision)	$24	$0	$91
State and Local Current Tax Benefit (Provision)	-3	15	-6
International Current Tax Benefit (Provision)	1	-14	-2
Federal Deferred Tax Provision	7,197	-4	2
State and Local Deferred Tax Provision	794	-13	0
Income Tax Benefit (Provision)	$8,013	($16)	$85

Income_Taxes_Details_1

Income Taxes (Details 1)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
		Rate		Rate	Rate
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
U.S. Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State Taxes	3.00%	3.00%	3.30%	3.30%	3.40%	3.40%
Other	-0.40%	-0.40%	4.00%	4.00%	-3.70%	-3.70%
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	37.60%	-317.20%	42.30%	1.50%	-11.00%	34.70%
Decrease in Valuation Allowance	-367.50%	-367.50%	-40.80%	-40.80%	-45.70%	-45.70%
Income Tax Allocation	12.70%	12.70%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards	$6,024	$6,414
Pension, Postretirement and Other Benefits	4,982	6,415
AMT Credit Carryforward	378	402
Deferred Revenue	1,965	2,133
Other	698	881
Valuation Allowance	-177	-10,963
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance	13,870	5,282
Components of Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Depreciation	4,799	4,851
Intangible Assets	1,704	1,730
Other	639	285
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities	7,142	6,866
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Classification [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	1,736	463
Deferred income taxes, net	4,992	0
Deferred income taxes, net	0	-2,047
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	$6,728	($1,584)

Income_Taxes_Details_3

Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'		'		'
Income Tax Benefit (Provision)	($8,013)		$16		($85)
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]	'		'		'
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'		'		'
Valuation Allowances at Beginning of Period	10,963	[1]	10,705	[1]	9,632
Income Tax Provision	-975		-432		-351
Other Comprehensive Income Tax Benefit	-1,186		690		1,241
Other	-315		0		183
Valuation Allowances at End of Period	177	[1]	10,963	[1]	10,705	[1]
Valuation allowance release [Member] [Member]	'		'		'
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'		'		'
Income Tax Benefit (Provision)	($8,310)		$0		$0
[1]	(1)B In addition to tax valuation allowance release of $8.3 billion, we recorded an income tax expense of $321 million related to an income tax allocation as discussed below, resulting in a net income tax benefit of $8.0 billion in 2013.(2)B At DecemberB 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, $13 million, $3.1 billion and $2.5 billion of deferred income tax expense was recorded in AOCI on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively.

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2009
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
AMT Credit Carryforward	$378,000,000	$402,000,000	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards	15,300,000,000	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Dates	1-Jan-23	'	'	'
Valuation Allowance	177,000,000	10,963,000,000	'	'
Income Before Income Taxes	2,527,000,000	1,025,000,000	769,000,000	'
Income Tax Benefit (Provision)	-8,013,000,000	16,000,000	-85,000,000	'
Non Cash Income Tax Expense Recorded In Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	-321,000,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Valuation Allowance Net Of Tax	13,000,000	3,100,000,000	2,500,000,000	'
Income tax expense related to tax allocation	321,000,000	'	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	1,900,000,000	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	37,000,000	44,000,000	22,000,000	'
Capital Loss Carryforward [Member]	'	'	'	'
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Valuation Allowance	107,000,000	'	'	'
Valuation Allowance, Operating Loss Carryforwards [Member]	'	'	'	'
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Valuation Allowance	70,000,000	'	'	'
Release of tax valuation allowance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income Tax Benefit (Provision)	$8,300,000,000	'	'	'

Equity_and_Equity_Compensation1

Equity and Equity Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Capital Stock Shares Authorized	2,000,000,000	'	'
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	1,500,000,000	1,500,000,000	'
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.00	$0.00	'
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	500,000,000	'	'
Treasury Stock Acquired, Weighted Average Cost Per Share	$14.31	$14.24	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized	157,000,000	'	'
Capital Stock Shares Authorized	28,000,000	'	'
Share-based Compensation	$90	$54	$72
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	45	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	7,000,000	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	8,000,000	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$11.80	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number	7,000,000	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	$0	$0	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Benefit Liabilities, Net of Tax	($5,349)	($8,314)	($6,292)	($3,271)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Derivative Contracts Net of Tax	219	-263	-474	-307
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	-5,130	-8,577	-6,766	-3,578
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Benefit Liabilities, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax	2,741	-2,171	-3,062	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	296	196	5	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Changes In Fair Value Net of Tax	3,037	-1,975	-3,057	'
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Benefit Liabilities, Net of Tax	224	149	41	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Net of Tax	186	15	-172	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Reclassification To Earnings Net of Tax	$410	$164	($131)	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2009
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Non Cash Income Tax Expense Recorded In Other Comprehensive Income	$321

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parentheticals) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2009
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Deferred Income Taxes	$0	$0	$0	'
Non Cash Income Tax Expense Recorded In Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	$321

Geographic_Information_Details

Geographic Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Total Operating Revenue	$9,076	$10,490	$9,707	$8,500	$8,602	$9,923	$9,732	$8,413	$37,773	$36,670	$35,115
Domestic [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Operating Revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	24,857	23,989	22,722
Atlantic [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Operating Revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,446	6,329	6,486
Pacific [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Operating Revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,086	4,198	3,644
Latin America [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Operating Revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$2,384	$2,154	$2,263

Restructuring_and_Other_Items_2

Restructuring and Other Items (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	$402	$452	$242
Facilities, fleet and other [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	402	293	135
Severance and related costs [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	0	237	100
Routes and slots [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	$0	($78)	$7

Restructuring_and_Other_Items_3

Restructuring and Other Items (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Severance and related costs [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Liability at beginning of period	$49	$46	$20
Additional costs and expenses	0	126	100
Other restructuring adjustments	-3	0	0
Restructuring payments	-46	-123	-74
Liability at end of period	0	49	46
Facility Closing [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Liability at beginning of period	77	64	85
Additional costs and expenses	114	45	0
Other restructuring adjustments	-5	0	0
Restructuring payments	-18	-32	-21
Liability at end of period	$168	$77	$64

Restructuring_and_Other_Items_4

Restructuring and Other Items (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	$402	$452	$242
Facilities, fleet and other [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	402	293	135
Property Subject to Operating Lease [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	107	'	'
Severance and related costs [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	0	237	100
Comair Employee Severance [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	'	66	'
Routes and slots [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	0	-78	7
Delta Employee Severance [Member] | Severance and related costs [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Number of Employees	'	2,000	'
Comair Employee Severance [Member] | Severance and related costs [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Number of Employees	'	1,700	'
United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Other Costs	0	116	0
Minimum [Member] | Future operating lease charges [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	200	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Future operating lease charges [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring and other items	$300	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Income	$8,479	$1,369	$685	$7	$7	$1,047	($168)	$124	$10,540	$1,009	$854
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	849	845	838
Dilutive effects of share based awards	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9	5	6
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	858	850	844
Basic earnings per share	$10.02	$1.61	$0.81	$0.01	$0.01	$1.24	($0.20)	$0.15	$12.41	$1.20	$1.02
Diluted earnings per share	$9.89	$1.59	$0.80	$0.01	$0.01	$1.23	($0.20)	$0.15	$12.29	$1.19	$1.01
Antidilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8	18	17

Other_Investments_Narrative_De

Other Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Acquisition of Endeavor	$30,000,000
Number of Aircraft Acquired	16
Fair Value of Assets Acquired	270,000,000
Aircraft Debt Assumed	240,000,000
Number of Aircraft Leased by Endeavor	169
Virgin Atlantic Ownership Percentage	49.00%
Equity Method Investments	60,000,000
Purchase Price [Member]	'
Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Equity Method Investments	$360,000,000

Dividend_and_Share_Repurchase_1

Dividend and Share Repurchase (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Dividend and Share Repurchase [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Return of capital to shareholders	'	'	'	$1,000,000,000	'	'
Cash dividends declared per common share	$0.06	$0.06	$0.06	$0.12	$0	$0
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	21-Feb-14	6-Nov-13	9-Aug-13	'	'	'
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	14-Mar-14	26-Nov-13	10-Sep-13	'	'	'
Dividends, Cash	'	'	'	51,000,000	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	'	'	'	500,000,000	'	'
Share repurchase program, completion date	'	'	'	30-Jun-16	'	'
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares	'	'	'	10	'	'
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	'	'	'	$250,000,000	'	'
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	7-Feb-14	'	'	'	'	'

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud2

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total Operating Revenue	$9,076	$10,490	$9,707	$8,500	$8,602	$9,923	$9,732	$8,413	$37,773	$36,670	$35,115
Operating Income (Loss)	701	1,563	914	222	352	1,308	134	382	3,400	2,175	1,975
Net Income	$8,479	$1,369	$685	$7	$7	$1,047	($168)	$124	$10,540	$1,009	$854
Basic earnings per share	$10.02	$1.61	$0.81	$0.01	$0.01	$1.24	($0.20)	$0.15	$12.41	$1.20	$1.02
Diluted earnings per share	$9.89	$1.59	$0.80	$0.01	$0.01	$1.23	($0.20)	$0.15	$12.29	$1.19	$1.01

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud3

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information, Quarterly Charges and Credits, Amount Affecting Comparability	$7,921	$157	($159)	($78)	($231)	$279	($754)	$163
Facilities, fleet and other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly Financial Information, Quarterly Charges and Credits, Amount Affecting Comparability	-160	-128	-34	-102	-122	-122	-22	-27
MTM adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly Financial Information, Quarterly Charges and Credits, Amount Affecting Comparability	92	285	-125	24	-3	440	-561	151
Release of tax valuation allowance [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly Financial Information, Quarterly Charges and Credits, Amount Affecting Comparability	7,989	0	0	0	'	'	'	'
Severance and related costs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly Financial Information, Quarterly Charges and Credits, Amount Affecting Comparability	'	'	'	'	0	-66	-171	0
Routes and slots [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly Financial Information, Quarterly Charges and Credits, Amount Affecting Comparability	'	'	'	'	0	39	0	39
Loss on extingushment of debt [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quarterly Financial Information, Quarterly Charges and Credits, Amount Affecting Comparability	'	'	'	'	($106)	($12)	$0	$0