Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Detail)

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EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Employees
Jun. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Jun. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Postretirement Medical Benefit Plan
Jun. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Postretirement Medical Benefit Plan
Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Postretirement Medical Benefit Plan
Jun. 30, 2014
Multiemployer Plans, Pension [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Multiemployer Plans, Pension [Member]
Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Event [Member]
Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Event [Member]
Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Event [Member]
Defined Benefit Postretirement Medical Benefit Plan
Jun. 30, 2014
Non-National Master Agreement (Non-NMA) [Member]
Employees
Jun. 30, 2014
National Master Agreement (NMA) [Member]
Employees
Jun. 30, 2014
National Master Agreement (NMA) [Member]
Employees
Jun. 30, 2014
remeasurement of postretirement obligation [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
defined benefit plan settlement losses [Member]
National Master Agreement (NMA) [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
partial plan curtailment [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]                                    
other employees under collective bargaining agreements affected by changes in healthcare benefits                         16,000          
Amount contributed to company- sponsored benefit plans       $ 51   $ 64                        
Estimated future employer contributions to defined benefit plan, current fiscal year       49   36                        
Number of employees under a national master agreement and various supplemental agreements with local unions affiliated with Teamsters     253,000                              
Majority of ground mechanics not employed under agreements     3,100                              
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid                           278        
Full-time employees affected by change in healthcare benefits                           36,000 36,000      
part-time employees affected by changes in healthcare benefits                           73,000 73,000      
Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation, Present Value               882 884                  
Multi-employer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation, Fair Value Disclosure               782 783                  
Number of pilots under a collective bargaining agreement with the Independent Pilots Association     2,600                              
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements and Curtailments         (320) (320)             31   1,066 746 208 112
DefinedBenefitPlanRecognizedNetGainLossDuetoSettlementsandCurtailmentsAfterTax   665                                
Settlement payments to fund for assumption of postretirement benefit obligation 2,271 2,271                     276 1,995 1,995      
CashTaxBenefitDueToSettlementofBenefitObligation   375               479                
ChangeInPostRetirementBenefitandAOCI 13 13                                
Defined Benefit Plan, Curtailments 858                   1,094              
Defined Benefit Plan, Plans with Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Benefit Obligation         $ 2,833 $ 2,833 $ 3,691         $ 2,597