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Fair Value Instruments - Carrying and Estimated Fair Value of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Sep. 30, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2006
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5.75% Notes due 2016 |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Stated interest rate |  | 5.75%
5.75% Notes due 2016 | Unsecured Debt |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Carrying amount of debt | $ 308 |
Stated interest rate | 5.75% |
5.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2016 | Convertible Debt |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Carrying amount of debt | $ 112 |
Stated interest rate | 5.25% |
5.125% Notes due 2017 | Unsecured Debt |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Carrying amount of debt | $ 310 |
Stated interest rate | 5.125% |
French Credit Agreements due 2018 - 1.15% | Notes Payable to Banks |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Carrying amount of debt | $ 31 |
Stated interest rate | 1.15% |
Fixed-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2018 - 7.02% | Notes Payable to Banks |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Carrying amount of debt | $ 18 |
Stated interest rate | 7.02% |
2.75% Notes Due 2019 | Unsecured Debt |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Carrying amount of debt | $ 308 |
Stated interest rate | 2.75% |
Term Loan Agreement due 2019 - 6.315% | Notes Payable to Banks |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Carrying amount of debt | $ 152 |
Stated interest rate | 6.315% |
Term Loan Agreement due 2019 - 4.84% | Notes Payable to Banks |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Carrying amount of debt | $ 36 |
Stated interest rate | 4.84% |
Term Loan Agreement due 2020 - 5.223% | Notes Payable to Banks |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Carrying amount of debt | $ 340 |
Stated interest rate | 5.223% |
Floating-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2020 | Notes Payable to Banks |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Carrying amount of debt | $ 267 |
Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24% | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Carrying amount of debt | $ 339 |
Stated interest rate | 6.24% |
7.375% Debentures due 2027 | Unsecured Debt |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Carrying amount of debt | $ 132 |
Stated interest rate | 7.375% |
Level 2 | 5.75% Notes due 2016 | Unsecured Debt |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Notes Payable, Fair Value | $ 324 |
Level 2 | 5.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2016 | Convertible Debt |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Notes Payable, Fair Value | 294 |
Level 2 | 5.125% Notes due 2017 | Unsecured Debt |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Notes Payable, Fair Value | 326 |
Level 2 | 2.75% Notes Due 2019 | Unsecured Debt |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Notes Payable, Fair Value | 313 |
Level 2 | Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24% | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Notes Payable, Fair Value | 380 |
Level 2 | 7.375% Debentures due 2027 | Unsecured Debt |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Loans Payable, Fair Value | 160 |
Level 3 | French Credit Agreements due 2018 - 1.15% | Notes Payable to Banks |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Notes Payable, Fair Value | 31 |
Level 3 | Fixed-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2018 - 7.02% | Notes Payable to Banks |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Notes Payable, Fair Value | 19 |
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement due 2019 - 6.315% | Notes Payable to Banks |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Loans Payable, Fair Value | 158 |
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement due 2019 - 4.84% | Notes Payable to Banks |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Loans Payable, Fair Value | 38 |
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement due 2020 - 5.223% | Notes Payable to Banks |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Loans Payable, Fair Value | 337 |
Level 3 | Floating-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2020 | Notes Payable to Banks |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Notes Payable, Fair Value | $ 261 |

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- Definition Amount of long-term debt before deduction of unamortized discount or premium. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, with initial maturities beyond one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9 + Details
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- Definition Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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