Revenue Recognition - Significant Categories of Reported Operating Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 7,478	$ 1,622	$ 11,486	$ 10,137
Passenger
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	6,545	1,108	9,724	8,788
Passenger travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	5,995	1,006	8,888	8,085
Loyalty revenue - travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	550	102	836	703
Cargo
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	326	130	641	277
Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	607	384	1,121	1,072
Loyalty revenue - marketing services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	529	356	986	927
Co-branded credit card and other partners
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	684	573	1,700	1,800
Other revenue
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	78	28	135	145
American Airlines, Inc.
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	7,478	1,622	11,485	10,136
American Airlines, Inc. | Passenger
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	6,545	1,108	9,724	8,788
American Airlines, Inc. | Passenger travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	5,995	1,006	8,888	8,085
American Airlines, Inc. | Loyalty revenue - travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	550	102	836	703
American Airlines, Inc. | Cargo
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	326	130	641	277
American Airlines, Inc. | Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	607	384	1,120	1,071
American Airlines, Inc. | Loyalty revenue - marketing services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	529	356	986	927
American Airlines, Inc. | Co-branded credit card and other partners
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	684	573
American Airlines, Inc. | Other revenue
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 78	$ 28	$ 134	$ 144