Summary Of Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 months years	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Airport operating and gate lease rights, useful life	25
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, residual value	$ 0
Amortization period of mileage credit revenue, months	28
Unrecognized revenue from selling AAdvantage miles	1,600,000,000	1,400,000,000
Advertising expense	$ 186,000,000	$ 165,000,000	$ 153,000,000
Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Residual values for aircraft, engines, major rotable parts, avionics and assemblies, percentage	5.00%
Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Residual values for aircraft, engines, major rotable parts, avionics and assemblies, percentage	10.00%
Aircraft [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Lease term	6
Aircraft [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Lease term	25
Leased Equipment And Property [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Lease term	7
Leased Equipment And Property [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Lease term	40