Share Based Compensation - Stock Option and Stock-Settled SAR Award Activity for All Plans (Detail) - Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Awards, Beginning Balance (in shares)	4,013	7,007	11,158
Stock Options and SARS, Granted (in shares)	0	0	0
Stock Options and SARS, Exercised (in shares)	(1,738)	(2,985)	(4,109)
Stock Options and SARS, Forfeited (in shares)	0	0	0
Stock Options and SARS, Expired (in shares)	(180)	(9)	(42)
Awards, Ending Balance (in shares)	2,095	4,013	7,007
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance (in dollars per share)	$ 15.17	$ 13.90	$ 12.84
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted (in dollars per share)	0	0	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised (in dollars per share)	14.49	12.09	10.74
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeited (in dollars per share)	0	0	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Expired (in dollars per share)	46.19	45.75	41.73
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 13.08	$ 15.17	$ 13.90
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Ending Balance	1 year 7 months 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Ending balance	$ 70
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Awards, Beginning Balance (in shares)	4,013	7,007	11,158
Stock Options and SARS, Granted (in shares)	0	0	0
Stock Options and SARS, Exercised (in shares)	(1,738)	(2,985)	(4,109)
Stock Options and SARS, Forfeited (in shares)	0	0	0
Stock Options and SARS, Expired (in shares)	(180)	(9)	(42)
Awards, Ending Balance (in shares)	2,095	4,013	7,007
Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance (in dollars per share)	$ 15.17	$ 13.90	$ 12.84
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted (in dollars per share)	0	0	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised (in dollars per share)	14.49	12.09	10.74
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeited (in dollars per share)	0	0	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Expired (in dollars per share)	46.19	45.75	41.73
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending balance (in dollars per share)	$ 13.08	$ 15.17	$ 13.90
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years), Ending Balance	1 year 7 months 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Ending balance	$ 70