Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Components of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for Obsolescence of Inventories [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 728	$ 673	$ 547
Changes charged to statement of operations accounts	37	50	142
Write-offs (net of recoveries)	(3)	(4)	(4)
Sales, retirements and transfers	3	9	(12)
Balance at end of year	765	728	673
Allowance for Obsolescence of Inventories [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	689	638	504
Changes charged to statement of operations accounts	28	42	135
Write-offs (net of recoveries)			(2)
Sales, retirements and transfers	3	9	1
Balance at end of year	720	689	638
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	41	17	41
Changes charged to statement of operations accounts	47	46	6
Write-offs (net of recoveries)	(52)	(22)	(30)
Balance at end of year	36	41	17
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	37	14	40
Changes charged to statement of operations accounts	47	45	3
Write-offs (net of recoveries)	(49)	(22)	(29)
Balance at end of year	$ 35	$ 37	$ 14