Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating revenues:
Mainline passenger	$ 27,909	$ 29,037	$ 30,802
Regional passenger	6,670	6,475	6,322
Cargo	700	760	875
Other	4,901	4,718	4,651
Total operating revenues	40,180	40,990	42,650
Operating expenses:
Aircraft fuel and related taxes	5,071	6,226	10,592
Salaries, wages and benefits	10,890	9,524	8,508
Regional expenses	6,044	5,983	6,516
Maintenance, materials and repairs	1,834	1,889	2,051
Other rent and landing fees	1,772	1,731	1,727
Aircraft rent	1,203	1,250	1,250
Selling expenses	1,323	1,394	1,544
Depreciation and amortization	1,525	1,364	1,295
Special items, net	709	1,051	800
Other	4,525	4,374	4,118
Total operating expenses	34,896	34,786	38,401
Operating income	5,284	6,204	4,249
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest income	63	39	31
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(991)	(880)	(887)
Other, net	(57)	(747)	(181)
Total nonoperating expense, net	(985)	(1,588)	(1,037)
Income before income taxes	4,299	4,616	3,212
Income tax provision (benefit)	1,623	(2,994)	330
Net income	$ 2,676	$ 7,610	$ 2,882
Earnings per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 4.85	$ 11.39	$ 4.02
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 4.81	$ 11.07	$ 3.93
Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic (in shares)	552,308	668,393	717,456
Diluted (in shares)	556,099	687,355	734,016
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.40	$ 0.20
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Operating revenues:
Mainline passenger	$ 27,909	$ 29,037	$ 30,802
Regional passenger	6,670	6,475	6,322
Cargo	700	760	875
Other	4,884	4,666	4,677
Total operating revenues	40,163	40,938	42,676
Operating expenses:
Aircraft fuel and related taxes	5,071	6,226	10,592
Salaries, wages and benefits	10,881	9,514	8,499
Regional expenses	6,009	5,952	6,477
Maintenance, materials and repairs	1,834	1,889	2,051
Other rent and landing fees	1,772	1,731	1,727
Aircraft rent	1,203	1,250	1,250
Selling expenses	1,323	1,394	1,544
Depreciation and amortization	1,525	1,364	1,301
Special items, net	709	1,051	783
Other	4,532	4,378	4,186
Total operating expenses	34,859	34,749	38,410
Operating income	5,304	6,189	4,266
Nonoperating income (expense):
Interest income	104	49	32
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(906)	(796)	(847)
Other, net	(59)	(774)	(183)
Total nonoperating expense, net	(861)	(1,521)	(998)
Income before income taxes	4,443	4,668	3,268
Income tax provision (benefit)	1,662	(3,452)	320
Net income	$ 2,781	$ 8,120	$ 2,948