Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Components of Regional Expenses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Regional Expenses [Line Items]
Aircraft fuel and related taxes		$ 5,071	$ 6,226	$ 10,592
Salaries, wages and benefits		10,890	9,524	8,508
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	$ 450	709	1,051	800
Other		4,525	4,374	4,118
Total regional expenses		6,044	5,983	6,516
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Regional Expenses [Line Items]
Aircraft fuel and related taxes		5,071	6,226	10,592
Salaries, wages and benefits		10,881	9,514	8,499
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	$ 447	709	1,051	783
Other		4,532	4,378	4,186
Total regional expenses		6,009	5,952	6,477
Regional Carrier [Member]
Regional Expenses [Line Items]
Aircraft fuel and related taxes		1,109	1,230	2,009
Salaries, wages and benefits		1,333	1,187	1,140
Capacity purchases from third-party regional carriers		1,538	1,651	1,494
Maintenance, materials and repairs		345	323	367
Other rent and landing fees		564	504	444
Aircraft rent		36	34	35
Selling expenses		347	333	307
Depreciation and amortization		301	252	217
Special items, net		14	29	24
Other		457	440	479
Total regional expenses		6,044	5,983	6,516
Regional Carrier [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Regional Expenses [Line Items]
Aircraft fuel and related taxes		1,109	1,230	2,009
Salaries, wages and benefits		327	276	228
Capacity purchases from third-party regional carriers		3,186	3,137	2,858
Maintenance, materials and repairs		4	4	6
Other rent and landing fees		487	434	386
Aircraft rent		28	28	27
Selling expenses		347	333	307
Depreciation and amortization		237	197	168
Special items, net		13	18	5
Other		271	295	483
Total regional expenses		$ 6,009	$ 5,952	$ 6,477