Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 2,676	$ 7,610	$ 2,882
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,818	1,609	1,513
Debt discount and lease amortization	(119)	(122)	(171)
Special items, non-cash	270	273	52
Pension and postretirement	(68)	(193)	(163)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	1,611	(3,014)	346
Share-based compensation	100	284	304
Other, net	(18)	(12)	3
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	(160)	352	(160)
Increase in other assets	(184)	(27)	(168)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	307	173	110
Increase (decrease) in air traffic liability	164	(505)	(97)
Increase (decrease) in loyalty program liability	264	(295)	(229)
Contributions to pension plans	(32)	(6)	(810)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	(105)	122	(332)
Net cash provided by operating activities	6,524	6,249	3,080
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures and aircraft purchase deposits	(5,731)	(6,151)	(5,311)
Purchases of short-term investments	(6,241)	(8,126)	(5,380)
Sales of short-term investments	6,092	8,517	7,179
Decrease in restricted cash and short-term investments	57	79	261
Net proceeds from slot transaction			307
Proceeds from sale of an investment		52
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	123	35	33
Other investing activities	2
Net cash used in investing activities	(5,698)	(5,594)	(2,911)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on long-term debt and capital leases	(3,827)	(2,153)	(3,132)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	7,701	5,009	3,302
Deferred financing costs	(77)	(87)	(106)
Sale-leaseback transactions	5	43	811
Exercise of stock options			10
Treasury stock repurchases	(4,500)	(3,846)	(1,062)
Dividend payments	(224)	(278)	(144)
Other financing activities	28	53	6
Net cash provided by financing activities	(894)	(1,259)	(315)
Net decrease in cash	(68)	(604)	(146)
Cash at beginning of year	390	994	1,140
Cash at end of year	322	390	994
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	2,781	8,120	2,948
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,762	1,560	1,469
Debt discount and lease amortization	(124)	(126)	(171)
Special items, non-cash	270	295	91
Pension and postretirement	(70)	(194)	(163)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	1,652	(3,467)	344
Share-based compensation	100	284	300
Other, net	(16)	(21)	7
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable	(169)	354	(176)
Increase in other assets	(205)	(22)	(191)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	336	214	74
Increase (decrease) in air traffic liability	164	(505)	(97)
Increase in receivables from related parties, net	(4,862)	(3,695)	(527)
Increase (decrease) in loyalty program liability	264	(295)	(229)
Contributions to pension plans	(32)	(6)	(809)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	(101)	91	(292)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,750	2,587	2,578
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures and aircraft purchase deposits	(5,657)	(6,075)	(5,256)
Purchases of short-term investments	(6,241)	(8,126)	(5,380)
Sales of short-term investments	6,092	8,517	7,179
Decrease in restricted cash and short-term investments	57	79	261
Net proceeds from slot transaction			307
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	113	26	20
Other investing activities	2
Net cash used in investing activities	(5,634)	(5,579)	(2,869)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on long-term debt and capital leases	(3,827)	(2,153)	(2,955)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	7,701	4,509	2,552
Deferred financing costs	(77)	(80)	(95)
Sale-leaseback transactions	5	43	811
Funds transferred from (to) affiliates, net			(176)
Other financing activities	28	53	6
Net cash provided by financing activities	3,830	2,372	143
Net decrease in cash	(54)	(620)	(148)
Cash at beginning of year	364	984	1,132
Cash at end of year	$ 310	$ 364	$ 984