Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$ 5,484	$ 5,047
Prior service cost (benefit)	188	216
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), pre-tax	5,672	5,263
Pension Benefits [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss (gain)	5,472	5,036
Prior service cost (benefit)	188	216
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), pre-tax	5,660	5,252
Retiree Medical And Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss (gain)	(430)	(339)
Prior service cost (benefit)	(837)	(1,084)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), pre-tax	(1,267)	(1,423)
Retiree Medical And Other Postretirement Benefits [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss (gain)	(429)	(339)
Prior service cost (benefit)	(837)	(1,084)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss (income), pre-tax	$ (1,266)	$ (1,423)