Indebtedness (Schedule Of Collateral Coverage Tests) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
LTV Requirement	43%; failure to meet collateral test requires American to post additional collateral or pay down indebtedness
LTV as of Last Measurement Date	47.50%
Number of aircraft collateralized	143
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Collateral Description	Generally, certain route authorities, take-off and landing slots, and rights to airport facilities used by American to operate certain services between the U.S. and London Heathrow, Tokyo Narita/Haneda, and China
LTV as of Last Measurement Date	37.80%
MD-80 [Member] | 10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of aircraft collateralized	74
B757-200 [Member] | 10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of aircraft collateralized	41
B767-200ER [Member] | 10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of aircraft collateralized	3
B767-300ER [Member] | 10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of aircraft collateralized	25