Valuation and Qualifying Accounts - Components of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for Obsolescence of Spare Parts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 765	$ 728	$ 673
Changes charged to statement of operations accounts	29	37	50
Write-offs (net of recoveries)	(4)	(3)	(4)
Sales, retirements and transfers	(21)	3	9
Balance at end of year	769	765	728
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	36	41	17
Changes charged to statement of operations accounts	43	47	46
Write-offs (net of recoveries)	(55)	(52)	(22)
Balance at end of year	24	36	41
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Allowance for Obsolescence of Spare Parts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	720	689	638
Changes charged to statement of operations accounts	18	28	42
Sales, retirements and transfers	(21)	3	9
Balance at end of year	717	720	689
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of year	35	37	14
Changes charged to statement of operations accounts	41	47	45
Write-offs (net of recoveries)	(55)	(49)	(22)
Balance at end of year	$ 21	$ 35	$ 37