Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 2,281	$ 3,853
Pensions	1,559	2,610
Loyalty program liability	420	485
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	344	344
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	170	291
Rent expense	160	256
Gains from lease transactions	107	213
Reorganization items	35	53
Other	678	972
Total deferred tax assets	5,754	9,077
Valuation allowance	(36)	(29)
Net deferred tax assets	5,718	9,048
Deferred tax liabilities:
Accelerated depreciation and amortization	(5,045)	(7,216)
Other	(279)	(345)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(5,324)	(7,561)
Net deferred tax asset	394	1,487
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Deferred tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards	2,409	4,087
Pensions	1,549	2,595
Loyalty program liability	420	485
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	457	456
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	170	291
Rent expense	160	256
Gains from lease transactions	107	213
Reorganization items	35	53
Other	638	911
Total deferred tax assets	5,945	9,347
Valuation allowance	(25)	(13)
Net deferred tax assets	5,920	9,334
Deferred tax liabilities:
Accelerated depreciation and amortization	(4,999)	(7,101)
Other	(274)	(335)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(5,273)	(7,436)
Net deferred tax asset	$ 647	$ 1,898