Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
AOCI tax, attributable to parent [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, tax	$ (677)	$ (880)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, tax	15	166
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), tax	32	37
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), tax	47	203
Ending Balance, tax	(630)	(677)	$ (880)
AOCI attributable to parent, net of tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, net of tax	(5,083)	(4,732)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	(16)	(286)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(55)	(65)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(71)	(351)	(173)
Ending Balance, net of tax	(5,154)	(5,083)	(4,732)
Pension, Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
AOCI attributable to parent, before tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, before tax	(4,406)	(3,842)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, before tax	(30)	(462)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(87)	(102)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(117)	(564)
Ending Balance, before tax	(4,523)	(4,406)	(3,842)
Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments [Member]
AOCI attributable to parent, before tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, before tax	0	(10)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, before tax	(1)	10
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), before tax		0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(1)	10
Ending Balance, before tax	(1)	0	(10)
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
AOCI tax, attributable to parent [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, tax	(788)	(991)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, tax	14	166
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), tax	32	37
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), tax	46	203
Ending Balance, tax	(742)	(788)	(991)
AOCI attributable to parent, net of tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, net of tax	(5,182)	(4,831)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	(14)	(286)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(55)	(65)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(69)	(351)	(175)
Ending Balance, net of tax	(5,251)	(5,182)	(4,831)
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension, Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
AOCI attributable to parent, before tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, before tax	(4,394)	(3,831)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, before tax	(27)	(461)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(87)	(102)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(114)	(563)
Ending Balance, before tax	(4,508)	(4,394)	(3,831)
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments [Member]
AOCI attributable to parent, before tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance, before tax	0	(9)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, before tax	(1)	9
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), before tax		0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(1)	9
Ending Balance, before tax	$ (1)	$ 0	$ (9)