Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees - Operating Leases (Detail) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Aircraft	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of aircraft operating under operating leases | Aircraft	421
Future minimum lease payments, 2018	$ 2,195
Future minimum lease payments, 2019	1,974
Future minimum lease payments, 2020	1,784
Future minimum lease payments, 2021	1,339
Future minimum lease payments, 2022	1,159
Future minimum lease payments, 2023 and Thereafter	3,266
Future minimum lease payments, Total	11,717
Operating leases, rent expense	$ 2,800	$ 2,800	$ 2,800
Air Transportation Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Lessee leasing arrangements, operating leases, remaining term of contract	3 months
Air Transportation Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Lessee leasing arrangements, operating leases, remaining term of contract	12 years
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of aircraft operating under operating leases | Aircraft	410
Future minimum lease payments, 2018	$ 2,178
Future minimum lease payments, 2019	1,966
Future minimum lease payments, 2020	1,776
Future minimum lease payments, 2021	1,331
Future minimum lease payments, 2022	1,155
Future minimum lease payments, 2023 and Thereafter	3,253
Future minimum lease payments, Total	11,659
Operating leases, rent expense	$ 2,800	$ 2,700	$ 2,700
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Air Transportation Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Lessee leasing arrangements, operating leases, remaining term of contract	3 months
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Air Transportation Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Lessee leasing arrangements, operating leases, remaining term of contract	12 years