Revenue Recognition - Passenger Revenue by Geographic Region (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	$ 9,480	$ 8,997
Domestic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	6,963	6,781
Latin America [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	1,445	1,231
Atlantic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	669	624
Pacific [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	403	361
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	9,480	8,997
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Domestic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	6,963	6,781
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Latin America [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	1,445	1,231
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Atlantic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	669	624
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pacific [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	$ 403	$ 361