Regional Expenses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Regional Expenses [Line Items]
Aircraft fuel and related taxes	$ 1,763	$ 1,402
Salaries, wages and benefits	3,017	2,859
Maintenance, materials and repairs	469	492
Other rent and landing fees	462	440
Aircraft rent	304	295
Selling expenses	356	318
Depreciation and amortization	445	405
Special items, net	195	119
Other	1,261	1,180
Total regional expenses	1,698	1,573
Regional Carrier [Member]
Regional Expenses [Line Items]
Aircraft fuel and related taxes	398	318
Salaries, wages and benefits	383	345
Capacity purchases from third-party regional carriers	354	393
Maintenance, materials and repairs	80	69
Other rent and landing fees	147	152
Aircraft rent	9	9
Selling expenses	85	80
Depreciation and amortization	82	79
Special items, net	0	2
Other	160	126
Total regional expenses	1,698	1,573
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Regional Expenses [Line Items]
Aircraft fuel and related taxes	1,763	1,402
Salaries, wages and benefits	3,014	2,857
Maintenance, materials and repairs	469	492
Other rent and landing fees	462	440
Aircraft rent	304	295
Selling expenses	356	318
Depreciation and amortization	445	405
Special items, net	195	119
Other	1,261	1,180
Total regional expenses	1,682	1,569
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Regional Carrier [Member]
Regional Expenses [Line Items]
Aircraft fuel and related taxes	398	318
Salaries, wages and benefits	82	75
Capacity purchases from third-party regional carriers	798	801
Maintenance, materials and repairs	2	1
Other rent and landing fees	141	146
Aircraft rent	7	7
Selling expenses	85	80
Depreciation and amortization	68	64
Special items, net	0	2
Other	101	75
Total regional expenses	$ 1,682	$ 1,569