Revenue Recognition - Significant Categories of Reported Operating Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 11,559	$ 10,965	$ 33,603	$ 32,011
Passenger [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	10,561	10,096	30,714	29,447
Passenger travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	9,790	9,400	28,278	27,179
Loyalty revenue - travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	771	696	2,436	2,268
Cargo [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	260	223	748	633
Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	738	646	2,141	1,931
Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	613	527	1,765	1,574
Other revenue [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	125	119	376	357
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	11,556	10,962	33,594	32,003
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	10,561	10,096	30,714	29,447
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	9,790	9,400	28,278	27,179
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty revenue - travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	771	696	2,436	2,268
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Cargo [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	260	223	748	633
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	735	643	2,132	1,923
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	613	527	1,765	1,574
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Other revenue [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 122	$ 116	$ 367	$ 349