Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Reclassifications out of AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications out of AOCI	$ (17)	$ (14)	$ (49)	$ (43)
Prior service benefit [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications out of AOCI	(40)	(33)	(121)	(100)
Actuarial loss [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications out of AOCI	23	19	72	57
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications out of AOCI	(17)	(14)	(50)	(43)
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Prior service benefit [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications out of AOCI	(40)	(33)	(121)	(100)
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Actuarial loss [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassifications out of AOCI	$ 23	$ 19	$ 71	$ 57