Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Significant Categories of Reported Operating Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	$ 10,938	$ 11,559	$ 11,643	$ 10,401	$ 10,611	$ 10,965	$ 11,227	$ 9,820	$ 44,541	$ 42,622	$ 40,142
Passenger [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									40,676	39,131	37,045
Passenger travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									37,457	36,152	34,278
Loyalty revenue - travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									3,219	2,979	2,767
Cargo [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									1,013	890	785
Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									2,852	2,601	2,312
Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									2,352	2,124	1,872
Other revenue [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									500	477	440
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	$ 10,936	$ 11,556	$ 11,640	$ 10,398	$ 10,607	$ 10,962	$ 11,224	$ 9,817	44,530	42,610	40,125
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									40,676	39,131	37,045
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									37,457	36,152	34,278
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty revenue - travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									3,219	2,979	2,767
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Cargo [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									1,013	890	785
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									2,841	2,589	2,295
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									2,352	2,124	1,872
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Other revenue [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total operating revenues									$ 489	$ 465	$ 423