Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Passenger Revenue by Geographic Region (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
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
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]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									40,676	39,131	37,045
Passenger [Member] | Domestic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									29,573	28,749	27,202
Passenger [Member] | Latin America [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									5,125	4,840	4,676
Passenger [Member] | Atlantic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									4,376	4,028	3,873
Passenger [Member] | Pacific [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									1,602	1,514	1,294
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
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]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									40,676	39,131	37,045
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Domestic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									29,573	28,749	27,202
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Latin America [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									5,125	4,840	4,676
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Atlantic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									4,376	4,028	3,873
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Pacific [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									$ 1,602	$ 1,514	$ 1,294