Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 2,343	$ 2,281
Leases	2,189	107
Pensions	1,430	1,559
Loyalty program liability	1,770	1,809
Alternative minimum tax (AMT) credit carryforwards	175	344
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	145	170
Rent expense	136	160
Reorganization items	33	35
Other	631	678
Total deferred tax assets	8,852	7,143
Valuation allowance	(30)	(36)
Net deferred tax assets	8,822	7,107
Deferred tax liabilities:
Accelerated depreciation and amortization	(5,280)	(5,045)
Leases	(2,081)	0
Other	(326)	(279)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(7,687)	(5,324)
Net deferred tax asset	1,135	1,783
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Deferred tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards	2,420	2,409
Leases	2,176	107
Pensions	1,421	1,549
Loyalty program liability	1,770	1,809
Alternative minimum tax (AMT) credit carryforwards	231	457
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	145	170
Rent expense	136	160
Reorganization items	33	35
Other	588	638
Total deferred tax assets	8,920	7,334
Valuation allowance	(19)	(25)
Net deferred tax assets	8,901	7,309
Deferred tax liabilities:
Accelerated depreciation and amortization	(5,243)	(4,999)
Leases	(2,068)	0
Other	(321)	(274)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(7,632)	(5,273)
Net deferred tax asset	$ 1,269	$ 2,036