Revenue Recognition - Significant Categories of Reported Operating Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 4,008	$ 8,515
Passenger
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	3,179	7,681
Passenger travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	2,893	7,079
Loyalty revenue - travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	286	602
Cargo
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	315	147
Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	514	687
Loyalty revenue - marketing services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	457	571
Co-branded credit card and other partners
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,000	1,300
Other revenue
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	57	116
American Airlines, Inc.
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	4,008	8,514
American Airlines, Inc. | Passenger
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	3,179	7,681
American Airlines, Inc. | Passenger travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	2,893	7,079
American Airlines, Inc. | Loyalty revenue - travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	286	602
American Airlines, Inc. | Cargo
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	315	147
American Airlines, Inc. | Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	514	686
American Airlines, Inc. | Loyalty revenue - marketing services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	457	571
American Airlines, Inc. | Co-branded credit card and other partners
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,000	1,300
American Airlines, Inc. | Other revenue
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 57	$ 115