Special Items, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Operating special items, net	$ (1,057)	$ (519)	$ (4,435)	$ (966)
Mark-to-market adjustments on equity and other investments, net	16	(21)	3	159
Debt refinancing, extinguishment and other, net	2	0	28	48
Nonoperating special items, net	18	(21)	31	207
Payments for salary and medical costs	190	120	480	170
Write-down of aircraft and spare parts		709		1,500
Write-offs of ROU assets and lease return costs		33		109
American Airlines, Inc.
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Operating special items, net	(1,118)	(523)	(4,498)	(995)
Mark-to-market adjustments on equity and other investments, net	16	(21)	3	159
Debt refinancing, extinguishment and other, net	2	0	28	48
Nonoperating special items, net	18	(21)	31	207
Payments for salary and medical costs	190	120	480	170
Write-down of aircraft and spare parts		709		1,500
Write-offs of ROU assets and lease return costs		33		109
Mainline
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
PSP Financial Assistance	(992)	(1,908)	(4,162)	(3,710)
Severance expenses	0	871	168	1,408
Mark-to-market adjustments on bankruptcy obligations, net	(1)	0	5	(49)
Fleet impairment	0	742	0	1,484
Labor contract expenses	0	0	0	228
Other operating special items, net	3	0	3	(18)
Operating special items, net	(990)	(295)	(3,986)	(657)
Mainline | American Airlines, Inc.
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
PSP Financial Assistance	(992)	(1,908)	(4,162)	(3,710)
Severance expenses	0	871	168	1,408
Mark-to-market adjustments on bankruptcy obligations, net	(1)	0	5	(49)
Fleet impairment	0	742	0	1,484
Labor contract expenses	0	0	0	228
Other operating special items, net	3	0	3	(18)
Operating special items, net	(990)	(295)	(3,986)	(657)
Regional Carrier
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
PSP Financial Assistance	(128)	(228)	(539)	(444)
Regional pilot retention and bonus program	61	0	61	0
Severance expenses	0	4	2	18
Fleet impairment	0	0	27	117
Operating special items, net	(67)	(224)	(449)	(309)
Regional Carrier | American Airlines, Inc.
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
PSP Financial Assistance	(128)	(228)	(539)	(444)
Fleet impairment	0	0	27	106
Operating special items, net	$ (128)	$ (228)	$ (512)	$ (338)