Employee Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Pension Benefits
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	$ 4	$ 2	$ 2
Interest cost	526	615	703
Expected return on assets	(1,084)	(1,010)	(815)
Special termination benefits	0	0	0
Settlements	0	12	0
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (benefit)	28	30	28
Unrecognized net loss (gain)	212	164	150
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	(314)	(187)	68
Retiree Medical and  Other Postretirement Benefits
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	12	8	3
Interest cost	30	30	33
Expected return on assets	(12)	(11)	(15)
Special termination benefits	139	410	0
Settlements	0	0	0
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (benefit)	(13)	(135)	(236)
Unrecognized net loss (gain)	(24)	(24)	(31)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	132	278	(246)
American Airlines, Inc. | Pension Benefits
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	3	2	2
Interest cost	523	611	699
Expected return on assets	(1,078)	(1,005)	(811)
Special termination benefits	0	0	0
Settlements	0	12	0
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (benefit)	28	29	28
Unrecognized net loss (gain)	211	164	150
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	(313)	(187)	68
American Airlines, Inc. | Retiree Medical and  Other Postretirement Benefits
Defined benefit plans:
Service cost	12	8	3
Interest cost	30	30	33
Expected return on assets	(12)	(11)	(15)
Special termination benefits	139	410	0
Settlements	0		0
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (benefit)	(13)	(135)	(236)
Unrecognized net loss (gain)	(24)	(24)	(31)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$ 132	$ 278	$ (246)