Retirement Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 3	$ 3	$ 341
Interest cost	746	654	729
Expected return on assets	(786)	(720)	(676)
Curtailments		2	58
Settlements	4	(1)
Prior service cost	28	28	10
Unrecognized net loss (gain)	43	90	211
Net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans	38	56	673
Defined contribution plans	546	328	218
Defined Benefit Plan and Defined Contribution Plan Periodic Benefit Cost	584	384	891
Pension Benefits [Member] \| American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	2	3	341
Interest cost	742	654	729
Expected return on assets	(783)	(720)	(676)
Curtailments		2	58
Settlements	4	(1)
Prior service cost	28	28	10
Unrecognized net loss (gain)	43	90	211
Net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans	36	56	673
Defined contribution plans	385	303	202
Defined Benefit Plan and Defined Contribution Plan Periodic Benefit Cost	421	359	875
Retiree Medical and Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	1		46
Interest cost	61	50	128
Expected return on assets	(19)	(16)	(17)
Curtailments			(124)
Prior service cost	(244)	(251)	(82)
Unrecognized net loss (gain)	(8)	(9)	(9)
Net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans	(209)	(226)	(58)
Defined Benefit Plan and Defined Contribution Plan Periodic Benefit Cost	(209)	(226)	(58)
Retiree Medical and Other Benefits [Member] \| American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost			46
Interest cost	55	50	128
Expected return on assets	(19)	(16)	(17)
Curtailments			(124)
Prior service cost	(240)	(251)	(82)
Unrecognized net loss (gain)	(8)	(9)	(9)
Net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans	(212)	(226)	(58)
Defined Benefit Plan and Defined Contribution Plan Periodic Benefit Cost	$ (212)	$ (226)	$ (58)

Defined Benefit Plan And Defined Contribution Plan Periodic Benefit Cost

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- Definition

The amount of gains or losses recognized in net periodic benefit cost.

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- Definition

The amount of the prior service cost or credit recognized in net periodic benefit cost relating to benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation.

+ References

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- Definition

An amount calculated as a basis for determining the extent of delayed recognition of the effects of changes in the fair value of assets. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 30

-Glossary Expected Return on Plan Assets

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 60

-Glossary Expected Return on Plan Assets

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- Definition

The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

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- Definition

The total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain (loss), prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain (loss) due to settlements or curtailments.

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- Definition

The amount of net gain (loss) recognized in net periodic benefit cost as a result of an event that significantly reduces the expected years of future service of present employees or eliminates for a significant number of employees the accrual of defined benefits for some or all of their future services.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Plan Curtailment

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section 15

-Paragraph 6

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- Definition

Amount of net gain (loss) recognized in net periodic benefit cost as a result of an irrevocable action that relieves the employer (or the plan) of primary responsibility for a benefit obligation and eliminates significant risks related to the obligation and the assets used to effect the settlement. Examples of transactions that constitute a settlement include, but are not limited to, lump-sum cash payments to plan participants in exchange for their rights to receive specified benefits and purchasing nonparticipating annuity contracts to cover vested benefits.

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-Publisher FASB

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- Definition

The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

+ References

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-Glossary Service Cost (Component of Net Periodic Pension Cost)

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The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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