Retirement Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service costs	$ 1
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service costs	$ 1

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.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (h)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration