Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (31)	$ (36)
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(31)	(35)
Pension and Retiree Medical Liability [Member] | Prior Service Cost [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(53)	(54)
Pension and Retiree Medical Liability [Member] | Prior Service Cost [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(52)	(53)
Pension and Retiree Medical Liability [Member] | Actuarial Loss [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	26	9
Pension and Retiree Medical Liability [Member] | Actuarial Loss [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	26	9
Derivative Financial Instruments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(6)	7
Derivative Financial Instruments [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(6)	7
Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	2	2
Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 1	$ 2