Retirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Retiree medical plan, plan amendment			$ 1,900,000,000
Amortization period of gains losses related to plan amendment			8 years
Unamortized actuarial gain	$ 1,100,000,000
Defined benefit plans, estimated future employer contributions	$ 0
Unitized Mutual Funds [Member] | International Companies [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	27.00%	28.00%
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
The estimated net gain (loss) and prior service cost for the defined benefit pension plans	$ (126,000,000)
Defined benefit plan, expected long-term return on assets	8.00%	8.00%
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
The estimated net gain (loss) and prior service cost for the defined benefit pension plans	$ 16,000,000
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plans, estimated future employer contributions	$ 0
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Unitized Mutual Funds [Member] | International Companies [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	27.00%	28.00%
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
The estimated net gain (loss) and prior service cost for the defined benefit pension plans	$ (125,000,000)
Defined benefit plan, expected long-term return on assets	8.00%
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
The estimated net gain (loss) and prior service cost for the defined benefit pension plans	$ 16,000,000