Special Items, Net - Components of Company's Special Items, Net Included in Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Mainline operating special items, net	$ 2,000	$ 507		$ 1,051	$ 800	$ 559
Integration related costs	450			1,000	810	443
Revision of prior estimates aircraft residual values and other asset impairments					81
Fair value adjustments for bankruptcy settlement obligations					81
Gain related to sale of DCA slots					309	67
Gain on the sale of spare parts					8
Merger integration expenses		280			7
Nonoperating special items, net				594	132	211
Non-cash interest accretion, bankruptcy settlement obligations					33
Foreign currency losses				751	114	56
Nonoperating special charges, net						138
Premium on tender for existing enhanced equipment trust certificates						54
Write-off of debt issuance costs						19
Income tax special items, net				(3,015)	346	(324)
Reversal of valuation allowance				3,000
Income tax provision (benefit)				(2,994)	330	(346)
Non-cash tax provision on sale of fuel hedging contracts			$ 330
Non-cash income tax expense (benefit)					330	(538)
Non-cash charge related to additional valuation allowance						$ 214
Secured Debt [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage						10.50%
Senior notes [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage						7.50%
Fuel Hedging Contracts [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Non-cash tax provision on sale of fuel hedging contracts			330		330
Regional Carrier [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Mainline operating special items, net				29	24	$ 8
Venezuelan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Nonoperating special items, net				592
Foreign currency losses					43
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Mainline operating special items, net	2,500	495		1,051	783	559
Integration related costs	$ 447			1,000	807	443
Revision of prior estimates aircraft residual values and other asset impairments					81
Fair value adjustments for bankruptcy settlement obligations					60
Gain related to sale of DCA slots					309	67
Merger integration expenses		$ 284
Nonoperating special items, net				616	128	121
Early debt extinguishment gain (cost)					(56)
Non-cash interest accretion, bankruptcy settlement obligations					29
Foreign currency losses				751	114	56
Nonoperating special charges, net						48
Premium on tender for existing enhanced equipment trust certificates						54
Write-off of debt issuance costs						19
Income tax special items, net				(3,468)	344	(324)
Reversal of valuation allowance				3,500
Income tax provision (benefit)				(3,452)	320	(354)
Non-cash tax provision on sale of fuel hedging contracts			328
Non-cash income tax expense (benefit)					328	(538)
Non-cash charge related to additional valuation allowance						$ 214
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage						10.50%
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Senior notes [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage						7.50%
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Fuel Hedging Contracts [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Non-cash tax provision on sale of fuel hedging contracts			$ 328		328
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Regional Carrier [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Mainline operating special items, net				18	5
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Venezuelan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Nonoperating special items, net				$ 592
Foreign currency losses					43
Fair Value Adjustment to Long-term Disability Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges						$ 107
Fair Value Adjustment to Long-term Disability Plan [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges						107
Workers Compensation Claim [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges						43
Workers Compensation Claim [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges						43
Aircraft Impairment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges						33
Aircraft Impairment [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges						$ 33
7.50% Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Early debt extinguishment gain (cost)					$ (56)
Stated interest rate percentage		7.50%			7.50%