Debt covenant, minimum aggregate liquidity following the merger.

No definition available.

Name:	aal_DebtCovenantMinimumAggregateLiquidityFollowingMerger
Namespace Prefix:	aal_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt instrument prepayment fee percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aal_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	aal_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt instrument, variable rate basis, floor rate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aal_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBasisFloorRate
Namespace Prefix:	aal_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line of credit facility, prepayment fee percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	aal_LineOfCreditFacilityPrepaymentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	aal_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of the maturity date of the debt instrument including whether the debt matures serially and, if so, a brief description of the serial maturities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateDescription
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19, 20, 22
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Date the credit facility terminates, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=aal_CreditFacilityTwoThousandThirteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=aal_TermLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=aal_TermLoanFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=aal_FirstInstallmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=aal_InstallmentAfterJuneTwentySevenTwoThousandSixteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt - Components of Long-Term Debt - 2013 Credit Facilities (Detail) - 2013 Credit Facilities [Member] - USD ($)				12 Months Ended
	May. 21, 2015	May. 20, 2015	Jun. 27, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Oct. 10, 2015	Oct. 10, 2014
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility undrawn fee percentage				0.75%
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility undrawn fee percentage				0.75%
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt covenant, minimum aggregate liquidity following Merger				$ 2,000,000,000
Secured Debt [Member] \| Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount				$ 1,900,000,000
Secured Debt [Member] \| Term Loan [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				2.50%
Secured Debt [Member] \| Term Loan [Member] \| LIBOR [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				2.75%
Secured Debt [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			$ 1,000,000,000		$ 1,400,000,000	$ 1,400,000,000
Debt maturity date			Jun. 27, 2018
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding				$ 0
Secured Debt [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				3.00%
Debt instrument, variable rate basis, floor rate				0.75%
Secured Debt [Member] \| Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount	$ 1,900,000,000
Long-term debt, net				$ 1,900,000,000
Secured Debt [Member] \| Term Loan Facility [Member] \| First Installment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, prepayment fee percentage				1.25%
Secured Debt [Member] \| Term Loan Facility [Member] \| Installments after June 27, 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, prepayment fee percentage				1.00%
Secured Debt [Member] \| Term Loan Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	2.75%	3.00%
Secured Debt [Member] \| Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity						300,000,000
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding						0
Secured Debt [Member] \| American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt covenant, minimum aggregate liquidity following Merger				$ 2,000,000,000
Secured Debt [Member] \| American Airlines, Inc. [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			$ 1,000,000,000	1,400,000,000		1,400,000,000
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding				$ 0
Debt maturity date, description				On October 26, 2015, American, AAG, US Airways Group and US Airways amended the 2013 Credit Agreement to extend the maturity date of the 2013 Revolving Facility to October 10, 2020.
Secured Debt [Member] \| American Airlines, Inc. [Member] \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				3.00%
Secured Debt [Member] \| American Airlines, Inc. [Member] \| Term Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument principal amount			$ 1,900,000,000
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,900,000,000
Debt maturity date				Jun. 29, 2020
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding				$ 1,900,000,000
Line of credit facility, prepayment fee percentage				1.00%
Secured Debt [Member] \| American Airlines, Inc. [Member] \| Term Loan Facility [Member] \| First Installment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, prepayment fee percentage				1.25%
Secured Debt [Member] \| American Airlines, Inc. [Member] \| Term Loan Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	2.75%	3.00%		2.50%
Debt instrument, variable rate basis, floor rate				0.75%
Secured Debt [Member] \| American Airlines, Inc. [Member] \| Term Loan Facility [Member] \| LIBOR [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				2.75%
Secured Debt [Member] \| American Airlines, Inc. [Member] \| Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity						300,000,000
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding						$ 0