Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	$ 340	$ 386
Rent expense	134	180
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	346	346
Operating loss carryforwards	2,558	3,461
Pensions	2,436	2,403
Loyalty program obligation	590	948
Gains from lease transactions	262	207
Reorganization items	57	64
Other	1,200	1,210
Total deferred tax assets	7,923	9,205
Valuation allowance	(22)	(4,816)
Net deferred tax assets	7,901	4,389
Accelerated depreciation and amortization	(5,158)	(4,829)
Other	(266)	(98)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(5,424)	(4,927)
Net deferred tax asset	2,477
Net deferred tax (liability)		(538)
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	340	379
Rent expense	134	121
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	458	458
Operating loss carryforwards	2,818	3,737
Pensions	2,420	2,394
Loyalty program obligation	590	948
Gains from lease transactions	261	208
Reorganization items	57	64
Other	1,123	1,172
Total deferred tax assets	8,201	9,481
Valuation allowance	(14)	(5,196)
Net deferred tax assets	8,187	4,285
Accelerated depreciation and amortization	(5,011)	(4,579)
Other	(244)	(242)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(5,255)	(4,821)
Net deferred tax asset	$ 2,932
Net deferred tax (liability)		$ (536)