Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 5,897	$ 6,021
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures and aircraft purchase deposits	(4,271)	(4,621)
Purchases of short-term investments	(5,078)	(7,717)
Sales of short-term investments	4,587	6,167
Decrease in restricted cash and short-term investments	60	64
Proceeds from sale of an investment		52
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	58	23
Other investing activities	2
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,642)	(6,032)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on long-term debt and capital leases	(2,534)	(1,821)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	5,392	4,463
Deferred financing costs	(39)	(69)
Sale-leaseback transactions		43
Treasury stock repurchases	(3,931)	(2,411)
Dividend payments	(172)	(206)
Other financing activities	20	34
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(1,264)	33
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(9)	22
Cash at beginning of period	390	994
Cash at end of period	381	1,016
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Settlement of bankruptcy obligations	3	60
Capital lease obligations		5
Supplemental information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	714	648
Income taxes paid	10	22
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,769	3,877
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures and aircraft purchase deposits	(4,219)	(4,564)
Purchases of short-term investments	(5,078)	(7,717)
Sales of short-term investments	4,587	6,167
Decrease in restricted cash and short-term investments	60	64
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	48	18
Other investing activities	2
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,600)	(6,032)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on long-term debt and capital leases	(2,534)	(1,821)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	5,392	3,963
Deferred financing costs	(39)	(62)
Sale-leaseback transactions		43
Other financing activities	20	34
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	2,839	2,157
Net increase (decrease) in cash	8	2
Cash at beginning of period	364	984
Cash at end of period	372	986
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Settlement of bankruptcy obligations	3	60
Capital lease obligations		5
Supplemental information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	653	632
Income taxes paid	$ 9	$ 8