Special Items - Components of Company's Special Items, Net Included in Consolidated Statements of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Operating special items, net	$ 450	$ 709	$ 1,051	$ 800
Nonoperating special items, net		49	594	132
Income tax special items, net			(3,015)	346
Regional Carrier [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Operating special items, net		14	29	24
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Operating special items, net	$ 447	709	1,051	783
Nonoperating special items, net		49	616	128
Income tax special items, net			(3,468)	344
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Regional Carrier [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Operating special items, net		$ 13	$ 18	$ 5