Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 3,853	$ 2,558
Pensions	2,610	2,436
Loyalty program liability	485	590
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	344	346
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	291	340
Rent expense	256	134
Gains from lease transactions	213	262
Reorganization items	53	57
Other	972	1,200
Total deferred tax assets	9,077	7,923
Valuation allowance	(29)	(22)
Net deferred tax assets	9,048	7,901
Accelerated depreciation and amortization	(7,216)	(5,158)
Other	(345)	(266)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(7,561)	(5,424)
Net deferred tax asset	1,487	2,477
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	4,087	2,818
Pensions	2,595	2,420
Loyalty program liability	485	590
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	456	458
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	291	340
Rent expense	256	134
Gains from lease transactions	213	261
Reorganization items	53	57
Other	911	1,123
Total deferred tax assets	9,347	8,201
Valuation allowance	(13)	(14)
Net deferred tax assets	9,334	8,187
Accelerated depreciation and amortization	(7,101)	(5,011)
Other	(335)	(244)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(7,436)	(5,255)
Net deferred tax asset	$ 1,898	$ 2,932