Financial Instruments And Risk Management (Summary Of Carrying Value And Estimated Fair Values Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$ 8,150	$ 8,247
Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	3,297	2,952
Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,741	1,942
6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,313	1,436
7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,000	1,000
AAdvantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	772	890
Other LT Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	27	27
Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	358	1,642
Fair Value	340	1,160
Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] | Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	172	1,456
Fair Value	154	1,123
Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	0	0
Fair Value	0	0
Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] | 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	186	186
Fair Value	186	37
Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] | 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	0	0
Fair Value	0	0
Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] | AAdvantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	0	0
Fair Value	0	0
Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] | Other LT Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	0	0
Fair Value	0	0
Not Classified As Subject to Compromise[Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	8,150	8,247
Fair Value	8,142	7,444
Not Classified As Subject to Compromise[Member] | Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	3,297	2,952
Fair Value	3,143	2,647
Not Classified As Subject to Compromise[Member] | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,741	1,942
Fair Value	1,811	1,927
Not Classified As Subject to Compromise[Member] | 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,313	1,436
Fair Value	1,308	1,230
Not Classified As Subject to Compromise[Member] | 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,000	1,000
Fair Value	1,074	711
Not Classified As Subject to Compromise[Member] | AAdvantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	772	890
Fair Value	779	902
Not Classified As Subject to Compromise[Member] | Other LT Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	27	27
Fair Value	$ 27	$ 27