Indebtedness (Schedule Of Collateral Coverage Tests) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Senior Secured Notes [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 MD-80 [Member] 10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 B757-200 [Member] 10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 B767-200ER [Member] 10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 B767-300ER [Member] 10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value	$ 0	$ 0	$ 41
LTV Requirement			43%; failure to meet collateral test requires posting of additional collateral	1.5x Collateral valuation to amount of debt outstanding (67% LTV); failure to meet collateral test results in American paying 2% additional interest until the ratio is at least 1.5x; additional collateral can be posted to meet this requirement
Collateral Description				Generally, certain route authorities, take-off and landing slots, and rights to airport facilities used by American to operate certain services between the U.S. and London Heathrow, Tokyo Narita/Haneda, and China
LTV as of Last Measurement Date			47.50%	38.80%
Number of aircraft collateralized			143		74	41	3	25