Special Items (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Mainline operating special items, net	$ (137)	[1]	$ 71	[1]
Gain related to sale of DCA slots	309
Fair value adjustments for bankruptcy settlement obligations	(32)
Integration related costs	142
Non-cash compensation expense	60
Regional operating special items, net	4		2
Nonoperating special items, net	47	[2]	116	[2]
Reorganization items, net	0	[3]	160	[3]
Income tax special items, net	8	[4]	0	[4]
Interest accretion, bankruptcy settlement obligations	31
AA [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Mainline operating special items, net	(216)	[1]	71	[1]
Gain related to sale of DCA slots	305
Fair value adjustments for bankruptcy settlement obligations	(56)
Integration related costs	91
Non-cash compensation expense	43
Operating special items expense			(28)	[2]
Workers' compensation claims			43
Regional operating special items, net	1		0
Nonoperating special items, net	44	[2]	27	[2]
Reorganization items, net	0	[5]	160	[5]
Income tax special items, net	7	[4]	0	[4]
Interest accretion, bankruptcy settlement obligations	$ 27

[1] The 2014 first quarter mainline operating special items totaled a net credit of $137 million, which principally included a $309 million gain on the sale of slots at DCA and a net $32 million credit for bankruptcy related items primarily reflecting fair value adjustments for bankruptcy settlement obligations. These special credits were offset in part by $142 million of cash merger integration expenses including amounts related to the pilot memorandum of understanding, information technology, professional fees, severance, re-branding of aircraft and airport facilities, relocation and training as well as $60 million of non-cash compensation expense for merger equity awards.

[2] The 2014 first quarter nonoperating special items of $47 million were principally due to non-cash interest accretion of $31 million on the bankruptcy settlement obligations. The 2013 first quarter nonoperating special items consisted of interest charges to recognize post-petition interest expense on unsecured obligations pursuant to the Plan.

[3] In the 2013 first quarter, the Company recognized reorganization expenses as a result of the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases. These amounts consisted primarily of estimated allowed claim amounts and professional fees.

[4] The 2014 first quarter included a special $8 million non-cash deferred income tax provision related to certain indefinite-lived intangible assets.

[5] In the 2013 first quarter, American recognized reorganization expenses as a result of the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases. These amounts consisted primarily of estimated allowed claim amounts and professional fees.