Special Items, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Fleet restructuring expenses	$ 83	$ 48	$ 166	$ 111
Merger integration expenses	60	68	120	130
Mark-to-market adjustments on bankruptcy obligations	(57)	38	(56)	20
Intangible asset impairment	26	0	26	0
Litigation settlement	5	0	45	0
Labor contract expenses	0	45	13	45
Other operating charges, net	35	3	33	14
Mainline operating special items, net	152	202	347	320
Regional operating special items, net	0	1	0	4
Mark-to-market adjustments on equity investments	66	0	66	0
Debt refinancing and extinguishment charges	14	2	14	7
Nonoperating special items, net	80	2	80	7
Income tax special items, net	18	0	40	0
Alternative Minimum Tax Credit Carryforward [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Change in deferred tax assets valuation allowance			22
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Income tax special items, net	18		18
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Fleet restructuring expenses	83	48	166	111
Merger integration expenses	60	68	120	130
Mark-to-market adjustments on bankruptcy obligations	(57)	38	(56)	20
Intangible asset impairment	26	0	26	0
Litigation settlement	5	0	45	0
Labor contract expenses	0	45	13	45
Other operating charges, net	35	3	33	14
Mainline operating special items, net	152	202	347	320
Regional operating special items, net	0	1	0	4
Mark-to-market adjustments on equity investments	66	0	66	0
Debt refinancing and extinguishment charges	14	2	14	7
Nonoperating special items, net	80	2	80	7
Income tax special items, net	18	$ 0	48	$ 0
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Alternative Minimum Tax Credit Carryforward [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Change in deferred tax assets valuation allowance			30
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Income tax special items, net	$ 18		$ 18