Revenue Recognition - Passenger Revenue by Geographic Region (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	$ 10,674	$ 10,353	$ 20,154	$ 19,350
Domestic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	7,685	7,578	14,648	14,359
Latin America [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	1,284	1,209	2,729	2,440
Atlantic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	1,298	1,182	1,967	1,806
Pacific [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	407	384	810	745
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	10,674	10,353	20,154	19,350
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Domestic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	7,685	7,578	14,648	14,359
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Latin America [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	1,284	1,209	2,729	2,440
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Atlantic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	1,298	1,182	1,967	1,806
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pacific [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Passenger revenue	$ 407	$ 384	$ 810	$ 745