Revenue Recognition - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) component	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Other revenue	$ 708	$ 655	$ 1,402	$ 1,287
Contract receivables settlement duration			7 days
Loyalty program [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Number of revenue components | component			2
Recognition of revenue			$ 1,733
Loyalty program [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract duration			1 year
Loyalty program [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract duration			9 years
Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Other revenue	582	533	$ 1,200	1,000
Air traffic liability [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract duration			1 year
Recognition of revenue			$ 2,900
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Other revenue	705	652	$ 1,396	1,280
Contract receivables settlement duration			7 days
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty program [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Number of revenue components | component			2
Recognition of revenue			$ 1,733
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty program [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract duration			1 year
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty program [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract duration			9 years
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Other revenue	$ 582	$ 533	$ 1,152	$ 1,047
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Air traffic liability [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract duration			1 year
Recognition of revenue			$ 2,900