Special Items, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Fleet restructuring expenses	$ 83	$ 112
Merger integration expenses	37	59
Litigation settlement	0	40
Labor contract expenses	0	13
Other operating charges, net	18	1
Mainline operating special items, net	138	225
Mark-to-market adjustments on equity investments, net	(76)	0
Other nonoperating charges, net	7	0
Nonoperating special items, net	(69)	0
Income tax special items, net	0	22
Alternative Minimum Tax Credit Carryforward [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Change in deferred tax assets valuation allowance	22
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Fleet restructuring expenses	83	112
Merger integration expenses	37	59
Litigation settlement	0	40
Labor contract expenses	0	13
Other operating charges, net	18	1
Mainline operating special items, net	138	225
Mark-to-market adjustments on equity investments, net	(76)	0
Other nonoperating charges, net	7	0
Nonoperating special items, net	(69)	0
Income tax special items, net	0	$ 30
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Alternative Minimum Tax Credit Carryforward [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Change in deferred tax assets valuation allowance	$ 30