Revenue Recognition - Significant Categories of Reported Operating Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 10,584	$ 10,401
Passenger [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	9,658	9,480
Passenger travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	8,772	8,630
Loyalty revenue - travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	886	850
Cargo [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	218	227
Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	708	694
Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	578	570
Other revenue [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	130	124
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	10,581	10,398
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	9,658	9,480
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	8,772	8,630
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty revenue - travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	886	850
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Cargo [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	218	227
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	705	691
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	578	570
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Other revenue [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 127	$ 121