Revenue Recognition - Passenger Revenue by Geographic Region (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 10,584	$ 10,401
Passenger [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	9,658	9,480
Passenger [Member] | Domestic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	7,226	6,963
Passenger [Member] | Latin America [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,371	1,445
Passenger [Member] | Atlantic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	673	669
Passenger [Member] | Pacific [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	388	403
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	10,581	10,398
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	9,658	9,480
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Domestic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	7,226	6,963
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Latin America [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,371	1,445
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Atlantic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	673	669
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Pacific [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 388	$ 403