Revenue Recognition - Significant Categories of Reported Operating Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 11,960	$ 11,643	$ 22,544	$ 22,044
Passenger [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	11,011	10,674	20,669	20,154
Passenger travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	10,217	9,877	18,989	18,507
Loyalty revenue - travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	794	797	1,680	1,647
Cargo [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	221	261	439	488
Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	728	708	1,436	1,402
Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	594	582	1,172	1,152
Other revenue [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	134	126	264	250
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	11,958	11,640	22,539	22,038
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	11,011	10,674	20,669	20,154
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	10,217	9,877	18,989	18,507
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty revenue - travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	794	797	1,680	1,647
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Cargo [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	221	261	439	488
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	726	705	1,431	1,396
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	594	582	1,172	1,152
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Other revenue [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 132	$ 123	$ 259	$ 244