Revenue Recognition - Significant Categories of Reported Operating Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 11,911	$ 11,559	$ 34,455	$ 33,603
Passenger [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	10,995	10,561	31,663	30,714
Passenger travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	10,226	9,790	29,215	28,278
Loyalty revenue - travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	769	771	2,448	2,436
Cargo [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	208	260	647	748
Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	708	738	2,145	2,141
Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	570	613	1,742	1,765
Other revenue [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	138	125	403	376
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	11,910	11,556	34,449	33,594
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	10,995	10,561	31,663	30,714
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	10,226	9,790	29,215	28,278
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty revenue - travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	769	771	2,448	2,436
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Cargo [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	208	260	647	748
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	707	735	2,139	2,132
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	570	613	1,742	1,765
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Other revenue [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 137	$ 122	$ 397	$ 367