Revenue Recognition - Passenger Revenue by Geographic Region (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 11,911	$ 11,559	$ 34,455	$ 33,603
Passenger [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	10,995	10,561	31,663	30,714
Passenger [Member] | Domestic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	7,814	7,424	23,048	22,071
Passenger [Member] | Latin America [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,218	1,210	3,829	3,939
Passenger [Member] | Atlantic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,596	1,504	3,677	3,471
Passenger [Member] | Pacific [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	367	423	1,109	1,233
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	11,910	11,556	34,449	33,594
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	10,995	10,561	31,663	30,714
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Domestic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	7,814	7,424	23,048	22,071
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Latin America [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,218	1,210	3,829	3,939
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Atlantic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	1,596	1,504	3,677	3,471
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Pacific [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 367	$ 423	$ 1,109	$ 1,233