Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Passenger Revenue by Geographic Region (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 11,313	$ 11,911	$ 11,960	$ 10,584	$ 10,938	$ 11,559	$ 11,643	$ 10,401	$ 45,768	$ 44,541	$ 42,622
Passenger [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									42,010	40,676	39,131
Passenger [Member] | Domestic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									30,881	29,573	28,749
Passenger [Member] | Latin America [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									5,047	5,125	4,840
Passenger [Member] | Atlantic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									4,624	4,376	4,028
Passenger [Member] | Pacific [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									1,458	1,602	1,514
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 11,312	$ 11,910	$ 11,958	$ 10,581	$ 10,936	$ 11,556	$ 11,640	$ 10,398	45,761	44,530	42,610
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									42,010	40,676	39,131
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Domestic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									30,881	29,573	28,749
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Latin America [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									5,047	5,125	4,840
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Atlantic [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									4,624	4,376	4,028
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member] | Pacific [Member]
Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating revenues									$ 1,458	$ 1,602	$ 1,514