Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$ 1,686		$ 1,412		$ 1,282
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization		2,318		2,159		2,017
Net gains from sale of property and equipment and sale-leaseback transactions		(112)		(59)		(11)
Special items, net non-cash		376		458		272
Pension and postretirement		(178)		(300)		(132)
Deferred income tax provision		560		440		2,089
Share-based compensation		94		86		90
Other, net		(62)		(97)		(142)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable		73		222		(190)
Increase in other assets		(373)		(390)		(433)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities		327		(147)		299
Contributions to pension plans		(1,230)		(475)		(286)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities		(209)		210		132
Net cash provided by operating activities		3,815		3,533		4,744
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures and aircraft purchase deposits		(4,268)		(3,745)		(5,971)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions		850
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions				1,096		853
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		54		111		94
Purchases of short-term investments		(3,184)		(3,412)		(4,633)
Sales of short-term investments		4,144		3,705		5,915
Proceeds from vendor		250		0		0
Decrease (increase) in restricted short-term investments		(3)		72		309
Proceeds from sale of investments		0		207		0
Purchase of equity investment		0		0		(203)
Other investing activities		(86)		(7)		0
Net cash used in investing activities		(2,243)		(1,973)		(3,636)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		3,960		2,354		3,058
Payments on long-term debt and finance leases		(4,190)		(2,941)		(2,332)
Deferred financing costs		(61)		(59)		(85)
Treasury stock repurchases		(1,097)		(837)		(1,615)
Dividend payments		(178)		(186)		(198)
Other financing activities		(2)		(3)		27
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,568)		(1,672)		(1,145)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash		4		(112)		(37)
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of year		286	[1]	398	[1]	435
Cash and restricted cash at end of year	[1]	290		286		398
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		1,972		1,658		1,285
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization		2,267		2,108		1,964
Net gains from sale of property and equipment and sale-leaseback transactions		(109)		(57)		2
Special items, net non-cash		384		458		272
Pension and postretirement		(178)		(302)		(132)
Deferred income tax provision		623		503		2,246
Share-based compensation		94		86		90
Other, net		(56)		(102)		(146)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable		130		232		(189)
Increase in other assets		(321)		(354)		(405)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities		273		(171)		266
Increase in receivables from related parties, net		(1,772)		(1,849)		(1,994)
Contributions to pension plans		(1,224)		(472)		(286)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities		(199)		191		140
Net cash provided by operating activities		2,429		1,943		2,870
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures and aircraft purchase deposits		(4,156)		(3,677)		(5,881)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions		850
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions				1,096		853
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		49		106		69
Purchases of short-term investments		(3,184)		(3,412)		(4,633)
Sales of short-term investments		4,144		3,705		5,915
Proceeds from vendor		250		0		0
Decrease (increase) in restricted short-term investments		(3)		72		309
Proceeds from sale of investments		0		207		0
Purchase of equity investment		0		0		(203)
Other investing activities		(96)		(7)		0
Net cash used in investing activities		(2,146)		(1,910)		(3,571)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		3,210		2,354		3,058
Payments on long-term debt and finance leases		(3,440)		(2,442)		(2,332)
Deferred financing costs		(52)		(59)		(85)
Other financing activities		0		0		27
Net cash used in financing activities		(282)		(147)		668
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash		1		(114)		(33)
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of year		276	[2]	390	[2]	423
Cash and restricted cash at end of year	[2]	277		276		390
Air traffic [Member]
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase (decrease) in customer liabilities		469		297		65
Air traffic [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase (decrease) in customer liabilities		469		297		65
Loyalty program [Member]
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase (decrease) in customer liabilities		76		(283)		(308)
Loyalty program [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase (decrease) in customer liabilities		$ 76		$ (283)		$ (308)

[1] The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash to amounts reported within the consolidated balance sheets: Cash $ 280
  $ 275
  $ 295
Restricted cash included in restricted cash and short-term investments 10
  11
  103
Total cash and restricted cash $ 290
  $ 286
  $ 398

[2] The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash to amounts reported within the consolidated balance sheets: Cash $ 267
  $ 265
  $ 287
Restricted cash included in restricted cash and short-term investments 10
  11
  103
Total cash and restricted cash $ 277
  $ 276
  $ 390