Revenue Recognition - Significant Categories of Reported Operating Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 8,515	$ 10,584
Passenger [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	7,681	9,658
Passenger travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	7,079	8,772
Loyalty revenue - travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	602	886
Cargo [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	147	218
Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	687	708
Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	571	578
Other revenue [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	116	130
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	8,514	10,581
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	7,681	9,658
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Passenger travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	7,079	8,772
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty revenue - travel [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	602	886
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Cargo [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	147	218
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	686	705
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	571	578
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Other revenue [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 115	$ 127