Special Items, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Operating special items, net	$ (519)	$ 234	$ (966)	$ 493
Mark-to-market adjustments on equity and other investments, net	(21)	45	159	37
Debt refinancing, extinguishment and other charges	0	(1)	48	6
Nonoperating special items, net	(21)	44	207	43
Payments for salary and medical costs	120		170
Write-down of aircraft and spare parts	709		1,500
Write-offs of ROU assets and lease return costs	33		109
American Airlines, Inc.
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Operating special items, net	(523)	228	(995)	487
Mark-to-market adjustments on equity and other investments, net	(21)	45	159	37
Debt refinancing, extinguishment and other charges	0	7	48	14
Nonoperating special items, net	(21)	52	207	51
Payments for salary and medical costs	120		170
Write-down of aircraft and spare parts	709		1,500
Write-offs of ROU assets and lease return costs	33		109
Mainline
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
PSP Financial Assistance	(1,908)	0	(3,710)	0
Severance expenses	871	0	1,408	0
Fleet impairment	742	201	1,484	201
Labor contract expenses	0	0	228	0
Mark-to-market adjustments on bankruptcy obligations, net	0	(22)	(49)	(18)
Fleet restructuring expenses	0	72	0	232
Litigation reserve adjustments	0	(53)	0	(53)
Merger integration expenses	0	29	0	106
Other operating special items, net	0	1	(18)	19
Operating special items, net	(295)	228	(657)	487
Mainline | American Airlines, Inc.
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
PSP Financial Assistance	(1,908)	0	(3,710)	0
Severance expenses	871	0	1,408	0
Fleet impairment	742	201	1,484	201
Labor contract expenses	0	0	228	0
Mark-to-market adjustments on bankruptcy obligations, net	0	(22)	(49)	(18)
Fleet restructuring expenses	0	72	0	232
Litigation reserve adjustments	0	(53)	0	(53)
Merger integration expenses	0	29	0	106
Other operating special items, net	0	1	(18)	19
Operating special items, net	(295)	228	(657)	487
Regional Carrier
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
PSP Financial Assistance	(228)	0	(444)	0
Severance expenses	4	0	18	0
Fleet impairment	0	0	117	0
Other operating special items, net	0	6	0	6
Operating special items, net	(224)	6	(309)	6
Regional Carrier | American Airlines, Inc.
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
PSP Financial Assistance	(228)	0	(444)	0
Fleet impairment	0	0	106	0
Operating special items, net	$ (228)	$ 0	$ (338)	$ 0