Revenue Recognition - Significant Categories of Reported Operating Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 3,173	$ 11,911	$ 13,309	$ 34,455
Passenger
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	2,540	10,995	11,328	31,663
Passenger travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	2,407	10,226	10,491	29,215
Loyalty revenue - travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	133	769	837	2,448
Cargo
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	207	208	484	647
Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	426	708	1,497	2,145
Loyalty revenue - marketing services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	389	570	1,317	1,742
Other revenue
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	37	138	180	403
American Airlines, Inc.
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	3,172	11,910	13,308	34,449
American Airlines, Inc. | Passenger
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	2,540	10,995	11,328	31,663
American Airlines, Inc. | Passenger travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	2,407	10,226	10,491	29,215
American Airlines, Inc. | Loyalty revenue - travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	133	769	837	2,448
American Airlines, Inc. | Cargo
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	207	208	484	647
American Airlines, Inc. | Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	425	707	1,496	2,139
American Airlines, Inc. | Loyalty revenue - marketing services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	389	570	1,317	1,742
American Airlines, Inc. | Other revenue
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 36	$ 137	$ 179	$ 397