Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 1	$ 1	$ 3	$ 2
Interest cost	154	175	461	527
Expected return on assets	(253)	(204)	(757)	(611)
Special termination benefits	0	0	0	0
Settlements	0	0	4	0
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (benefit)	7	7	21	21
Unrecognized net loss (gain)	41	37	124	113
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	(50)	16	(144)	52
2020 contributions expected to be deferred under CARES Act	133		133
Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	2	1	5	3
Interest cost	8	9	22	26
Expected return on assets	(3)	(4)	(9)	(12)
Special termination benefits	410	0	410	0
Settlements	0	0	0	0
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (benefit)	(33)	(59)	(139)	(177)
Unrecognized net loss (gain)	(5)	(8)	(17)	(24)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	379	(61)	272	(184)
American Airlines, Inc. | Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	1	1	2	2
Interest cost	153	174	459	524
Expected return on assets	(252)	(203)	(754)	(609)
Special termination benefits	0	0	0	0
Settlements	0	0	4	0
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (benefit)	7	7	21	21
Unrecognized net loss (gain)	41	37	123	113
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	(50)	16	(145)	51
2020 contributions expected to be deferred under CARES Act	130		130
American Airlines, Inc. | Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	2	1	5	3
Interest cost	8	9	22	26
Expected return on assets	(3)	(4)	(9)	(12)
Special termination benefits	410	0	410	0
Settlements	0	0	0	0
Amortization of:
Prior service cost (benefit)	(33)	(59)	(139)	(177)
Unrecognized net loss (gain)	(5)	(8)	(17)	(24)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$ 379	$ (61)	$ 272	$ (184)