Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020		Dec. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)		$ (8,885)		$ 1,686		$ 1,412
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		2,370		2,318		2,159
Net gains from sale of property and equipment and sale-leaseback transactions		(95)		(112)		(59)
Special items, net non-cash		1,599		376		458
Pension and postretirement		(319)		(178)		(300)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)		(2,568)		560		440
Share-based compensation		91		94		86
Other, net		47		(62)		(97)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease in accounts receivable		538		73		222
Increase in other assets		(38)		(373)		(390)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(626)		327		(147)
Contributions to pension plans		(9)		(1,230)		(475)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities		823		(209)		210
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(6,543)		3,815		3,533
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures and aircraft purchase deposits		(1,958)		(4,268)		(3,745)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions		665		850		1,096
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		351		54		111
Purchases of short-term investments		(5,873)		(3,184)		(3,412)
Sales of short-term investments		2,803		4,144		3,705
Proceeds from vendor		90		250		0
Decrease (increase) in restricted short-term investments		(308)		(3)		72
Proceeds from sale of investments		41		0		207
Other investing activities		(153)		(86)		(7)
Net cash used in investing activities		(4,342)		(2,243)		(1,973)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		11,780		3,960		2,354
Payments on long-term debt and finance leases		(3,535)		(4,190)		(2,941)
Proceeds from issuance of equity		2,970		0		0
Deferred financing costs		(93)		(61)		(59)
Treasury stock repurchases and shares withheld for taxes pursuant to employee stock plans		(173)		(1,097)		(837)
Dividend payments		(43)		(178)		(186)
Other financing activities		88		(2)		(3)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		10,994		(1,568)		(1,672)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash		109		4		(112)
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of year		290	[1]	286	[1]	398
Cash and restricted cash at end of year	[1]	399		290		286
American Airlines, Inc.
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)		(8,450)		1,972		1,658
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		2,313		2,267		2,108
Net gains from sale of property and equipment and sale-leaseback transactions		(98)		(109)		(57)
Special items, net non-cash		1,588		384		458
Pension and postretirement		(319)		(178)		(302)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)		(2,453)		623		503
Share-based compensation		91		94		86
Other, net		14		(56)		(102)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease in accounts receivable		595		130		232
Increase in other assets		42		(321)		(354)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(619)		273		(171)
Decrease (increase) in receivables from related parties, net		4,134		(1,772)		(1,849)
Contributions to pension plans		(6)		(1,224)		(472)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities		1,210		(199)		191
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(1,429)		2,429		1,943
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures and aircraft purchase deposits		(1,922)		(4,156)		(3,677)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions		665		850		1,096
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		351		49		106
Purchases of short-term investments		(5,874)		(3,184)		(3,412)
Sales of short-term investments		2,803		4,144		3,705
Proceeds from vendor		90		250		0
Decrease (increase) in restricted short-term investments		(308)		(3)		72
Proceeds from sale of investments		41		0		207
Other investing activities		(154)		(96)		(7)
Net cash used in investing activities		(4,308)		(2,146)		(1,910)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		8,959		3,210		2,354
Payments on long-term debt and finance leases		(3,029)		(3,440)		(2,442)
Deferred financing costs		(85)		(52)		(59)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		5,845		(282)		(147)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash		108		1		(114)
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of year		277	[2]	276	[2]	390
Cash and restricted cash at end of year	[2]	385		277		276
Air traffic liability
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase (decrease) in customer liabilities		(51)		469		297
Air traffic liability | American Airlines, Inc.
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase (decrease) in customer liabilities		(51)		469		297
Loyalty program liability
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase (decrease) in customer liabilities		580		76		(283)
Loyalty program liability | American Airlines, Inc.
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase (decrease) in customer liabilities		$ 580		$ 76		$ (283)

[1] The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash to amounts reported within the consolidated balance sheets: Cash$245 $280 $275 Restricted cash included in restricted cash and short-term investments154 10 11 Total cash and restricted cash$399 $290 $286 

[2] The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash to amounts reported within the consolidated balance sheets: Cash$231 $267 $265 Restricted cash included in restricted cash and short-term investments154 10 11 Total cash and restricted cash$385 $277 $276