Revenue Recognition - Significant Categories of Reported Operating Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 8,969	$ 3,173	$ 20,455	$ 13,309
Passenger
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	7,957	2,540	17,682	11,328
Passenger travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	7,287	2,407	16,177	10,491
Loyalty revenue - travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	670	133	1,505	837
Cargo
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	332	207	973	484
Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	680	426	1,800	1,497
Loyalty revenue - marketing services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	585	389	1,571	1,317
Co-branded credit card and other partners
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	835	526	2,600	2,400
Other revenue
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	95	37	229	180
American Airlines, Inc.
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	8,968	3,172	20,454	13,308
American Airlines, Inc. | Passenger
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	7,957	2,540	17,682	11,328
American Airlines, Inc. | Passenger travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	7,287	2,407	16,177	10,491
American Airlines, Inc. | Loyalty revenue - travel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	670	133	1,505	837
American Airlines, Inc. | Cargo
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	332	207	973	484
American Airlines, Inc. | Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	679	425	1,799	1,496
American Airlines, Inc. | Loyalty revenue - marketing services
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	585	389	1,571	1,317
American Airlines, Inc. | Co-branded credit card and other partners
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	835	526
American Airlines, Inc. | Other revenue
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 94	$ 36	$ 228	$ 179