Fair Value Disclosure (Summary Of Carrying Value And Estimated Fair Values Of Long Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified					6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011 Secured Variable and Fixed Rate Indebtedness due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Secured Variable and Fixed Rate Indebtedness due Through 2021 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates due Through 2021 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds due Through 2036 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds due Through 2036 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 7.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 AAdvantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 AAdvantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 9.0% - 10.20% Debentures due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 9.0% - 10.20% Debentures due Through 2021 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 7.88% - 10.55% Notes due Through 2039 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 7.88% - 10.55% Notes due Through 2039 [Member]
Carrying Value of Debt	$ 11,169	$ 10,532	$ 4,844	$ 5,114	$ 1,946	$ 2,002	$ 1,642	$ 1,641	$ 1,000	$ 890	$ 890		$ 460	$ 460	$ 214	$ 214	$ 173	$ 211
Fair Value of Debt	$ 10,955	$ 10,191	$ 4,581	$ 4,562	$ 2,013	$ 2,127	$ 1,650	$ 1,657	$ 983	$ 907	$ 903		$ 446	$ 526	$ 206	$ 207	$ 169	$ 209
Debt instrument interest percentage - minimum					5.10		6.00								9.0		7.88
Debt instrument interest percentage - maximum					12.00		8.50					6.25			10.20		10.55
Debt instrument interest percentage									7.50%

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

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- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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- Definition

When presenting a range of interest rates, the highest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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- Definition

When presenting a range of interest rates, the lowest stated (contractual) rate for funds borrowed under the debt agreement as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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- Definition

Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date. May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 9

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 20, 22
-Article 5

+ Details

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