Financial Instruments And Risk Management (Summary Of Carrying Value And Estimated Fair Values Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$ 2,482
Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,456
Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	5.10%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.375%
6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	186
7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of debt instrument, interest rate	7.50%
AAdvantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	890
9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	214
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	9.00%	9.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.20%	10.20%
7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	166
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	7.88%	7.88%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.55%	10.55%
Not Classified [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	8,220	10,532
Fair Value	7,417	10,191
Not Classified [Member] | Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	2,952	5,114
Fair Value	2,647	4,562
Not Classified [Member] | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,942	2,002
Fair Value	1,927	2,127
Not Classified [Member] | 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,436	1,641
Fair Value	1,230	1,657
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	6.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	8.50%
Not Classified [Member] | 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,000
Fair Value	711
Percentage of debt instrument, interest rate	7.50%
Not Classified [Member] | AAdvantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	890	890
Fair Value	902	903
Not Classified [Member] | 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value		460
Fair Value		526
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	6.25%
Not Classified [Member] | 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value		214
Fair Value		207
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	9.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.20%
Not Classified [Member] | 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value		211
Fair Value		209
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	7.88%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.55%
Classified [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	2,482
Fair Value	1,341
Classified [Member] | Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	1,456
Fair Value	1,123
Classified [Member] | 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	186
Fair Value	37
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	6.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	8.50%
Classified [Member] | 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of debt instrument, interest rate	7.50%
Classified [Member] | 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	460
Fair Value	101
Percentage of debt instrument, interest rate	6.25%
Classified [Member] | 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	214
Fair Value	46
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	9.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.20%
Classified [Member] | 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value	166
Fair Value	$ 34
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	7.88%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.55%