Indebtedness (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011 Boeing 737-800 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 Boeing 737-800 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2012 10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 2005 Spare Engine EETC [Member]
Remainder of 2012		$ 701,000,000
2013		897,000,000
2014		823,000,000
2015		731,000,000
2016		661,000,000
2017 and beyond		4,600,000,000
Issued guarantees covering secured bond, tax-exempt	1,600,000,000
Issued guarantees covering secured debt	4,200,000,000
Issued guarantees covering unsecured debt	842,000,000
Guarantees of American's leases of certain super ATR aircraft	10,500,000
Number of aircrafts delivered			35	21
Debt instrument interest rate						10.50%
Principal amount outstanding						$ 450,000,000
Debt instrument maturity year					2016	2012	2012