Special Items, Net - Components of Company's Special Items, Net Included in Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Mainline operating special items, net charge			$ 800
Integration related costs			810	443
Other special charges			164
Write-off of residual value guarantees for certain aircraft and other asset impairments			81
Fair value adjustments for bankruptcy settlement obligations			81
Gain related to sale of slots			309	67
Equipment lease buyout charges			54
Nonoperating special charges, net			132	138	(280)
Stated interest rate percentage (percent)	7.25%		7.25%
Non-cash interest accretion on bankruptcy settlement obligations			33
Foreign currency losses			114	56	41
Non-cash tax provision on sale of fuel hedging contracts		330
Non-cash deferred income tax provision	6		16
Income tax special items, net			346	(324)	(569)
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Mainline operating special items, net charge			507
Integration related costs			527	166
Other special charges			181
Write-off of residual value guarantees for certain aircraft and other asset impairments			81
Fair value adjustments for bankruptcy settlement obligations			60
Gain related to sale of slots			305	67
Equipment lease buyout charges			44
Nonoperating special charges, net			120	48	(280)
Non-cash interest accretion on bankruptcy settlement obligations			29
Foreign currency losses			92	55	41
Non-cash tax provision on sale of fuel hedging contracts		328	328
Non-cash deferred income tax provision	6		14
Income tax special items, net			342	(324)	(569)
Secured Debt Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage (percent)				10.50%
Secured Debt Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Stated interest rate percentage (percent)				10.50%
Secured Debt Member] | 7.50% Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Early debt extinguishment costs			56
Stated interest rate percentage (percent)	7.50%		7.50%			7.50%	7.50%
Secured Debt Member] | 7.50% Senior Secured Notes [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Early debt extinguishment costs			48
Stated interest rate percentage (percent)	7.50%		7.50%			7.50%	7.50%
Fuel Hedging Contracts [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Non-cash tax provision on sale of fuel hedging contracts		330	330
Fuel Hedging Contracts [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Non-cash tax provision on sale of fuel hedging contracts		328	328
Venezuelan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Foreign currency losses			43
Venezuelan [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Foreign currency losses			$ 43