Special Items - Components of Special Items, Net Included in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Mainline operating special items, net	$ 303	$ (137)
Integration related costs	216	202
Net contract charges	99
Fair value adjustments for bankruptcy settlement obligations	6	32
Gain related to sale of DCA slots		309
Nonoperating special items, net	(8)	47
Non cash interest accretion, bankruptcy settlement obligations		31
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Mainline operating special items, net	198	(216)
Integration related costs	148	134
Net contract charges	64
Fair value adjustments for bankruptcy settlement obligations	6	56
Gain related to sale of DCA slots		305
Nonoperating special items, net	(8)	44
Non cash interest accretion, bankruptcy settlement obligations		27
Secured Debt Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Write off of unamortized deferred issuance costs	9
Secured Debt Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Write off of unamortized deferred issuance costs	9
Secured Debt Member] | AAdvantage Loan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Early debt extinguishment gain	17
Secured Debt Member] | AAdvantage Loan [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Early debt extinguishment gain	17
Venezuelan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Foreign currency losses		13
Venezuelan [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Foreign currency losses		$ 13