Special Items - Additional Disclosures (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Operating special items, net	$ 289	$ 163	$ 450	$ 610
Merger integration expenses	225	198	467	741
Charge in connection with dissolution of joint venture		38		38
Fair value adjustments for bankruptcy settlement obligations	(39)		22	75
Proceeds received from legal settlement		66		66
Nonoperating special items, net		21	36	2
Gain on sale of investment				22
Secured Debt [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Write off of unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs				40
Secured Debt [Member] \| AAadvantage Loan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Early debt extinguishment gain (cost)				17
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Operating special items, net	289	163	450	610
Merger integration expenses	225	198	467	741
Charge in connection with dissolution of joint venture		38		38
Fair value adjustments for bankruptcy settlement obligations	$ (39)		22	75
Proceeds received from legal settlement		66		66
Nonoperating special items, net		$ 21	$ 36	24
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Write off of unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs				41
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] \| Secured Debt [Member] \| AAadvantage Loan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Early debt extinguishment gain (cost)				$ 17

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