Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$ (16)	$ (26)	$ (48)	$ (87)
American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(16)	(26)	(49)	(87)
Prior Service Cost (Benefit) [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(33)	(52)	(100)	(159)
Prior Service Cost (Benefit) [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(33)	(52)	(101)	(159)
Actuarial Loss [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	17	26	52	80
Actuarial Loss [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	$ 17	$ 26	$ 52	80
Derivative Financial Instruments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax				(9)
Derivative Financial Instruments [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax				(9)
Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax				1
Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax				$ 1