Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets by Asset Category (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 |
Pension Benefits [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | $ 11,395 | $ 10,017 | $ 9,707 |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Private Equity Partnerships [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 14 | 21 | 16 |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Insurance Group Annuity Contracts [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 11,395 | 10,017 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 7,281 | 6,508 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,936 | 2,556 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 16 | 23 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 28 | 573 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 28 | 573 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | International Markets [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 3,837 | 3,232 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | International Markets [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 3,837 | 3,232 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Large-Cap Companies [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,451 | 2,253 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Large-Cap Companies [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,451 | 2,253 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Mid-Cap Companies [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 744 | 371 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Mid-Cap Companies [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 744 | 371 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Small-Cap Companies [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 125 | 6 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Small-Cap Companies [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 125 | 6 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 55 | 49 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 55 | 49 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,344 | 2,337 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,344 | 2,337 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Government Securities [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 238 | 150 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Government Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 238 | 150 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | U.S. Municipal Securities [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 39 | 37 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | U.S. Municipal Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 39 | 37 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Private Equity Partnerships [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 14 | 21 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Private Equity Partnerships [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 14 | 21 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Private Equity Partnerships Measured At Net Asset Value [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 879 | 703 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Common Collective Trusts [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 315 | 32 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Common Collective Trusts [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 315 | 32 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Common Collective Trusts and 103-12 Investment Trust Measured at Net Asset Value [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 283 | 227 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Insurance Group Annuity Contracts [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2 | 2 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Insurance Group Annuity Contracts [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2 | 2 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Dividend and Interest Receivable [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 44 | 40 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Dividend and Interest Receivable [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 44 | 40 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Due to/from Brokers for Sale of Securities - Net [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 3 | (9) | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Due to/from Brokers for Sale of Securities - Net [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 3 | (9) | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Other Liabilities - Net [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | (6) | (7) | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Other Liabilities - Net [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | (6) | (7) | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Private Equity Partnerships [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 14 | 21 | 16 |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Insurance Group Annuity Contracts [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2 | 2 | 2 |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 11,340 | 9,968 | $ 9,660 |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 11,340 | 9,968 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 7,226 | 6,459 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,936 | 2,556 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 16 | 23 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 28 | 573 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 28 | 573 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | International Markets [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 3,837 | 3,232 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | International Markets [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 3,837 | 3,232 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Large-Cap Companies [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,451 | 2,253 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Large-Cap Companies [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,451 | 2,253 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Mid-Cap Companies [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 744 | 371 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Mid-Cap Companies [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 744 | 371 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Small-Cap Companies [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 125 | 6 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Small-Cap Companies [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 125 | 6 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,344 | 2,337 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,344 | 2,337 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Government Securities [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 238 | 150 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Government Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 238 | 150 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | U.S. Municipal Securities [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 39 | 37 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | U.S. Municipal Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 39 | 37 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Private Equity Partnerships [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 14 | 21 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Private Equity Partnerships [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 14 | 21 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Private Equity Partnerships Measured At Net Asset Value [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 879 | 703 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Common Collective Trusts [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 315 | 32 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Common Collective Trusts [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 315 | 32 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Common Collective Trusts and 103-12 Investment Trust Measured at Net Asset Value [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 283 | 227 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Insurance Group Annuity Contracts [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2 | 2 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Insurance Group Annuity Contracts [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2 | 2 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Dividend and Interest Receivable [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 44 | 40 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Dividend and Interest Receivable [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 44 | 40 | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Due to/from Brokers for Sale of Securities - Net [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 3 | (9) | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Due to/from Brokers for Sale of Securities - Net [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 3 | (9) | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Other Liabilities - Net [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | (6) | (7) | |
American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Pension Benefits [Member] | Recurring [Member] | Other Liabilities - Net [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | $ (6) | $ (7) | |