Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets by Asset Category (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
Private Equity Partnerships [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | $ 21 | $ 16 | $ 17 |
Private Equity Partnerships [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 21 | 16 | 17 |
Insurance Group Annuity Contracts [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Insurance Group Annuity Contracts [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Pension Benefits [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 10,017 | 9,707 | 10,986 |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 6,508 | 5,595 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,556 | 3,199 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 23 | 18 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 9,968 | 9,660 | $ 10,935 |
Pension Benefits [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 6,459 | 5,548 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,556 | 3,199 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 23 | 18 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 49 | 47 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Mutual Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 49 | 47 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,337 | 2,204 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,337 | 2,204 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,337 | 2,204 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,337 | 2,204 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Private Equity Partnerships [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 21 | 16 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Private Equity Partnerships [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 21 | 16 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Private Equity Partnerships [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 21 | 16 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Private Equity Partnerships [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 21 | 16 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 573 | 287 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 573 | 287 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 573 | 287 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 573 | 287 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | International Markets [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 3,232 | 2,873 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | International Markets [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 3,232 | 2,873 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | International Markets [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 3,232 | 2,873 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | International Markets [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 3,232 | 2,873 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Large-Cap Companies [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,253 | 1,999 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Large-Cap Companies [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,253 | 1,999 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Large-Cap Companies [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,253 | 1,999 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Large-Cap Companies [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2,253 | 1,999 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Mid-Cap Companies [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 371 | 361 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Mid-Cap Companies [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 371 | 361 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Mid-Cap Companies [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 371 | 361 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Mid-Cap Companies [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 371 | 361 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Small-Cap Companies [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 6 | 18 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Small-Cap Companies [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 6 | 18 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Small-Cap Companies [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 6 | 18 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Small-Cap Companies [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 6 | 18 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Government Securities [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 150 | 917 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Government Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 150 | 917 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Government Securities [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 150 | 917 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Government Securities [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 150 | 917 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | U.S. Municipal Securities [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 37 | 48 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | U.S. Municipal Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 37 | 48 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | U.S. Municipal Securities [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 37 | 48 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | U.S. Municipal Securities [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 37 | 48 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Private Equity Partnerships Measured At Net Asset Value[Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 703 | 706 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Private Equity Partnerships Measured At Net Asset Value[Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 703 | 706 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Common Collective Trusts [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 32 | 30 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Common Collective Trusts [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 32 | 30 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Common Collective Trusts [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 32 | 30 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Common Collective Trusts [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 32 | 30 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Common Collective Trusts and 103-12 Investment Trust Measured at Net Asset Value [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 227 | 189 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Common Collective Trusts and 103-12 Investment Trust Measured at Net Asset Value [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 227 | 189 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Insurance Group Annuity Contracts [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2 | 2 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Insurance Group Annuity Contracts [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2 | 2 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Insurance Group Annuity Contracts [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2 | 2 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Insurance Group Annuity Contracts [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 2 | 2 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Dividend and Interest Receivable [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 40 | 50 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Dividend and Interest Receivable [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 40 | 50 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Dividend and Interest Receivable [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 40 | 50 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Dividend and Interest Receivable [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | 40 | 50 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Due to/from Brokers for Sale of Securities - Net [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | (9) | 23 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Due to/from Brokers for Sale of Securities - Net [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | (9) | 23 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Due to/from Brokers for Sale of Securities - Net [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | (9) | 23 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Due to/from Brokers for Sale of Securities - Net [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | (9) | 23 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Other Assets - Net [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | | 8 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Other Assets - Net [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | | 8 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Other Assets - Net [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | | 8 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Other Assets - Net [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | | 8 | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Other Liabilities - Net [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | (7) | (71) | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Other Liabilities - Net [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | (7) | (71) | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Other Liabilities - Net [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | (7) | (71) | |
Pension Benefits [Member] | Other Liabilities - Net [Member] | American Airlines, Inc. [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | | | |
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items] | | | |
Fair value of plan assets | $ (7) | $ (71) | |