<Page> 1 Exhibit 10.3 January 14, 2002 Mr. Joe M. Rodgers Chairman The JMR Group P. O. Box 158838 Nashville, Tennessee 37215-8838 Dear Joe: This will confirm the following agreement relating to the deferral of your director's fees in 2002. 1. All director's fees and retainers ("Fees") payable to you in connection with your service on the boards of directors (including committees of such boards) of AMR Corporation and American Airlines, Inc. for the period January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002 , will be deferred and paid to you in accordance with this letter agreement. 2. Fees will be converted to Stock Equivalent Units in accordance with the Directors' Stock Equivalent Purchase Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Plan"). 3. On or before January 31, 2003, the Stock Equivalent Units accrued pursuant to the Plan will be converted to cash and paid to you by multiplying the number of such Stock Equivalent Units by the arithmetic mean of the high and the low of AMR stock during November 2002. 4. AMR's obligation to make the payment pursuant to paragraph 3 hereof will not be released or modified by reason of your death. In such event, the cash payment contemplated by paragraph 3 will be made to your estate. <Page> 2 If the foregoing is satisfactory to you, please indicate by signing one of the originals (two are enclosed) and returning it to me. Very truly yours, Charles D. MarLett Corporate Secretary Accepted and agreed: Joe M. Rodgers Date