Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 10, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	AMR CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000006201
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		335,271,557

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues
Passenger - American Airlines	$ 4,909	$ 4,816	$ 14,303	$ 13,508
-Regional Affiliates	748	735	2,208	2,023
Cargo	156	176	499	532
Other revenues	616	649	1,908	1,960
Total operating revenues	6,429	6,376	18,918	18,023
Expenses
Aircraft fuel	2,180	2,255	6,555	6,299
Wages, salaries and benefits	1,783	1,776	5,342	5,262
Other rentals and landing fees	329	363	990	1,070
Maintenance, materials and repairs	347	345	1,047	983
Depreciation and amortization	256	273	777	815
Commissions, booking fees and credit card expense	277	285	806	809
Aircraft rentals	137	165	410	483
Food service	139	137	394	390
Special charges	211	0	329	0
Other operating expenses	719	738	2,164	2,182
Total operating expenses	6,378	6,337	18,814	18,293
Operating Income (Loss)	51	39	104	(270)
Other Income (Expense)
Interest income	7	6	20	20
Interest expense	(161)	(211)	(503)	(626)
Interest capitalized	13	11	36	28
Miscellaneous - net	(11)	(7)	(29)	(36)
Other Income (Expense)	(152)	(201)	(476)	(614)
Income (Loss) Before Reorganization Items, Net	(101)	(162)	(372)	(884)
Reorganization Items, Net	(137)	0	(1,767)	0
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	(238)	(162)	(2,139)	(884)
Income tax	0	0	0	0
Net Loss	$ (238)	$ (162)	$ (2,139)	$ (884)
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic	$ (0.71)	$ (0.48)	$ (6.38)	$ (2.64)
Diluted	$ (0.71)	$ (0.48)	$ (6.38)	$ (2.64)

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Contractual interest expense	$ (180)	$ (564)

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Earnings (Loss)	$ (238,000,000)	$ (162,000,000)	$ (2,139,000,000)	$ (884,000,000)
Defined benefit pension plans and retiree medical:
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost	56,000,000	33,000,000	169,000,000	98,000,000
Current year change	0	(3,000,000)	0	10,000,000
amr_OtherComprehensiveIncomeBenefitPlanModifications	1,673,000,000	0	1,673,000,000	0
Derivative financial instruments:
Change in fair value	86,000,000	(142,000,000)	29,000,000	152,000,000
Reclassification into earnings	12,000,000	(57,000,000)	(13,000,000)	(287,000,000)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments
Net change in value	2,000,000	(1,000,000)	5,000,000	(1,000,000)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Tax	1,829,000,000	(170,000,000)	1,863,000,000	(28,000,000)
Income tax expense on other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	$ 1,591,000,000	$ (332,000,000)	$ (276,000,000)	$ (912,000,000)

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets
Cash	$ 508	$ 283
Short-term investments	3,718	3,718
Restricted cash and short-term investments	847	738
Receivables, net	1,160	902
Inventories, net	596	617
Fuel derivative contracts	98	97
Other current assets	376	402
Total current assets	7,303	6,757
Equipment and Property
Flight Equipment Owned, Net	10,492	11,041
Other equipment and property, net	2,066	2,126
Purchase deposits for flight equipment	764	746
Equipment and property, net	13,322	13,913
Equipment and Property Under Capital Leases
Flight equipment, net	235	323
Other equipment and property, net	63	70
Equipment and property under capital leases, net	298	393
International slots and route authorities	708	708
Domestic slots and airport operating and gate lease rights, less accumulated amortization, net	167	186
Other assets	2,129	1,891
Total Assets	23,927	23,848
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	1,283	1,007
Accrued liabilities	2,029	1,882
Air traffic liability	4,730	4,223
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,508	1,518
Current obligations under capital leases	36	0
Total current liabilities	9,586	8,630
Long-term debt, less current maturities	6,097	6,702
Obligations under capital leases, less current obligations	392	0
Pension and postretirement benefits	76	9,204
Other liabilities, deferred gains and deferred credits	1,658	1,580
Liabilities Subject to Compromise	13,493	4,843
Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock	341	341
Additional paid-in capital	4,477	4,465
Treasury stock	(367)	(367)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,101)	(3,964)
Accumulated deficit	(9,725)	(7,586)
Total stockholders' equity	(7,375)	(7,111)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)	$ 23,927	$ 23,848

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net Cash Provided by (used for) Operating Activities	$ 1,567	$ 346
Cash Flow from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures, including aircraft lease deposits	(1,153)	(1,234)
Net (increase) decrease in short-term investments	0	336
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash and short-term investments	(109)	(24)
Proceeds from sale of equipment and property	58	(8)
Net cash used for investing activities	(1,204)	(930)
Cash Flow from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(991)	(1,527)
Proceeds from:
Issuance of debt	0	1,784
Sale leaseback transactions	853	463
Other	0	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	(138)	720
Net increase (decrease) in cash	225	136
Cash at beginning of period	283	168
Cash at end of period	$ 508	$ 304

Chapter 11 Reorganization

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Reorganizations [Abstract]

Chapter 11 Reorganization

Overview

On November 29, 2011 (the Petition Date), AMR Corporation (AMR or the Company) and certain of the Company’s direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries (collectively, the Debtors) filed voluntary petitions for relief (the Chapter 11 Cases) under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the Bankruptcy Code), in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the Bankruptcy Court). The Chapter 11 Cases are being jointly administered under the caption “in re AMR Corporation, et al, Case No. 11-15463-SHL.”

The Company and the other Debtors are operating as “debtors in possession” under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. In general, as debtors in possession under the Bankruptcy Code, we are authorized to continue to operate as an ongoing business but may not engage in transactions outside the ordinary course of business without the prior approval of the Bankruptcy Court. The Bankruptcy Code enables the Company to continue to operate its business without interruption, and the Bankruptcy Court has granted additional relief covering, among other things, obligations to (i) employees, (ii) taxing authorities, (iii) insurance providers, (iv) independent contractors for improvement projects, (v) foreign vendors, (vi) other airlines pursuant to certain interline agreements, and (vii) certain vendors deemed critical to the Debtors’ operations.

While operating as debtors in possession under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, the Debtors may sell or otherwise dispose of or liquidate assets or settle liabilities, subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court or otherwise as permitted in the ordinary course of business. The Debtors have not yet prepared or filed with the Bankruptcy Court a plan of reorganization. The Debtors have the exclusive right to file a plan of reorganization through and including December 28, 2012, subject to the ability of third parties to file motions to terminate the Debtors' exclusivity period. If the Debtors file a plan of reorganization on or prior to such date, the Debtors will have an exclusive period to solicit and obtain acceptances for such plan through and including February 28, 2013. On October 16, 2012, the Debtors filed a joint motion with the Creditors' Committee seeking to further extend such exclusivity periods to January 28, 2013 and March 28, 2013, respectively. There can be no assurance that the Bankruptcy Court will approve the Debtors' motion. The Debtors have the right to seek further extensions of such exclusivity periods, subject to a statutory limit of 18 months from the Petition Date in the case of filing a plan of reorganization, and 20 months from the Petition Date in the case of soliciting and obtaining acceptances. The ultimate plan of reorganization, which would be subject to acceptance by the requisite majorities of empowered creditors under the Bankruptcy Code and approval by the Bankruptcy Court, could materially change the amounts and classifications in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company’s Chapter 11 Cases followed an extended effort by the Company to restructure its business to strengthen its competitive and financial position. However, the Company’s substantial cost disadvantage compared to its larger competitors, all of which restructured their costs and debt through Chapter 11, became increasingly untenable given the accelerating impact of global economic uncertainty and resulting revenue instability, volatile and rising fuel prices, and intensifying competitive challenges.

No assurance can be given as to the value, if any, that may be ascribed to the Debtors' various prepetition liabilities and other securities. The Company cannot predict what the ultimate value of any of its securities may be or whether holders of any such securities will receive any distribution in the Debtors' reorganization. However, it is likely that the Company's common stock will have little or no value at the time of the Company's emergence from bankruptcy, and the common stock could be canceled entirely upon the approval of the Bankruptcy Court. In the event of such cancellation, amounts invested in the Company's common stock will not be recoverable. Accordingly, the Debtors urge that caution be exercised with respect to existing and future investments in any of these securities (including the Company's common stock) or other Debtor claims. Trading in the Company's common stock and certain debt securities on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was suspended on January 5, 2012, and the Company's common stock and such debt securities were delisted by the SEC from the NYSE on January 30, 2012. On January 5, 2012, the Company's common stock began trading under the symbol “AAMRQ” on the OTCQB marketplace, operated by OTC Markets Group (www.otcmarkets.com).

General Information

Notices to Creditors; Effect of Automatic Stay. The Debtors have notified all known current or potential creditors that the Chapter 11 Cases were filed. Subject to certain exceptions under the Bankruptcy Code, the filing of the Debtors’ Chapter 11 Cases automatically enjoined, or stayed, the continuation of most judicial or administrative proceedings or filing of other actions against the Debtors or their property to recover on, collect or secure a claim arising prior to the Petition Date. Thus, for example, most creditor actions to obtain possession of property from the Debtors, or to create, perfect or enforce any lien against the property of the Debtors, or to collect on monies owed or otherwise exercise rights or remedies with respect to a prepetition claim, are enjoined unless and until the Bankruptcy Court lifts the automatic stay as to any such claim. Vendors are being paid for goods furnished and services provided after the Petition Date in the ordinary course of business.

Appointment of Creditors’ Committee. On December 5, 2011, the U.S. Trustee appointed the Creditors’ Committee for the Chapter 11 Cases.

Retiree Medical and Life Insurance Benefits. On March 23, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court entered a Stipulation and Order providing for the appointment of a committee of retired independent and unionized AMR employees (the Retiree Committee), and on May 3, 2012 appointed five members to the Retiree Committee. On August 15, 2012, the Company filed a proceeding in the Bankruptcy Court seeking a determination on the issue of vesting for former employees who retired and initiated retiree medical coverage before November 1, 2012. On September 20, 2012, the Company opened negotiations with the Retiree Committee, seeking a consensual agreement to terminate subsidized retiree medical coverage and life insurance coverage for former employees who retired and initiated coverage before November 1, 2012. Those negotiations are continuing. On September 14, 2012, the Company notified active employees of its plans to modify its subsidized retiree medical coverage on November 1, 2012.

Rejection of Executory Contracts. Under Section 365 and other relevant sections of the Bankruptcy Code, the Debtors may assume, assume and assign, or reject certain executory contracts and unexpired leases, including, without limitation, agreements relating to aircraft and aircraft engines (collectively, Aircraft Property) and leases of real property, subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court and certain other conditions. The Debtors' rights to assume, assume and assign, or reject unexpired leases of non-residential real estate had been extended by order of the Bankruptcy Court through June 26, 2012. On June 20, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court entered orders granting the Debtors' motions to assume 463 unexpired leases of non-residential real property. On June 21, 2012 the Bankruptcy Court entered an order extending, by the Debtors' agreement with certain landlords, the date by which the Debtors must assume or reject an additional 88 unexpired leases of non-residential real property. On July 19, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court entered orders granting the Debtors' motion to assume nine unexpired leases of non-residential real property. On July 24, 2012 the Bankruptcy Court entered an order further extending, by the Debtors' agreement with certain landlords, the date by which the Debtors must assume or reject 19 unexpired leases of non-residential real property. On August 8, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court entered orders granting the Debtors' motion to assume one unexpired lease of non-residential real property and extending the date by which the Debtors must assume or reject 15 unexpired leases of non-residential real property. On August 22, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court entered orders granting the Debtors' motion to assume three unexpired leases of non-residential real property and extending the date by which the Debtors must assume or reject 12 unexpired leases of non-residential real property. On September 20, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court entered orders granting the Debtor's motion to assume nine unexpired leases of non-residential real property and extending the date by which the Debtors must assume or reject 34 unexpired leases of non-residential real property.

In general, rejection of an executory contract or unexpired lease is treated as a prepetition breach of the executory contract or unexpired lease in question and, subject to certain exceptions, relieves the Debtors from performing their future obligations under such executory contract or unexpired lease but entitles the contract counterparty or lessor to a prepetition general unsecured claim for damages caused by such deemed breach. Counterparties to such rejected contracts or leases have the right to file claims against the Debtors’ estate for such damages. Generally, the assumption of an executory contract or unexpired lease requires the Debtors to cure existing defaults under such executory contract or unexpired lease.

In accordance with the Bankruptcy Code, as of September 30, 2012, the Company had rejected ten real property leases and filed motions to reject facility agreements supporting special facility revenue bonds at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Fort Worth Alliance Airport and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Any description of an executory contract or unexpired lease elsewhere in these Notes or in the report to which these Notes are attached, including where applicable the Debtors’ express termination rights or a quantification of their obligations, must be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by, any rights the Debtors or counterparties have under Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code.

The Debtors expect that liabilities subject to compromise and resolution in the Chapter 11 Cases will arise in the future as a result of damage claims created by the Debtors’ rejection of various executory contracts and unexpired leases. Due to the uncertain nature of many of the potential rejection claims, the magnitude of such claims is not reasonably estimable at this time. Such claims may be material (see “Liabilities Subject to Compromise” in Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

Special Protection Applicable to Leases and Secured Financing of Aircraft and Aircraft Equipment. Notwithstanding the general discussion above of the impact of the automatic stay, under Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Code, beginning 60 days after filing a petition under Chapter 11, certain secured parties, lessors and conditional sales vendors may have a right to take possession of certain qualifying Aircraft Property that is leased or subject to a security interest or conditional sale contract, unless the Debtors, subject to approval by the Bankruptcy Court, agree to perform under the applicable agreement, and cure any defaults as provided in Section 1110 (other than defaults of a kind specified in Section 365(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code). Taking such action does not preclude the Debtors from later rejecting the applicable lease or abandoning the Aircraft Property subject to the related security agreement, or from later seeking to renegotiate the terms of the related financing.

The Debtors may extend the 60-day period by agreement of the relevant financing party, with Bankruptcy Court approval. In the absence of an agreement or cure as described above or such an extension, the financing party may take possession of the Aircraft Property and enforce its contractual rights or remedies to sell, lease or otherwise retain or dispose of such equipment.

The 60-day period under Section 1110 in the Chapter 11 Cases expired on January 27, 2012. In accordance with the Bankruptcy Court’s Order Authorizing the Debtors to (i) Enter into Agreements Under Section 1110(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, (ii) Enter into Stipulations to Extend the Time to Comply with Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Code and (iii) File Redacted Section 1110(b) Stipulations, dated December 23, 2011, the Debtors have entered into agreements to extend the automatic stay or agreed to perform and cure defaults under financing agreements with respect to certain aircraft in their fleet and other Aircraft Property. With respect to certain Aircraft Property, the Debtors have reached agreements on, or agreements on key aspects of, renegotiated terms of the related financings, and the Debtors are continuing to negotiate terms with respect to certain of their other Aircraft Property financings. The ultimate outcome of these negotiations cannot be predicted with certainty. To the extent the Debtors are unable to reach definitive agreements with Aircraft Property financing parties, those parties may seek to repossess the subject Aircraft Property. The loss of a significant number of aircraft could result in a material adverse effect on the Debtors’ financial and operating performance.

In accordance with Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Code, as of September 30, 2012, the Company had (i) rejected 40 leases relating to 21 MD-80 aircraft, four Fokker 100 aircraft, seven Boeing 757-200 aircraft and eight spare engines; (ii) relinquished one Airbus A300-600R aircraft that was subject to a mortgage; and (iii) made elections under Section 1110(a) of the Bankruptcy Code to retain 340 aircraft and 87 spare engines, including Boeing 737-800, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 777-200ER, Bombardier CRJ-700, and McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft, on the terms provided in the related financing documents. In addition, as of September 30, 2012, the Company had reached agreement on revised economic terms of the financings of 155 aircraft, comprising 83 MD-80 aircraft, nine Boeing 737-800 aircraft, 36 Boeing 757-200 aircraft, 11 Boeing 767-200ER aircraft, 13 Boeing 767-300ER aircraft and 3 Boeing 777-200 aircraft (which agreements are subject to reaching agreement on definitive documentation). Those 155 aircraft are substantially all of the mainline aircraft in the Company's fleet for which it expects to negotiate revised economic terms in the Chapter 11 Cases. In addition, the Company reached an agreement with the lessor to modify the leases of 39 Super ATR aircraft. As of September 30, 2012, 26 of the Super ATR aircraft had been returned to the lessor as allowed under the modified agreement. The remaining 13 Super ATR aircraft are expected to be returned to the lessor during the remainder of 2012 and 2013. Lastly, the Company reached an agreement with the lender with respect to 18 Embraer RJ-135 aircraft pursuant to which the Company surrendered such aircraft to the lender on June 22, 2012, and the lender agreed that all remaining obligations of the Company under the financings of such aircraft would be general pre-petition unsecured damages.

Magnitude of Potential Claims. On February 27, 2012, the Debtors filed with the Bankruptcy Court schedules and statements of financial affairs setting forth, among other things, the assets and liabilities of the Debtors, subject to the assumptions filed in connection therewith. All of the schedules are subject to further amendment or modification.

Bankruptcy Rule 3003(c)(3) requires the Bankruptcy Court to fix the time within which proofs of claim must be filed in a Chapter 11 case pursuant to Section 501 of the Bankruptcy Code. This Bankruptcy Rule also provides that any creditor who asserts a claim against the Debtors that arose prior to the Petition Date and whose claim (i) is not listed on the Debtors' schedules or (ii) is listed on the schedules as disputed, contingent, or unliquidated, must file a proof of claim. On May 4, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order that established July 16, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) as the deadline to file proofs of claim against any Debtor. More information regarding the filing of proofs of claim can be obtained at www.amrcaseinfo.com.

As of October 8, 2012, approximately 13,259 claims totaling about $305.2 billion have been filed with the Bankruptcy Court against the Debtors, and we expect new and amended claims to be filed in the future, including claims amended to assign values to claims originally filed with no designated value. Through the claims resolution process, we expect to identify substantial claims that we believe should be disallowed by the Bankruptcy Court because they are duplicative, are without merit, are overstated or for other reasons. As of the date of this filing, the Company has filed with the Bankruptcy Court objections to claims totaling $116.5 billion seeking orders to reduce claims by this amount, and the Company expects to continue this process.

Differences between amounts scheduled by the Debtors and claims by creditors will be investigated and resolved in connection with the claims resolution process. In light of the expected number of creditors, the claims resolution process may take considerable time to complete. Accordingly, the ultimate number and amount of allowed claims is not presently known, nor can the ultimate recovery with respect to allowed claims be presently ascertained.

Collective Bargaining Agreements. The Bankruptcy Code provides a process for the modification and/or rejection of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). In particular, Section 1113(c) of the Bankruptcy Code permits a debtor to reject its CBAs if the debtor satisfies a number of statutorily prescribed substantive and procedural prerequisites and obtains the Bankruptcy Court's approval to reject the CBAs. The Section 1113(c) process requires that a debtor must make proposals to its unions to modify existing CBAs based on the most complete and reliable information available at the time the proposals are made. The proposed modifications must be necessary to permit the reorganization of the debtor and must assure that all the affected parties are treated fairly and equitably. The debtor must provide the unions with all information necessary to evaluate the proposals, and meet at reasonable times and confer in good faith with the unions in an effort to reach mutually agreeable modifications to the CBAs. American Airlines, Inc. (American) commenced the Section 1113(c) process with its unions (APA, APFA and TWU) on February 1, 2012, and has negotiated in good faith with the unions for consensual agreements that achieve the necessary level of labor cost savings. Because consensual agreements had not been reached, and given American's need to restructure its labor costs expeditiously, the Debtors filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court on March 27, 2012 requesting approval to reject the CBAs. Rejection of the CBAs is appropriate if the Bankruptcy Court finds the Debtors' proposals are necessary for their reorganization, are fair and equitable, and that the unions refused to agree to the proposals without good cause.

The Court hearing on the Debtors' request to reject the CBAs began on April 23, 2012 with the presentation of the Debtors' case and concluded the week of May 21, 2012. After the filing of its request to reject its CBAs, American and the unions continued to negotiate in good faith toward consensual agreements. Those negotiations resulted in ratified agreements with all seven TWU-represented groups (Fleet Service Clerks, Dispatchers, Ground School Instructors, Maintenance Control Technicians, Simulator Technicians, Mechanics and Related (M&R), and Stores), all of which have been approved by the Bankruptcy Court. On July 20, 2012, APFA sent American's proposed Last Best and Final Offer (LBFO) to its membership for a ratification vote, and on August 19, 2012 APFA announced the LBFO was ratified by the membership. This new agreement was approved by the Bankruptcy Court on September 12, 2012. Having secured Court approval of the APFA and all seven TWU agreements, American has begun implementing the terms of all of its new agreements.

On June 27, 2012, the APA Board of Directors voted in favor of sending a tentative agreement it reached with American to its membership for a ratification vote; however, APA announced on August 8, 2012 that its membership did not ratify that agreement. Subsequently, on August 15, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court issued its decision on the Debtors' request to reject its pilot CBA. The Bankruptcy Court denied the request, but found that all but two of the numerous 1113 term sheet proposals met all of the standards for contract rejection. The Bankruptcy Court invited the Debtors to modify the two proposals and renew its motion. A renewed 1113 motion was filed on August 17, 2012, and a hearing was held on September 4, 2012. The Bankruptcy Court granted the renewed motion and entered an order on September 5, 2012 authorizing American to reject the pilot CBA. In accordance with the Bankruptcy Court's ruling, American began implementing certain terms and conditions of employment for pilots that the Bankruptcy Court determined were fair and necessary for the Debtors' successful restructuring. American and APA are continuing to negotiate in good faith toward a new pilot agreement. The ultimate resolution of the Debtors' agreement with the APA cannot be determined at this time. APA is appealing the Bankruptcy Court's order authorizing American to reject the pilot CBA, and is also appealing a prior decision by the Court rejecting APA's claim that American cannot use the 1113 CBA rejection process to make changes to pilot working conditions because, according to APA, its CBA with American expired by its terms in May 2008. Relatedly, APA filed a request with the Bankruptcy Court to stay its decision authorizing American to reject the CBA pending the outcome of its appeals, and American has objected to that request.

American Eagle Airlines, Inc. (together with Executive Airlines, Inc., AMR Eagle) commenced the Section 1113(c) process with its unions on March 21, 2012. On July 27, 2012, AMR Eagle reached a tentative agreement with the Association of Flight Attendants. That tentative agreement was ratified by the flight attendants on September 7, 2012. On August 8, 2012, AMR Eagle reached an agreement-in-principle with the Air Line Pilots Association. The ALPA Master Executive Council accepted the terms of the agreement-in-principle on September 12, 2012 and the tentative agreement was ratified by the pilot group on October 8, 2012. On July 20, 2012, AMR Eagle and the TWU reached a tentative agreement with the Mechanics and Related and Fleet Service Clerks groups. On August 24, 2012, the TWU announced that the Fleet Service Clerks group ratified its tentative agreement and that the Mechanics and Related group did not ratify its tentative agreement. Because consensual agreements had not been reached with the TWU represented Mechanics, Ground School Instructors and Dispatchers, AMR Eagle filed a motion with the Bankruptcy Court on September 7, 2012 requesting approval to reject those CBAs. AMR Eagle continued to negotiate in good faith with the TWU with respect to each of those work groups. On October 3, 2012, AMR Eagle and the TWU reached tentative agreements with the Mechanics and Related and the Ground School Instructors groups. On October 8, 2012, AMR Eagle reached a tentative agreement with the TWU represented Dispatch group. The tentative agreements for Mechanics, Ground School Instructors and Dispatchers will be sent to those work groups for a ratification vote. AMR Eagle anticipates learning the vote results for all three work groups on or about October 26, 2012. Pending the results of those votes, the October 23, 2012 hearing previously scheduled for the Section 1113 motion has been adjourned to a date to be determined.

Plan of Reorganization. On July 19, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order pursuant to Section 1121(d) of the Bankruptcy Code extending the exclusivity periods during which only the Debtors have the right to file a plan of reorganization and solicit and obtain acceptances of such plan. The date until which the Debtors have to file a plan of reorganization has been extended through and including December 28, 2012. If the Debtors file a plan of reorganization on or prior to such date, the Debtors have an exclusive period to solicit and obtain acceptances for such plan through and including February 28, 2013. On October 16, 2012, the Debtors filed a joint motion with the Creditors' Committee seeking to further extend such exclusivity periods to January 28, 2013 and March 28, 2013, respectively. There can be no assurance that the Bankruptcy Court will approve the Debtors' motion. The Debtors have the right to seek further extensions of such exclusivity periods, subject to a statutory limit of 18 months from the Petition Date in the case of filing a plan of reorganization, and 20 months from the Petition Date in the case of soliciting and obtaining acceptances. If the Debtors’ exclusivity period lapses, any party in interest may file a plan of reorganization for any of the Debtors. In addition to being voted on by holders of impaired claims and equity interests, a plan of reorganization must satisfy certain requirements of the Bankruptcy Code and must be approved, or confirmed, by the Bankruptcy Court in order to become effective. A plan of reorganization has been accepted by holders of claims against and equity interests in the Debtors if (1) at least one-half in number and two-thirds in dollar amount of claims actually voting in each impaired class of claims have voted to accept the plan and (2) at least two-thirds in amount of equity interests actually voting in each impaired class of equity interests has voted to accept the plan.

Under certain circumstances set forth in Section 1129(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, the Bankruptcy Court may confirm a plan even if such plan has not been accepted by all impaired classes of claims and equity interests. A class of claims or equity interests that does not receive or retain any property under the plan on account of such claims or interests is deemed to have voted to reject the plan. The precise requirements and evidentiary showing for confirming a plan notwithstanding its rejection by one or more impaired classes of claims or equity interests depends upon a number of factors, including the status and seniority of the claims or equity interests in the rejecting class (i.e., secured claims or unsecured claims, subordinated or senior claims, preferred or common stock). Generally, with respect to common stock interests, a plan may be “crammed down” even if the shareowners receive no recovery if the proponent of the plan demonstrates that (1) no class junior to the common stock is receiving or retaining property under the plan and (2) no class of claims or interests senior to the common stock is being paid more than in full.

Availability and Utilization of Net Operating Losses. The availability and utilization of net operating losses (and utilization of alternative minimum tax credits) after the Debtors’ emergence from Chapter 11 is uncertain at this time and will be highly influenced by the composition of the plan of reorganization that is ultimately pursued. On January 27, 2012, the Bankruptcy Court issued a Final Order Establishing Notification Procedures for Substantial Claimholders and Equityholders and Approving Restrictions on Certain Transfers of Interests in the Debtors’ Estates, which restricts trading in the Company’s common stock and claims. The order is intended to prevent certain transfers of the Company’s common stock and certain transfers of claims against the Debtors that could impair the ability of one or more of the Debtors’ estates to use their net operating loss carryovers and certain other tax attributes currently or on a reorganized basis. Any acquisition, disposition, or other transfer of equity or claims on or after November 29, 2011 in violation of the restrictions set forth in the order will be null and void ab initio and/or subject to sanctions as an act in violation of the automatic stay under Sections 105(a) and 362 of the Bankruptcy Code. The order applies to (i) “Substantial Equityholders,” i.e., persons who are, or as a result of a transaction would become, the beneficial owner of approximately 4.5 percent of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock and (ii) “Substantial Claimholders,” i.e., persons who are, or as a result of a transaction become, the beneficial owner of unsecured claims in excess of a threshold amount of unsecured claims (initially $190 million of unsecured claims, but which may be subsequently increased or decreased under certain circumstances in connection with the Debtors’ filing of a Chapter 11 plan). In the case of Substantial Equityholders, the order imposes current restrictions with respect to the acquisition or disposition of the Company’s stock, and certain notifications may be required. In the case of Substantial Claimholders, the order imposes a procedure pursuant to which, under certain circumstances, the claims acquired during the Chapter 11 Cases may have to be resold, and certain notifications may be required.

Liabilities Subject to Compromise

The following table summarizes the components of liabilities subject to compromise included on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2012:



(in millions)

Long-term debt	$	2,267
Aircraft lease and facility bond related obligations	3,036
Pension and postretirement benefits	7,803
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	403
Other	(16		)
Total liabilities subject to compromise	$	13,493

Long-term debt, including undersecured debt, classified as subject to compromise as of September 30, 2012 consisted of (in millions):



Secured variable and fixed rate indebtedness due through 2023 (effective rates from 1.00% - 13.00% at September 30, 2012)	1,241
6.00%—8.50% special facility revenue bonds due through 2036	186
6.25% senior convertible notes due 2014	460
9.0%—10.20% debentures due through 2021	214
7.88%—10.55% notes due through 2039	166
	$	2,267

Liabilities subject to compromise refers to prepetition obligations which may be impacted by the Chapter 11 reorganization process. These amounts represent the Debtors’ current estimate of known or potential prepetition obligations to be resolved in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases.

In accordance with ASC 852, substantially all of the Company’s unsecured debt has been classified as liabilities subject to compromise. Additionally, certain of the Company’s undersecured debt instruments have also been classified as liabilities subject to compromise.

As a result of the announcements discussed in Note 8 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company’s Pension and postretirement benefits liability has been classified as liabilities subject to compromise.

Differences between liabilities the Debtors have estimated and the claims filed, or to be filed, will be investigated and resolved in connection with the claims resolution process. The Company will continue to evaluate these liabilities throughout the Chapter 11 Cases and adjust amounts as necessary. Such adjustments may be material. In light of the expected number of creditors, the claims resolution process may take considerable time to complete. Accordingly, the ultimate number and amount of allowed claims is not presently known.

Reorganization Items, net

Reorganization items refer to revenues, expenses (including professional fees), realized gains and losses and provisions for losses that are realized or incurred as a direct result of the Chapter 11 Cases. The following table summarizes the components included in reorganization items, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012:



(in millions)
	Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2012
Pension and postretirement benefits	$	(66	)	$	(66	)
Aircraft financing renegotiations and rejections ⁽¹⁾	133			1,247
Treatment of facility bond related obligations ⁽²⁾	—			399
Professional fees	51			168
Other	19			19
Total reorganization items, net	137			1,767

(1)

Amounts include allowed claims (claims approved by the Bankruptcy Court) and estimated allowed claims relating to the rejection or modification of financings related to aircraft. The Debtors record an estimated claim associated with the rejection or modification of a financing when the motion is filed with the Bankruptcy Court to reject or modify such financing and the Debtors believe that it is probable the motion will be approved by all parties, and there is sufficient information to estimate the claim. See above, “Special Protection Applicable to Leases and Secured Financing of Aircraft and Aircraft Equipment,” for further information.

(2)

Amounts include allowed claims (claims approved by the Bankruptcy Court) and estimated allowed claims relating to entry of orders treating as unsecured claims with respect to facility agreements supporting certain issuances of special facility revenue bonds. The Debtors record an estimated claim associated with the treatment of claims with respect to facility agreements when the applicable motion is filed with the Bankruptcy Court and the Debtors believe that it is probable that the motion will be approved, and there is sufficient information to estimate the claim. See above, “Rejection of Executory Contracts,” for further information.

Claims related to reorganization items are reflected in liabilities subject to compromise on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2012.

Retirement Benefit Plans

On March 7, 2012, the Company announced that, in working with Creditors' Committee and the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC), it developed a solution that would allow the Company to pursue a freeze of its defined benefit pension plans for non-pilot employees instead of seeking termination. On September 14, 2012, the Company sent formal legal notice to all defined benefit plan participants and beneficiaries announcing that it was in fact freezing each of the defined benefit pension plans effective November 1, 2012. For eligible non-pilot employees, a replacement benefit will begin under the $uper $aver 401(k) Plan starting November 1, 2012, with the Company matching employee contributions up to 5.5 percent of eligible earnings.

The Company also announced its plans to terminate the Pilot B Plan, a defined contribution plan, on November 30, 2012. The Company continues to work with the APA, PBGC, and U. S. Treasury Department to develop a solution to certain structural aspects of the Pilot A Plan, a defined benefit plan, that would preclude the need to seek a termination of that Plan. As the Company does not yet have a consensual agreement with the APA, details concerning a replacement retirement benefit for pilots are not known at this time.

The Company also announced its plans to modify its subsidized retiree medical coverage effective November 1, 2012. Those who initiate retiree medical coverage on or after November 1, 2012 will go into a new retiree medical program. For those who retire under age 65, two medical options will be available, but the Company will not be subsidizing them. Those who retire at age 65 and over may purchase a guaranteed-issue Medicare supplement plan. Flight attendants and TWU-represented employees will receive a refund of their prefunding contributions within 120 days of November 1, 2012.

On August 15, 2012, the Company filed a proceeding in the Bankruptcy Court seeking a determination on the issue of vesting for former employees who retired and initiated retiree medical coverage before November 1, 2012. On September 20, 2012, the Company opened negotiations with the Retiree Committee, seeking a consensual agreement to terminate subsidized retiree medical coverage and life insurance coverage for former employees who retired and initiated coverage before November 1, 2012. Those negotiations are continuing.

See Note 8 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on retirement benefits.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the description and amounts of reorganization under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code.

+ References+ Details

Basis Of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Basis Of Presentation	Sep. 30, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis Of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods indicated. Results of operations for the periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for the entire year. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AMR and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including (i) its principal subsidiary American and (ii) its regional airline subsidiary, AMR Eagle. The condensed consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in AMR’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 15, 2012 (2011 Form 10-K). In accordance with GAAP, the Debtors have applied ASC 852 “Reorganizations” (ASC 852), in preparing the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. ASC 852 requires that the financial statements, for periods subsequent to the Chapter 11 Cases, distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Accordingly, certain revenues, expenses (including professional fees), realized gains and losses and provisions for losses that are realized or incurred in the Chapter 11 Cases are recorded in reorganization items, net on the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations. In addition, prepetition obligations that may be impacted by the Chapter 11 reorganization process have been classified on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in liabilities subject to compromise. These liabilities are reported at the amounts expected to be allowed by the Bankruptcy Court, even if they may be settled for lesser amounts. Certain of our non-U.S. subsidiaries were not part of the Chapter 11 filings. Since the non-US subsidiaries not part of the bankruptcy filing do not have significant transactions, we do not separately disclose the condensed combined financial statements of the Debtors in accordance with the requirements of reorganization accounting. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have also been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. Accordingly, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of assets and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Debtors be unable to continue as a going concern. As a result of the Chapter 11 Cases, the satisfaction of our liabilities and funding of ongoing operations are subject to uncertainty and, accordingly, there is a substantial doubt of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements do not purport to reflect or provide for the consequences of the Chapter 11 Cases, other than as set forth under “liabilities subject to compromise” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and “income (loss) before reorganization items” and “reorganization items, net” on the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations (see Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). In particular, the financial statements do not purport to show (1) as to assets, their realizable value on a liquidation basis or their availability to satisfy liabilities; (2) as to prepetition liabilities, the amounts that may be allowed for claims or contingencies, or the status and priority thereof; (3) as to shareowners’ equity accounts, the effect of any changes that may be made to the Debtors’ capitalization; or (4) as to operations, the effect of any changes that may be made to the Debtors’ business.

Commitments, Contingencies And Guarantees

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments, Contingencies And Guarantees

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

American had total aircraft acquisition commitments as of September 30, 2012 as follows:



		Boeing			Airbus
		737 Family¹	777-200ER	777-300ER	A320 Family	NEO	Total
Remainder of 2012	Purchase	9		2			11
	Lease						0
2013	Purchase	25		8			33
	Lease	6			20		26
2014	Purchase	5	1	4			10
2014	Lease	15			35		50
2015	Purchase		2				2
2015	Lease	20			30		50
2016	Purchase		2				2
2016	Lease	20			25		45
2017 and beyond	Purchase					130	130
2017 and beyond	Lease	20			20		40
Total	Purchase	39	5	14	0	130	188
Total	Lease	81	0	0	130	0	211

The assumption of agreements related to the Company’s aircraft commitments is subject to collaboration with the Company’s key stakeholders and, in some instances, approval of the Bankruptcy Court. The Company cannot predict what the outcome of these discussions and the Bankruptcy Court process will be.

As of September 30, 2012, and subject to assumption of the related agreements, payments for the above purchase commitments and certain engines will approximate $535 million in the remainder of 2012, $1.9 billion in 2013, $929 million in 2014, $312 million in 2015, $353 million in 2016, and $7.4 billion for 2017 and beyond. These amounts are net of purchase deposits currently held by the manufacturers. American has granted Boeing a security interest in American’s purchase deposits with Boeing. The Company’s purchase deposits totaled $764 million as of September 30, 2012.

As of September 30, 2012, and subject to assumption of the related agreements, total future lease payments for all leased aircraft, including aircraft not yet delivered (but not including any Boeing 787-9 aircraft that may be acquired by American as described below and may be leased), will approximate $168 million in the remainder of 2012, $664 million in 2013, $852 million in 2014, $1.1 billion in 2015, $1.3 billion in 2016, and $12.5 billion in 2017 and beyond.

In 2008, American entered into a purchase agreement with Boeing (subject to certain reconfirmation rights) to acquire 42 Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with the right to acquire an additional 58 Boeing 787-9 aircraft. American’s first Boeing 787-9 aircraft was previously scheduled to deliver (subject to reconfirmation rights) in 2014; however, due to production issues such delivery has been delayed. American has selected GE Aviation as the exclusive provider of engines for its expected order of Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The assumption of the agreements related to our Boeing 787-9 aircraft order is subject to collaboration with the Company’s key stakeholders and, in some instances, approval of the Bankruptcy Court. The Company cannot predict what the outcome of discussions with these stakeholders and of the Bankruptcy Court process will be.

In 2010, American and Japan Airlines (JAL) entered into a Joint Business Agreement (JBA) to enhance their scope of cooperation on routes between North America and Asia through adjustments to their respective networks, flight schedules, and other business activities. American and JAL began implementing the JBA on April 1, 2011. American and JAL entered into a Revenue Sharing Agreement, effective April 1, 2011, as envisaged by the JBA. Under the agreement, American and JAL share certain revenues of their operations. In addition, American provided JAL a guarantee of certain minimum incremental revenue resulting from the successful operation of the joint business for the first three years following its implementation, subject to certain terms and conditions. In June 2012, American and JAL amended the Revenue Sharing Agreement. Under the amended agreement American's guarantee to JAL of certain minimum incremental revenue commences July 1, 2012 and continues for three years thereafter. The amount required to be paid by the Company under the guarantee in any one of such years may not exceed $100 million, and is reduced if capacity for one of such years is less than a defined base year period capacity. Based on current Trans-Pacific capacity, the guarantee in any one of such years may not exceed approximately $75 million. As of September 30, 2012, based on an expected probability model, American had recorded a guarantee liability that is not material.

The Company announced the principal terms of a new business plan on February 1, 2012 which contemplates, among other things, significantly reducing positions. The Company currently expects to reduce the number of positions by approximately 10,000. The Company has incurred and may incur additional significant accounting charges, including employee severance charges (see Note 9, Special Charges and Restructuring Activities) related to the new business plan. The business plan will require continued collaboration with the Creditors’ Committee, various economic stakeholders and union representatives, and in some instances, approval of the Bankruptcy Court. The Company cannot predict whether, or to what extent, the business plan will be implemented.

As a result of the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, attempts to prosecute, collect, secure or enforce remedies with respect to prepetition claims against the Debtors are subject to the automatic stay provisions of Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, except in such cases where the Bankruptcy Court has entered an order modifying or lifting the automatic stay. Notwithstanding the general application of the automatic stay described above, governmental authorities, both domestic and foreign, may determine to continue actions brought under their regulatory powers. Therefore, the automatic stay may have no effect on certain matters, and the Debtors cannot predict the impact, if any, that its Chapter 11 Cases might have on its commitments and obligations.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 14

-Paragraph 3

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.25)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

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-Topic 825

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6449706&loc=d3e16207-108621

+ Details

Depreciation And Amortization	9 Months Ended
Depreciation And Amortization	Sep. 30, 2012
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	Depreciation and Amortization Accumulated depreciation of owned equipment and property at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $10.5 billion and $10.1 billion, respectively. Accumulated amortization of equipment and property under capital leases at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $198 million and $448 million, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. This disclosure may include property plant and equipment accounting policies and methodology, a schedule of property, plant and equipment gross, additions, deletions, transfers and other changes, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, net, accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and useful lives, income statement disclosures, assets held for sale and public utility disclosures.

+ References+ Details

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company provides a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company’s deferred tax asset valuation allowance increased from $4.1 billion as of December 31, 2011 to $4.9 billion as of September 30, 2012, including the impact of comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and changes from other adjustments. Under current accounting rules, the Company is required to consider all items (including items recorded in other comprehensive income) in determining the amount of tax benefit that results from a loss from continuing operations and that should be allocated to continuing operations. Due to the significant volatility of items impacting other comprehensive income on a quarterly basis, the Company generally does not record any such tax benefit allocation until all items impacting other comprehensive income are known for the annual period. Thus, any such interim tax benefit allocation may subsequently be subject to reversal.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph h

-Article 4

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 136, 172

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

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-Paragraph 15

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-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))

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-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32559-109319

+ Details

Indebtedness

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Indebtedness

Long-term debt classified as not subject to compromise consisted of (in millions):



	September 30, 2012		December 31, 2011
Secured variable and fixed rate indebtedness due through 2023 (effective rates from 1.00%—13.00% at September 30, 2012)	$	2,648	$	2,952
Enhanced equipment trust certificates due through 2021 (rates from 5.10%—10.375% at September 30, 2012)	1,830		1,942
6.00%—8.50% special facility revenue bonds due through 2036	1,318		1,436
7.50% senior secured notes due 2016	1,000		1,000
AAdvantage Miles advance purchase (net of discount of $56 million) (effective rate 8.3%)	809		890
6.25% senior convertible notes due 2014	—		—
9.0%—10.20% debentures due through 2021	—		—
7.88%—10.55% notes due through 2039	—		—
	7,605		8,220
Less current maturities	1,508		1,518
Long-term debt, less current maturities	$	6,097	$	6,702

The financings listed in the table above are considered not subject to compromise. For information regarding the liabilities subject to compromise, see Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company’s future long-term debt and operating lease payments have changed as its ordered aircraft are delivered and such deliveries have been financed. As of September 30, 2012, maturities of long-term debt (including sinking fund requirements) for the next five years are:



Years Ending December 31 (in millions)	Principal Not Subject to Compromise		Principal Subject to Compromise		Total Principal Amount
Remainder of 2012	$	753	$	166	$	919
2013	882		192		1,074
2014	744		765		1,509
2015	645		161		806
2016	1,637		226		1,863

Principal Subject to Compromise includes payments not made due to the Chapter 11 Proceedings of $157.4 million.

Future minimum lease payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of a year as of September 30, 2012, were: remainder of 2012 – $262 million, 2013 – $944 million, 2014 – $881 million, 2015 – $812 million, 2016 – $733 million, and 2017 and beyond – $4.7 billion.

As of September 30, 2012, AMR had issued guarantees covering approximately $1.5 billion of American’s tax-exempt bond debt (and interest thereon) and $4.7 billion of American’s secured debt (and interest thereon). American had issued guarantees covering approximately $842 million of AMR’s unsecured debt (and interest thereon). AMR also guarantees $3.7 million of American’s leases of certain Super ATR aircraft, which are subleased to AMR Eagle.

American has entered into sale-leaseback arrangements with certain leasing companies to finance 35 Boeing 737-800 aircraft scheduled to be delivered from October 2012 through 2014. The financings of each aircraft under these arrangements are subject to certain terms and conditions. These financing commitments are subject to various terms and conditions. In addition, in some instances, they are also subject to collaboration with the Creditors' Committee and other key stakeholders and to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court.

During the first nine months of 2012, American financed 21 Boeing 737-800 aircraft under sale-leaseback arrangements, which are accounted for as operating leases.

Certain of American’s debt financing agreements contain loan to value ratio covenants and require American to periodically appraise the collateral. Pursuant to such agreements, if the loan to value ratio exceeds a specified threshold, American is required, as applicable, to subject additional qualifying collateral (which in some cases may include cash collateral), or pay down such financing, in whole or in part, with premium (if any), or pay additional interest on the related indebtedness, as described below.

Specifically, American is required to meet certain collateral coverage tests on a periodic basis on two financing transactions: (1) 10.5% $450 million Senior Secured Notes due 2012 (the 10.5% Notes) and (2) Senior Secured Notes, as described below:



	10.5% Notes		Senior Secured Notes
Frequency of Appraisals	Semi-Annual (April and October)		Semi-Annual (June and December, commencing December 2011)
LTV Requirement	43%; failure to meet collateral test requires American to post additional collateral or pay down indebtedness		1.5x Collateral valuation to amount of debt outstanding (67% LTV); failure to meet collateral test results in American paying 2% additional interest until the ratio is at least 1.5x; additional collateral can be posted to meet this requirement
LTV as of Last Measurement Date	47.5%		37.8%
			Generally, certain route authorities, take-off and landing slots, and rights to airport facilities used by American to operate certain services between the U.S. and London Heathrow, Tokyo Narita/Haneda, and China
Collateral Description	143 aircraft consisting of:
	Type	# of Aircraft

	MD-80	74
	B757-200	41
	B767-200ER	3
	B767-300ER	25
	TOTAL	143

At September 30, 2012, the Company was in compliance with the most recently completed collateral coverage tests for the Senior Secured Notes. As of September 30, 2012, American had $41 million of cash collateral posted with respect to the 10.5% notes but was not in compliance with the most recently completed collateral coverage test for that transaction. The Company has not remedied its non-compliance with that test due to the ongoing Chapter 11 Cases. On October 1, 2012, the indebtedness underlying the 2005 Spare Engine EETC with respect to which American was required to comply with the collateral coverage test was paid in full, so American is no longer required to comply with a collateral coverage test for that transaction.

Almost all of the Company’s aircraft assets (including aircraft and aircraft-related assets eligible for the benefits of Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Code) are encumbered, and the Company has a very limited quantity of assets which could be used as collateral in financing.

The Chapter 11 petitions triggered defaults on substantially all debt obligations of the Debtors. However, under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, the commencement of a Chapter 11 case automatically stays most creditor actions against the Debtors’ estates.

The Debtors cannot predict the impact, if any, that the Chapter 11 Cases might have on these obligations. For further information regarding the Chapter 11 Cases, see Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants.

+ References+ Details

Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

The Company utilizes the market approach to measure fair value for its financial assets and liabilities. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The Company’s short-term investments classified as Level 2 primarily utilize broker quotes in a non-active market for valuation of these securities. The Company’s fuel derivative contracts, primarily call options, collars (consisting of a purchased call option and a sold put option) and call spreads (consisting of a purchased call option and a sold call option), are valued using energy and commodity market data which is derived by combining raw inputs with quantitative models and processes to generate forward curves and volatilities. Heating oil, jet fuel and crude oil are the primary underlying commodities in the hedge portfolio. No changes in valuation techniques or inputs occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:



(in millions)	Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2012
Description	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Short-term investments ^{1, 2}
Money market funds	$	235	$	235	$	—	$	—
Government agency investments	580		—		580		—
Repurchase investments	293		—		293		—
Corporate obligations	1,859				1,859		—
Bank notes / Certificates of deposit / Time deposits	751				751		—
	3,718		235		3,483		—
Restricted cash and short-term investments ¹	847		847		—		—
Fuel derivative contracts, net ¹	98		—		98		—
Total	$	4,663	$	1,082	$	3,581	$	—


^1.	Unrealized gains or losses on short-term investments, restricted cash and short-term investments and derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI) at each measurement date.


^2.	The Company’s short-term investments mature in one year or less except for $100 million of Bank notes/Certificates of deposit/Time deposits, $580 million of U.S. Government agency investments and $363 million of Corporate obligations which have maturity dates exceeding one year.

No significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The Company’s policy regarding the recording of transfers between levels is to reflect any such transfers at the end of the reporting period.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had no exposure to European sovereign debt.

The fair values of the Company’s long-term debt classified as Level 2 were estimated using quoted market prices or discounted cash flow analyses, based on the Company’s current estimated incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. All of the Company’s long term debt not classified as subject to compromise is classified as Level 2.

The carrying value and estimated fair values of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities, not classified as subject to compromise, were (in millions):



	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Secured variable and fixed rate indebtedness	$	2,648	$	2,568	$	2,952	$	2,647
Enhanced equipment trust certificates	1,830		1,949		1,942		1,927
6.0%—8.5% special facility revenue bonds	1,318		1,332		1,436		1,230
7.50% senior secured notes	1,000		1,001		1,000		711
AAdvantage Miles advance purchase	809		815		890		902
6.25% senior convertible notes	—		—		—		—
9.0%—10.20% debentures	—		—		—		—
7.88%—10.55% notes	—		—		—		—
	$	7,605	$	7,665	$	8,220	$	7,417

The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities, classified as subject to compromise, were (in millions):



	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Secured variable and fixed rate indebtedness	$	1,241	$	1,024	$	1,456	$	1,123
Enhanced equipment trust certificates	—		—		—		—
6.0%—8.5% special facility revenue bonds	186		106		186		37
7.50% senior secured notes	—		—		—		—
AAdvantage Miles advance purchase	—		—		—		—
6.25% senior convertible notes	460		307		460		101
9.0%—10.20% debentures	214		138		214		46
7.88%—10.55% notes	166		31		166		34
	$	2,267	$	1,606	$	2,482	$	1,341

All of the Company’s long term debt classified as subject to compromise is classified as Level 2.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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+ Details

Retirement Benefits

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Retirement Benefits

The Company is required to make minimum contributions to its defined benefit pension plans under the minimum funding requirements of ERISA, the Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004, the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and the Pension Relief Act of 2010.

As a result of the Chapter 11 Cases, AMR contributed $6.5 million to its defined benefit pension plans on January 13, 2012 to cover the post-petition period of November 29, 2011 to December 31, 2011. As a result of only contributing the post-petition portion of the required contribution, the PBGC filed a lien against certain assets of the Company’s non-debtor subsidiaries. On April 13, 2012, the Company contributed $86 million to its defined benefit pension plans to cover the post-petition period of January 1, 2012 to March 31, 2012. Additionally, the Company contributed $86 million on July 13, 2012 to its defined benefit pension plans to cover the post-petition period of April 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012. On September 13, 2012, the Company contributed $6.9 million to its defined benefit pension plans, and on October 15, 2012, the Company contributed $86 million to its defined benefit pension plans to cover the post-petition period of July 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012.

On March 7, 2012, the Company announced that, in working with Creditors' Committee and the PBGC, it developed a solution that would allow the Company to pursue a freeze of its defined benefit pension plans for non-pilot employees instead of seeking termination. On September 14, 2012, the Company sent formal legal notice to all defined benefit plan participants and beneficiaries announcing that it was in fact freezing each of the defined benefit pension plans effective November 1, 2012. For eligible non-pilot employees, a replacement benefit will begin under the $uper $aver 401(k) Plan starting November 1, 2012, with the Company matching employee contributions up to 5.5 percent of eligible earnings.

As a result of these announcements, the Company's Pension and postretirement benefits liability has been classified as liabilities subject to compromise as of September 30, 2012.

Curtailment and Plan Amendment

In accordance with ASC 715 “Retirement Benefits” (ASC 715), in the third quarter of 2012 the Company remeasured its defined benefit pension and retiree medical plans as a result of modifications to its retirement plans and reductions in certain work groups (see above and Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company updated its significant actuarial assumptions used for the remeasurements including the discount rate, which was lowered to 4.10 percent and 3.80 percent for the defined benefit pension plans and retiree medical plans, respectively. The fair value of pension plan assets and retiree medical plan assets as of the remeasurement date was $8.9 billion and $211 million, respectively.

The remeasurement of the defined benefit plans increased the pension liability to $6.6 billion. The change in the pension liability reflects an actuarial loss of $1.9 billion offset by a curtailment gain of $1.8 billion. In addition, a loss of $58 million, representing unamortized prior service cost as of the remeasurement date of the frozen defined benefit plans, is included as a component of reorganization items, net.

Further, as a result of modifications to its retiree medical plans, the Company recognized a negative plan amendment which decreased its retiree medical and other liability to $1.2 billion. The plan amendment of $1.9 billion is included as a component of actuarial gain arising in current year in other comprehensive income and will be amortized over the future service life of the active plan participants for whom the benefit was eliminated, or approximately 8 years. In addition, a net credit of $124 million, representing unamortized prior service credits of $157 million offset by a curtailment loss of $33 million, is included as a component of reorganization items, net.

See Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the breakout of liabilities subject to compromise, including that related to pension and postretirement benefits.

For the third quarter of 2012, net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit pension plans and retiree medical and other benefits reflects expense calculated based upon the revised measurement.

The following tables provide the components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (in millions):



	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	104		$	97		$	312		$	289
Interest cost	191			189			573			568
Expected return on assets	(166		)	(165		)	(498		)	(493		)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost	3			3			10			10
Unrecognized net (gain) loss	63			39			187			115
Net periodic benefit cost	$	195		$	163		$	584		$	489



	Retiree Medical and Other Benefits
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	15		$	15		$	45		$	45
Interest cost	38			44			114			132
Expected return on assets	(4		)	(5		)	(12		)	(15		)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost	(7		)	(7		)	(21		)	(21		)
Unrecognized net (gain) loss	(2		)	(2		)	(6		)	(6		)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	40		$	45		$	120		$	135

- Definition

The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Implementation Guide (Q and A)

-Number FAS88

-Paragraph 63

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2235017

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 158

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-Number 132R

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+ Details

Special Charges And Restructuring Activities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Special Charges And Restructuring Activities

Special Charges and Restructuring Activities

The Company's business plan as announced on February 1, 2012 contemplates, among other things, significantly reducing the number of positions. Based on ratified and tentative agreements reached with various workgroups we now expect to reduce a total of approximately 10,000 positions. During the second quarter, the Company commenced both voluntary and involuntary employee separations from the Company. Consequently, in the three and nine months ending September 30, 2012, the Company recorded charges of approximately $211 million and $305 million, respectively, for severance related costs associated with the voluntary and involuntary reductions in certain work groups. The severance charges will be paid through the end of 2013. Implementing the Company's business plan will require continued collaboration with the Creditors’ Committee, various economic stakeholders and union representatives, and in some instances, approval of the Bankruptcy Court. The Company cannot predict whether, or to what extent, its business plan will be implemented. As such, at this time, the Company is not able to reasonably estimate the amount and timing of any additional charges or the portion of these charges that will result in future cash expenditures.

In 2008 and 2009, the Company announced capacity reductions due to unprecedented high fuel costs at that time and the other challenges facing the industry. In connection with these capacity reductions, the Company incurred special charges related to aircraft and certain other charges.

The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s special charges, the remaining accruals for these charges and the capacity reduction related charges (in millions) as of September 30, 2012:



	Aircraft Charges			Facility Exit Costs			Employee Charges			Total
Remaining accrual at December 31, 2011	$	49		$	16		—			$	65
Special Charges	11			13			305			329
Non-cash charges	(11		)	(13		)	—			(24		)
Adjustments	(47		)	(11		)	—			(58		)
Payments	(2		)	(1		)	(73		)	(76		)
Remaining accrual at September 30, 2012	$	—		$	4		$	232		$	236

- Definition

The entire disclosure for restructuring and related activities. Description of restructuring activities such as exit and disposal activities, include facts and circumstances leading to the plan, the expected plan completion date, the major types of costs associated with the plan activities, total expected costs, the accrual balance at the end of the period, and the periods over which the remaining accrual will be settled.

+ References+ Details

Financial Instruments And Risk Management

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Financial Instruments And Risk Management

Financial Instruments and Risk Management

As part of the Company’s risk management program, it uses a variety of financial instruments, primarily heating oil, jet fuel, and Brent crude option and collar contracts, as cash flow hedges to mitigate commodity price risk. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had fuel derivative contracts outstanding covering 16 million barrels of jet fuel that will be settled over the next 12 months. A deterioration of the Company’s liquidity position and its Chapter 11 filing may negatively affect the Company’s ability to hedge fuel in the future.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized an increase of approximately $9 million and a decrease of approximately $10 million, respectively, in fuel expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations related to its fuel hedging agreements, including the ineffective portion of the hedges. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recognized a decrease of approximately $31 million and $268 million, respectively, in fuel expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations related to its fuel hedging agreements, including the ineffective portion of the hedges. The net fair value of the Company’s fuel hedging agreements at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, representing the amount the Company would receive upon termination of the agreements (net of settled contract assets), totaled $97 million and $80 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2012, the Company estimates that during the next twelve months it will reclassify from Accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings approximately $47 million in net gains.

The impact of cash flow hedges on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements is depicted below (in millions):

Fair Value of Aircraft Fuel Derivative Instruments (all cash flow hedges)

Asset Derivatives as of

Liability Derivatives as of

September 30, 2012

December 31, 2011

September 30, 2012

December 31, 2011

Balance

Sheet

Location

Fair

Value

Balance

Sheet

Location

Fair

Value

Balance

Sheet

Location

Fair

Value

Balance

Sheet

Location

Fair Value

Fuel derivative contracts

Accrued liabilities

—

Accrued liabilities

Effect of Aircraft Fuel Derivative Instruments on Statements of Operations (all cash flow hedges)



Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative¹ as of September 30					Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income ¹	Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income ¹for the nine months ended September 30,					Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative ²	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative ² for the nine months ended September 30,
2012		2011				2012			2011			2012			2011
$	29	$	152		Aircraft Fuel	$	13		$	287	Aircraft Fuel	$	(3	)	$	(19	)

Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative¹ for the quarter ended September 30					Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income ¹	Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income ¹for the quarter ended September 30,					Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative ²	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative ² for the quarter ended September 30,
2012		2011				2012			2011			2012			2011
$	86	$	(142	)	Aircraft Fuel	$	(12	)	$	57	Aircraft Fuel	$	2		$	(26	)


^1.	Effective portion of gain (loss)


^2.	Ineffective portion of gain (loss)

The Company is also exposed to credit losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to these financial instruments, and although no assurances can be given, the Company does not expect any of the counterparties to fail to meet its obligations. The credit exposure related to these financial instruments is represented by the fair value of contracts with a positive fair value at the reporting date, reduced by the effects of master netting agreements. To manage credit risks, the Company selects counterparties based on credit ratings, limits its exposure to a single counterparty under defined guidelines, and monitors the market position of the program and its relative market position with each counterparty. The Company also maintains industry-standard security agreements with a number of its counterparties which may require the Company or the counterparty to post collateral if the value of selected instruments exceed specified mark-to-market thresholds or upon certain changes in credit ratings.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had posted cash collateral of $2 million (which is included in Other assets).

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the entity's entire derivative instruments and hedging activities. Describes an entity's risk management strategies, derivatives in hedging activities and non-hedging derivative instruments, the assets, obligations, liabilities, revenues and expenses arising therefrom, and the amounts of and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts of such items.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Topic 235

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-Paragraph 1

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+ Details

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in millions, except per share data):



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Numerator:
Net earnings (loss)—numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(238	)	$	(162	)	$	(2,139	)	$	(884	)
Interest on senior convertible notes	—			—			—			—
Net earnings (loss) adjusted for interest on senior convertible notes	$	(238	)	$	(162	)	$	(2,139	)	$	(884	)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share – weighted-average shares	335			335			335			334
Effect of dilutive securities:
Senior convertible notes	—			—			—			—
Employee options and shares	—			—			—			—
Assumed treasury shares purchased	—			—			—			—
Dilutive potential common shares	335			335			335			334
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share—adjusted weighted-average shares	335			335			335			334
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.71	)	$	(0.48	)	$	(6.38	)	$	(2.64	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.71	)	$	(0.48	)	$	(6.38	)	$	(2.64	)
The following were excluded from the calculation:
Convertible notes, employee stock options and deferred stock because inclusion would be anti-dilutive	46			48			46			53
Employee stock options because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of shares	23			28			23			18

- Definition

The entire disclosure for earnings per share.

+ References+ Details

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Sep. 30, 2012
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Subsequent Events In connection with preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements and in accordance U.S. GAAP, the Company evaluated subsequent events after the balance sheet date of September 30, 2012 and determined that no additional disclosure to that presented in this Form 10-Q was necessary.

Chapter 11 Reorganization (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Reorganizations [Abstract]

Schedule Of Liabilities Subject To Compromise

The following table summarizes the components of liabilities subject to compromise included on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2012:



(in millions)

Long-term debt	$	2,267
Aircraft lease and facility bond related obligations	3,036
Pension and postretirement benefits	7,803
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	403
Other	(16		)
Total liabilities subject to compromise	$	13,493

Schedule of Liabilities Subject to Compromise, Debt [Table Text Block]

Long-term debt, including undersecured debt, classified as subject to compromise as of September 30, 2012 consisted of (in millions):



Secured variable and fixed rate indebtedness due through 2023 (effective rates from 1.00% - 13.00% at September 30, 2012)	1,241
6.00%—8.50% special facility revenue bonds due through 2036	186
6.25% senior convertible notes due 2014	460
9.0%—10.20% debentures due through 2021	214
7.88%—10.55% notes due through 2039	166
	$	2,267

Schedule Of Reorganization Items

The following table summarizes the components included in reorganization items, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012:



(in millions)
	Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2012
Pension and postretirement benefits	$	(66	)	$	(66	)
Aircraft financing renegotiations and rejections ⁽¹⁾	133			1,247
Treatment of facility bond related obligations ⁽²⁾	—			399
Professional fees	51			168
Other	19			19
Total reorganization items, net	137			1,767

(1)

(2)

Commitments, Contingencies And Guarantees (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule Of Aircraft Acquisition Commitments [Table Text Block]

American had total aircraft acquisition commitments as of September 30, 2012 as follows:



		Boeing			Airbus
		737 Family¹	777-200ER	777-300ER	A320 Family	NEO	Total
Remainder of 2012	Purchase	9		2			11
	Lease						0
2013	Purchase	25		8			33
	Lease	6			20		26
2014	Purchase	5	1	4			10
2014	Lease	15			35		50
2015	Purchase		2				2
2015	Lease	20			30		50
2016	Purchase		2				2
2016	Lease	20			25		45
2017 and beyond	Purchase					130	130
2017 and beyond	Lease	20			20		40
Total	Purchase	39	5	14	0	130	188
Total	Lease	81	0	0	130	0	211

Indebtedness (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Components Of Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt classified as not subject to compromise consisted of (in millions):



	September 30, 2012		December 31, 2011
Secured variable and fixed rate indebtedness due through 2023 (effective rates from 1.00%—13.00% at September 30, 2012)	$	2,648	$	2,952
Enhanced equipment trust certificates due through 2021 (rates from 5.10%—10.375% at September 30, 2012)	1,830		1,942
6.00%—8.50% special facility revenue bonds due through 2036	1,318		1,436
7.50% senior secured notes due 2016	1,000		1,000
AAdvantage Miles advance purchase (net of discount of $56 million) (effective rate 8.3%)	809		890
6.25% senior convertible notes due 2014	—		—
9.0%—10.20% debentures due through 2021	—		—
7.88%—10.55% notes due through 2039	—		—
	7,605		8,220
Less current maturities	1,508		1,518
Long-term debt, less current maturities	$	6,097	$	6,702

Schedule Of Maturities Of Long-Term Debt

As of September 30, 2012, maturities of long-term debt (including sinking fund requirements) for the next five years are:



Years Ending December 31 (in millions)	Principal Not Subject to Compromise		Principal Subject to Compromise		Total Principal Amount
Remainder of 2012	$	753	$	166	$	919
2013	882		192		1,074
2014	744		765		1,509
2015	645		161		806
2016	1,637		226		1,863

Schedule Of Collateral Coverage Tests



	10.5% Notes		Senior Secured Notes
Frequency of Appraisals	Semi-Annual (April and October)		Semi-Annual (June and December, commencing December 2011)
LTV Requirement	43%; failure to meet collateral test requires American to post additional collateral or pay down indebtedness		1.5x Collateral valuation to amount of debt outstanding (67% LTV); failure to meet collateral test results in American paying 2% additional interest until the ratio is at least 1.5x; additional collateral can be posted to meet this requirement
LTV as of Last Measurement Date	47.5%		37.8%
			Generally, certain route authorities, take-off and landing slots, and rights to airport facilities used by American to operate certain services between the U.S. and London Heathrow, Tokyo Narita/Haneda, and China
Collateral Description	143 aircraft consisting of:
	Type	# of Aircraft

	MD-80	74
	B757-200	41
	B767-200ER	3
	B767-300ER	25
	TOTAL	143

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Summary Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:



(in millions)	Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2012
Description	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Short-term investments ^{1, 2}
Money market funds	$	235	$	235	$	—	$	—
Government agency investments	580		—		580		—
Repurchase investments	293		—		293		—
Corporate obligations	1,859				1,859		—
Bank notes / Certificates of deposit / Time deposits	751				751		—
	3,718		235		3,483		—
Restricted cash and short-term investments ¹	847		847		—		—
Fuel derivative contracts, net ¹	98		—		98		—
Total	$	4,663	$	1,082	$	3,581	$	—


^1.	Unrealized gains or losses on short-term investments, restricted cash and short-term investments and derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI) at each measurement date.


^2.	The Company’s short-term investments mature in one year or less except for $100 million of Bank notes/Certificates of deposit/Time deposits, $580 million of U.S. Government agency investments and $363 million of Corporate obligations which have maturity dates exceeding one year.

Components Of Long-Term Debt

The carrying value and estimated fair values of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities, not classified as subject to compromise, were (in millions):



	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Secured variable and fixed rate indebtedness	$	2,648	$	2,568	$	2,952	$	2,647
Enhanced equipment trust certificates	1,830		1,949		1,942		1,927
6.0%—8.5% special facility revenue bonds	1,318		1,332		1,436		1,230
7.50% senior secured notes	1,000		1,001		1,000		711
AAdvantage Miles advance purchase	809		815		890		902
6.25% senior convertible notes	—		—		—		—
9.0%—10.20% debentures	—		—		—		—
7.88%—10.55% notes	—		—		—		—
	$	7,605	$	7,665	$	8,220	$	7,417

The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities, classified as subject to compromise, were (in millions):



	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Secured variable and fixed rate indebtedness	$	1,241	$	1,024	$	1,456	$	1,123
Enhanced equipment trust certificates	—		—		—		—
6.0%—8.5% special facility revenue bonds	186		106		186		37
7.50% senior secured notes	—		—		—		—
AAdvantage Miles advance purchase	—		—		—		—
6.25% senior convertible notes	460		307		460		101
9.0%—10.20% debentures	214		138		214		46
7.88%—10.55% notes	166		31		166		34
	$	2,267	$	1,606	$	2,482	$	1,341

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

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+ Details

Retirement Benefits (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The following tables provide the components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (in millions):



	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	104		$	97		$	312		$	289
Interest cost	191			189			573			568
Expected return on assets	(166		)	(165		)	(498		)	(493		)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost	3			3			10			10
Unrecognized net (gain) loss	63			39			187			115
Net periodic benefit cost	$	195		$	163		$	584		$	489



	Retiree Medical and Other Benefits
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	15		$	15		$	45		$	45
Interest cost	38			44			114			132
Expected return on assets	(4		)	(5		)	(12		)	(15		)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost	(7		)	(7		)	(21		)	(21		)
Unrecognized net (gain) loss	(2		)	(2		)	(6		)	(6		)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	40		$	45		$	120		$	135

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of one or more of the entity's defined benefit pension plans or one or more other defined benefit postretirement plans, separately for pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans including the entity's schedule of fair value of plan assets for defined benefit or other postretirement plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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+ Details

Special Charges And Restructuring Activities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Components Of Company's Special Charges



	Aircraft Charges			Facility Exit Costs			Employee Charges			Total
Remaining accrual at December 31, 2011	$	49		$	16		—			$	65
Special Charges	11			13			305			329
Non-cash charges	(11		)	(13		)	—			(24		)
Adjustments	(47		)	(11		)	—			(58		)
Payments	(2		)	(1		)	(73		)	(76		)
Remaining accrual at September 30, 2012	$	—		$	4		$	232		$	236

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of restructuring and related costs by type of restructuring including the description of the restructuring costs, such as the expected cost; the costs incurred during the period; the cumulative costs incurred as of the balance sheet date; the income statement caption within which the restructuring charges recognized for the period are included; and changes to an entity's restructuring reserve that occurred during the period associated with the exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings for each major type of cost.

+ References+ Details

Financial Instruments And Risk Management (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Effect Of Cash Flow Hedges On Financial Statements

The impact of cash flow hedges on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements is depicted below (in millions):

Fair Value of Aircraft Fuel Derivative Instruments (all cash flow hedges)

Asset Derivatives as of

Liability Derivatives as of

September 30, 2012

December 31, 2011

September 30, 2012

December 31, 2011

Balance

Sheet

Location

Fair

Value

Balance

Sheet

Location

Fair

Value

Balance

Sheet

Location

Fair

Value

Balance

Sheet

Location

Fair Value

Fuel derivative contracts

Accrued liabilities

—

Accrued liabilities

Effect Of Derivative Instruments On Statements Of Operations

Effect of Aircraft Fuel Derivative Instruments on Statements of Operations (all cash flow hedges)



Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative¹ as of September 30					Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income ¹	Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income ¹for the nine months ended September 30,					Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative ²	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative ² for the nine months ended September 30,
2012		2011				2012			2011			2012			2011
$	29	$	152		Aircraft Fuel	$	13		$	287	Aircraft Fuel	$	(3	)	$	(19	)

Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative¹ for the quarter ended September 30					Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income ¹	Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income ¹for the quarter ended September 30,					Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative ²	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative ² for the quarter ended September 30,
2012		2011				2012			2011			2012			2011
$	86	$	(142	)	Aircraft Fuel	$	(12	)	$	57	Aircraft Fuel	$	2		$	(26	)


^1.	Effective portion of gain (loss)


^2.	Ineffective portion of gain (loss)

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the location and amount of gains and losses reported in the statement of financial performance, or when applicable, the statement of financial position. For example, (a) gains and losses recognized in the income statement on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and related hedged items designated and qualifying in fair value hedges and (b) gains and losses initially recognized in other comprehensive income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the location and fair value amounts of derivative instruments (and nonderivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments) reported in the statement of financial position.

+ References+ Details

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computations Of Basic And Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in millions, except per share data):



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Numerator:
Net earnings (loss)—numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(238	)	$	(162	)	$	(2,139	)	$	(884	)
Interest on senior convertible notes	—			—			—			—
Net earnings (loss) adjusted for interest on senior convertible notes	$	(238	)	$	(162	)	$	(2,139	)	$	(884	)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share – weighted-average shares	335			335			335			334
Effect of dilutive securities:
Senior convertible notes	—			—			—			—
Employee options and shares	—			—			—			—
Assumed treasury shares purchased	—			—			—			—
Dilutive potential common shares	335			335			335			334
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share—adjusted weighted-average shares	335			335			335			334
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.71	)	$	(0.48	)	$	(6.38	)	$	(2.64	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.71	)	$	(0.48	)	$	(6.38	)	$	(2.64	)
The following were excluded from the calculation:
Convertible notes, employee stock options and deferred stock because inclusion would be anti-dilutive	46			48			46			53
Employee stock options because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of shares	23			28			23			18

Chapter 11 Reorganization (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Chapter 11 Reorganization (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Nov. 01, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Reorganization [Line Items]
August 8 Assumed Non-Residential Real Property Leases	1
August 8 Extended Non-Residential Real Property Leases	15
August 22 Assumed Non-Residential Real Property Leases	3
August 22 Extended Non-Residential Real Property Leases	12
September 20 Assumed Non-Residential Real Property Leases	9
September 20 Extended Non-Residential Real Property Leases				34
July 24 Extended Non-Residential Real Property Leases	19
July 19 Assumed Non-Residential Real Property Leases	9
June 21 Extended Non-Residential Real Property Leases			88
June 20 Assumed Non-Residential Real Property Leases			463
Ground leases rejected	10
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	40
Reached agreement to modify leases	155
Bankruptcy Claims, Number Claims Filed	13,259
Bankruptcy Claims, Amount of Claims Filed	$ 305,200,000,000
Bankruptcy Claims, Amount of Claims under Review by Management	116,500,000,000
Unsecured claims threshold	$ 190,000,000
Substantial Equity Holder Ownership Percentage Threshold	4.50%
Super Saver 401(k) Company Match		5.50%
MD-80 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	21
Reached agreement to modify leases	83
Fokker 100 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	4
Boeing 757-200 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	7
Reached agreement to modify leases	36
Airbus A300-600R Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Relinquished Aircraft Subject to Mortgage	1
Boeing 737-800, Boeing 757-200, Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 777-200ER, Bombardier CRJ-700, And McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft leases retained	340
Spare Engines [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Aircraft and or engine leases rejected	8
Aircraft leases retained	87
Super ATR Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	39
Aircraft returned to lessor	26
Airplanes to be returned to lessor	13
Boeing 737-800 Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	9
Boeing 767-200ER Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	11
Boeing 767-300ER Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	13
Boeing Seven Seven Seven Two Zero Zero Er Aircraft [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Reached agreement to modify leases	3
Embraer RJ-135 [Member]
Reorganization [Line Items]
Airplanes Surrendered to Lender	18

Chapter 11 Reorganization (Schedule Of Liabilities Subject To Compromise) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reorganizations [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt Subject to Compromise	$ 2,267
Aircraft lease and facility bond related obligations	3,036
Pension and postretirement benefits	7,803
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	403
Other	(16)
Total liabilities subject to compromise	$ 13,493	$ 4,843

- Definition

The amount of trade accounts payable included in liabilities subject to compromise.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The amount of debt and related accrued interest included in liabilities subject to compromise.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The amount of other obligations included in liabilities subject to compromise.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The amount of pension and other postretirement obligations included in liabilities subject to compromise.

+ References+ Details

Chapter 11 Reorganization (Liabilites Subject to Compromise Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt Subject to Compromise	$ 2,267
Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt Subject to Compromise	1,241
Effective interest rate percentage - minimum	1.00%
Effective interest rate percentage - maximum	13.00%
Debt instrument maturity year	2023
6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt Subject to Compromise	186
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	6.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	8.50%
Debt instrument maturity year	2036
6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt Subject to Compromise	460
Percentage of debt instrument, interest rate	6.25%
Debt instrument maturity year	2014
9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt Subject to Compromise	214
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	9.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.20%
Debt instrument maturity year	2021
7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-Term Debt Subject to Compromise	$ 166
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	7.88%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.55%
Debt instrument maturity year	2039

- Definition

When presenting a range of maturity dates, the latest date when the outstanding debt instruments are required to be repaid. May be presented in a variety of ways (for example: year only, month and year, day, month and year, and number of years).

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The amount of debt and related accrued interest included in liabilities subject to compromise.

+ References+ Details

Chapter 11 Reorganization (Schedule Of Reorganization Items) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Reorganization [Line Items]

Reorganization Items Pension and Postretirement Benefits

$ (66)

Aircraft financing renegotiations and rejections

133

^[1],[2]

1,247

^[1]

Rejection of facility bond related obligations

^[2]

399

Professional fees

168

Reorganization Items, Other

Total reorganization items, net

$ 137

$ 0

$ 1,767

$ 0

[1]

(1)Amounts include allowed claims (claims approved by the Bankruptcy Court) and estimated allowed claims relating to the rejection or modification of financings related to aircraft. The Debtors record an estimated claim associated with the rejection or modification of a financing when the motion is filed with the Bankruptcy Court to reject or modify such financing and the Debtors believe that it is probable the motion will be approved by all parties, and there is sufficient information to estimate the claim. See above, “Special Protection Applicable to Leases and Secured Financing of Aircraft and Aircraft Equipment,” for further information.

[2]

(2)Amounts include allowed claims (claims approved by the Bankruptcy Court) and estimated allowed claims relating to entry of orders treating as unsecured claims with respect to facility agreements supporting certain issuances of special facility revenue bonds. The Debtors record an estimated claim associated with the treatment of claims with respect to facility agreements when the applicable motion is filed with the Bankruptcy Court and the Debtors believe that it is probable that the motion will be approved, and there is sufficient information to estimate the claim. See above, “Rejection of Executory Contracts,” for further information.

Commitments, Contingencies And Guarantees (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Principal terms of new business, headcount reduced	10,000
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Purchase deposits for flight equipment	$ 764,000,000	$ 746,000,000
Maximum required to be paid by the company in one year under the guarantee	100,000,000
Maximum amount of guarantee provided	75,000,000
Boeing 787-9 Aircraft [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Number of aircrafts to be purchased under previously announced plans	42
Rights to acquire additional number of aircrafts	58
Purchase [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Payments for the purchase commitments in remainder of 2012	535,000,000
Payments for the purchase commitments in 2013	1,900,000,000
Payments for the purchase commitments in 2014	929,000,000
Payments for the purchase commitments in 2015	312,000,000
Payments for the purchase commitments in 2016	353,000,000
Payments for the purchase commitments in 2017 and beyond	7,400,000,000
Lease [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Payments for the purchase commitments in remainder of 2012	168,000,000
Payments for the purchase commitments in 2013	664,000,000
Payments for the purchase commitments in 2014	852,000,000
Payments for the purchase commitments in 2015	1,100,000,000
Payments for the purchase commitments in 2016	1,300,000,000
Payments for the purchase commitments in 2017 and beyond	$ 12,500,000,000

Commitments, Contingencies And Guarantees (Aircraft Acquisition Commitments) (Details)

Sep. 30, 2012

Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]

2017 and beyond, Purchase

130

2017 and beyond, Lease

Total, Purchase

188

Total, Lease

211

Boeing 737 Family [Member]

Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]

2017 and beyond, Purchase

2017 and beyond, Lease

Total, Purchase

^[1]

Total, Lease

Boeing Seven Seven Seven Two Zero Zero Er Aircraft [Member]

Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]

2017 and beyond, Purchase

2017 and beyond, Lease

Total, Purchase

Total, Lease

Boeing 777-300ER Aircraft [Member]

Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]

2017 and beyond, Purchase

2017 and beyond, Lease

Total, Purchase

Total, Lease

Airbus A320 Family [Member]

Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]

2017 and beyond, Purchase

2017 and beyond, Lease

Total, Purchase

Total, Lease

130

Airbus NEO [Member]

Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]

2017 and beyond, Purchase

130

2017 and beyond, Lease

Total, Purchase

130

Total, Lease

[1]

Depreciation And Amortization (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization [Abstract]
Accumulated depreciation of owned equipment and property	$ (10,500,000,000)	$ (10,100,000,000)
Accumulated amortization of equipment and property under capital leases	$ (198,000,000)	$ (448,000,000)

- Definition

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

+ References+ Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance	$ 4.9	$ 4.1

- Definition

The sum of the portions of deferred tax assets as of the balance sheet date for which, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not will not be realized through future reductions of tax-based income.

+ References+ Details

Indebtedness (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Indebtedness (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value	$ 2,000,000
Remainder of 2012	262,000,000
2013	944,000,000
2014	881,000,000
2015	812,000,000
2016	733,000,000
2017 and beyond	4,700,000,000
Boeing 737-800 Aircraft [Member]
Number of aircrafts delivered	21
Number of Aircraft Included in Sale-Leaseback Arrangement	35
10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value	41,000,000
Secured Debt, Tax Exempt [Member]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	1,500,000,000
Secured Debt [Member]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	4,700,000,000
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	842,000,000
Lease [Member]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 3,700,000

Indebtedness (Components Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Less current maturities	$ 1,508	$ 1,518
Long-term debt, less current maturities	6,097	6,702
Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate percentage - minimum	1.00%
Effective interest rate percentage - maximum	13.00%
Debt instrument maturity year	2023
6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	6.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	8.50%
Debt instrument maturity year	2036
6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of debt instrument, interest rate	6.25%
Debt instrument maturity year	2014
9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	9.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.20%
Debt instrument maturity year	2021
7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	7.88%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.55%
Debt instrument maturity year	2039
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	7,605	8,220
Less current maturities	1,508	1,518
Long-term debt, less current maturities	6,097	6,702
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	2,648	2,952
Effective interest rate percentage - minimum	1.00%
Effective interest rate percentage - maximum	13.00%
Debt instrument maturity year	2023
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	1,830	1,942
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	5.10%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.375%
Debt instrument maturity year	2021
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	1,318	1,436
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	6.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	8.50%
Debt instrument maturity year	2036
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	1,000	1,000
Percentage of debt instrument, interest rate	7.50%
Debt instrument maturity year	2016
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	809	890
Effective interest rate percentage	8.30%
Debt instrument discount, net	56
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	0	0
Percentage of debt instrument, interest rate	6.25%
Debt instrument maturity year	2014
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	0	0
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	9.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.20%
Debt instrument maturity year	2021
Debt Not Subject To Compromise [Member] \| 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 0	$ 0
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum	7.88%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum	10.55%
Debt instrument maturity year	2039

Indebtedness (Schedule Of Maturities Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payments Not Made Due to Chapter 11 Proceedings	$ 157.4
Remainder of 2012	919
2013	1,074
2014	1,509
2015	806
2016	1,863
Principal Not Subject To Compromise [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remainder of 2012	753
2013	882
2014	744
2015	645
2016	1,637
Principal Subject To Compromise [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remainder of 2012	166
2013	192
2014	765
2015	161
2016	$ 226

Indebtedness (Schedule Of Collateral Coverage Tests) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
LTV Requirement	43%; failure to meet collateral test requires American to post additional collateral or pay down indebtedness
LTV as of Last Measurement Date	47.50%
Number of aircraft collateralized	143
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Collateral Description	Generally, certain route authorities, take-off and landing slots, and rights to airport facilities used by American to operate certain services between the U.S. and London Heathrow, Tokyo Narita/Haneda, and China
LTV as of Last Measurement Date	37.80%
MD-80 [Member] \| 10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of aircraft collateralized	74
B757-200 [Member] \| 10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of aircraft collateralized	41
B767-200ER [Member] \| 10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of aircraft collateralized	3
B767-300ER [Member] \| 10.5% Senior Secured Notes Due 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of aircraft collateralized	25

- Definition

Discussion of whether the debt instrument is secured or unsecured, and, if secured, a description of the collateral and guarantees required or provided.

+ References+ Details

Fair Value Measurements (Summary Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

$ 3,718

Restricted Cash and Investments, Current

847

738

Fuel derivative contracts, Fair Value

Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis

4,663

Money Market Funds [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

235

^[1],[2]

Government Agency Investments [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

580

^[1],[2]

Repurchase Investments [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

293

^[1],[2]

Corporate Obligations [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

1,859

^[1],[2]

Bank Notes/Certificates Of Deposit/Time Deposits [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

751

^[1],[2]

Level 1 [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

235

Restricted Cash and Investments, Current

847

^[1]

Fuel derivative contracts, Fair Value

^[1]

Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis

1,082

Level 1 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

235

^[1],[2]

Level 1 [Member] | Government Agency Investments [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

^[1],[2]

Level 1 [Member] | Repurchase Investments [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

^[1],[2]

Level 1 [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

^[1],[2]

Level 1 [Member] | Bank Notes/Certificates Of Deposit/Time Deposits [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

^[1],[2]

Level 2 [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

3,483

Restricted Cash and Investments, Current

^[2]

Fuel derivative contracts, Fair Value

^[1]

Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis

3,581

Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

^[1],[2]

Level 2 [Member] | Government Agency Investments [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

580

^[1],[2]

Level 2 [Member] | Repurchase Investments [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

293

^[1],[2]

Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

1,859

^[1],[2]

Level 2 [Member] | Bank Notes/Certificates Of Deposit/Time Deposits [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

751

^[1],[2]

Level 3 [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

Restricted Cash and Investments, Current

^[1]

Fuel derivative contracts, Fair Value

^[1]

Fair value of assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis

^[2]

Level 3 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

^[1],[2]

Level 3 [Member] | Government Agency Investments [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

^[1],[2]

Level 3 [Member] | Repurchase Investments [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

^[1],[2]

Level 3 [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

^[1],[2]

Level 3 [Member] | Bank Notes/Certificates Of Deposit/Time Deposits [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

^[1],[2]

Maturity Dates Exceeding One Year [Member] | Government Agency Investments [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

580

Maturity Dates Exceeding One Year [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

363

Maturity Dates Exceeding One Year [Member] | Bank Notes/Certificates Of Deposit/Time Deposits [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure

$ 100

[1]	1. Unrealized gains or losses on short-term investments, restricted cash and short-term investments and derivatives qualifying for hedge accounting are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI) at each measurement date.
[2]	2. The Company’s short-term investments mature in one year or less except for $100 million of Bank notes/Certificates of deposit/Time deposits, $580 million of U.S. Government agency investments and $363 million of Corporate obligations which have maturity dates exceeding one year.

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.

+ References+ Details

Fair Value Measurements (Long Term Debt And Current Maturities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Not Classified As Subject To Compromise [Member] 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Secured Variable And Fixed Rate Indebtedness Due Through 2023 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates Due Through 2021 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 6.00% - 8.50% Special Facility Revenue Bonds Due Through 2036 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 7.50% Senior Secured Notes Due 2016 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] Advantage Miles Advance Purchase [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 6.25% Senior Convertible Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 9.00% - 10.20% Debentures Due Through 2021 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Classified As Subject to Compromise [Member] 7.88% - 10.55% Notes Due Through 2039 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying Value						$ 7,605	$ 8,220	$ 2,648	$ 2,952	$ 1,830	$ 1,942	$ 1,318	$ 1,436	$ 1,000	$ 1,000	$ 809	$ 890	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 2,267	$ 2,482	$ 1,241	$ 1,456	$ 0	$ 0	$ 186	$ 186	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 460	$ 460	$ 214	$ 214	$ 166	$ 166
Fair Value						$ 7,665	$ 7,417	$ 2,568	$ 2,647	$ 1,949	$ 1,927	$ 1,332	$ 1,230	$ 1,001	$ 711	$ 815	$ 902	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,606	$ 1,341	$ 1,024	$ 1,123	$ 0	$ 0	$ 106	$ 37	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 307	$ 101	$ 138	$ 46	$ 31	$ 34
Effective interest rate percentage - minimum	1.00%
Effective interest rate percentage - maximum	13.00%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - minimum		6.00%		9.00%	7.88%
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate - maximum		8.50%		10.20%	10.55%
Percentage of debt instrument, interest rate			6.25%

- Definition

Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date. May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer, and after deducting unamortized discount or premiums, if any.

+ References+ Details

Retirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
Retirement Benefits (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Nov. 01, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Change Due to Subsequent Interim Measurement	7.87	.041
Retiree Medical Plan, Net Gain Loss at Remeasurement		$ 124,000,000
Retiree medical plan, assumptions used calculating net periodic benefit cost, change due to subsequent interim measurement		3.80%
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of Settlements and Curtailments on Accumulated Benefit Obligation		(6,600,000,000)			(6,600,000,000)
Defined Benefit Plans, Actuarial Loss at Remeasurement		(1,900,000,000)
Retiree medical plan, effect of plan amendment on accumulated benefit obligation		(1,200,000,000)			(1,200,000,000)
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements and Curtailments		1,800,000,000
Recognized Unamortized Prior Service Cost		(58,000,000)
Retiree Medical Plan, Plan Amendment Gain		1,900,000,000
Recognized Unamortized Prior Service Cost - Retiree Medical		157,000,000
Employer contributions to defined benefit pension plans	86,000,000	86,000,000	86,000,000	6,500,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer September 2012		6,900,000
Super Saver 401(k) Company Match						5.50%
Principal terms of new business, headcount reduced					10,000
Retiree Medical Plan, Curtailment Gain Loss		(33,000,000)
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		8,900,000,000			8,900,000,000
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets		$ 211,000,000			$ 211,000,000

Retirement Benefits (Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 104	$ 97	$ 312	$ 289
Interest cost	191	189	573	568
Expected return on assets	(166)	(165)	(498)	(493)
Amortization of Prior service cost	3	3	10	10
Amortization of Unrecognized net (gain) loss	63	39	187	115
Net periodic benefit cost	195	163	584	489
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	15	15	45	45
Interest cost	38	44	114	132
Expected return on assets	(4)	(5)	(12)	(15)
Amortization of Prior service cost	(7)	(7)	(21)	(21)
Amortization of Unrecognized net (gain) loss	(2)	(2)	(6)	(6)
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 40	$ 45	$ 120	$ 135

- Definition

An amount calculated as a basis for determining the extent of delayed recognition of the effects of changes in the fair value of assets. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph h

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 106

-Paragraph 518

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 87

-Paragraph 264

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (h)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Expected Return on Plan Assets

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512136

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 30

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Expected Return on Plan Assets

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6512171

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 60

+ Details

- Definition

The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 106

-Paragraph 518

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 87

-Paragraph 264

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph a, h

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (h)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6962843&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Service Cost (Component of Net Periodic Pension Cost)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6525008

+ Details

Special Charges And Restructuring Activities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Principal terms of new business, headcount reduced		10,000
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining accrual, beginning		$ 65,000,000
Special Charges		329,000,000
Non-cash charges		(24,000,000)
Adjustments		(58,000,000)
Payments		(76,000,000)
Remaining accrual, ending	236,000,000	236,000,000
Aircraft Charges [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining accrual, beginning		49,000,000
Special Charges		11,000,000
Non-cash charges		(11,000,000)
Adjustments		(47,000,000)
Payments		(2,000,000)
Remaining accrual, ending	0	0
Facility Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining accrual, beginning		16,000,000
Special Charges		13,000,000
Non-cash charges		(13,000,000)
Adjustments		(11,000,000)
Payments		(1,000,000)
Remaining accrual, ending	4,000,000	4,000,000
Employee Charges [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Remaining accrual, beginning		0
Special Charges	211,000,000	305,000,000
Non-cash charges		0
Adjustments		0
Payments		73,000,000
Remaining accrual, ending	$ 232,000,000	$ 232,000,000

- Definition

Amount of any reversal and other adjustment made during the period to the amount of a previously accrued liability for a specified type of restructuring cost, excluding adjustments for costs incurred during the period, costs settled during the period, and foreign currency translation adjustments.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of cash paid in the period to fully or partially settle a specified, previously accrued type of restructuring cost.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of consideration other than cash paid in the period to fully or partially settle a specified, previously accrued type of restructuring cost.

+ References+ Details

Financial Instruments And Risk Management (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of barrels of jet fuel derivative contracts outstanding	16,000,000		16,000,000
Fuel derivative maturity in months	12		12
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value	$ 2		$ 2
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	9	31	10	268
Price Risk Cash Flow Hedge Derivative, at Fair Value, Net	97		97		80
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassification from Accumulated OCI to Income, Estimate of Time to Transfer			12
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassification from Accumulated OCI to Income, Estimated Net Amount to be Transferred			$ (47)

- Definition

The amount of net gains and losses recognized in income during the period on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and related hedged items designated and qualifying in fair value hedges, on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges, and on derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments.

+ References+ Details

Financial Instruments And Risk Management (Effect Of Cash Flow Hedges On Financial Statements) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fuel derivative contracts, Fair Value	$ 98	$ 97
Fuel Derivative Contracts (asset) [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fuel derivative contracts, Fair Value	98	97
Accrued Liabilites [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fuel derivative liability in accrued liabilities, Fair Value	$ 0	$ 2

Financial Instruments And Risk Management (Effect Of Derivative Instruments On Statements Of Operations) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative

$ 86

^[1]

$ (142)

^[1]

$ 29

^[1]

$ 152

^[1]

Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income

(12)

^[1]

287

^[1]

Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffectiveness

$ 2

^[2]

$ (26)

^[2]

$ (3)

^[2]

$ (19)

^[2]

Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income

Aircraft Fuel

^[1]

Location Of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative

Aircraft Fuel

^[2]

[1]	Effective portion of gain (loss
[2]	Ineffective portion of gain (loss

- Definition

The effective portion of net gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The effective portion of gains and losses (net) on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments that was recognized in other comprehensive income during the current period.

+ References+ Details

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Computations Of Basic And Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net earnings (loss)—numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share	$ (238)	$ (162)	$ (2,139)	$ (884)
Interest on senior convertible notes	0	0	0	0
Net earnings (loss) adjusted for interest on senior convertible notes	$ (238)	$ (162)	$ (2,139)	$ (884)
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share - weighted-average shares	335	335	335	334
Effect of dilutive securities, Senior convertible notes	0	0	0	0
Effect of dilutive securities, Employee options and shares	0	0	0	0
Effect of dilutive securities, Assumed treasury shares purchased	0	0	0	0
Dilutive potential common shares	335	335	335	334
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share - adjusted weighted-average shares	335	335	335	334
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ (0.71)	$ (0.48)	$ (6.38)	$ (2.64)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ (0.71)	$ (0.48)	$ (6.38)	$ (2.64)
Excluded from calculation, Convertible notes, employee stock options and deferred stock because inclusion would be anti-dilutive	46	48	46	53
Excluded from calculation, Employee stock options because the options' exercise price were greater than the average market price of the shares	23	28	23	18