Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Retained Earnings (Deficit) [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Type of Adoption [Domain] Type of Adoption [Domain] Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Consolidated Entities [Domain] American Airlines, Inc. [Member] Subsidiaries [Member] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Other comprehensive loss, net Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Purchase and retirement of AAG common stock Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value Dividends declared on AAG common stock Dividends, Common Stock Issuance of shares of AAG common stock pursuant to employee stock plans net of shares withheld for cash taxes Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Deficiency from Share-based Compensation Share-based compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Impact of adoption of ASUs Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption Ending Balance Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table] Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table] Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Passenger [Member] Passenger [Member] Passenger travel [Member] Passenger Travel [Member] Passenger Travel [Member] Loyalty revenue - travel [Member] Loyalty Program, Travel Redemptions [Member] Loyalty Program, Travel Redemptions [Member] Cargo [Member] Cargo and Freight [Member] Other [Member] Product and Service, Other [Member] Loyalty revenue - marketing services [Member] Loyalty Program, Marketing Services [Member] Loyalty Program, Marketing Services [Member] Other revenue [Member] Other Revenue [Member] Other Revenue [Member] Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] Revenue from External Customer [Line Items] Operating revenues Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Employer contributions Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Income) Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Tax Credit Carryforward [Table] Tax Credit Carryforward [Table] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Federal [Member] Domestic Tax Authority [Member] State [Member] State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] Tax Credit Carryforward [Axis] Tax Credit Carryforward [Axis] Tax Credit Carryforward, Name [Domain] Tax Credit Carryforward, Name [Domain] Alternative Minimum Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] Alternative Minimum Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] Alternative Minimum Tax Credit Carryforward [Member] Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items] Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items] Gross NOL Carryforwards Operating Loss Carryforwards Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount Income tax provision Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Loyalty program liability [Member] Loyalty Program [Member] Loyalty Program [Member] Air traffic liability [Member] Air Traffic [Member] Air Traffic [Member] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Contract balances, liability Contract with Customer, Liability Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Entities [Table] Entities [Table] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Information [Line Items] Transactions with Related Parties Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Line of Credit Facility [Table] Line of Credit Facility [Table] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Secured Debt [Member] Secured Debt [Member] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] 2013 Credit Facilities [Member] Credit Facility 2013 [Member] Credit Facility 2013 [Member] 2014 Credit Facilities [Member] Credit Facility 2014 [Member] Credit Facility 2014 [Member] April 2016 Credit Facilities [Member] Credit Facility April 2016 [Member] Credit Facility April 2016 [Member] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Capital expenditures and aircraft purchase deposits Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Proceeds from sale of property and equipment and sale-leaseback transactions Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment and Sale Leaseback Transactions Proceeds From Sale Of Property Plant And Equipment and Sale Leaseback Transactions Purchases of short-term investments Payments to Acquire Short-term Investments Sales of short-term investments Proceeds from Sale of Short-term Investments Decrease (increase) in restricted short-term investments Increase (Decrease) of Restricted Investments Other investing activities Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Payments on long-term debt and finance leases Repayments of Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Deferred financing costs Payments of Debt Issuance Costs Treasury stock repurchases Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Dividend payments Payments of Ordinary Dividends Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net increase in cash and restricted cash Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Cash and restricted cash at end of period Non-cash transactions: Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Operating leases Noncash Investing And Financing Items, Lease Obligation Incurred [Abstract] Noncash Investing And Financing Items, Lease Obligation Incurred [Abstract] Operating leases Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Finance leases Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability Supplemental information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Interest paid, net Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities Income taxes paid Income Taxes Paid Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash Cash Short-term investments Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Current Restricted cash and short-term investments Restricted Cash and Investments, Current Accounts receivable, net Receivables, Net, Current Receivables from related parties, net Related Party Transaction, Due from (to) Related Party, Current Aircraft fuel, spare parts and supplies, net Airline Related Inventory, Net Prepaid expenses and other Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Operating property and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] Flight equipment Flight Equipment, Gross Ground property and equipment Ground Property and Equipment, Gross The gross amount of long-lived, depreciable ground property and equipment. Equipment purchase deposits Deposits on Flight Equipment Total property and equipment, at cost Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Total property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Operating lease right-of-use assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] Goodwill Goodwill Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $673 and $663, respectively Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Deferred tax asset Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net Other assets Other Assets, Miscellaneous, Noncurrent Total other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total assets Assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Current maturities of long-term debt and finance leases Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued salaries and wages Employee-related Liabilities, Current Deferred revenue, current Contract with Customer, Liability, Current Operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Current Other accrued liabilities Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Noncurrent liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Long-term debt and finance leases, net of current maturities Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Pension and postretirement benefits Liability, Defined Benefit Plan, Noncurrent Loyalty program liability Contract with Customer, Liability, Noncurrent Operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total noncurrent liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders’ equity (deficit) Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Total stockholders’ deficit Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) Liabilities and Equity Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Revenue Recognition Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Event [Table] Subsequent Event [Table] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event [Line Items] Subsequent Event [Line Items] Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Unsecured Debt [Member] Unsecured Debt [Member] December 2016 Credit Facilities [Member] Credit Facility December 2016 [Member] Credit Facility December 2016 [Member] Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (EETC) [Member] Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate [Member] Equipment Loans and Other Notes Payable [Member] Equipment Loans and Other Notes Payable [Member] Equipment Loans and Other Notes Payable [Member] Special Facility Revenue Bonds [Member] Special Facility Revenue Bonds [Member] Special Facility Revenue Bonds [Member] 5.50% Senior Notes [Member] Senior Notes 5.50% Due in 2019 [Member] Senior Notes, 5.50%, Due in 2019 [Member] 4.625% Senior Notes [Member] Senior Notes 4.625% Due in 2020 [Member] Senior Notes 4.625% Due in 2020 [Member] Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Total long-term debt and capital lease obligations Long-term Debt, Gross Less: Total unamortized debt discount, premium and issuance costs Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium) and Debt Issuance Costs, Net Less: Current maturities Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Long-term debt, net of current maturities Long-term Debt Variable interest rate Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate Interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Average interest rate Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate Basic EPS: Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract] Net income Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic EPS (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted EPS: Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract] Net income for purposes of computing diluted EPS Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted Share computation for diluted EPS: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Reconciliation [Abstract] Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares) Dilutive effect of stock awards (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted EPS (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Restricted stock unit awards excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because inclusion would be antidilutive (in shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Schedule of Long-Term Debt Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block] Summary of Availability under Revolving Credit Facilities Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities [Table Text Block] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Retirement Plan Type [Domain] Pension Benefits [Member] Pension Plan [Member] Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits [Member] Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] Service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Expected return on assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return (Loss) on Plan Assets Amortization of: Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization [Abstract] Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization [Abstract] Prior service cost (benefit) Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) Unrecognized net loss (gain) Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gain (Loss) Net periodic benefit cost (income) Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) Summary of Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Schedule of Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Long-Term Debt, Including Current Maturities Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Recurring [Member] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Level 1 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Level 2 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Level 3 [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type [Axis] Investments [Domain] Investments [Domain] Money Market Funds [Member] Money Market Funds [Member] Corporate Obligations [Member] Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Bank Notes / Certificates of Deposit / Time Deposits [Member] Bank Time Deposits [Member] Repurchase Agreements [Member] Repurchase Agreements [Member] Investment Secondary Categorization [Axis] Investment Secondary Categorization [Axis] Investments by Secondary Categorization [Domain] Investments by Secondary Categorization [Domain] Maturity Dates Exceeding One Year [Member] Maturity Dates Exceeding One Year [Member] Maturity Dates Exceeding One Year [Member] Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Axis] Investment, Name [Domain] Investment, Name [Domain] China Southern Airlines [Member] China Southern Airlines Company Limited [Member] China Southern Airlines [Member] Restricted cash and short-term investments Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Long-term investments Equity Securities, FV-NI Total Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Equity interest ownership percentage Investment, Ownership Percentage Investment, Ownership Percentage Equity [Abstract] Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Domain] Share Repurchase Program [Domain] Share Repurchase Program April 2018 [Member] Share Repurchase Program April 2018 [Member] Share Repurchase Program April 2018 [Member] Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items] Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items] Stock repurchase programs, authorized amount Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount Number of share repurchase programs authorized Number of Share Repurchase Programs Authorized Number of Share Repurchase Programs Authorized Stock repurchase programs, remaining authorized amount Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount Stock repurchased (in shares) Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares Aggregate stock repurchase price Average cost per share (in dollars per share) Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share Contract term Revenue, Performance Obligation, Description of Timing Recognition of revenue Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table] Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table] Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] Shares distributed from Disputed Claims Reserve (in shares) Common Stock, Capital Shares Distributed From Disputed Claims Reserve Common Stock, Capital Shares Distributed From Disputed Claims Reserve Shares reserved for future issuance (in shares) Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved For Issuance In Disputed Claims Reserve Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved For Issuance In Disputed Claims Reserve Number of putative class action lawsuits Number Of Putative Class Action Lawsuits Number of putative class action lawsuits. Preliminary settlement amount Litigation Settlement, Amount Awarded to Other Party Income Statement [Abstract] Operating revenues: Revenues [Abstract] Operating expenses: Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Aircraft fuel and related taxes Fuel Costs Salaries, wages and benefits Labor and Related Expense Regional expenses Airline, Capacity Purchase Arrangements Maintenance, materials and repairs Aircraft Maintenance, Materials, and Repairs Other rent and landing fees Landing Fees and Other Rentals Aircraft rent Aircraft Rental Selling expenses Selling and Marketing Expense Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Special items, net Restructuring And Other Significant and non-routine operating expenses (credits) such as asset impairments and restructuring charges that may not be an indicator of future cash flows. Other Other Cost and Expense, Operating Total operating expenses Costs and Expenses Operating income Operating Income (Loss) Nonoperating income (expense): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Interest income Investment Income, Interest Interest expense, net Interest Expense Other income, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total nonoperating expense, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Income before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Net income Earnings per common share: Basic (in dollars per share) Diluted (in dollars per share) Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands): Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Basic (in shares) Diluted (in shares) Summary of Net Receivables (Payables) to Related Parties Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block] Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Special Items, Net Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table] Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Domain] Related Party [Domain] AAG [Member] Parent Company [Member] AAG's wholly-owned subsidiaries [Member] Subsidiary of Common Parent [Member] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Related Party Transaction [Line Items] Net receivables (payables) to related parties Disaggregation of Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Schedule of Contract Liabilities Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Table Text Block] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table] Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table] Prior service benefit [Member] Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Prior Service Attributable to Parent [Member] Actuarial loss [Member] Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment, Net Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items] Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items] Reclassifications out of AOCI Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Payments of dividends Payments of Dividends Earnings Per Common Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Pension, retiree medical and other postretirement benefits Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Tax and Reclassification Adjustment, Attributable to Parent Investments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Securities, Available-for-sale, Adjustment, after Tax Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax Total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Airline Expenses [Abstract] Regional Expenses [Table] Regional Expenses [Table] Regional Expenses [Table] Regional Expenses [Line Items] Regional Expenses [Line Items] Regional Expenses [Line Items] Components of Regional Expenses Schedule Of Regional Operating Expenses [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Regional Operating Expenses Valuation Allowance by Deferred Tax Asset [Axis] Valuation Allowance by Deferred Tax Asset [Axis] Deferred Tax Asset [Domain] Deferred Tax Asset [Domain] Fleet restructuring expenses Restructuring Charges Merger integration expenses Business Combination, Integration Related Costs Litigation settlement Litigation Settlement, Expense Labor contract expenses Labor Contract Expenses Labor Contract Expenses Other operating charges, net Other Operating Special Charges, Net Other Operating Special Charges, Net Mainline operating special items, net Restructuring And Other, Mainline Restructuring And Other, Mainline Mark-to-market adjustments on equity investments, net Equity Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Loss Other nonoperating charges, net Other Non-Operating Special Charges (Credits), Net Other Non-Operating Special Items, Net Nonoperating special items, net Non-Operating Special Items, Net Nonoperating net expenses (credits) recognized in the period that are infrequent in occurrence or unusual in nature. Income tax special items, net Income Taxes Special Items Net Income taxes special items net. Change in deferred tax assets valuation allowance Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Amount Employee Benefit Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Share Repurchase Programs and Dividends Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Accounting Policies [Abstract] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Table] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Table] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] Tax Act - reclassification of stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Of 2017, Reclassification From Aoci To Retained Earnings, Tax Effect Tax Cuts And Jobs Act Of 2017, Reclassification From Aoci To Retained Earnings, Tax Effect Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Regional Expenses Regional Operating Expenses [Text Block] Regional Operating Expenses [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Income Taxes [Table] Income Taxes [Table] Income Taxes [Table] Income Taxes [Line Items] Income Taxes [Line Items] Income Taxes [Line Items] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Components of Special Items, Net Included in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block] Purchase and retirement of common stock (in shares) Dividends declared on common stock (in dollars per share) Issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to employee stock plans (in shares) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block] Measurement Basis [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Carrying Value [Member] Reported Value Measurement [Member] Fair Value [Member] Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Long-term debt, including current maturities Long-term Debt, Fair Value Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate [Domain] Variable Rate [Domain] LIBOR [Member] London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] Proceeds from notes payable Proceeds from Secured Notes Payable Legal Proceedings Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block] Subsequent Events Subsequent Events [Text Block] Accumulated amortization of intangibles Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Regional Carrier [Member] Regional Carrier [Member] Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. [Member] Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. [Member] Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. [Member] Counterparty Name [Axis] Counterparty Name [Axis] Counterparty Name [Domain] Counterparty Name [Domain] Republic Airline Inc. [Member] Republic Airline Inc [Member] Republic Airline Inc [Member] Capacity purchases from third-party regional carriers Capacity Purchases Capacity Purchases Total regional expenses Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Movement In Contract With Customer, Liability [Roll Forward] Movement In Contract With Customer, Liability [Roll Forward] Movement In Contract With Customer, Liability [Roll Forward] Beginning balance Deferral of revenue Contract with Customer, Liability, Increase from Deferral Of Revenue Contract with Customer, Liability, Increase from Deferral Of Revenue Recognition of revenue Ending balance Inactive period before expiration of mileage credits Inactive Period Before Expiration Of Mileage Credits Inactive Period Before Expiration Of Mileage Credits Restricted cash included in restricted cash and short-term investments Restricted Cash, Current Total cash and restricted cash Pension, Retiree Medical and Other Postretirement Benefits [Member] Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Unrealized Loss on Investments [Member] Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] AOCI attributable to parent, before tax [Roll Forward] AOCI Before Tax, Attributable To Parent [Roll Forward] AOCI Before Tax, Attributable To Parent [Roll Forward] Beginning balance, before tax AOCI before Tax, Attributable to Parent Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, before tax OCI, before Reclassifications, before Tax, Attributable to Parent Amounts reclassified from AOCI, before tax Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, before Tax, Attributable to Parent Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), before tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Ending balance, before tax AOCI tax, attributable to parent [Roll Forward] AOCI Tax, Attributable to Parent [Roll Forward] AOCI Tax, Attributable to Parent [Roll Forward] Beginning balance, tax AOCI Tax, Attributable to Parent Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax Amounts reclassified from AOCI, tax Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Ending balance, tax AOCI attributable to parent, net of tax [Roll Forward] AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward] Beginning balance, net of tax Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax OCI, before Reclassifications, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax Ending balance, net of tax Airline Destination [Table] Airline Destination [Table] Airline Destinations [Axis] Airline Destinations [Axis] Airline Destination [Domain] Airline Destination [Domain] Domestic [Member] Domestic Destination [Member] Latin America [Member] Latin America Destination [Member] Atlantic [Member] Atlantic Destination [Member] Pacific [Member] Pacific Destination [Member] Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items] Airline Destination Disclosure [Line Items] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document and entity information. Document Information [Table] Document Information [Table] Document Information [Line Items] Document Information [Line Items] Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding