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Restructuring and Other Charges - Activity and Reserve Balances for Restructuring Charges (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Other layoff cost including reclassification in pension cost $ 246us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts $ 185us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts $ 26us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
Restructuring and other charges 1,168us-gaap_RestructuringCharges 782us-gaap_RestructuringCharges 172us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Pension Costs [Member]      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Other layoff cost including reclassification in pension cost 26us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_PensionCostsMember
92us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_PensionCostsMember
 
Asset Retirement Obligations [Member]      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Restructuring and other charges 95us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= aa_AssetRetirementObligationsMember
58us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= aa_AssetRetirementObligationsMember
 
Environmental Remediation [Member]      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Restructuring and other charges $ 47us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= aa_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
$ 12us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= aa_EnvironmentalRemediationMember