XML 58 R35.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Restructuring and Other Charges - Activity and Reserve Balances for Restructuring Charges (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] |  |
Restructuring reserve beginning balance | $ 132 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve | $ 138 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Cash payments | (57)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring | (213)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Restructuring charges | 30 aa_RestructuringReservePeriodExpenses | 453 aa_RestructuringReservePeriodExpenses
Other | (19)us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts | (246)us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
Restructuring reserve ending balance | 86 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve | 132 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Layoff Costs [Member] |  |
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] |  |
Restructuring reserve beginning balance | 98 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember | 96 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Cash payments | (54)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember | (191)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Restructuring charges | 24 aa_RestructuringReservePeriodExpenses / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember | 259 aa_RestructuringReservePeriodExpenses / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Other | (13)us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember | (66)us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Restructuring reserve ending balance | 55 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember | 98 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Other Exit Costs [Member] |  |
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] |  |
Restructuring reserve beginning balance | 34 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = aa_OtherExitCostsMember | 42 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = aa_OtherExitCostsMember
Cash payments | (3)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = aa_OtherExitCostsMember | (22)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = aa_OtherExitCostsMember
Restructuring charges | 6 aa_RestructuringReservePeriodExpenses / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = aa_OtherExitCostsMember | 194 aa_RestructuringReservePeriodExpenses / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = aa_OtherExitCostsMember
Other | (6)us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = aa_OtherExitCostsMember | (180)us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = aa_OtherExitCostsMember
Restructuring reserve ending balance | $ 31 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = aa_OtherExitCostsMember | $ 34 us-gaap_RestructuringReserve / us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis = aa_OtherExitCostsMember

X
- Definition Restructuring reserve period expenses. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | aa_RestructuringReservePeriodExpenses
Namespace Prefix: | aa_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of other expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of cash payments made as the result of exit or disposal activities. Excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=aa_OtherExitCostsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |