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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 $ 132us-gaap_RestructuringReserve $ 138us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Cash payments (57)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring (213)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Restructuring charges 30aa_RestructuringReservePeriodExpenses 453aa_RestructuringReservePeriodExpenses
Other (19)us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts (246)us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
Restructuring reserve ending balance 86us-gaap_RestructuringReserve 132us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Layoff Costs [Member]    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring reserve beginning balance 98us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
96us-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 24aa_RestructuringReservePeriodExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
259aa_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 55us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
98us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Other Exit Costs [Member]    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring reserve beginning balance 34us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= aa_OtherExitCostsMember
42us-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 6aa_RestructuringReservePeriodExpenses
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= aa_OtherExitCostsMember
194aa_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 $ 31us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= aa_OtherExitCostsMember
$ 34us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= aa_OtherExitCostsMember