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Restructuring and Other Charges - Activity and Reserve Balances for Restructuring Charges (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Other layoff cost including reclassification in pension cost $ 19us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts   $ 246us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
Restructuring and other charges 177us-gaap_RestructuringCharges 461us-gaap_RestructuringCharges  
Pension Costs [Member]      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Other layoff cost including reclassification in pension cost 3us-gaap_OtherRestructuringCosts
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_PensionCostsMember
  26us-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
   
Environmental Remediation [Member]      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Restructuring and other charges $ 47us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= aa_EnvironmentalRemediationMember