Nonrecurring impairment charges related to the write-off of production-related equipment and inventory. This tag is used when an Entity charges this cost to cost of goods sold.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount before accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Stated as a percentage, the estimated or actual value of the asset at the end of its useful life or when it is no longer serviceable (cannot be used for its original purpose) divided by its [historical] capitalized cost.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of Aircraft

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wlfc_NumberOfAircraft
Namespace Prefix:	wlfc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of Engines

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wlfc_NumberOfEngines
Namespace Prefix:	wlfc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassAxis=wlfc_EnginesAndRelatedEquipmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassAxis=wlfc_AircraftMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassAxis=wlfc_EnginesAndAircraftMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassAxis=wlfc_NewEngineMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseAxis=us-gaap_PropertyAvailableForOperatingLeaseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassAxis=wlfc_SparePartPackagesMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Equipment Held of Operating Lease) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Impairment charge	$ 9,514	$ 9,181	$ 5,602
Minimum
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Estimated useful life	3 years
Maximum
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Estimated useful life	15 years
Engines and related equipment
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Number of engines \| item	56
Engines and related equipment \| Maximum
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Estimated useful life	15 years
Aircraft
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Number of aircraft \| item	6
Aircraft \| Minimum
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Estimated useful life	13 years
Residual value (as a percent)	15.00%
Aircraft \| Maximum
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Estimated useful life	20 years
Residual value (as a percent)	17.00%
Engines and aircraft
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Equipment net book value	$ 126,100
Engines and aircraft \| Minimum
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Estimated useful life	1 year
Engines and aircraft \| Maximum
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Estimated useful life	124 years
New engine [Member] \| Maximum
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Estimated useful life	25 years
Equipment held for lease Member
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Impairment charge	$ 1,800	$ 600
Equipment held for lease Member \| Engines and related equipment
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Estimated useful life	15 years
Residual value (as a percent)	55.00%
Equipment held for lease Member \| Spare part packages
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Residual value (as a percent)	25.00%
Equipment held for lease Member \| Spare part packages \| Minimum
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Estimated useful life	14 years
Equipment held for lease Member \| Spare part packages \| Maximum
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Estimated useful life	15 years
Equipment held for lease Member \| Engines and aircraft
Equipment Held for Operating Lease
Impairment charge			$ 2,400