CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
OPERATING REVENUES:
Passenger	$ 3,584,777	$ 2,724,276	$ 2,582,238
Ground handling and other	70,146	40,869	31,376
Total operating revenues	3,654,923	2,765,145	2,613,614
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,155,051	764,933	698,326
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs	712,926	487,466	436,039
Aircraft fuel	592,871	340,074	390,739
Aircraft rentals	346,526	311,909	300,773
Depreciation and amortization	254,182	236,499	221,548
Station rentals and landing fees	174,838	129,537	116,312
Ground handling services	131,462	110,649	95,805
Acquisition related costs	5,770	8,815
Other, net	240,192	173,437	141,877
Total operating expenses	3,613,818	2,563,319	2,401,419
OPERATING INCOME	41,105	201,826	212,195
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income	8,236	14,376	11,121
Interest expense	(80,383)	(86,517)	(86,330)
Impairment on marketable securities			(7,115)
Purchase accounting gain (adjustment)	(5,711)	15,586
Other, net	(13,417)	630	1,862
Total other expense, net	(91,275)	(55,925)	(80,462)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(50,170)	145,901	131,733
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES	(22,835)	49,551	48,075
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ (27,335)	$ 96,350	$ 83,658
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ (0.52)	$ 1.73	$ 1.50
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ (0.52)	$ 1.70	$ 1.47
Weighted average common shares:
Basic (in shares)	52,201	55,610	55,854
Diluted (in shares)	52,201	56,526	56,814