The maximum amount of the receivable that may be deferred per the agreement.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	skyw_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Related to receivables, the deferral fee percentage rate stated in the agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	skyw_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableDeferralFeePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	skyw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The maximum period for which payments on the receivable may be deferred per the agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	skyw_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The period for which the receivable is deferred.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	skyw_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableDeferredPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	skyw_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amortization period for interest on the note receivable.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	skyw_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The interest rate stated in the note receivable agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	skyw_NoteReceivableInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	skyw_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

- Definition

Amount due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer), for goods or services (including trade receivables) that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to the estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph a(1)

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3-4)

-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

The cash outflow to acquire an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the note. The note also may contain provisions including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among myriad other features and characteristics.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3213-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 17

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

+ Details

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

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with principal collections from a borrowing supported by a written promise to pay an obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 16

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

+ Details

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

Note Receivable (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Note Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Aug. 31, 2010 Secured term loan extended to United SkyWest Airlines	Oct. 31, 2009 Secured term loan extended to United SkyWest Airlines Y	Dec. 31, 2011 Receivables related to United Express Agreement SkyWest Airlines D	Dec. 31, 2010 Receivables related to United Express Agreement SkyWest Airlines D
Loan provided by subsidiary to United
Amount of loan extended		$ 80,000,000		$ 80,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)				11.00%
Amortization period of interest (in years)				10
Amount of loan repaid	79,333,000	667,000	80,000,000
Deferral period, maximum (in days)					30
Deferral amount, maximum					49,000,000	49,000,000
Deferral fee (as a percent)					8.00%
Amount of loan deferred and classified as current					$ 49,000,000
Deferred period (in days)					30	30