CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ (27,335)	$ 96,350	$ 83,658
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	254,182	236,499	221,548
Stock based compensation expense	5,365	6,428	7,944
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(29)	(16)	(77)
Undistributed losses (earnings) of other companies	13,273	(635)	(1,785)
Capitalized brasilia engine overhauls	(17,792)	(19,050)	(26,635)
Purchase accounting gain (adjustment)	5,711	(15,586)
Impairment on marketable securities			7,115
Net increase (decrease) in deferred income taxes	(21,537)	58,525	59,350
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	2,341	4,971	(2)
Decrease (increase) in receivables	(10,665)	2,818	(56,444)
Decrease in income tax receivable	1,788	9,746	2,260
Decrease (increase) in inventories	(8,639)	(2,071)	14,507
Decrease (increase) in other current assets and prepaid aircraft rents	(28,668)	(19,532)	10,608
Decrease in deferred aircraft credits	(8,586)	(8,756)	(3,658)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued aircraft rents	10,161	6,289	46,908
Decrease in other current liabilities	(7,444)	(8,891)	(2,432)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	162,126	347,089	362,865
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of marketable securities	(683,396)	(1,073,479)	(854,715)
Sales of marketable securities	857,031	1,047,553	772,616
Issuance of United Air Lines note receivable			(80,000)
Purchase of ExpressJet, net of cash acquired		(54,018)
Payments received on note receivable from United Air Lines		79,333	667
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment	193	147	18,662
Acquisition of property and equipment:
Aircraft and rotable spare parts	(158,942)	(141,474)	(392,393)
Deposits on aircraft	(13,500)	(400)
Buildings and ground equipment	(13,756)	(9,391)	(2,556)
Decrease (increase) in other assets	817	(25,647)	(25,458)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(11,553)	(177,376)	(563,177)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	76,454	81,698	300,716
Principal payments on long-term debt	(159,038)	(185,632)	(147,315)
Return of deposits on aircraft and rotable spare parts	13,900	4,247	16,143
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	4,446	4,907	8,787
Purchase of treasury stock	(60,681)	(30,009)	(18,445)
Payment of cash dividends	(8,466)	(9,000)	(9,052)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	(133,385)	(133,789)	150,834
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	17,188	35,924	(49,478)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	112,338	76,414	125,892
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	129,526	112,338	76,414
Cash paid (received) during the year for:
Interest, net of capitalized amounts	81,187	85,931	90,572
Income taxes	$ (2,198)	$ (16,895)	$ 2,896