CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
OPERATING REVENUES:
Passenger	$ 920,633	$ 919,690	$ 1,822,989	$ 1,764,166
Ground handling and other	16,581	14,007	35,399	35,482
Total operating revenues	937,214	933,697	1,858,388	1,799,648
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and benefits	290,676	290,126	581,490	576,273
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs	167,150	176,399	346,786	339,573
Aircraft fuel	153,544	161,408	300,994	288,149
Aircraft rentals	83,944	88,072	168,846	174,494
Depreciation and amortization	64,182	63,697	128,497	126,890
Station rentals and landing fees	44,254	42,322	88,187	84,948
Ground handling services	29,615	32,875	64,930	69,728
Merger and integration related costs		1,364		2,395
Other	57,043	58,394	111,395	117,932
Total operating expenses	890,408	914,657	1,791,125	1,780,382
OPERATING INCOME	46,806	19,040	67,263	19,266
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income	2,043	2,114	3,996	4,080
Interest expense	(19,387)	(20,052)	(39,167)	(40,272)
Other, net	(815)	(2,859)	(4,667)	(3,365)
Total other expense, net	(18,159)	(20,797)	(39,838)	(39,557)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	28,647	(1,757)	27,425	(20,291)
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES	11,687	(3,336)	11,147	(10,806)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	16,960	1,579	16,278	(9,485)
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.33	$ 0.03	$ 0.32	$ (0.18)
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.33	$ 0.03	$ 0.32	$ (0.18)
Weighted average common shares:
Basic (in shares)	50,944	52,698	50,912	53,271
Diluted (in shares)	51,789	53,371	51,335	53,271
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.08	$ 0.08
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
Net income (loss)	16,960	1,579	16,278	(9,485)
Proportionate share of other companies foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes	141	130	448	290
Net unrealized appreciation on marketable securities, net of taxes	35	333	111	642
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	$ 17,136	$ 2,042	$ 16,837	$ (8,553)