CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
OPERATING REVENUES:
Passenger	$ 848,578	$ 936,363	$ 2,671,568	$ 2,700,529
Ground handling and other	16,681	19,062	52,079	54,544
Total operating revenues	865,259	955,425	2,723,647	2,755,073
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and benefits	297,106	288,401	878,596	864,675
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs	163,825	189,762	510,610	529,335
Aircraft fuel	71,477	160,252	372,471	448,401
Aircraft rentals	82,592	86,510	251,438	261,004
Depreciation and amortization	62,703	63,393	191,200	190,283
Station rentals and landing fees	45,336	45,902	133,523	130,850
Ground handling services	28,414	30,326	93,344	100,054
Merger and integration related costs		2,207		4,602
Other	58,832	61,845	170,228	179,777
Total operating expenses	810,285	928,598	2,601,410	2,708,981
OPERATING INCOME	54,974	26,827	122,237	46,092
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income	2,053	2,215	6,049	6,295
Interest expense	(19,474)	(20,086)	(58,641)	(60,358)
Adjustment to purchase accounting gain		(5,711)		(5,711)
Other, net	(4,638)	(5,351)	(9,305)	(8,715)
Total other income (expense), net	(22,059)	(28,933)	(61,897)	(68,489)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	32,915	(2,106)	60,340	(22,397)
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES	11,982	(2,222)	23,129	(13,028)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	20,933	116	37,211	(9,369)
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.41	$ 0.00	$ 0.73	$ (0.18)
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.00	$ 0.72	$ (0.18)
Weighted average common shares:
Basic (in shares)	51,241	51,570	51,022	52,704
Diluted (in shares)	52,153	52,315	51,608	52,704
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.12	$ 0.12
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
Net income (loss)	20,933	116	37,211	(9,369)
Proportionate share of other companies foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes	(375)	919	(264)	1,209
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on marketable securities, net of taxes	88	(289)	536	353
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	$ 20,646	$ 746	$ 37,483	$ (7,807)