CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
OPERATING REVENUES:
Passenger	$ 785,871	$ 902,356
Ground handling and other	17,616	18,817
Total operating revenues	803,487	921,173
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and benefits	297,396	290,814
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs	167,156	179,636
Aircraft rentals	82,589	84,903
Depreciation and amortization	61,001	64,315
Aircraft fuel	49,681	147,450
Ground handling services	34,577	35,315
Station rentals and landing fees	34,088	43,933
Other, net	61,438	54,350
Total operating expenses	787,926	900,716
OPERATING INCOME	15,561	20,457
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income	1,727	1,954
Interest expense	(17,965)	(19,780)
Other, net	6,039	(3,853)
Total other expense, net	(10,199)	(21,679)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	5,362	(1,222)
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES	2,129	(540)
NET INCOME (LOSS)	3,233	(682)
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ (0.01)
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ (0.01)
Weighted average common shares:
Basic (in shares)	51,763	50,881
Diluted (in shares)	52,497	50,881
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.04
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
Net Income (Loss)	3,233	(682)
Proportionate share of other companies foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax		(30)
Net unrealized appreciation on marketable securities, net of tax	63	412
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	$ 3,296	$ (300)