Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 segment	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting
Operating segments number			2
Number of operating subsidiaries representing operating segments			2
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	$ 839,130	$ 937,214	$ 1,642,617	$ 1,858,388
Operating expense	788,575	890,408	1,576,499	1,791,125
Depreciation and amortization expense	61,174	64,182	122,174	128,497
Interest expense	17,526	19,387	35,491	39,167
Segment profit (loss)	33,029	27,419	30,627	28,096
Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill	16,123	18,373	16,123	18,373	17,248
Total assets	4,240,070	4,238,810	4,240,070	4,238,810	4,254,637
Capital expenditures (including non - cash)	33,425	18,525	63,713	44,894
SkyWest
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	463,068	509,135	912,413	1,004,046
Operating expense	411,917	467,497	826,683	940,403
Depreciation and amortization expense	38,839	38,646	77,464	77,429
Interest expense	11,227	12,353	22,723	24,915
Segment profit (loss)	39,924	29,285	63,007	38,728
Total assets	2,656,855	2,604,012	2,656,855	2,604,012
Capital expenditures (including non - cash)	21,952	13,946	44,362	36,353
ExpressJet
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	375,588	425,445	727,336	849,074
Operating expense	374,431	421,640	746,174	848,192
Depreciation and amortization expense	22,335	25,536	44,710	51,068
Interest expense	5,362	5,959	10,825	12,005
Segment profit (loss)	(4,205)	(2,154)	(29,663)	(11,123)
Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill	16,123	18,373	16,123	18,373
Total assets	1,583,215	1,634,798	1,583,215	1,634,798
Capital expenditures (including non - cash)	11,473	4,579	19,351	8,541
Other
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	474	2,634	2,868	5,268
Operating expense	2,227	1,271	3,642	2,530
Interest expense	937	1,075	1,943	2,247
Segment profit (loss)	$ (2,690)	$ 288	$ (2,717)	$ 491