Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 segment	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting
Operating segments number			2
Number of operating subsidiaries representing operating segments			2
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	$ 816,574	$ 839,130	$ 1,588,960	$ 1,642,617
Operating expense	803,330	788,575	1,603,490	1,576,499
Depreciation and amortization expense	64,252	61,174	126,567	122,174
Interest expense	16,138	17,526	31,814	35,491
Segment profit (loss)	(2,894)	33,029	(46,344)	30,627
Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill	13,873	16,123	13,873	16,123	14,998
Total assets	4,279,841	4,240,070	4,279,841	4,240,070	4,233,219
Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	242,360	33,425	297,508	63,173
SkyWest
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	475,501	463,068	922,543	912,413
Operating expense	433,551	411,917	859,193	826,683
Depreciation and amortization expense	41,958	38,839	81,958	77,464
Interest expense	10,661	11,227	20,687	22,723
Segment profit (loss)	31,289	39,924	42,663	63,007
Total assets	2,688,143	2,656,855	2,688,143	2,656,855
Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	234,986	21,952	282,842	44,362
ExpressJet
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	340,599	375,588	665,469	727,336
Operating expense	369,891	374,431	744,317	746,174
Depreciation and amortization expense	22,294	22,335	44,609	44,710
Interest expense	4,743	5,362	9,618	10,825
Segment profit (loss)	(34,035)	(4,205)	(88,466)	(29,663)
Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill	13,873	16,123	13,873	16,123
Total assets	1,591,698	1,583,215	1,591,698	1,583,215
Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	7,374	11,473	14,666	19,351
Other
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	474	474	948	2,868
Operating expense	(112)	2,227	(20)	3,642
Interest expense	734	937	1,509	1,943
Segment profit (loss)	$ (148)	$ (2,690)	$ (541)	$ (2,717)