Passenger and Ground Handling Revenue (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) aircraft agreement	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Agreements with other airlines
Percentage of ASMs flown under fixed-fee arrangements			95.60%
Percentage of ASMs flown under pro-rate arrangements			4.40%
Revenue | $	$ 801,338	$ 788,417	$ 1,563,414	$ 1,548,815
Flying Agreement Matter Resolution
Agreements with other airlines
Revenue | $	$ 11,500
Sky West Airlines Inc | Delta Connection Prorate Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Notice period for termination of agreement			30 days
Sky West Airlines Inc | United Express Prorate Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Notice period for termination of agreement			120 days
Sky West Airlines Inc | American Prorate Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Notice period for termination of agreement			120 days
ExpressJet | United Express Agreements
Agreements with other airlines
Number of contingent agreement extension provisions | agreement			2
Agreement, contingent extension provision duration			1 year
ExpressJet | American Prorate Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Notice period for termination of agreement			120 days
CRJ 200 | Sky West Airlines Inc | Delta Connection Agreements
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			49
CRJ 200 | Sky West Airlines Inc | Delta Connection Prorate Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			21
CRJ 200 | Sky West Airlines Inc | United Express Agreements
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			55
CRJ 200 | Sky West Airlines Inc | United Express Prorate Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			26
CRJ 200 | Sky West Airlines Inc | American Capacity Purchase Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			13
CRJ 200 | Sky West Airlines Inc | American Prorate Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			5
CRJ 200 | ExpressJet | Delta Connection Agreements
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			41
CRJ 200 | ExpressJet | American Capacity Purchase Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			11
CRJ 200 | ExpressJet | American Prorate Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			3
CRJ 700 | Sky West Airlines Inc | Delta Connection Agreements
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			23
CRJ 700 | Sky West Airlines Inc | United Express Agreements
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			59
CRJ 700 | Sky West Airlines Inc | Alaska Capacity Purchase Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			9
CRJ 700 | Sky West Airlines Inc | American Capacity Purchase Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			7
CRJ 700 | ExpressJet | Delta Connection Agreements
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			38
CRJ 900 | Sky West Airlines Inc | Delta Connection Agreements
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			36
CRJ 900 | ExpressJet | Delta Connection Agreements
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			28
E 175 | Delta Connection Agreements
Agreements with other airlines
Number of additional aircrafts into service			19
E 175 | United Express Agreements
Agreements with other airlines
Number of additional aircrafts into service			18
E 175 | Alaska Capacity Purchase Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Number of additional aircrafts into service			11
E 175 | Sky West Airlines Inc | United Express Agreements
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			47
E 175 | Sky West Airlines Inc | Alaska Capacity Purchase Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			9
ERJ 145 | ExpressJet | United Express Agreements
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			156
ERJ 145 | ExpressJet | American Capacity Purchase Agreement
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			14
ERJ 135 | ExpressJet | United Express Agreements
Agreements with other airlines
Number of aircraft under contract			5