Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($) segment	Sep. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Segment Reporting
Number of reporting segments | segment			2
Operating revenues	$ 789,443	$ 744,783	$ 2,323,680	$ 1,936,328
Operating expense	713,867	697,733	2,107,454	1,693,413
Depreciation and amortization expense	97,433	109,597	297,427	329,089
Special items - impairment charges		84,592		84,592
Interest expense	33,283	28,980	92,308	94,274
Segment profit (loss)	42,293	18,070	123,918	148,641
Total assets (as of September 30)	7,454,204	6,940,502	7,454,204	6,940,502	$ 7,125,947
Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	221,086	163,299	549,849	247,246
SkyWest Airlines
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	651,494	614,377	1,918,746	1,548,422
Operating expense	649,466	633,169	1,906,739	1,498,227
Depreciation and amortization expense	43,787	53,401	136,463	156,878
Special items - impairment charges		84,592		84,592
Interest expense	4,067	2,138	8,506	11,486
Segment profit (loss)	(2,039)	(20,930)	3,501	38,709
Total assets (as of September 30)	2,973,223	2,989,600	2,973,223	2,989,600
Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	12,419	26,622	65,125	83,650
SkyWest Leasing
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	137,949	130,406	404,934	387,906
Operating expense	64,401	64,564	200,715	195,186
Depreciation and amortization expense	53,646	56,196	160,964	172,211
Interest expense	29,216	26,842	83,802	82,788
Segment profit (loss)	44,332	39,000	120,417	109,932
Total assets (as of September 30)	4,480,981	3,950,902	4,480,981	3,950,902
Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	$ 208,667	$ 136,677	$ 484,724	$ 163,596