Additional Indebtedness Long-Term Debt

No definition available.

Name:	atsg_AdditionalIndebtednessLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	atsg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Collateralized Property Units

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	atsg_CollateralizedPropertyUnits
Namespace Prefix:	atsg_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

convertible note hedge fair value

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	atsg_Convertiblenotehedgefairvalue
Namespace Prefix:	atsg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Collateral, Coverage Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	atsg_DebtInstrumentCollateralCoveragePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	atsg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Covenant Limitation on Common Stock Repurchase Amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	atsg_DebtInstrumentCovenantLimitationOnCommonStockRepurchaseAmount
Namespace Prefix:	atsg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment Terms, Balloon Payment Percentage

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	atsg_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentTermsBalloonPaymentPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	atsg_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gain/Loss on fair value of convertible hedge asset

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	atsg_GainLossonfairvalueofconvertiblehedgeasset
Namespace Prefix:	atsg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gain/Loss on fair value of note conversion obligation

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	atsg_GainLossonfairvalueofnoteconversionobligation
Namespace Prefix:	atsg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Accordion Feature Amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	atsg_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureAmount
Namespace Prefix:	atsg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Increased Borrowing Capacity

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	atsg_LineOfCreditFacilityIncreasedBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	atsg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Note Conversion Obligation fair value

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	atsg_NoteConversionObligationfairvalue
Namespace Prefix:	atsg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Proceeds Convertible Debt Issuance

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	atsg_ProceedsConvertibleDebtIssuance
Namespace Prefix:	atsg_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying amount of debt identified as being convertible into another form of financial instrument (typically the entity's common stock) as of the balance sheet date, which originally required full repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ConvertibleDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Dividend or interest rate associated with the financial instrument issued in exchange for the original debt being converted in a noncash or part noncash transaction. Noncash are transactions that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments. Part noncash refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of any adjustments made to the stated rate to determine the effective rate.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateBasisForEffectiveRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The average effective interest rate during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt discount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section S45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68176171&loc=SL68176184-208336

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtIssuanceCostsLineOfCreditArrangementsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28555-108399

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Value of outstanding derivative securities that permit the holder the right to purchase securities (usually equity) from the issuer at a specified price.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_WarrantsAndRightsOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=atsg_SeniorSubordinatedNotesAndLineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtConversionByUniqueDescriptionAxis=us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis=us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt Obligations (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Debt Obligations (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) aircrafts	Sep. 25, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible Debt	$ 194,486	$ 194,486		$ 0
Debt Conversion, Converted Instrument, Rate	1.13%
Gain/Loss on fair value of note conversion obligation	$ 3,900
Long term obligations	493,171	$ 493,171		458,721
Gain/Loss on fair value of convertible hedge asset	4,500
Unsubordinated term loan and Revolving credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Collateral coverage percentage		125.00%
Unsubordinated term loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term obligations	74,311	$ 74,311		85,636
Additional Indebtedness Long-Term Debt	300,000	$ 300,000
Variable interest rate		3.24%
Revolving credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term obligations	220,000	$ 220,000		355,000
Accordion feature amount	100,000	100,000
Increased borrowing capacity	120,000	120,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	545,000	$ 545,000
Variable interest rate		3.24%
Credit facility, revolving credit loan, remaining borrowing capacity	315,700	$ 315,700
Letters of credit outstanding	9,300	9,300
Aircraft loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term obligations	$ 4,374	$ 4,374		18,085
Collateralized property (in aircrafts) \| aircrafts		2
Balloon payment percentage		20.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Unsubordinated term loan and Revolving credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Collateral coverage percentage		150.00%
Maximum amount of common stock authorized for repurchase		$ 100,000
Maximum [Member] \| Aircraft loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Basis for Effective Rate		0.0682
Minimum [Member] \| Unsubordinated term loan and Revolving credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Collateral coverage percentage		50.00%
Minimum [Member] \| Aircraft loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Basis for Effective Rate		0.0674
Convertible Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	0.00%	0.00%
Convertible Debt	$ 258,750	$ 258,750
Debt Issuance Costs, Net	(6,938)	(6,938)
Proceeds Convertible Debt Issuance			$ 252,300
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	(57,326)	(57,326)
Warrants and Rights Outstanding	38,502	38,502
Unsubordinated term loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Issuance Costs, Line of Credit Arrangements, Net	700	700		$ 600
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
convertible note hedge fair value	60,605	60,605
Note Conversion Obligation fair value	(61,230)	(61,230)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
convertible note hedge fair value	60,605	60,605	56,097
Note Conversion Obligation fair value	$ (61,230)	$ (61,230)	$ 57,369