Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except for share amounts) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except for share amounts) [Abstract] Current assets: Current assets: [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Restricted cash Short-term investments Accounts receivable, net Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, of merchandise, goods, commodities, or supplies to be used in air transport of passengers. Expendable parts, supplies and fuel, net of allowance for obsolescence of $260 and $170 at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively Prepaid expenses Deferred income taxes Other current assets Total current assets Primarily long-lived, depreciable assets used in the Company's principle business operations. Includes owned aircraft, aircraft parts, engines, flight equipment, ground service equipment, capitalized improvements and other non-aircraft related equipment. Amounts stated at cost. In addition, includes spare aircraft parts and engines held in consignment. Property and equipment, net Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates, net Deposits and other assets Total assets Current liabilities: Current liabilities: [Abstract] Current maturities of long term debt Accounts payable Accrued liabilities The deferred revenue for related to air transportation services, air-related charges and third party products sold but not yet used by the passenger. Air traffic liability Deferred income taxes Total current liabilities Long-term debt and other long-term liabilities: Long-term debt and other long-term liabilities: [Abstract] Long term debt, net of current maturities Deferred income taxes Total liabilities Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' equity: [Abstract] Common stock, par value $.001, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 21,542,685 and 21,455,634 shares issued; 19,051,260 and 19,005,821 shares outstanding, as of June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively Treasury stock, at cost, 2,491,425 and 2,449,813 shares at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively Additional paid in capital Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Retained earnings Total stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Allowance for obsolescence (in Dollars) Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share) Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common stock, shares outstanding Treasury stock, shares Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited, in thousands, except for per share amounts) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited, in thousands, except for per share amounts) [Abstract] OPERATING REVENUE: OPERATING REVENUE: [Abstract] Scheduled service revenue Ancillary revenue: Ancillary revenue: [Abstract] Revenue generated through charges for use of our website to purchase tickets, check bags, advance seat assignments, priority boarding and other services provided in conjunction with our scheduled air service. Air-related charges Revenue generated from third party products through the sale of hotel rooms, ground transportation (rental cars and hotel shuttle products), attraction and show tickets and fees we receive from other merchants selling products through our website, net of amounts paid or payable to wholesale providers, travel agent commissions and credit card processing fees associated with sale of third party products. Third party products Aggregate revenue recognized during period generated from air-related charges and third party products. Total ancillary revenue Revenue generated through long-term agreements of chartered air transportation services on a seasonal and ad hoc basis. Fixed fee contract revenue Other revenue Total operating revenue OPERATING EXPENSES: OPERATING EXPENSES: [Abstract] Aircraft fuel Salary and benefits Includes the fees charged by airports for the use or lease of airport facilities and fees charged by third party vendors for ground handling services, commissary expenses and other related services such as deicing of aircraft. Station operations Maintenance and repairs The aggregate total amount of expenses directly related to the marketing or sell of products or services including travel agent commissions and credit card discount fees associated with the sale of scheduled service and air-related charges. Sales and marketing Expenses incurred related to the lease of aircraft from outside third parties that are used in the Company's business operations. Aircraft lease rentals Depreciation and amortization Other Total operating expenses OPERATING INCOME OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE: OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE: [Abstract] (Earnings) loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net Interest income Interest expense Total other (income) expense INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES NET INCOME Earnings per share to common stockholders: Earnings per share to common stockholders: [Abstract] Basic (in Dollars per share) Diluted (in Dollars per share) Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing earnings per share to common stockholders: Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing earnings per share to common stockholders: [Abstract] Basic (in Shares) Diluted (in Shares) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited, in thousands) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited, in thousands) [Abstract] OPERATING ACTIVITIES: OPERATING ACTIVITIES: [Abstract] Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: [Abstract] The gain or (loss) on the sale or retirement of aircraft and aircraft equipment, including the impairment of engine values held for sale in consignment. Loss on aircraft and other equipment disposals Write-down of carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise, goods, commodities, or supplies to be used in air transport of passengers and freight. Provision for obsolescence of expendable parts, supplies and fuel Amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discount Stock compensation expense Deferred income taxes Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises Changes in certain assets and liabilities: Changes in certain assets and liabilities: [Abstract] Restricted cash Accounts receivable The net change during the reporting period in the aggregate value of the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise, goods, commodities, or supplies to be used in air transport of passengers. Expendable parts, supplies and fuel Prepaid expenses Other current assets Accounts payable Accrued liabilities Air traffic liability Net cash provided by operating activities INVESTING ACTIVITIES: INVESTING ACTIVITIES: [Abstract] Purchase of short-term investments Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments Purchase of property and equipment, including pre-delivery deposits Proceeds from sale of property and equipment Investment in unconsolidated affiliates, net The net cash inflow (outflow) for the net change in the beginning and end of period deposits of noncurrent assets not separately disclosed in the balance sheet due to materiality considerations. Noncurrent assets are expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Decrease in deposits and other assets Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities FINANCING ACTIVITIES: FINANCING ACTIVITIES: [Abstract] Cash dividends paid to shareholders Excess tax benefits from stock option exercises Proceeds from exercise of stock options Proceeds from exercise of warrants Proceeds from the issuance of long term debt Repurchase of common stock Principal payments on long term debt Payments for deferred financing costs Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net change in cash and cash equivalents CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS: NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS: [Abstract] Deposits applied against flight equipment purchase Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Note 2 - Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block] Note 3 - Short-Term Investments Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block] Note 4 - Long-Term Debt Long-term Debt [Text Block] Note 5 - Stockholders’ Equity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Note 6 - Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Note 7 - Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Note 8 - Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Note 9 - Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] DecreaseincreaseInDepositsAndOtherAssets TotalAncillaryRevenue Assets, Current Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Entity Central Index Key Earnings Per Share, Basic Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense Liabilities, Current Operating Expenses Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Revenues Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Net of Dividends or Distributions Document Period End Date Payments to Acquire Short-term Investments Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Increase (Decrease) in Air Traffic Liability Amendment Flag Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Document Type Assets Amendment Description Payments of Financing Costs Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Nonoperating Income (Expense) Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Document Fiscal Period Focus Current Fiscal Year End Date Liabilities and Equity Operating Income (Loss) Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Earnings Per Share, Diluted Entity Voluntary Filers Treasury Stock, Value Interest Expense Liabilities Entity Public Float Entity Filer Category Document Fiscal Year Focus Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Entity Registrant Name Entity Current Reporting Status Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items]