Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document period end date	Jun. 30, 2020
Amendment flag	false
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Current fiscal year end date	--12-31
Entity central index key	0001135185
Entity filer category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity registrant name	Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.
Entity common stock shares outstanding		26,136,036
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-16545
Entity Tax Identification Number	13-4146982
Entity Address, Address Line One	2000 Westchester Avenue
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Purchase
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10577
City Area Code	914
Local Phone Number	701-8000
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value
Trading Symbol	AAWW
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false