Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 441,398	$ 405,880
Restricted cash	19,434	5,000
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	460,832	410,880
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $187 and $371 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	79,258	80,750
Spare parts and supplies, net	20,857	27,552
Deferred tax assets, net	19,983	17,675
Prepaid expenses and other	35,347	35,001
Total	616,277	571,858
Property and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $307,556 and $249,495 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,256,466	1,068,718
Other Assets:
Long-term prepayments and other	88,323	55,629
Restricted cash	1,566
Deferred tax assets, net	5,357	36,376
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $175,070 and $173,090 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	24,600	26,580
Goodwill	106,663	106,663
Total Assets	2,099,252	1,865,824
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	88,145	82,084
Air traffic liability	452,599	388,646
Other accrued liabilities	90,431	74,828
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	110,960	108,232
Total	742,135	653,790
Long-Term Debt, less discount, and Capital Lease Obligations	651,778	553,009
Other Liabilities and Deferred Credits:
Accumulated pension and other postretirement benefit obligations	350,407	352,460
Other liabilities and deferred credits	40,438	37,963
Total	390,845	390,423
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' Equity:
Special preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, three shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 52,382,986 and 51,439,934 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	524	514
Capital in excess of par value	269,623	264,854
Accumulated income	152,063	117,288
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(107,716)	(114,054)
Total	314,494	268,602
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$ 2,099,252	$ 1,865,824