Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
ASSETS
Accumulated depreciation on flight equipment held for lease	$ 945,178	$ 785,490
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Borrowings from secured and unsecured financings	2,779,729	2,707,958
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preference shares, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preference shares, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preference shares, shares issued
Preference shares, shares outstanding
Common shares, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common shares, shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common shares, shares issued	72,277,599	79,640,285
Common stock, shares outstanding	72,277,599	79,640,285
ACS Ireland VIEs
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Borrowings from secured and unsecured financings	$ 301,006	$ 314,877