Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization and Basis of Presentation Aircastle Limited (“Aircastle,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a Bermuda exempted company that was incorporated on October 29, 2004 under the provisions of Section 14 of the Companies Act of 1981 of Bermuda. Aircastle’s business is investing in aviation assets, including leasing, managing and selling commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world and investing in aircraft related debt investments. Aircastle is a holding company that conducts its business through subsidiaries. Aircastle directly or indirectly owns all of the outstanding common shares of its subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements presented are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). We operate in a single segment. The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting and, in our opinion, reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring items, which are necessary to present fairly the results for interim periods. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC; however, we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company’s management has reviewed and evaluated all events or transactions for potential recognition and/or disclosure since the balance sheet date of September 30, 2013 through the date on which the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q were issued. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aircastle and all of its subsidiaries. Aircastle consolidates eight Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) of which Aircastle is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. We consolidate VIEs in which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary. We use judgment when deciding (a) whether an entity is subject to consolidation as a VIE, (b) who the variable interest holders are, (c) the potential expected losses and residual returns of the variable interest holders, and (d) which variable interest holder is the primary beneficiary. When determining which enterprise is the primary beneficiary, we consider (1) the entity’s purpose and design, (2) which variable interest holder has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (3) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. When certain events occur, we reconsider whether we are the primary beneficiary of VIEs. We do not reconsider whether we are a primary beneficiary solely because of operating losses incurred by an entity. Effective January 1, 2013, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-02 (“ASU 2013-02”) Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU requires that companies present reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, provided that all required information is presented in a single location. ASU 2013-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012 and should be applied prospectively. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Effective January 1, 2013, the Company adopted ASU 2011-11 (“ASU 2011-11”) Balance Sheet (Topic 210) Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This ASU requires that companies disclose information to enable users of its financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on its financial position. ASU 2011-11 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and should be applied retrospectively for all periods presented on the balance sheet. The adoption of ASU 2011-11 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Risk and Uncertainties In the normal course of business, Aircastle encounters several significant types of economic risk including credit, market, aviation industry and capital market risks. Credit risk is the risk of a lessee’s inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments and to fulfill its other contractual obligations. Market risk reflects the change in the value of derivatives and financings due to changes in interest rate spreads or other market factors, including the value of collateral underlying derivatives and financings. Aviation industry risk is the risk of a downturn in the commercial aviation industry which could adversely impact a lessee’s ability to make payments, increase the risk of unscheduled lease terminations and depress lease rates and the value of the Company’s aircraft. Capital market risk is the risk that the Company is unable to obtain capital at reasonable rates to fund the growth of our business or to refinance existing debt facilities. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. While Aircastle believes that the estimates and related assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates. Proposed Accounting Pronouncements In May 2013, the FASB issued re-exposure draft, “Leases” (the “Lease Re-ED”), which would replace the existing guidance in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 840 (“ASC 840”), Leases. The FASB decided that leases would be classified as either leases of real property (Type B) or leases of assets other than real property (Type A). Leases of real property will continue to use operating lease accounting. Leases of other than real property would use the receivable residual approach. Under the receivable residual approach, a lease receivable would be recognized for the lessor's right to receive lease payments, a portion of the carrying amount of the underlying asset would be allocated between the right of use granted to the lessee and the lessor's residual value and profit or loss would only be recognized at commencement if it is reasonably assured. The comment period for the Lease Re-ED ended on September 13, 2013. We anticipate that the final standard may have an effective date no earlier than 2017. When and if the proposed guidance becomes effective, it may have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Although we believe the presentation of our financial statements, and those of our lessees could change, we do not believe the accounting pronouncement will change the fundamental economic reasons for which the airlines lease aircraft. Therefore, we do not believe it will have a material impact on our business.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization and Basis of Presentation

Aircastle Limited (“Aircastle,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a Bermuda exempted company that was incorporated on October 29, 2004 under the provisions of Section 14 of the Companies Act of 1981 of Bermuda. Aircastle’s business is investing in aviation assets, including leasing, managing and selling commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world and investing in aircraft related debt investments.

Aircastle is a holding company that conducts its business through subsidiaries. Aircastle directly or indirectly owns all of the outstanding common shares of its subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements presented are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). We operate in a single segment.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting and, in our opinion, reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring items, which are necessary to present fairly the results for interim periods. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC; however, we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The Company’s management has reviewed and evaluated all events or transactions for potential recognition and/or disclosure since the balance sheet date of September 30, 2013 through the date on which the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q were issued.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aircastle and all of its subsidiaries. Aircastle consolidates eight Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) of which Aircastle is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

We consolidate VIEs in which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary. We use judgment when deciding (a) whether an entity is subject to consolidation as a VIE, (b) who the variable interest holders are, (c) the potential expected losses and residual returns of the variable interest holders, and (d) which variable interest holder is the primary beneficiary. When determining which enterprise is the primary beneficiary, we consider (1) the entity’s purpose and design, (2) which variable interest holder has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (3) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. When certain events occur, we reconsider whether we are the primary beneficiary of VIEs. We do not reconsider whether we are a primary beneficiary solely because of operating losses incurred by an entity.

Effective January 1, 2013, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-02 (“ASU 2013-02”) Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU requires that companies present reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, provided that all required information is presented in a single location. ASU 2013-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012 and should be applied prospectively. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Effective January 1, 2013, the Company adopted ASU 2011-11 (“ASU 2011-11”) Balance Sheet (Topic 210) Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This ASU requires that companies disclose information to enable users of its financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on its financial position. ASU 2011-11 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and should be applied retrospectively for all periods presented on the balance sheet. The adoption of ASU 2011-11 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Risk and Uncertainties

In the normal course of business, Aircastle encounters several significant types of economic risk including credit, market, aviation industry and capital market risks. Credit risk is the risk of a lessee’s inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments and to fulfill its other contractual obligations. Market risk reflects the change in the value of derivatives and financings due to changes in interest rate spreads or other market factors, including the value of collateral underlying derivatives and financings. Aviation industry risk is the risk of a downturn in the commercial aviation industry which could adversely impact a lessee’s ability to make payments, increase the risk of unscheduled lease terminations and depress lease rates and the value of the Company’s aircraft. Capital market risk is the risk that the Company is unable to obtain capital at reasonable rates to fund the growth of our business or to refinance existing debt facilities.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. While Aircastle believes that the estimates and related assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Proposed Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2013, the FASB issued re-exposure draft, “Leases” (the “Lease Re-ED”), which would replace the existing guidance in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 840 (“ASC 840”), Leases. The FASB decided that leases would be classified as either leases of real property (Type B) or leases of assets other than real property (Type A). Leases of real property will continue to use operating lease accounting. Leases of other than real property would use the receivable residual approach. Under the receivable residual approach, a lease receivable would be recognized for the lessor's right to receive lease payments, a portion of the carrying amount of the underlying asset would be allocated between the right of use granted to the lessee and the lessor's residual value and profit or loss would only be recognized at commencement if it is reasonably assured. The comment period for the Lease Re-ED ended on September 13, 2013. We anticipate that the final standard may have an effective date no earlier than 2017. When and if the proposed guidance becomes effective, it may have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Although we believe the presentation of our financial statements, and those of our lessees could change, we do not believe the accounting pronouncement will change the fundamental economic reasons for which the airlines lease aircraft. Therefore, we do not believe it will have a material impact on our business.