<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.19.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>162</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>327</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>67</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>7</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00090 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00100 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00105 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00200 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00300 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00305 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquityParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00400 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00405 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlowsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10101 - Disclosure - Company Background and Overview</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureCompanyBackgroundAndOverview</Role>
      <ShortName>Company Background and Overview</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10201 - Disclosure - Basis of Preparation and Critical Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPreparationAndCriticalAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Preparation and Critical Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10301 - Disclosure - Debt Financing</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureDebtFinancing</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Financing</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10401 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10501 - Disclosure - Rental Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureRentalIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Rental Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10601 - Disclosure - Net Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureNetEarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10701 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10801 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10901 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11001 - Disclosure - Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureInvestments</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11101 - Disclosure - Flight Equipment Held for Sale</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureFlightEquipmentHeldForSale</Role>
      <ShortName>Flight Equipment Held for Sale</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11201 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>20202 - Disclosure - Basis of Preparation and Critical Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPreparationAndCriticalAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Preparation and Critical Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPreparationAndCriticalAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30303 - Disclosure - Debt Financing (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureDebtFinancingTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Financing (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureDebtFinancing</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30403 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30503 - Disclosure - Rental Income (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureRentalIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Rental Income (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureRentalIncome</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30603 - Disclosure - Net Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureNetEarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureNetEarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30903 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40101 - Disclosure - Company Background and Overview (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureCompanyBackgroundAndOverviewDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Company Background and Overview (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureCompanyBackgroundAndOverview</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40201 - Disclosure - Basis of Preparation and Critical Accounting Policies - Recently adopted accounting standards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPreparationAndCriticalAccountingPoliciesRecentlyAdoptedAccountingStandardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Preparation and Critical Accounting Policies - Recently adopted accounting standards (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - Debt Financing (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureDebtFinancingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Financing (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureDebtFinancingTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40302 - Disclosure - Debt Financing - Maturities of Debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureDebtFinancingMaturitiesOfDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Financing - Maturities of Debt (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40501 - Disclosure - Rental Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureRentalIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Rental Income (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureRentalIncomeTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - Net Earnings Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureNetEarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Earnings Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureNetEarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40701 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Recurring and Non-recurring (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsAssetsAndLiabilitiesRecurringAndNonRecurringDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Assets and Liabilities Recurring and Non-recurring (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40702 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements - Debt Financing (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureFairValueMeasurementsDebtFinancingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements - Debt Financing (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40801 - Disclosure - Shareholders' Equity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Shareholders' Equity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureShareholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40901 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation - Stock Options (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationStockOptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation - Stock Options (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40902 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation - Stock Option Exercise Price (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationStockOptionExercisePriceDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation - Stock Option Exercise Price (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40903 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation - Restricted Stock (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationRestrictedStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation - Restricted Stock (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41001 - Disclosure - Investments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureInvestments</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41101 - Disclosure - Flight Equipment held for sale (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureFlightEquipmentHeldForSaleDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Flight Equipment held for sale (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="al-20190630x10q.htm">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41201 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://airleasecorp.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvents</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File doctype="10-Q" original="al-20190630x10q.htm">al-20190630x10q.htm</File>
    <File>al-20190630.xsd</File>
    <File>al-20190630_cal.xml</File>
    <File>al-20190630_def.xml</File>
    <File>al-20190630_lab.xml</File>
    <File>al-20190630_pre.xml</File>
    <File>al-20190630ex10122d47e.htm</File>
    <File>al-20190630ex10348cfc2.htm</File>
    <File>al-20190630ex104b43f7a.htm</File>
    <File>al-20190630ex105f45d1c.htm</File>
    <File>al-20190630ex10633b726.htm</File>
    <File>al-20190630ex107afdf86.htm</File>
    <File>al-20190630ex108982c12.htm</File>
    <File>al-20190630ex311576c36.htm</File>
    <File>al-20190630ex31206f33d.htm</File>
    <File>al-20190630ex3214e5f05.htm</File>
    <File>al-20190630ex32291bc5f.htm</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
