Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating revenues:
Passenger	$ 689,650	$ 537,969	$ 536,181
Non-ticket	381,536	243,296	163,856
Total operating revenue	1,071,186	781,265	700,037
Operating expenses:
Aircraft fuel	388,046	248,206	181,107
Salaries, wages and benefits	181,742	156,443	135,420
Aircraft rent	116,485	101,345	89,974
Landing fees and other rents	52,794	48,118	42,061
Distribution	51,349	41,179	34,067
Maintenance, materials and repairs	35,553	28,189	27,536
Depreciation and amortization	7,760	5,620	4,924
Other operating	89,636	82,594	72,921
Loss on disposal of assets	255	77	1,010
Special charges	3,184	621	(392)
Total operating expenses	926,804	712,392	588,628
Operating income	144,382	68,873	111,409
Other expense (income):
Interest expense	24,781	50,313	46,892
Capitalized interest	(2,890)	(1,491)	(951)
Interest income	(575)	(328)	(345)
Gain on extinguishment of debt			(19,711)
Other expense	235	194	298
Total other (income) expense	21,551	48,688	26,183
Income before income taxes	122,831	20,185	85,226
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	46,383	(52,296)	1,533
Net income	$ 76,448	$ 72,481	$ 83,693
Net income per share, basic	$ 1.44	$ 2.77	$ 3.23
Net income per share, diluted	$ 1.43	$ 2.72	$ 3.18