Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013 segment	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting
Operating segments number									2
Number of operating subsidiaries representing operating segments									2
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	$ 804,368	$ 850,740	$ 839,130	$ 803,487	$ 810,726	$ 865,259	$ 937,214	$ 921,173	$ 3,297,725	$ 3,534,372	$ 3,654,923
Operating expense									3,144,614	3,368,385	3,613,818
Depreciation and amortization expense									245,005	251,958	254,182
Interest expense									68,658	77,380	80,383
Segment profit (loss)									84,453	88,607	(39,278)
Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill	14,998				17,248				14,998	17,248	19,497
Total assets	4,233,219				4,254,637				4,233,219	4,254,637	4,281,908
Capital expenditures (including non - cash)									142,044	94,840	199,756
SkyWest
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues									1,827,568	1,930,149	2,002,830
Operating expense									1,644,129	1,774,876	1,893,909
Depreciation and amortization expense									155,667	153,915	147,520
Interest expense									43,920	49,208	50,907
Segment profit (loss)									139,519	106,065	58,014
Total assets	2,532,431				2,633,369				2,532,431	2,633,369	2,595,901
Capital expenditures (including non - cash)									103,387	74,636	166,998
ExpressJet
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues									1,466,341	1,593,527	1,640,837
Operating expense									1,494,302	1,588,400	1,714,481
Depreciation and amortization expense									89,338	98,043	106,662
Interest expense									21,034	23,582	25,142
Segment profit (loss)									(48,995)	(18,455)	(98,786)
Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill	14,998				17,248				14,998	17,248	19,497
Total assets	1,700,788				1,621,268				1,700,788	1,621,268	1,686,007
Capital expenditures (including non - cash)									38,657	20,204	32,758
Other
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues									3,816	10,696	11,256
Operating expense									6,183	5,109	5,428
Interest expense									3,704	4,590	4,334
Segment profit (loss)									$ (6,071)	$ 997	$ 1,494