CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
OPERATING REVENUES:
Passenger	$ 902,356	$ 844,476
Ground handling and other	18,817	21,475
Total operating revenues	921,173	865,951
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and benefits	290,814	286,148
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs	179,636	163,174
Aircraft fuel	147,450	126,740
Aircraft rentals	84,903	86,422
Depreciation and amortization	64,315	63,193
Station rentals and landing fees	43,933	42,626
Ground handling services	35,315	36,853
Acquisition related costs		1,031
Other, net	54,350	59,537
Total operating expenses	900,716	865,724
OPERATING INCOME	20,457	227
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income	1,954	1,966
Interest expense	(19,780)	(20,220)
Other, net	(3,853)	(506)
Total other expense, net	(21,679)	(18,760)
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(1,222)	(18,533)
BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAXES	(540)	(7,470)
NET LOSS	(682)	(11,063)
BASIC LOSS PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.21)
DILUTED LOSS PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.21)
Weighted average common shares:
Basic (in shares)	50,881	53,844
Diluted (in shares)	50,881	53,844
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.04
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:
Net loss	(682)	(11,063)
Proportionate share of other companies foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax $20 and $102, respectively	(30)	160
Net unrealized appreciation on marketable securities, net of tax of $263 and $198, respectively	412	309
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	$ (300)	$ (10,594)