Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 segment	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting
Operating segments number	2
Number of operating subsidiaries representing operating segments	2
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	$ 803,487	$ 921,173
Operating expense	787,926	900,716
Depreciation and amortization expense	61,001	64,315
Interest expense	17,965	19,780
Segment profit (loss)	(2,404)	677
Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill, net	16,685	18,935	17,248
Total assets	4,220,386	4,265,657	4,254,637
Capital expenditures (including non - cash)	29,591	19,055
SkyWest
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	449,345	494,911
Operating expense	414,766	472,906
Depreciation and amortization expense	38,627	38,783
Interest expense	11,497	12,562
Segment profit (loss)	23,082	9,443
Total assets	2,636,058	2,595,738
Capital expenditures (including non - cash)	21,712	15,253
ExpressJet
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	351,748	423,629
Operating expense	371,743	426,552
Depreciation and amortization expense	22,374	25,532
Interest expense	5,463	6,045
Segment profit (loss)	(25,458)	(8,968)
Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill, net	16,685	18,935
Total assets	1,584,328	1,669,919
Capital expenditures (including non - cash)	7,879	3,802
Other
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	2,394	2,633
Operating expense	1,417	1,258
Interest expense	1,005	1,173
Segment profit (loss)	$ (28)	$ 202