Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 segment	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting
Operating segments number			2
Number of operating subsidiaries representing operating segments			2
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	$ 850,740	$ 865,259	$ 2,493,357	$ 2,723,647
Operating expense	794,566	810,285	2,371,066	2,601,410
Depreciation and amortization expense	61,135	62,703	183,309	191,200
Interest expense	16,999	19,474	52,490	58,641
Segment profit (loss)	39,175	35,500	69,801	63,596
Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill	15,560	17,810	15,560	17,810	17,248
Total assets	4,265,394	4,248,851	4,265,394	4,248,851	4,254,637
Capital expenditures (including non - cash)	30,868	16,180	94,581	61,074
SkyWest
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	468,517	475,662	1,380,930	1,479,708
Operating expense	409,320	426,511	1,236,003	1,366,914
Depreciation and amortization expense	38,845	38,179	116,309	115,609
Interest expense	10,812	12,292	33,535	37,207
Segment profit (loss)	48,385	36,859	111,392	75,587
Total assets	2,711,009	2,639,895	2,711,009	2,639,895
Capital expenditures (including non - cash)	21,977	11,579	66,339	47,933
ExpressJet
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	381,749	386,803	1,109,085	1,235,877
Operating expense	382,583	382,511	1,128,757	1,230,703
Depreciation and amortization expense	22,290	24,524	67,000	75,591
Interest expense	5,274	5,953	16,099	17,958
Segment profit (loss)	(6,108)	(1,661)	(35,771)	(12,784)
Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill	15,560	17,810	15,560	17,810
Total assets	1,554,385	1,608,956	1,554,385	1,608,956
Capital expenditures (including non - cash)	8,891	4,601	28,242	13,141
Other
Segment Reporting
Operating revenues	474	2,794	3,342	8,062
Operating expense	2,663	1,263	6,306	3,793
Interest expense	913	1,229	2,856	3,476
Segment profit (loss)	$ (3,102)	$ 302	$ (5,820)	$ 793