CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
OPERATING REVENUES:
Passenger	$ 836,890	$ 848,578	$ 2,448,883	$ 2,671,568
Ground handling and other	13,850	16,681	44,474	52,079
Total operating revenues	850,740	865,259	2,493,357	2,723,647
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and benefits	306,887	297,106	904,625	878,596
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs	176,822	163,825	515,506	510,610
Aircraft rentals	80,928	82,592	245,330	251,438
Depreciation and amortization	61,135	62,703	183,309	191,200
Aircraft fuel	49,656	71,477	146,139	372,471
Station rentals and landing fees	29,473	45,336	100,559	133,523
Ground handling services	30,541	28,414	98,235	93,344
Other	59,124	58,832	177,363	170,228
Total operating expenses	794,566	810,285	2,371,066	2,601,410
OPERATING INCOME	56,174	54,974	122,291	122,237
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income	567	2,053	3,164	6,049
Interest expense	(16,999)	(19,474)	(52,490)	(58,641)
Other, net	4,625	(4,638)	10,477	(9,305)
Total other expense, net	(11,807)	(22,059)	(38,849)	(61,897)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	44,367	32,915	83,442	60,340
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	17,973	11,982	33,094	23,129
NET INCOME	26,394	20,933	50,348	37,211
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ 0.41	$ 0.97	$ 0.73
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 0.50	$ 0.40	$ 0.96	$ 0.72
Weighted average common shares:
Basic (in shares)	51,881	51,241	51,841	51,022
Diluted (in shares)	52,610	52,153	52,551	51,608
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.12	$ 0.12
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Net income	26,394	20,933	50,348	37,211
Proportionate share of other companies foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes	67	(375)	67	(264)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on marketable securities, net of taxes	363	88	(137)	536
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$ 26,824	$ 20,646	$ 50,278	$ 37,483