CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$ 186,369	$ 251,406
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of marketable securities	(198,690)	(328,442)
Sales of marketable securities	293,056	443,950
Proceeds from the sale of equipment	3,468	270
Proceeds received from sale of Trip Linhas Aereas stock	17,237	16,658
Acquisition of property and equipment:
Aircraft and rotable spare parts	(479,451)	(70,246)
Deposits on aircraft		(35,629)
Buildings and ground equipment	(16,017)	(8,847)
Decrease (Increase) in other assets	(12,218)	(3,710)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(392,615)	14,004
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	323,665
Principal payments on long-term debt	(124,660)	(117,850)
Tax benefit (deficiency) from exercise of common stock options	(1,245)	(150)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	3,831	4,510
Purchase of treasury stock	(8,414)	(11,739)
Payment of cash dividends	(6,174)	(6,207)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	187,003	(131,436)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	(19,243)	133,974
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	170,636	133,772
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	151,393	267,746
Cash paid (received) during the year for:
Interest, net of capitalized amounts	46,757	50,479
Income taxes	$ 485	$ 2,509