CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
OPERATING REVENUES:
Passenger	$ 3,030,023	$ 3,168,000	$ 3,239,525
Ground handling and other	65,540	69,447	58,200
Total operating revenues	3,095,563	3,237,447	3,297,725
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,203,312	1,258,155	1,211,307
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs	604,863	682,773	686,381
Aircraft rentals	273,696	305,334	325,360
Depreciation and amortization	264,507	259,642	245,005
Aircraft fuel	118,124	193,247	193,513
Ground handling services	82,694	123,917	129,119
Special items		74,777
Station rentals and landing fees	54,167	51,024	114,688
Other operating expenses	259,685	263,730	239,241
Total operating expenses	2,861,048	3,212,599	3,144,614
OPERATING INCOME	234,515	24,848	153,111
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income	1,997	4,096	3,689
Interest expense	(75,850)	(65,995)	(68,658)
Other, net	33,660	20,708	10,390
Total other expense, net	(40,193)	(41,191)	(54,579)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	194,322	(16,343)	98,532
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	76,505	7,811	39,576
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 117,817	$ (24,154)	$ 58,956
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 2.31	$ (0.47)	$ 1.14
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 2.27	$ (0.47)	$ 1.12
Weighted average common shares:
Basic (in shares)	51,077	51,237	51,688
Diluted (in shares)	51,825	51,237	52,422
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
Net Income (loss)	$ 117,817	$ (24,154)	$ 58,956
Proportionate share of equity method investee foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes		(1,129)	66
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on marketable securities, net of taxes	29	(719)	(13)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	$ 117,846	$ (26,002)	$ 59,009