CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
OPERATING REVENUES:
Passenger	$ 3,051,414	$ 3,030,023	$ 3,168,000
Ground handling and other	69,792	65,540	69,447
Total operating revenues	3,121,206	3,095,563	3,237,447
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and benefits	1,211,380	1,203,312	1,258,155
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs	569,306	604,863	682,773
Depreciation and amortization	284,969	264,507	259,642
Aircraft rentals	262,602	273,696	305,334
Aircraft fuel	122,284	118,124	193,247
Ground handling services	72,659	82,694	123,917
Station rentals and landing fees	49,482	54,167	51,024
Special items	465,649		74,777
Other operating expenses	255,559	259,685	263,730
Total operating expenses	3,293,890	2,861,048	3,212,599
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	(172,684)	234,515	24,848
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income	2,143	1,997	4,096
Interest expense	(78,177)	(75,850)	(65,995)
Other, net	(94)	33,660	20,708
Total other expense, net	(76,128)	(40,193)	(41,191)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(248,812)	194,322	(16,343)
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES	(87,226)	76,505	7,811
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ (161,586)	$ 117,817	$ (24,154)
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ (3.14)	$ 2.31	$ (0.47)
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ (3.14)	$ 2.27	$ (0.47)
Weighted average common shares:
Basic (in shares)	51,505	51,077	51,237
Diluted (in shares)	51,505	51,825	51,237
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
Net income (loss)	$ (161,586)	$ 117,817	$ (24,154)
Proportionate share of equity method investee foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes			(1,129)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on marketable securities, net of taxes	189	29	(719)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	$ (161,397)	$ 117,846	$ (26,002)