CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
OPERATING REVENUES:
Total operating revenues	$ 2,713,491	$ 2,127,106	$ 2,971,963
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages and benefits	986,664	826,109	1,001,746
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs	817,803	618,989	514,313
Depreciation and amortization	440,198	474,959	368,098
Airport-related expenses	104,690	93,886	118,837
Aircraft fuel	107,057	61,739	119,115
Aircraft rentals	63,357	65,316	71,998
Special items	84,592		21,869
Payroll support grant	(422,669)	(345,491)
Other operating expenses	255,932	222,797	243,729
Total operating expenses	2,437,624	2,018,304	2,459,705
OPERATING INCOME	275,867	108,802	512,258
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income	1,114	5,879	14,131
Interest expense	(123,122)	(123,173)	(127,755)
Other income (expense), net	(3,249)	1,165	47,671
Total other expense, net	(125,257)	(116,129)	(65,953)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	150,610	(7,327)	446,305
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	38,700	1,188	106,206
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 111,910	$ (8,515)	$ 340,099
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 2.22	$ (0.17)	$ 6.68
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	$ 2.20	$ (0.17)	$ 6.62
Weighted average common shares:
Basic (in shares)	50,348	50,195	50,932
Diluted (in shares)	50,753	50,195	51,375
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
Net income (loss)	$ 111,910	$ (8,515)	$ 340,099
Net unrealized appreciation on marketable securities, net of taxes			32
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	111,910	(8,515)	340,131
Flying agreements
OPERATING REVENUES:
Total operating revenues	2,615,076	2,060,801	2,889,265
Lease, airport services and other
OPERATING REVENUES:
Total operating revenues	$ 98,415	$ 66,305	$ 82,698