<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.8.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>188</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>259</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>61</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>7</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - Summary of Financial Statement Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SummaryOfFinancialStatementPreparationAndSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Financial Statement Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - Significant Customers</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SignificantCustomers</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Customers</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibles</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PropertyAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Debt Obligations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DebtObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Obligations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DerivativeInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/EarningsPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - Segment Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - Summary of Financial Statement Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SummaryOfFinancialStatementPreparationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Financial Statement Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SummaryOfFinancialStatementPreparationAndSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2301302 - Disclosure - Summary of Financial Statement Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SummaryOfFinancialStatementPreparationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Summary of Financial Statement Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SummaryOfFinancialStatementPreparationAndSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibles</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PropertyAndEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - Debt Obligations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DebtObligationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Obligations (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DebtObligations</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitPlansTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitPlans</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DerivativeInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/EarningsPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SegmentInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402401 - Disclosure - Significant Customers (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SignificantCustomersDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Customers (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SignificantCustomers</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Schedule of Goodwill) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesScheduleOfGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Schedule of Goodwill) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Schedule Intangible Assets) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesScheduleIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Schedule Intangible Assets) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403404 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles Investment in West Atlantic (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesInvestmentInWestAtlanticDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles Investment in West Atlantic (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403405 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangibles Investments in A321 (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangiblesInvestmentsInA321Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill and Other Intangibles Investments in A321 (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value Measurements (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (Schedule of Property and Equipment) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentScheduleOfPropertyAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment (Schedule of Property and Equipment) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Debt Obligations (Schedule of Long Term Obligations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DebtObligationsScheduleOfLongTermObligationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Obligations (Schedule of Long Term Obligations) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DebtObligationsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - Debt Obligations (Schedule of Long Term Debt Maturities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DebtObligationsScheduleOfLongTermDebtMaturitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Obligations (Schedule of Long Term Debt Maturities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DebtObligationsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406404 - Disclosure - Debt Obligations (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DebtObligationsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt Obligations (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DebtObligationsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Commitments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesCommitmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Commitments) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407405 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Labor Unions) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesLaborUnionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Labor Unions) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans (Funded Status) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitPlansFundedStatusDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans (Funded Status) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans (Net Periodic Benefit Costs) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitPlansNetPeriodicBenefitCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans (Net Periodic Benefit Costs) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408408 - Disclosure - Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans (Cash Flows) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitPlansCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans (Cash Flows) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/PensionAndOtherPostRetirementBenefitPlansTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409404 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Income Tax Provision (Benefit)) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/IncomeTaxesIncomeTaxProvisionBenefitDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Income Tax Provision (Benefit)) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409405 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/IncomeTaxesTaxRateReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/IncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - Stock-Based Compensation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/StockBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-Based Compensation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - Earnings Per Share (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings Per Share (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Segment Reconciliation) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SegmentInformationSegmentReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Segment Reconciliation) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SegmentInformationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413404 - Disclosure - Segment Information (Entity-Wide Disclosures) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SegmentInformationEntityWideDisclosuresDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Segment Information (Entity-Wide Disclosures) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.atsginc.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.atsginc.com/role/QuarterlyResultsUnauditedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Quarterly Results (Unaudited) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="atsg-20170930.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9999.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>Uncategorized Items - atsg-20170930.xml</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://xbrl.sec.gov/role/uncategorizedFacts</Role>
      <ShortName>Uncategorized Items - atsg-20170930.xml</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>atsg-20170930.xml</File>
    <File>atsg-20170930.xsd</File>
    <File>atsg-20170930_cal.xml</File>
    <File>atsg-20170930_def.xml</File>
    <File>atsg-20170930_lab.xml</File>
    <File>atsg-20170930_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2016-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
