Aircastle (AYR) 10-Q 31 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 28, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Aircastle LTD	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001362988	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	80,776,975

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$238,150	$618,217
Accounts receivable	5,127	5,625
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	191,843	111,942
Restricted liquidity facility collateral	107,000	107,000
Flight equipment held for lease, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,305,064 and $1,424,057	4,938,113	4,662,661
Net investment in finance leases	148,005	119,951
Other assets	177,242	186,764
Total assets	5,805,480	5,812,160
LIABILITIES	'	'
Borrowings from secured financings (including borrowings of ACS Ireland VIEs of $207,926 and $168,107, respectively)	1,581,118	1,848,034
Borrowings from unsecured financings	1,750,556	1,750,642
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	134,892	108,593
Lease rentals received in advance	48,379	53,189
Liquidity facility	107,000	107,000
Security deposits	110,410	87,707
Maintenance payments	428,615	379,391
Fair value of derivative liabilities	44,307	61,978
Total liabilities	4,205,277	4,396,534
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	'	'
Preference shares, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding	'	'
Common shares, $.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 68,639,729 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012; and 80,776,975 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013	808	686
Additional paid-in capital	1,560,509	1,360,555
Retained earnings	126,140	180,675
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-87,254	-126,290
Total shareholders’ equity	1,600,203	1,415,626
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$5,805,480	$5,812,160

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accumulated depreciation on flight equipment held for lease	$1,424,057	$1,305,064
Borrowings from secured financings	1,581,118	1,848,034
Common shares, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common shares, shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common shares, shares issued	80,776,975	68,639,729
Common shares, shares outstanding	80,776,975	68,639,729
Preference shares, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preference shares, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preference shares, shares issued	'	'
Preference shares, shares outstanding	'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | ACS Ireland	'	'
Borrowings from secured financings	$168,107	$207,926

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Lease rental revenue	$161,148	$159,547	$475,656	$465,413
Finance lease revenue	4,122	3,518	12,120	4,474
Amortization of lease premiums, discounts and lease incentives	-9,737	-6,838	-25,527	-6,392
Maintenance revenue	12,932	10,944	42,983	37,126
Total lease revenue	168,465	167,171	505,232	500,621
Other revenue	1,625	5,695	11,425	9,341
Total revenues	170,090	172,866	516,657	509,962
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Depreciation	70,469	68,413	212,448	200,024
Interest, net	57,843	54,101	183,651	167,203
Selling, general and administrative (including non-cash share based payment expense of $1,128 and $1,067 for the three months ended, and $3,233 and $2,931 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively)	12,830	11,907	39,297	36,616
Impairment of Aircraft	106,136	78,676	112,335	88,787
Maintenance and other costs	1,914	3,926	11,464	11,943
Total expenses	249,192	217,023	559,195	504,573
Other income:	'	'	'	'
Gain on sale of flight equipment	3,092	11	25,601	3,062
Other	855	0	5,016	604
Total other income	3,947	11	30,617	3,666
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-75,155	-44,146	-11,921	9,055
Income tax provision (benefit)	-597	1,701	6,719	5,976
Net income (loss)	($74,558)	($45,847)	($18,640)	$3,079
Earnings (loss) per common share — Basic:	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	($0.95)	($0.65)	($0.26)	$0.04
Earnings (loss) per common share — Diluted:	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	($0.95)	($0.65)	($0.26)	$0.04
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.17	$0.15	$0.50	$0.45

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc1

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Non-cash share based payment expense	$1,067	$1,128	$2,931	$3,233

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($74,558)	($45,847)	($18,640)	$3,079
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Net change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax expense of $37 and $78 for the three months ended and $465 and $389 for the nine months ended, September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively	1,798	1,426	13,751	23,708
Net derivative loss reclassified into earnings	7,300	8,966	25,285	21,903
Other comprehensive income	9,098	10,392	39,036	45,611
Total comprehensive income (loss)	($65,460)	($35,455)	$20,396	$48,690

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net of tax expense	$78	$37	$389	$465

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]	'	'
Net income (loss)	($18,640)	$3,079
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	212,448	200,024
Amortization of deferred financing costs	11,757	10,082
Amortization of net lease discounts and lease incentives	25,527	6,392
Deferred income taxes	3,419	3,609
Non-cash share based payment expense	2,931	3,233
Cash flow hedges reclassified into earnings	25,285	21,903
Ineffective portion of cash flow hedges	197	1,840
Security deposits and maintenance payments included in earnings	-32,047	-36,312
Gain on sale of flight equipment	-25,601	-3,062
Impairment of Aircraft	112,335	88,787
Other	-4,481	1,820
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	1,588	-9,180
Other assets	1,155	-3,278
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	7,978	14,071
Lease rentals received in advance	-4,538	2,948
Net cash provided by operating activities	319,313	305,956
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Acquisition and improvement of flight equipment and lease incentives	-837,183	-450,962
Proceeds from sale of flight equipment	285,199	54,439
Restricted cash and cash equivalents related to sale of flight equipment	-2,200	35,762
Aircraft purchase deposits and progress payments	-5,655	-25,155
Net investment in finance leases	-11,595	-91,500
Collections on finance leases	6,658	2,041
Purchase of debt investment	0	-43,626
Principal repayments on debt investment	42,001	3,245
Other	-852	-544
Net cash used in investing activities	-523,627	-516,300
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Issuance of shares net of repurchases	197,478	-30,692
Proceeds from notes and term debt financings	78,230	877,100
Securitization and term debt financing repayments	-430,482	-783,976
Deferred financing costs	-2,910	-17,794
Restricted secured liquidity facility collateral	0	3,000
Secured liquidity facility collateral	0	-3,000
Restricted cash and cash equivalents related to financing activities	-77,701	102,315
Security deposits received	19,545	11,400
Security deposits returned	-3,890	-3,217
Maintenance payments received	134,758	103,527
Maintenance payments returned	-54,886	-36,967
Payments for terminated cash flow hedges	0	-50,757
Dividends paid	-35,895	-32,158
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-175,753	138,781
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-380,067	-71,563
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	618,217	295,522
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	238,150	223,959
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	136,799	114,538
Cash paid for income taxes	701	1,765
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing activities:	'	'
Purchase deposits, advance lease rentals, security deposits and maintenance payments assumed in asset acquisitions	46,232	18,988
Term debt financings assumed in asset acquisitions	84,721	0
Advance lease rentals, security deposits, and maintenance payments settled in sale of flight equipment	$41,659	$7,817

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Organization and Basis of Presentation
	Aircastle Limited (“Aircastle,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a Bermuda exempted company that was incorporated on October 29, 2004 under the provisions of Section 14 of the Companies Act of 1981 of Bermuda. Aircastle’s business is investing in aviation assets, including leasing, managing and selling commercial jet aircraft to airlines throughout the world and investing in aircraft related debt investments.
	Aircastle is a holding company that conducts its business through subsidiaries. Aircastle directly or indirectly owns all of the outstanding common shares of its subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements presented are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). We operate in a single segment.
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting and, in our opinion, reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring items, which are necessary to present fairly the results for interim periods. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC; however, we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	The Company’s management has reviewed and evaluated all events or transactions for potential recognition and/or disclosure since the balance sheet date of September 30, 2013 through the date on which the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q were issued.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aircastle and all of its subsidiaries. Aircastle consolidates eight Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) of which Aircastle is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
	We consolidate VIEs in which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary. We use judgment when deciding (a) whether an entity is subject to consolidation as a VIE, (b) who the variable interest holders are, (c) the potential expected losses and residual returns of the variable interest holders, and (d) which variable interest holder is the primary beneficiary. When determining which enterprise is the primary beneficiary, we consider (1) the entity’s purpose and design, (2) which variable interest holder has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (3) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. When certain events occur, we reconsider whether we are the primary beneficiary of VIEs. We do not reconsider whether we are a primary beneficiary solely because of operating losses incurred by an entity.
	Effective January 1, 2013, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-02 (“ASU 2013-02”) Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU requires that companies present reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, provided that all required information is presented in a single location. ASU 2013-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012 and should be applied prospectively. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	Effective January 1, 2013, the Company adopted ASU 2011-11 (“ASU 2011-11”) Balance Sheet (Topic 210) Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This ASU requires that companies disclose information to enable users of its financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on its financial position. ASU 2011-11 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and should be applied retrospectively for all periods presented on the balance sheet. The adoption of ASU 2011-11 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	Risk and Uncertainties
	In the normal course of business, Aircastle encounters several significant types of economic risk including credit, market, aviation industry and capital market risks. Credit risk is the risk of a lessee’s inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments and to fulfill its other contractual obligations. Market risk reflects the change in the value of derivatives and financings due to changes in interest rate spreads or other market factors, including the value of collateral underlying derivatives and financings. Aviation industry risk is the risk of a downturn in the commercial aviation industry which could adversely impact a lessee’s ability to make payments, increase the risk of unscheduled lease terminations and depress lease rates and the value of the Company’s aircraft. Capital market risk is the risk that the Company is unable to obtain capital at reasonable rates to fund the growth of our business or to refinance existing debt facilities.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. While Aircastle believes that the estimates and related assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Proposed Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2013, the FASB issued re-exposure draft, “Leases” (the “Lease Re-ED”), which would replace the existing guidance in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 840 (“ASC 840”), Leases. The FASB decided that leases would be classified as either leases of real property (Type B) or leases of assets other than real property (Type A). Leases of real property will continue to use operating lease accounting. Leases of other than real property would use the receivable residual approach. Under the receivable residual approach, a lease receivable would be recognized for the lessor's right to receive lease payments, a portion of the carrying amount of the underlying asset would be allocated between the right of use granted to the lessee and the lessor's residual value and profit or loss would only be recognized at commencement if it is reasonably assured. The comment period for the Lease Re-ED ended on September 13, 2013. We anticipate that the final standard may have an effective date no earlier than 2017. When and if the proposed guidance becomes effective, it may have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Although we believe the presentation of our financial statements, and those of our lessees could change, we do not believe the accounting pronouncement will change the fundamental economic reasons for which the airlines lease aircraft. Therefore, we do not believe it will have a material impact on our business.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value measurements and disclosures require the use of valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized as follows:
	•	Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	•	Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or market corroborated inputs.
	•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which require us to develop our own assumptions about how market participants price the asset or liability.
	The valuation techniques that may be used to measure fair value are as follows:
	•	The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
	•	The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on current market expectation about those future amounts.
	•	The cost approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost).
	The following tables set forth our financial assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 that we measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurement.
					Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012 Using Fair Value Hierarchy
		Fair Value as of December 31, 2012			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant			Valuation
					In Active			Other			Unobservable			Technique
					Markets for			Observable			Inputs
					Identical			Inputs			(Level 3)
					Assets			(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	618,217		$	618,217		$	—		$	—		Market
	Restricted cash and cash equivalents	111,942			111,942			—			—			Market
	Debt investments	40,388			—			—			40,388			Income
	Total	$	770,547		$	730,159		$	—		$	40,388
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities	$	61,978		$	—		$	61,978		$	—		Income
					Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013 Using Fair Value Hierarchy
		Fair Value as of September 30, 2013			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant			Valuation
					In Active			Other			Unobservable			Technique
					Markets for			Observable			Inputs
					Identical			Inputs			(Level 3)
					Assets			(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	238,150		$	238,150		$	—		$	—		Market
	Restricted cash and cash equivalents	191,843			191,843			—			—			Market
	Total	$	429,993		$	429,993		$	—		$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities	$	44,307		$	—		$	44,307		$	—		Income
	Our cash and cash equivalents, along with our restricted cash and cash equivalents balances, consist largely of money market securities that are considered to be highly liquid and easily tradable. These securities are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities and are therefore classified as Level 1 within our fair value hierarchy. Our interest rate derivatives included in Level 2 consist of United States dollar-denominated interest rate derivatives, and their fair values are determined by applying standard modeling techniques under the income approach to relevant market interest rates (cash rates, futures rates, swap rates) in effect at the period close to determine appropriate reset and discount rates and incorporates an assessment of the risk of non-performance by the interest rate derivative counterparty in valuing derivative assets and an evaluation of the Company’s credit risk in valuing derivative liabilities.
	The following tables reflect the activity for the classes of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively:
		Assets
		Debt Investments
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	40,388
	Total gains/(losses), net:
	Included in other revenue	—			—			—			1,613
	Settlements	—			—			—			(42,001		)
	Balance at end of period	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
		Liabilities
		Derivative Liabilities
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	—		$	—		$	(56,229	)	$	—
	Total gains/(losses), net:
	Included in other income (expense)	—			—			599			—
	Included in interest expense	—			—			73			—
	Included in other comprehensive income	—			—			4,800			—
	Settlements	—			—			50,757			—
	Balance at end of period	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we had no transfers into or out of Level 3; however we did terminate all Level 3 interest rate derivatives during the second quarter of 2012. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we had no transfers into or out of Level 3; however we did settle the debt investment during the first quarter of 2013.
	We measure the fair value of certain assets and liabilities on a non-recurring basis, when US GAAP requires the application of fair value, including events or changes in circumstances that indicate that the carrying amounts of assets may not be recoverable. Assets subject to these measurements include aircraft. We record aircraft at fair value when we determine the carrying value may not be recoverable. Fair value measurements for aircraft impaired are based on an income approach that uses Level 3 inputs, which include our assumptions and appraisal data as to future cash proceeds from leasing and selling aircraft.
	Aircraft Valuation
	We perform our annual fleet-wide recoverability assessment during the third quarter of each year. This recoverability assessment, as more fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, is a comparison of the carrying value of each aircraft to its undiscounted expected future cash flows. We develop the assumptions used in the recoverability assessment, including those relating to current and future demand for each aircraft type, based on management's experience in the aircraft leasing industry as well as information received from third party sources. Estimates of the undiscounted cash flows for each aircraft type are impacted by changes in contracted and future expected lease rates, residual values, expected scrap values, economic conditions and other factors.
Following completion of the recoverability analysis during the third quarter of 2013, we determined the cash flows expected to be generated by several of our aircraft did not support carrying values. As a result, as noted below, we impaired seven aircraft with an aggregate net book value as of June 30, 2013 that was $318,854, writing down their book values by a total of $97,592. For some of these aircraft we also shortened the expected lives and/or reduced the residual values. More specifically, we wrote down the values on:
•	Six Boeing Model 747-400 converted freighter aircraft manufactured between 1990 and 1994 and recorded impairment charges total $88,647; and
•	One Boeing Model 737-700 aircraft manufactured in 1999 and recorded an impairment charge of $8,945.
During the third quarter of 2013, we elected not to invest in engine performance restoration maintenance visits for one Boeing Model 767-300ER aircraft and instead agreed with the lessee to terminate the lease prior to scheduled expiry and pursue a part-out sale. We recorded impairment charges of $8,544 and we recorded maintenance revenue of $12,056 and other revenue of $875 from an early termination payment for the three months ended September 30, 2013, for this aircraft.
In addition, for two McDonnell Douglas MD-11F freighter aircraft manufactured in 1997 that passed the recoverability assessment, we shortened the expected lives from 35 years to 25 years from production date.
For changes we made to our aircraft, our total depreciation expense will decrease by approximately $900 in the fourth quarter of 2013, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2013. We estimate a decrease in depreciation expense for changes we made to our aircraft for the year ended December 31, 2014 of approximately $4,600.
In this year's assessment, we lowered our assumptions for the freighter aircraft noted above to reflect the cumulative effect of increasing supply in the wake of stagnating demand over the past three years. More specifically, higher production levels for new, large freighter aircraft together with increased belly freight capacity from the latest generation of wide-body passenger aircraft have resulted in a glut of large freighter aircraft. At the same time, air freight demand has not increased due to modest economic growth rates in certain key economies and structural changes in the freight market (e.g., the evolution of smaller, smarter and lighter electronic devices and modal shifts). The combined effect of these developments has depressed lease rates and driven more converted freighter aircraft into storage, particularly over the past year.
In addition to the changes noted above, we reduced projected rental levels for Boeing Model 737-700 aircraft to reflect lower demand for this smaller variant of the Boeing 737 "New Generation" family, as lower fare airline business models drive demand for shorter-haul operations to larger models having similar trip costs.
Other than the aircraft discussed above, management believes that the net book value of each aircraft is currently supported by the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that aircraft, and accordingly, no other aircraft were impaired as a consequence of this recoverability assessment. However, our lessees may face financial difficulties and return aircraft to us prior to the contractual lease expiry dates which may change our cash flow assumptions and require future impairment charges. While we believe that the estimates and related assumptions used in the recoverability assessment are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.
During the first quarter of 2013, we impaired two aircraft, one Airbus A319-100 aircraft and one Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, each of which was returned to us early by the respective lessee. The decision was made to sell these aircraft and the net book value of each was written down to the expected sale price. For these two aircraft, we recorded impairment charges totaling $6,199 and recorded maintenance revenue of $9,019 and other revenue of $876 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
During the third quarter of 2012, following our recoverability assessment of the aircraft in our fleet at that time, we impaired four Boeing Model 767-300ER aircraft, eight Boeing 737 “Classic” aircraft, and one Airbus Model A310-300F freighter aircraft and recorded aggregate impairment charges of $67,370 to write these aircraft down to current market values. Also during the third quarter of 2012, we elected not to invest in engine performance restoration maintenance visits for two Airbus Model A320-200 “Classic” aircraft with older technology engines and instead agreed with the lessee to terminate the leases prior to scheduled expiry and pursue part-out sales. Following agreement with our customer to terminate the leases, these aircraft failed the recoverability assessment and we recorded impairment charges of $11,306 and we recorded $10,159 of maintenance revenue and reversed $1,157 of lease incentives for the three months ended September 30, 2012, for these two aircraft.
During the second quarter of 2012, we impaired two aircraft, one Boeing Model 757-200 aircraft that we sold for less than its net book value and one Boeing Model 767-300ER aircraft which was returned to us following its scheduled lease expiration and which failed its recoverability assessment. For these two aircraft, we recorded impairment charges of $10,111, and we recorded $2,447 of maintenance revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2012.
Financial Instruments
Our financial instruments, other than cash, consist principally of cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, amounts borrowed under financings and interest rate derivatives. The fair value of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates the carrying value of these financial instruments because of their short-term nature.
The fair values of our securitizations which contain third party credit enhancements are estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on our current incremental borrowing rates of borrowing arrangements that do not contain third party credit enhancements. The fair values of our ECA term financings and bank financings are estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, based on our current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The fair value of our Senior Notes is estimated using quoted market prices.
The carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 are as follows:
	December 31, 2012						September 30, 2013
	Carrying  Amount			Fair Value			Carrying  Amount			Fair Value
	of Asset			of Asset			of Asset			of Asset
	(Liability)			(Liability)			(Liability)			(Liability)
Securitizations and term debt financings	$	(1,082,368	)	$	(962,960	)	$	(892,272	)	$	(831,391	)
ECA term financings	(652,916		)	(671,966		)	(504,419		)	(522,478		)
Bank financings	(112,750		)	(116,272		)	(184,427		)	(189,094		)
Senior Notes	(1,750,642		)	(1,905,565		)	(1,750,556		)	(1,899,575		)
All of our financial instruments are classified as Level 2 with the exception of our Senior Notes, which are classified as Level 1.

Lease_Rental_Revenues_and_Flig

Lease Rental Revenues and Flight Equipment Held for Lease	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Lease Rental Revenues and Flight Equipment Held for Lease	'
	Lease Rental Revenues and Flight Equipment Held for Lease
	Minimum future annual lease rentals contracted to be received under our existing operating leases of flight equipment at September 30, 2013 were as follows:
	Year Ending December 31,	Amount
	Remainder of 2013	$	166,891
	2014	620,543
	2015	554,155
	2016	483,676
	2017	354,261
	Thereafter	998,948
	Total	$	3,178,474
	Geographic concentration of lease rental revenue earned from flight equipment held for lease was as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Region	2012			2013			2012		2013
	Europe	37	%		33	%		40	%	33	%
	Asia and Pacific	33	%		38	%		30	%	38	%
	North America	12	%		10	%		12	%	9	%
	South America	7	%		9	%		7	%	9	%
	Middle East and Africa	11	%		10	%		11	%	11	%
	Total	100	%		100	%		100	%	100	%
	The classification of regions in the tables above and in the table and discussion below is determined based on the principal location of the lessee of each aircraft.
	For the three months ended September 30, 2012, one customer accounted for 9% of lease rental revenue and four additional customers accounted for a combined 24% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue. For the three months ended September 30, 2013, one customer accounted for 8% of lease rental revenue and three additional customers accounted for a combined 16% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue.
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, one customer accounted for 10% of lease rental revenue and four additional customers accounted for a combined 25% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, one customer accounted for 8% of lease rental revenue and three additional customers accounted for a combined 17% of lease rental revenue. No other customer accounted for more than 5% of lease rental revenue.
	The following table sets forth revenue attributable to individual countries representing at least 10% of total revenue (including maintenance revenue) based on each lessee’s principal place of business:
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2012									2013
	Country	Revenue				Percent of			Number		Revenue		Percent of		Number
						Total			of				Total		of
						Revenue			Lessees				Revenue		Lessees
	China(1)	$	19,303			11	%		4		$	—	—	%	—
	United States(1)	17,685				10	%		6		—		—	%	—
	Russia(1)	17,472				10	%		8		—		—	%	—
	United Kingdom(2)	—				—	%		—		16,293		10	%	2
	(1) Total revenue was less than 10% for the three months ended September 30, 2013.
	(2) Total revenue includes $12,056 of maintenance revenue and $875 of other revenue related to an agreed upon lease termination prior to delivery date.
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012									2013
	Country	Revenue				Percent of			Number		Revenue		Percent of		Number
						Total			of				Total		of
						Revenue			Lessees				Revenue		Lessees
	China	$	56,160			11	%		4		$	49,148	10	%	4
	United States(1)	61,366				12	%		6		—		—	%	—
	Russia(1)	50,280				10	%		8		—		—	%	—
	_______________
	(1) Total revenue was less than 10% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Geographic concentration of net book value of flight equipment (includes net book value of flight equipment held for lease, net investment in finance leases and flight equipment held for sale) was as follows:
		December 31, 2012						September 30, 2013
	Region	Number			Net Book			Number		Net Book
		of			Value %			of		Value %
		Aircraft						Aircraft
	Europe	68			35	%		67		33	%
	Asia and Pacific	50			34	%		52		38	%
	North America	17			10	%		21		11	%
	South America	14			8	%		14		7	%
	Middle East and Africa	8			12	%		7		11	%
	Off-lease	2		(1)	1	%		—		—	%
	Total	159			100	%		161		100	%
	_______________
	-1	Includes one Boeing 767-300ER that was sold in the first quarter of 2013 and one Boeing 747-400BDSF aircraft which was delivered to a lessee in the second quarter of 2013.
	The following table sets forth net book value of flight equipment (includes net book value of flight equipment held for lease and net investment in finance leases) attributable to individual countries representing at least 10% of net book value of flight equipment based on each lessee’s principal place of business as of:
		December 31, 2012									September 30, 2013
	Country	Net Book				Net Book			Number of		Net Book		Net Book		Number of
		Value				Value %			Lessees		Value		Value %		Lessees
	China(1)	$	515,194			11	%		4		$	—	—	%	—
_______________
(1) The net book value of flight equipment was less than 10% as of September 30, 2013.
At December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, the amounts of lease incentive liabilities recorded in maintenance payments on the consolidated balance sheets were $15,587 and $25,265, respectively.

Net_Investment_in_Finance_Leas

Net Investment in Finance Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Net Investment in Finance Leases	'
	Net Investment in Finance Leases
	At September 30, 2013, our net investment in finance leases represents six aircraft leased to a customer in Germany, four aircraft leased to two customers in the United States and one aircraft leased to a customer in Canada. The following table lists the components of our net investment in finance leases at September 30, 2013:
		Amount
	Total lease payments to be received	$	144,341
	Less: Unearned income	(66,795		)
	Estimated residual values of leased flight equipment (unguaranteed)	70,459
	Net investment in finance leases	$	148,005
	At September 30, 2013, minimum future lease payments on finance leases are as follows:
	Year Ending December 31,	Amount
	Remainder of 2013	$	7,129
	2014	27,042
	2015	27,042
	2016	27,042
	2017	26,127
	Thereafter	29,959
	Total	$	144,341

Variable_Interest_Entities

Variable Interest Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]	'
Variable Interest Entities	'
	Variable Interest Entities
	Aircastle consolidates eight VIEs of which it is the primary beneficiary. The operating activities of these VIEs are limited to acquiring, owning, leasing, maintaining, operating and, under certain circumstances, selling the 17 aircraft discussed below.
	Securitizations
	In connection with Securitization No. 1, two of our subsidiaries, ACS Aircraft Finance Ireland plc (“ACS Ireland”) and ACS Aircraft Finance Bermuda Limited (“ACS Bermuda”) issued Class A-1 notes, and each has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the other’s obligations under the notes. In connection with Securitization No. 2, two of our subsidiaries, ACS Aircraft Finance Ireland 2 Limited (“ACS Ireland 2”) and ACS 2007-1 Limited (“ACS Bermuda 2”) issued Class A-1 notes and each has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the other’s obligations under the notes. ACS Bermuda and ACS Bermuda 2 are collectively referred to as the “ACS Bermuda Group.”
	Aircastle is the primary beneficiary of ACS Ireland and ACS Ireland 2 (collectively, the “ACS Ireland VIEs”), as we have both the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the economic performance of such VIEs and we bear the significant risk of loss and participate in gains through Class E-1 Securities. Although Aircastle has not guaranteed the ACS Ireland VIEs debt, Aircastle wholly owns the ACS Bermuda Group which has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the ACS Ireland VIEs obligations. The activity that most significantly impacts the economic performance is the leasing of aircraft. Aircastle Advisor (Ireland) Limited (Aircastle’s wholly owned subsidiary) is the remarketing servicer and is responsible for the leasing of the aircraft. An Irish charitable trust owns 95% of the common shares of the ACS Ireland VIEs. The Irish charitable trust’s risk is limited to its annual dividend of $2 per VIE. At September 30, 2013, the assets of the two VIEs include 10 aircraft transferred into the VIEs at historical cost basis in connection with Securitization No. 1 and Securitization No. 2.
	The combined assets of the ACS Ireland VIEs as of September 30, 2013 are $322,269. The combined liabilities of the ACS Ireland VIEs, net of $72,068 Class E-1 Securities held by the Company, which is eliminated in consolidation, as of September 30, 2013 are $267,810.
	ECA Term Financings
	Aircastle, through various subsidiaries, each of which is owned by a charitable trust (such entities, collectively the “Air Knight VIEs”), entered into eleven different twelve-year term loans, which are supported by guarantees from Compagnie Francaise d’ Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur, (“COFACE”), the French government sponsored export credit agency (“ECA”). These loans provided for the financing for eleven new Airbus Model A330-200 aircraft. In June 2011, we repaid one of these loans from the proceeds of the sale of the related aircraft. In June 2013, we repaid two of these loans from the proceeds of the sale of the related aircraft. We sold an additional aircraft in June 2013, and we posted cash, which is reflected in restricted cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet, as collateral for the related term loan until we pay-off the loan or substitute an aircraft. At September 30, 2013, Aircastle had eight outstanding term loans with guarantees from COFACE. We refer to these COFACE-supported financings as “ECA Term Financings.”
	Aircastle is the primary beneficiary of the Air Knight VIEs, as we have the power to direct the activities of the VIEs that most significantly impact the economic performance of such VIEs and we bear the significant risk of loss and participate in gains through a finance lease. The activity that most significantly impacts the economic performance is the leasing of aircraft of which our wholly owned subsidiary is the servicer and is responsible for managing the relevant aircraft. There is a cross collateralization guarantee between the Air Knight VIEs. In addition, Aircastle guarantees the debt of the Air Knight VIEs.
	The only assets that the Air Knight VIEs have on their books are financing leases that are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements and deferred financing costs. The related aircraft, with a net book value as of September 30, 2013 of $580,361 were included in our flight equipment held for lease. The related assets also include restricted cash and cash equivalents of $70,771. The consolidated debt outstanding of the Air Knight VIEs as of September 30, 2013 is $504,419.

Secured_and_Unsecured_Debt_Fin

Secured and Unsecured Debt Financings

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

'

Secured and Unsecured Debt Financings

'

Secured and Unsecured Debt Financings

The outstanding amounts of our secured and unsecured term debt financings were as follows:

At December 31, 2012

At 9/30/2013

Debt Obligation

Outstanding

Outstanding

Interest Rate(1)

Final Stated

Borrowings

Borrowings

Maturity(2)

Secured Debt Financings:

Securitization No. 1

$

309,505

$

239,221

0.45%

6/20/31

Securitization No. 2

772,863

653,051

0.49%

6/14/37

ECA Term Financings

652,916

504,419

3.02% to 3.96%

12/3/21 to 11/30/24

Bank Financings

112,750

184,427

1.08% to 4.57%

09/15/15 to 02/13/20

Total secured debt financings

1,848,034

1,581,118

Unsecured Debt Financings:

Senior Notes due 2017

500,000

500,000

6.75%

4/15/17

Senior Notes due 2018

450,642

450,556

9.75%

8/1/18

Senior Notes due 2019

500,000

500,000

6.25%

12/1/19

Senior Notes due 2020

300,000

300,000

7.63%

4/15/20

2013 Revolving Credit Facility

—

—

N/A

8/2/16

Total unsecured debt financings

1,750,642

1,750,556

Total secured and unsecured debt financings

$

3,598,676

$

3,331,674

-1

Reflects the floating rate in effect at the applicable reset date plus the margin for Securitization No. 1, Securitization No. 2 and one of our Bank Financings. All other financings have a fixed rate.

-2

For Securitizations No. 1 and No. 2, all cash flows available after expenses and interest are applied to debt amortization.

The following securitizations include liquidity facility commitments described in the table below:

Available Liquidity

Facility

Liquidity Facility Provider

December 31,

September 30,

Unused

Interest Rate

2012

2013

Fee

on any Advances

Securitization No. 1

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

$

42,000

$

42,000

0.45%

1M Libor + 1.00

Securitization No. 2

HSH Nordbank AG

65,000

65,000

0.50%

1M Libor + 0.75

ECA Term Financings

In June 2013, we repaid in full the outstanding principal balances on two of our ECA term financings in the total amount of $111,693, plus accrued interest, interest rate derivative breakage fees of $2,954, and accrued interest on the terminated interest rate derivatives. During the second quarter of 2013, we wrote off $3,825 of deferred financing fees which is reflected in interest expense on the consolidated statement of income. We sold an additional aircraft in June 2013, and we posted cash, which is reflected in restricted cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheet, as collateral for the related term loan until we pay-off the loan or substitute an aircraft.

In August 2013, one of our subsidiaries issued a fixed rate ECA bond with a face value of $78,230 which is supported by a guarantee from COFACE and the proceeds were utilized to repay an interim floating rate bank financing that was drawn in connection with the acquisition of one Airbus Model A330-200 aircraft in 2012. The bond has a fixed coupon rate of 3.488% and a final maturity of November 30, 2024.

Bank Financings

In May 2013, we assumed three floating rate loans and one fixed rate loan totaling $91,797 in connection with the acquisition of two Airbus Model A320-200 aircraft and two Boeing Model 737-800 aircraft. During the quarter, we amended two of the floating rate loans to a fixed rate of 2.58% for the remaining debt term. At September 30, 2013, these four loans had a weighted average interest rate of 2.36% and mature in 2018 and 2020.

We include these loan facilities in “Bank Financings”. Aircastle Limited has guaranteed the repayment of these Bank Financings.

2013 Revolving Credit Facility

In early August 2013, we amended and restructured our existing $150,000 revolving credit facility (the "2012 Revolving Credit Facility") with a new unsecured revolving credit facility (the "2013 Revolving Credit Facility”).  The 2013 Revolving Credit Facility was initially sized at $335,000 and can be increased to a maximum of $400,000.  The 2013 Revolving Credit Facility has a term of 3 years and is scheduled to expire in August 2016.

As of September 30, 2013, we are in compliance with all applicable covenants in all of our financings.

Dividends

Dividends	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Dividends [Abstract]	'
Dividends	'
	Dividends
	The following table sets forth the quarterly dividends declared by our board of directors for the periods covered in this report:
	Declaration Date	Dividend		Aggregate		Record Date	Payment Date
		per Common		Dividend
		Share		Amount
	February 17, 2012	$	0.15	$	10,865	February 29, 2012	March 15, 2012
	2-May-12	$	0.15	$	10,847	May 31, 2012	June 15, 2012
	1-Aug-12	$	0.15	$	10,464	August 31, 2012	September 14, 2012
	5-Nov-12	$	0.165	$	11,493	November 30, 2012	December 14, 2012
	18-Feb-13	$	0.165	$	11,268	March 4, 2013	March 15, 2013
	1-May-13	$	0.165	$	11,297	May 31, 2013	June 14, 2013
	2-Aug-13	$	0.165	$	13,330	August 30, 2013	September 13, 2013

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' Equity	'
	Shareholders' Equity
	During January 2013, we repurchased 679,292 common shares at an aggregate cost of $8,579 including commissions. The remaining dollar value of common shares that may be purchased under the repurchase program approved by the Company's Board of Directors on November 5, 2012 is $30,000.
	In July 2013, we issued 12,320,000 of our common shares, par value US$0.01, at a price of $17.00 per share to an affiliate of Marubeni Corporation, a Japanese corporation (the "Investor"). In June 2013, we also entered into a Shareholder Agreement with the Investor, which became effective in July 2013 upon the closing of the issuance.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	We include all common shares granted under our incentive compensation plan which remain unvested (“restricted common shares”) and contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid (“participating securities”), in the number of shares outstanding in our basic earnings per share calculations using the two-class method. All of our restricted common shares are currently participating securities.
	Under the two-class method, earnings per common share is computed by dividing the sum of distributed earnings allocated to common shareholders and undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. In applying the two-class method, distributed and undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and restricted common shares based on the total weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Because the holders of the participating restricted common shares were not contractually required to share in the Company’s losses, in applying the two-class method to compute basic and diluted net loss per common share, no allocation to restricted common shares was made for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	Weighted-average shares:
	Common shares outstanding	70,349,265			78,544,380			71,248,765			71,462,264
	Restricted common shares	571,326			669,489			596,749			562,612
	Total weighted-average shares	70,920,591			79,213,869			71,845,514			72,024,876
	Percentage of weighted-average shares:
	Common shares outstanding	99.19	%		99.15	%		99.17	%		99.22	%
	Restricted common shares	0.81	%		0.85	%		0.83	%		0.78	%
	Total	100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
	The calculations of both basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012				2013				2012			2013
	Earnings (loss) per share – Basic:
	Net income (loss)	$	(45,847	)		$	(74,558	)		$	3,079		$	(18,640	)
	Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares (a)	—				—				(25		)	—
	Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders – Basic	$	(45,847	)		$	(74,558	)		$	3,054		$	(18,640	)
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic	70,349,265				78,544,380				71,248,765			71,462,264
	Earnings (loss) per common share – Basic	$	(0.65	)		$	(0.95	)		$	0.04		$	(0.26	)
	Earnings (loss) per share – Diluted:
	Net income (loss)	$	(45,847	)		$	(74,558	)		$	3,079		$	(18,640	)
	Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)	—				—				(25		)	—
	Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders – Diluted	$	(45,847	)		$	(74,558	)		$	3,054		$	(18,640	)
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic	70,349,265				78,544,380				71,248,765			71,462,264
	Effect of dilutive shares(b)	—				—				—			—
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Diluted	70,349,265				78,544,380				71,248,765			71,462,264
	Earnings (loss) per common share – Diluted	$	(0.65	)		$	(0.95	)		$	0.04		$	(0.26	)
	(a)	For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 0.83% of net income. The amount of restricted share forfeitures for all periods present is immaterial to the allocation of distributed and undistributed earnings.
	(b)	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, we had no dilutive shares.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Income taxes have been provided for based upon the tax laws and rates in countries in which our operations are conducted and income is earned. The Company received an assurance from the Bermuda Minister of Finance that it would be exempted from local income, withholding and capital gains taxes until March 2035. Consequently, the provision for income taxes recorded relates to income earned by certain subsidiaries of the Company which are located in, or earn income in, jurisdictions that impose income taxes, primarily the United States and Ireland.
	The sources of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 were as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	U.S. operations	$	572		$	488		$	1,253		$	1,684
	Non-U.S. operations	(44,718		)	(75,643		)	7,802			(13,605		)
	Total	$	(44,146	)	$	(75,155	)	$	9,055		$	(11,921	)
	All of our aircraft-owning subsidiaries that are recognized as corporations for U.S. tax purposes are non-U.S. corporations. These non-U.S. subsidiaries generally earn income from sources outside the United States and typically are not subject to U.S. federal, state or local income taxes unless they operate within the U.S., in which case they may be subject to federal, state and local income taxes. We also have a U.S. based subsidiary which provides management services to our non-U.S. subsidiaries and is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxes.
	The consolidated income tax expense (benefit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 was determined based upon estimates of the Company's consolidated effective income tax rates for the years ending December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
	The Company's effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was (3.9)% and 66.0%, respectively, compared to 0.8% and (56.4)%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Movements in the effective tax rates are generally caused by changes in the proportion of the Company's pre-tax earnings in taxable and non-tax jurisdictions. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, the interim period effective tax rate reflects the portfolio impairment of aircraft in the amount of $78,676 and $97,592, respectively, which was treated as a discrete item.
	Differences between statutory income tax rates and our effective income tax rates applied to pre-tax income consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	Notional U.S. federal income tax expense (benefit) at the statutory rate	$	(15,451	)	$	(26,305	)	$	3,169		$	(4,173	)
	U.S. state and local income tax, net	37			39			86			125
	Non-U.S. operations:
	Bermuda	20,203			26,613			9,439			13,748
	Ireland	(2,101		)	(53		)	(3,776		)	(544		)
	Other	(1,051		)	(990		)	(3,109		)	(2,719		)
	Non-deductible expenses in the U.S.	71			107			183			306
	Other	(7		)	(8		)	(16		)	(24		)
	Income tax provision (benefit)	$	1,701		$	(597	)	$	5,976		$	6,719

Interest_Net

Interest, Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Interest Income (Expense), Net [Abstract]	'
Interest, Net	'
	Interest, Net
	The following table shows the components of interest, net:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities(1)	$	41,373		$	47,682		$	135,140		$	147,096
	Hedge ineffectiveness (gains) losses	1,474			93			1,840			197
	Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses	8,966			7,300			21,903			25,285
	Amortization of deferred financing fees (2)	2,391			2,976			10,082			11,757
	Interest Expense	54,204			58,051			168,965			184,335
	Less interest income	(103		)	(208		)	(447		)	(684		)
	Less capitalized interest	—			—			(1,315		)	—
	Interest, net	$	54,101		$	57,843		$	167,203		$	183,651
	(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, includes the loan termination fee of $2,954 related to two ECA aircraft sold in June 2013.
	(2) For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, includes the write-off of deferred financings fees of $2,914 related to the repayment of Term Financing No. 1. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, includes the write-off of deferred financings fees of $3,975 related to the repayment of two ECA Financings.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	At September 30, 2013, we had commitments to acquire five aircraft during the remainder of 2013 for $256,320.

Derivatives

Derivatives	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives	'
	Derivatives
	The objective of our hedging policy is to adopt a risk averse position with respect to changes in interest rates. Accordingly, we have entered into a number of interest rate derivatives to hedge the current and expected future interest rate payments on our variable rate debt. Interest rate derivatives are agreements in which a series of interest rate cash flows are exchanged with a third party over a prescribed period. The notional amount on an interest rate derivative is not exchanged. Our interest rate derivatives typically provide that we make fixed rate payments and receive floating rate payments to convert our floating rate borrowings to fixed rate obligations to better match the largely fixed rate cash flows from our investments in flight equipment.
	We held the following interest rate derivatives as of September 30, 2013:
		Derivative Liabilities
	Hedged Item	Current			Effective		Maturity		Future		Floating		Fixed	Balance Sheet	Fair
		Notional			Date		Date		Maximum		Rate		Rate	Location	Value
		Amount							Notional
									Amount
	Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
	Securitization No. 1	$	222,487		6-Jun		16-Jun		$	222,487	1M LIBOR		5.78%	Fair value of	$	27,122
											0.27%			derivative
														liabilities
	Securitization No. 2	499,338			12-Jun		17-Jun		499,338		1M LIBOR		1.26%	Fair value of	6,510
													to	derivative
													1.28%	liabilities
	Total interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges	$	721,825						$	721,825					$	33,632
	Interest rate derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges:
	Securitization No. 1	87,575			6-Jun		16-Jun		87,575		1M LIBOR + 0.27%		5.78%	Fair value of derivative liabilities	10,675
	Total interest rate derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges	87,575							87,575						10,675
	Total interest rate derivative liabilities	$	809,400						$	809,400					$	44,307
	The weighted average interest pay rates of these derivatives at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 were 2.91% and 3%, respectively.
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”) into interest expense related to net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives was $13,717. The amount of loss expected to be reclassified from OCI into interest expense over the next 12 months related to net interest settlements on active interest rate derivatives is $16,077.
	Our interest rate derivatives involve counterparty credit risk. As of September 30, 2013, our interest rate derivatives are held with the following counterparties: JP Morgan Chase Bank NA, Citibank Canada NA, and Wells Fargo Bank NA. All of our counterparties or guarantors of these counterparties are considered investment grade (senior unsecured ratings of Baa2 or above) by Moody’s Investors Service. All are also considered investment grade (long-term foreign issuer ratings of A- or above) by Standard and Poor’s. We do not anticipate that any of these counterparties will fail to meet their obligations.
	In addition to the derivative liability above, another component of the fair value of our interest rate derivatives is accrued interest. As of September 30, 2013, accrued interest payable included in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet was $827 related to interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and $194 related to interest rate derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges.
	Following is the effect of interest rate derivatives on the statement of financial performance for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
	Effective Portion							Ineffective Portion
	Derivatives in		Amount of	Location of		Amount of		Location of		Amount of
	ASC 815		Gain or (Loss)	Gain or (Loss)		Gain or (Loss)		Gain or (Loss)		Gain or (Loss)
	Cash Flow		Recognized in	Reclassified from		Reclassified from		Recognized in		Recognized in
	Hedging		OCI on	Accumulated		Accumulated		Income on Derivative		Income on
	Relationships		Derivative	OCI into Income		OCI into Income (b)				Derivative
			(a)							(c)
	Interest rate derivatives		$403	Interest expense		($38,633)		Interest expense		($203)
	(a)	This represents the change in fair market value of our interest rate derivatives since year end, net of taxes, offset by the amount of actual cash paid related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	(b)	This represents the amount of actual cash paid, net of taxes, related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 plus any effective amortization of net deferred interest rate derivative losses.
	(c)	This represents both realized and unrealized ineffectiveness incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under ASC 815		Location of Gain	Amount of Gain
			or (Loss)	or (Loss)
			Recognized in Income	Recognized in Income on
			On Derivative	Derivative
	Interest rate derivatives		Other income (expense)	$	3,727
	On an ongoing basis, terminated swap notionals are evaluated against debt forecasts. To the extent that interest payments are deemed remote to occur, deferred gains or losses are accelerated into interest expense as applicable.
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the amount of deferred net loss (including $2,027 of accelerated amortization driven by aircraft sales in 2013) reclassified from OCI into interest expense related to our terminated interest rate derivatives was $24,117. The amount of deferred net loss expected to be reclassified from OCI into interest expense over the next 12 months related to our terminated interest rate derivatives is $24,603 of which $15,908 relates to Term Financing No. 1 interest rate derivatives terminated in 2012, $1,336 relates to Term Financing No. 1 derivatives terminated in 2008, $6,030 relates to ECA Term Financings for New A330 Aircraft and $1,329 relates to other financings.
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the amount of effective deferred loss reclassified from OCI into interest expense related to our undesignated active interest rate derivative was $1,168. The amount of effective deferred loss expected to be reclassified from OCI into interest expense over the next 12 months related to our undesignated active interest rate derivative under our Securitization No. 1 is $1,678.
	The following table summarizes amounts charged directly to the consolidated statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, related to our interest rate derivatives:
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2013				2012		2013
	Interest expense:
	Hedge ineffectiveness losses	$	1,474		$	93			$	1,840	$	197
	Amortization:
	Accelerated amortization of deferred losses(1)	—			(2		)		—		2,025
	Amortization of loss of designated interest rate derivative	—			423				—		1,168
	Amortization of deferred losses	8,966			6,879				21,903		22,092
	Total Amortization	8,966			7,300				21,903		25,285
	Total charged to interest expense	$	10,440		$	7,393			$	23,743	$	25,482
	Other income:
	Mark to market gains on undesignated interest rate derivatives	$	—		$	855			$	599	$	3,727
	Total charged to other income	$	—		$	855			$	599	$	3,727
	__________
	(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, represents accelerated amortization of deferred hedge losses related to two aircraft sold in June 2013.

Other_Assets

Other Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other Assets	'
	Other Assets
	The following table describes the principal components of other assets on our consolidated balance sheet as of:
		December 31,		September 30,
		2012		2013
	Debt investments	$	40,388	$	—
	Deferred debt issuance costs, net of amortization of $54,146 and $58,802, respectively	55,087		47,103
	Deferred federal income tax asset	22,207		26,414
	Lease incentives and lease premiums, net of amortization of $26,902 and $36,787, respectively	62,822		84,860
	Flight equipment held for sale	—		300
	Other assets	6,260		18,565
	Total other assets	$	186,764	$	177,242

Accounts_Payable_Accrued_Expen

Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities	'
	Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
	The following table describes the principal components of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as of:
		December 31,		September 30,
		2012		2013
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	21,507	$	22,014
	Deferred federal income tax liability	48,217		56,231
	Accrued interest payable	38,273		48,638
	Lease discounts, net of amortization of $7,328 and $5,528 respectively	596		8,009
	Total accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	108,593	$	134,892

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The following table describes the principal components of accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as of:
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component(a)	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2013
	Beginning balance	$	(96,352	)	$	(126,290	)
	Amount recognized in other comprehensive loss on derivatives, net of tax benefit of $43 and tax expense of $21, respectively	(2,556		)	403
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income, net of tax expense of $121 and $368, respectively	11,654			38,633
	Net current period other comprehensive income	9,098			39,036
	Ending balance	$	(87,254	)	$	(87,254	)
	(a) All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
	Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss(a)	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2013
	Losses on cash flow hedges
	Amount of effective amortization of net deferred interest rate derivative losses(b)	$	7,300		$	25,285
	Effective amount of net settlements of interest rate derivatives, net of tax expense of $121 and $368, respectively(b)	4,354			13,348
	Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income(c)	$	11,654		$	38,633
	(a) All amounts are net of tax.
	(b) Included in interest expense.
	(c) This represents the effective amounts of actual cash paid related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives plus any effective amortization of net deferred interest rate derivative losses (see Note 13. - Derivatives).

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Organization and Basis of Presentation	'
	Aircastle is a holding company that conducts its business through subsidiaries. Aircastle directly or indirectly owns all of the outstanding common shares of its subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements presented are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). We operate in a single segment.
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting and, in our opinion, reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring items, which are necessary to present fairly the results for interim periods. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC; however, we believe that the disclosures are adequate to make information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aircastle and all of its subsidiaries. Aircastle consolidates eight Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) of which Aircastle is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
	We consolidate VIEs in which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary. We use judgment when deciding (a) whether an entity is subject to consolidation as a VIE, (b) who the variable interest holders are, (c) the potential expected losses and residual returns of the variable interest holders, and (d) which variable interest holder is the primary beneficiary. When determining which enterprise is the primary beneficiary, we consider (1) the entity’s purpose and design, (2) which variable interest holder has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (3) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. When certain events occur, we reconsider whether we are the primary beneficiary of VIEs. We do not reconsider whether we are a primary beneficiary solely because of operating losses incurred by an entity.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. While Aircastle believes that the estimates and related assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis	'
	The following tables set forth our financial assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 that we measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to their fair value measurement.
					Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012 Using Fair Value Hierarchy
		Fair Value as of December 31, 2012			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant			Valuation
					In Active			Other			Unobservable			Technique
					Markets for			Observable			Inputs
					Identical			Inputs			(Level 3)
					Assets			(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	618,217		$	618,217		$	—		$	—		Market
	Restricted cash and cash equivalents	111,942			111,942			—			—			Market
	Debt investments	40,388			—			—			40,388			Income
	Total	$	770,547		$	730,159		$	—		$	40,388
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities	$	61,978		$	—		$	61,978		$	—		Income
					Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013 Using Fair Value Hierarchy
		Fair Value as of September 30, 2013			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant			Valuation
					In Active			Other			Unobservable			Technique
					Markets for			Observable			Inputs
					Identical			Inputs			(Level 3)
					Assets			(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	238,150		$	238,150		$	—		$	—		Market
	Restricted cash and cash equivalents	191,843			191,843			—			—			Market
	Total	$	429,993		$	429,993		$	—		$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities	$	44,307		$	—		$	44,307		$	—		Income
Fair value assets on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs	'
		Assets
		Debt Investments
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	40,388
	Total gains/(losses), net:
	Included in other revenue	—			—			—			1,613
	Settlements	—			—			—			(42,001		)
	Balance at end of period	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Fair value liabilities on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs	'
		Liabilities
		Derivative Liabilities
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	—		$	—		$	(56,229	)	$	—
	Total gains/(losses), net:
	Included in other income (expense)	—			—			599			—
	Included in interest expense	—			—			73			—
	Included in other comprehensive income	—			—			4,800			—
	Settlements	—			—			50,757			—
	Balance at end of period	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
Carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments	'
	The carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 are as follows:
		December 31, 2012						September 30, 2013
		Carrying  Amount			Fair Value			Carrying  Amount			Fair Value
		of Asset			of Asset			of Asset			of Asset
		(Liability)			(Liability)			(Liability)			(Liability)
	Securitizations and term debt financings	$	(1,082,368	)	$	(962,960	)	$	(892,272	)	$	(831,391	)
	ECA term financings	(652,916		)	(671,966		)	(504,419		)	(522,478		)
	Bank financings	(112,750		)	(116,272		)	(184,427		)	(189,094		)
	Senior Notes	(1,750,642		)	(1,905,565		)	(1,750,556		)	(1,899,575		)

Lease_Rental_Revenues_and_Flig1

Lease Rental Revenues and Flight Equipment Held for Lease (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Annual future minimum lease rentals receivable	'
	Minimum future annual lease rentals contracted to be received under our existing operating leases of flight equipment at September 30, 2013 were as follows:
	Year Ending December 31,	Amount
	Remainder of 2013	$	166,891
	2014	620,543
	2015	554,155
	2016	483,676
	2017	354,261
	Thereafter	998,948
	Total	$	3,178,474
Geographic concentration of lease rental revenue earnings	'
	Geographic concentration of lease rental revenue earned from flight equipment held for lease was as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	Region	2012			2013			2012		2013
	Europe	37	%		33	%		40	%	33	%
	Asia and Pacific	33	%		38	%		30	%	38	%
	North America	12	%		10	%		12	%	9	%
	South America	7	%		9	%		7	%	9	%
	Middle East and Africa	11	%		10	%		11	%	11	%
	Total	100	%		100	%		100	%	100	%
Revenue attributable to individual countries	'
	The following table sets forth revenue attributable to individual countries representing at least 10% of total revenue (including maintenance revenue) based on each lessee’s principal place of business:
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2012									2013
	Country	Revenue				Percent of			Number		Revenue		Percent of		Number
						Total			of				Total		of
						Revenue			Lessees				Revenue		Lessees
	China(1)	$	19,303			11	%		4		$	—	—	%	—
	United States(1)	17,685				10	%		6		—		—	%	—
	Russia(1)	17,472				10	%		8		—		—	%	—
	United Kingdom(2)	—				—	%		—		16,293		10	%	2
	(1) Total revenue was less than 10% for the three months ended September 30, 2013.
	(2) Total revenue includes $12,056 of maintenance revenue and $875 of other revenue related to an agreed upon lease termination prior to delivery date.
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012									2013
	Country	Revenue				Percent of			Number		Revenue		Percent of		Number
						Total			of				Total		of
						Revenue			Lessees				Revenue		Lessees
	China	$	56,160			11	%		4		$	49,148	10	%	4
	United States(1)	61,366				12	%		6		—		—	%	—
	Russia(1)	50,280				10	%		8		—		—	%	—
	_______________
	(1) Total revenue was less than 10% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	The following table sets forth net book value of flight equipment (includes net book value of flight equipment held for lease and net investment in finance leases) attributable to individual countries representing at least 10% of net book value of flight equipment based on each lessee’s principal place of business as of:
		December 31, 2012									September 30, 2013
	Country	Net Book				Net Book			Number of		Net Book		Net Book		Number of
		Value				Value %			Lessees		Value		Value %		Lessees
	China(1)	$	515,194			11	%		4		$	—	—	%	—
Geographic concentration of net book value of flight equipment held for lease	'
	Geographic concentration of net book value of flight equipment (includes net book value of flight equipment held for lease, net investment in finance leases and flight equipment held for sale) was as follows:
		December 31, 2012						September 30, 2013
	Region	Number			Net Book			Number		Net Book
		of			Value %			of		Value %
		Aircraft						Aircraft
	Europe	68			35	%		67		33	%
	Asia and Pacific	50			34	%		52		38	%
	North America	17			10	%		21		11	%
	South America	14			8	%		14		7	%
	Middle East and Africa	8			12	%		7		11	%
	Off-lease	2		(1)	1	%		—		—	%
	Total	159			100	%		161		100	%
	_______________
	-1	Includes one Boeing 767-300ER that was sold in the first quarter of 2013 and one Boeing 747-400BDSF aircraft which was delivered to a lessee in the second quarter of 2013.

Net_Investment_in_Finance_Leas1

Net Investment in Finance Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Components Of Investment In Finance Leases	'
	The following table lists the components of our net investment in finance leases at September 30, 2013:
		Amount
	Total lease payments to be received	$	144,341
	Less: Unearned income	(66,795		)
	Estimated residual values of leased flight equipment (unguaranteed)	70,459
	Net investment in finance leases	$	148,005
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases	'
	At September 30, 2013, minimum future lease payments on finance leases are as follows:
	Year Ending December 31,	Amount
	Remainder of 2013	$	7,129
	2014	27,042
	2015	27,042
	2016	27,042
	2017	26,127
	Thereafter	29,959
	Total	$	144,341

Secured_and_Unsecured_Debt_Fin1

Secured and Unsecured Debt Financings (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Outstanding amounts of secured and unsecured term debt financings	'
	The following securitizations include liquidity facility commitments described in the table below:
				Available Liquidity
	Facility	Liquidity Facility Provider		December 31,				September 30,			Unused	Interest Rate
				2012				2013			Fee	on any Advances
	Securitization No. 1	Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank		$	42,000			$	42,000		0.45%	1M Libor + 1.00
	Securitization No. 2	HSH Nordbank AG		65,000				65,000			0.50%	1M Libor + 0.75
	The outstanding amounts of our secured and unsecured term debt financings were as follows:
		At December 31, 2012				At 9/30/2013
	Debt Obligation	Outstanding				Outstanding				Interest Rate(1)	Final Stated
		Borrowings				Borrowings					Maturity(2)
	Secured Debt Financings:
	Securitization No. 1	$	309,505			$	239,221			0.45%	6/20/31
	Securitization No. 2	772,863				653,051				0.49%	6/14/37
	ECA Term Financings	652,916				504,419				3.02% to 3.96%	12/3/21 to 11/30/24
	Bank Financings	112,750				184,427				1.08% to 4.57%	09/15/15 to 02/13/20
	Total secured debt financings	1,848,034				1,581,118
	Unsecured Debt Financings:
	Senior Notes due 2017	500,000				500,000				6.75%	4/15/17
	Senior Notes due 2018	450,642				450,556				9.75%	8/1/18
	Senior Notes due 2019	500,000				500,000				6.25%	12/1/19
	Senior Notes due 2020	300,000				300,000				7.63%	4/15/20
	2013 Revolving Credit Facility	—				—				N/A	8/2/16
	Total unsecured debt financings	1,750,642				1,750,556
	Total secured and unsecured debt financings	$	3,598,676			$	3,331,674
	-1	Reflects the floating rate in effect at the applicable reset date plus the margin for Securitization No. 1, Securitization No. 2 and one of our Bank Financings. All other financings have a fixed rate.
	-2	For Securitizations No. 1 and No. 2, all cash flows available after expenses and interest are applied to debt amortization.

Dividends_Tables

Dividends (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Dividends [Abstract]	'
Quarterly dividends declared by board of directors	'
	The following table sets forth the quarterly dividends declared by our board of directors for the periods covered in this report:
	Declaration Date	Dividend		Aggregate		Record Date	Payment Date
		per Common		Dividend
		Share		Amount
	February 17, 2012	$	0.15	$	10,865	February 29, 2012	March 15, 2012
	2-May-12	$	0.15	$	10,847	May 31, 2012	June 15, 2012
	1-Aug-12	$	0.15	$	10,464	August 31, 2012	September 14, 2012
	5-Nov-12	$	0.165	$	11,493	November 30, 2012	December 14, 2012
	18-Feb-13	$	0.165	$	11,268	March 4, 2013	March 15, 2013
	1-May-13	$	0.165	$	11,297	May 31, 2013	June 14, 2013
	2-Aug-13	$	0.165	$	13,330	August 30, 2013	September 13, 2013

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Allocation of distributed and undistributed earnings to both common shares and restricted common shares	'
	In applying the two-class method, distributed and undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and restricted common shares based on the total weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Because the holders of the participating restricted common shares were not contractually required to share in the Company’s losses, in applying the two-class method to compute basic and diluted net loss per common share, no allocation to restricted common shares was made for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	Weighted-average shares:
	Common shares outstanding	70,349,265			78,544,380			71,248,765			71,462,264
	Restricted common shares	571,326			669,489			596,749			562,612
	Total weighted-average shares	70,920,591			79,213,869			71,845,514			72,024,876
	Percentage of weighted-average shares:
	Common shares outstanding	99.19	%		99.15	%		99.17	%		99.22	%
	Restricted common shares	0.81	%		0.85	%		0.83	%		0.78	%
	Total	100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
Basic and Diluted earnings per share	'
	The calculations of both basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012				2013				2012			2013
	Earnings (loss) per share – Basic:
	Net income (loss)	$	(45,847	)		$	(74,558	)		$	3,079		$	(18,640	)
	Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares (a)	—				—				(25		)	—
	Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders – Basic	$	(45,847	)		$	(74,558	)		$	3,054		$	(18,640	)
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic	70,349,265				78,544,380				71,248,765			71,462,264
	Earnings (loss) per common share – Basic	$	(0.65	)		$	(0.95	)		$	0.04		$	(0.26	)
	Earnings (loss) per share – Diluted:
	Net income (loss)	$	(45,847	)		$	(74,558	)		$	3,079		$	(18,640	)
	Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares(a)	—				—				(25		)	—
	Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders – Diluted	$	(45,847	)		$	(74,558	)		$	3,054		$	(18,640	)
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic	70,349,265				78,544,380				71,248,765			71,462,264
	Effect of dilutive shares(b)	—				—				—			—
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Diluted	70,349,265				78,544,380				71,248,765			71,462,264
	Earnings (loss) per common share – Diluted	$	(0.65	)		$	(0.95	)		$	0.04		$	(0.26	)
	(a)	For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 0.83% of net income. The amount of restricted share forfeitures for all periods present is immaterial to the allocation of distributed and undistributed earnings.
	(b)	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, we had no dilutive shares.

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Sources of income from continuing operations before income taxes	'
	The sources of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 were as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	U.S. operations	$	572		$	488		$	1,253		$	1,684
	Non-U.S. operations	(44,718		)	(75,643		)	7,802			(13,605		)
	Total	$	(44,146	)	$	(75,155	)	$	9,055		$	(11,921	)
Analysis of effective income tax rate for continuing operations	'
	Differences between statutory income tax rates and our effective income tax rates applied to pre-tax income consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	Notional U.S. federal income tax expense (benefit) at the statutory rate	$	(15,451	)	$	(26,305	)	$	3,169		$	(4,173	)
	U.S. state and local income tax, net	37			39			86			125
	Non-U.S. operations:
	Bermuda	20,203			26,613			9,439			13,748
	Ireland	(2,101		)	(53		)	(3,776		)	(544		)
	Other	(1,051		)	(990		)	(3,109		)	(2,719		)
	Non-deductible expenses in the U.S.	71			107			183			306
	Other	(7		)	(8		)	(16		)	(24		)
	Income tax provision (benefit)	$	1,701		$	(597	)	$	5,976		$	6,719

Interest_Net_Tables

Interest, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Interest Income (Expense), Net [Abstract]	'
Components of Interest	'
	The following table shows the components of interest, net:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
	Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities(1)	$	41,373		$	47,682		$	135,140		$	147,096
	Hedge ineffectiveness (gains) losses	1,474			93			1,840			197
	Amortization of interest rate derivatives related to deferred losses	8,966			7,300			21,903			25,285
	Amortization of deferred financing fees (2)	2,391			2,976			10,082			11,757
	Interest Expense	54,204			58,051			168,965			184,335
	Less interest income	(103		)	(208		)	(447		)	(684		)
	Less capitalized interest	—			—			(1,315		)	—
	Interest, net	$	54,101		$	57,843		$	167,203		$	183,651
	(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, includes the loan termination fee of $2,954 related to two ECA aircraft sold in June 2013.
	(2) For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, includes the write-off of deferred financings fees of $2,914 related to the repayment of Term Financing No. 1. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, includes the write-off of deferred financings fees of $3,975 related to the repayment of two ECA Financings.

Derivatives_Tables

Derivatives (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Interest rate derivatives	'
	We held the following interest rate derivatives as of September 30, 2013:
		Derivative Liabilities
	Hedged Item	Current			Effective		Maturity		Future		Floating		Fixed	Balance Sheet	Fair
		Notional			Date		Date		Maximum		Rate		Rate	Location	Value
		Amount							Notional
									Amount
	Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
	Securitization No. 1	$	222,487		6-Jun		16-Jun		$	222,487	1M LIBOR		5.78%	Fair value of	$	27,122
											0.27%			derivative
														liabilities
	Securitization No. 2	499,338			12-Jun		17-Jun		499,338		1M LIBOR		1.26%	Fair value of	6,510
													to	derivative
													1.28%	liabilities
	Total interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges	$	721,825						$	721,825					$	33,632
	Interest rate derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges:
	Securitization No. 1	87,575			6-Jun		16-Jun		87,575		1M LIBOR + 0.27%		5.78%	Fair value of derivative liabilities	10,675
	Total interest rate derivatives not designated as cash flow hedges	87,575							87,575						10,675
	Total interest rate derivative liabilities	$	809,400						$	809,400					$	44,307
Consolidated statement of income related to interest rate derivative contracts	'
	Following is the effect of interest rate derivatives on the statement of financial performance for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
	Effective Portion							Ineffective Portion
	Derivatives in		Amount of	Location of		Amount of		Location of		Amount of
	ASC 815		Gain or (Loss)	Gain or (Loss)		Gain or (Loss)		Gain or (Loss)		Gain or (Loss)
	Cash Flow		Recognized in	Reclassified from		Reclassified from		Recognized in		Recognized in
	Hedging		OCI on	Accumulated		Accumulated		Income on Derivative		Income on
	Relationships		Derivative	OCI into Income		OCI into Income (b)				Derivative
			(a)							(c)
	Interest rate derivatives		$403	Interest expense		($38,633)		Interest expense		($203)
	(a)	This represents the change in fair market value of our interest rate derivatives since year end, net of taxes, offset by the amount of actual cash paid related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	(b)	This represents the amount of actual cash paid, net of taxes, related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 plus any effective amortization of net deferred interest rate derivative losses.
	(c)	This represents both realized and unrealized ineffectiveness incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments under ASC 815		Location of Gain	Amount of Gain
			or (Loss)	or (Loss)
			Recognized in Income	Recognized in Income on
			On Derivative	Derivative
	Interest rate derivatives		Other income (expense)	$	3,727
	The following table summarizes amounts charged directly to the consolidated statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, related to our interest rate derivatives:
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2013				2012		2013
	Interest expense:
	Hedge ineffectiveness losses	$	1,474		$	93			$	1,840	$	197
	Amortization:
	Accelerated amortization of deferred losses(1)	—			(2		)		—		2,025
	Amortization of loss of designated interest rate derivative	—			423				—		1,168
	Amortization of deferred losses	8,966			6,879				21,903		22,092
	Total Amortization	8,966			7,300				21,903		25,285
	Total charged to interest expense	$	10,440		$	7,393			$	23,743	$	25,482
	Other income:
	Mark to market gains on undesignated interest rate derivatives	$	—		$	855			$	599	$	3,727
	Total charged to other income	$	—		$	855			$	599	$	3,727
	__________
	(1) For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, represents accelerated amortization of deferred hedge losses related to two aircraft sold in June 2013.

Other_Assets_Tables

Other Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Principal components of other assets	'
	The following table describes the principal components of other assets on our consolidated balance sheet as of:
		December 31,		September 30,
		2012		2013
	Debt investments	$	40,388	$	—
	Deferred debt issuance costs, net of amortization of $54,146 and $58,802, respectively	55,087		47,103
	Deferred federal income tax asset	22,207		26,414
	Lease incentives and lease premiums, net of amortization of $26,902 and $36,787, respectively	62,822		84,860
	Flight equipment held for sale	—		300
	Other assets	6,260		18,565
	Total other assets	$	186,764	$	177,242

Accounts_Payable_Accrued_Expen1

Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Principal components of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities recorded on our consolidated balance sheet	'
	The following table describes the principal components of accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as of:
		December 31,		September 30,
		2012		2013
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	21,507	$	22,014
	Deferred federal income tax liability	48,217		56,231
	Accrued interest payable	38,273		48,638
	Lease discounts, net of amortization of $7,328 and $5,528 respectively	596		8,009
	Total accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	108,593	$	134,892

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss(a)	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2013
	Losses on cash flow hedges
	Amount of effective amortization of net deferred interest rate derivative losses(b)	$	7,300		$	25,285
	Effective amount of net settlements of interest rate derivatives, net of tax expense of $121 and $368, respectively(b)	4,354			13,348
	Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income(c)	$	11,654		$	38,633
	(a) All amounts are net of tax.
	(b) Included in interest expense.
	(c) This represents the effective amounts of actual cash paid related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives plus any effective amortization of net deferred interest rate derivative losses (see Note 13. - Derivatives).
	The following table describes the principal components of accumulated other comprehensive loss recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as of:
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component(a)	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2013
	Beginning balance	$	(96,352	)	$	(126,290	)
	Amount recognized in other comprehensive loss on derivatives, net of tax benefit of $43 and tax expense of $21, respectively	(2,556		)	403
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income, net of tax expense of $121 and $368, respectively	11,654			38,633
	Net current period other comprehensive income	9,098			39,036
	Ending balance	$	(87,254	)	$	(87,254	)
	(a) All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Entity
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary	'
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'
Number of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities	8

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Debt investments	$0	$40,388
Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	44,307	61,978
Recurring | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	238,150	618,217
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	191,843	111,942
Debt investments	'	40,388
Total	429,993	770,547
Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	44,307	61,978
Recurring | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	238,150	618,217
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	191,843	111,942
Debt investments	'	0
Total	429,993	730,159
Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	0	0
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Debt investments	'	0
Total	0	0
Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	44,307	61,978
Recurring | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Debt investments	'	40,388
Total	0	40,388
Liabilities:	'	'
Derivative liabilities	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (Recurring, Available-for-sale Securities, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Recurring | Available-for-sale Securities	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$0	$0	$40,388	$0
Total gains/(losses), net:	'	'	'	'
Included in other revenue	0	0	1,613	0
Settlements	0	0	-42,001	0
Balance at end of period	$0	$0	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail2

Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (Recurring, Derivative Liabilities, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$0	$0	$0	($56,229)
Included in other comprehensive income	0	0	0	4,800
Settlements	0	0	0	50,757
Balance at end of period	0	0	0	0
Other Income	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Included in other income (expense) and interest expense	0	0	0	599
Interest Expense	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Included in other income (expense) and interest expense	$0	$0	$0	$73

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail3

Fair Value Measurements (Details 3) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Secured Debt | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Securitizations and term debt financings	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	($831,391)	'
Secured Debt | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | ECA term financings	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	-522,478	-671,966
Secured Debt | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Bank financings	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	-189,094	-116,272
Secured Debt | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Reported Value Measurement | Securitizations and term debt financings	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	-892,272	-1,082,368
Secured Debt | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Reported Value Measurement | ECA term financings	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	-504,419	-652,916
Secured Debt | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Reported Value Measurement | Bank financings	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	-184,427	-112,750
Secured Debt | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Securitizations and term debt financings	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	'	-962,960
Unsecured Debt | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Senior Notes	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	-1,899,575	-1,905,565
Unsecured Debt | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Reported Value Measurement | Senior Notes	'	'
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	($1,750,556)	($1,750,642)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail4

Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Aircraft

Aircraft

B-747-400

A319-100 & B 767-300ER

A319-100 & B 767-300ER

A-319-100

B-767-300ER

B-767-300ER

B-767-300ER

B-767-300ER

B-737 Classic

McDonnell Douglas MD-11F Freighter Aircraft

B-737-700

A-310-300F

B-767-300ER & B-737-700 & A-310-300F

A-320-200

B-757-200

B-757-200 & B-767-300ER

Aircraft

Aircraft

Maximum

Minimum

Forecast Scenario

Forecast Scenario

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas MD-11F Freighter Aircraft

McDonnell Douglas MD-11F Freighter Aircraft

Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Aircraft Impaired

7

2

'

'

'

'

6

2

2

1

1

1

1

4

8

2

1

1

'

2

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'35 years

'25 years

'

'

Increase (Decrease) in Depreciation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$900

$4,600

Net Book Value

4,938,113

'

'

4,938,113

'

4,662,661

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

318,854

'

'

'

'

Asset impairment charges, fleet review

78,676

'

78,676

97,592

97,592

'

88,647

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,945

'

'

'

'

'

97,592

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment of Aircraft

106,136

'

78,676

112,335

88,787

'

'

'

6,199

'

8,544

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

67,370

11,306

'

10,111

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maintenance Revenue

12,932

'

10,944

42,983

37,126

'

'

'

9,019

'

12,056

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,159

'

2,447

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other revenue

$1,625

'

$5,695

$11,425

$9,341

'

'

'

$876

'

$875

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,157

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lease_Rental_Revenues_and_Flig2

Lease Rental Revenues and Flight Equipment Held for Lease (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Annual future minimum lease rentals receivable	'
Remainder of 2013	$166,891
2014	620,543
2015	554,155
2016	483,676
2017	354,261
Thereafter	998,948
Total	$3,178,474

Lease_Rental_Revenues_and_Flig3

Lease Rental Revenues and Flight Equipment Held for Lease (Details 1) (Lease Rental Revenue, Geographic Concentration Risk)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of geographic concentration	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Europe	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of geographic concentration	33.00%	37.00%	33.00%	40.00%
Asia and Pacific	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of geographic concentration	38.00%	33.00%	38.00%	30.00%
North America	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of geographic concentration	10.00%	12.00%	9.00%	12.00%
South America	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of geographic concentration	9.00%	7.00%	9.00%	7.00%
Middle East and Africa	'	'	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of geographic concentration	10.00%	11.00%	11.00%	11.00%

Lease_Rental_Revenues_and_Flig4

Lease Rental Revenues and Flight Equipment Held for Lease (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue attributable to individual countries	'		'		'		'
Revenue	$161,148		$159,547		$475,656		$465,413
Maintenance revenue	12,932		10,944		42,983		37,126
Other revenue	1,625		5,695		11,425		9,341
China	'		'		'		'
Revenue attributable to individual countries	'		'		'		'
Revenue	0	[1]	19,303	[1]	49,148		56,160
Number of Lessees	0	[1]	4	[1]	4		4
United States	'		'		'		'
Revenue attributable to individual countries	'		'		'		'
Revenue	0	[1]	17,685	[1]	0	[2]	61,366	[2]
Number of Lessees	0	[1]	6	[1]	0	[2]	6	[2]
Russia	'		'		'		'
Revenue attributable to individual countries	'		'		'		'
Revenue	0	[1]	17,472	[1]	0	[2]	50,280	[2]
Number of Lessees	0	[1]	8	[1]	0	[2]	8	[2]
United Kingdom	'		'		'		'
Revenue attributable to individual countries	'		'		'		'
Revenue	16,293	[3]	0	[3]	'		'
Number of Lessees	2,000	[3]	0	[3]	'		'
Maintenance revenue	12,056		'		'		'
Other revenue	$875		'		'		'
Geographic Concentration Risk | Total Revenue | China	'		'		'		'
Revenue attributable to individual countries	'		'		'		'
Percentage of geographic concentration	0.00%	[1]	11.00%	[1]	10.00%		11.00%
Geographic Concentration Risk | Total Revenue | United States	'		'		'		'
Revenue attributable to individual countries	'		'		'		'
Percentage of geographic concentration	0.00%	[1]	10.00%	[1]	0.00%	[2]	12.00%	[2]
Geographic Concentration Risk | Total Revenue | Russia	'		'		'		'
Revenue attributable to individual countries	'		'		'		'
Percentage of geographic concentration	0.00%	[1]	10.00%	[1]	0.00%	[2]	10.00%	[2]
Geographic Concentration Risk | Total Revenue | United Kingdom	'		'		'		'
Revenue attributable to individual countries	'		'		'		'
Percentage of geographic concentration	10.00%	[3]	0.00%	[3]	'		'
[1]	Total revenue was less than 10% for the three months ended September 30, 2013.
[2]	Total revenue was less than 10% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
[3]	Total revenue includes $12,056 of maintenance revenue and $875 of other revenue related to an agreed upon lease termination prior to delivery date.

Lease_Rental_Revenues_and_Flig5

Lease Rental Revenues and Flight Equipment Held for Lease (Details 3)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Aircraft

Aircraft

B-767-300ER

B-747-400BDSF

Europe

Europe

Asia and Pacific

Asia and Pacific

North America

North America

South America

South America

Middle East and Africa

Middle East and Africa

Off Lease

Off Lease

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Geographic Concentration Risk

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Net Book Value

Europe

Europe

Asia and Pacific

Asia and Pacific

North America

North America

CHINA

CHINA

South America

South America

Middle East and Africa

Middle East and Africa

Off Lease

Off Lease

Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Aircraft

161

159

'

'

67

68

52

50

21

17

14

14

7

8

0

2

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of geographic concentration

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

100.00%

33.00%

35.00%

38.00%

34.00%

11.00%

10.00%

0.00%

11.00%

7.00%

8.00%

11.00%

12.00%

0.00%

1.00%

Number of Offlease Aircraft being Marketed for Lease or Sale

'

'

1

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Includes one Boeing 767-300ER that was sold in the first quarter of 2013 and one Boeing 747-400BDSF aircraft which was delivered to a lessee in the second quarter of 2013.

Lease_Rental_Revenues_and_Flig6

Lease Rental Revenues and Flight Equipment Held for Lease (Details 4) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Net Book Value	4,938,113	4,662,661
China	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Net Book Value	0	515,194
Number of Lessees	0	4
Geographic Concentration Risk | Net Book Value	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of geographic concentration	100.00%	100.00%
Geographic Concentration Risk | Net Book Value | China	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage of geographic concentration	0.00%	11.00%

Lease_Rental_Revenues_and_Flig7

Lease Rental Revenues and Flight Equipment Held for Lease (Details Textual) (USD $)

6 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Lessee

Lessee

Customer Group One

Customer Group One

Customer Group Two

Customer Group Two

Customer Group Two

Customer Group Two

Other Customers

Other Customers

Other Customers

Lease Rental Revenue

Lease Rental Revenue

Lease Rental Revenue

Lease Rental Revenue

Lease Rental Revenue

Lease Rental Revenue

Lease Rental Revenue

Lease Rental Revenue

Minimum

Minimum

Maintenance Payments

Maintenance Payments

Lessee

Lessee

Lessee

Lessee

Lessee

Lessee

Lessee

Lessee

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Lease Rental Revenue

Lease Rental Revenue

Customer Group One

Customer Group One

Customer Group One

Customer Group One

Customer Group Two

Customer Group Two

Customer Group Two

Customer Group Two

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Other Customers

Other Customers

Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Entity-Wide Revenue, Major Customer, Number

1

1

1

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of geographic concentration

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.00%

9.00%

10.00%

8.00%

16.00%

24.00%

25.00%

17.00%

5.00%

5.00%

'

'

Percentage of lease rental revenues accounted by customers

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

5.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Lessees With 5% of Lease Rental Revenue

'

'

'

'

3

4

4

3

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amounts of lease incentive liabilities recorded in the consolidated balance sheets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$25,265

$15,587

Net_Investment_in_Finance_Leas2

Net Investment in Finance Leases Narrative (Details)	Sep. 30, 2013
	Aircraft
GERMANY	'
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
Capital Leased Assets, Number of Units	6
United States	'
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
Capital Leased Assets, Number of Units	4
Capital Leased Assets, Number of Customers	2
CANADA	'
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
Capital Leased Assets, Number of Units	1

Net_Investment_in_Finance_Leas3

Net Investment in Finance Leases Net Investment in Finance Leases (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Capital Leases, Net Investment in Direct Financing Leases [Abstract]	'	'
Total lease payments to be received	$144,341	'
Less: Unearned income	-66,795	'
Estimated residual values of leased flight equipment (unguaranteed)	70,459	'
Net investment in finance leases	148,005	119,951
Remainder of 2013	7,129	'
2014	27,042	'
2015	27,042	'
2016	27,042	'
2017	26,127	'
Thereafter	29,959	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable	$144,341	'

Variable_Interest_Entities_Det

Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified			Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary	ACS Ireland VIEs	ACS Ireland VIEs	Air Knight VIEs	Air Knight VIEs	Air Knight VIEs	A-330-200
			Entity	ECA Term Financings	Securitization No. 2	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary	Air Knight VIEs
			Aircraft		Class A-1 Notes	Entity	Class E-1 Securities	ECA Term Financings	ECA Term Financings	ECA Term Financings	Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary
					Subsidiary	Aircraft		Term_Loan	Term_Loan	Term_Loan	ECA Term Financings
											Aircraft
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of VIE's consolidated	'	'	8	'	'	2	'	'	'	'	'
Number of Aircrafts	'	'	17	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of Subsidiaries in Securitization No.2	'	'	'	'	2	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of common shares owned	'	'	'	'	'	95.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Limitation of trust risk to annual dividend	'	'	'	'	'	$2	'	'	'	'	'
Number of aircraft transferred to historical cost basis	'	'	'	'	'	10	'	'	'	'	'
Combined assets	'	'	'	'	'	$322,269	'	'	'	'	'
Borrowings from secured financings	1,581,118	1,848,034	'	'	'	'	72,068	'	'	'	'
Combined Liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	267,810	'	'	'	'	'
Type of term loans	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11	'
Debt instrument, term	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'12 years	'
Number of new airbuses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11
Number of VIE ECA Loans Repaid	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	1	'	'
Number of outstanding term loan	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8	'
Net book value of flight equipment held for lease	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	580,361	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	191,843	111,942	'	70,771	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated debt outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$504,419	'

Secured_and_Unsecured_Debt_Fin2

Secured and Unsecured Debt Financings (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Aug. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Outstanding amounts of secured and unsecured term debt financings	'		'	'
Borrowings from secured financings	$1,581,118		'	$1,848,034
Borrowings from unsecured financings	1,750,556		'	1,750,642
Total secured and unsecured debt financings	3,331,674		'	3,598,676
Line of Credit | Revolving Credit Facility	'		'	'
Outstanding amounts of secured and unsecured term debt financings	'		'	'
Borrowings from unsecured financings	0		'	0
Securitization No. 1 | Secured Debt	'		'	'
Outstanding amounts of secured and unsecured term debt financings	'		'	'
Borrowings from secured financings	239,221		'	309,505
Interest rate	0.45%	[1]	'	'
Securitization No. 2 | Secured Debt	'		'	'
Outstanding amounts of secured and unsecured term debt financings	'		'	'
Borrowings from secured financings	653,051		'	772,863
Interest rate	0.49%	[1]	'	'
ECA Term Financings | Notes Payable, Other Payables	'		'	'
Outstanding amounts of secured and unsecured term debt financings	'		'	'
Borrowings from secured financings	504,419		'	652,916
Interest rate	'		3.49%	'
Minimum effective interest rate	3.02%	[1]	'	'
Maximum effective interest rate	3.96%	[1]	'	'
Bank Financings | Notes Payable to Banks	'		'	'
Outstanding amounts of secured and unsecured term debt financings	'		'	'
Borrowings from secured financings	184,427		'	112,750
Interest rate	2.58%		'	'
Minimum effective interest rate	1.08%	[1]	'	'
Maximum effective interest rate	4.57%	[1]	'	'
Senior Notes Due 2017 | Senior Notes	'		'	'
Outstanding amounts of secured and unsecured term debt financings	'		'	'
Borrowings from unsecured financings	500,000		'	500,000
Interest rate	6.75%	[1]	'	'
Senior Notes due 2018 | Senior Notes	'		'	'
Outstanding amounts of secured and unsecured term debt financings	'		'	'
Borrowings from unsecured financings	450,556		'	450,642
Interest rate	9.75%	[1]	'	'
Senior Notes Due 2019 | Senior Notes	'		'	'
Outstanding amounts of secured and unsecured term debt financings	'		'	'
Borrowings from unsecured financings	500,000		'	500,000
Interest rate	6.25%	[1]	'	'
Senior Notes Due 2020 | Senior Notes	'		'	'
Outstanding amounts of secured and unsecured term debt financings	'		'	'
Borrowings from unsecured financings	$300,000		'	$300,000
Interest rate	7.63%	[1]	'	'
[1]	Reflects the floating rate in effect at the applicable reset date plus the margin for Securitization No. 1, Securitization No. 2 and one of our Bank Financings. All other financings have a fixed rate.

Secured_and_Unsecured_Debt_Fin3

Secured and Unsecured Debt Financings (Details 1) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

31-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

31-May-13

31-May-13

31-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

31-May-13

Aug. 02, 2013

Aug. 02, 2013

ECA Term Financings

Secured Debt

Secured Debt

Secured Debt

Secured Debt

Secured Debt

Secured Debt

Secured Debt

Secured Debt

Notes Payable, Other Payables

Notes Payable, Other Payables

Notes Payable, Other Payables

Notes Payable to Banks

Notes Payable to Banks

Notes Payable to Banks

Notes Payable to Banks

Notes Payable to Banks

Notes Payable to Banks

Notes Payable to Banks

Line of Credit

Line of Credit

Securitization No. 1

Securitization No. 1

Securitization No. 1

Securitization No. 1

Securitization No. 2

Securitization No. 2

Securitization No. 2

Securitization No. 2

ECA Term Financings

ECA Term Financings

ECA Term Financings

Bank Financings

Bank Financings

Bank Financings

Bank Financings

Bank Financings, Variable Rate

Bank Financings, Variable Rate

Bank Financings, Fixed Rate

2012 Revolving Credit Facility

2013 Revolving Credit Facility

Credit Agricole Corporate And Investment Bank [Member]

Credit Agricole Corporate And Investment Bank [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

HSH Nordbank AG [Member]

HSH Nordbank AG [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

Term_Loan

Subsidiary

A-320-200

loan

A-320-200

B-737-800

variable_loan

variable_loan

fixed_loan

Revolving Credit Facility

Revolving Credit Facility

Aircraft

Aircraft

Aircraft

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available Liquidity

'

'

'

'

$42,000,000

$42,000,000

'

'

$65,000,000

$65,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unused Fee

'

'

'

'

0.45%

'

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

75.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of debt instruments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

4

'

'

3

2

1

'

'

Interest rate

'

'

'

0.45%

[1]

'

'

'

0.49%

[1]

'

'

'

'

3.49%

'

'

2.58%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of Long-term Debt

430,482,000

783,976,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

111,693,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loan termination fee

'

'

2,954,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,954,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, fee

'

'

3,975,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,825,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, face amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

78,230,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term debt financings assumed in asset acquisitions

84,721,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

91,797,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of aircraft acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

2

2

'

'

'

'

'

Debt weighted average interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.36%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

400,000,000

Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$335,000,000

'

Debt instrument, term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

[1]

Reflects the floating rate in effect at the applicable reset date plus the margin for Securitization No. 1, Securitization No. 2 and one of our Bank Financings. All other financings have a fixed rate.

Dividends_Details

Dividends (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended							3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 02, 2013	1-May-13	Feb. 18, 2013	Nov. 05, 2012	Aug. 01, 2012	2-May-12	Feb. 17, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Dividends [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$0.17	$0.17	$0.17	$0.17	$0.15	$0.15	$0.15	$0.17	$0.15	$0.50	$0.45
Aggregate Dividend Amount	$13,330	$11,297	$11,268	$11,493	$10,464	$10,847	$10,865	'	'	'	'

Shareholders_Equity_Details

Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
				Common Stock	Common Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Stock repurchased and retired during period (in shares)	'	'	'	'	679,292
chased and retired during period	$8,579	'	'	'	'
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount	$30,000	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	'	'	'	12,320,000	'
Common shares, par value	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01	'	'
Shares issued, price per share	'	'	'	$17	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Weighted-average shares:	'	'	'	'
Common shares outstanding	78,544,380	70,349,265	71,462,264	71,248,765
Restricted common shares	669,489	571,326	562,612	596,749
Total Weighted Average Shares	79,213,869	70,920,591	72,024,876	71,845,514
Percentage of weighted-average shares:	'	'	'	'
Common shares outstanding	99.15%	99.19%	99.22%	99.17%
Restricted common shares	0.85%	0.81%	0.78%	0.83%
Total	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

Earnings_Per_Share_Details_1

Earnings Per Share (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings (loss) per share – Basic:	'		'		'		'
Net income (loss)	($74,558)		($45,847)		($18,640)		$3,079
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares (a)	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	-25	[1]
Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders – Basic	-74,558		-45,847		-18,640		3,054
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic	78,544,380		70,349,265		71,462,264		71,248,765
Earnings (loss) per common share – Basic	($0.95)		($0.65)		($0.26)		$0.04
Earnings (loss) per share – Diluted:	'		'		'		'
Net income (loss)	-74,558		-45,847		-18,640		3,079
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to restricted common shares (a)	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	-25	[1]
Earnings (loss) available to common shareholders – Diluted	($74,558)		($45,847)		($18,640)		$3,054
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Basic	78,544,380		70,349,265		71,462,264		71,248,765
Effect of dilutive shares(b)	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – Diluted	78,544,380		70,349,265		71,462,264		71,248,765
Earnings (loss) per common share – Diluted	($0.95)		($0.65)		($0.26)		$0.04
[1]	For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, distributed and undistributed earnings to restricted shares is 0.83% of net income. The amount of restricted share forfeitures for all periods present is immaterial to the allocation of distributed and undistributed earnings.
[2]	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, we had no dilutive shares.

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Sources of income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	'	'
U.S. operations	$488	$572	$1,684	$1,253
Non-U.S. operations	-75,643	-44,718	-13,605	7,802
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	($75,155)	($44,146)	($11,921)	$9,055

Income_Taxes_Details_1

Income Taxes (Details 1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Analysis of effective income tax rate for continuing operations	'	'	'	'
Notional U.S. federal income tax expense (benefit) at the statutory rate	($26,305)	($15,451)	($4,173)	$3,169
U.S. state and local income tax, net	39	37	125	86
Non-deductible expenses in the U.S.	107	71	306	183
Other	-8	-7	-24	-16
Income tax provision (benefit)	-597	1,701	6,719	5,976
Bermuda [Member]	'	'	'	'
Analysis of effective income tax rate for continuing operations	'	'	'	'
Non-U.S. operations:	26,613	20,203	13,748	9,439
Ireland [Member]	'	'	'	'
Analysis of effective income tax rate for continuing operations	'	'	'	'
Non-U.S. operations:	-53	-2,101	-544	-3,776
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Analysis of effective income tax rate for continuing operations	'	'	'	'
Non-U.S. operations:	($990)	($1,051)	($2,719)	($3,109)

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Text

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Textual) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	0.80%	-3.90%	66.00%	-56.40%	'
Asset impairment charges, fleet review	$78,676	$78,676	'	$97,592	$97,592

Interest_Net_Details

Interest, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Interest Income (Expense), Net [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest on borrowings, net settlements on interest rate derivatives, and other liabilities(1)	$47,682	$41,373	$147,096	$135,140
Hedge ineffectiveness (gains) losses	93	1,474	197	1,840
Cash flow hedges reclassified into earnings	7,300	8,966	25,285	21,903
Amortization of deferred financing costs	2,976	2,391	11,757	10,082
Interest Expense	58,051	54,204	184,335	168,965
Less interest income	-208	-103	-684	-447
Less capitalized interest	0	0	0	-1,315
Interest, net	$57,843	$54,101	$183,651	$167,203

Interest_Net_Narrative_Details

Interest, Net Narrative (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	ECA Term Financings	ECA Term Financings	Term Financing No. 1
	Aircraft	Term_Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loan termination fee	'	$2,954	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Number of Aircraft Sold	2	'	'
Debt instrument, fee	'	$3,975	$2,914
Debt Instrument, Number of Instruments Repurchased	'	2	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aircraft
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Minimum Quantity Required	5
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	$256,320

Derivatives_Details

Derivatives (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Cash Flow Hedging

Cash Flow Hedging

Cash Flow Hedging

Cash Flow Hedging

Cash Flow Hedging

Cash Flow Hedging

Cash Flow Hedging

Securitization No. 1

Securitization No. 1

Derivative Liabilities

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument

Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)

Derivative Liabilities

Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

Securitization No. 1

Securitization No. 2

Securitization No. 2

Securitization No. 2

Derivative Liabilities

Derivative Liabilities

Minimum

Maximum

Securitization No. 1

Securitization No. 2

Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current Notional Amount

$809,400

'

'

$87,575

'

'

$87,575

'

$721,825

$222,487

$499,338

'

'

'

'

Future Maximum Notional Amount

809,400

'

'

87,575

'

'

87,575

'

721,825

222,487

499,338

'

'

'

'

Floating Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1M LIBOR + 0.27%

'

'

'1M LIBOR + 0.27%

'1M LIBOR

'

'

'

'

Fixed Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.78%

'

'

5.78%

'

1.26%

1.28%

'

'

Derivative liabilities

$44,307

$61,978

'

'

'

$10,675

'

$10,675

$33,632

'

'

'

'

$27,122

$6,510

Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

27.00%

'

27.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives_Details_1

Derivatives (Details 1) (Interest Rate Contract, USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (b)	'	'	$13,717		'
Interest Expense	'	'	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (c)	-93	-1,474	-197		-1,840
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other income (expense) [Member]	'	'	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (c)	'	'	3,727		'
Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | Derivatives in ASC 815 Cash Flow Hedging Relationship [Member]	'	'	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (a)	'	'	403	[1]	'
Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges | Derivatives in ASC 815 Cash Flow Hedging Relationship [Member] | Interest Expense	'	'	'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (b)	'	'	-38,633	[2]	'
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (c)	'	'	($203)	[3]	'
[1]	This represents the change in fair market value of our interest rate derivatives since year end, net of taxes, offset by the amount of actual cash paid related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
[2]	This represents the amount of actual cash paid, net of taxes, related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 plus any effective amortization of net deferred interest rate derivative losses.
[3]	This represents both realized and unrealized ineffectiveness incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Derivatives_Details_2

Derivatives (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Amortization:	'	'	'	'
Total Amortization	($7,300)	($8,966)	($25,285)	($21,903)
Interest Expense | Interest Rate Contract	'	'	'	'
Interest expense:	'	'	'	'
Hedge ineffectiveness losses	93	1,474	197	1,840
Amortization:	'	'	'	'
Accelerated amortization of deferred losses	-2	0	2,025	0
Amortization of loss of designated interest rate derivative	423	0	1,168	0
Amortization of deferred losses	6,879	8,966	22,092	21,903
Total Amortization	7,300	8,966	25,285	21,903
Total charged to interest expense	7,393	10,440	25,482	23,743
Other income:	'	'	'	'
Total charged to interest expense	7,393	10,440	25,482	23,743
Other Income | Interest Rate Contract	'	'	'	'
Amortization:	'	'	'	'
Total charged to interest expense	855	0	3,727	599
Other income:	'	'	'	'
Mark to market gains on undesignated interest rate derivatives	855	0	3,727	599
Total charged to interest expense	$855	$0	$3,727	$599

Derivatives_Details_Textual

Derivatives (Details Textual) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Aircraft

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Terminated Interest Rate Contract

Terminated Interest Rate Contract

Term Financing No.1 -- terminated 2012

Term Financing No.1 -- terminated 2008

ECA Term Financings

Other Financings

Interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument

Terminated Interest Rate Contract

Terminated Interest Rate Contract

Terminated Interest Rate Contract

Terminated Interest Rate Contract

Derivative [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted Average Interest Pay Rate Of Derivatives

'

'

3.00%

2.91%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassification from Accumulated OCI to Income, Estimated Net Amount to be Transferred

'

$1,678

$16,077

'

'

'

'

'

$15,908

$1,336

$6,030

$1,329

Accrued interest payable interest rate cash flow hedge liability at fair value

'

'

'

'

827

194

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accelerated amortization of deferred losses

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,027

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (b)

'

'

13,717

'

'

'

'

24,117

'

'

'

'

Interest Rate Derivatives Deferred Gain Or Loss Expected To Be Amortized In Next Twelve Months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

24,603

'

'

'

'

Derivative Instruments, Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion

'

$1,168

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Aircraft Sold With Accelerated Amortization of Hedge Losses

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other_Assets_Details

Other Assets (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Principal components of other assets	'	'
Debt investments	$0	$40,388
Deferred debt issuance costs, net of amortization of $54,146 and $58,802, respectively	47,103	55,087
Deferred federal income tax asset	26,414	22,207
Lease incentives and lease premiums, net of amortization of $26,902 and $36,787, respectively	84,860	62,822
Flight equipment held for sale	300	0
Other assets	18,565	6,260
Total other assets	177,242	186,764
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs	58,802	54,146
Amortization of lease incentives and lease premiums	$36,787	$26,902

Accounts_Payable_Accrued_Expen2

Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$22,014	$21,507
Deferred federal income tax liability	56,231	48,217
Accrued interest payable	48,638	38,273
Lease discounts, net of amortization of $7,328 and $5,528 respectively	8,009	596
Total accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	134,892	108,593
Deferred Revenue, Leases, Accumulated Amortization	$5,528	$7,328

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges Amortization [Member]

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges Amortization [Member]

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges, Net Settlements [Member]

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges, Net Settlements [Member]

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Interest Rate Contract

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beginning balance

'

'

($126,290)

'

'

'

($126,290)

($96,352)

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount recognized in other comprehensive loss on derivatives, net of tax benefit of $43 and tax expense of $21, respectively

'

'

'

'

'

-2,556

[1]

403

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income(c)

'

'

'

'

'

11,654

[2]

38,633

[2]

'

11,654

[2]

38,633

[2]

'

'

'

'

Net current period other comprehensive income

9,098

10,392

39,036

45,611

'

9,098

39,036

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ending balance

-87,254

'

-87,254

'

'

-87,254

-87,254

-96,352

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax Expense from Amount Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income Related to Derivatives

78

37

389

465

21

43

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax Expense from Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

121

368

Interest Expense

$58,051

$54,204

$184,335

$168,965

'

'

'

'

'

'

$7,300

$25,285

$4,354

$13,348

[1]

This represents the change in fair market value of our interest rate derivatives since year end, net of taxes, offset by the amount of actual cash paid related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

[2]

This represents the amount of actual cash paid, net of taxes, related to the net settlements of the interest rate derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 plus any effective amortization of net deferred interest rate derivative losses.