Air Lease (AL) 10-K 26 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Feb. 25, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	AIR LEASE CORP
Entity Central Index Key	1487712
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$3,727,192,041
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Class A Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			102,392,208
Class B Non-Voting Common Stock
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			0

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$282,819	$270,173
Restricted cash	7,469	87,308
Flight equipment subject to operating leases	9,832,421	8,234,315
Less accumulated depreciation	-878,617	-621,180
Flight equipment subject to operating leases, net	8,953,804	7,613,135
Deposits on flight equipment purchases	1,144,603	1,075,023
Deferred debt issuance costs-less accumulated amortization of $72,783 and $51,578 as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	83,604	90,249
Other assets	302,485	196,716
Total assets	10,774,784	9,332,604
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Accrued interest and other payables	190,952	131,223
Debt financing, net of discounts	6,714,362	5,853,317
Security deposits and maintenance reserves on flight equipment leases	698,172	569,847
Rentals received in advance	75,877	61,520
Deferred tax liability	323,359	193,263
Total liabilities	8,002,722	6,809,170
Shareholders' Equity
Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
Paid-in capital	2,215,479	2,209,566
Retained earnings	555,573	312,859
Total shareholders' equity	2,772,062	2,523,434
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	10,774,784	9,332,604
Class A Common Stock
Shareholders' Equity
Common Stock	1,010	1,009
Total shareholders' equity	1,010	1,009
Class B Non-Voting Common Stock
Shareholders' Equity
Common Stock

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Deferred debt issuance costs, accumulated amortization (in dollars)	$72,783	$51,578
Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred Stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Class A Common Stock
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common Stock, authorized shares	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common Stock, issued shares	102,392,208	101,822,676
Common Stock, outstanding shares	102,392,208	101,822,676
Class B Non-Voting Common Stock
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common Stock, authorized shares	10,000,000	10,000,000
Common Stock, issued shares	0	0
Common Stock, outstanding shares	0	0

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues
Rental of flight equipment	$991,241	$836,516	$645,853
Aircraft sales, trading and other	59,252	22,159	9,893
Total revenues	1,050,493	858,675	655,746
Expenses
Interest	192,818	168,743	130,419
Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issuance costs	27,772	23,627	16,994
Interest expense	220,590	192,370	147,413
Depreciation of flight equipment	336,657	280,037	216,219
Selling, general and administrative	82,422	71,212	56,453
Stock-based compensation	16,048	21,614	31,688
Total expenses	655,717	565,233	451,773
Income before taxes	394,776	293,442	203,973
Income tax expense	-138,778	-103,031	-72,054
Net income	$255,998	$190,411	$131,919
Net income per share of Class A and Class B Common Stock:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$2.51	$1.88	$1.31
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$2.38	$1.80	$1.28
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	102,142,828	101,529,137	100,991,871
Diluted (in shares)	110,192,771	108,963,550	107,656,463

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Class A Common Stock	Class B Non-Voting Common Stock	Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Total
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$984	$18	$2,174,089	$1,192	$2,176,283
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	98,885,131	1,829,339
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Class A common stock issuance			-97		-97
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock units	7		133		140
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)	897,110
Stock based compensation			31,688		31,688
Tax withholdings on stock based compensation			-7,312		-7,312
Tax withholdings on stock based compensation (in shares)	-364,243
Net income				131,919	131,919
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	991	18	2,198,501	133,111	2,332,621
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	99,417,998	1,829,339
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)	1,023,521
Stock based compensation			21,614		21,614
Common stock exchanged	18	-18
Common stock exchanged (in shares)	1,829,339	-1,829,339
Cash dividends (declared $0.13 and $0.105 per share in 2014 and 2013, respectively)				-10,663	-10,663
Tax benefits from stock based compensation arrangements			2,115		2,115
Tax withholdings on stock based compensation			-12,664		-12,664
Tax withholdings on stock based compensation (in shares)	-448,182
Net income				190,411	190,411
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,009		2,209,566	312,859	2,523,434
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	101,822,676
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock units	1		943		944
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)	1,028,654
Stock based compensation			16,048		16,048
Cash dividends (declared $0.13 and $0.105 per share in 2014 and 2013, respectively)				-13,284	-13,284
Tax benefits from stock based compensation arrangements			7,011		7,011
Tax withholdings on stock based compensation			-18,089		-18,089
Tax withholdings on stock based compensation (in shares)	-459,122
Net income				255,998	255,998
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$1,010		$2,215,479	$555,573	$2,772,062
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	102,392,208

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.13	$0.11

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Activities
Net income	$255,998	$190,411	$131,919
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of flight equipment	336,657	280,037	216,219
Stock-based compensation	16,048	21,614	31,688
Deferred taxes	137,107	102,636	72,050
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements	-7,011	-2,115
Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issuance costs	27,772	23,627	16,994
Gain on aircraft sales, trading and other activity	-56,457	-19,234	-3,884
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other assets	-1,191	-2,653	-14,874
Accrued interest and other payables	45,738	39,507	25,797
Rentals received in advance	14,357	20,383	15,120
Net cash provided by operating activities	769,018	654,213	491,029
Investing Activities
Acquisition of flight equipment under operating lease	-1,568,748	-1,329,619	-1,899,231
Payments for deposits on flight equipment purchases	-601,307	-828,839	-418,278
Proceeds from aircraft sales, trading and other activity	603,849	97,748	47,490
Acquisition of furnishings, equipment and other assets	-239,451	-125,184	-74,905
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,805,657	-2,185,894	-2,344,924
Financing Activities
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options	944		43
Cash dividends paid	-12,243	-7,608
Tax withholdings on stock-based compensation	-18,089	-12,664	-7,312
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements	7,011	2,115
Net change in unsecured revolving facilities	-239,000	388,000	62,000
Proceeds from debt financings	1,663,120	1,608,854	2,115,607
Payments in reduction of debt financings	-577,212	-531,831	-432,129
Net change in restricted cash	79,839	18,999	-10,150
Debt issuance costs	-7,975	-37,535	-42,149
Security deposits and maintenance reserve receipts	185,639	172,662	142,541
Security deposits and maintenance reserve disbursements	-32,749	-29,227	-26,272
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,049,285	1,571,765	1,802,179
Net increase (decrease) in cash	12,646	40,084	-51,716
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	270,173	230,089	281,805
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	282,819	270,173	230,089
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Cash paid during the period for interest, including capitalized interest of $42,775, $32,659 and $19,388 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively	211,345	188,464	124,731
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Activities
Buyer furnished equipment, capitalized interest, deposits on flight equipment purchases and seller financing applied to acquisition of flight equipment and other assets applied to payments for deposits on flight equipment purchases	756,286	459,432	377,892
Cash dividends declared, not yet paid	$4,096	$3,055

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for interest, capitalized interest	$42,775	$32,659	$19,388

Summary_of_significant_account

Summary of significant accounting policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of significant accounting policies
Summary of significant accounting policies	Note 1. Summary of significant accounting policies
	Organization
	Air Lease Corporation is a leading aircraft leasing company that was founded by aircraft leasing industry pioneer, Steven F. Udvar-Házy. We are principally engaged in purchasing new commercial jet transport aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. We lease these aircraft to airlines throughout the world to generate attractive returns on equity. As of December 31, 2014 we owned a fleet of 213 aircraft and had 364 aircraft on order with the manufacturers. In addition to our leasing activities, we sell aircraft from our fleet to other leasing companies, financial services companies and airlines. We also provide fleet management services to investors and owners of aircraft portfolios for a management fee.
	Principles of consolidation
	The Company consolidates financial statements of all entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, including the account of any Variable Interest Entity in which we have a controlling financial interest and for which we are the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany balances are eliminated in consolidation.
	Investments
	Our investment in the Blackbird joint venture, where we own 9.5% of the equity of the venture, is accounted for using the equity method of accounting due to our level of influence and involvement in the joint venture. This investment is recorded at the amount invested plus or minus our 9.5% share of net income or loss less any distributions or return of capital received from the entity.
	Rental of flight equipment
	The Company leases flight equipment principally under operating leases and reports rental income ratably over the life of each lease. Rentals received, but unearned, under the lease agreements are recorded in Rentals received in advance on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet until earned. The difference between the rental income recorded and the cash received under the provisions of the lease is included in Lease receivables, as a component of Other assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. An allowance for doubtful accounts will be recognized for past-due rentals based on management's assessment of collectability. Management monitors all lessees with past due lease payments and discuss relevant operational and financial issues facing those lessees in order to determine an appropriate allowance for doubtful accounts. In addition, if collection is not reasonably assured, the Company will not recognize rental income for amounts due under the Company's lease contracts and will recognize revenue for such lessees on a cash basis. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had no such allowance, and no leases were on a cash basis.
	All of the Company's lease agreements are triple net leases whereby the lessee is responsible for all taxes, insurance, and aircraft maintenance. In the future, we may incur repair and maintenance expenses for off-lease aircraft. We recognize repair and maintenance expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income for all such expenditures. In many operating lease contracts, the lessee is obligated to make periodic payments, which are calculated with reference to the utilization of the airframe, engines and other major life-limited components during the lease. In these leases, we will make a payment to the lessee to compensate the lessee for the cost of the Qualifying Event incurred, up to the maximum of the amount of Maintenance Reserves made by the lessee during the lease term, net of previous reimbursements. These payments are made upon the lessee's presentation of invoices evidencing the completion of such Qualifying Event. The Company records as "Rental of flight equipment" revenue, the portion of Maintenance Reserves that is virtually certain will not be reimbursed to the lessee. Maintenance Reserves payments which we may be required to reimburse to the lessee are reflected in our overhaul reserve liability, as a component of "Security deposits and overhaul reserves on flight equipment leases" in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Lessee-specific modifications are capitalized as initial direct costs and amortized over the term of the lease into rental revenue in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Initial direct costs
	The Company records as period costs those internal and other costs incurred in connection with identifying, negotiating and delivering aircraft to the Company's lessees. Amounts paid by us to lessees, or other parties, in connection with the lease transactions are capitalized and amortized as a reduction to lease revenue over the lease term.
	Cash and cash equivalents
	The Company considers cash and cash equivalents to be cash on hand and highly liquid investments with original maturity dates of 90 days or less.
	Restricted cash
	Restricted cash consists of pledged security deposits, maintenance reserves, and rental payments related to secured aircraft financing arrangements.
	Flight equipment
	Flight equipment under operating lease is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Purchases, major additions and modifications, and interest on deposits during the construction phase are capitalized. The Company generally depreciates passenger aircraft on a straight-line basis over a 25-year life from the date of manufacture to a 15% residual value. Changes in the assumption of useful lives or residual values for aircraft could have a significant impact on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
	At the time flight equipment is retired or sold, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the related accounts and the difference, net of proceeds, is recorded as a gain or loss in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Management evaluates on a quarterly basis the need to perform an impairment test whenever facts or circumstances indicate a potential impairment has occurred. An assessment is performed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an aircraft may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an aircraft's carrying amount is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the aircraft to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the aircraft. The undiscounted cash flows consist of cash flows from currently contracted leases, future projected lease rates and estimated residual or scrap values for each aircraft. We develop assumptions used in the recoverability analysis based on our knowledge of active lease contracts, current and future expectations of the global demand for a particular aircraft type, and historical experience in the aircraft leasing market and aviation industry, as well as information received from third-party industry sources. The factors considered in estimating the undiscounted cash flows are affected by changes in future periods due to changes in contracted lease rates, economic conditions, technology and airline demand for a particular aircraft type. In the event that an aircraft does not meet the recoverability test, the aircraft will be recorded at fair value in accordance with the Company's Fair Value Policy, resulting in an impairment charge. Our Fair Value Policy is described below under "Fair Value Measurements". As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, no impairment charges have been incurred to date.
	Capitalized interest
	The Company may borrow funds to finance deposits on new flight equipment purchases. The Company capitalizes interest expense on such borrowings. The capitalized amount is calculated using our composite borrowing rate and is recorded as an increase to the cost of the flight equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Fair value measurements
	Fair value is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company measures the fair value of certain assets on a non-recurring basis, principally our flight equipment, when Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("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.
	The Company records flight equipment at fair value when we determine the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company principally uses the income approach to measure the fair value of flight equipment. The income approach is based on the present value of cash flows from contractual lease agreements and projected future lease payments, including contingent rentals, net of expenses, which extend to the end of the aircraft's economic life in its highest and best use configuration, as well as a disposition value based on expectations of market participants. These valuations are considered Level 3 valuations, as the valuations contain significant non-observable inputs.
	Income taxes
	The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of "temporary differences" by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in the tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company records a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when the probability of realization of the full value of the asset is less than 50%. The Company recognizes the impact of a tax position, if that position is more than 50% likely to be sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely to be realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.
	The Company recognizes interest and penalties for uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
	Deferred costs
	The Company incurs debt issue costs in connection with debt financings. Those costs are deferred and amortized over the life of the specific loan using the effective interest method and charged to interest expense. The Company also incurs costs in connection with equity offerings. Such costs are deferred until the equity offering is completed and either netted against the equity raised, or expensed if the equity offering is abandoned.
	Stock-based compensation
	Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. Stock-based compensation expense includes an estimate for forfeitures and is recognized over the requisite service periods of the awards on a straight-line basis.
	Use of estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Recent accounting pronouncements
	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes most of the current revenue recognition requirements. The guidance requires entities to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements.

Debt_financing

Debt financing	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt financing
Debt financing
	Note 2. Debt financing
	The Company's consolidated debt as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 is summarized below:
			December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
			(dollars in thousands)
	Unsecured
	Senior notes		$	4,579,194		$	3,055,620
	Revolving credit facilities			569,000			808,000
	Term financings			196,146			247,722
	Convertible senior notes			200,000			200,000
				5,544,340			4,311,342
	Secured
	Warehouse facilities			484,513			828,418
	Term financings			636,411			654,369
	Export credit financing			64,884			71,539
				1,185,808			1,554,326
	Total secured and unsecured debt financing			6,730,148			5,865,668
	Less: Debt discount			(15,786	)		(12,351	)
	Total debt		$	6,714,362		$	5,853,317
	At December 31, 2014, we were in compliance in all material respects with the covenants in our debt agreements, including our financial covenants concerning debt-to-equity, tangible net equity and interest coverage ratios.
	The Company's secured obligations as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are summarized below:
			December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
			(dollars in thousands)
	Nonrecourse		$	484,513		$	847,684
	Recourse			701,295			706,642
	Total		$	1,185,808		$	1,554,326
	Number of aircraft pledged as collateral			38			52
	Net book value of aircraft pledged as collateral		$	1,935,711		$	2,454,350
	Senior unsecured notes
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $4.6 billion in senior unsecured notes outstanding with remaining terms ranging from one to 10 years and bearing interest at fixed rates ranging from 2.125% to 7.375%. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had $3.1 billion in senior unsecured notes outstanding with remaining terms ranging from two to six years and bearing interest at fixed rates ranging from 3.375% to 7.375%. Since the end of 2014, we issued $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2022 that bear interest at a rate of 3.75%.
	During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company issued $1.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes.
	On January 22, 2014, the Company issued $25.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2024 that bear interest at a rate of 4.85%.
	On March 11, 2014, the Company issued $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2021 that bear interest at a rate of 3.875%.
	On September 16, 2014, the Company issued $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2018 that bear interest at a rate of 2.125%.
	On September 16, 2014, the Company issued $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2024 that bear interest at a rate of 4.25%.
	Unsecured revolving credit facilities
	The total amount outstanding under our unsecured revolving credit facilities was $569.0 million and $808.0 million as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	The Company has in place a senior unsecured revolving credit facility governed by a second amended and restated credit agreement, dated May 5, 2014, which provides us with financing of up to $2.1 billion. The unsecured revolving credit facility accrues interest at a rate of either LIBOR plus 1.25% or an alternative base rate plus 0.25% on drawn balances and includes a 0.25% facility fee. The facility will mature in May 2018.
	Unsecured term financings
	From time to time, the Company enters into unsecured term facilities. During 2014, the Company entered into four additional unsecured term facilities aggregating $65.0 million with terms ranging from four to five years and bearing interest at fixed rates ranging from 2.85% to 3.125% per annum. The outstanding balance on our unsecured term facilities as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $196.1 million and $247.7 million, respectively.
	Convertible senior notes
	In November 2011, the Company issued $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.875% convertible senior notes due 2018 (the "Convertible Notes") in an offering exempt from registration under the Securities Act. The Convertible Notes were sold to Qualified Institutional Buyers in reliance upon Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The Convertible Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and bear interest at a rate of 3.875% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on June 1, 2012. The Convertible Notes are convertible at the option of the holder into shares of our Class A common stock at a price of $30.01 per share.
	Warehouse facilities
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had borrowed $484.5 million under the 2010 Warehouse Facility and pledged 18 aircraft as collateral with a net book value of $729.5 million. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had borrowed $656.8 million under the 2010 Warehouse Facility and pledged 24 aircraft as collateral with a net book value of $985.2 million. During 2014, the Company substituted letters of credit for cash collateral and lessee deposits pledged under the 2010 Warehouse Facility, reducing the total amount of restricted cash from $87.3 million at December 31, 2013 to $7.5 million at December 31, 2014.
	On March 27, 2014, the Company refinanced a portfolio of secured debt facilities including the 2012 Warehouse Facility. We reduced the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the portfolio of loans from $178.5 million to $101.0 million, reduced the interest rate on the floating rate debt facilities from LIBOR plus 2.25% to LIBOR plus 1.55% while the interest rate on the fixed rate debt facilities remained at 4.58% and modified the amortization schedule of the loans, which now have final maturities in March 2019. The outstanding balance on our 2012 Warehouse Facility as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $88.1 million and $171.6 million, respectively.
	On July 23, 2014, the 2010 Warehouse Borrower entered into an amendment to the 2010 Warehouse Facility. The 2010 Warehouse Facility, as amended, provides the 2010 Warehouse Borrower with financing of up to $750 million, modified from the previous facility size of $1.0 billion. The interest rate on the 2010 Warehouse Facility, as amended, was reduced from LIBOR plus 2.25% to LIBOR plus 2.00% on drawn balances and continues to bear interest at a rate of 0.50% on undrawn balances. The 2010 Warehouse Borrower is able to draw on the 2010 Warehouse Facility, as amended, during an availability period that was extended from June 2015 to June 2016 and the maturity date of the 2010 Warehouse Facility was extended from June 2019 to June 2020.
	Secured term financing
	We fund some aircraft purchases through secured term financings. Our various consolidated entities will borrow through secured bank facilities to purchase an aircraft. The aircraft are then leased by our entities to airlines. We may guarantee the obligations of the entities under the loan agreements. The loans may be secured by a pledge of the shares of the entities, the aircraft, the lease receivables, security deposits, maintenance reserves or a combination thereof.
	During the year ended December 31, 2014, we entered into an additional secured term facility of $110.0 million with a three year term bearing interest at a floating rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.15% per annum.
	As of December 31, 2014, the outstanding balance on our secured term facilities (including the 2012 Warehouse Facility) was $636.4 million and we had pledged 18 aircraft as collateral with a net book value of $1.1 billion. The outstanding balance under our secured term facilities (including the 2012 Warehouse Facility) as of December 31, 2014 was comprised of $104.7 million fixed rate debt and $531.7 million floating rate debt, with interest rates ranging from 4.28% to 5.36% and LIBOR plus 1.15% to LIBOR plus 3.0%, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2013, the outstanding balance on our secured term facilities was $654.4 million and we had pledged 18 aircraft as collateral with a net book value of $1.14 billion. The outstanding balance under our secured term facilities as of December 31, 2013 was comprised of $153.9 million fixed rate debt and $505.5 million floating rate debt, with interest rates ranging from 4.25% to 5.36% and LIBOR plus 1.5% to LIBOR plus 3.0%, respectively.
	Export credit financings
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $64.9 million in export credit financing outstanding. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had $71.5 million in export credit financing outstanding.
	In March 2013, the Company issued $76.5 million in secured notes due 2024 guaranteed by the Ex-Im Bank. The notes will mature on August 15, 2024 and will bear interest at a rate of 1.617% per annum. The Company used the proceeds of the offering to refinance a portion of the purchase price of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft and the related premium charged by Ex-Im Bank for its guarantee of the notes.
	Maturities
	Maturities of debt outstanding as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
			(dollars in thousands)
	Years ending December 31,
	2015		$	171,558
	2016			870,682
	2017			1,415,419
	2018			1,542,706
	2019			1,173,489
	Thereafter			1,556,294
Total(1)(2)		$	6,730,148
-1	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $484.5 million of debt outstanding under the 2010 Warehouse Facility. The Company is able to draw on the facility during an availability period that ends in June 2016 with a subsequent term out option, through the maturity date of the facility, which is the maturity in the schedule above.
-2	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $569.0 million of debt outstanding under our revolving credit facilities. The outstanding drawn balances may be rolled until the maturity date of each respective facility and have been presented as such in the maturity schedule above.

Interest_expense

Interest expense	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest expense
Interest expense
	Note 3. Interest expense
	The following table shows the components of interest for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		Year ended			Year ended			Year ended
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
		(dollars in thousands)
	Interest on borrowings	$	235,593		$	201,402		$	149,807
	Less capitalized interest		(42,775	)		(32,659	)		(19,388	)
	Interest		192,818			168,743			130,419
	Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs		27,772			23,627			16,994
	Interest expense	$	220,590		$	192,370		$	147,413

Shareholders_equity

Shareholders' equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Shareholders' equity
Shareholders' equity
	Note 4. Shareholders' equity
	In 2010, the Company authorized 500,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which 102,392,208 and 101,822,676 shares were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had authorized 10,000,000 shares of Class B Non-Voting common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which no shares were outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Each share of Class B Non-Voting common stock is convertible into one share of Class A common stock at the option of the holder, and is automatically converted at the time it is transferred to a third party unaffiliated with such initial holder, subject to the transfer restrictions.
	On October 15, 2013, the Company entered into an exchange agreement with an existing security holder of the Company, pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue 1,829,339 shares of its Class A common stock to such security holder in exchange for an equal number of shares of the Company's Class B Non-Voting common stock in a transaction (the "Exchange") exempt from registration pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Following the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, the Exchange closed on October 17, 2013. No commission or other remuneration was paid or given directly or indirectly for solicitation of the Exchange, and no cash consideration was paid for the shares of Class A common stock issued in the Exchange. As a result of the Exchange, the total number of outstanding shares of Class A common stock increased by 1,829,339 shares, and no shares of Class B Non-Voting common stock are issued or outstanding. The Exchange did not increase the total number of outstanding shares of the Company's common stock used to compute basic and diluted net income per share.
	On June 4, 2010, the Company issued 482,625 warrants for the purchase of up to 482,625 shares of Class A common stock to two institutional investors (the "Committed Investors"). The warrants have a seven-year term and an exercise price of $20 per share. The Company used the BSM option pricing model to determine the fair value of warrants. The fair value of warrants was calculated on the date of grant by an option-pricing model using a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include expected stock price volatility over the term of the warrant, projected exercise behavior, a risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. The warrants had a fair value at the grant date of $5.6 million. The warrants are classified as an equity instrument and the proceeds from the issuance of common stock to the Committed Investors was split between the warrants and the stock based on fair value of the warrants and recorded as an increase to Paid-in capital on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. On October 21, 2013, one of the Committed Investors performed a cashless exercise of all of its 214,500 warrants, resulting in the issuance of 63,481 shares of Class A Common Stock. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had 268,125 warrants remaining outstanding.
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company had authorized 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which no shares were issued or outstanding.

Rental_Income

Rental Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Rental Income
Rental Income
	Note 5. Rental Income
	At December 31, 2014 minimum future rentals on non-cancellable operating leases of flight equipment in our fleet, which have been delivered as of December 31, 2014, are as follows:
		(dollars in thousands)
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	$	1,032,375
	2016		998,466
	2017		938,087
	2018		901,378
	2019		844,122
	Thereafter		2,770,506
	Total	$	7,484,934
	The Company earned $25.2 million, $34.4 million and $25.0 million in maintenance reserve revenue based on our lessees' usage of the aircraft for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The following table shows the scheduled lease terminations (for the minimum non-cancellable period which does not include contracted unexercised lease extension options) of our operating lease portfolio as of December 31, 2014, updated through February 26, 2015:
	Aircraft Type	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter		Total
	Airbus A319-100		1		—		3		1		—		—		5
	Airbus A320-200		—		2		2		1		4		30		39
	Airbus A321-200		—		1		—		1		1		17		20
	Airbus A330-200		—		—		1		—		4		11		16
	Airbus A330-300		—		—		—		—		—		5		5
	Boeing 737-700		—		3		—		2		3		—		8
	Boeing 737-800		4		5		7		2		10		33		61
	Boring 767-300ER		—		1		—		—		—		—		1
	Boeing 777-200ER		—		—		—		—		—		1		1
	Boeing 777-300ER		—		—		1		—		—		8		9
	Embraer E175		—		—		—		—		—		7		7
	Embraer E190		—		—		1		—		6		16		23
	ATR 72-600		—		—		—		—		4		14		18
	Total		5		12		15		7		32		142		213

Concentration_of_risk

Concentration of risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Concentration of risk
Concentration of risk
	Note 6. Concentration of risk
	Geographical and credit risks
	As of December 31, 2014, all of the Company's rental of flight equipment revenues were generated by leasing flight equipment to foreign and domestic airlines, and the Company leased aircraft to 77 lessees whose principal places of business are located in 46 countries as of December 31, 2014 compared to 79 lessees in 47 countries as of December 31, 2013.
	Over 95% of our aircraft are operated internationally. The following table sets forth the regional concentration of our aircraft portfolio based on net book value as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			December 31, 2014					December 31, 2013
	Region		Net Book		% of Total			Net Book		% of Total
			Value					Value
			(dollars in thousands)
	Asia		$	3,838,523		42.9	%	$	3,165,367		41.6	%
	Europe			2,953,232		33.0	%		2,656,816		34.9	%
	Central America, South America and Mexico			778,991		8.7	%		829,930		10.9	%
	The Middle East and Africa			498,896		5.6	%		372,618		4.9	%
	Pacific, Australia, New Zealand			471,630		5.2	%		151,751		2.0	%
	U.S. and Canada			412,532		4.6	%		436,653		5.7	%
	Total		$	8,953,804		100.0	%	$	7,613,135		100.0	%
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we owned and managed leased aircraft to customers in the following regions:
			December 31, 2014					December 31, 2013
	Region		Number of		% of Total			Number of		% of Total
			Customers(1)					Customers(1)
	Asia			29		36.3	%		29		36.7	%
	Europe			24		30.0	%		21		26.6	%
	Central America, South America and Mexico			10		12.5	%		12		15.2	%
	The Middle East and Africa			7		8.8	%		7		8.9	%
	Pacific, Australia, New Zealand			2		2.4	%		2		2.5	%
	U.S. and Canada			8		10.0	%		8		10.1	%
	Total			80		100.0	%		79		100.0	%
	-1	A customer is an airline with its own operating certificate.
	The following table sets forth the dollar amount and percentage of our rental of flight equipment revenues attributable to the indicated regions based on each airline's principal place of business:
			December 31, 2014					December 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
	Region		Amount of		% of Total			Amount of		% of Total			Amount of		% of Total
			Rental Revenue					Rental Revenue					Rental Revenue
			(dollars in thousands)
	Asia		$	409,014		41.3	%	$	299,472		35.8	%	$	204,675		31.7	%
	Europe			337,349		34.0	%		300,761		36.0	%		253,376		39.2	%
	Central America, South America and Mexico			111,583		11.3	%		107,857		12.9	%		84,341		13.1	%
	The Middle East and Africa			47,958		4.9	%		55,624		6.6	%		39,398		6.1	%
	Pacific, Australia, New Zealand			30,330		3.1	%		15,436		1.8	%		10,862		1.7	%
	U.S. and Canada			55,007		5.4	%		57,366		6.9	%		53,201		8.2	%
	Total		$	991,241		100.0	%	$	836,516		100.0	%	$	645,853		100.0	%
	Based on our lease placements of future new aircraft deliveries, we anticipate that a growing percentage of our aircraft will be located in the Asia, the Central America, South America and Mexico, and the Middle East and Africa regions.
	In 2014, rental of flight equipment revenue attributable to China was $218.6 million or 22.1%, and represented our only country concentration in excess of 10%. In 2013, rental of flight equipment revenue attributable to China was $129.8 million or 15.5%, and represented our only country concentration in excess of 10%. In 2012, three countries represented at least 10% of our rental revenue. Rental of flight equipment revenue attributable to China, Italy and France was $75.5 million or 11.7%, $71.0 million or 11.0% and $67.4 million or 10.4%, respectively.
	In 2014 and 2013, no individual airline represented at least 10% of our rental of flight equipment revenue. In 2012, one airline represented at least 10% of our rental of flight equipment revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2012, Alitalia attributed for $71.0 million of 11.0% of our rental flight equipment revenue.
	Currency risk
	The Company attempts to minimize currency and exchange risks by entering into aircraft purchase agreements and a majority of lease agreements and debt agreements with U.S. dollars as the designated payment currency.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
	Note 7. Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
		Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
		(dollars in thousands)
	Current:
	Federal	$	8,092		$	—		$	—
	State		39			—			—
	Foreign		551			71			4
	Deferred:
	Federal		129,943			102,887			71,932
	State		153			147			118
	Foreign		—			—			—
	Income tax expense	$	138,778		$	103,105		$	72,054
	Differences between the provision for income taxes and income taxes at the statutory federal income tax rate are as follows:
		Year Ended						Year Ended					Year Ended
		December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
		Amount			Percent			Amount		Percent			Amount		Percent
		(dollars in thousands)
	Income taxes at statutory federal rate	$	138,172			35.0	%	$	102,705		35.0	%	$	71,390		35.0	%
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect and other		606			0.2			400		0.2			664		0.3
		$	138,778			35.2	%	$	103,105		35.2	%	$	72,054		35.3	%
	The Company's net deferred tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
		As of			As of
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(dollars in thousands)
	Assets (Liabilities)
	Equity compensation	$	19,020		$	20,808
	Net operating losses		10,197			36,786
	Rents received in advance		26,605			21,575
	Accrued bonus		4,577			3,578
	Straight-line rents		10,423			7,024
	Other		6,571			4,662
	Aircraft depreciation		(400,752	)		(287,696	)
	Total (liabilities) assets	$	(323,359	)	$	(193,263	)
	While we have a current obligation for alternative minimum tax, the Company has net operating loss carry forwards (NOLs) for federal income tax purposes of $29.1 million and $108.7 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which are available to offset future taxable income in future periods and begin to expire in 2032. The Company does not have NOLs for state income tax purposes as of December 31, 2014 and has $52.6 million of state NOLs as of December 31, 2013. The Company utilized $79.6 million and $19.5 million of NOLs for federal income tax purposes for the year ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company recognizes tax benefits associated with stock based compensation directly to stockholders' equity only when realized. Accordingly, deferred tax assets are not recognized for net operating loss carry forwards resulting from windfall tax benefits. A windfall tax benefit occurs when the actual tax benefit realized upon an employee's disposition of a share based award exceeds the tax effect of the cumulative book compensation charge associated with the award. The Company does not have any suspended windfall tax benefits as of December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2013, the Company has windfall tax benefits of $3.7 million, included in its U.S. net operating loss carry forward, but not reflected in deferred tax assets. The Company uses a tax law ordering approach to determine if the excess tax deductions associated compensation costs have reduced income taxes payable.
	The Company has not recorded a deferred tax valuation allowance as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 as realization of the deferred tax asset is considered more likely than not. In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets management considered whether future taxable income will be sufficient during the periods in which those temporary differences are deductible before NOLs expire. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Management anticipates the timing differences on aircraft depreciation will reverse and be available for offsetting the reversal of deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company has not recorded any liability for unrecognized tax benefits.
	The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is subject to examinations by the major tax jurisdictions for the 2011 tax year and forward.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
	Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies
	Aircraft Acquisition
	As of December 31, 2014, we had commitments to acquire a total of 364 new aircraft for delivery through 2023 as follows:
	Aircraft Type	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter		Total
	Airbus A320/321-200(1)		9		—		—		—		—		—		9
	Airbus A320/321neo		—		3		12		17		21		57		110
	Airbus A350-900/1000		—		—		—		1		2		22		25
	Boeing 737-800		21		15		11		—		—		—		47
	Boeing 737-8/9 MAX		—		—		—		8		18		78		104
	Boeing 777-300ER		8		6		2		—		—		—		16
	Boeing 787-9/10		—		3		1		7		8		26		45
	ATR 72-600		2		5		1		—		—		—		8
	Total		40		32		27		33		49		183		364
	Commitments for the acquisition of these aircraft and other equipment at an estimated aggregate purchase price (including adjustments for inflation) of approximately $28.8 billion as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
		(dollars in thousands)
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	$	2,381,857
	2016		2,315,276
	2017		1,907,137
	2018		2,919,369
	2019		3,998,600
	Thereafter		15,297,344
	Total	$	28,819,583
	We have made non-refundable deposits on the aircraft for which we have commitments to purchase of $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which are subject to manufacturer performance commitments. If we are unable to satisfy our purchase commitments, we may be forced to forfeit our deposits. Further, we would be exposed to breach of contract claims by our lessees and manufacturers.
	Office Lease
	The Company's lease for office space provides for step rentals over the term of the lease. Those rentals are considered in the evaluation of recording rent expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Tenant improvement allowances received from the lessor are deferred and amortized in selling, general and administrative expenses against rent expense. The Company recorded office lease expense (net of sublease income) of $1.8 million, $2.1 million and $2.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Commitments for minimum rentals under the non-cancellable lease term at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
		(dollars in thousands)
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	$	2,467
	2016		2,541
	2017		2,617
	2018		2,696
	2019		2,777
	Thereafter		12,610
	Total	$	25,708

Net_Earnings_Per_Share

Net Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Net Earnings Per Share
Net Earnings Per Share
	Note 9. Net Earnings Per Share
	Basic net earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock; however, potential common equivalent shares are excluded if the effect of including these shares would be anti-dilutive. The Company's two classes of common stock, Class A and Class B Non-Voting, have equal rights to dividends and income, and therefore, basic and diluted earnings per share are the same for each class of common stock.
	Diluted net earnings per share takes into account the potential conversion of stock options, restricted stock units, and warrants using the treasury stock method and convertible notes using the if-converted method. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company did not exclude shares related to stock options which are potentially dilutive securities from the computation of diluted earnings per share because including these shares would be dilutive. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company excluded 150,000 shares related to stock options which are potentially dilutive securities from the computation of diluted earnings per share because including these shares would be anti-dilutive. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company excluded 3,358,408 shares related to stock options which are potentially dilutive securities from the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. In addition, the Company excluded 969,225, 1,569,005 and 2,117,510 shares related to restricted stock units for which the performance metric had yet to be achieved as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share:
		Year Ended		Year Ended		Year Ended
		December 31,		December 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
		(in thousands, except share data)
	Basic net income per share:
	Numerator
	Net income	$	255,998	$	190,411	$	131,919
	Denominator
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding		102,142,828		101,529,137		100,991,871
	Basic net income per share	$	2.51	$	1.88	$	1.31
	Diluted net income per share:
	Numerator
	Net income	$	255,998	$	190,411	$	131,919
	Assumed conversion of convertible senior notes		5,811		5,783		5,627
	Net income plus assumed conversions	$	261,809	$	196,194	$	137,546
	Denominator
	Number of shares used in basic computation		102,142,828		101,529,137		100,991,871
	Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities		8,049,943		7,434,413		6,664,592
	Number of shares used in per share computation		110,192,771		108,963,550		107,656,463
	Diluted net income per share	$	2.38	$	1.80	$	1.28

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements
	Note 10. Fair Value Measurements
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring and Non-recurring Basis
	The Company had no assets or liabilities which were measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 or 2013.
	Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Values
	The fair value of debt financing is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues, or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities, which would be categorized as a Level 2 measurement in the fair value hierarchy. The estimated fair value of debt financing as of December 31, 2014 was $7.0 billion compared to a book value of $6.7 billion. The estimated fair value of debt financing as of December 31, 2013 was $6.1 billion compared to a book value of $5.9 billion.
	The following financial instruments are not measured at fair value on the Company's consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014, but require disclosure of their fair values: cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. The estimated fair value of such instruments at December 31, 2014 and 2013 approximates their carrying value as reported on the consolidated balance sheet. The fair value of all these instruments would be categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Stockbased_Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock-based Compensation
Stock-based Compensation
	Note 11. Stock-based Compensation
	On May 7, 2014, the stockholders of the Company approved the Air Lease Corporation 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2014 Plan"). Upon approval of the 2014 Plan, no new awards may be granted under the Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2010 Plan"). As of December 31, 2014, the number of stock options ("Stock Options") and restricted stock units ("RSUs") authorized under the 2014 Plan is approximately 6,648,524, which includes 1,648,524 shares which were previously reserved for issuance under the 2010 Plan. Options are generally granted for a term of 10 years and generally vest over a three year period. The Company has issued RSUs with two different vesting criteria: those RSUs that vest based on the attainment of book-value goals and those RSUs that vest based on the attainment of Total Shareholder Return ("TSR") goals. The book-value RSUs generally vest ratably over three to four years, if the performance condition has been met. Book-value RSUs for which the performance metric has not been met are forfeited. The TSR RSUs vest at the end of a three year period. The number of TSR RSUs that will ultimately vest is based upon the percentile ranking of the Company's TSR among a peer group. The number of shares that will ultimately vest will range from 0% to 200% of the RSUs initially granted depending on the extent to which the TSR metric is achieved. For disclosure purposes, we have assumed the TSR RSUs will ultimately vest at 100%. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had 969,225 unvested RSUs outstanding of which 389,203 are TSR RSUs.
	The Company recorded $16.0 million, $21.6 million and $31.7 million of stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Stock Options
	The Company uses the BSM option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options. The fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant is determined by an option-pricing model using a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, a risk-free interest rate and expected dividends.
	Estimated volatility of the Company's common stock for new grants is determined by using historical volatility of the Company's peer group. Due to our limited operating history at the time of grant, there was no historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis which the Company could use to estimate expected terms. Accordingly, the Company used the "simplified method" as permitted under Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110. The risk-free interest rate used in the option valuation model was derived from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with remaining terms similar to the expected term on the options. In accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, the Company estimated forfeitures at the time of grant and revises those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. During the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company did not grant any Stock Options.
	A summary of stock option activity in accordance with the Company's stock option plan for the year ended December 31, 2014 follows:
			Shares			Exercise		Remaining		Aggregate
						Price		Contractual Term		Intrinsic Value
								(in years)		(in thousands)(1)
	Balance at December 31, 2011			3,375,908		$	20.39		8.5		11,968
	Granted			—			—		—		—
	Exercised			(7,000	)	$	20		7.5		18
	Forfeited/canceled			(10,500	)	$	20		—		—
	Balance at December 31, 2012			3,358,408		$	20.39		7.49		4,813
	Granted			—			—		—		—
	Exercised			(500	)	$	20		6.54		5
	Forfeited/canceled			(250	)	$	20		—		3
	Balance at December 31, 2013			3,357,658		$	20.39		6.49		35,883
	Granted			—			—		—		—
	Exercised			(45,500	)	$	20		—		814
	Forfeited/canceled			—			—		—		—
	Balance at December 31, 2014			3,312,158		$	20.4		5.49		46,077
	Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2014			3,312,158		$	20.4		5.49		46,077
	-1	The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the closing stock price of our Class A common stock as of the respective date.
	As of December 31, 2014, all of the Company's outstanding employee stock options had fully vested and there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to outstanding employee stock options. As a result, there was no stock-based compensation expense related to Stock Options for the year ended December 31, 2014. Stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, totaled $5.4 million and $11.8 million, respectively.
	The following table summarizes additional information regarding outstanding, exercisable and vested stock options at December 31, 2014:
			Options Outstanding					Options Exercisable
								and Vested
	Range of exercise prices		Number of			Weighted-		Number of		Weighted-
			Shares			Average		Shares		Average
						Remaining Life				Remaining Life
						(in years)				(in years)
	$20.00			3,162,158			5.46		3,162,158		5.46
	$28.80			150,000			6.32		150,000		6.32
	$20.00 - $28.80			3,312,158			5.49		3,312,158		5.49
	Restricted Stock Units
	Compensation cost for stock awards is measured at the grant date based on fair value and recognized over the vesting period. The fair value of book-value RSUs is determined based on the closing market price of the Company's Class A common stock on the date of grant, while the fair value of TSR RSUs is determined at the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Included in the Monte Carlo simulation model were certain assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables, such as expected volatility, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. To appropriately value the award, the risk-free interest rate is estimated for the time period from the valuation date until the vesting date and the historical volatilities were estimated based on a historical timeframe equal to the time from the valuation date until the end date of the performance period. Due to our limited stock history since the completion of our initial public offering on April 25, 2011, historical volatility was estimated based on all available stock history information.
	During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company granted 384,225 RSUs of which 182,476 are TSR RSUs. The following table summarizes the activities for our unvested RSUs for the year ended December 31, 2014:
			Unvested Restricted Stock
			Units
			Number of			Weighted-
			Shares			Average
						Grant-Date
						Fair Value
	Unvested at December 31, 2013			1,569,005		$	24.5
	Granted			384,225		$	39.7
	Vested			(981,835	)	$	21.53
	Forfeited/canceled			(2,170	)	$	35.07
	Unvested at December 31, 2014			969,225		$	33.51
	Expected to vest after December 31, 2014(1)			958,238			33.51
	-1	RSUs expected to vest reflect an estimated forfeiture rate.
	At December 31, 2014, the outstanding RSUs are expected to vest as follows: 2015—396,888; 2016—321,014; and 2017—240,336. The Company recorded $16.0 million, $16.2 million and $19.9 million of stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2014 there was $12.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to unvested stock-based payments granted to employees. Total unrecognized compensation cost will be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average remaining period of 1.7 years.

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments
Investments
	Note 12. Investments
	On November 4, 2014, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company entered into an agreement with a co-investment vehicle arranged by Napier Park to participate in a joint venture formed as a Delaware LLC—Blackbird Capital I, LLC ("Blackbird") for the purpose of investing in commercial aircraft and leasing them to airlines around the globe. We will also provide management services to the joint venture for a fee based upon aircraft assets under management. The Company's non-controlling interest in Blackbird is 9.5% and it is accounted for as an investment under the equity method of accounting.
	In November and December 2014, Blackbird completed the purchase of five aircraft with an aggregate purchase price of $280.0 million from the Company. As of December 31, 2014, the Company's investment in Blackbird was $10.1 million which is included in other assets.

Litigation

Litigation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Litigation
Litigation
	Note 13. Litigation
	On April 24, 2012, the Company was named as a defendant in a complaint filed in Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles by American International Group, Inc. and ILFC (the "AIG/ILFC Complaint"). The complaint also names as defendants certain executive officers and employees of the Company. American International Group withdrew as a plaintiff on all but one cause of action that is not asserted against the Company.
	Among other things, the complaint, as amended, alleges breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets, the wrongful recruitment of ILFC employees, and the wrongful diversion of potential ILFC leasing opportunities. The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages and injunctive relief. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to these claims and intends to defend this matter vigorously. The amount or range of loss, if any, is not estimable at this time.
	On August 15, 2013, the Company filed a cross-complaint against ILFC and AIG. The cross-complaint, as amended, alleges breach of contract for the sale of goods in connection with an agreement entered into by AIG, acting on behalf of ILFC, in January 2010 to sell 25 aircraft to the entity that became Air Lease Corporation. The cross-complaint seeks compensatory damages in excess of $500 million.

Related_party_transactions

Related party transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related party transactions
Related party transactions
	Note 14. Related party transactions
	The Company has a Master Servicing Agreement dated October 25, 2013 ("Master Servicing Agreement") with Commonwealth Bank of Australia and/or its subsidiaries (collectively "Commonwealth Bank"). Under the Master Servicing Agreement we consolidated all of our prior aircraft servicing agreements for the aircraft we manage for Commonwealth Bank. Commonwealth Bank beneficially owns more than 5% of our Class A common stock.
	Under the Master Servicing Agreement, we manage on behalf of Commonwealth Bank or its subsidiaries the leasing and remarketing of aircraft for subsequent leases or for sale. For these services Commonwealth Bank pays us a percentage of the rent for the aircraft and will pay us a percentage of the proceeds if the aircraft is sold. Prior to entering into the Master Servicing Agreement, we had several aircraft servicing agreements for the aircraft we managed for Commonwealth Bank. As of March 17, 2014, all of the aircraft we manage for Commonwealth Bank are pursuant to the Master Servicing Agreement.
	For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 Commonwealth Bank paid us fees of $0.9 million, $0.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for our services which is recorded in aircraft sales, trading and other revenue.
	Additionally, Commonwealth Bank is a lender under our unsecured revolving credit facility and our 2010 Warehouse Facility. See note 3 of notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In September 2013, the Company, through a limited liability company of which it is the sole member, entered into a purchase agreement to acquire a corporate aircraft. The right to purchase the corporate aircraft was formerly held by an entity controlled by Mr. Udvar-Házy, our Chairman and CEO, and not affiliated with the Company. The parties conducted this transaction on an arm's-length basis. The Company believes, based on independent expert advice, that at the time the Company entered into the purchase agreement, the purchase price of the aircraft was significantly below the then-current fair market value for such aircraft. The Company reimbursed Mr. Udvar-Házy $6.8 million for deposits he paid to the manufacturer plus interest at a rate of 3.90% per annum.
	In November 2013, the Company completed a marketed secondary public offering of up to 10,138,888 shares of its Class A common stock held by affiliates of Ares Management LLC, Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. and WL Ross & Co. LLC. The shares of Class A common stock were offered to the public at $31.50 per share. The Company did not issue any additional shares of Class A common stock and did not receive any proceeds in this transaction. The total number of shares of the Company's Class A common stock outstanding did not change as a result of this offering.

Quarterly_financial_data_unaud

Quarterly financial data (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
	Note 15. Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
	The following table presents our unaudited quarterly results of operations for the two-year period ended December 31, 2014.
		Quarter Ended
		Mar 31,		Jun 30,		Sep 30,		Dec 31,		Mar 31,		Jun 30,		Sep 30,		Dec 31,
		2013		2013		2013		2013		2014		2014		2014		2014
		(in thousands, except share data)
	Revenues	$	191,997	$	207,872	$	215,905	$	242,901	$	246,285	$	256,325	$	261,939	$	285,944
	Income before taxes		61,672		66,311		74,888		90,571		94,709		95,680		96,277		108,110
	Net income		39,996		42,990		48,578		58,847		61,397		62,037		62,433		70,131
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.39	$	0.42	$	0.48	$	0.58	$	0.60	$	0.61	$	0.61	$	0.68
	Diluted	$	0.38	$	0.41	$	0.46	$	0.55	$	0.57	$	0.58	$	0.58	$	0.65
	The sum of quarterly earnings per share amounts may not equal the annual amount reported since per share amounts are computed independently for each period presented.

Subsequent_events

Subsequent events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent events
Subsequent events
	Note 16. Subsequent events
	On January 14, 2015, the Company issued $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2022 that bear interest at a rate of 3.75%.
	On February 26, 2015, our board of directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share on our outstanding common stock. The dividend will be paid on April 7, 2015 to holders of record of our common stock as of March 20, 2015.

Summary_of_significant_account1

Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of significant accounting policies
Principles of consolidation
	Principles of consolidation
	The Company consolidates financial statements of all entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, including the account of any Variable Interest Entity in which we have a controlling financial interest and for which we are the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany balances are eliminated in consolidation.
Investments
	Investments
	Our investment in the Blackbird joint venture, where we own 9.5% of the equity of the venture, is accounted for using the equity method of accounting due to our level of influence and involvement in the joint venture. This investment is recorded at the amount invested plus or minus our 9.5% share of net income or loss less any distributions or return of capital received from the entity.
Rental of flight equipment
	Rental of flight equipment
	The Company leases flight equipment principally under operating leases and reports rental income ratably over the life of each lease. Rentals received, but unearned, under the lease agreements are recorded in Rentals received in advance on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet until earned. The difference between the rental income recorded and the cash received under the provisions of the lease is included in Lease receivables, as a component of Other assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. An allowance for doubtful accounts will be recognized for past-due rentals based on management's assessment of collectability. Management monitors all lessees with past due lease payments and discuss relevant operational and financial issues facing those lessees in order to determine an appropriate allowance for doubtful accounts. In addition, if collection is not reasonably assured, the Company will not recognize rental income for amounts due under the Company's lease contracts and will recognize revenue for such lessees on a cash basis. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had no such allowance, and no leases were on a cash basis.
	All of the Company's lease agreements are triple net leases whereby the lessee is responsible for all taxes, insurance, and aircraft maintenance. In the future, we may incur repair and maintenance expenses for off-lease aircraft. We recognize repair and maintenance expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income for all such expenditures. In many operating lease contracts, the lessee is obligated to make periodic payments, which are calculated with reference to the utilization of the airframe, engines and other major life-limited components during the lease. In these leases, we will make a payment to the lessee to compensate the lessee for the cost of the Qualifying Event incurred, up to the maximum of the amount of Maintenance Reserves made by the lessee during the lease term, net of previous reimbursements. These payments are made upon the lessee's presentation of invoices evidencing the completion of such Qualifying Event. The Company records as "Rental of flight equipment" revenue, the portion of Maintenance Reserves that is virtually certain will not be reimbursed to the lessee. Maintenance Reserves payments which we may be required to reimburse to the lessee are reflected in our overhaul reserve liability, as a component of "Security deposits and overhaul reserves on flight equipment leases" in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	Lessee-specific modifications are capitalized as initial direct costs and amortized over the term of the lease into rental revenue in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Initial direct costs
	Initial direct costs
	The Company records as period costs those internal and other costs incurred in connection with identifying, negotiating and delivering aircraft to the Company's lessees. Amounts paid by us to lessees, or other parties, in connection with the lease transactions are capitalized and amortized as a reduction to lease revenue over the lease term.
Cash and cash equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents
	The Company considers cash and cash equivalents to be cash on hand and highly liquid investments with original maturity dates of 90 days or less.
Restricted cash
	Restricted cash
	Restricted cash consists of pledged security deposits, maintenance reserves, and rental payments related to secured aircraft financing arrangements.
Flight equipment
	Flight equipment
	Flight equipment under operating lease is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Purchases, major additions and modifications, and interest on deposits during the construction phase are capitalized. The Company generally depreciates passenger aircraft on a straight-line basis over a 25-year life from the date of manufacture to a 15% residual value. Changes in the assumption of useful lives or residual values for aircraft could have a significant impact on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
	At the time flight equipment is retired or sold, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the related accounts and the difference, net of proceeds, is recorded as a gain or loss in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Management evaluates on a quarterly basis the need to perform an impairment test whenever facts or circumstances indicate a potential impairment has occurred. An assessment is performed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an aircraft may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an aircraft's carrying amount is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the aircraft to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the aircraft. The undiscounted cash flows consist of cash flows from currently contracted leases, future projected lease rates and estimated residual or scrap values for each aircraft. We develop assumptions used in the recoverability analysis based on our knowledge of active lease contracts, current and future expectations of the global demand for a particular aircraft type, and historical experience in the aircraft leasing market and aviation industry, as well as information received from third-party industry sources. The factors considered in estimating the undiscounted cash flows are affected by changes in future periods due to changes in contracted lease rates, economic conditions, technology and airline demand for a particular aircraft type. In the event that an aircraft does not meet the recoverability test, the aircraft will be recorded at fair value in accordance with the Company's Fair Value Policy, resulting in an impairment charge. Our Fair Value Policy is described below under "Fair Value Measurements". As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, no impairment charges have been incurred to date.
Capitalized interest
	Capitalized interest
	The Company may borrow funds to finance deposits on new flight equipment purchases. The Company capitalizes interest expense on such borrowings. The capitalized amount is calculated using our composite borrowing rate and is recorded as an increase to the cost of the flight equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Fair value measurements
	Fair value measurements
	Fair value is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company measures the fair value of certain assets on a non-recurring basis, principally our flight equipment, when Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("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.
	The Company records flight equipment at fair value when we determine the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company principally uses the income approach to measure the fair value of flight equipment. The income approach is based on the present value of cash flows from contractual lease agreements and projected future lease payments, including contingent rentals, net of expenses, which extend to the end of the aircraft's economic life in its highest and best use configuration, as well as a disposition value based on expectations of market participants. These valuations are considered Level 3 valuations, as the valuations contain significant non-observable inputs.
Income taxes
	Income taxes
	The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of "temporary differences" by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in the tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company records a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when the probability of realization of the full value of the asset is less than 50%. The Company recognizes the impact of a tax position, if that position is more than 50% likely to be sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely to be realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.
	The Company recognizes interest and penalties for uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
Deferred costs
	Deferred costs
	The Company incurs debt issue costs in connection with debt financings. Those costs are deferred and amortized over the life of the specific loan using the effective interest method and charged to interest expense. The Company also incurs costs in connection with equity offerings. Such costs are deferred until the equity offering is completed and either netted against the equity raised, or expensed if the equity offering is abandoned.
Stock-based compensation
	Stock-based compensation
	Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. Stock-based compensation expense includes an estimate for forfeitures and is recognized over the requisite service periods of the awards on a straight-line basis.
Use of estimates
	Use of estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent accounting pronouncements
	Recent accounting pronouncements
	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes most of the current revenue recognition requirements. The guidance requires entities to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated financial statements.

Debt_financing_Tables

Debt financing (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt financing
Summary of consolidated debt
			December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
			(dollars in thousands)
	Unsecured
	Senior notes		$	4,579,194		$	3,055,620
	Revolving credit facilities			569,000			808,000
	Term financings			196,146			247,722
	Convertible senior notes			200,000			200,000
				5,544,340			4,311,342
	Secured
	Warehouse facilities			484,513			828,418
	Term financings			636,411			654,369
	Export credit financing			64,884			71,539
				1,185,808			1,554,326
	Total secured and unsecured debt financing			6,730,148			5,865,668
	Less: Debt discount			(15,786	)		(12,351	)
	Total debt		$	6,714,362		$	5,853,317
Schedule of secured obligations
			December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
			(dollars in thousands)
	Nonrecourse		$	484,513		$	847,684
	Recourse			701,295			706,642
	Total		$	1,185,808		$	1,554,326
	Number of aircraft pledged as collateral			38			52
	Net book value of aircraft pledged as collateral		$	1,935,711		$	2,454,350
Schedule of maturities of debt outstanding
			(dollars in thousands)
	Years ending December 31,
	2015		$	171,558
	2016			870,682
	2017			1,415,419
	2018			1,542,706
	2019			1,173,489
	Thereafter			1,556,294
	Total(1)(2)		$	6,730,148
	-1	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $484.5 million of debt outstanding under the 2010 Warehouse Facility. The Company is able to draw on the facility during an availability period that ends in June 2016 with a subsequent term out option, through the maturity date of the facility, which is the maturity in the schedule above.
	-2	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $569.0 million of debt outstanding under our revolving credit facilities. The outstanding drawn balances may be rolled until the maturity date of each respective facility and have been presented as such in the maturity schedule above.

Interest_expense_Tables

Interest expense (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Interest expense
Schedule of components of interest
		Year ended			Year ended			Year ended
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
		(dollars in thousands)
	Interest on borrowings	$	235,593		$	201,402		$	149,807
	Less capitalized interest		(42,775	)		(32,659	)		(19,388	)
	Interest		192,818			168,743			130,419
	Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs		27,772			23,627			16,994
	Interest expense	$	220,590		$	192,370		$	147,413

Rental_Income_Tables

Rental Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Rental Income
Schedule of minimum future rentals on non-cancellable operating leases of flight equipment
		(dollars in thousands)
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	$	1,032,375
	2016		998,466
	2017		938,087
	2018		901,378
	2019		844,122
	Thereafter		2,770,506
	Total	$	7,484,934
Schedule of lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
	Aircraft Type	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter		Total
	Airbus A319-100		1		—		3		1		—		—		5
	Airbus A320-200		—		2		2		1		4		30		39
	Airbus A321-200		—		1		—		1		1		17		20
	Airbus A330-200		—		—		1		—		4		11		16
	Airbus A330-300		—		—		—		—		—		5		5
	Boeing 737-700		—		3		—		2		3		—		8
	Boeing 737-800		4		5		7		2		10		33		61
	Boring 767-300ER		—		1		—		—		—		—		1
	Boeing 777-200ER		—		—		—		—		—		1		1
	Boeing 777-300ER		—		—		1		—		—		8		9
	Embraer E175		—		—		—		—		—		7		7
	Embraer E190		—		—		1		—		6		16		23
	ATR 72-600		—		—		—		—		4		14		18
	Total		5		12		15		7		32		142		213

Concentration_of_risk_Tables

Concentration of risk (Tables) (Geographic Region)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Net book value of aircraft portfolio
Concentration of risk
Schedule of concentration of risk by regions
			December 31, 2014					December 31, 2013
	Region		Net Book		% of Total			Net Book		% of Total
			Value					Value
			(dollars in thousands)
	Asia		$	3,838,523		42.9	%	$	3,165,367		41.6	%
	Europe			2,953,232		33.0	%		2,656,816		34.9	%
	Central America, South America and Mexico			778,991		8.7	%		829,930		10.9	%
	The Middle East and Africa			498,896		5.6	%		372,618		4.9	%
	Pacific, Australia, New Zealand			471,630		5.2	%		151,751		2.0	%
	U.S. and Canada			412,532		4.6	%		436,653		5.7	%
	Total		$	8,953,804		100.0	%	$	7,613,135		100.0	%
Number of customers
Concentration of risk
Schedule of concentration of risk by regions
			December 31, 2014					December 31, 2013
	Region		Number of		% of Total			Number of		% of Total
			Customers(1)					Customers(1)
	Asia			29		36.3	%		29		36.7	%
	Europe			24		30.0	%		21		26.6	%
	Central America, South America and Mexico			10		12.5	%		12		15.2	%
	The Middle East and Africa			7		8.8	%		7		8.9	%
	Pacific, Australia, New Zealand			2		2.4	%		2		2.5	%
	U.S. and Canada			8		10.0	%		8		10.1	%
	Total			80		100.0	%		79		100.0	%
	-1	A customer is an airline with its own operating certificate.
Flight equipment revenue
Concentration of risk
Schedule of rental revenue and percentage of rental flight equipment revenues
			December 31, 2014					December 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
	Region		Amount of		% of Total			Amount of		% of Total			Amount of		% of Total
			Rental Revenue					Rental Revenue					Rental Revenue
			(dollars in thousands)
	Asia		$	409,014		41.3	%	$	299,472		35.8	%	$	204,675		31.7	%
	Europe			337,349		34.0	%		300,761		36.0	%		253,376		39.2	%
	Central America, South America and Mexico			111,583		11.3	%		107,857		12.9	%		84,341		13.1	%
	The Middle East and Africa			47,958		4.9	%		55,624		6.6	%		39,398		6.1	%
	Pacific, Australia, New Zealand			30,330		3.1	%		15,436		1.8	%		10,862		1.7	%
	U.S. and Canada			55,007		5.4	%		57,366		6.9	%		53,201		8.2	%
	Total		$	991,241		100.0	%	$	836,516		100.0	%	$	645,853		100.0	%

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes
Schedule of provision for income taxes
		Year Ended			Year Ended			Year Ended
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013			December 31, 2012
		(dollars in thousands)
	Current:
	Federal	$	8,092		$	—		$	—
	State		39			—			—
	Foreign		551			71			4
	Deferred:
	Federal		129,943			102,887			71,932
	State		153			147			118
	Foreign		—			—			—
	Income tax expense	$	138,778		$	103,105		$	72,054
Schedule of differences between the provision for income taxes and income taxes at the statutory federal income tax rate
		Year Ended						Year Ended					Year Ended
		December 31, 2014						December 31, 2013					December 31, 2012
		Amount			Percent			Amount		Percent			Amount		Percent
		(dollars in thousands)
	Income taxes at statutory federal rate	$	138,172			35.0	%	$	102,705		35.0	%	$	71,390		35.0	%
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect and other		606			0.2			400		0.2			664		0.3
		$	138,778			35.2	%	$	103,105		35.2	%	$	72,054		35.3	%
Schedule of net deferred tax assets (liabilities)
		As of			As of
		December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(dollars in thousands)
	Assets (Liabilities)
	Equity compensation	$	19,020		$	20,808
	Net operating losses		10,197			36,786
	Rents received in advance		26,605			21,575
	Accrued bonus		4,577			3,578
	Straight-line rents		10,423			7,024
	Other		6,571			4,662
	Aircraft depreciation		(400,752	)		(287,696	)
	Total (liabilities) assets	$	(323,359	)	$	(193,263	)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies
Schedule of commitments to acquire aircraft
	Aircraft Type	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter		Total
	Airbus A320/321-200(1)		9		—		—		—		—		—		9
	Airbus A320/321neo		—		3		12		17		21		57		110
	Airbus A350-900/1000		—		—		—		1		2		22		25
	Boeing 737-800		21		15		11		—		—		—		47
	Boeing 737-8/9 MAX		—		—		—		8		18		78		104
	Boeing 777-300ER		8		6		2		—		—		—		16
	Boeing 787-9/10		—		3		1		7		8		26		45
	ATR 72-600		2		5		1		—		—		—		8
	Total		40		32		27		33		49		183		364
Schedule of commitments for the acquisition of aircraft and other equipment at an estimated aggregate purchase price
		(dollars in thousands)
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	$	2,381,857
	2016		2,315,276
	2017		1,907,137
	2018		2,919,369
	2019		3,998,600
	Thereafter		15,297,344
	Total	$	28,819,583
Schedule of commitments for minimum rentals under the non-cancelable lease term
		(dollars in thousands)
	Years ending December 31,
	2015	$	2,467
	2016		2,541
	2017		2,617
	2018		2,696
	2019		2,777
	Thereafter		12,610
	Total	$	25,708

Net_Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Net Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Net Earnings Per Share
Schedule of reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share
		Year Ended		Year Ended		Year Ended
		December 31,		December 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
		(in thousands, except share data)
	Basic net income per share:
	Numerator
	Net income	$	255,998	$	190,411	$	131,919
	Denominator
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding		102,142,828		101,529,137		100,991,871
	Basic net income per share	$	2.51	$	1.88	$	1.31
	Diluted net income per share:
	Numerator
	Net income	$	255,998	$	190,411	$	131,919
	Assumed conversion of convertible senior notes		5,811		5,783		5,627
	Net income plus assumed conversions	$	261,809	$	196,194	$	137,546
	Denominator
	Number of shares used in basic computation		102,142,828		101,529,137		100,991,871
	Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities		8,049,943		7,434,413		6,664,592
	Number of shares used in per share computation		110,192,771		108,963,550		107,656,463
	Diluted net income per share	$	2.38	$	1.80	$	1.28

Stockbased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock-based Compensation
Summary of Stock Option activity
			Shares			Exercise		Remaining		Aggregate
						Price		Contractual Term		Intrinsic Value
								(in years)		(in thousands)(1)
	Balance at December 31, 2011			3,375,908		$	20.39		8.5		11,968
	Granted			—			—		—		—
	Exercised			(7,000	)	$	20		7.5		18
	Forfeited/canceled			(10,500	)	$	20		—		—
	Balance at December 31, 2012			3,358,408		$	20.39		7.49		4,813
	Granted			—			—		—		—
	Exercised			(500	)	$	20		6.54		5
	Forfeited/canceled			(250	)	$	20		—		3
	Balance at December 31, 2013			3,357,658		$	20.39		6.49		35,883
	Granted			—			—		—		—
	Exercised			(45,500	)	$	20		—		814
	Forfeited/canceled			—			—		—		—
	Balance at December 31, 2014			3,312,158		$	20.4		5.49		46,077
	Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2014			3,312,158		$	20.4		5.49		46,077
	-1	The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying awards and the closing stock price of our Class A common stock as of the respective date.
Summary of additional information regarding outstanding, exercisable and vested stock options
			Options Outstanding					Options Exercisable
								and Vested
	Range of exercise prices		Number of			Weighted-		Number of		Weighted-
			Shares			Average		Shares		Average
						Remaining Life				Remaining Life
						(in years)				(in years)
	$20.00			3,162,158			5.46		3,162,158		5.46
	$28.80			150,000			6.32		150,000		6.32
	$20.00 - $28.80			3,312,158			5.49		3,312,158		5.49
Summary of activities for unvested RSUs
			Unvested Restricted Stock
			Units
			Number of			Weighted-
			Shares			Average
						Grant-Date
						Fair Value
	Unvested at December 31, 2013			1,569,005		$	24.5
	Granted			384,225		$	39.7
	Vested			(981,835	)	$	21.53
	Forfeited/canceled			(2,170	)	$	35.07
	Unvested at December 31, 2014			969,225		$	33.51
	Expected to vest after December 31, 2014(1)			958,238			33.51
	-1	RSUs expected to vest reflect an estimated forfeiture rate.

Quarterly_financial_data_unaud1

Quarterly financial data (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
Schedule of unaudited quarterly results of operations
		Quarter Ended
		Mar 31,		Jun 30,		Sep 30,		Dec 31,		Mar 31,		Jun 30,		Sep 30,		Dec 31,
		2013		2013		2013		2013		2014		2014		2014		2014
		(in thousands, except share data)
	Revenues	$	191,997	$	207,872	$	215,905	$	242,901	$	246,285	$	256,325	$	261,939	$	285,944
	Income before taxes		61,672		66,311		74,888		90,571		94,709		95,680		96,277		108,110
	Net income		39,996		42,990		48,578		58,847		61,397		62,037		62,433		70,131
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.39	$	0.42	$	0.48	$	0.58	$	0.60	$	0.61	$	0.61	$	0.68
	Diluted	$	0.38	$	0.41	$	0.46	$	0.55	$	0.57	$	0.58	$	0.58	$	0.65

Summary_of_significant_account2

Summary of significant accounting policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 04, 2014
	item	item
	aircraft
Organization
Number of aircraft owned	213
Number of aircraft on order with manufacturers	364
Rental of flight equipment
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$0	$0
Number of leases on cash basis	0	0
Flight equipment
Useful life	25 years
Residual value (as a percent)	15.00%
Impairment charges	$0	$0
Income taxes
Probability threshold of realization of full value of the asset for recording of valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (as a percent)	50.00%
Blackbird
Investments
Percentage of equity ownership			9.50%

Debt_financing_Details

Debt financing (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

5-May-14

Jul. 23, 2014

Jul. 22, 2014

Mar. 27, 2014

Mar. 26, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Jan. 22, 2014

Mar. 11, 2014

Sep. 16, 2014

Jan. 14, 2015

Nov. 30, 2011

aircraft

Debt financing

Total secured and unsecured debt financing

6,730,148,000

5,865,668,000

Less: Debt discount

-15,786,000

-12,351,000

Total debt

6,714,362,000

5,853,317,000

Unsecured Debt

Debt financing

Total secured and unsecured debt financing

5,544,340,000

4,311,342,000

Senior Notes

Debt financing

Total secured and unsecured debt financing

4,579,194,000

3,055,620,000

Amount issued

1,500,000,000

Senior Notes | Minimum

Debt financing

Term of debt

1 year

2 years

Fixed interest rate (as a percent)

2.13%

3.38%

Senior Notes | Maximum

Debt financing

Term of debt

10 years

6 years

Fixed interest rate (as a percent)

7.38%

7.38%

Senior Unsecured Notes 4.85 Percent Due 2024

Debt financing

Amount issued

25,000,000

Interest rate (as a percent)

4.85%

Senior Unsecured Notes 3.875 Percent Due 2021

Debt financing

Amount issued

500,000,000

Interest rate (as a percent)

3.88%

Senior Unsecured Notes 2.125 Percent Due 2018

Debt financing

Amount issued

500,000,000

Interest rate (as a percent)

2.13%

Senior Unsecured Notes 4.25 Percent Due 2024

Debt financing

Amount issued

500,000,000

Interest rate (as a percent)

4.25%

Senior Unsecured Notes 3.75 Percent Due 2022 | Subsequent Event

Debt financing

Amount issued

600,000,000

Interest rate (as a percent)

3.75%

Revolving Credit Facilities

Debt financing

Total secured and unsecured debt financing

569,000,000

808,000,000

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

Debt financing

Capacity provided

2,100,000,000

Facility fee

0.25%

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility | LIBOR

Debt financing

Variable interest basis

LIBOR

Interest margin (as a percent)

1.25%

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility | Alternative Base Rate

Debt financing

Variable interest basis

alternative base rate

Interest margin (as a percent)

0.25%

Unsecured Term Financings

Debt financing

Total secured and unsecured debt financing

196,146,000

247,722,000

Amount issued

65,000,000

Number of additional term facilities

4

Unsecured Term Financings | Minimum

Debt financing

Interest rate (as a percent)

2.85%

Term of debt

4 years

Unsecured Term Financings | Maximum

Debt financing

Interest rate (as a percent)

3.13%

Term of debt

5 years

Convertible Senior Notes

Debt financing

Total secured and unsecured debt financing

200,000,000

200,000,000

Convertible Senior Notes 3.875 Percent Due 2018

Debt financing

Amount issued

200,000,000

Interest rate (as a percent)

3.88%

Convertible Senior Notes 3.875 Percent Due 2018 | Class A Common Stock

Debt financing

Share price on conversion (in dollars per share)

30.01

Secured Debt

Debt financing

Total secured and unsecured debt financing

1,185,808,000

1,554,326,000

Secured Obligations

Nonrecourse

484,513,000

847,684,000

Recourse

701,295,000

706,642,000

Total

1,185,808,000

1,554,326,000

Number of aircraft pledged as collateral

38

52

Net book value of aircraft pledged as collateral

1,935,711,000

2,454,350,000

Secured Debt | LIBOR

Debt financing

Variable interest basis

LIBOR

Warehouse facilities

Debt financing

Total secured and unsecured debt financing

484,513,000

828,418,000

Warehouse Facility 2010

Debt financing

Capacity provided

750,000,000

1,000,000,000

Amount outstanding

484,500,000

656,800,000

Interest rate on undrawn balances (as a percent)

0.50%

Restricted cash

7,500,000

87,300,000

Secured Obligations

Number of aircraft pledged as collateral

18

24

Net book value of aircraft pledged as collateral

729,500,000

985,200,000

Warehouse Facility 2010 | LIBOR

Debt financing

Variable interest basis

LIBOR

LIBOR

Interest margin (as a percent)

2.00%

2.25%

Warehouse Facility 2012

Debt financing

Amount outstanding

88,100,000

171,600,000

101,000,000

178,500,000

Fixed interest rate (as a percent)

4.58%

Warehouse Facility 2012 | LIBOR

Debt financing

Variable interest basis

LIBOR

LIBOR

Interest margin (as a percent)

1.55%

2.25%

Secured Term Financings

Debt financing

Total secured and unsecured debt financing

636,411,000

654,369,000

Amount issued

110,000,000

Fixed rate debt

104,700,000

153,900,000

Floating rate debt

531,700,000

505,500,000

Term of debt

3 years

Secured Obligations

Number of aircraft pledged as collateral

18

18

Net book value of aircraft pledged as collateral

1,100,000,000

1,140,000,000

Secured Term Financings | LIBOR

Debt financing

Variable interest basis

LIBOR

LIBOR

Interest margin (as a percent)

1.15%

Secured Term Financings | Minimum

Debt financing

Interest rate (as a percent)

4.28%

4.25%

Secured Term Financings | Minimum | LIBOR

Debt financing

Interest margin (as a percent)

1.15%

1.50%

Secured Term Financings | Maximum

Debt financing

Interest rate (as a percent)

5.36%

5.36%

Secured Term Financings | Maximum | LIBOR

Debt financing

Interest margin (as a percent)

3.00%

3.00%

Export Credit Financing

Debt financing

Total secured and unsecured debt financing

64,884,000

71,539,000

Amount issued

76,500,000

Interest rate (as a percent)

1.62%

Export Credit Financing | Boeing 737-800

Debt financing

Number of aircraft refinanced

2

Debt_financing_Details_2

Debt financing (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Maturities
2015	$171,558
2016	870,682
2017	1,415,419
2018	1,542,706
2019	1,173,489
Thereafter	1,556,294
Total	$6,730,148	$5,865,668

Interest_expense_Details

Interest expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Interest expense
Interest on borrowings	$235,593	$201,402	$149,807
Less capitalized interest	-42,775	-32,659	-19,388
Interest	192,818	168,743	130,419
Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs	27,772	23,627	16,994
Interest expense	$220,590	$192,370	$147,413

Shareholders_equity_Details

Shareholders' equity (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Oct. 21, 2013	Oct. 15, 2013	Jun. 04, 2010	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2010
	item		item
Shareholders' equity
Commission or other remuneration paid		$0
Cash consideration of issuance of common stock				944,000	43,000
Warrants
Warrants issued (in shares)			482,625
Number of institutional investors			2
Exercisable period of warrants			7 years
Exercise price of warrants (in dollars per share)			$20
Grant date fair value			5,600,000
Number of committed investors who exercised warrants	1
Number of warrants exercised	214,500
Warrants outstanding				268,125
Preferred stock
Preferred stock, shares authorized				50,000,000		50,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)				$0.01		$0.01
Preferred Stock, shares issued				0		0
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding				0		0
Class A Common Stock
Shareholders' equity
Common Stock, authorized shares				500,000,000		500,000,000	500,000,000
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)				$0.01		$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares issued				102,392,208		101,822,676
Common stock, shares outstanding				102,392,208		101,822,676
Common stock issued (in shares)		1,829,339
Cash consideration of issuance of common stock		$0
Increase in outstanding common stock (in shares)		1,829,339
Warrants
Issuance of shares upon exercise of warrants	63,481		482,625
Class B Non-Voting Common Stock
Shareholders' equity
Common Stock, authorized shares				10,000,000		10,000,000
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)				$0.01		$0.01
Conversion ratio				1
Common stock, shares issued		0		0		0
Common stock, shares outstanding		0		0		0

Rental_Income_Details

Rental Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Minimum future rentals on non-cancelable operating leases of flight equipment
2015	$1,032,375,000
2016	998,466,000
2017	938,087,000
2018	901,378,000
2019	844,122,000
Thereafter	2,770,506,000
Total	7,484,934,000
Maintenance reserve revenue	$25,200,000	$34,400,000	$25,000,000
Aircrafts
Scheduled lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
2015	5
2016	12
2017	15
2018	7
2019	32
Thereafter	142
Total	213
Airbus A319-100
Scheduled lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
2015	1
2017	3
2018	1
Total	5
Airbus A320-200
Scheduled lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
2016	2
2017	2
2018	1
2019	4
Thereafter	30
Total	39
Airbus A320/321-200
Scheduled lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
2016	1
2018	1
2019	1
Thereafter	17
Total	20
Airbus A330-200
Scheduled lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
2017	1
2019	4
Thereafter	11
Total	16
Airbus A330-300
Scheduled lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
Thereafter	5
Total	5
Boeing 737-700
Scheduled lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
2016	3
2018	2
2019	3
Total	8
Boeing 737-800
Scheduled lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
2015	4
2016	5
2017	7
2018	2
2019	10
Thereafter	33
Total	61
Boeing 767-300ER
Scheduled lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
2016	1
Total	1
Boeing 777-200ER
Scheduled lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
Thereafter	1
Total	1
Boeing 777-300ER
Scheduled lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
2017	1
Thereafter	8
Total	9
Embraer E175
Scheduled lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
Thereafter	7
Total	7
Embraer E190
Scheduled lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
2017	1
2019	6
Thereafter	16
Total	23
ATR 72-600
Scheduled lease terminations by aircraft type for operating lease portfolio
2019	4
Thereafter	14
Total	18

Concentration_of_risk_Details

Concentration of risk (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	country	country
Concentration of risk
Number of countries in which entity leases its aircraft	46	47
Minimum percentage of aircraft operated internationally based on net book value	95.00%
Concentration of risk
Net book value	$8,953,804	$7,613,135
Amount of rental revenue	991,241	836,516	645,853
Net book value of aircraft portfolio | Geographic Region
Concentration of risk
Net book value	8,953,804	7,613,135
Percent of Total	100.00%	100.00%
Net book value of aircraft portfolio | Geographic Region | Asia
Concentration of risk
Net book value	3,838,523	3,165,367
Percent of Total	42.90%	41.60%
Net book value of aircraft portfolio | Geographic Region | Europe
Concentration of risk
Net book value	2,953,232	2,656,816
Percent of Total	33.00%	34.90%
Net book value of aircraft portfolio | Geographic Region | Central America, South America And Mexico
Concentration of risk
Net book value	778,991	829,930
Percent of Total	8.70%	10.90%
Net book value of aircraft portfolio | Geographic Region | The Middle East And Africa
Concentration of risk
Net book value	498,896	372,618
Percent of Total	5.60%	4.90%
Net book value of aircraft portfolio | Geographic Region | Pacific, Australia, New Zealand
Concentration of risk
Net book value	471,630	151,751
Percent of Total	5.20%	2.00%
Net book value of aircraft portfolio | Geographic Region | U.S. and Canada
Concentration of risk
Net book value	412,532	436,653
Percent of Total	4.60%	5.70%
Number of customers | Geographic Region
Concentration of risk
Number of customers	80	79
Percent of Total	100.00%	100.00%
Number of customers | Geographic Region | Asia
Concentration of risk
Number of customers	29	29
Percent of Total	36.30%	36.70%
Number of customers | Geographic Region | Europe
Concentration of risk
Number of customers	24	21
Percent of Total	30.00%	26.60%
Number of customers | Geographic Region | Central America, South America And Mexico
Concentration of risk
Number of customers	10	12
Percent of Total	12.50%	15.20%
Number of customers | Geographic Region | The Middle East And Africa
Concentration of risk
Number of customers	7	7
Percent of Total	8.80%	8.90%
Number of customers | Geographic Region | Pacific, Australia, New Zealand
Concentration of risk
Number of customers	2	2
Percent of Total	2.40%	2.50%
Number of customers | Geographic Region | U.S. and Canada
Concentration of risk
Number of customers	8	8
Percent of Total	10.00%	10.10%
Flight equipment revenue
Concentration of risk
Number of customers	0	0	1
Number of countries			3
Flight equipment revenue | Alitalia
Concentration of risk
Amount of rental revenue			71,000
Percent of Total			11.00%
Flight equipment revenue | China
Concentration of risk
Amount of rental revenue	218,600	129,800	75,500
Percent of Total	22.10%	15.50%	11.70%
Flight equipment revenue | Italy
Concentration of risk
Amount of rental revenue			71,000
Percent of Total			11.00%
Flight equipment revenue | France
Concentration of risk
Amount of rental revenue			67,400
Percent of Total			10.40%
Flight equipment revenue | Geographic Region
Concentration of risk
Amount of rental revenue	991,241	836,516	645,853
Percent of Total	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Flight equipment revenue | Geographic Region | Asia
Concentration of risk
Amount of rental revenue	409,014	299,472	204,675
Percent of Total	41.30%	35.80%	31.70%
Flight equipment revenue | Geographic Region | Europe
Concentration of risk
Amount of rental revenue	337,349	300,761	253,376
Percent of Total	34.00%	36.00%	39.20%
Flight equipment revenue | Geographic Region | Central America, South America And Mexico
Concentration of risk
Amount of rental revenue	111,583	107,857	84,341
Percent of Total	11.30%	12.90%	13.10%
Flight equipment revenue | Geographic Region | The Middle East And Africa
Concentration of risk
Amount of rental revenue	47,958	55,624	39,398
Percent of Total	4.90%	6.60%	6.10%
Flight equipment revenue | Geographic Region | Pacific, Australia, New Zealand
Concentration of risk
Amount of rental revenue	30,330	15,436	10,862
Percent of Total	3.10%	1.80%	1.70%
Flight equipment revenue | Geographic Region | U.S. and Canada
Concentration of risk
Amount of rental revenue	$55,007	$57,366	$53,201
Percent of Total	5.40%	6.90%	8.20%

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current:
Federal	$8,092,000
State	39,000
Foreign	551,000	71,000	4,000
Deferred:
Federal	129,943,000	102,887,000	71,932,000
State	153,000	147,000	118,000
Income tax expense	138,778,000	103,105,000	72,054,000
Differences between the provision for income taxes and income taxes at the federal statutory income tax rate
Income taxes at statutory federal rate	138,172,000	102,705,000	71,390,000
State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect	606,000	400,000	664,000
Income tax expense	138,778,000	103,105,000	72,054,000
Differences between effective tax rate and federal statutory income tax rate
Income taxes at statutory federal rate (as a percent)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect (as a percent)	0.20%	0.20%	0.30%
Effective tax rate on earnings from continuing operations (as a percent)	35.20%	35.20%	35.30%
Assets (Liabilities)
Equity compensation	19,020,000	20,808,000
Net operating losses	10,197,000	36,786,000
Rents received in advance	26,605,000	21,575,000
Accrued bonus	4,577,000	3,578,000
Straight-line rents	10,423,000	7,024,000
Other	6,571,000	4,662,000
Aircraft depreciation	-400,752,000	-287,696,000
Total (liabilities) assets	-323,359,000	-193,263,000
Other disclosures
Windfall tax benefit		3,700,000
Federal
Net operating loss
Net operating loss carry-forwards (NOLs)	29,100,000	108,700,000
Net operating loss carry-forwards (NOLs) for federal income tax utilized	79,600,000	19,500,000
State
Net operating loss
Net operating loss carry-forwards (NOLs)		$52,600,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments for the acquisition of the aircraft and other equipment
2015	$2,381,857,000
2016	2,315,276,000
2017	1,907,137,000
2018	2,919,369,000
2019	3,998,600,000
Thereafter	15,297,344,000
Total	28,819,583,000
Deposits on flight equipment purchases	1,144,603,000	1,075,023,000
Office Lease
Office lease expense, net of sublease income	1,800,000	2,100,000	2,500,000
Commitments for minimum rentals under the non-cancelable lease term
2015	2,467,000
2016	2,541,000
2017	2,617,000
2018	2,696,000
2019	2,777,000
Thereafter	12,610,000
Total	$25,708,000
Aircrafts
Commitments to acquire aircraft
2015	40
2016	32
2017	27
2018	33
2019	49
Thereafter	183
Total	364
Airbus A320/321-200
Commitments to acquire aircraft
2015	9
Total	9
Airbus A320/321neo
Commitments to acquire aircraft
2016	3
2017	12
2018	17
2019	21
Thereafter	57
Total	110
Airbus A350-900/1000
Commitments to acquire aircraft
2018	1
2019	2
Thereafter	22
Total	25
Boeing 737-800
Commitments to acquire aircraft
2015	21
2016	15
2017	11
Total	47
Boeing 737-8/9 MAX
Commitments to acquire aircraft
2018	8
2019	18
Thereafter	78
Total	104
Boeing 777-300ER
Commitments to acquire aircraft
2015	8
2016	6
2017	2
Total	16
Boeing 787-9/10
Commitments to acquire aircraft
2016	3
2017	1
2018	7
2019	8
Thereafter	26
Total	45
ATR 72-600
Commitments to acquire aircraft
2015	2
2016	5
2017	1
Total	8

Net_Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Net Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
									item
Net Earnings Per Share
Number of classes of common stock									2
Numerator
Net income	$70,131	$62,433	$62,037	$61,397	$58,847	$48,578	$42,990	$39,996	$255,998	$190,411	$131,919
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding									102,142,828	101,529,137	100,991,871
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.68	$0.61	$0.61	$0.60	$0.58	$0.48	$0.42	$0.39	$2.51	$1.88	$1.31
Numerator
Net income	70,131	62,433	62,037	61,397	58,847	48,578	42,990	39,996	255,998	190,411	131,919
Assumed conversion of convertible senior notes									5,811	5,783	5,627
Net income plus assumed conversions									$261,809	$196,194	$137,546
Denominator
Weighted-average common shares outstanding									102,142,828	101,529,137	100,991,871
Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities (in shares)									8,049,943	7,434,413	6,664,592
Number of shares used in per share computation									110,192,771	108,963,550	107,656,463
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.65	$0.58	$0.58	$0.57	$0.55	$0.46	$0.41	$0.38	$2.38	$1.80	$1.28
Employee and Directors Stock Options
Anti-dilutive securities
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)										150,000	3,358,408
Restricted Stock Units
Anti-dilutive securities
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)									969,225	1,569,005	2,117,510

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Recurring basis
Fair Value Measurements
Assets	$0	$0
Liabilities	0	0
Non-recurring basis
Fair Value Measurements
Assets	0	0
Liabilities	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
Book Value
Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value
Debt financing	$6.70	$5.90
Level 2
Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value
Debt financing	$7	$6.10

Stockbased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	7-May-14	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock-based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense	$16,000,000	$21,600,000	$31,700,000
Equity Incentive Plan 2010
Stock-based Compensation
Number of shares authorized	6,648,524
Shares included in the authorized shares which was previously reserved for issuance	1,648,524
Shares
Granted (in shares)				0
Employee and Directors Stock Options
Stock-based Compensation
Term of award	10 years
Vesting period	3 years
Unrecognized compensation cost	0
Stock-based compensation expense	0	5,400,000	11,800,000
Shares
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	3,357,658	3,358,408	3,375,908
Exercised (in shares)	-45,500	-500	-7,000
Forfeited/canceled (in shares)		-250	-10,500
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	3,312,158	3,357,658	3,358,408		3,375,908
Vested and exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	3,312,158
Exercise Price
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$20.39	$20.39	$20.39
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$20	$20	$20
Forfeited/canceled (in dollars per share)		$20	$20
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$20.40	$20.39	$20.39		$20.39
Vested and exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$20.40
Remaining Contractual Term
Beginning of the period	5 years 5 months 27 days	6 years 5 months 27 days	7 years 5 months 27 days		8 years 6 months
Granted			7 years 6 months
Exercised		6 years 6 months 15 days
End of the period	5 years 5 months 27 days	6 years 5 months 27 days	7 years 5 months 27 days		8 years 6 months
Vested and exercisable at the end of the period	5 years 5 months 27 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Balance at the beginning of the period	35,883,000	4,813,000	11,968,000
Exercised	814,000	5,000	18,000
Forfeited/canceled		3,000
Balance at the end of the period	46,077,000	35,883,000	4,813,000		11,968,000
Vested and exercisable at the end of the period	46,077,000
Restricted Stock Units
Stock-based Compensation
Number of different vesting criteria	2
Number of shares granted	969,225
Unrecognized compensation cost	12,400,000
Stock-based compensation expense	$16,000,000	$16,200,000	$19,900,000
Restricted Stock With Book Value Conditions | Minimum
Stock-based Compensation
Vesting period	3 years
Restricted Stock With Book Value Conditions | Maximum
Stock-based Compensation
Vesting period	4 years
Restricted Stock With Total Shareholder Return Conditions
Stock-based Compensation
Vesting period	3 years
Vesting percentage	100.00%
Number of shares granted	389,203
Restricted Stock With Total Shareholder Return Conditions | Minimum
Stock-based Compensation
Vesting percentage	0.00%
Restricted Stock With Total Shareholder Return Conditions | Maximum
Stock-based Compensation
Vesting percentage	200.00%

Stockbased_Compensation_Detail1

Stock-based Compensation (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Options Outstanding
Number of Shares	3,312,158
Weighted-Average Remaining Life	5 years 5 months 27 days
Options Exercisable and Vested
Number of Shares	3,312,158
Weighted-Average Remaining Life	5 years 5 months 27 days
$20.00
Stock options exercisable and vested by exercise price range
Exercise price, lower range (in dollars per share)	20
Options Outstanding
Number of Shares	3,162,158
Weighted-Average Remaining Life	5 years 5 months 16 days
Options Exercisable and Vested
Number of Shares	3,162,158
Weighted-Average Remaining Life	5 years 5 months 16 days
$28.80
Stock options exercisable and vested by exercise price range
Exercise price, upper range (in dollars per share)	28.8
Options Outstanding
Number of Shares	150,000
Weighted-Average Remaining Life	6 years 3 months 26 days
Options Exercisable and Vested
Number of Shares	150,000
Weighted-Average Remaining Life	6 years 3 months 26 days

Stockbased_Compensation_Detail2

Stock-based Compensation (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock Units
Unvested restricted stock units, Number of Shares
Unvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)	1,569,005
Granted (in shares)	384,225
Vested (in shares)	-981,835
Forfeited/canceled (in shares)	-2,170
Unvested at the end of the period (in shares)	969,225
Expected to vest after the end of the period (in shares)	958,238
Unvested restricted stock units, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Unvested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$24.50
Granted (in dollars per share)	$39.70
Vested (in dollars per share)	$21.53
Forfeited/canceled (in dollars per share)	$35.07
Unvested at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$33.51
Expected to vest after the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$33.51
Stock-based compensation expense
Unrecognized compensation cost	$12.40
Weighted-average period of recognition of unrecognized stock-based compensation cost	1 year 8 months 12 days
Outstanding RSUs expected to vest
2015 (in shares)	396,888
2016 (in shares)	321,014
2017 (in shares)	240,336
Restricted Stock With Total Shareholder Return Conditions
Unvested restricted stock units, Number of Shares
Granted (in shares)	182,476

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (Blackbird, USD $)	2 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 04, 2014
	aircraft
Investments
Percentage of equity ownership		9.50%
Number of aircrafts purchased	5
Aggregate purchase price	$280
Other assets
Investments
Equity method investment	$10.10

Litigation_Details

Litigation (Details)	Apr. 24, 2012
	item
Litigation
Number of cause of action not asserted against the Company	1

Litigation_Details_2

Litigation (Details 2) (Breach Of Contract For Sale Of Goods, USD $)	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2010	Aug. 15, 2013
	aircraft
Litigation
Number of aircraft to be sold by ILFC under the agreement	25
Minimum
Litigation
Minimum compensatory damages sought under cross-complaint		$500

Related_party_transactions_Det

Related party transactions (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013
Related party transactions
Reimbursement for deposits paid by Mr. Udvar-Hazy	$6.80
Percentage of interest payment per annum to Mr. Udvar-Hazy	3.90%
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Related party transactions
Revenue from related parties		$0.90	$0.50	$1.80
Affiliates of Ares Management LLC, Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. and WL Ross & Co. LLC | Class A Common Stock
Related party transactions
Share price of common stock offered in a secondary public offering previously held by affiliates					31.5
Affiliates of Ares Management LLC, Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. and WL Ross & Co. LLC | Class A Common Stock | Maximum
Related party transactions
Number of shares issued in a secondary public offering previously held by affiliates					10,138,888
Servicing Agreement | Commonwealth Bank of Australia | Class A Common Stock | Minimum
Related party transactions
Beneficial ownership interest owned (as a percent)		5.00%

Quarterly_financial_data_unaud2

Quarterly financial data (unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
Revenues	$285,944	$261,939	$256,325	$246,285	$242,901	$215,905	$207,872	$191,997	$1,050,493	$858,675	$655,746
Income before taxes	108,110	96,277	95,680	94,709	90,571	74,888	66,311	61,672	394,776	293,442	203,973
Net income	$70,131	$62,433	$62,037	$61,397	$58,847	$48,578	$42,990	$39,996	$255,998	$190,411	$131,919
Net income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.68	$0.61	$0.61	$0.60	$0.58	$0.48	$0.42	$0.39	$2.51	$1.88	$1.31
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.65	$0.58	$0.58	$0.57	$0.55	$0.46	$0.41	$0.38	$2.38	$1.80	$1.28

Subsequent_events_Details

Subsequent events (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 26, 2015	Jan. 14, 2015
Subsequent Events
Quarterly cash dividends on common stock	$0.13	$0.11
Subsequent Event | Senior Unsecured Notes 3.75 Percent Due 2022
Subsequent Events
Amount issued				$600
Interest rate (as a percent)				3.75%
Subsequent Event | Dividend Declared
Subsequent Events
Quarterly cash dividends on common stock			$0.04