Air Lease (AL) 10-Q7 Nov 132013 Q3 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 07, 2013
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AIR LEASE CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001487712	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	101,754,302
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$221,680	$230,089
Restricted cash	85,516	106,307
Flight equipment subject to operating leases	7,791,520	6,598,898
Less accumulated depreciation	-551,432	-347,035
Flight equipment subject to operating leases, net	7,240,088	6,251,863
Deposits on flight equipment purchases	966,674	564,718
Deferred debt issue costs-less accumulated amortization of $46,489 and $32,288 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	88,118	74,219
Other assets	206,225	126,428
Total assets	8,808,301	7,353,624
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	'	'
Accrued interest and other payables	123,604	90,169
Debt financing, net of discounts	5,466,278	4,384,732
Security deposits and maintenance reserves on flight equipment leases	539,975	412,223
Rentals received in advance	53,589	41,137
Deferred tax liability	164,049	92,742
Total liabilities	6,347,495	5,021,003
Shareholders' Equity	'	'
Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding	'	'
Paid-in capital	2,202,731	2,198,501
Retained earnings	257,066	133,111
Total shareholders' equity	2,460,806	2,332,621
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	8,808,301	7,353,624
Class A Common Stock	'	'
Shareholders' Equity	'	'
Common Stock	991	991
Total shareholders' equity	991	991
Class B Non-Voting Common Stock	'	'
Shareholders' Equity	'	'
Common Stock	18	18
Total shareholders' equity	$18	$18

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred debt issue costs, accumulated amortization (in dollars)	$46,489	$32,288
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	99,924,963	99,417,998
Common Stock, outstanding shares	99,924,963	99,417,998
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	1,829,339	1,829,339
Common Stock, outstanding shares	1,829,339	1,829,339

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Rental of flight equipment	$213,835	$172,856	$610,237	$459,643
Interest and other	2,070	2,069	5,537	6,008
Total revenues	215,905	174,925	615,774	465,651
Expenses	'	'	'	'
Interest	41,946	35,248	125,644	91,308
Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs	6,012	4,595	16,571	11,553
Interest expense	47,958	39,843	142,215	102,861
Depreciation of flight equipment	71,811	57,932	204,457	154,805
Selling, general and administrative	17,497	12,833	48,392	40,750
Stock-based compensation	3,751	7,124	17,839	24,548
Total expenses	141,017	117,732	412,903	322,964
Income before taxes	74,888	57,193	202,871	142,687
Income tax expense	-26,310	-20,182	-71,307	-50,577
Net income	$48,578	$37,011	$131,564	$92,110
Net income per share of Class A and Class B Common Stock:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.48	$0.37	$1.30	$0.91
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.46	$0.36	$1.25	$0.90
Weighted-average shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	101,753,783	101,247,337	101,440,360	100,906,094
Diluted (in shares)	109,227,709	107,875,105	108,784,560	107,574,616

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENT_OF_SHAR

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Class A Common Stock	Class B Non-Voting Common Stock
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Class A Common Stock	Class B Non-Voting Common Stock
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$2,332,621	$2,198,501	$133,111	$991	$18
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	'	'	99,417,998	1,829,339
Increase (Decrease) in Shareholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock units (in shares)	'	'	'	954,980	'
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	'	'	'	167	'
Stock based compensation expense	17,839	17,839	'	'	'
Cash dividends	-7,609	'	-7,609	'	'
Tax withholding related to exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units	-13,609	-13,609	'	'	'
Tax withholding related to exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units (in shares)	'	'	'	-448,182	'
Net income	131,564	'	131,564	'	'
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$2,460,806	$2,202,731	$257,066	$991	$18
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	'	'	'	99,924,963	1,829,339

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating Activities	'	'
Net income	$131,564	$92,110
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation of flight equipment	204,457	154,805
Stock-based compensation	17,839	24,548
Deferred taxes	71,307	50,573
Amortization of discounts and deferred debt issue costs	16,571	11,553
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Other assets	7,917	-20,114
Accrued interest and other payables	30,679	48,085
Rentals received in advance	12,452	10,936
Net cash provided by operating activities	492,786	372,496
Investing Activities	'	'
Acquisition of flight equipment under operating lease	-955,587	-1,651,831
Payments for deposits on flight equipment purchases	-631,758	-185,373
Acquisition of furnishings, equipment and other assets	-80,226	-71,484
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,667,571	-1,908,688
Financing Activities	'	'
Issuance of common stock	'	43
Cash dividends paid	-5,065	'
Tax withholdings related to vesting of restricted stock units	-13,609	-7,312
Net change in unsecured revolving facilities	819,000	-28,000
Proceeds from debt financings	615,871	2,042,389
Payments in reduction of debt financings	-355,975	-344,912
Restricted cash	20,791	-15,627
Debt issue costs	-29,020	-39,487
Security deposits and maintenance reserve receipts	135,611	108,968
Security deposits and maintenance reserve disbursements	-21,228	-21,994
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,166,376	1,694,068
Net increase/(decrease) in cash	-8,409	157,876
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	230,089	281,805
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	221,680	439,681
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information	'	'
Cash paid during the period for interest, including capitalized interest of $23,124 and $13,698 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012	129,463	68,307
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Activities	'	'
Buyer furnished equipment, capitalized interest, deposits on flight equipment purchases and seller financing applied to acquisition of flight equipment	245,414	136,850
Cash dividends declared, not yet paid	$2,544	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS	'	'
Cash paid for interest, capitalized interest	$23,124	$13,698

Company_Background_and_Overvie

Company Background and Overview	9 Months Ended
Company Background and Overview	Sep. 30, 2013
Company Background and Overview	'
Company Background and Overview	'
	Note 1. Company Background and Overview

	Air Lease Corporation (the “Company”, “ALC”, “we”, “our” or “us”) is incorporated in the State of Delaware and licensed to operate in the State of California. The Company is principally engaged in the leasing of commercial aircraft to airlines throughout the world. We supplement our leasing revenues by providing management services to investors and owners of aircraft portfolios, for which we receive fee-based revenue. These services include leasing, remarketing, and lease management and sales services, with the goal of helping our clients maximize lease and sale revenues. In addition to our leasing activities and management services, and depending on market conditions, we sell aircraft from our fleet to other leasing companies, financial services companies and airlines.

Basis_of_Preparation

Basis of Preparation	9 Months Ended
Basis of Preparation	Sep. 30, 2013
Basis of Preparation	'
Basis of Preparation	'
	Note 2. Basis of Preparation

	The Company consolidates financial statements of all entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, including the accounts of any Variable Interest Entity in which we have a controlling financial interest and for which we are determined to be the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany balances are eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, including only normal, recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows at September 30, 2013, and for all periods presented. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Debt_Financing

Debt Financing	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Financing	'
Debt Financing	'
	Note 3. Debt Financing

	The Company’s consolidated debt as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized below (in thousands):

			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Unsecured
	Senior notes		$	2,170,620		$	1,775,000
	Revolving credit facilities		1,239,000			420,000
	Term financings		265,155			248,916
	Convertible senior notes		200,000			200,000
			3,874,775			2,643,916
	Secured
	Warehouse facilities		839,000			1,061,838
	Term financings		691,329			688,601
	Export credit financing		73,203			—
			1,603,532			1,750,439

	Total secured and unsecured debt financing		5,478,307			4,394,355
	Less: Debt discount		(12,029		)	(9,623		)
	Total debt		$	5,466,278		$	4,384,732

	At September 30, 2013, 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, unencumbered assets and interest coverage ratios.

	The Company’s secured obligations as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized below (in thousands, except number of aircraft which are reflected in units):

			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Nonrecourse		$	859,494		$	1,085,941
	Recourse		744,038			664,498
	Total		$	1,603,532		$	1,750,439
	Number of aircraft pledged as collateral		52			55
	Net book value of aircraft pledged as collateral		$	2,479,319		$	2,728,636

	Senior Unsecured Notes

	On October 1, 2013, the Company issued $185.0 million in aggregate amount of senior unsecured notes in a private placement to institutional investors. The notes are comprised of $53.0 million of 3.64% senior unsecured notes due 2016 and $132.0 million of 4.49% senior unsecured notes due 2019.

	On August 26, 2013, the Company received an investment grade corporate credit rating of BBB- from Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) with a stable outlook. The BBB- rating was also assigned to the Company’s $2.0 billion senior unsecured notes due 2016, 2017, and 2020. Effective August 26, 2013, the additional interest of 0.50% per annum assessed on the senior unsecured notes due 2017 was eliminated due to the rating of the notes by S&P.

	On June 26, 2013, the Company concluded its offer to exchange up to $151.6 million aggregate principal amount of new notes for any and all of its outstanding 7.375% senior unsecured notes due January 30, 2019, pursuant to a Senior Notes Indenture, dated as of March 16, 2012, as supplemented by a Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 26, 2013. The Company issued $132.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.625% senior notes due 2017 in exchange for $125.4 million aggregate principal amount of the old notes.

	On February 5, 2013, the Company issued $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2020 pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement previously filed with the SEC. The notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and bear interest at a rate of 4.75% per annum.

	Unsecured Revolving Credit Facilities

	On November 4, 2013, the Company increased the maximum amount for which it can borrow under its Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility by $300.0 million to $2.0 billion. The Company previously amended its Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility on May 7, 2013. Pursuant to the amendment, we increased the maximum amount for which we can borrow under this facility by $607.0 million to $1.7 billion, extended the availability period from 3 years to 4 years to May 2017, and reduced the pricing from LIBOR plus a margin of 1.75% with no LIBOR floor and an undrawn fee of 0.375% to LIBOR plus 1.45% with no LIBOR floor and a 0.30% facility fee.

	Effective August 26, 2013, the pricing of our Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility has been further reduced to LIBOR plus 1.25% with no LIBOR floor and a 0.25% facility fee as a result of the investment grade corporate credit rating of BBB- obtained from S&P.

	The total amount outstanding under our unsecured revolving credit facilities was $1.2 billion and $420.0 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

	Secured Warehouse Facilities

	On June 21, 2013, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into an amendment and restatement of the “2010 Warehouse Facility”. The 2010 Warehouse Facility, as amended, provides the Company with financing of up to $1.0 billion, modified from the original facility size of $1.5 billion. The Company is able to draw on the 2010 Warehouse Facility, as amended, during an availability period that was extended from June 2013 to June 2015 with a subsequent four year term out option. The interest rate on the 2010 Warehouse Facility, as amended, was reduced from LIBOR plus 2.50% to LIBOR plus 2.25% on drawn balances and from 0.75% to 0.50% per annum on undrawn balances.

	As of September 30, 2013, the Company had borrowed $839.0 million under our Warehouse Facilities and pledged 32 aircraft as collateral with a net book value of $1.2 billion. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had borrowed $1.1 billion under the Warehouse Facilities and pledged 38 aircraft as collateral with a net book value of $1.6 billion. The Company had pledged cash collateral and lessee deposits of $75.8 million and $104.3 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

	Secured Term Financings

	In September 2013, the Company amended a portfolio of six secured term loans aggregating $168.3 million with one of its lenders. Pursuant to the amendments, we reduced the composite interest rate of the loans by 40 basis-points, extended certain loan maturities and improved the principal amortization profiles of the loans.

	Maturities

Maturities of debt outstanding as of September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

Years ending December 31,
2013		$	46,270
2014		217,220
2015		267,209
2016		894,114
2017		2,645,140
Thereafter		1,408,354
Total(1)(2)		$	5,478,307

(1) As of September 30, 2013, the Company had $664.3 million of debt outstanding under the 2010 Warehouse Facility, as amended, for which the availability period expires in June 2015. The outstanding drawn balance at the end of the availability period may be converted at the Company’s option to an amortizing, four-year term loan and has been presented as such in the maturity schedule above.
(2) As of September 30, 2013, the Company had $1.2 billion of debt outstanding under our unsecured 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.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note 4. Commitments and Contingencies

	Aircraft Acquisition

	As of September 30, 2013 we had commitments to acquire a total of 338 new aircraft for delivery as follows:

	Aircraft Type	2013		2014	2015	2016	2017	Thereafter	Total
	Airbus A320/321-200	4		13	6	—	—	—	23
	Airbus A320/321 NEO	—		—	—	3	12	35	50
	Airbus A350-900/1000(1)	—		—	—	—	—	30	30
	Boeing 737-800	6		13	18	17	11	—	65
	Boeing 737-8/9 MAX(2)	—		—	—	—	—	104	104
	Boeing 777-300ER	—		5	9	1	—	—	15
	Boeing 787-9/10	—		—	—	—	1	44	45
	ATR 72-600	1		4	1	—	—	—	6
	Total	11		35	34	21	24	213	338

	(1) As of September 30, 2013, five of the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft were subject to reconfirmation.
	(2) As of September 30, 2013, 20 of the Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft were subject to reconfirmation.

	Commitments for the acquisition of these aircraft and other equipment at an estimated aggregate purchase price (including adjustments for inflation) of approximately $28.1 billion at September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

	Years ending December 31,
	2013	$	609,148
	2014	2,311,910
	2015	2,235,724
	2016	1,312,001
	2017	1,625,100
	Thereafter	20,020,467
	Total	$	28,114,350

	We have made non-refundable deposits on the aircraft for which we have commitments to purchase of $966.7 million and $564.7 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, which are subject to manufacturer performance commitments. If we are unable to satisfy our purchase commitments, we may forfeit our deposits. Further, we would be subject to breach of contract claims by our lessees and manufacturers.

Net_Earnings_Per_Share

Net Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
Net Earnings Per Share	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Earnings Per Share	'
Net Earnings Per Share	'
	Note 5. 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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company excluded 150,000 shares related to stock options which were potentially dilutive securities from the computation of diluted earnings per share because including these shares would be anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company excluded 3,358,408 shares related to stock options which were potentially dilutive securities from the computation of diluted earnings per share because including these shares would be anti-dilutive. In addition, the Company excluded 1,573,280 and 2,114,957 shares related to restricted stock units for which the performance metric had yet to be achieved as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except share amounts):

		Three Months Ended			Nine months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,
		2013		2012	2013	2012
	Basic net income per share:
	Numerator
	Net income	$	48,578	37,011	131,564	92,110
	Denominator
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	101,753,783		101,247,337	101,440,360	100,906,094
	Basic net income per share	$	0.48	0.37	1.3	0.91
	Diluted net income per share:
	Numerator
	Net income	$	48,578	37,011	131,564	92,110
	Assumed conversion of convertible senior notes	1,458		1,448	4,326	4,261
	Net income plus assumed conversions	$	50,036	38,459	135,890	96,371
	Denominator
	Number of shares used in basic computation	101,753,783		101,247,337	101,440,360	100,906,094
	Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities	7,473,926		6,627,768	7,344,200	6,668,522
	Number of shares used in per share computation	109,227,709		107,875,105	108,784,560	107,574,616
	Diluted net income per share	$	0.46	0.36	1.25	0.9

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Measurements	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Note 6. 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 are measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

	Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value

	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 September 30, 2013 was $5,615.9 million compared to a book value of $5,466.3 million. The estimated fair value of debt financing as of December 31, 2012 was $4,517.6 million compared to a book value of $4,384.7 million.

	The following financial instruments are not measured at fair value on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013, but require disclosure of their fair values: cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash. The estimated fair value of such instruments at September 30, 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	9 Months Ended
Stock-based Compensation	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-based Compensation	'
Stock-based Compensation	'
	Note 7. Stock-based Compensation

	In accordance with the Amended and Restated Air Lease Corporation 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (“Plan”), the number of stock options (“Stock Options”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) authorized under the Plan is approximately 8,193,088 as of September 30, 2013. Options are generally granted for a term of 10 years and generally vest over a three year period. There are two kinds of RSUs: those that vest based on the attainment of book-value goals and those 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.

	The Company recorded $3.8 million and $7.1 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 totaled $17.8 million and $24.5 million, respectively.

	Stock Options

	A summary of stock option activity in accordance with the Company’s stock option plan as of September 30, 2013, and changes for the nine month period then ended, follows:

		Shares		Exercise		Remaining	Aggregate
				Price		Contractual Term	Intrinsic Value
						(in years)	(in thousands)(1)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	3,358,408		$	20.39	7.49	$	4,813
	Granted	—		—		—	—
	Exercised	(500	)	20		6.79	5
	Forfeited/canceled	(250	)	20		—	2
	Balance at September 30, 2013	3,357,658		$	20.39	6.75	$	24,571
	Vested and exercisable as of September 30, 2013	3,357,658		$	20.39	6.75	$	24,571

	(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 June 30, 2013, all of the Company’s outstanding employee stock options had fully vested. As a result, there was no stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 totaled $5.4 million and $8.8 million, respectively.

	The following table summarizes additional information regarding exercisable and vested options at September 30, 2013:

		Options exercisable
		and vested
	Range of exercise prices	Number of		Weighted-
		Shares		Average
				Remaining Life
				(in years)
	$20.00	3,207,658		6.7
	$28.80	150,000		7.6
	$20.00 - $28.80	3,357,658		6.7

	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 information.

	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company granted 418,484 RSUs of which 201,058 are TSR RSUs. The following table summarizes the activities for our unvested RSUs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

		Unvested Restricted Stock Units
		Number of		Weighted-Average
		Shares		Grant-Date
				Fair Value
	Unvested at December 31, 2012	2,117,510		$	21.4
	Granted	418,484		31.97
	Vested	(954,980	)	20.86
	Forfeited/canceled	(7,734	)	28.22
	Unvested at September 30, 2013	1,573,280		24.51
	Expected to vest after September 30, 2013(1)	1,561,321		24.5


	(1) RSUs expected to vest reflect an estimated forfeiture rate.

	The Company recorded $3.8 million and $4.1 million of stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company recorded $12.5 million and $15.7 million of stock-based compensation expense related to RSUs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

	As of September 30, 2013, there was $16.1 million of unrecognized compensation cost, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to unvested RSUs 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 1.35 years.

Litigation

Litigation	9 Months Ended
Litigation	Sep. 30, 2013
Litigation	'
Litigation	'
	Note 8. 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. Among other things, 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. It also alleges unfair competition by ILFC and AIG. The cross-complaint seeks compensatory damages in excess of $500 million.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Note 9. Related Party Transactions

	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 otherwise 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 3.9% per annum.

	During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company completed a marketed secondary public offering of 8,000,000 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 $26.75 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.

	As of September 30, 2013, one of our directors, Ian M. Saines, is Group Executive of the Institutional Banking and Markets division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia, a lender under the Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility and the 2010 Warehouse Facility.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Note 10. Subsequent Events

	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.

	The Class A Common Stock and the Class B Non-Voting Common Stock are treated equally and identically, except with respect to voting rights and conversion rights. The Class A Common Stock and the Class B Non-Voting Common Stock have equal rights to dividends and income, and, therefore, the Company uses the total number of shares of outstanding common stock to compute basic net earnings per share and diluted earnings per share. 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.

	On November 7, 2013, our board of directors approved our fourth consecutive quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per share on our outstanding common stock. The dividend will be paid on January 7, 2014 to holders of record of our common stock as of December 17, 2013.

Debt_Financing_Tables

Debt Financing (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Financing	'
Summary of consolidated debt	'
	The Company’s consolidated debt as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized below (in thousands):

		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Unsecured
	Senior notes	$	2,170,620		$	1,775,000
	Revolving credit facilities	1,239,000			420,000
	Term financings	265,155			248,916
	Convertible senior notes	200,000			200,000
		3,874,775			2,643,916
	Secured
	Warehouse facilities	839,000			1,061,838
	Term financings	691,329			688,601
	Export credit financing	73,203			—
		1,603,532			1,750,439

	Total secured and unsecured debt financing	5,478,307			4,394,355
	Less: Debt discount	(12,029		)	(9,623		)
	Total debt	$	5,466,278		$	4,384,732
Schedule of secured obligations	'
	The Company’s secured obligations as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized below (in thousands, except number of aircraft which are reflected in units):

		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Nonrecourse	$	859,494		$	1,085,941
	Recourse	744,038			664,498
	Total	$	1,603,532		$	1,750,439
	Number of aircraft pledged as collateral	52			55
	Net book value of aircraft pledged as collateral	$	2,479,319		$	2,728,636
Schedule of maturities of debt outstanding	'
	Maturities of debt outstanding as of September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

	Years ending December 31,
	2013	$	46,270
	2014	217,220
	2015	267,209
	2016	894,114
	2017	2,645,140
	Thereafter	1,408,354
	Total(1)(2)	$	5,478,307

	(1) As of September 30, 2013, the Company had $664.3 million of debt outstanding under the 2010 Warehouse Facility, as amended, for which the availability period expires in June 2015. The outstanding drawn balance at the end of the availability period may be converted at the Company’s option to an amortizing, four-year term loan and has been presented as such in the maturity schedule above.
	(2) As of September 30, 2013, the Company had $1.2 billion of debt outstanding under our unsecured 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.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies	'
Schedule of commitments to acquire aircraft	'

	Aircraft Type	2013		2014	2015	2016	2017	Thereafter	Total
	Airbus A320/321-200	4		13	6	—	—	—	23
	Airbus A320/321 NEO	—		—	—	3	12	35	50
	Airbus A350-900/1000(1)	—		—	—	—	—	30	30
	Boeing 737-800	6		13	18	17	11	—	65
	Boeing 737-8/9 MAX(2)	—		—	—	—	—	104	104
	Boeing 777-300ER	—		5	9	1	—	—	15
	Boeing 787-9/10	—		—	—	—	1	44	45
	ATR 72-600	1		4	1	—	—	—	6
	Total	11		35	34	21	24	213	338

	(1) As of September 30, 2013, five of the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft were subject to reconfirmation.
	(2) As of September 30, 2013, 20 of the Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft were subject to reconfirmation.
Schedule of commitments for the acquisition of the aircraft and other equipment at an estimated aggregate purchase price	'
	Commitments for the acquisition of these aircraft and other equipment at an estimated aggregate purchase price (including adjustments for inflation) of approximately $28.1 billion at September 30, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):

	Years ending December 31,
	2013	$	609,148
	2014	2,311,910
	2015	2,235,724
	2016	1,312,001
	2017	1,625,100
	Thereafter	20,020,467
	Total	$	28,114,350

Net_Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Net Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Net Earnings Per Share (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Earnings Per Share	'
Schedule of reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share	'
	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except share amounts):

		Three Months Ended			Nine months Ended
		September 30,			September 30,
		2013		2012	2013	2012
	Basic net income per share:
	Numerator
	Net income	$	48,578	37,011	131,564	92,110
	Denominator
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	101,753,783		101,247,337	101,440,360	100,906,094
	Basic net income per share	$	0.48	0.37	1.3	0.91
	Diluted net income per share:
	Numerator
	Net income	$	48,578	37,011	131,564	92,110
	Assumed conversion of convertible senior notes	1,458		1,448	4,326	4,261
	Net income plus assumed conversions	$	50,036	38,459	135,890	96,371
	Denominator
	Number of shares used in basic computation	101,753,783		101,247,337	101,440,360	100,906,094
	Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities	7,473,926		6,627,768	7,344,200	6,668,522
	Number of shares used in per share computation	109,227,709		107,875,105	108,784,560	107,574,616
	Diluted net income per share	$	0.46	0.36	1.25	0.9

Stockbased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2013
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, 2012	3,358,408		$	20.39	7.49	$	4,813
	Granted	—		—		—	—
	Exercised	(500	)	20		6.79	5
	Forfeited/canceled	(250	)	20		—	2
	Balance at September 30, 2013	3,357,658		$	20.39	6.75	$	24,571
	Vested and exercisable as of September 30, 2013	3,357,658		$	20.39	6.75	$	24,571

	(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 exercisable and vested options	'

		Options exercisable
		and vested
	Range of exercise prices	Number of		Weighted-
		Shares		Average
				Remaining Life
				(in years)
	$20.00	3,207,658		6.7
	$28.80	150,000		7.6
	$20.00 - $28.80	3,357,658		6.7
Summary of activities for unvested RSUs	'

		Unvested Restricted Stock Units
		Number of		Weighted-Average
		Shares		Grant-Date
				Fair Value
	Unvested at December 31, 2012	2,117,510		$	21.4
	Granted	418,484		31.97
	Vested	(954,980	)	20.86
	Forfeited/canceled	(7,734	)	28.22
	Unvested at September 30, 2013	1,573,280		24.51
	Expected to vest after September 30, 2013(1)	1,561,321		24.5


	(1) RSUs expected to vest reflect an estimated forfeiture rate.

Debt_Financing_Details

Debt Financing (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Oct. 01, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 05, 2013

Oct. 01, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

7-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

7-May-13

Nov. 04, 2013

Aug. 26, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 26, 2013

Aug. 26, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 21, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 21, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Unsecured

Senior notes

4.75% senior unsecured notes due 2020

3.64% senior unsecured notes due 2016

4.49% senior unsecured notes due 2019

Revolving credit facilities

Syndicated Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

Unsecured term financings

7.375% senior unsecured notes due January 30, 2019

5.625% senior notes due 2017

Convertible senior notes

Secured

Warehouse facilities

2010 Warehouse Facility

Amended 2010 Warehouse Facility

Secured term financings

Export credit financing

Amendment and restatement of syndicated unsecured revolving credit agreement

BBB-

Maximum

BBB-

item

Amendment and restatement of syndicated unsecured revolving credit agreement

Debt financing

Secured and unsecured debt financing

$5,478,307,000

$4,394,355,000

$3,874,775,000

$2,643,916,000

$2,170,620,000

$1,775,000,000

$1,239,000,000

$420,000,000

$265,155,000

$248,916,000

$200,000,000

$1,603,532,000

$1,750,439,000

$839,000,000

$1,061,838,000

$691,329,000

$688,601,000

$73,203,000

Less: Debt discount

-12,029,000

-9,623,000

Total debt

5,466,278,000

4,384,732,000

Secured Obligations

Nonrecourse

859,494,000

1,085,941,000

Recourse

744,038,000

664,498,000

Total

1,603,532,000

1,750,439,000

168,300,000

Number of aircraft pledged as collateral

Net book value of aircraft pledged as collateral

2,479,319,000

2,728,636,000

1,200,000,000

1,600,000,000

Increase in borrowings

185,000,000

400,000,000

53,000,000

132,000,000

Interest rate (as a percent)

4.75%

3.64%

4.49%

7.38%

5.63%

Additional interest rate (as a percent)

0.50%

Aggregate principal amount of debt offered to exchange of existing debt

125,400,000

151,600,000

Increase in aggregate principal amount of facility

607,000,000

300,000,000

Capacity provided

1,700,000,000

2,000,000,000

1,500,000,000

1,000,000,000

Variable interest rate floor (as a percent)

0.00%

Term of debt

'3 years

'4 years

Variable interest basis

'LIBOR

Interest margin (as a percent)

1.75%

1.45%

1.25%

2.50%

2.25%

0.40%

Interest rate on undrawn balances (as a percent)

0.75%

0.50%

Commitment fee in respect of unutilized commitments (as a percent)

0.38%

0.30%

0.25%

Amount outstanding

1,200,000,000

83,900,000

1,100,000,000

664,300,000

Cash collateral and lessee deposits pledged

75,800,000

104,300,000

Number of term loans amended

Secured term loans

1,603,532,000

1,750,439,000

168,300,000

Number of lenders related to term loans amended

Maturities

2013

46,270,000

2014

217,220,000

2015

267,209,000

2016

894,114,000

2017

2,645,140,000

Thereafter

1,408,354,000

Total

$5,478,307,000

$4,394,355,000

$3,874,775,000

$2,643,916,000

$2,170,620,000

$1,775,000,000

$1,239,000,000

$420,000,000

$265,155,000

$248,916,000

$200,000,000

$1,603,532,000

$1,750,439,000

$839,000,000

$1,061,838,000

$691,329,000

$688,601,000

$73,203,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	item	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments to acquire aircraft	'	'
2013	11	'
2014	35	'
2015	34	'
2016	21	'
2017	24	'
Thereafter	213	'
Total	338	'
Commitments for the acquisition of the aircraft and other equipment	'	'
2013	$609,148	'
2014	2,311,910	'
2015	2,235,724	'
2016	1,312,001	'
2017	1,625,100	'
Thereafter	20,020,467	'
Total	28,114,350	'
Non-refundable deposits on the aircraft for which the entity have commitments to purchase	$966,674	$564,718
Aircrafts	'	'
Aircraft Acquisition	'	'
Number of new aircraft	338	'
Airbus A320/321-200	'	'
Commitments to acquire aircraft	'	'
2013	4	'
2014	13	'
2015	6	'
Total	23	'
Airbus A320/321 NEO	'	'
Commitments to acquire aircraft	'	'
2016	3	'
2017	12	'
Thereafter	35	'
Total	50	'
Airbus A350-900/1000	'	'
Commitments to acquire aircraft	'	'
Thereafter	30	'
Total	30	'
Boeing B737-800	'	'
Commitments to acquire aircraft	'	'
2013	6	'
2014	13	'
2015	18	'
2016	17	'
2017	11	'
Total	65	'
Boeing 737-8/9 MAX	'	'
Commitments to acquire aircraft	'	'
Thereafter	104	'
Total	104	'
Boeing B777-300ER	'	'
Commitments to acquire aircraft	'	'
2014	5	'
2015	9	'
2016	1	'
Total	15	'
Boeing 787-9 /10	'	'
Commitments to acquire aircraft	'	'
2017	1	'
Thereafter	44	'
Total	45	'
ATR 72-600	'	'
Commitments to acquire aircraft	'	'
2013	1	'
2014	4	'
2015	1	'
Total	6	'
Boeing 737-8 MAX	'	'
Commitments to acquire aircraft	'	'
Number of aircraft subject to reconfirmation	20	'
Airbus A350-1000	'	'
Commitments to acquire aircraft	'	'
Number of aircraft subject to reconfirmation	5	'

Net_Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Net Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	item	Sep. 30, 2012
Net Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	'
Number of classes of common stock	'	'	2	'
Numerator	'	'	'	'
Net income	$48,578	$37,011	$131,564	$92,110
Denominator	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	101,753,783	101,247,337	101,440,360	100,906,094
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.48	$0.37	$1.30	$0.91
Numerator	'	'	'	'
Net income	48,578	37,011	131,564	92,110
Assumed conversion of convertible senior notes	1,458	1,448	4,326	4,261
Net income plus assumed conversions	$50,036	$38,459	$135,890	$96,371
Denominator	'	'	'	'
Number of shares used in basic computation	101,753,783	101,247,337	101,440,360	100,906,094
Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	7,473,926	6,627,768	7,344,200	6,668,522
Number of shares used in per share computation	109,227,709	107,875,105	108,784,560	107,574,616
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.46	$0.36	$1.25	$0.90
Stock options	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	150,000	3,358,408	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)	'	'	1,573,280	2,114,957

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Book value	'	'
Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value	'	'
Debt financing	$5,466.30	$4,384.70
Fair value, Level 2	'	'
Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value	'	'
Debt financing	$5,615.90	$4,517.60

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $)	Recurring basis	Non-recurring basis
Fair Value Measurements	'	'
Assets	$0	$0
Liabilities	$0	$0

Stockbased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Stock-based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock-based Compensation	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares authorized	8,193,088	'	8,193,088	'	'
Number of kinds of RSU's	'	'	2	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$3,800,000	$7,100,000	$17,800,000	$24,500,000	'
Stock Options	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based Compensation	'	'	'	'	'
Term of award	'	'	'10 years	'	'
Vesting period	'	'	'3 years	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	0	3,000,000	5,400,000	8,800,000	'
Stock options, shares	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	'	'	3,358,408	'	'
Exercised (in shares)	'	'	-500	'	'
Forfeited/canceled (in shares)	'	'	-250	'	'
Balance at the end of the period (in shares)	3,357,658	'	3,357,658	'	3,358,408
Vested and exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	3,357,658	'	3,357,658	'	'
Stock options, exercise Price	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$20.39	'	'
Exercised (in dollars per share)	'	'	$20	'	'
Forfeited/canceled (in dollars per share)	'	'	$20	'	'
Balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$20.39	'	$20.39	'	$20.39
Vested and exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$20.39	'	$20.39	'	'
Stock options, Remaining Contractual Term	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning of the period	'	'	'6 years 9 months	'	'7 years 5 months 26 days
Exercised	'	'	'6 years 9 months 14 days	'	'
End of the period	'	'	'6 years 9 months	'	'7 years 5 months 26 days
Vested and exercisable at the end of the period	'	'	'6 years 9 months	'	'
Stock options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	4,813,000	'	'
Exercised	'	'	5,000	'	'
Forfeited/canceled	'	'	2,000	'	'
Balance at the end of the period	24,571,000	'	24,571,000	'	4,813,000
Vested and exercisable at the end of the period	24,571,000	'	24,571,000	'	'
RSUs	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based Compensation	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$3,800,000	$4,100,000	$12,500,000	$15,700,000	'
Book-value RSUs \| Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based Compensation	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period	'	'	'3 years	'	'
Book-value RSUs \| Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based Compensation	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period	'	'	'4 years	'	'
TSR RSUs	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based Compensation	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period	'	'	'3 years	'	'
TSR RSUs \| Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based Compensation	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of shares vested	'	'	0.00%	'	'
TSR RSUs \| Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based Compensation	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of shares vested	'	'	200.00%	'	'

Stockbased_Compensation_Detail1

Stock-based Compensation (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Stock-based Compensation (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
Options exercisable and vested	'
Number of Shares	3,357,658
Weighted-Average Remaining Life	'6 years 8 months 12 days
$20.00	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable and vested by exercise price range	'
Exercise price (in dollars per share)	20
Options exercisable and vested	'
Number of Shares	3,207,658
Weighted-Average Remaining Life	'6 years 8 months 12 days
$28.80	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable and vested by exercise price range	'
Exercise price (in dollars per share)	28.8
Options exercisable and vested	'
Number of Shares	150,000
Weighted-Average Remaining Life	'7 years 7 months 6 days

Stockbased_Compensation_Detail2

Stock-based Compensation (Details 3) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
RSUs	'
Unvested restricted stock units, Number of Shares	'
Unvested at the beginning of the period (in shares)	2,117,510
Granted (in shares)	418,484
Vested (in shares)	-954,980
Forfeited/canceled (in shares)	-7,734
Unvested at the end of the period (in shares)	1,573,280
Expected to vest after the end of the period (in shares)	1,561,321
Unvested restricted stock units, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	'
Unvested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$21.40
Granted (in dollars per share)	$31.97
Vested (in dollars per share)	$20.86
Forfeited/canceled (in dollars per share)	$28.22
Unvested at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$24.51
Expected to vest after the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$24.50
Stock-based compensation expense	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	$16.10
Weighted-average period of recognition of unrecognized stock-based compensation cost	'1 year 4 months 6 days
TSR RSUs	'
Unvested restricted stock units, Number of Shares	'
Granted (in shares)	201,058

Litigation_Details

Litigation (Details) (Breach of contract for the sale of goods, USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 15, 2013	Jan. 31, 2010
	Aug. 15, 2013	item
Breach of contract for the sale of goods	'	'
Litigation	'	'
Number of aircraft to be sold by ILFC under the agreement	'	25
Compensatory damages sought under cross-complaint	$500	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
		Affiliates of Ares Management LLC, Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. and WL Ross & Co. LLC	Affiliates of Ares Management LLC, Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. and WL Ross & Co. LLC	Commonwealth Bank of Australia
		Class A Common Stock	Class A Common Stock	item
			Maximum
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%	'	'	'
Related party transactions	'	'	'	'
Number of shares issued in a secondary public offering previously held by affiliates	'	'	8,000,000	'
Share price of common stock offered in a secondary public offering previously held by affiliates	'	$26.75	'	'
Number of directors that are executives of a related party	'	'	'	1

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended					0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 15, 2013	Nov. 07, 2013	Oct. 15, 2013	Oct. 15, 2013
		Class A Common Stock	Class A Common Stock	Class B Non-Voting Common Stock	Class B Non-Voting Common Stock	Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event
							Dividend declared	Class A Common Stock	Class B Non-Voting Common Stock
Subsequent Events	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock issued (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,829,339	'
Commission or other remuneration paid	'	'	'	'	'	$0	'	'	'
Cash consideration of issuance of common stock	$43,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0	'
Increase in outstanding common stock (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,829,339	'
Common stock, shares issued	'	99,924,963	99,417,998	1,829,339	1,829,339	'	'	'	0
Common stock, shares outstanding	'	99,924,963	99,417,998	1,829,339	1,829,339	'	'	'	0
Quarterly cash dividends on common stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0.03	'	'