Avolon (AVOL) 20-F 3 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report (foreign) Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	20-F
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	AVOL
Entity Registrant Name	Avolon Holdings Ltd
Entity Central Index Key	1610128
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	81,681,131

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$111,392	$177,924
Restricted cash	195,095	256,426
Accounts receivable	11,010	6,763
Assets held for sale		127,227
Flight equipment, net	5,606,556	4,133,185
Derivative financial assets	8,137	20,011
Deposits on flight equipment	199,514	206,781
Deferred issuance costs, net	105,952	85,050
Deferred income taxes	18,996	19,431
Investment in unconsolidated equity investees	16,453	5,917
Loan receivables		10,338
Other assets	53,002	21,425
Total Assets including US$5,047,967 as of December 31, 2013 and US$6,326,107 as of December 31, 2014, representing collateral of VIE entities)	6,326,107	5,070,478
Liabilities, Temporary Equity and Shareholders' Equity
Accounts payable	203	1,748
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	27,223	26,421
Income tax payable	434	303
Deferred revenue	35,193	27,472
Accrued maintenance liabilities	180,526	126,549
Lease deposits liability	82,677	44,943
Debt financing (including debt financing of VIEs of US$1,839,781 as of December 31, 2013, US$1,385,762 as of December 31, 2014, that do not have recourse to the general credit of the Company)	4,465,187	3,442,749
Capital lease obligations	83,261	94,043
Deferred income taxes	17,006	12,131
Derivative financial liabilities	1,400	368
Total	4,893,110	3,776,727
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' Equity
Common shares, US$0.000004 par value Authorized: 750,000,000; Issued and outstanding: 80,681,131 shares at December 31, 2014	0	0
Additional paid-in-capital	1,421,864
Preference shares, US$0.001 par value Authorized: 250,000,000; Issued and outstanding: nil at December 31, 2014
Legal reserve		8,698
Retained earnings	11,133
Total Shareholders' Equity	1,432,997	8,698
Total Liabilities, Temporary Equity and Shareholders' Equity	6,326,107	5,070,478
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Temporary Equity
Common Stock		2,536
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Temporary Equity
Common Stock		1,281,937
Class C Common Stock [Member]
Temporary Equity
Common Stock		$580

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Total assets, collateral of VIE entities	$6,326,107	$5,047,967
Debt financing, VIEs	$1,385,762	$1,839,781
Common shares, par value	$0.00
Common shares, shares authorized	750,000,000
Common shares, shares issued	81,681,131
Common shares, shares outstanding	81,681,131
Preference shares, par value	$0.00
Preference shares, shares authorized	250,000,000
Preference shares, shares issued	0	0
Preference shares, shares outstanding	0	0
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Common Stock, par value		$0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized		673,531
Common Stock, shares issued		673,531
Common Stock, shares outstanding		673,531
Common shares, shares issued		673,531
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Common Stock, par value		$0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized		11,400,234
Common Stock, shares issued		11,400,234
Common Stock, shares outstanding		11,400,234
Common shares, shares issued		11,400,234
Class C Common Stock [Member]
Common Stock, par value		$0.01
Common Stock, shares authorized		50,766,000
Common Stock, shares issued		50,766
Common Stock, shares outstanding		50,766
Common shares, shares issued		50,766

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues
Lease revenue	$537,547	$415,006	$312,744
Management fee revenue	3,366	2,468	691
Net gain on disposal of flight equipment	64,409	31,051	11,267
Interest income	696	1,248	1,195
Total revenues	606,018	449,773	325,897
Expenses
Depreciation	-182,437	-145,615	-110,957
Interest expense	-206,580	-154,360	-125,325
Maintenance expense	-9,785
Selling, general and administrative expenses	-110,147	-36,748	-29,816
Total expenses	-508,949	-336,723	-266,098
Income before income tax and interest in earnings/(loss) from unconsolidated equity investees	97,069	113,050	59,799
Income tax benefit/(expense)	-6,273	-204	1,362
Earnings/(loss) from unconsolidated equity investees, net of tax	307	-46
Net income and total comprehensive income	$91,103	$112,800	$61,161
Net income per share of:
Basic	$1.16	$1.44	$0.92
Diluted	$1.16	$1.44	$0.92
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
Basic	78,390,788	78,220,312	66,375,888
Diluted	78,402,878	78,241,330	66,407,415

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $)		Total	Common Shares [Member]	Additional Paid-in-Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Legal Reserve [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data		USD ($)		USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011		($28,649)			($28,649)
Net income and total comprehensive income		61,161			61,161
Accretion of income to Class A, Class B and Class C shares		-29,454			-29,454
Transfer to legal reserve					-3,058	3,058
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012		3,058				3,058
Net income and total comprehensive income		112,800			112,800
Accretion of income to Class A, Class B and Class C shares		-107,160			-107,160
Transfer to legal reserve					-5,640	5,640
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013		8,698				8,698
Net income and total comprehensive income		91,103			91,103
Repurchase of Class C shares, value		-5,173			-5,173
Repurchase of Class C shares		0	0	0	0	0
Share-based compensation		53,733		53,733
Accretion of income to Class A, Class B and Class C shares		-70,798			-70,798
Transfer to legal reserve					-3,999	3,999
Reorganization	[1]	1,355,434		1,368,131		-12,697
Reorganization, shares	[1]		81,681,131
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014		$1,432,997		$1,421,864	$11,133
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014			81,681,131
[1]	Refer to note 13 for the details of the reorganization that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows provided by operating activities
Net income	$91,103,000	$112,800,000	$61,161,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	182,437,000	145,615,000	110,957,000
Gain on disposal of flight equipment	-64,409,000	-31,051,000	-11,267,000
Share-based compensation	53,733,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs	24,277,000	18,766,000	9,457,000
Deferred income tax (benefit)/ expense	5,837,000	-101,000	-1,663,000
(Earnings)/loss from unconsolidated equity investees	-307,000	46,000
Unrealized loss/(gain) on derivatives	12,240,000	-6,390,000	2,199,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivables	-4,217,000	-957,000	-3,010,000
(Increase)/decrease in other assets	-22,396,000	-16,114,000	-3,245,000
Increase in deferred revenue	7,721,000	9,993,000	7,906,000
Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	-1,178,000	10,227,000	6,699,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	284,841,000	242,834,000	179,194,000
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of flight equipment	-1,939,561,000	-1,281,110,000	-1,549,875,000
Deposits for flight equipment purchases	-84,017,000	-108,006,000	-147,668,000
Proceeds from disposal of flight equipment	567,273,000	595,194,000	166,180,000
Investment in unconsolidated equity investees	-10,229,000	-5,963,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-1,466,534,000	-799,885,000	-1,531,363,000
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of ordinary shares		34,335,000	380,091,000
(Increase)/decrease in restricted cash	61,331,000	-74,193,000	-97,369,000
Issuance of debt	2,368,037,000	2,208,965,000	1,309,114,000
Repayment of debt	-1,356,049,000	-1,477,199,000	-318,783,000
Debt issuance costs paid	-44,944,000	-46,287,000	-38,028,000
Net acquisition of interest rate caps	666,000	-5,243,000	-3,261,000
Maintenance payments received	64,103,000	51,012,000	70,474,000
Maintenance payments returned	-10,126,000	-24,866,000	-3,691,000
Security deposits received	53,951,000	22,689,000	5,146,000
Security deposits returned	-16,217,000	-8,082,000	-2,796,000
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,115,161,000	681,131,000	1,300,897,000
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-66,532,000	124,080,000	-51,272,000
Cash at beginning of period	177,924,000	53,844,000	105,116,000
Cash at end of period	111,392,000	177,924,000	53,844,000
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest including amounts capitalized of $1,966 $1,170, and $2,651 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively	-177,941,000	-148,333,000	-115,786,000
Cash paid for income taxes	-252,000	-304,000	-247,000
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Security deposits, maintenance liabilities and other liabilities settled on sale of flight equipment	9,073,000	17,716,000	6,713,000
Acquisition of flight equipment through capital lease			96,449,000
Issuance of capital lease obligation for acquisition of flight equipment			80,340,000
Advance lease rentals, security deposits and maintenance reserves assumed in asset acquisitions	29,567,000	3,788,000	3,097,000
Accretion of income to Class A, Class B and Class C shares	70,798,000	107,160,000	29,454,000
Class C Common Stock [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchase of Class C shares	($5,591,000)

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
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash paid for capitalized interest	$2,651	$1,170	$1,966

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	-1	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
		(a)	General information
	Avolon Holdings Limited (“Avolon Holdings” or the “Company”), is a publicly traded company whose shares trade on the NYSE market under the trading symbol “AVOL”. The Company was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on June 5, 2014 for the purpose of an initial public offering (“IPO”) of the Company’s common shares. The Company historically conducted its business through Avolon Investment S.à r.l. (“Avolon S.à r.l.”). The Company is a global aircraft leasing company focused on acquiring, managing and selling commercial aircraft. These consolidated financial statements comprise the Company and its subsidiaries and the Company’s investment in unconsolidated equity investees. The Company is primarily involved in acquiring, leasing and selling commercial jet aircraft to various airlines and lessees and acting as servicer for third party aircraft owners.
		(b)	Corporate reorganization and Initial Public Offering
	On December 11, 2014, the Company engaged in a corporate reorganization whereby it acquired all of the outstanding shares of Avolon S.à r.l. by way of a share-for-share exchange (the “Combination”) whereby the Class A, Class B and Class C shares of Avolon S.à r.l. were exchanged by the existing shareholders for the ordinary shares of Avolon Holdings for an aggregate amount of 81,681,131 of common shares in Avolon Holdings. As the reorganization was deemed to be a transaction under common control, the Company accounted for the reorganization in a manner similar to a pooling of interest, meaning:
		(i)	the assets and liabilities of Avolon S.à r.l. were carried over at their respective carrying values;
		(ii)	the common stock was recorded at the nominal value of the shares issued by the Company;
		(iii)	additional paid-in capital represents the difference between the nominal value of the shares issued by the Company and the temporary equity and shareholders’ equity of Avolon S.à r.l.; and
		(iv)	the accumulated surplus/deficit will represent the aggregate of the accumulated surplus/deficit of Avolon S.à r.l. and the Company.
	On December 12, 2014 the Company completed an initial public offering (IPO) of its common shares, which resulted in the sale of 13,636,363 common shares held by certain of its shareholders at a price of US$20 per common share. The Company received no proceeds from the sale of the common shares by the shareholders. Once the reorganization became effective, all stock options granted under the Management Incentive Plan were exchanged for options exercisable for the common stock of the Company.
		(c)	Basis of preparation
	The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
	The Company consolidates all companies in which the Company has direct or indirect legal or effective control and all variable interest entities (“VIE”) for which the Company is deemed the primary beneficiary and has control under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810. All intercompany balances and transactions with consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated. The results of consolidated entities are included from the effective date of control or, in the case of variable interest entities, from the date that the Company is or becomes the primary beneficiary. The results of subsidiaries sold or otherwise deconsolidated are excluded from the date that the Company ceases to control the subsidiary or, in the case of variable interest entities, when the Company ceases to be the primary beneficiary.
		(d)	Accounting standards issued but not yet adopted
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The new standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted. The comprehensive new standard will supersede existing revenue recognition guidance and require revenue to be recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Adoption of the new rules could affect the timing of revenue recognition for certain transactions. The guidance permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new standard with restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new standard with disclosure of results under old standards. The new standard will be effective January 1, 2017 and the Company is currently evaluating the effects of adoption on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
		(e)	Variable interest entities
	The Company consolidates VIEs for which it has determined that it is the primary beneficiary. The Company uses judgment when deciding (a) whether an entity is subject to consolidation as a VIE, (b) who the variable interest holders are, (c) the potential expected losses and residual returns of the variable interest holders, and (d) which variable interest holder is the primary beneficiary.
	When determining which enterprise is the primary beneficiary, the Company considers (1) the entity’s purpose and design, (2) which variable interest holder has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (3) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
		(f)	Functional and presentation currency
	The consolidated financial statements are presented in United States Dollars (“US$”), which is the Company’s functional currency and that of each of its subsidiaries. All financial information presented in US$ has been rounded to the nearest thousand, except when otherwise indicated. Zero balances are represented with a “-”. Management believe that US$ most faithfully represents the economic effects of the underlying transactions, events and conditions.
	Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to US$ at exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into US$ at the rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date with differences arising recognized as profit or loss in the consolidated income statement.
		(g)	Flight equipment
	Flight equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Costs incurred in the acquisition of flight equipment are included in the cost of the flight equipment. The Company generally depreciates flight equipment on a straight-line basis over a 25 year life from the date of manufacture to a salvage value initially estimated at 15% of original equipment cost. Initial direct costs incurred as part of the acquisition of flight equipment such as costs associated with identifying, negotiating and delivering aircraft to the Company’s lessees, which are specific to each aircraft, are capitalized at cost. In general, the initial direct costs incurred are external legal fees relating to aircraft deliveries. Salvage values are determined based on estimated values at the end of the useful lives of the flight equipment assets, which are supported by historical data and experience within the industry. Changes in the assumption of useful lives or salvage values for flight equipment could have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. At the time flight equipment are retired or sold, the cost, accumulated depreciation and other related balances are removed from the related accounts and the difference, net of proceeds, is recorded as a gain or loss in the consolidated income statement. We apply ASC 360 which addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment of long lived assets and requires that all long lived assets be evaluated for impairment where circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable.
	Management evaluates recoverability whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Indicators may include, but are not limited to, a significant lease restructuring or early lease termination, decrease in appraiser values, significant air traffic decline, the introduction of newer technology flight equipment or engines, a flight equipment type is no longer in production or a significant airworthiness directive is issued. The Company groups its assets at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. In relation to flight equipment, the impairment assessment is performed on each individual flight equipment.
	Recoverability of a flight equipment’s carrying amount is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the flight equipment to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the flight equipment. The undiscounted cash flows consist of cash flows from currently contracted leases, future projected lease rates and estimated residual or scrap values for each flight equipment. The Company develops assumptions used in the recoverability analysis based on knowledge of active experience in the flight equipment 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 demand for a particular flight equipment type. In the event that carrying value of the flight equipment exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. This becomes its new cost basis and is depreciated over its remaining useful life.
	Where aircraft are purchased from other lessors, the Company separately recognizes on the consolidated balances sheet liabilities assumed for any advanced lease rentals, security deposits and maintenance reserves.
		(h)	Rental of flight equipment
	The Company leases flight equipment principally under operating leases and reports rental income ratably over the life of each lease. At lease inception the Company reviews all necessary criteria under ASC 840-10-25 to determine proper lease classification including the criteria set forth in ASC 840-10-25-14. The Company’s lease contracts normally include default covenants, and the effect of a default by a lessee is generally to oblige the lessee to pay damages to the lessor to put the lessor in the position one would have been had the lessee performed under the lease in full. There are no additional payments required which would increase the minimum lease payments under ASC 840-10-25-1.
	Lease agreements for which base rent is based on floating interest rates are included in minimum lease payments based on the floating interest rate existing at the inception of the lease; any increases or decreases in lease payments that result from subsequent changes in the floating interest rate are contingent rentals and are recorded as increases or decreases in lease revenue in the period of the interest rate change.
	Rentals received, but unearned, under the lease agreements are recorded in deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheets until earned. In addition, if collection is not reasonably assured, the Company does not recognise rental income for amounts due under the Company’s lease contracts and recognises revenue for such lessees on a cash basis. In all contracts, the lessee is required to re-deliver the flight equipment in a particular maintenance condition, with reference to major life-limited components of the flight equipment.
	To the extent that such components are redelivered in a condition different to that outlined in the contract, there is normally an end-of-lease compensation adjustment for the difference at re-delivery. Amounts received as part of these re-delivery adjustments are recorded as lease rental income at lease termination.
		(i)	Interest income and interest expense
	Interest income comprises interest earned on funds invested.
	Interest expense comprises interest expense on borrowings as well as changes in the fair values of derivative instruments, and amortization of debt issuance costs. It is the Company’s policy to capitalise specific flight equipment acquisition related interest costs and to depreciate these costs in line with the respective flight equipment over its useful life.
		(j)	Cash and cash equivalents
	The Company considers cash and cash equivalents to be cash on hand and highly liquid investments with maturity dates of 90 days or less.
		(k)	Restricted cash
	Restricted cash comprises cash held by the Company but which is ring-fenced or used as security for specific financing arrangements, and to which the Company does not have unfettered access. All restricted cash is held in cash deposit accounts with major financial institutions in segregated accounts or constitutes short-term overnight AAA- rated money market products predominately issued by the U.S. government.
		(l)	Accounts receivable
	Accounts receivable represent unpaid lease obligations of lessees under lease contracts, and other receivables. The Company’s trade receivables are secured by security deposits or letters of credit which the Company holds on behalf of customers. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses inherent in its accounts receivable portfolio. In establishing the required allowance, Management considers current market conditions and its customers’ financial condition, the amount of receivables in dispute, and the current receivables aging and current payment patterns. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. Past due balances are reviewed individually for collectability. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.
		(m)	Derivative financial instruments
	The Company enters into derivative contracts to manage its exposure to interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps and caps are used to minimise exposures to interest rate movement on underlying debt obligations of the Company.
	Derivative instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value with gains and losses from changes in fair values being recorded as a component of Interest expense in the consolidated income statements. As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, and for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Company did not apply hedge accounting to any of its derivative instruments.
		(n)	Capitalized interest
	The Company may borrow funds to finance deposits on new flight equipment purchases. The Company capitalises interest expense on such borrowings at the actual borrowing rate. The capitalized amount allocated to the equity portion of the deposits on flight equipment is calculated based on the weighted average of the rates applicable to all borrowings of the Company and is recorded as an increase to the cost of the flight equipment or on deposits on flight equipment.
		(o)	Income taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	The Company recognises the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realised. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.
	The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent the Company believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies and recent financial operations. The assumptions made in forecasting future income require significant judgment, and if forecasts change or the level of future income differs from the forecasts, this may significantly impact the income tax expense in future periods.
		(p)	Deferred issuance costs
	The Company incurs debt issue costs in connection with debt financings. Those costs are deferred and amortized over the life of the specific financing using the effective interest method and charged to interest expense. If the Company issues debt at a discount or premium, the Company amortizes the amount of discount or premium over the life of the debt using the effective interest method, the discount or premium and is offset against the carrying value of the debt. The Company also incurs costs in connection with equity raisings. Such costs are deferred until the equity raising is completed and either netted against the equity raising or expensed if the equity raising is abandoned.
		(q)	Flight equipment maintenance
	In all of the Company’s flight equipment leases, the lessees are responsible for maintenance and repairs of the Company’s flight equipment and related expenses during the term of the lease. In many operating lease and capital lease contracts, the lessee has the obligation to make a periodic payment of supplemental maintenance rent which is calculated with reference to the utilization of airframes, engines and other major life-limited components during the lease. The Company records as revenue all maintenance rent receipts not expected to be repaid to lessees. The Company estimates the total amount of maintenance reimbursements for the entire lease and only records revenue after the Company has received enough maintenance rent under a particular lease to cover the estimated total amount of revenue reimbursements. In these leases, upon lessee presentation of invoices evidencing the completion of qualifying maintenance on the flight equipment, the Company makes a payment to the lessee to compensate for the cost of the maintenance, up to the maximum of the supplemental maintenance rental payments made with respect to the lease contract.
	In most lease contracts not requiring the payment of supplemental rents, the lessee is required to re-deliver the flight equipment in a similar maintenance condition (normal wear and tear expected) as when accepted under the lease, with reference to major life-limited components of the flight equipment. To the extent that such components are redelivered in a different condition than at acceptance, there is an end-of-lease compensation adjustment for the difference at redelivery. The Company recognizes receipts of end-of-lease compensation adjustments as lease revenue when received and payments of end-of-lease adjustments as leasing expenses when the Company is obligated to make an end-of-lease payment and can reasonably estimate the amount of such payment.
	In addition, the Company may be obligated to make additional payments to the lessee for maintenance related expenses (lessor maintenance contributions or top-ups) primarily related to usage of major life-limited components occurring prior to entering into the lease.
	The Company capitalises lessor contributions as lease incentives, amounts paid by it to lessees or other parties in connection with the lease transactions. These amounts include the actual maintenance reimbursement the Company pays in excess of overhaul rentals. The Company amortizes the lease incentives as a reduction of lease revenue.
	For all lease contracts, any amounts of accrued maintenance liability existing at the end of a lease are released and recognized as lease revenue at lease termination. When flight equipment is sold, the portion of the accrued maintenance liability which is not specifically assigned to the buyer is released from the balance sheet and recognized as part of the net gain on disposal of flight equipment.
		(r)	Assets held for sale
	Flight equipment are classified as held for sale when the Company commits to and commences a plan of sale that is reasonably expected to be completed within one year. Flight equipment held for sale are stated at the lesser of carrying value or fair value less estimated cost to sell.
	Flight equipment held for sale are not depreciated. Subsequent changes to the asset’s fair value, either increases or decreases, are recorded as adjustments to the carrying value of the flight equipment. However, any such adjustment will not exceed the original carrying value of the flight equipment held for sale.
		(s)	Net gain on disposal of flight equipment
	Flight equipment sales are recognized when the purchase price is received, at which point legal title is transferred and substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the new owner. Retained lessee obligations, if any, are excluded from the calculation of net gain on disposal of flight equipment at the time of the sale. Retained lease obligations could include maintenance claims received from the lessee which are not processed at the time of disposal. The Company does not retain any lessee obligations following the disposal of flight equipment. Net gain on disposal of flight equipment is calculated as sale proceeds and the release of security deposit liability and accrued maintenance liability, less the sum of (i) depreciated net book value of the aircraft at the time of disposal, (ii) any liabilities assumed on the cost of disposal and (iii) cash deposits held by the Company in respect of any accrued maintenance liability and security deposits transferred on disposal. The portion of the accrued maintenance liability which is not specifically assigned to the buyer is released from the balance sheet and recognized as part of the net gain on disposal of flight equipment.
		(t)	Share-based compensation
	The Company recognizes compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards using the fair value method. For time-based share awards, the Company recognizes compensation cost ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the expected vesting period or to the retirement eligibility date, if less than the vesting period, when vesting is not contingent upon any future performance. For performance-based share awards, the Company generally recognizes compensation cost ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the expected vesting period based on the probability of the performance condition being achieved. If all or a portion of the performance condition is not expected to be met, the appropriate amount of previously recognized compensation expense will be reversed and future compensation expense adjusted accordingly. For market-based share awards, the Company recognizes compensation cost ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the expected vesting period. If the target market conditions are not expected to be met, compensation expense will still be recognized. In addition, the Company estimates the amount of expected forfeitures based on historical forfeiture experience when calculating compensation cost. If the actual forfeitures that occur are significantly different from the estimate, then estimates are revised accordingly.
	(u)	Earnings per share
Earnings per share is presented in accordance with ASC 260 which requires the presentation of “basic” earnings per share and “diluted” earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to ordinary shareholders by the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. For the purpose of calculating diluted earnings per share, the denominator includes both the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period and the weighted average of potentially dilutive ordinary shares, such as restricted share units, restricted shares and share options. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock using the treasury stock method.
	(v)	Use of estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. While the Company believes that the estimates and related assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.
The most significant estimates are those in relation to the residual value of flight equipment, the impairment of flight equipment, the proportion of supplemental maintenance rent that will not be reimbursed and the valuation allowance recognized against deferred tax assets.
	(w)	Investments in unconsolidated equity investees
Investments in which the Company is deemed to exert significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company’s share of earnings or (losses) from equity method investments is included in the consolidated income statement. The carrying amounts of equity method investments are reflected in “Investment in unconsolidated equity investees” in the consolidated balance sheet.
	(x)	Employee benefits
Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are recognized as an expense in general and administrative expenses when they are due.
	(y)	Fair value measurements
Fair value is defined as 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 utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. The Company determines fair value based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability in the principal or most advantageous market. When considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the following fair value hierarchy distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, which are categorized in one of the following levels:
	•		Level 1 Inputs: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible to the reporting entity at the measurement date.
	•		Level 2 Inputs: Other than quoted prices included in Level 1 inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
	•		Level 3 Inputs: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at measurement date.
In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value can fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate for any given financial instrument is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized at the beginning of the reporting period.
Cash and cash equivalents
The carrying amount approximates to fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
Derivatives
Interest rate swaps and caps held by the Company are measured at fair value. Fair value is determined by using contractual cash flows and observable inputs comprising (as applicable) yield curves, foreign currency rates and credit spreads. Fair values reflect the credit risk of the instrument and include adjustments to take account of the credit risk of the Company itself and counterparty as required.

Accounts_receivable

Accounts receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	-2	Accounts receivable
			2013		2014
	Trade receivables			4,730		9,758
	Other receivables			2,033		1,252
	Total accounts receivable			6,763		11,010
	As of December 31, 2014 the Company did not have any trade receivables recorded in relation to lessee defaults. Furthermore the Company did not have any provisions for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2013 and 2014.

Flight_equipmentaircraft

Flight equipment-aircraft	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Flight equipment-aircraft	-3	Flight equipment—aircraft
	Flight equipment and related accumulated depreciation are as follows:
			2013			2014
	Flight equipment—aircraft			4,400,089			6,036,199
	Less accumulated depreciation			(266,904	)		(429,643	)
	Total flight equipment, net			4,133,185			5,606,556
	At December 31, 2014 the Company owned 126 aircraft (2013: 99 aircraft including assets held for sale). During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company sold 9 aircraft (2013: 13 aircraft; 2012: 4 aircraft), while no aircraft suffered a total loss during the year (2013: 1 aircraft). This aircraft’s carrying value was fully disposed of as at December 31, 2013; (2012: Nil). In addition the Company purchased 36 aircraft (2013: 26 aircraft).
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had 2 aircraft (2013: 2 aircraft) held under capital lease. The carrying value of these aircraft at December 31, 2014 was US$137.6m (December 31, 2013: US$143.4m). The accumulated depreciation relating to the aircraft held under capital lease at December 31, 2014 was US$21m (December 31, 2013: US$15m). The depreciation charge for the year ended December 31, 2014 relating to these aircraft was US$5.8m (December 31, 2013: US$5.8m)
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had no aircraft which met the criteria of ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment (“ASC 360”) to be classified as held for sale (2013: 1 aircraft). See note 5 for details of assets held for sale.
	The Company’s obligations under its secured bank loans are secured by charges over, amongst other things, the Company’s aircraft and related assets with a carrying value at December 31, 2014 of US$5.6bn (2013: US$4.1bn).
	Flight equipment are assessed for recoverability in accordance with ASC 360, at each reporting date or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. No impairment charge has been required to be recorded in 2014 (2013: US$Nil; 2012: US$Nil).
	The Company develops the assumptions used in the recoverability assessment based on its knowledge of active lease contracts, current and future expectations of the global demand for particular aircraft types and historical experience in the aircraft leasing market and aviation industry, as well as information received from third-party sources. The factors considered in estimating the future cash flows are impacted by changes in contracted lease rates, future projected lease rates, transition costs, estimated downtime, estimated residual values, economic conditions, technology and airline demand for particular aircraft types.
	The Company has defined a threshold of 10% for determining whether the undiscounted cash flows substantially exceed the carrying value of the aircraft. All of the aircraft held by the Company exceeded this 10% threshold on December 31, 2014. The aggregated carrying value of the aircraft on December 31, 2014 amounted to US$5.6bn (2013: US$4.1bn).

Investments_in_unconsolidated_

Investments in unconsolidated equity investees	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments in unconsolidated equity investees	-4	Investments in unconsolidated equity investees
	In 2013, the Company entered into an arrangement with Wells Fargo & Company and subsequently Avolon Capital Partners Limited (“ACP”) was formed in which the Company holds a 25% shareholding. ACP is principally engaged in leasing commercial jet aircraft and was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on December 19, 2012 and is domiciled in Ireland. The Company has determined that it has significant influence over ACP as the Company acts as administrative agent and also has representation on the Board of Directors. All significant transactions require unanimous approval from the Board of Directors. The share of profits and losses from unconsolidated equity investees of US$307k (2013: US$46k loss; 2012: US$Nil) relates to the Company’s share of profits and losses from its investment in ACP during 2014.
	Investments consist of the following at December 31:
			2013			2014
	25% equity investment in unconsolidated equity investee (Avolon Capital Partners Limited)			5,963			16,146
	Share of (losses)/profits, net of tax			(46	)		307
	Investment in unconsolidated equity investees			5,917			16,453

Assets_held_for_sale

Assets held for sale	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]
Assets held for sale	-5	Assets held for sale
			2013		2014
	Flight equipment—aircraft			127,227		—
				127,227		—
	The Company had no aircraft classified as held for sale at December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013: one aircraft with a carrying value of US$127.2m). The aircraft held for sale at December 31, 2013 was sold in 2014.

Deposits_for_flight_equipment_

Deposits for flight equipment purchases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Deposits for flight equipment purchases	-6	Deposits for flight equipment purchases
			2013			2014
	Balance at beginning of year			211,844			206,781
	Increase in purchase deposits			98,852			76,365
	Capitalized interest			7,055			7,430
	Capitalized expenses			2,099			222
	Deposits applied against the purchase of flight equipment			(113,069	)		(91,284	)
	Balance at end of the year			206,781			199,514

Other_assets

Other assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Other assets	-7	Other assets
			2013		2014
	Deferred lease incentive and premiums, net of amortization			13,688		43,566
	Other property, plant and equipment, net of depreciation of US$0.6m (2013: US$0.4m)			1,040		2,876
	Deposits paid			500		453
	Prepayments			1,872		2,310
	Deferred tax charge			4,325		3,797
				21,425		53,002

Lease_deposits_liability

Lease deposits liability	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Lease deposits liability	-8	Lease deposits liability
	At December 31, 2014, lessee security deposits amounted to US$82.7m (2013: US$44.9m). This related to cash security received of US$70.2m (2013: US$42.5m) with respect to 66 aircraft currently on lease (2013: 49) and US$12.5m (2013: US$2.4m) which was received from lessees who have signed a letter of intent with the Company. Lessee security deposits are generally refundable at the end of the contract lease period after all lease obligations have been met by the lessee.
	Furthermore, the Company holds security on lease obligations for other aircraft in the form of letters of credit in the amount of US$145.7m as of December 31, 2014 (2013: US$116.7m).

Debt_financing_and_capital_lea

Debt financing and capital lease obligation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt financing and capital lease obligation	-9	Debt financing and capital lease obligation
	The Company’s debt obligations are summarized below:
	Type of Debt		2013			2014			Average Nominal			Undrawn		Maturity
									Interest Rate as of			debt
									December 31, 2014			facilities
	Non-recourse term facilities			1,211,796			797,305			4.38	%		—		2015-2025
	Full recourse term facilities			802,853			1,973,891			3.92	%		547,055		2015-2026
	Securitization			627,985			588,457			4.89	%		—		2020
	ECA and EXIM backed facilities			594,606			725,113			2.5	%		—		2015-2026
	Warehouse facility			121,574			170,863			2.61	%		379,137		2018
	Lines of credit			71,853			198,006			3.05	%		250,000		2015-2017
	Loan interest accrued but not paid			12,082			11,552			N/A			—		N/A
				3,442,749			4,465,187						1,176,192
	Capital lease obligation
	Capital lease			93,651			82,906			4.07	%		—		2015-2021
	Capital lease interest accrued but not paid			392			355			N/A			—		N/A
				94,043			83,261						—
	Balance at December 31			3,536,792			4,548,448						1,176,192
	Secured bank loans (repayable by instalment)		2013			2014
	Opening balance at January 1			2,573,104			3,442,749
	Principal advanced			2,208,965			2,368,037
	Discount on securitization			(1,597	)		235
	Accrued and unpaid interest			2,023			(530	)
	Principal repaid			(1,339,746	)		(1,345,304	)
	Closing balance at December 31			3,442,749			4,465,187
	Capital lease obligation (repayable by instalment)		2013			2014
	Opening balance at January 1			231,676			94,043
	Principal advanced			—			—
	Accrued and unpaid interest			(180	)		(37	)
	Principal repaid			(137,453	)		(10,745	)
	Closing balance at December 31			94,043			83,261
	Total loans and borrowings			3,536,792			4,548,448
	Non-Recourse Term Facilities
	As of December 31, 2014, 31 aircraft (2013: 37) were financed by 12 commercial banks (December 31, 2013: 15), on a non-recourse basis. Each of these loans contains provisions that require the payment of principal and interest throughout the terms of the loans. The interest rates on the loans are based on fixed rates of between 3.87% and 5.81% and 3 or 6 month LIBOR plus margins ranging from 2.83% to 4.44% on the floating loans.
	Securitization
	In October 2013, the Company issued through Emerald Aviation Finance Limited (incorporated in the Cayman Islands and domiciled in Ireland), US$636.2m of Fixed Rate Asset Backed Notes (the “Notes”) which was comprised of US$546m of Class A-1 Notes which carry a fixed coupon rate of 4.65% and US$90.2m of Class B-1 Notes which carry a fixed coupon of 6.35%. Class A-1 Notes rank higher than Class B-1 Notes in order of priority of payment. The Notes are listed on the Global Exchange Market of the Irish Stock Exchange. The Notes amortize on a monthly basis, with a margin step-up beginning in 2020. At December 31, 2014, a total of 20 aircraft were being financed with the proceeds from these Notes (2013: 20).
	Lines of Credit
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had in place 2 Pre-delivery Payment (PDP) facilities (2013: 3). The total commitment value of these facilities is US$73.0m (2013: US$136.5m), of which US$73.0m (2013: US$72m) is currently drawn. These facilities are used in funding pre-delivery payments for aircraft the Company has ordered and are secured by security assignments of the buyer’s right under the related purchase agreements to purchase the aircraft which are subject to the financing. Tranches of the PDP facilities bear interest at floating rates based on 3 month LIBOR plus margins ranging from 2% to 3%. As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s current PDP facilities have been utilised to finance payments relating to 8 aircraft (2013: 11). In addition, the Company has three undrawn unsecured facilities, with an aggregate commitment of US$375m with an availability period until 2017.
	Full Recourse Term Facilities
	As of December 31, 2014, 53 aircraft (2013: 23 aircraft) were financed by 19 lenders (2013: 17) on a full recourse basis. All of the loans contain provisions that require the payment of principal and interest throughout the terms of the loans. The interest rates on the loans are based on fixed rates of between 3.61% and 5.84% and 1, 3 or 6 month LIBOR plus margins ranging from 1.80% to 3.94% on the floating loans.
	ECA and EXIM backed facilities
	As of December 31, 2014, 17 aircraft (2013: 15 aircraft) were being financed with the proceeds of multiple facilities guaranteed by one of the European Export Credit Agencies (“ECA”) and Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), on standard export agency supported financing terms whereby the subject loan is amortized quarterly over the period of 12 years from drawdown with interest accruing at fixed rates between 2.40% and 3.27% and on a floating rate loan 3 month LIBOR plus a margin of 0.43%. The ECA and EXIM loan documentation contains covenants and events of default customary for export credit agency supported financings.
	The obligations outstanding under the ECA Term Financings are secured by, among other things, a mortgage over the aircraft and a pledge of our ownership interest in our subsidiary Company that leases the aircraft to the operator. The ECA Term Financing documents contain a minimum net worth covenant for Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited and Avolon S.à r.l. and other terms and conditions customary for ECA-supported financings being completed at this time. Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited, acting as servicer, is required to maintain unrestricted cash plus amounts available under all bank lines of credit. In addition, Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited, Avolon Aerospace Limited and Avolon S.à r.l. have guaranteed the repayment of the ECA Term Financings.
	Warehouse Facility
	In May 2010, the Company entered into a US$400m limited recourse, revolving credit facility (the “Warehouse Facility”). The Warehouse Facility was amended in January 2012 reducing the facility size to US$365m and extending the remaining availability period from 5 months to 23 months from the date of amendment. The Warehouse Facility was further amended in May 2013, extending the availability until May 2015, converting the Warehouse Facility to full recourse, while increasing the commitment to US$428.5m. The Warehouse Facility was amended in June 2014, extending the availability until January 2017 and increasing the commitment to US$472.5m. The Warehouse Facility was further amended in September 2014, increasing the commitment to US$550.0m. As of December 31, 2014, the Warehouse Facility accrues interest at 1 month LIBOR plus 2.45% on drawn balances and 0.7% on undrawn balances. Borrowings under the Warehouse Facility are secured by collateral including mortgages over the aircraft and pledges of ownership interests in the aircraft. At December 31, 2014, 4 aircraft (2013: 4 aircraft) were financed by this facility.
	The Warehouse Revolving Credit Facility documents contain a minimum net worth covenant for Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited. Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited, acting as servicer, is required to maintain unrestricted cash plus amounts available under all bank lines of credit. In addition Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited has guaranteed the repayment of the Warehouse Revolving Credit Facility.
	Maturities
	The anticipated aggregate principal and interest repayments due for its debt financing for each of the fiscal years subsequent to December 31, 2014, are as follows:
			Principal			Interest			Total
	2015			384,891			166,073			550,964
	2016			569,378			146,445			715,823
	2017			488,687			125,178			613,865
	2018			570,170			107,792			677,962
	2019			442,143			88,926			531,069
	Thereafter			1,999,728			166,329			2,166,057
				4,454,997			800,743			5,255,740
	At December 31, 2013 and 2014 the Company was in compliance with the covenants in its debt facilities. The Company’s debt facilities contain customary covenants and events of default; included within certain debt facilities are covenants that limit the ability of the Company to incur additional indebtedness and create liens, covenants that limit the ability of the Company to consolidate, merge or dispose of all or substantially all of its assets and enter into transactions with affiliates and covenants that limit the ability of the Company to pay dividends.
	Capital lease obligation
	As of December 31, 2014, 2 aircraft (2013: 2 aircraft) were financed by way of a capital lease whereby the capital lease obligation is amortized quarterly over the period of 12 years from drawdown with interest accruing at weighted average fixed rate of 4.07%. The anticipated aggregate principal and interest repayments due for its capital lease obligations for each of the fiscal years subsequent to December 31, 2014, are as follows:
			Principal			Interest			Total
	2015			11,161			3,247			14,408
	2016			11,585			2,787			14,372
	2017			12,029			2,306			14,335
	2018			12,510			1,785			14,295
2019			12,991			1,263			14,254
Thereafter			22,630			890			23,520
			82,906			12,278			95,184

Income_taxes

Income taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes	-10	Income taxes
	The Company is incorporated in Cayman Islands and domiciled in Ireland, whereas its predecessor, Avolon S.à r.l. was incorporated in Luxembourg. The statutory rate of tax in Ireland is 12.5% and the statutory rate of tax in Luxembourg for the year ended December 31 2012 was 28.8%, and was 29.2% for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014. For financial reporting purposes, income before income tax includes the following components:
			2012			2013			2014
	Luxembourg			72,166			35,913			37,058
	Ireland			(15,611	)		(4,556	)		(31,538	)
	Hong Kong			2,665			81,331			90,847
	Other jurisdictions			579			362			703
	Income before income tax—total			59,799			113,050			97,069
	The expense/(benefit) for income taxes is comprised of:
			2012			2013			2014
	Current tax expense:
	Luxembourg			90			115			106
	Ireland			72			67			110
	Hong Kong			16			7			9
	Other jurisdictions			123			116			211
	Current tax expense—total			301			305			436
	Deferred tax expense:
	Luxembourg			—			—			—
	Ireland			(1,663	)		(106	)		5,841
	Hong Kong			—			—			—
	Other jurisdictions			—			5			(4	)
	Deferred tax (benefit)/ expense—total			(1,663	)		(101	)		5,837
	Total income tax expense			(1,362	)		204			6,273
	The reconciliation between the amount of income tax expense that would result from applying the statutory tax rate of 28.3%* (2013: 29.2%; 2012: 28.8%) and the reported amount of income tax expense is as follows:
			2012			2013			2014
	Income before income tax			59,799			113,050			97,069
	Income tax at statutory rate			17,222			33,033			27,471
	Foreign tax rate differential			2,626			(9,572	)		(5,400	)
	Non-deductible expenses			299			281			7,622
	Non-taxable income			(21,620	)		(23,977	)		(25,745	)
	Prior year adjustments			72			(1,773	)		110
	Change in valuation allowance			—			1,827			2,536
	Other			39			385			(321	)
	Total			(1,362	)		204			6,273
	*	The 28.3% statutory rate in 2014 represents the weighted average of the Luxembourg statutory rate for the period ended December 11, 2014 of 29.2% and the Ireland rate of 12.5% for the remainder of the year ended December 31, 2014.
	The tax effects of temporary differences and carry-forwards that give rise to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
			2013			2014
	Deferred tax assets:
	Operating loss carry-forwards			83,331			125,978
	Accrued expenses			—			223
	Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowances			83,331			126,201
	Valuation allowance			(1,827	)		(4,363	)
	Total deferred tax assets			81,504			121,838
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Flight equipment			(73,166	)		(119,001	)
	Deposits on flight equipment			(759	)		(847	)
	Accrued maintenance liabilities			(279	)		—
	Total deferred tax liabilities			(74,204	)		(119,848	)
	Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)			7,300			1,990
	When deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities relate to the same taxable entity, they are offset and presented as a single amount on the consolidated balance sheet, resulting in the following net balances:
	Deferred tax assets			19,431			18,996
	Deferred tax liabilities			(12,131	)		(17,006	)
	Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)			7,300			1,990
	When determining the amount of valuation allowance recorded, management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. Certain Irish entities have a history of losses and have a limited ability to generate future profits, and as a result deferred tax assets of such entities have been offset with a valuation allowance, to the extent not supported by reversing taxable temporary differences.
	For other Irish entities, deferred tax assets are considered more likely than not to be realized, despite the negative evidence of a recent history of losses. Of the US$121.9m of recognized deferred tax assets at December 31, 2014, US$19.0m is dependent upon future book income of approximately $152.0m in certain of our Irish entities over an indefinite period of time. The remainder of or deferred tax assets are supported by reversing taxable temporary differences. In making this determination, management considered several pieces of positive evidence, including:
		•		Favorable profit projections which are consistent with forecasts used for internal management and planning purposes, and also consistent with forecasts used to support other areas of financial reporting such as impairment analysis;
		•		Contractually committed lease agreements which support a future income stream in excess of the costs required to service the lease; and
		•		Appreciation of the value of flight equipment in excess of their carrying value
	In management’s judgment, this evidence is sufficiently compelling to overcome the negative evidence of the recent history of losses, and no valuation allowance was recorded against deferred tax assets of such Irish entities. The assessment of the recognition of deferred tax assets is highly judgmental, and the amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income are reduced. Adjustments to the valuation allowance could have a material effect on the financial statements of future periods.
	At December 31, 2014, the Company had approximately US$1,008m of Irish net operating loss (NOLs) carry forwards (2013: US$666.7m). The Company is allowed to carry-forward its Irish NOLs for an indefinite period to be offset against income of the same trade under current tax rules in Ireland.
	The Company files income tax returns in Ireland and other foreign jurisdictions. The Company is not under examination in any jurisdiction as of December 31, 2014. The periods from 2011 onwards remain open to examination by all the relevant tax authorities.
	The Company has not provided for deferred taxes on the excess of the carrying amount for financial reporting over the tax basis in its investments in foreign subsidiaries. The Company’s most significant operations are in jurisdictions where the temporary difference is expected to reverse tax-free. For other subsidiaries, the investment is considered indefinite—in these jurisdictions the unremitted earnings as of December 31, 2014 is approximately US$1.5m (2013: US$0.9m). The amounts become taxable if recovered in a taxable manner, such as through receipt of dividends or sale of the investments. The determination of the additional deferred taxes that have not been provided is not practicable.
	The Company has not recorded an unrecognized tax benefit in any of the reporting periods presented.

Derivative_financial_instrumen

Derivative financial instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative financial instruments	-11	Derivative financial instruments
	The Company utilizes interest rate swap and cap contracts to economically hedge its variable interest rate exposure on certain of its borrowings. An interest rate swap is an instrument in which two parties agree to exchange interest rate cash flows based on a specified notional amount from a fixed rate to a floating rate or from one floating rate to another. An interest rate cap is an instrument in which the buyer receives a payment at the end of every period in which the indexed interest rate exceeds the agreed strike price. Under the swap transactions the Company makes fixed rate payments and receives floating rate payments to convert the floating rate borrowings to fixed rate obligations to better match the fixed rate cash flows from the leasing of aircraft.
	The counterparties to these agreements are highly rated financial institutions. In the event that the counterparties fail to meet the terms of the interest rate swap contracts, the Company’s exposure is limited to the interest rate differential on the notional amount at each settlement period over the life of the agreements.
	Gains/(losses) from changes in fair values on derivatives are recognized in the consolidated income statements as a component of interest expense. These amounts are shown in the table below for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014.
			2013		2014
	Interest Rate Contracts:
	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivatives			6,390		(12,240	)
	Realized gain/(loss) on derivatives			1,847		265
	The table below shows the notional amounts of the Company’s outstanding derivative instruments and credit risk amounts associated with outstanding or unsettled derivative instruments as of December 31, 2013 and 2014. These amounts are considered indicative of the Company’s derivative transaction volume during each of the respective years presented.
			2013		2014
	Interest Rate Contracts:
	Interest Rate Swaps			27,793		32,629
	Interest Rate Caps			394,108		361,816

Offsetting_disclosure

Offsetting disclosure

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Text Block [Abstract]

Offsetting disclosure

-12

Offsetting disclosure

In connection with its derivative activities, the Company enters into master netting agreements and collateral agreements with its counterparties. These agreements provide the Company with the right, in the event of a default by the counterparty (such as bankruptcy or a failure to pay or perform), to net a counterparty’s rights and obligations under the agreement and to liquidate and set off collateral against any net amount owed by the counterparty. However, in certain circumstances: the Company may not have such an agreement in place; the relevant insolvency regime (which is based on the type of counterparty entity and the jurisdiction of organization of the counterparty) may not support the enforceability of the agreement; or the Company may not have sought legal advice to support the enforceability of the agreement. In cases where the Company has not determined an agreement to be enforceable, the related amounts are not offset in the tabular disclosures below. The Company’s policy is generally to recognise all derivative assets and derivative liabilities on a gross basis on the consolidated balance sheet. The following tables present information about the offsetting of derivative instruments.

At December 31, 2013

Gross

Amounts

Net

Financial

Net

Amounts

offset in the

Amounts

instruments

Exposure

consolidated

Presented in

not offset in

balance

the

the

sheets

consolidated

consolidated

balance

balance

sheets

sheets

Derivative Assets

26,458

(6,447

)

20,011

—

20,011

Derivative Liabilities

(6,815

)

6,447

(368

)

—

(368

)

At December 31, 2014

Gross

Amounts

Net

Financial

Net

Amounts

offset in the

Amounts

instruments

Exposure

consolidated

Presented in

not offset in

balance

the

the

sheets

consolidated

consolidated

balance

balance

sheets

sheets

Derivative Assets

14,021

(5,884

)

8,137

—

8,137

Derivative Liabilities

(7,284

)

5,884

(1,400

)

—

(1,400

)

Share_capital

Share capital	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Share capital	-13	Share capital
	The authorized share capital of the Company consists of 750,000,000 common shares, each with a par value of $0.000004 per share and 250,000,000 preference shares, each with a par value of $0.001 per share. As of December 31, 2014 the Company’s issued share capital was 81,681,131 common shares at a par value of $0.000004.
	Share capital represents the nominal value of the shares issued. Each common share is entitled to one vote on all matters upon which the common shares are entitled to vote, including the election of directors. Voting at any meetings of shareholders is by a poll. Our articles of association do not provide for actions by written consent of shareholders.
	The holders of our common shares are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by our Board. Dividends may be paid only out of profits, which include net earnings and retained earnings undistributed in prior years, and out of share premium.
	On December 11, 2014, the Company engaged in a corporate reorganization pursuant to which Avolon Holdings effected the Share Split and the share exchange. The Share split refers to the 246.5528-for-1 subdivision into a lesser par value of the Avolon Holdings outstanding common shares which were 10,000 common shares as at December 11, 2014.
	Immediately thereafter, the Company completed the Share Exchange pursuant to which it issued 78,486,853 of its common shares, in exchange for all of the outstanding Class A, Class B and Class C shares of Avolon S.à r.l., such that Avolon S.à r.l. became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. As a result of the Share Exchange, the shareholders of Avolon S.à r.l. immediately prior to the Share Exchange constituted all of the shareholders of Avolon Holdings immediately following the Share Exchange and prior to our IPO.
	Avolon S.à r.l.’s issued share capital comprised 673,531 Class A shares, 11,400,234 Class B shares and 22,808 Class C shares, each having a par value of one cent United States Dollars (US$0.01). Each share class was considered to be currently redeemable through the ability of the Class B holders to compel Avolon to repurchase and cancel their Class B shares from their representation on the Board of Directors. The Class A and Class C shares had drag along rights, being redeemable pursuant to the redemption of the Class B shares. However, each share class was not considered mandatorily redeemable and accordingly were classified as temporary equity pursuant to ASC 480-10-S99-3A. Avolon S.à r.l. had recorded each share class initially at fair value. Each share class are considered to be currently redeemable and were adjusted to their maximum redemption amount at each balance sheet date. The adjustment was recorded in retained earnings or additional paid-in-capital. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of ordinary shares was recognized as a deduction from temporary equity.
	All classes of shares in Avolon S.à r.l. were entitled to receive distributions, including as may have been declared by the Board, in proportion to the amounts deemed invested, except that holders of Class A Shares were only entitled to receive distributions in excess of the amounts deemed invested in respect of such Class A shares to the extent that other classes of shares have achieved an agreed pre-determined return. Pursuant to Luxembourg statutory requirements, Avolon S.à r.l. was required to maintain a legal reserve of 5% of cumulative net annual profit for as long as the amount of the legal reserve is less than 10% of Avolon S.à r.l.’s total share capital.
	The movement in ordinary share capital through the date of the Company’s initial public offering was as follows:
	Issued share capital		Class A shares					Class B shares				Class C shares						Common shares
			Number			Amount		Number		Amount		Number			Amount			Number		Amount
						(US$				(US$					(US$					(US$
						000s)				000s)					000s)					000s)
	At December 31, 2011			2,117,647			21		7,432,794		732,946		50,766			1			—		—
	Issued during the year, net of equity raising costs			—			—		3,626,170		381,138		—			—			—		—
	Accretion adjustment			—			559		—		28,766		—			129			—		—
	At December 31, 2012			2,117,647			580		11,058,964		1,142,850		50,766			130			—		—
	Issued during the year, net of equity raising costs			—			—		341,270		34,334		—			—			—		—
	Accretion adjustment			—			1,956		—		104,753		—			451			—		—
	Share cancellation			(1,444,116	)		—		—		—		—			—			—		—
	At December 31, 2013			673,531			2,536		11,400,234		1,281,937		50,766			581			—		—
	Repurchased during the year			—			—		—		—		(27,958	)		(418	)		—		—
	Issued during the year, net of equity costs			—			—		—		—		—			—			10,000		—
	Accretion adjustment			—			1,305		—		69,260		—			232			—		—
	At December 11, 2014			673,531			3,841		11,400,234		1,351,197		22,808			395			10,000		—
	Share split			—			—		—		—		—			—			2,455,528		—
	Share exchange			—			—		—		—		—			—			78,486,853		1,368,131
	Issued during the year, net of equity raising costs			—			—		—		—		—			—			728,750		—
	At December 31, 2014			—			—		—		—		—			—			81,681,131		1,368,131

Sharebased_compensation

Share-based compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-based compensation	-14	Share-based compensation
	Founder share capital
	Avolon Holdings was incorporated on June 5, 2014 for the purposes of effectuating our initial public offering and had a nominal issued share capital representing 10,000 common shares all of which was beneficially owned by management and certain employees of Avolon Holdings. Immediately prior to the initial public offering, Avolon Holdings effected a 246.5528-for-1 share split of the founder share capital. The Company recognized a one-time share based compensation in respect of this share split of $49.3m. The charge was determined as the difference between the amounts initially subscribed and the IPO price of $20.
	Equity Incentive Plan 2014 (the “Equity Incentive Plan 2014”)
	In December 2014, the Company implemented an equity incentive plan to provide long-term incentive compensation opportunities in tied to our performance and the performance of our common shares to our directors and employees. The Equity Incentive Plan 2014 provides for the grant of share appreciation rights, restricted share awards, restricted share units and other share awards to participants of the plan selected by the remuneration committee. Subject to certain adjustments, the maximum number of equity awards available to be granted under the plan is equivalent to 2,350,399 shares.
	In December 2014, 693,325 share options and 31,675 restricted share units were granted under the Equity Incentive Plan 2014. These share awards will have a seven year term and a nominal exercise price. Of these share awards, 45% will vest in equal instalments on December 31 of each year for a three year period beginning in 2014 and 55% will be subject to performance-based vesting requirements over stated periods.
	The Company also granted 3,750 restricted share units to our independent directors in December 2014. The restricted share units vested on December 31, 2014.
	As of December 31, 2014, there was approximately $7.9m of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the Incentive Plan. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of two years. The Company used a Black Scholes pricing model to determine the grant date fair value of the awards.
	The following is a summary of option issuances to date under the Incentive Plan:
			Number of			Weighted average
			Options			Exercise Price
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2014			—			NA
	Options issued during the year			728,750			NA
	Options exercised during the year			—			NA
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2014			728,750			NA
	On December 31, 2014 103,999 share options and 8,501 restricted share units vested. 589,326 share options and 26,924 restricted share units were outstanding and were all subject to future time and/or performance-based vesting criteria or restrictions, as applicable. The weighted average grant date fair value was $20 per share option and restricted share unit. No options were exercised during the period. The Company recognized a share based compensation in respect of the Equity Incentive Plan of $2.3m for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Avolon Senior Management Incentive Plan (“Avolon MIP”)
	Upon the formation of Avolon Investments S.à r.l. certain key management employees subscribed for 673,531 Class A shares. The Class A shares subscribed for by management are subject to certain vesting/forfeiture provisions under the Avolon MIP. Specifically 2/14th of the Class Shares are subject to vesting/forfeiture in 5 equal instalments on 31 December each year, commencing 31 December 2010. The remaining 12/14th vested/forfeited upon the occurrence of an Exit (defined as a qualifying IPO or a trade sale). The Company’s IPO represented an Exit event.
	The issue-date (April 2010 and date of entering into the Avolon MIP arrangements) fair value of such Class A Shares was US$Nil, and accordingly there is no compensation expense related to this share issuance. The issue date fair value was considered to be US$Nil since Avolon S.à r.l. had no operations at the issue date and the only asset was the cash received for the issuance of shares.
	Avolon 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Incentive Plan”)
	On March 20, 2013 Avolon implemented the 2013 Incentive Plan and Avolon authorized 79,133 share options over Class A shares in Avolon S.à r.l. with an exercise price of $0.01 per share and a maximum term of seven years. The options vested upon the Company’s initial public offering. The weighted average grant date fair value of the share options was $4.14 per share. Avolon Holdings recognized compensation expenses of $2.1m in respect of these options upon the occurrence of the IPO. There were no income tax benefits related to the compensation costs recognized during the year.
	Stock options
	The Company used a Monte-Carlo pricing model to determine the grant date fair value of each the stock options. The pricing model used a number of complex and subjective variables, including expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, a risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Estimated volatility of Avolon’s common stock was determined by using historical volatility of comparable companies in the Company’s industry over the expected term of the options.
	Due to our limited operating history at the time of grant, there was no historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis which Avolon could use to estimate expected terms. As the options only vested on the occurrence of an Exit, Avolon has estimated the expected term based on the period between the grant date and the expected vesting date at which point it is anticipated that the options will be exercised in full. 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.
	The assumptions used to value the stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
	Dividend yield			None
	Expected term			2.4 years
	Risk-free interest rate			0.314	%
	Volatility			29.84	%
	The following is a summary of the share based compensation recognized during the year ended December 31, 2014:
			December 31,
			2014
	2013 Incentive Plan			2,075
	Equity Incentive Plan 2014			2,348
	Founder share capital			49,310
				53,733

Earnings_per_share

Earnings per share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per share	-15	Earnings per share
	Earnings per share is presented in accordance with ASC 260 which requires the presentation of “basic” earnings per share and “diluted” earnings per share. Immediately prior to the completion of the Company’s IPO on December 11, 2014, all of the outstanding Class A, B and C shares of Avolon automatically converted into 78,486,853 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Class A, B and C shares converted to common stock at the following exchange ratios:
	Class		Ratio
	A			0.546086
	B			6.839066
	C			6.66845
	Prior to the completion of the Company’s IPO, Avolon had three classes of shares classified as temporary equity to which earnings were accreted on a quarterly basis. As such, net (loss)/income per share (EPS) for Avolon S.à r.l. was previously calculated using the two-class method, which requires the allocation of (loss)/income to each class of common stock.
	The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in US$ thousands, except per-share data):
			2012		2013		2014
	Basic net income per share:
	Numerator:
	Net income and total comprehensive income			61,161		112,800		91,103
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding			66,375,888		78,220,312		78,390,788
	Basic net income per share			0.92		1.44		1.16
	Diluted net income per share:
	Numerator:
	Net income and total comprehensive income			61,161		112,800		91,103
	Denominator:
	Number of shares used in basic calculation			66,375,888		78,220,312		78,390,788
	Plus: weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
	Avolon MIP			31,527		21,018		—
	Equity Incentive Plan 2014			—		—		12,090
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted			66,407,415		78,241,330		78,402,878

Lease_revenue

Lease revenue	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Lease revenue	-16	Lease revenue
	At December 31, 2014 the Company had contracted to receive the following minimum cash lease rentals under non-cancellable operating leases:
	2015		615,134
	2016		607,695
	2017		577,970
	2018		523,551
	2019		450,407
	Thereafter		1,439,760
			4,214,517
	The company recognized supplemental maintenance rent of US$16.4m (2013: US$6.1m; 2012: US$6.9m) which is included in lease revenue.

Interest_income_expense

Interest income / (expense)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Banking and Thrift, Interest [Abstract]
Interest income / (expense)	-17	Interest income / (expense)
			2012			2013			2014
	Interest income on cash and cash equivalents			444			261			281
	Other interest income			751			987			415
	Interest income			1,195			1,248			696
	Interest on borrowing			121,665			142,649			189,733
	Amortization of debt issuance costs			9,457			18,766			24,277
	Less: interest capitalized			(5,797	)		(7,055	)		(7,430	)
	Net interest expense			125,325			154,360			206,580

Segment_information_and_concen

Segment information and concentration of risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment information and concentration of risk	-18	Segment information and concentration of risk
	Segment information
	The Company manages its business, analyzes and reports its results of operations on the basis of one operating segment—leasing and selling of commercial aircraft. The Board of Directors is the chief operating decision maker.
	Geographical risks
	Lease rental income is derived mainly from leasing aircraft to various operators around the world. The following table sets forth the net book value and percentage of the net book value of the Company’s flight equipment portfolio, intended for and operating in the indicated regions as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
	The following table sets forth the concentration by geographic region of the Company’s flight equipment portfolio based on net book value as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
			2012			%			2013			%			2014		%
	Asia Pacific			1,002,582			28	%		1,083,728			26	%		2,243,024		40	%
	Europe, Middle East & Africa			1,514,060			43	%		1,571,747			38	%		1,802,399		32	%
	Americas			1,020,257			29	%		1,477,710			36	%		1,561,133		28	%
				3,536,899			100	%		4,133,185			100	%		5,606,556		100	%
	In 2013, the net book value of flight equipment in the United States of America comprised 15.32% of the total net book value of the Company’s flight equipment portfolio, respectively. In 2014, the net book value of flight equipment in Indonesia and the United States of America comprised 14.86% and 10.57% of the total net book value of the Company’s flight equipment portfolio, respectively.
	Lease rental income from the top five customers represented 32% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 (2013: 40% and 2012: 36%). No customer accounted for more than 10% of lease revenues in the year ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The following table sets forth the percentage of lease revenue attributable to individual countries representing at least 10% of total lease revenue in any year based on each airline’s principal place of business for the years indicated:
			2012			2013			2014
	United States of America			7.83	%		15.09	%		14.03	%
	India			12.35	%		10.08	%		9.59	%
	The distribution of lease rental income by location of each airline’s principal place of business is presented below:
			2012			%			2013			%			2014		%
	Asia Pacific			89,074			28			106,111			26			178,679		33
	Europe, Middle East & Africa			145,009			47			166,488			40			186,153		35
	Americas			78,661			25			142,407			34			172,715		32
				312,744			100			415,006			100			537,547		100
	Currency risk
	The majority of the Company’s lease agreements and all of its debt agreements have U.S. dollars as the designated payment currency. Most of the revenue and expenses are therefore denominated in U.S. dollars, thus reducing exchange risk.
	Credit risks
	Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company’s credit risk arises principally in relation to the collection of rental payments under its operating leases. The effective monitoring and controlling of customer credit risk is a competency of the Treasury and Risk team. Creditworthiness of each new customer is assessed and the Company seeks security deposits in the form of cash or letters of credit to mitigate overall financial exposure to its lessees. The assessment process takes into account qualitative and quantitative information about the customer such as business activities, senior management team, financial fitness, resources and performance, and business risks, to the extent that this information is publicly available or otherwise disclosed to the Company.
	The Company holds significant cash balances which are invested on a short-term basis and are classified as cash and cash equivalents. These deposits and other financial instruments give rise to credit risk on amounts due from counterparties. Credit risk is managed by limiting the aggregate amount and duration of exposure to any one counterparty. The Company typically does not enter into deposits with duration of more than 6 months. The value of trade and other receivables are highly dependent upon the financial strength of the airline industry. Defaults by one or more of the Company’s major customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s cash flow and earnings and its ability to meet its obligations.
	Exposure to credit risk
	The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date was:
			2013			2014
	Cash and cash equivalents			177,924			111,392
	Restricted cash			256,426			195,095
	Other receivables			2,033			1,252
	Trade receivables			4,730			9,758
	Derivative financial assets			20,011			8,137
				461,124			325,634
	The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade and other receivables at the reporting date by geographic region was:
			2013			2014
	Asia Pacific			1,860			6,589
	Europe, Middle East & Africa			4,790			4,421
	Americas			113			—
				6,763			11,010

Commitments_and_contingencies

Commitments and contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and contingencies	-19	Commitments and contingencies
	Capital commitments
	As at December 31, 2014 the Company had committed to purchasing 98 aircraft scheduled to deliver from 2015 through 2021. All of these commitments are based upon fixed price agreements with the manufacturers, which are adjusted for inflation and include price escalation formulas. The capital commitments includes 17 aircraft under non-binding letters of intent to the amount of $0.7bn. Capital commitments amount to US$6.6bn at December 31, 2014 and are as follows:
			2014
	2015			1,560,100
	2016			357,233
	2017			217,443
	2018			572,636
	2019			1,244,606
	Thereafter			2,640,987
	Total			6,593,005
	Lease Commitments
	The Company incurred office lease rental expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 of US$0.7m (2013: US$0.5m and 2012: US$0.5m).
	Commitments for minimum rentals under the non-cancellable lease terms at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
			2014
	2015			703
	2016			703
	2017			892
	2018			892
	2019			892
	Thereafter			15,158
	Total			19,240
	Guarantees
	The Company is financed by a number of limited recourse loans, totalling US$4.6bn (2013: US$3.5bn) and at an average nominal interest rate of 3.8%. These loans are secured by some or all of a mortgage on the flight equipment, share pledge over the flight equipment owning entity, assignment of lease contracts and in some cases a limited guarantee from Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited. Based on the projected cash flows from the assets, the directors of the Company believe that these loans will continue to perform for the foreseeable future. As of December 31, 2014 the Company has US$1,176m (2013: US$823m) in undrawn debt facilities. The conditions of our availability of the undrawn debt facilities vary between our debt facilities. The Company has US$250m of unsecured debt facility with limited restrictions to its availability. The Company can avail of US$926m of secured debt facilities where the availability period is between 2015 to 2017. The Company is charged an interest rate between 0.5% to 1% on undrawn balances. The conditions attributable to the utilization of some of these facilities are permitted aircraft types, country and region limits and age limits.
	As at December 31, 2014 there were no contingent liabilities.

Fair_value_measurements

Fair value measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value measurements	-20	Fair value measurements
	The following table presents our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy.
			As at December 31, 2013
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets
	Derivative financial assets			—		20,011		—
	Total Assets			—		20,011		—
	Liabilities
	Derivative financial liabilities			—		368		—
	Total Liabilities			—		368		—
			As at December 31, 2014
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets
	Derivative financial assets			—		8,137		—
	Total Assets			—		8,137		—
	Liabilities
	Derivative financial liabilities			—		1,400		—
	Total Liabilities			—		1,400		—
	There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 during the years presented. The fair values and related carrying values of financial instruments that are not required to be remeasured at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets were as follows:
			As at December 31, 2013
			Carrying		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
			Value
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents			177,924		177,924		—		177,924		—
	Restricted cash			256,426		256,426		—		256,426		—
	Trade and other receivables			6,763		6,763		—		6,763		—
	Total			441,113		441,113		—		441,113		—
	Liabilities
	Debt financing			3,442,749		3,425,282		—		3,425,282		—
	Capital lease obligation			94,043		87,384		—		87,384		—
	Total			3,536,792		3,512,666		—		3,512,666		—
			As at December 31, 2014
			Carrying		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
			Value
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents			111,392		111,392		—		111,392		—
	Restricted cash			195,095		195,095		—		195,095		—
	Trade and other receivables			11,010		11,010		—		11,010		—
	Total			317,497		317,497		—		317,497		—
	Liabilities
	Debt financing			4,465,187		4,572,515		—		4,572,515		—
	Capital lease obligation			83,261		84,235		—		84,235		—
	Total			4,548,448		4,656,750		—		4,656,750		—
	Level 2 Valuations—Significant other observable inputs
	The fair value of debt financing, capital lease obligations and derivative financial liabilities are calculated using Level 2 observable inputs as defined by ASC 820, which includes quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, and market-corroborated inputs. The fair value for debt financing and capital lease obligations includes the fair value of the unsecured notes which is determined based on market information provided by third parties. The fair value of derivative liabilities was based on broker quotes.
	The carrying value of the other financial instruments, which are measured at other than fair value, approximate fair value due to the short terms to maturity.

Variable_interest_entities

Variable interest entities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Variable interest entities	-21	Variable interest entities
	The Company is involved with various special purpose entities (“SPE”) in the normal course of business. In most cases, these entities are deemed to be VIEs. The Company’s variable interests in VIEs include debt and equity interests, commitments, guarantees, and certain other contractual arrangements. The leasing and financing activities in the Company’s normal course of business require the use of many forms of SPEs to achieve our business objectives and the Company has participated to varying degrees in the design and formation of these SPEs.
	As of December 31, 2014, all assets and liabilities presented on the consolidated balance sheets were held in the VIEs consolidated by the Company. As of December 31, 2013, substantially all flight equipment, cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, assets held for sale, derivative financial assets, deposits on flight equipment, deferred debt issue costs, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, deferred revenue, liabilities related to assets held for sale, accrued maintenance liabilities, lease deposits liability and derivative financial liabilities presented on the consolidated balance sheets were held in the VIEs consolidated by the Company.
	The carrying value of assets as at December 31, 2013 that were not available to VIE entities were as follows:
			Total		Amount		Amount
					Available		Not
					to VIEs		available
							to VIES
	Cash and cash equivalents			177,924		177,382		542
	Restricted cash			256,426		241,098		15,328
	Investment in unconsolidated equity investee			5,917		—		5,917
	Deferred issuance costs			85,050		84,326		724
	The Company consolidates wholly-owned ECA, EXIM financing structures and wholly owned leasing entities because the entities do not have sufficient equity to operate without the Company’s subordinated financial support in the form of intercompany loans. In certain circumstances we are required to segregate security deposits, maintenance receipts and rental payments received under the leases related to the aircraft funded under the relevant facility (segregated rental payments are used to make scheduled principal and interest payments on the outstanding debt) at a subsidiary borrower level. The segregated funds are deposited into separate accounts pledged to and controlled by the security trustee of the relevant loan facilities. The subsidiary borrower is required to maintain compliance with loan-to-value ratios as set forth in the loan agreements. If the subsidiary borrower does not maintain compliance with the loan-to-value ratio, it will be required to prepay portions of the outstanding loan so that the ratio is equal to or less than the loan-to-value ratio. The Company controls and manages all aspects of these entities, including directing the activities that most significantly affect the entity’s economic performance. The Company absorbs the majority of the risk and rewards of these entities and the Company guarantees the activities of these entities.
	The Company consolidates non-recourse financing structures because the Company controls and manages all aspects of these entities, including directing the activities that most significantly affect these entities’ economic performance and the Company absorbs the majority of the risk and rewards of these entities. The lenders of our non-recourse financing structures have only recourse over those assets within the subsidiary borrower and the Company does not provide any guarantees to the debt financings of these entities. When the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary, the VIE is consolidated. Consolidated VIE assets and liabilities are presented after intercompany eliminations and include assets financed on a non-recourse basis.
	In general, the Company’s exposure to loss in consolidated VIEs is limited to losses that would be absorbed on the VIEs assets recognized in its financial statements, net of losses absorbed by third-party holders of the VIE’s liabilities. At December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s maximum exposure to losses in its consolidated VIEs was US$1.5bn and US$1.6bn, respectively.

Related_party_transactions

Related party transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related party transactions	-22	Related party transactions
	The Company pays equity sponsoring fees and monitoring fees to its equity investors. The amounts paid and accrued during the year were as follows:
			Balance at			Charged			Paid		Accrued			Balance at
			January 1,			during the			during the					December 31,
			2014			year			year					2014
	Cinven Limited			(75	)		(225	)		300		(63	)		(63	)
	Cinven Limited GBP			—			—			—		—			—
	Cinven Limited EUR			—			(48	)		48		—			—
	CVC Capital Partners			(75	)		(225	)		300		(59	)		(59	)
	CVC Capital Partners UK			—			—			—		—			—
	Oak Hill Capital Partners III, LP			(75	)		(293	)		368		(59	)		(59	)
	GIC			(100	)		(11	)		111		(95	)		(95	)
	The Company received revenue to the value of US$556k (2013: US$1.3m; 2012: US$0.7m) from a related party, OH Aircraft Acquisitions, LLC.; an affiliate of Oak Hill Capital Partners II, LP for the servicer management of 4 aircraft (2013: 5 aircraft). The Company received revenue to the value of US$1.43m (2013:
	US$0.07m; 2012: US$Nil) from a related party, Avolon Capital Partners Limited for the servicer management of 7 aircraft (2013: 2).
	The Company’s chief executive officer received a one-time discretionary bonus payment of $2.6m during the 12 months ended December 31, 2014.
	In 2010, in connection with the Company’s formation, the Company issued loans to the chief executive officer of the Company. Aggregate amounts outstanding under these loans from the Avolon Lender US$10.3m at December 31, 2013. These loans bore interest at a weighted average interest rate of 9.5% per annum. The loans were repaid in full in accordance with their terms on June 5, 2014. Total interest income recognized in respect of these advances amounted to US$0.4m for year ended December 31, 2014 (2013: US$1m). The Company funded US$9.4m of these loans using a back to back loan facility (the “Back-to-Back Facility”) provided by an affiliate of one of the Company’s shareholders to the Avolon Lender such that the Avolon Lender was effectively acting as a conduit in respect of the loans funded under the Back-to-Back Facility. The Back-to-Back Facility was limited recourse to the Company and was terminated on June 5, 2014, following the repayment of the loans.
	On June 5, 2014, the Company repurchased 27,958 Class C shares of Avolon S.a r.l. from the chief executive officer for a purchase price of US$200 per share, representing an aggregate purchase price of approximately US$5.6 million. The Company utilised a range of different valuation methodologies assuming an Exit transaction at various dates throughout the following 18 months. It then used a Lattice model to determine the fair value of the Class C shares based on these different valuations. This model used a number of subjective variables, including the expected stock price volatility, which was estimated at 24.75% based upon the volatility of a number of comparable companies, a risk free interest rate of 0.073%, an expected term to an Exit of 0.33 years and a dividend yield of 0%.

Quarterly_financial_data

Quarterly financial data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly financial data	-23	Quarterly financial data (unaudited)
	The following table presents our unaudited quarterly results of operations for the two-year period ended December 31, 2014.
			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			104,555		107,514		113,639		124,065		135,754		133,095		164,440		172,729
	Income before taxes and interest from unconsolidated equity investees			28,640		35,884		28,421		20,105		37,751		24,918		44,741		(10,341	)
	Net income			28,503		35,327		29,332		19,638		36,422		23,929		43,830		(13,078	)
	Net income per share:
	Basic			0.36		0.45		0.37		0.25		0.46		0.31		0.56		(0.17	)
	Diluted			0.36		0.45		0.37		0.25		0.46		0.31		0.56		(0.17	)
	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.

Subsequent_events

Subsequent events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent events	-24	Subsequent events
	The Company has evaluated subsequent events through March 3, 2015, the date at which these financial statements were available to be issued. There were no subsequent events that required adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Corporate reorganization and Initial Public Offering		(b)	Corporate reorganization and Initial Public Offering
	On December 11, 2014, the Company engaged in a corporate reorganization whereby it acquired all of the outstanding shares of Avolon S.à r.l. by way of a share-for-share exchange (the “Combination”) whereby the Class A, Class B and Class C shares of Avolon S.à r.l. were exchanged by the existing shareholders for the ordinary shares of Avolon Holdings for an aggregate amount of 81,681,131 of common shares in Avolon Holdings. As the reorganization was deemed to be a transaction under common control, the Company accounted for the reorganization in a manner similar to a pooling of interest, meaning:
		(i)	the assets and liabilities of Avolon S.à r.l. were carried over at their respective carrying values;
		(ii)	the common stock was recorded at the nominal value of the shares issued by the Company;
		(iii)	additional paid-in capital represents the difference between the nominal value of the shares issued by the Company and the temporary equity and shareholders’ equity of Avolon S.à r.l.; and
		(iv)	the accumulated surplus/deficit will represent the aggregate of the accumulated surplus/deficit of Avolon S.à r.l. and the Company.
	On December 12, 2014 the Company completed an initial public offering (IPO) of its common shares, which resulted in the sale of 13,636,363 common shares held by certain of its shareholders at a price of US$20 per common share. The Company received no proceeds from the sale of the common shares by the shareholders. Once the reorganization became effective, all stock options granted under the Management Incentive Plan were exchanged for options exercisable for the common stock of the Company.
Basis of preparation		(c)	Basis of preparation
	The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
	The Company consolidates all companies in which the Company has direct or indirect legal or effective control and all variable interest entities (“VIE”) for which the Company is deemed the primary beneficiary and has control under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810. All intercompany balances and transactions with consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated. The results of consolidated entities are included from the effective date of control or, in the case of variable interest entities, from the date that the Company is or becomes the primary beneficiary. The results of subsidiaries sold or otherwise deconsolidated are excluded from the date that the Company ceases to control the subsidiary or, in the case of variable interest entities, when the Company ceases to be the primary beneficiary.
Accounting standards issued but not yet adopted		(d)	Accounting standards issued but not yet adopted
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The new standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted. The comprehensive new standard will supersede existing revenue recognition guidance and require revenue to be recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Adoption of the new rules could affect the timing of revenue recognition for certain transactions. The guidance permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new standard with restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new standard with disclosure of results under old standards. The new standard will be effective January 1, 2017 and the Company is currently evaluating the effects of adoption on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Variable interest entities		(e)	Variable interest entities
	The Company consolidates VIEs for which it has determined that it is the primary beneficiary. The Company uses judgment when deciding (a) whether an entity is subject to consolidation as a VIE, (b) who the variable interest holders are, (c) the potential expected losses and residual returns of the variable interest holders, and (d) which variable interest holder is the primary beneficiary.
	When determining which enterprise is the primary beneficiary, the Company considers (1) the entity’s purpose and design, (2) which variable interest holder has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (3) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
Functional and presentation currency		(f)	Functional and presentation currency
	The consolidated financial statements are presented in United States Dollars (“US$”), which is the Company’s functional currency and that of each of its subsidiaries. All financial information presented in US$ has been rounded to the nearest thousand, except when otherwise indicated. Zero balances are represented with a “-”. Management believe that US$ most faithfully represents the economic effects of the underlying transactions, events and conditions.
	Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to US$ at exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into US$ at the rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date with differences arising recognized as profit or loss in the consolidated income statement.
Flight equipment		(g)	Flight equipment
	Flight equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Costs incurred in the acquisition of flight equipment are included in the cost of the flight equipment. The Company generally depreciates flight equipment on a straight-line basis over a 25 year life from the date of manufacture to a salvage value initially estimated at 15% of original equipment cost. Initial direct costs incurred as part of the acquisition of flight equipment such as costs associated with identifying, negotiating and delivering aircraft to the Company’s lessees, which are specific to each aircraft, are capitalized at cost. In general, the initial direct costs incurred are external legal fees relating to aircraft deliveries. Salvage values are determined based on estimated values at the end of the useful lives of the flight equipment assets, which are supported by historical data and experience within the industry. Changes in the assumption of useful lives or salvage values for flight equipment could have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. At the time flight equipment are retired or sold, the cost, accumulated depreciation and other related balances are removed from the related accounts and the difference, net of proceeds, is recorded as a gain or loss in the consolidated income statement. We apply ASC 360 which addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment of long lived assets and requires that all long lived assets be evaluated for impairment where circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable.
	Management evaluates recoverability whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Indicators may include, but are not limited to, a significant lease restructuring or early lease termination, decrease in appraiser values, significant air traffic decline, the introduction of newer technology flight equipment or engines, a flight equipment type is no longer in production or a significant airworthiness directive is issued. The Company groups its assets at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. In relation to flight equipment, the impairment assessment is performed on each individual flight equipment.
	Recoverability of a flight equipment’s carrying amount is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the flight equipment to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the flight equipment. The undiscounted cash flows consist of cash flows from currently contracted leases, future projected lease rates and estimated residual or scrap values for each flight equipment. The Company develops assumptions used in the recoverability analysis based on knowledge of active experience in the flight equipment 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 demand for a particular flight equipment type. In the event that carrying value of the flight equipment exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. This becomes its new cost basis and is depreciated over its remaining useful life.
	Where aircraft are purchased from other lessors, the Company separately recognizes on the consolidated balances sheet liabilities assumed for any advanced lease rentals, security deposits and maintenance reserves.
Interest income and interest expense		(i)	Interest income and interest expense
	Interest income comprises interest earned on funds invested.
	Interest expense comprises interest expense on borrowings as well as changes in the fair values of derivative instruments, and amortization of debt issuance costs. It is the Company’s policy to capitalise specific flight equipment acquisition related interest costs and to depreciate these costs in line with the respective flight equipment over its useful life.
Cash and cash equivalents		(j)	Cash and cash equivalents
	The Company considers cash and cash equivalents to be cash on hand and highly liquid investments with maturity dates of 90 days or less.
Restricted cash		(k)	Restricted cash
	Restricted cash comprises cash held by the Company but which is ring-fenced or used as security for specific financing arrangements, and to which the Company does not have unfettered access. All restricted cash is held in cash deposit accounts with major financial institutions in segregated accounts or constitutes short-term overnight AAA- rated money market products predominately issued by the U.S. government.
Accounts receivable		(l)	Accounts receivable
	Accounts receivable represent unpaid lease obligations of lessees under lease contracts, and other receivables. The Company’s trade receivables are secured by security deposits or letters of credit which the Company holds on behalf of customers. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses inherent in its accounts receivable portfolio. In establishing the required allowance, Management considers current market conditions and its customers’ financial condition, the amount of receivables in dispute, and the current receivables aging and current payment patterns. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. Past due balances are reviewed individually for collectability. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.
Derivative financial instruments		(m)	Derivative financial instruments
	The Company enters into derivative contracts to manage its exposure to interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps and caps are used to minimise exposures to interest rate movement on underlying debt obligations of the Company.
	Derivative instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value with gains and losses from changes in fair values being recorded as a component of Interest expense in the consolidated income statements. As of December 31, 2013 and 2014, and for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Company did not apply hedge accounting to any of its derivative instruments.
Capitalized interest	(n)	Capitalized interest
	The Company may borrow funds to finance deposits on new flight equipment purchases. The Company capitalises interest expense on such borrowings at the actual borrowing rate. The capitalized amount allocated to the equity portion of the deposits on flight equipment is calculated based on the weighted average of the rates applicable to all borrowings of the Company and is recorded as an increase to the cost of the flight equipment or on deposits on flight equipment.
Income taxes		(o)	Income taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	The Company recognises the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realised. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.
	The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent the Company believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making such determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies and recent financial operations. The assumptions made in forecasting future income require significant judgment, and if forecasts change or the level of future income differs from the forecasts, this may significantly impact the income tax expense in future periods.
Deferred issuance costs		(p)	Deferred issuance costs
	The Company incurs debt issue costs in connection with debt financings. Those costs are deferred and amortized over the life of the specific financing using the effective interest method and charged to interest expense. If the Company issues debt at a discount or premium, the Company amortizes the amount of discount or premium over the life of the debt using the effective interest method, the discount or premium and is offset against the carrying value of the debt. The Company also incurs costs in connection with equity raisings. Such costs are deferred until the equity raising is completed and either netted against the equity raising or expensed if the equity raising is abandoned.
Assets held for sale		(r)	Assets held for sale
	Flight equipment are classified as held for sale when the Company commits to and commences a plan of sale that is reasonably expected to be completed within one year. Flight equipment held for sale are stated at the lesser of carrying value or fair value less estimated cost to sell.
	Flight equipment held for sale are not depreciated. Subsequent changes to the asset’s fair value, either increases or decreases, are recorded as adjustments to the carrying value of the flight equipment. However, any such adjustment will not exceed the original carrying value of the flight equipment held for sale.
Net gain on disposal of flight equipment		(s)	Net gain on disposal of flight equipment
	Flight equipment sales are recognized when the purchase price is received, at which point legal title is transferred and substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the new owner. Retained lessee obligations, if any, are excluded from the calculation of net gain on disposal of flight equipment at the time of the sale. Retained lease obligations could include maintenance claims received from the lessee which are not processed at the time of disposal. The Company does not retain any lessee obligations following the disposal of flight equipment. Net gain on disposal of flight equipment is calculated as sale proceeds and the release of security deposit liability and accrued maintenance liability, less the sum of (i) depreciated net book value of the aircraft at the time of disposal, (ii) any liabilities assumed on the cost of disposal and (iii) cash deposits held by the Company in respect of any accrued maintenance liability and security deposits transferred on disposal. The portion of the accrued maintenance liability which is not specifically assigned to the buyer is released from the balance sheet and recognized as part of the net gain on disposal of flight equipment.
Share-based compensation		(t)	Share-based compensation
	The Company recognizes compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards using the fair value method. For time-based share awards, the Company recognizes compensation cost ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the expected vesting period or to the retirement eligibility date, if less than the vesting period, when vesting is not contingent upon any future performance. For performance-based share awards, the Company generally recognizes compensation cost ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the expected vesting period based on the probability of the performance condition being achieved. If all or a portion of the performance condition is not expected to be met, the appropriate amount of previously recognized compensation expense will be reversed and future compensation expense adjusted accordingly. For market-based share awards, the Company recognizes compensation cost ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the expected vesting period. If the target market conditions are not expected to be met, compensation expense will still be recognized. In addition, the Company estimates the amount of expected forfeitures based on historical forfeiture experience when calculating compensation cost. If the actual forfeitures that occur are significantly different from the estimate, then estimates are revised accordingly.
Earnings per share		(u)	Earnings per share
	Earnings per share is presented in accordance with ASC 260 which requires the presentation of “basic” earnings per share and “diluted” earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to ordinary shareholders by the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. For the purpose of calculating diluted earnings per share, the denominator includes both the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period and the weighted average of potentially dilutive ordinary shares, such as restricted share units, restricted shares and share options. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock using the treasury stock method.
Use of estimates		(v)	Use of estimates
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. While the Company believes that the estimates and related assumptions used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.
	The most significant estimates are those in relation to the residual value of flight equipment, the impairment of flight equipment, the proportion of supplemental maintenance rent that will not be reimbursed and the valuation allowance recognized against deferred tax assets.
Investments in unconsolidated equity investees		(w)	Investments in unconsolidated equity investees
	Investments in which the Company is deemed to exert significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company’s share of earnings or (losses) from equity method investments is included in the consolidated income statement. The carrying amounts of equity method investments are reflected in “Investment in unconsolidated equity investees” in the consolidated balance sheet.
Employee benefits		(x)	Employee benefits
	Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension plans are recognized as an expense in general and administrative expenses when they are due.
Fair value measurements		(y)	Fair value measurements
	Fair value is defined as 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 utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. The Company determines fair value based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability in the principal or most advantageous market. When considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the following fair value hierarchy distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, which are categorized in one of the following levels:
		•		Level 1 Inputs: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible to the reporting entity at the measurement date.
		•		Level 2 Inputs: Other than quoted prices included in Level 1 inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
		•		Level 3 Inputs: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at measurement date.
	In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value can fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate for any given financial instrument is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized at the beginning of the reporting period.
	Cash and cash equivalents
	The carrying amount approximates to fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
	Derivatives
	Interest rate swaps and caps held by the Company are measured at fair value. Fair value is determined by using contractual cash flows and observable inputs comprising (as applicable) yield curves, foreign currency rates and credit spreads. Fair values reflect the credit risk of the instrument and include adjustments to take account of the credit risk of the Company itself and counterparty as required.
Rental [Member]
Flight equipment		(h)	Rental of flight equipment
	The Company leases flight equipment principally under operating leases and reports rental income ratably over the life of each lease. At lease inception the Company reviews all necessary criteria under ASC 840-10-25 to determine proper lease classification including the criteria set forth in ASC 840-10-25-14. The Company’s lease contracts normally include default covenants, and the effect of a default by a lessee is generally to oblige the lessee to pay damages to the lessor to put the lessor in the position one would have been had the lessee performed under the lease in full. There are no additional payments required which would increase the minimum lease payments under ASC 840-10-25-1.
	Lease agreements for which base rent is based on floating interest rates are included in minimum lease payments based on the floating interest rate existing at the inception of the lease; any increases or decreases in lease payments that result from subsequent changes in the floating interest rate are contingent rentals and are recorded as increases or decreases in lease revenue in the period of the interest rate change.
	Rentals received, but unearned, under the lease agreements are recorded in deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheets until earned. In addition, if collection is not reasonably assured, the Company does not recognise rental income for amounts due under the Company’s lease contracts and recognises revenue for such lessees on a cash basis. In all contracts, the lessee is required to re-deliver the flight equipment in a particular maintenance condition, with reference to major life-limited components of the flight equipment.
	To the extent that such components are redelivered in a condition different to that outlined in the contract, there is normally an end-of-lease compensation adjustment for the difference at re-delivery. Amounts received as part of these re-delivery adjustments are recorded as lease rental income at lease termination.
Maintenance [Member]
Flight equipment		(q)	Flight equipment maintenance
	In all of the Company’s flight equipment leases, the lessees are responsible for maintenance and repairs of the Company’s flight equipment and related expenses during the term of the lease. In many operating lease and capital lease contracts, the lessee has the obligation to make a periodic payment of supplemental maintenance rent which is calculated with reference to the utilization of airframes, engines and other major life-limited components during the lease. The Company records as revenue all maintenance rent receipts not expected to be repaid to lessees. The Company estimates the total amount of maintenance reimbursements for the entire lease and only records revenue after the Company has received enough maintenance rent under a particular lease to cover the estimated total amount of revenue reimbursements. In these leases, upon lessee presentation of invoices evidencing the completion of qualifying maintenance on the flight equipment, the Company makes a payment to the lessee to compensate for the cost of the maintenance, up to the maximum of the supplemental maintenance rental payments made with respect to the lease contract.
	In most lease contracts not requiring the payment of supplemental rents, the lessee is required to re-deliver the flight equipment in a similar maintenance condition (normal wear and tear expected) as when accepted under the lease, with reference to major life-limited components of the flight equipment. To the extent that such components are redelivered in a different condition than at acceptance, there is an end-of-lease compensation adjustment for the difference at redelivery. The Company recognizes receipts of end-of-lease compensation adjustments as lease revenue when received and payments of end-of-lease adjustments as leasing expenses when the Company is obligated to make an end-of-lease payment and can reasonably estimate the amount of such payment.
	In addition, the Company may be obligated to make additional payments to the lessee for maintenance related expenses (lessor maintenance contributions or top-ups) primarily related to usage of major life-limited components occurring prior to entering into the lease.
	The Company capitalises lessor contributions as lease incentives, amounts paid by it to lessees or other parties in connection with the lease transactions. These amounts include the actual maintenance reimbursement the Company pays in excess of overhaul rentals. The Company amortizes the lease incentives as a reduction of lease revenue.
	For all lease contracts, any amounts of accrued maintenance liability existing at the end of a lease are released and recognized as lease revenue at lease termination. When flight equipment is sold, the portion of the accrued maintenance liability which is not specifically assigned to the buyer is released from the balance sheet and recognized as part of the net gain on disposal of flight equipment.

Accounts_receivable_Tables

Accounts receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts Receivable
		2013		2014
	Trade receivables		4,730		9,758
	Other receivables		2,033		1,252
	Total accounts receivable		6,763		11,010

Flight_equipmentaircraft_Table

Flight equipment-aircraft (Tables) (Flight Equipment Aircraft [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Flight Equipment Aircraft [Member]
Summary of Flight Equipment and Related Accumulated Depreciation	Flight equipment and related accumulated depreciation are as follows:
		2013			2014
	Flight equipment—aircraft		4,400,089			6,036,199
	Less accumulated depreciation		(266,904	)		(429,643	)
	Total flight equipment, net		4,133,185			5,606,556

Investments_in_unconsolidated_1

Investments in unconsolidated equity investees (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Summary of Investments	Investments consist of the following at December 31:
		2013			2014
	25% equity investment in unconsolidated equity investee (Avolon Capital Partners Limited)		5,963			16,146
	Share of (losses)/profits, net of tax		(46	)		307
	Investment in unconsolidated equity investees		5,917			16,453

Assets_held_for_sale_Tables

Assets held for sale (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]
Summary of Assets Held for Sale
		2013		2014
	Flight equipment—aircraft		127,227		—
			127,227		—

Deposits_for_flight_equipment_1

Deposits for flight equipment purchases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Summary of Deposits for Flight Equipment Purchases
		2013			2014
	Balance at beginning of year		211,844			206,781
	Increase in purchase deposits		98,852			76,365
	Capitalized interest		7,055			7,430
	Capitalized expenses		2,099			222
	Deposits applied against the purchase of flight equipment		(113,069	)		(91,284	)
	Balance at end of the year		206,781			199,514

Other_assets_Tables

Other assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Assets
		2013		2014
	Deferred lease incentive and premiums, net of amortization		13,688		43,566
	Other property, plant and equipment, net of depreciation of US$0.6m (2013: US$0.4m)		1,040		2,876
	Deposits paid		500		453
	Prepayments		1,872		2,310
	Deferred tax charge		4,325		3,797
			21,425		53,002

Debt_financing_and_capital_lea1

Debt financing and capital lease obligation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt Obligations	The Company’s debt obligations are summarized below:
	Type of Debt	2013			2014			Average Nominal			Undrawn		Maturity
								Interest Rate as of			debt
								December 31, 2014			facilities
	Non-recourse term facilities		1,211,796			797,305			4.38	%		—		2015-2025
	Full recourse term facilities		802,853			1,973,891			3.92	%		547,055		2015-2026
	Securitization		627,985			588,457			4.89	%		—		2020
	ECA and EXIM backed facilities		594,606			725,113			2.5	%		—		2015-2026
	Warehouse facility		121,574			170,863			2.61	%		379,137		2018
	Lines of credit		71,853			198,006			3.05	%		250,000		2015-2017
	Loan interest accrued but not paid		12,082			11,552			N/A			—		N/A
			3,442,749			4,465,187						1,176,192
	Capital lease obligation
	Capital lease		93,651			82,906			4.07	%		—		2015-2021
	Capital lease interest accrued but not paid		392			355			N/A			—		N/A
			94,043			83,261						—
	Balance at December 31		3,536,792			4,548,448						1,176,192
Schedule of Total Loans and Borrowings
	Secured bank loans (repayable by instalment)	2013			2014
	Opening balance at January 1		2,573,104			3,442,749
	Principal advanced		2,208,965			2,368,037
	Discount on securitization		(1,597	)		235
	Accrued and unpaid interest		2,023			(530	)
	Principal repaid		(1,339,746	)		(1,345,304	)
	Closing balance at December 31		3,442,749			4,465,187
	Capital lease obligation (repayable by instalment)	2013			2014
	Opening balance at January 1		231,676			94,043
	Principal advanced		—			—
	Accrued and unpaid interest		(180	)		(37	)
	Principal repaid		(137,453	)		(10,745	)
	Closing balance at December 31		94,043			83,261
	Total loans and borrowings		3,536,792			4,548,448
Schedule of Aggregate Principal and Interest Repayments Due for Debt Financing	The anticipated aggregate principal and interest repayments due for its debt financing for each of the fiscal years subsequent to December 31, 2014, are as follows:
		Principal			Interest			Total
	2015		384,891			166,073			550,964
	2016		569,378			146,445			715,823
	2017		488,687			125,178			613,865
	2018		570,170			107,792			677,962
	2019		442,143			88,926			531,069
	Thereafter		1,999,728			166,329			2,166,057
			4,454,997			800,743			5,255,740
Schedule of Aggregate Principal and Interest Repayments Due for Capital Lease Obligations	The anticipated aggregate principal and interest repayments due for its capital lease obligations for each of the fiscal years subsequent to December 31, 2014, are as follows:
		Principal			Interest			Total
	2015		11,161			3,247			14,408
	2016		11,585			2,787			14,372
	2017		12,029			2,306			14,335
	2018		12,510			1,785			14,295
	2019		12,991			1,263			14,254
	Thereafter		22,630			890			23,520
			82,906			12,278			95,184

Income_taxes_Tables

Income taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Income Before Income Tax	For financial reporting purposes, income before income tax includes the following components:
		2012			2013			2014
	Luxembourg		72,166			35,913			37,058
	Ireland		(15,611	)		(4,556	)		(31,538	)
	Hong Kong		2,665			81,331			90,847
	Other jurisdictions		579			362			703
	Income before income tax—total		59,799			113,050			97,069
Schedule of Expense/(Benefit) for Income Taxes	The expense/(benefit) for income taxes is comprised of:
		2012			2013			2014
	Current tax expense:
	Luxembourg		90			115			106
	Ireland		72			67			110
	Hong Kong		16			7			9
	Other jurisdictions		123			116			211
	Current tax expense—total		301			305			436
	Deferred tax expense:
	Luxembourg		—			—			—
	Ireland		(1,663	)		(106	)		5,841
	Hong Kong		—			—			—
	Other jurisdictions		—			5			(4	)
	Deferred tax (benefit)/ expense—total		(1,663	)		(101	)		5,837
	Total income tax expense		(1,362	)		204			6,273
Reconciliation between Amount of Income Tax Expense Resulted from Applying Statutory Tax Rate and Reported Amount of Income Tax Expense	The reconciliation between the amount of income tax expense that would result from applying the statutory tax rate of 28.3%* (2013: 29.2%; 2012: 28.8%) and the reported amount of income tax expense is as follows:
		2012			2013			2014
	Income before income tax		59,799			113,050			97,069
	Income tax at statutory rate		17,222			33,033			27,471
	Foreign tax rate differential		2,626			(9,572	)		(5,400	)
	Non-deductible expenses		299			281			7,622
	Non-taxable income		(21,620	)		(23,977	)		(25,745	)
	Prior year adjustments		72			(1,773	)		110
	Change in valuation allowance		—			1,827			2,536
	Other		39			385			(321	)
	Total		(1,362	)		204			6,273
Tax Effects of Temporary Differences and Carry-forwards to Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities	The tax effects of temporary differences and carry-forwards that give rise to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2014 are as follows:
		2013			2014
	Deferred tax assets:
	Operating loss carry-forwards		83,331			125,978
	Accrued expenses		—			223
	Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowances		83,331			126,201
	Valuation allowance		(1,827	)		(4,363	)
	Total deferred tax assets		81,504			121,838
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Flight equipment		(73,166	)		(119,001	)
	Deposits on flight equipment		(759	)		(847	)
	Accrued maintenance liabilities		(279	)		—
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(74,204	)		(119,848	)
	Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)		7,300			1,990
Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities Relating to Same Taxable Entity	When deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities relate to the same taxable entity, they are offset and presented as a single amount on the consolidated balance sheet, resulting in the following net balances:
	Deferred tax assets		19,431			18,996
	Deferred tax liabilities		(12,131	)		(17,006	)
	Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)		7,300			1,990

Derivative_financial_instrumen1

Derivative financial instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Gains/(losses) from Changes in Fair Values on Derivatives	Gains/(losses) from changes in fair values on derivatives are recognized in the consolidated income statements as a component of interest expense. These amounts are shown in the table below for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014.
		2013		2014
	Interest Rate Contracts:
	Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivatives		6,390		(12,240	)
	Realized gain/(loss) on derivatives		1,847		265
Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Instruments	The table below shows the notional amounts of the Company’s outstanding derivative instruments and credit risk amounts associated with outstanding or unsettled derivative instruments as of December 31, 2013 and 2014. These amounts are considered indicative of the Company’s derivative transaction volume during each of the respective years presented.
		2013		2014
	Interest Rate Contracts:
	Interest Rate Swaps		27,793		32,629
	Interest Rate Caps		394,108		361,816

Offsetting_disclosure_Tables

Offsetting disclosure (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Text Block [Abstract]

Offsetting of Derivative Instruments

The following tables present information about the offsetting of derivative instruments.

At December 31, 2013

Gross

Amounts

Net

Financial

Net

Amounts

offset in the

Amounts

instruments

Exposure

consolidated

Presented in

not offset in

balance

the

the

sheets

consolidated

consolidated

balance

balance

sheets

sheets

Derivative Assets

26,458

(6,447

)

20,011

—

20,011

Derivative Liabilities

(6,815

)

6,447

(368

)

—

(368

)

At December 31, 2014

Gross

Amounts

Net

Financial

Net

Amounts

offset in the

Amounts

instruments

Exposure

consolidated

Presented in

not offset in

balance

the

the

sheets

consolidated

consolidated

balance

balance

sheets

sheets

Derivative Assets

14,021

(5,884

)

8,137

—

8,137

Derivative Liabilities

(7,284

)

5,884

(1,400

)

—

(1,400

)

Share_capital_Tables

Share capital (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Movement in Ordinary Share Capital Through Initial Public Offering	The movement in ordinary share capital through the date of the Company’s initial public offering was as follows:
	Issued share capital	Class A shares					Class B shares				Class C shares						Common shares
		Number			Amount		Number		Amount		Number			Amount			Number		Amount
					(US$				(US$					(US$					(US$
					000s)				000s)					000s)					000s)
	At December 31, 2011		2,117,647			21		7,432,794		732,946		50,766			1			—		—
	Issued during the year, net of equity raising costs		—			—		3,626,170		381,138		—			—			—		—
	Accretion adjustment		—			559		—		28,766		—			129			—		—
	At December 31, 2012		2,117,647			580		11,058,964		1,142,850		50,766			130			—		—
	Issued during the year, net of equity raising costs		—			—		341,270		34,334		—			—			—		—
	Accretion adjustment		—			1,956		—		104,753		—			451			—		—
	Share cancellation		(1,444,116	)		—		—		—		—			—			—		—
	At December 31, 2013		673,531			2,536		11,400,234		1,281,937		50,766			581			—		—
	Repurchased during the year		—			—		—		—		(27,958	)		(418	)		—		—
	Issued during the year, net of equity costs		—			—		—		—		—			—			10,000		—
	Accretion adjustment		—			1,305		—		69,260		—			232			—		—
	At December 11, 2014		673,531			3,841		11,400,234		1,351,197		22,808			395			10,000		—
	Share split		—			—		—		—		—			—			2,455,528		—
	Share exchange		—			—		—		—		—			—			78,486,853		1,368,131
	Issued during the year, net of equity raising costs		—			—		—		—		—			—			728,750		—
	At December 31, 2014		—			—		—		—		—			—			81,681,131		1,368,131

Sharebased_compensation_Tables

Share-based compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Option Issuances	The following is a summary of option issuances to date under the Incentive Plan:
		Number of			Weighted average
		Options			Exercise Price
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2014		—			NA
	Options issued during the year		728,750			NA
	Options exercised during the year		—			NA
	Options outstanding at December 31, 2014		728,750			NA
Schedule of Assumptions Used to Value Stock Options Granted	The assumptions used to value the stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
	Dividend yield		None
	Expected term		2.4 years
	Risk-free interest rate		0.314	%
	Volatility		29.84	%
Summary of Recognized Share Based Compensation	The following is a summary of the share based compensation recognized during the year ended December 31, 2014:
		December 31,
		2014
	2013 Incentive Plan		2,075
	Equity Incentive Plan 2014		2,348
	Founder share capital		49,310
			53,733

Earnings_per_share_Tables

Earnings per share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Summary of Class A, B and C Shares Converted to Common Stock	The Class A, B and C shares converted to common stock at the following exchange ratios:
	Class	Ratio
	A		0.546086
	B		6.839066
	C		6.66845
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share	The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in US$ thousands, except per-share data):
		2012		2013		2014
	Basic net income per share:
	Numerator:
	Net income and total comprehensive income		61,161		112,800		91,103
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding		66,375,888		78,220,312		78,390,788
	Basic net income per share		0.92		1.44		1.16
	Diluted net income per share:
	Numerator:
	Net income and total comprehensive income		61,161		112,800		91,103
	Denominator:
	Number of shares used in basic calculation		66,375,888		78,220,312		78,390,788
	Plus: weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
	Avolon MIP		31,527		21,018		—
	Equity Incentive Plan 2014		—		—		12,090
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted		66,407,415		78,241,330		78,402,878

Lease_revenue_Tables

Lease revenue (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Summary of Minimum Cash Lease Rentals under Non-Cancellable Operating Leases	At December 31, 2014 the Company had contracted to receive the following minimum cash lease rentals under non-cancellable operating leases:
	2015	615,134
	2016	607,695
	2017	577,970
	2018	523,551
	2019	450,407
	Thereafter	1,439,760
		4,214,517

Interest_income_expense_Tables

Interest income / (expense) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Banking and Thrift, Interest [Abstract]
Summary of Interest Income / (Expense)
		2012			2013			2014
	Interest income on cash and cash equivalents		444			261			281
	Other interest income		751			987			415
	Interest income		1,195			1,248			696
	Interest on borrowing		121,665			142,649			189,733
	Amortization of debt issuance costs		9,457			18,766			24,277
	Less: interest capitalized		(5,797	)		(7,055	)		(7,430	)
	Net interest expense		125,325			154,360			206,580

Segment_information_and_concen1

Segment information and concentration of risk (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Concentration by Geographic Region of Company's Flight Equipment Portfolio Based on Net Book Value	The following table sets forth the concentration by geographic region of the Company’s flight equipment portfolio based on net book value as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
		2012			%			2013			%			2014		%
	Asia Pacific		1,002,582			28	%		1,083,728			26	%		2,243,024		40	%
	Europe, Middle East & Africa		1,514,060			43	%		1,571,747			38	%		1,802,399		32	%
	Americas		1,020,257			29	%		1,477,710			36	%		1,561,133		28	%
			3,536,899			100	%		4,133,185			100	%		5,606,556		100	%
Schedule of Percentage of Lease Revenue Attributable to Individual Countries Representing at Least 10% of Total Lease Revenue	The following table sets forth the percentage of lease revenue attributable to individual countries representing at least 10% of total lease revenue in any year based on each airline’s principal place of business for the years indicated:
		2012			2013			2014
	United States of America		7.83	%		15.09	%		14.03	%
	India		12.35	%		10.08	%		9.59	%
Summary of Distribution of Lease Rental Income by Location	The distribution of lease rental income by location of each airline’s principal place of business is presented below:
		2012			%			2013			%			2014		%
	Asia Pacific		89,074			28			106,111			26			178,679		33
	Europe, Middle East & Africa		145,009			47			166,488			40			186,153		35
	Americas		78,661			25			142,407			34			172,715		32
			312,744			100			415,006			100			537,547		100
Schedule of Maximum Exposure to Credit Risk	The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date was:
		2013			2014
	Cash and cash equivalents		177,924			111,392
	Restricted cash		256,426			195,095
	Other receivables		2,033			1,252
	Trade receivables		4,730			9,758
	Derivative financial assets		20,011			8,137
			461,124			325,634
Schedule of Maximum Exposure to Credit Risk by Geographic Region	The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade and other receivables at the reporting date by geographic region was:
		2013			2014
	Asia Pacific		1,860			6,589
	Europe, Middle East & Africa		4,790			4,421
	Americas		113			—
			6,763			11,010

Commitments_and_contingencies_

Commitments and contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Capital Commitments	Capital commitments amount to US$6.6bn at December 31, 2014 and are as follows:
		2014
	2015		1,560,100
	2016		357,233
	2017		217,443
	2018		572,636
	2019		1,244,606
	Thereafter		2,640,987
	Total		6,593,005
Schedule of Commitments for Minimum Rentals under Non-Cancellable Lease Terms	Commitments for minimum rentals under the non-cancellable lease terms at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
		2014
	2015		703
	2016		703
	2017		892
	2018		892
	2019		892
	Thereafter		15,158
	Total		19,240

Fair_value_measurements_Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Hierarchy	The following table presents our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy.
		As at December 31, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets
	Derivative financial assets		—		20,011		—
	Total Assets		—		20,011		—
	Liabilities
	Derivative financial liabilities		—		368		—
	Total Liabilities		—		368		—
		As at December 31, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Assets
	Derivative financial assets		—		8,137		—
	Total Assets		—		8,137		—
	Liabilities
	Derivative financial liabilities		—		1,400		—
	Total Liabilities		—		1,400		—
Fair Values and Related Carrying Values of Financial Instruments	The fair values and related carrying values of financial instruments that are not required to be remeasured at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets were as follows:
		As at December 31, 2013
		Carrying		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		Value
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		177,924		177,924		—		177,924		—
	Restricted cash		256,426		256,426		—		256,426		—
	Trade and other receivables		6,763		6,763		—		6,763		—
	Total		441,113		441,113		—		441,113		—
	Liabilities
	Debt financing		3,442,749		3,425,282		—		3,425,282		—
	Capital lease obligation		94,043		87,384		—		87,384		—
	Total		3,536,792		3,512,666		—		3,512,666		—
		As at December 31, 2014
		Carrying		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		Value
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		111,392		111,392		—		111,392		—
	Restricted cash		195,095		195,095		—		195,095		—
	Trade and other receivables		11,010		11,010		—		11,010		—
	Total		317,497		317,497		—		317,497		—
	Liabilities
	Debt financing		4,465,187		4,572,515		—		4,572,515		—
	Capital lease obligation		83,261		84,235		—		84,235		—
	Total		4,548,448		4,656,750		—		4,656,750		—

Variable_interest_entities_Tab

Variable interest entities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Carrying Value of Assets	The carrying value of assets as at December 31, 2013 that were not available to VIE entities were as follows:
		Total		Amount		Amount
				Available		Not
				to VIEs		available
						to VIES
	Cash and cash equivalents		177,924		177,382		542
	Restricted cash		256,426		241,098		15,328
	Investment in unconsolidated equity investee		5,917		—		5,917
	Deferred issuance costs		85,050		84,326		724

Related_party_transactions_Tab

Related party transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Related Party Transaction Fees Accrued and Paid to Equity Investors	The Company pays equity sponsoring fees and monitoring fees to its equity investors. The amounts paid and accrued during the year were as follows:
		Balance at			Charged			Paid		Accrued			Balance at
		January 1,			during the			during the					December 31,
		2014			year			year					2014
	Cinven Limited		(75	)		(225	)		300		(63	)		(63	)
	Cinven Limited GBP		—			—			—		—			—
	Cinven Limited EUR		—			(48	)		48		—			—
	CVC Capital Partners		(75	)		(225	)		300		(59	)		(59	)
	CVC Capital Partners UK		—			—			—		—			—
	Oak Hill Capital Partners III, LP		(75	)		(293	)		368		(59	)		(59	)
	GIC		(100	)		(11	)		111		(95	)		(95	)

Quarterly_financial_data_Table

Quarterly financial data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Results of Operations	The following table presents our unaudited quarterly results of operations for the two-year period ended December 31, 2014.
		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		104,555		107,514		113,639		124,065		135,754		133,095		164,440		172,729
	Income before taxes and interest from unconsolidated equity investees		28,640		35,884		28,421		20,105		37,751		24,918		44,741		(10,341	)
	Net income		28,503		35,327		29,332		19,638		36,422		23,929		43,830		(13,078	)
	Net income per share:
	Basic		0.36		0.45		0.37		0.25		0.46		0.31		0.56		(0.17	)
	Diluted		0.36		0.45		0.37		0.25		0.46		0.31		0.56		(0.17	)

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 12, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 12, 2014	Dec. 11, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Aggregate amount common shares		81,681,131				81,681,131
Sale of common shares	13,636,363	81,681,131			13,636,363	10,000
Common shares, par value	$20	$0.00			$20
Proceeds from the sale of the common shares	$0		$34,335,000	$380,091,000
Estimated useful life		25 years
Estimated residual value		15.00%
Cash and cash equivalents maturity period		Cash on hand and highly liquid investments with maturity dates of 90 days or less.
Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Highly liquid investments maturity date		90 days
Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Recognized income tax positions		50.00%

Accounts_receivable_Schedule_o

Accounts receivable - Schedule of Accounts Receivable (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]
Trade receivables	$9,758	$4,730
Other receivables	1,252	2,033
Total accounts receivable	$11,010	$6,763

Accounts_Receivable_Additional

Accounts Receivable - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Trade receivables	$9,758,000	$4,730,000
Provisions for doubtful accounts	0
Lessee Defaults [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Trade receivables	$0

Flight_equipmentaircraft_Summa

Flight equipment-aircraft - Summary of Flight Equipment and Related Accumulated Depreciation (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Flight equipment-aircraft	$6,036,199	$4,400,089
Less accumulated depreciation	-429,643	-266,904
Total flight equipment, net	$5,606,556	$4,133,185	$3,536,899

Flight_equipmentaircraft_Addit

Flight equipment-aircraft - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Aircraft	Aircraft	Aircraft
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of aircraft owned	126
Aircraft, assets held for sale		99
Number of aircraft sold	9	13	4
Number of aircraft suffered loss	0	1
Aircraft's carrying value was fully disposed		$0	$0
Number of additional aircraft purchased	36	26
Carrying value of aircraft held under capital lease	137,600,000	143,400,000
Accumulated depreciation held under capital lease	21,000,000	15,000,000
Depreciation charges	182,437,000	145,615,000	110,957,000
Number of aircraft held for sale	0	1
Obligations under its secured bank loans, carrying value	5,600,000,000	4,100,000,000
Threshold for aircraft	10.00%
Aggregate carrying value of the aircraft	5,606,556,000	4,133,185,000	3,536,899,000
Air Transportation Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of aircraft held under capital lease	2	2
Depreciation charges	5,800,000	5,800,000
Aircraft [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Impairment charge for aircraft

Investments_in_unconsolidated_2

Investments in unconsolidated equity investees - Additional Investments (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's shareholding percentage		25.00%
Share of profits or losses from unconsolidated equity investees	$307	($46)
Avolon Capital Partners Limited [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Company's shareholding percentage	25.00%	25.00%
Share of profits or losses from unconsolidated equity investees	$307	($46)

Investments_in_unconsolidated_3

Investments in unconsolidated equity investees - Summary of Investments (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Share of (losses)/profits, net of tax	$307	($46)
Investment in unconsolidated equity investees	16,453	5,917
Avolon Capital Partners Limited [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
25% equity investment in unconsolidated equity investee	16,146	5,963
Share of (losses)/profits, net of tax	$307	($46)

Investments_in_unconsolidated_4

Investments in unconsolidated equity investees - Summary of Investments (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity investment, percentage		25.00%
Avolon Capital Partners Limited [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity investment, percentage	25.00%	25.00%

Assets_held_for_sale_Summary_o

Assets held for sale - Summary of Assets Held for Sale (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Assets held for sale	$127,227
Aircraft [Member]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Assets held for sale	$127,227

Assets_held_for_sale_Additiona

Assets held for sale - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Assets held for sale classified, aircraft	$127,227
Aircraft [Member]
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale [Line Items]
Assets held for sale classified, aircraft	$127,227

Deposits_for_flight_equipment_2

Deposits for flight equipment purchases - Summary of Deposits for Flight Equipment Purchases (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year	$206,781	$211,844
Increase in purchase deposits	76,365	98,852
Capitalized interest	7,430	7,055	5,797
Capitalized expenses	222	2,099
Deposits applied against the purchase of flight equipment	-91,284	-113,069
Balance at end of the year	$199,514	$206,781	$211,844

Other_assets_Schedule_of_Other

Other assets - Schedule of Other Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred lease incentive and premiums, net of amortization	$43,566	$13,688
Other property, plant and equipment, net of depreciation of US$0.6m (2013: US$0.4m)	2,876	1,040
Deposits paid	453	500
Prepayments	2,310	1,872
Deferred tax charge	3,797	4,325
Total other assets	$53,002	$21,425

Other_assets_Schedule_of_Other1

Other assets - Schedule of Other Assets (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Other property, plant and equipment, Depreciation	$0.60	$0.40

Lease_deposits_liability_Addit

Lease deposits liability - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Aircraft	Aircraft
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]
Lessee security deposits	$82,677,000	$44,943,000
Cash security received	70,200,000	42,500,000
Number of aircraft leased	66	49
Amount received from lessees	12,500,000	2,400,000
Securities held on lease obligations	83,261,000	94,043,000	231,676,000
Letter of Credit [Member]
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held on lease obligations	$145,700,000	$116,700,000

Debt_financing_and_capital_lea2

Debt financing and capital lease obligation - Schedule of Debt Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$4,465,187	$3,442,749	$2,573,104
Capital lease	82,906	93,651
Capital lease interest accrued but not paid	355	392
Capital lease obligation	83,261	94,043	231,676
Capital lease obligations	4,548,448	3,536,792
Undrawn debt facilities	1,176,192
Non-Recourse Term Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	797,305	1,211,796
Average Nominal Interest Rate	4.38%
Full Recourse Term Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	1,973,891	802,853
Average Nominal Interest Rate	3.92%
Undrawn debt facilities	547,055
Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	588,457	627,985
Average Nominal Interest Rate	4.89%
Maturity year	2020
ECA and EXIM Backed Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	725,113	594,606
Average Nominal Interest Rate	2.50%
Warehouse Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	170,863	121,574
Average Nominal Interest Rate	2.61%
Undrawn debt facilities	379,137
Maturity year	2018
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	198,006	71,853
Average Nominal Interest Rate	3.05%
Undrawn debt facilities	250,000
Loan Interest Accrued but not Paid [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$11,552	$12,082
Capital Lease [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Average Nominal Interest Rate	4.07%
Minimum [Member] | Non-Recourse Term Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2015
Minimum [Member] | Full Recourse Term Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2015
Minimum [Member] | ECA and EXIM Backed Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2015
Minimum [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2015
Minimum [Member] | Capital Lease [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2015
Maximum [Member] | Non-Recourse Term Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2025
Maximum [Member] | Full Recourse Term Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2026
Maximum [Member] | ECA and EXIM Backed Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2026
Maximum [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2017
Maximum [Member] | Capital Lease [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year	2021

Debt_financing_and_capital_lea3

Debt financing and capital lease obligation - Schedule of Total Loans and Borrowings (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Secured bank loans, Opening balance	$3,442,749	$2,573,104
Secured bank loans, Principal advanced	2,368,037	2,208,965
Secured bank loans, Discount on securitization	235	-1,597
Secured bank loans, Accrued and unpaid interest	-530	2,023
Secured bank loans, Principal repaid	-1,345,304	-1,339,746
Secured bank loans, Closing balance	4,465,187	3,442,749
Capital lease obligation, Opening balance	94,043	231,676
Capital lease obligation, Principal advanced	0	0
Capital lease obligation, Accrued and unpaid interest	-37	-180
Capital lease obligation, Principal repaid	-10,745	-137,453
Capital lease obligation, Closing balance	83,261	94,043
Total loans and borrowings	$4,548,448	$3,536,792

Debt_financing_and_capital_lea4

Debt financing and capital lease obligation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
	Lenders	Lenders
	Aircraft	Aircraft
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Number of aircraft financed	53	23		53
Interest rates description	The interest rates on the loans are based on fixed rates of between 3.61% and 5.84% and 1, 3 or 6 month LIBOR plus margins ranging from 1.80% to 3.94% on the floating loans.
Number of lenders	19	17
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest Rate percent	1.80%
Interest rates of loans based on fixed rates, maximum	0.0361			0.0361
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest Rate percent	3.94%
Interest rates of loans based on fixed rates, maximum	0.0584			0.0584
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Number of aircraft financed	20	20		20
Fixed Rate Asset Backed Notes, issued			636,200,000
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Fixed Rate Asset Backed Notes, amortization year	2020
Pre Delivery Payment Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Interest rates description	Tranches of the PDP facilities bear interest at floating rates based on 3 month LIBOR plus margins ranging from 2% to 3%.
Number of facilities	2	3
Line of credit, commitment value of facilities	73,000,000	136,500,000		73,000,000
Line of credit current borrowing capacity	73,000,000	72,000,000		73,000,000
Number of aircraft financed	8	11		8
Number of unsecured facilities	3
Line of credit facility aggregate commitments	375,000,000
Line of credit facility aggregate commitments, expiration year	2,017
Pre Delivery Payment Facilities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest Rate percent	2.00%
Pre Delivery Payment Facilities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest Rate percent	3.00%
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Number of aircraft financed	2	2		2
Debt Weighted Average Rate	4.07%			4.07%
Capital lease period	12 years
Class A-1 Notes[Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Fixed Rate Asset Backed Notes, issued			546,000,000
Fixed Rate Asset Backed Notes, coupon rate			4.65%
Class B-1 Notes [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Fixed Rate Asset Backed Notes, issued			90,200,000
Fixed Rate Asset Backed Notes, coupon rate			6.35%
Non Recourse [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Interest rates of loans based on fixed rates, minimum	3.87%
Interest rates of loans based on fixed rates, maximum	5.81%
Interest rates description	The interest rates on the loans are based on fixed rates of between 3.87% and 5.81% and 3 or 6 month LIBOR plus margins ranging from 2.83% to 4.44% on the floating loans.
Non Recourse [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest Rate percent	2.83%
Non Recourse [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest Rate percent	4.44%
Non Recourse [Member] | Commercial Bank [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Number of aircraft financed	31	37		31
Number of commercial banks	12	15		12
ECA and EXIM Backed Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Number of aircraft financed	17	15		17
Interest rates of loans based on fixed rates, minimum				2.40%
Interest rates of loans based on fixed rates, maximum				3.27%
Interest rates description	The subject loan is amortised quarterly over the period of 12 years from drawdown with interest accruing at fixed rates between 2.40% and 3.27% and on a floating rate loan 3 month LIBOR plus a margin of 0.43%.
Interest accruing at fixed rates	0.43%			0.43%
Warehouse Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Number of aircraft financed	4	4		4
Interest rates description	As of December 31, 2014, the Warehouse Facility accrues interest at 1 month LIBOR plus 2.45% on drawn balances and 0.7% on undrawn balances.
Debt instrument interest Rate percent	245.00%
Line of credit current borrowing capacity	365,000,000			365,000,000
Line of credit, borrowing capacity	400,000,000			400,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage on undrawn balances	70.00%
Warehouse Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt instrument term	5 months
Warehouse Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt instrument term	23 months
Warehouse Facility [Member] | May 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity	428,500,000			428,500,000
Warehouse Facility [Member] | June 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity	472,500,000			472,500,000
Warehouse Facility [Member] | September 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Line of credit, borrowing capacity	550,000,000			550,000,000

Debt_financing_and_capital_lea5

Debt financing and capital lease obligation - Schedule of Aggregate Principal and Interest Repayments Due for Debt Financing (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Long term debt	$4,465,187	$3,442,749	$2,573,104
Principal [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
2015	384,891
2016	569,378
2017	488,687
2018	570,170
2019	442,143
Thereafter	1,999,728
Long term debt	4,454,997
Interest [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
2015	166,073
2016	146,445
2017	125,178
2018	107,792
2019	88,926
Thereafter	166,329
Long term debt	800,743
Total [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
2015	550,964
2016	715,823
2017	613,865
2018	677,962
2019	531,069
Thereafter	2,166,057
Long term debt	$5,255,740

Debt_financing_and_capital_lea6

Debt financing and capital lease obligation - Schedule of Aggregate Principal and Interest Repayments Due for Capital Lease Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Capital lease obligations	$4,548,448	$3,536,792
Principal [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
2015	11,161
2016	11,585
2017	12,029
2018	12,510
2019	12,991
Thereafter	22,630
Capital lease obligations	82,906
Interest [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
2015	3,247
2016	2,787
2017	2,306
2018	1,785
2019	1,263
Thereafter	890
Capital lease obligations	12,278
Total [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
2015	14,408
2016	14,372
2017	14,335
2018	14,295
2019	14,254
Thereafter	23,520
Capital lease obligations	$95,184

Income_taxes_Additional_Inform

Income taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 11, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Statutory rate of tax	28.30%	29.20%	28.80%
Deferred tax assets	$121,838,000	$81,504,000		121,838,000
Net operating loss (NOLs) carry forwards	125,978,000	83,331,000		125,978,000
Unremitted earnings	1,500,000	900,000
Ireland [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Statutory rate of tax	12.50%
Ireland [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Statutory rate of tax				12.50%
Luxembourg [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Statutory rate of tax	29.20%	29.20%	28.80%
Luxembourg [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Statutory rate of tax					29.20%
Irish [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	121,900,000			121,900,000
Deferred tax assets dependent upon future book income	19,000,000			19,000,000
Future book income	152,000,000			152,000,000
Net operating loss (NOLs) carry forwards	$1,008,000,000	$666,700,000		1,008,000,000

Income_taxes_Components_of_Inc

Income taxes - Components of Income Before Income Tax (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, 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
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Income before income tax and interest in earnings/(loss) from unconsolidated equity investees	($10,341)	$44,741	$24,918	$37,751	$20,105	$28,421	$35,884	$28,640	$97,069	$113,050	$59,799
Luxembourg [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Income before income tax and interest in earnings/(loss) from unconsolidated equity investees									37,058	35,913	72,166
Ireland [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Income before income tax and interest in earnings/(loss) from unconsolidated equity investees									-31,538	-4,556	-15,611
Hong Kong [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Income before income tax and interest in earnings/(loss) from unconsolidated equity investees									90,847	81,331	2,665
Other Jurisdictions [Member]
Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]
Income before income tax and interest in earnings/(loss) from unconsolidated equity investees									$703	$362	$579

Income_taxes_Schedule_of_Expen

Income taxes - Schedule of Expense/(Benefit) for Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current tax expense:
Current tax expense-total	$436	$305	$301
Deferred tax expense:
Deferred tax (benefit)/ expense-total	5,837	-101	-1,663
Total	6,273	204	-1,362
Luxembourg [Member]
Current tax expense:
Current tax expense-total	106	115	90
Ireland [Member]
Current tax expense:
Current tax expense-total	110	67	72
Deferred tax expense:
Deferred tax (benefit)/ expense-total	5,841	-106	-1,663
Hong Kong [Member]
Current tax expense:
Current tax expense-total	9	7	16
Other Jurisdictions [Member]
Current tax expense:
Current tax expense-total	211	116	123
Deferred tax expense:
Deferred tax (benefit)/ expense-total	($4)	$5

Income_taxes_Reconciliation_be

Income taxes - Reconciliation between Amount of Income Tax Expense Resulted from Applying Statutory Tax Rate and Reported Amount of Income Tax Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, 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
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income before income tax	($10,341)	$44,741	$24,918	$37,751	$20,105	$28,421	$35,884	$28,640	$97,069	$113,050	$59,799
Income tax at statutory rate									27,471	33,033	17,222
Foreign tax rate differential									-5,400	-9,572	2,626
Non-deductible expenses									7,622	281	299
Non-taxable income									-25,745	-23,977	-21,620
Prior year adjustments									110	-1,773	72
Change in valuation allowance									2,536	1,827
Other									-321	385	39
Total									$6,273	$204	($1,362)

Income_taxes_Tax_Effects_of_Te

Income taxes - Tax Effects of Temporary Differences and Carry-forwards to Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:
Operating loss carry-forwards	$125,978	$83,331
Accrued expenses	223
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowances	126,201	83,331
Valuation allowance	-4,363	-1,827
Total deferred tax assets	121,838	81,504
Deferred tax liabilities:
Flight equipment	-119,001	-73,166
Deposits on flight equipment	-847	-759
Accrued maintenance liabilities		-279
Total deferred tax liabilities	-119,848	-74,204
Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)	$1,990	$7,300

Income_taxes_Deferred_Tax_Asse

Income taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities Relating to Same Taxable Entity (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Deferred tax assets	$18,996	$19,431
Deferred tax liabilities	-17,006	-12,131
Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)	$1,990	$7,300

Derivative_financial_instrumen2

Derivative financial instruments - Gains/(losses) from Changes in Fair Values on Derivatives (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivatives	($12,240)	$6,390	($2,199)
Interest Rate Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Unrealized gain/(loss) on derivatives	-12,240	6,390
Realized gain/(loss) on derivatives	$265	$1,847

Derivative_financial_instrumen3

Derivative financial instruments - Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative instrument notional amount	$32,629	$27,793
Interest Rate Caps [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative instrument notional amount	$361,816	$394,108

Offsetting_disclosure_Offsetti

Offsetting disclosure - Offsetting of Derivative Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Gross Amounts, Derivative Assets	$14,021	$26,458
Amounts offset in the consolidated balance sheets, Derivative Assets	-5,884	-6,447
Net Amounts Presented in the consolidated balance sheets, Derivative Assets	8,137	20,011
Financial instruments not offset in the consolidated balance sheets, Derivative Assets	0	0
Net Exposure, Derivative Assets	8,137	20,011
Gross Amounts, Derivative Liabilities	-7,284	-6,815
Amounts offset in the consolidated balance sheets, Derivative Liabilities	5,884	6,447
Net Amounts Presented in the consolidated balance sheets, Derivative Liabilities	-1,400	-368
Financial instruments not offset in the consolidated balance sheets, Derivative Liabilities	0	0
Net Exposure, Derivative Liabilities	($1,400)	($368)

Share_capital_Additional_Infor

Share capital - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 11, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 12, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common shares, shares authorized		750,000,000	750,000,000
Common shares, par value		$0.00	$0.00	$20
Preference shares, shares authorized		250,000,000	250,000,000
Preferred stock, par value		$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares issued	10,000	81,681,131	81,681,131	13,636,363
Common share voting description			Each common share is entitled to one vote on all matters upon which the common shares are entitled to vote, including the election of directors. Voting at any meetings of shareholders is by a poll.
Share split, description			246.5528-for-1
Share split, ratio	246.5528
Outstanding common shares pursuant to corporate reorganization	10,000	2,455,528
Number of common stock issued upon conversion		78,486,853	78,486,853
Percentage of legal reserve to net annual profit			5.00%
Maximum [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Percentage of legal reserve to share capital			10.00%
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued	673,531				673,531	2,117,647	2,117,647
Common Stock, shares issued					673,531
Common Stock, par value					$0.01
Class A Common Stock [Member] | Avolon S.a.r.l. [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, shares issued		673,531	673,531
Common Stock, par value		$0.01	$0.01
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued	11,400,234				11,400,234	11,058,964	7,432,794
Common Stock, shares issued					11,400,234
Common Stock, par value					$0.01
Class B Common Stock [Member] | Avolon S.a.r.l. [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, shares issued		1,400,234	1,400,234
Common Stock, par value		$0.01	$0.01
Class C Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued	22,808				50,766	50,766	50,766
Common Stock, shares issued					50,766
Common Stock, par value					$0.01
Class C Common Stock [Member] | Avolon S.a.r.l. [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, shares issued		22,808	22,808
Common Stock, par value		$0.01	$0.01

Share_capital_Schedule_of_Move

Share capital - Schedule of Movement in Ordinary Share Capital Through Initial Public Offering (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 11, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 11, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share split	10,000	2,455,528
Beginning balance, Shares	10,000	10,000
Share exchange, Value		$1,368,131,000
Share exchange, Shares		78,486,853		78,486,853
Issued during the year, net of equity costs, Shares		728,750	10,000
Share cancellation,Value					0
Ending balance		1,368,131,000		1,368,131,000
Ending balance, Shares	10,000	81,681,131	10,000	81,681,131
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Beginning balance			2,536,000	2,536,000	580,000	21,000
Beginning balance, Shares			673,531	673,531	2,117,647	2,117,647
Accretion adjustment			1,305,000		1,956,000	559,000
Share cancellation,Value					0
Share cancellation, Shares					-1,444,116
Ending balance	3,841,000		3,841,000		2,536,000	580,000
Ending balance, Shares	673,531		673,531		673,531	2,117,647
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Beginning balance			1,281,937,000	1,281,937,000	1,142,850,000	732,946,000
Beginning balance, Shares			11,400,234	11,400,234	11,058,964	7,432,794
Issued during the year, net of equity costs, Value					34,334,000	381,138,000
Issued during the year, net of equity costs, Shares					341,270	3,626,170
Accretion adjustment			69,260,000		104,753,000	28,766,000
Share cancellation,Value					0
Ending balance	1,351,197,000		1,351,197,000		1,281,937,000	1,142,850,000
Ending balance, Shares	11,400,234		11,400,234		11,400,234	11,058,964
Class C Common Stock [Member]
Beginning balance			581,000	581,000	130,000	1,000
Repurchased during the year, Value			-418,000
Beginning balance, Shares			50,766	50,766	50,766	50,766
Repurchased during the year, Shares			-27,958
Accretion adjustment			232,000		451,000	129,000
Share cancellation,Value					0
Ending balance	395,000		395,000		$581,000	$130,000
Ending balance, Shares	22,808		22,808		50,766	50,766

Sharebased_compensation_Additi

Share-based compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 11, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 11, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 20, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Date of incorporation				5-Jun-14
Shares issued		728,750	10,000
Share split, description				246.5528-for-1
Share split, ratio	246.5528
Recognized share based compensation				$53,733,000
Equity Incentive Plan 2014 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized share based compensation				2,348,000
Share options granted		693,325		728,750
Term of share awards				7 years
Share-based compensation awards vesting period				3 years
Share-based compensation awards vesting description				45% will vest in equal instalments on December 31 of each year for a three year period beginning in 2014 and 55% will be subject to performance-based vesting requirements over stated periods.
Unrecognized compensation costs		7,900,000		7,900,000
Weighted average period of unrecognized cost expected to be recognized				2 years
Share options vested				103,999
Share options outstanding		589,326		589,326
Weighted average grant date fair value of share option		20		$20
Options exercised				0
Exercise price of share options		0		$0		$0
Equity Incentive Plan 2014 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of equity awards available to be granted		2,350,399		2,350,399
Equity Incentive Plan 2014 [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted share units granted		31,675
Restricted share units vested				8,501
Restricted share units outstanding		26,924		26,924
Weighted average grant date fair value of restricted share unit		20		$20
Equity Incentive Plan 2014 [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation awards vesting percentage				45.00%
Equity Incentive Plan 2014 [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation awards vesting percentage				55.00%
Avolon MIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation awards vesting description				The Class A shares subscribed for by management are subject to certain vesting/forfeiture provisions under the Avolon MIP. Specifically 2/14th of the Class Shares are subject to vesting/forfeiture in 5 equal instalments on 31 December each year, commencing 31 December 2010. The remaining 12/14th vested/forfeited upon the occurrence of an Exit (defined as a qualifying IPO or a trade sale).
Shares subject to vesting/forfeiture in 5 equal instalments				0.142857143
Number of equal instalments shares were subject to vesting/forfeiture		5		5
Remaining shares vested/forfeited upon the occurrence of an Exit				0.857142857
Grant date fair value of shares issued
2013 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized share based compensation				2,075,000
Term of share awards					7 years
Grant date fair value of shares issued					$4.14
Exercise price of share options					$0.01
Income tax benefits related to the compensation costs recognized				0
Class A Common Stock [Member] | Avolon MIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized share based compensation				0
Grant date fair value of shares issued
Class A Common Stock [Member] | 2013 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized					79,133
Independent Directors [Member] | Equity Incentive Plan 2014 [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted share units granted				3,750
Key Management Employees [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member] | Avolon MIP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued				673,531
Founder Share Capital [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share split, description				246.5528-for-1
Share split, ratio				246.5528
Recognized share based compensation				$49,310,000
Founder Share Capital [Member] | Initial Public Offering [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued				10,000
IPO price per share		20		$20

Sharebased_compensation_Summar

Share-based compensation - Summary of Option Issuances (Detail) (Equity Incentive Plan 2014 [Member], USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Incentive Plan 2014 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options issued during the year, Number of Options	693,325	728,750
Options exercised during the year, Number of Options		0
Options outstanding, Number of Options, Ending Balance	728,750	728,750
Options outstanding, Weighted average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance		$0
Options issued during the year, Weighted average Exercise Price		$0
Options exercised during the year, Weighted average Exercise Price		$0
Options outstanding, , Weighted average Exercise Price, Ending Balance	$0	$0

Sharebased_compensation_Schedu

Share-based compensation - Schedule of Assumptions Used to Value Stock Options Granted (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Dividend yield	0.00%
Expected term	2 years 4 months 24 days
Risk-free interest rate	0.31%
Volatility	29.84%

Sharebased_compensation_Summar1

Share-based compensation - Summary of Recognized Share Based Compensation (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized share based compensation	$53,733,000
Founder Share Capital [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized share based compensation	49,310,000
2013 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized share based compensation	2,075,000
Equity Incentive Plan 2014 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognized share based compensation	$2,348,000

Earnings_per_share_Additional_

Earnings per share - Additional Information (Detail)	Dec. 11, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Number of common stock upon conversion of Class A, B and C shares	78,486,853

Earnings_per_share_Summary_of_

Earnings per share - Summary of Class A, B and C Shares Converted to Common Stock (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Shares converted to common stock exchange ratios	0.546086
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Shares converted to common stock exchange ratios	6.839066
Class C Common Stock [Member]
Conversion of Stock [Line Items]
Shares converted to common stock exchange ratios	6.66845

Earnings_per_share_Calculation

Earnings per share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (Detail) (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
Basic net income per share:
Net income and total comprehensive income									$91,103	$112,800	$61,161
Weighted-average common shares outstanding									78,390,788	78,220,312	66,375,888
Basic net income per share	($0.17)	$0.56	$0.31	$0.46	$0.25	$0.37	$0.45	$0.36	$1.16	$1.44	$0.92
Diluted net income per share
Net income and total comprehensive income									$91,103	$112,800	$61,161
Number of shares used in basic calculation									78,390,788	78,220,312	66,375,888
Plus: weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted									78,402,878	78,241,330	66,407,415
Avolon MIP [Member]
Plus: weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities										21,018,000	31,527,000
Equity Incentive Plan 2014 [Member]
Plus: weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities									12,090

Lease_revenue_Summary_Minimum_

Lease revenue - Summary Minimum Cash Lease Rentals under Non-Cancellable Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Leases [Abstract]
Minimum cash lease rentals under non-cancellable operating leases, 2015	$615,134
Minimum cash lease rentals under non-cancellable operating leases, 2016	607,695
Minimum cash lease rentals under non-cancellable operating leases, 2017	577,970
Minimum cash lease rentals under non-cancellable operating leases, 2018	523,551
Minimum cash lease rentals under non-cancellable operating leases, 2019	450,407
Minimum cash lease rentals under non-cancellable operating leases, Thereafter	1,439,760
Minimum cash lease rentals under non-cancellable operating leases, Total	$4,214,517

Lease_revenue_Additional_Infor

Lease revenue - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Leases [Abstract]
Supplemental maintenance rent	$16.40	$6.10	$6.90

Interest_income_expense_Summar

Interest income / (expense) - Summary of Interest Income / (Expense) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Banking and Thrift, Interest [Abstract]
Interest income on cash and cash equivalents	$281	$261	$444
Other interest income	415	987	751
Interest income	696	1,248	1,195
Interest on borrowing	189,733	142,649	121,665
Amortization of debt issuance costs	24,277	18,766	9,457
Less: interest capitalized	-7,430	-7,055	-5,797
Net interest expense	$206,580	$154,360	$125,325

Segment_information_and_concen2

Segment information and concentration of risk - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of operating segment	1
Lease revenue, description	No customer accounted for more than 10% of lease revenues
Number of major customers for lease rental income	5
Customer accounted for lease revenues	0
Lease Revenue [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Net Assets, Geographic Area [Member] | United States of America [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	10.57%	15.32%
Net Assets, Geographic Area [Member] | Indonesia [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	14.86%
Total Revenues [Member] | Lease Revenue [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	32.00%	40.00%	36.00%

Segment_information_and_concen3

Segment information and concentration of risk - Schedule of Concentration by Geographic Region of Company's Flight Equipment Portfolio Based on Net Book Value (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Flight equipment, net	5,606,556	4,133,185	3,536,899
Asia Pacific [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Flight equipment, net	2,243,024	1,083,728	1,002,582
Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Flight equipment, net	1,802,399	1,571,747	1,514,060
Americas [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Flight equipment, net	1,561,133	1,477,710	1,020,257
Geographic Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Asia Pacific [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	40.00%	26.00%	28.00%
Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	32.00%	38.00%	43.00%
Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Americas [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	28.00%	36.00%	29.00%

Segment_information_and_concen4

Segment information and concentration of risk - Schedule of Percentage of Lease Revenue Attributable to Individual Countries Representing at Least 10% of Total Lease Revenue (Detail) (Geographic Concentration Risk [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of lease rental revenue	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
United States of America [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of lease rental revenue	14.03%	15.09%	7.83%
India [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of lease rental revenue	9.59%	10.08%	12.35%

Segment_information_and_concen5

Segment information and concentration of risk - Summary of Distribution of Lease Rental Income by Location (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Lease rental income	$537,547	$415,006	$312,744
Lease rental income, percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Asia Pacific [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Lease rental income	178,679	106,111	89,074
Lease rental income, percentage	33.00%	26.00%	28.00%
Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Lease rental income	186,153	166,488	145,009
Lease rental income, percentage	35.00%	40.00%	47.00%
Americas [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Lease rental income	$172,715	$142,407	$78,661
Lease rental income, percentage	32.00%	34.00%	25.00%

Segment_information_and_concen6

Segment information and concentration of risk - Schedule of Maximum Exposure to Credit Risk (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$111,392,000	$177,924,000	$53,844,000	$105,116,000
Restricted cash	195,095,000	256,426,000
Other receivables	1,252,000	2,033,000
Trade receivables	9,758,000	4,730,000
Derivative financial assets	8,137,000	20,011,000
Exposure to Credit Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	111,392,000	177,924,000
Restricted cash	195,095,000	256,426,000
Other receivables	1,252,000	2,033,000
Trade receivables	9,758,000	4,730,000
Derivative financial assets	8,137,000	20,011,000
Financial assets	$325,634,000	$461,124,000

Segment_information_and_concen7

Segment information and concentration of risk - Schedule of Maximum Exposure to Credit Risk by Geographic Region (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Trade and other receivables	$9,758,000	$4,730,000
Geographic Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Trade and other receivables	11,010,000	6,763,000
Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Asia Pacific [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Trade and other receivables	6,589,000	1,860,000
Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Trade and other receivables	4,421,000	4,790,000
Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] | Americas [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Trade and other receivables		$113,000

Commitments_and_contingencies_1

Commitments and contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Capital commitments	$6,593,005,000
Office lease rental expense	700,000	500,000	500,000
Debt instrument, undrawn facility	1,176,000,000	823,000,000
Unsecured debt facility	250,000,000
Contingent liability	0
2015 through 2021 [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Commitment to purchase aircrafts	98
Aircraft under Non-Binding Letters of Intent [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Commitment to purchase aircrafts	17
Capital commitments	700,000,000
Minimum [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate on undrawn amount	0.50%
Maximum [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate on undrawn amount	1.00%
Secured Debt [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Limited recourse loans	4,600,000,000	3,500,000,000
Average nominal interest rate	3.80%
Maximum borrowing capacity	$926,000,000
Secured debt availability period, description	Availability period is between 2015 to 2017

Commitments_and_contingencies_2

Commitments and contingencies - Schedule of Capital Commitments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Total	$6,593,005
Flight Equipment Purchase Commitments [Member]
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
2015	1,560,100
2016	357,233
2017	217,443
2018	572,636
2019	1,244,606
Thereafter	2,640,987
Total	$6,593,005

Commitments_and_contingencies_3

Commitments and contingencies - Schedule of Commitments for Minimum Rentals under Non-Cancellable Lease Terms (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$703
2016	703
2017	892
2018	892
2019	892
Thereafter	15,158
Total	$19,240

Fair_value_measurements_Assets

Fair value measurements - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Hierarchy (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Derivative financial assets	$8,137	$20,011
Liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities	1,400	368
Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Derivative financial assets	8,137	20,011
Total Assets	8,137	20,011
Liabilities
Derivative financial liabilities	1,400	368
Total Liabilities	$1,400	$368

Fair_value_measurements_Fair_V

Fair value measurements - Fair Values and Related Carrying Values of Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$111,392	$177,924	$53,844	$105,116
Restricted cash	195,095	256,426
Trade and other receivables	11,010	6,763
Total Assets including US$5,047,967 as of December 31, 2013 and US$6,326,107 as of December 31, 2014, representing collateral of VIE entities)	6,326,107	5,070,478
Liabilities
Debt financing	4,465,187	3,442,749	2,573,104
Capital lease obligation	83,261	94,043	231,676
Total	4,893,110	3,776,727
Level 2 [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	111,392	177,924
Restricted cash	195,095	256,426
Trade and other receivables	11,010	6,763
Total Assets including US$5,047,967 as of December 31, 2013 and US$6,326,107 as of December 31, 2014, representing collateral of VIE entities)	317,497	441,113
Liabilities
Debt financing	4,572,515	3,425,282
Capital lease obligation	84,235	87,384
Total	4,656,750	3,512,666
Carrying Value [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	111,392	177,924
Restricted cash	195,095	256,426
Trade and other receivables	11,010	6,763
Total Assets including US$5,047,967 as of December 31, 2013 and US$6,326,107 as of December 31, 2014, representing collateral of VIE entities)	317,497	441,113
Liabilities
Debt financing	4,465,187	3,442,749
Capital lease obligation	83,261	94,043
Total	4,548,448	3,536,792
Fair Value [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	111,392	177,924
Restricted cash	195,095	256,426
Trade and other receivables	11,010	6,763
Total Assets including US$5,047,967 as of December 31, 2013 and US$6,326,107 as of December 31, 2014, representing collateral of VIE entities)	317,497	441,113
Liabilities
Debt financing	4,572,515	3,425,282
Capital lease obligation	84,235	87,384
Total	$4,656,750	$3,512,666

Variable_interest_entities_Car

Variable interest entities - Carrying Value of Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$111,392	$177,924	$53,844	$105,116
Restricted cash	195,095	256,426
Investment in unconsolidated equity investee	16,453	5,917
Deferred issuance costs	105,952	85,050
Amount Available to Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		177,382
Restricted cash		241,098
Deferred issuance costs		84,326
Amount Available Not to Variable Interest Entities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents		542
Restricted cash		15,328
Investment in unconsolidated equity investee		5,917
Deferred issuance costs		$724

Variable_interest_entities_Add

Variable interest entities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
Variable Interests And Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Abstract]
Maximum exposure to losses in consolidated VIEs	$1.60	$1.50

Related_party_transaction_Sche

Related party transaction - Schedule of Related Party Transaction Fees Accrued and Paid to Equity Investors (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Cinven Limited [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Balance at January 1, 2014	($75)
Charged during the year	-225
Paid during the year	300
Accrued	-63
Balance at December 31, 2014	-63
Cinven Limited EUR [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Charged during the year	-48
Paid during the year	48
CVC Capital Partners [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Balance at January 1, 2014	-75
Charged during the year	-225
Paid during the year	300
Accrued	-59
Balance at December 31, 2014	-59
Oak Hill Capital Partners III, LP [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Balance at January 1, 2014	-75
Charged during the year	-293
Paid during the year	368
Accrued	-59
Balance at December 31, 2014	-59
GIC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Balance at January 1, 2014	-100
Charged during the year	-11
Paid during the year	111
Accrued	-95
Balance at December 31, 2014	($95)

Related_party_transaction_Addi

Related party transaction - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
	Dec. 11, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2014
		Aircraft	Aircraft
Class C Common Stock [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Repurchase of shares from related parties	27,958
OH Aircraft Acquisitions, LLC. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party		$556,000	$1,300,000	$700,000
Number of aircraft for service management		4	5
Avolon Capital Partners Limited [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from related party		1,430,000	70,000
Number of aircraft for service management		7	2
Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
One-time discretionary bonus payment		2,600,000
Aggregate outstanding loan amount			10,300,000
Weighted average interest rate on loans			9.50%
Interest income recognized		400,000	1,000,000
Payment to Back-to-back loan facility					9,400,000
Back-to-Back Facility termination date		6/5/14
Chief Executive Officer [Member] | Class C Common Stock [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Repurchase of shares from related parties						27,958
Purchase price per share						$200
Aggregate purchase price of shares						$5,600,000
Fair value valuation techniques		The Company utilised a range of different valuation methodologies assuming an Exit transaction at various dates throughout the following 18 months.
Expected stock price volatility						24.75%
Risk free interest rate						0.07%
Expected term, Valuation techniques						3 months 29 days
Dividend yield rate						0.00%

Quarterly_financial_data_Sched

Quarterly financial data - Schedule of Quarterly Results of Operations (Detail) (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 Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Revenues	$172,729	$164,440	$133,095	$135,754	$124,065	$113,639	$107,514	$104,555	$606,018	$449,773	$325,897
Income before taxes and interest from unconsolidated equity investees	-10,341	44,741	24,918	37,751	20,105	28,421	35,884	28,640	97,069	113,050	59,799
Net income	($13,078)	$43,830	$23,929	$36,422	$19,638	$29,332	$35,327	$28,503	$91,103	$112,800	$61,161
Net income per share:
Basic	($0.17)	$0.56	$0.31	$0.46	$0.25	$0.37	$0.45	$0.36	$1.16	$1.44	$0.92
Diluted	($0.17)	$0.56	$0.31	$0.46	$0.25	$0.37	$0.45	$0.36	$1.16	$1.44	$0.92