SkyWest (SKYW) 10-Q8 Aug 142014 Q2 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Jun. 30, 2014	Aug. 01, 2014
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SKYWEST INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000793733	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	51,126,819
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$69,791	$170,636
Marketable securities	384,944	487,239
Restricted cash	12,220	12,219
Income tax receivable	1,004	840
Receivables, net	118,584	111,186
Inventories, net	145,667	138,094
Prepaid aircraft rents	408,781	360,781
Deferred tax assets	155,849	156,050
Other current assets	18,880	27,392
Total current assets	1,315,720	1,464,437
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:	'	'
Aircraft and rotable spares	4,346,323	4,080,886
Deposits on aircraft	40,000	40,000
Buildings and ground equipment	288,038	279,965
Total property and equipment, gross	4,674,361	4,400,851
Less-accumulated depreciation and amortization	-1,835,386	-1,749,058
Total property and equipment, net	2,838,975	2,651,793
OTHER ASSETS	'	'
Intangible assets, net	13,873	14,998
Other assets	111,273	101,991
Total other assets	125,146	116,989
Total assets	4,279,841	4,233,219
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	192,415	177,389
Accounts payable	260,441	245,518
Accrued salaries, wages and benefits	131,620	133,002
Accrued aircraft rents	2,261	7,492
Taxes other than income taxes	18,059	19,626
Other current liabilities	41,030	37,437
Total current liabilities	645,826	620,464
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	73,609	76,305
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities	1,377,306	1,293,179
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES PAYABLE	717,727	727,358
DEFERRED AIRCRAFT CREDITS	77,082	80,974
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'
Preferred stock, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	'	'
Common stock, no par value, 120,000,000 shares authorized; 77,728,758 and 77,325,702 shares issued, respectively	621,956	618,511
Retained earnings	1,156,074	1,197,819
Treasury stock, at cost, 26,765,386 and 26,095,636 shares, respectively	-391,364	-382,950
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,625	1,559
Total stockholders' equity	1,388,291	1,434,939
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$4,279,841	$4,233,219

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	120,000,000	120,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	77,728,758	77,325,702
Treasury stock, at cost, shares	26,765,386	26,095,636

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
OPERATING REVENUES:	'	'	'	'
Passenger	$800,548	$826,122	$1,556,187	$1,611,993
Ground handling and other	16,026	13,008	32,773	30,624
Total operating revenues	816,574	839,130	1,588,960	1,642,617
OPERATING EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Salaries, wages and benefits	310,844	300,342	628,486	597,738
Aircraft maintenance, materials and repairs	171,722	171,528	349,984	338,684
Aircraft rentals	79,449	81,814	159,783	164,402
Depreciation and amortization	64,252	61,174	126,567	122,174
Aircraft fuel	58,018	46,802	105,243	96,483
Station rentals and landing fees	12,244	36,998	24,438	71,086
Ground handling services	32,314	33,117	69,332	67,694
Special charges (see Note J)	4,713	'	4,713	'
Other operating expenses	69,774	56,800	134,944	118,238
Total operating expenses	803,330	788,575	1,603,490	1,576,499
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	13,244	50,555	-14,530	66,118
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):	'	'	'	'
Interest income	511	870	1,060	2,597
Interest expense	-16,138	-17,526	-31,814	-35,491
Other, net	-2,618	-187	-2,891	5,852
Total other expense, net	-18,245	-16,843	-33,645	-27,042
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	-5,001	33,712	-48,175	39,076
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES	9,736	12,992	-10,551	15,121
NET INCOME (LOSS)	-14,737	20,720	-37,624	23,955
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	($0.29)	$0.40	($0.73)	$0.46
DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (in dollars per share)	($0.29)	$0.39	($0.73)	$0.46
Weighted average common shares:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	51,183	51,881	51,310	51,822
Diluted (in shares)	51,183	52,547	51,310	52,522
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.04	$0.04	$0.08	$0.08
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):	'	'	'	'
Net income (Loss)	-14,737	20,720	-37,624	23,955
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on marketable securities, net of taxes	42	-563	65	-499
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	($14,695)	$20,157	($37,559)	$23,456

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS	'	'
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$32,489	$129,277
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Purchases of marketable securities	-112,664	-294,649
Sales of marketable securities	215,005	344,682
Proceeds from the sale of equipment	3	102
Acquisition of property and equipment:	'	'
Aircraft and rotable spare parts	-297,758	-44,469
Deposits on aircraft	'	-24,200
Buildings and ground equipment	-11,644	-4,442
Increase in other assets	-13,563	-11,719
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	-220,621	-34,695
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	187,389	'
Principal payments on long-term debt	-88,236	-85,971
Tax benefit (deficiency) from exercise of common stock options	-1,266	-175
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	1,933	2,666
Purchase of treasury stock	-8,414	-196
Payment of cash dividends	-4,119	-4,132
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	87,287	-87,808
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-100,845	6,774
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	170,636	133,772
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	69,791	140,546
Cash paid during the year for:	'	'
Interest, net of capitalized amounts	33,103	36,633
Income taxes	$382	$880

Condensed_Consolidated_Financi

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	6 Months Ended
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	Jun. 30, 2014
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	'
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	'
	Note A — Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

	Basis of Presentation

	The condensed consolidated financial statements of SkyWest, Inc. (“SkyWest” or the “Company”) and its operating subsidiaries, SkyWest Airlines, Inc. (“SkyWest Airlines”) and ExpressJet Airlines Inc. (“ExpressJet”) included herein have been prepared, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the following disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the results of operations for the interim periods presented. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature, unless otherwise disclosed. The Company suggests that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The results of operations for the three and six-months ended June 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.

	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results will likely differ, and may differ materially, from those estimates and assumptions.

	Effective December 31, 2011, the Company’s subsidiary, ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., a Delaware corporation, was merged into the Company’s subsidiary, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Inc., a Utah corporation, with the surviving corporation named ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. (the “ExpressJet Combination”). In these condensed consolidated financial statements, “Atlantic Southeast” refers to Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Inc. for periods prior to the ExpressJet Combination, “ExpressJet Delaware” refers to ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., a Delaware corporation, for periods prior to the ExpressJet Combination, and “ExpressJet” refers to ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., the Utah corporation resulting from the combination of Atlantic Southeast and ExpressJet Delaware, for periods subsequent to the consummation of the ExpressJet Combination.

Passenger_and_Ground_Handling_

Passenger and Ground Handling Revenue	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Passenger and Ground Handling Revenue	'
Passenger and Ground Handling Revenue	'
	Note B — Passenger and Ground Handling Revenue

	The Company recognizes passenger and ground handling revenues when the service is provided. Under the Company’s contract and pro-rate flying agreements with Delta Airlines, Inc. (“Delta”), United Air Lines, Inc. (“United”), US Airways Group, Inc. (“US Airways”), American Airlines, Inc. (“American”) and Alaska Airlines (“Alaska”), revenue is considered earned when the flight is completed. Revenue is recognized under the Company’s pro-rate flying agreements based upon the portion of the pro-rate passenger fare the Company anticipates that it will receive. Other ancillary revenues commonly associated with airlines such as baggage fee revenue, ticket change fee revenue and the marketing component of the sale of mileage credits are retained by the Company’s major airline partners on flights that the Company operates under its code-share agreements.

	In the event that the contractual rates under the Company’s flying agreements have not been finalized at quarterly or annual financial statement dates, the Company records revenues based on the lower of prior period’s approved rates, as adjusted to reflect any contract negotiations and the Company’s estimate of rates that will be implemented in accordance with revenue recognition guidelines.

	In the event the Company has a reimbursement dispute with a major partner, the Company evaluates the dispute under its established revenue recognition criteria and, provided the revenue recognition criteria have been met, the Company recognizes revenue based on management’s estimate of the resolution of the dispute.

	In several of the Company’s contractual agreements with its major partners, the Company is eligible for incentive compensation upon the achievement of certain performance criteria. The incentives are defined in the agreements and are measured and determined on a monthly, quarterly or semi-annual basis. At the end of period, the Company calculates the incentives achieved during that period and recognizes revenue accordingly.

	The following table summarizes the significant provisions of each code share agreement the Company has executed with its major partners:

	Delta Connection Agreements

	Agreement		Number of		Term / Termination		Pass through costs		Performance		Payment Structure
			aircraft under		Dates		or costs paid		Incentive
			contract				directly		Structure
							by major partner
	SkyWest Airlines		· CRJ 200 - 38		· The contract expires on an individual aircraft basis beginning in 2014		· Fuel		· No financial performance based incentives		· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract
	Delta Connection Agreement		· CRJ 700 - 19
			· CRJ 900 - 32		· The final aircraft expires in 2022		· Engine Maintenance

					· The weighted average remaining term of the aircraft under contract is 5.5 years		· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

					· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended		· Insurance

	ExpressJet Delta Connection		· CRJ 200 - 64		· The contract expires on an individual aircraft basis beginning in 2014		· Fuel		· Performance based financial incentives		· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract
	Agreement		· CRJ 700 - 41
			· CRJ 900 - 28		· The final aircraft expires in 2022		· Engine Maintenance

					· The weighted average remaining term of the aircraft under contract is 4.3 years		· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

					· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended		· Insurance

	SkyWest Airlines		· EMB 120 - 9		· Terminable upon 120 days’ notice		· None		· None		· Pro-rata sharing of the passenger fare revenue
	Prorate Agreement		· CRJ 200 - 10

	SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet are each parties to a Delta Connection Agreement with Delta, pursuant to which SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet provide contract flight services for Delta. The SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Delta Connection Agreements contain multi-year rate reset provisions beginning in 2010 and continuing each 5th year thereafter. The Delta Connection Agreements also provide that, beginning with the fifth anniversary of the execution of the agreements (September 8, 2010), Delta has the right to require that certain contractual rates under those agreements shall not exceed the second lowest of all carriers within the Delta Connection program. During the fourth quarter of 2010, SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet reached an agreement with Delta on contractual rates satisfying the 2010 rate reset provision and the second-lowest rate provision and agreed to rates through December 31, 2015. Delta additionally waived its right to require that the contractual rates payable under the Delta Connection Agreements shall not exceed the second-lowest rates of all carriers within the Delta Connection program through December 31, 2015.

	United Express Agreements

	Agreement		Number of		Term / Termination		Pass through costs		Performance		Payment Structure
			aircraft under		Dates		or costs paid		Incentive Structure
			contract				directly by major
							partner
	SkyWest Airlines		· CRJ 200 - 61		· The contract expires on an individual aircraft basis beginning in 2015		· Fuel		· Performance based incentives		· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract
	United Express Agreement		· CRJ 700 - 70
			· EMB 120 – 9		· The final aircraft expires in 2026		· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice
			· E175 – 8
					· The weighted average remaining term of the aircraft under contract is 3.8 years		· Insurance

					· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended

	Atlantic Southeast		· CRJ 200 - 14		· Terminates 2015		· Fuel		· Performance based incentives		· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract
	United Express Agreement
					· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended		· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

							· Insurance

	ExpressJet Delaware United Express Agreement		· ERJ 145 - 22		· Terminates 2015		· Fuel		· Performance based incentives		· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract

					· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended		· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

					· Insurance

ExpressJet Delaware United Express Agreement		· ERJ 135 - 9		· The contract expires on an individual aircraft basis beginning in 2014		· Fuel		· Performance based incentives or penalties		· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract
		· ERJ 145 - 220
				· The final aircraft expires in 2020		· Engine Maintenance

				· The weighted average remaining term of the aircraft under contract is 3.8 years		· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

				· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended		· Insurance

SkyWest Airlines United Express Prorate Agreement		· CRJ200 - 20		· Terminable upon 120 days’ notice		· None		· None		· Pro-rata sharing of the passenger fare revenue
		· EMB 120 - 27


Alaska Capacity Purchase Agreement

Agreement		Number of		Term / Termination		Pass through costs		Incentive Structure		Payment Structure
		aircraft under		Dates		or costs paid
		contract				directly by major
						partner
SkyWest Airlines		· CRJ 700 - 9		· Terminates 2018		· Fuel		· Performance based incentives		· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract
Capacity Purchase Agreement
				· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended		· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

						· Insurance

US Airways Express Agreement

Agreement		Number of		Term / Termination		Pass through costs		Incentive Structure		Payment Structure
		aircraft under		Dates		or costs paid
		contract				directly by major
						partner
SkyWest Airlines US Airways Express Agreement		· CRJ 200 - 10		· Terminates 2015		· Fuel		· Performance based incentives		· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract
		· CRJ 900 - 4
				· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended		· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

						· Insurance

SkyWest Airlines US Airways Express Prorate Agreement		· CRJ 200 - 1		· Terminable upon 120 days’ notice		· None		· None		· Pro-rata sharing of the passenger fare revenue

American Agreement

Agreement		Number of		Term / Termination		Pass through costs		Incentive Structure		Payment Structure
		aircraft under		Dates		or costs paid
		contract				directly by major
						partner
SkyWest Airlines American Capacity Purchase Agreement		· CRJ 200 - 12		· Terminates 2016		· Fuel		· Performance based incentives		· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract

				· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended		· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

						· Insurance

SkyWest Airlines American Prorate Agreement		· CRJ 200 - 4		· Terminable upon 120 days’ notice		· None		· None		· Pro-rata sharing of the passenger fare revenue




ExpressJet American Capacity Purchase Agreement		· CRJ 200 - 11		· Terminates 2017		· Fuel		· Performance based incentives		· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract

				· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended		· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

						· Insurance

Other Revenue Items

The Company’s passenger and ground handling revenues could be impacted by a number of factors, including changes to the Company’s code-share agreements with its major partners, contract modifications resulting from contract re-negotiations, the Company’s ability to earn incentive payments contemplated under the Company’s code-share agreements and settlement of reimbursement disputes with the Company’s major partners.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-Based Compensation	'
Share-Based Compensation	'
	Note C — Share-Based Compensation

	The fair value of stock options granted by the Company has been estimated as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company granted options to purchase 248,008 shares of common stock under the SkyWest, Inc. 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2010 Incentive Plan”). The following table shows the assumptions used and weighted average fair value for stock option grants during the six months ended June 30, 2014.

	Expected annual dividend rate	1.33		%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.5		%
	Average expected life (years)	5.8
	Expected volatility of common stock	0.427
	Forfeiture rate	0		%
	Weighted average fair value of option grants	$	4.41


	During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company granted 305,212 restricted stock units to the Company’s employees under the 2010 Incentive Plan. The restricted stock units have a three-year vesting period, during which the recipient must remain employed with the Company or one of the Company’s subsidiaries. Upon vesting, a restricted stock unit will be replaced with a common share of stock. Additionally, during the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company granted 44,631 fully-vested shares of common stock to the Company’s directors. The weighted average fair value of the shares of restricted stock on the date of grant was $12.10 per share.

	The Company records share-based compensation expense only for those options and restricted stock units that are expected to vest. The estimated fair value of the stock options and restricted stock units is amortized over the applicable vesting periods. During the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded pre-tax share-based compensation expense of $1.1 million and $1.1 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded pre-tax share-based compensation expense of $2.8 million and $2.4 million, respectively.

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Common_Sha

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	'
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	'
	Note D — Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

	Basic net income per common share (“Basic EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share (“Diluted EPS”) reflects the potential dilution that could occur if stock options or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. The computation of Diluted EPS does not assume exercise or conversion of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on net income per common share. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, options to acquire 3,279,000 and 3,112,000 shares, respectively, were excluded from the computation of Diluted EPS as their impact was anti-dilutive. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, options to acquire 3,298,000 and 3,368,000 shares, respectively, were excluded from the computation of Diluted EPS as their impact was anti-dilutive.

	The calculation of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for Basic EPS and Diluted EPS for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share data) is as follows:

		Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
		(Unaudited)					(Unaudited)
	Numerator
	Net Income (loss)	$	(14,737	)	$	20,720	$	(37,624	)	$	23,955

	Denominator
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	51,183			51,881		51,310			51,822
	Effect of outstanding share-based awards	—			666		—			700
	Weighted average number of shares for diluted net income per common share	51,183			52,547		51,310			52,522

	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.29	)	$	0.4	$	(0.73	)	$	0.46
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.29	)	$	0.39	$	(0.73	)	$	0.46

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	6 Months Ended
Segment Reporting	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting	'
Segment Reporting	'
	Note E — Segment Reporting

	Generally accepted accounting principles require disclosures related to components of a company for which separate financial information is available to and regularly evaluated by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) when deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

	The Company’s two operating segments consist of the operations of its two operating subsidiaries, SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet. The following represents the Company’s segment data for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands).

		Three months ended June 30, 2014
		SkyWest	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
		Airlines	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
	Operating revenues	475,501	340,599		474		816,574
	Operating expense	433,551	369,891		(112	)	803,330
	Depreciation and amortization expense	41,958	22,294		—		64,252
	Interest expense	10,661	4,743		734		16,138
	Segment profit (loss)(1)	31,289	(34,035	)	(148	)	(2,894	)
	Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill(2)	—	13,873		—		13,873
	Total assets (2)	2,688,143	1,591,698		—		4,279,841
	Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	234,986	7,374		—		242,360

		Three months ended June 30, 2013
		SkyWest	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
		Airlines	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
	Operating revenues	463,068	375,588		474		839,130
	Operating expense	411,917	374,431		2,227		788,575
	Depreciation and amortization expense	38,839	22,335		—		61,174
	Interest expense	11,227	5,362		937		17,526
	Segment profit (loss)(1)	39,924	(4,205	)	(2,690	)	33,029
	Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill(3)	—	16,123		—		16,123
	Total assets(3)	2,656,855	1,583,215		—		4,240,070
	Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	21,952	11,473		—		33,425


	(1) Segment profit (loss) is equal to operating income less interest expense
	(2) As of June 30 ,2014
	(3) As of June 30, 2013

	The following represents the Company’s segment data for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands).

		Six months ended June 30, 2014
		SkyWest	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
		Airlines	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
	Operating revenues	922,543	665,469		948		1,588,960
	Operating expense	859,193	744,317		(20	)	1,603,490
	Depreciation and amortization expense	81,958	44,609		—		126,567
	Interest expense	20,687	9,618		1,509		31,814
	Segment profit (loss)(1)	42,663	(88,466	)	(541	)	(46,344	)
	Identifiable intangible assets, excluding goodwill(2)	—	13,873		—		13,873
	Total assets(2)	2,688,143	1,591,698		—		4,279,841
	Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	282,842	14,666		—		297,508

		Six months ended June 30, 2013
		SkyWest	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
		Airlines	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
	Operating revenues	912,413	727,336		2,868		1,642,617
	Operating expense	826,683	746,174		3,642		1,576,499
	Depreciation and amortization expense	77,464	44,710		—		122,174
	Interest expense	22,723	10,825		1,943		35,491
	Segment profit (loss)(1)	63,007	(29,663	)	(2,717	)	30,627
	Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill(3)	—	16,123		—		16,123
	Total assets(3)	2,656,855	1,583,215		—		4,240,070
	Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	44,362	19,351		—		63,713


	(1) Segment profit (loss) is equal to operating income less interest expense
(2) As of June 30, 2014
(3) As of June 30, 2013

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note F — Commitments and Contingencies

	As of June 30, 2014, the Company leased 554 aircraft, as well as airport facilities, office space, and various other property and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases which are generally on a long-term net rent basis where the Company pays taxes, maintenance, insurance and certain other operating expenses applicable to the leased property. The Company expects that, in the normal course of business, such operating leases that expire will be renewed or replaced by other leases. The following table summarizes future minimum rental payments required under operating leases that had initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of June 30, 2014 (in thousands):

	July through December 2014	$	151,855
	2015	342,342
	2016	267,269
	2017	197,603
	2018	153,301
	Thereafter	571,781
		$	1,684,151

	During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company took delivery of eight E175 aircraft and initially financed the aircraft through the issuance of $187.4 million of interim debt. The Company anticipates it will refinance these eight E175 under long-term lease arrangements by the end of 2014 and the interim debt will be retired. When the interim debt on these eight E175s is retired and the aircraft are financed with long-term lease arrangements, the Company anticipates it will receive back approximately $34.0 million of initial down payments associated with the interim debt financing.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Measurements	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Note G — Fair Value Measurements

	The Company holds certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value in accordance with GAAP. The Company determined fair value of these assets based on the following three levels of inputs:

	Level 1	—	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2	—	Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Some of the Company’s marketable securities primarily utilize broker quotes in a non-active market for valuation of these securities.
	Level 3	—	Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

	As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (in thousands):

			Fair Value Measurements as of June 30, 2014
			Total		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3

	Marketable Securities
	Bonds and bond funds		$	384,800	$	—	$	384,800		$	—
	Asset backed securities		144		—		144			—
			384,944		—		384,944			—

	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash		82,011		82,011		—			—
	Other Assets		2,265		—		—		(a)	2,265
	Total Assets Measured at Fair Value		$	469,220	$	82,011	$	384,944		$	2,265

			Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2013
			Total		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3

	Marketable Securities
	Bonds and bond funds		$	487,049	$	—	$	487,049		$	—
	Asset backed securities		190		—		190			—
			487,239		—		487,239			—

	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash		182,855		182,855		—			—
	Other Assets		2,245		—		—		(a)	2,245
	Total Assets Measured at Fair Value		$	672,339	$	182,855	$	487,239		$	2,245


	(a) Comprises of auction rate securities which is reflected in “Other assets” in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets

	Based on market conditions, the Company uses a discounted cash flow valuation methodology for auction rate securities. Accordingly, for purposes of the foregoing condensed consolidated financial statements, these securities were categorized as Level 3 securities. The Company’s “Marketable Securities” classified as Level 2 primarily utilize broker quotes in a non-active market for valuation of these securities.

	The Company did not make any significant transfers of securities between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 during the six months ended June 30, 2014. The Company’s policy regarding the recording of transfers between levels is to record any such transfers at the end of the reporting period.

	The following table presents the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) at June 30, 2014 (in thousands):

	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs

	(Level 3)

			Auction Rate
			Securities
	Balance at January 1, 2014		$	2,245
	Total realized and unrealized gains or (losses)
	Included in earnings		—
	Included in other comprehensive income		20
	Transferred out		—
	Settlements		—
	Balance at June 30, 2014		$	2,265

	The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt classified as Level 2 was estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on the Company’s current estimated incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated based on current rates offered to the Company for similar debt and was estimated to be $1,605.7 million as of June 30, 2014, as compared to the carrying amount of $1,569.7 million as of June 30, 2014. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated based on current rates offered to the Company for similar debt and approximated $1,509.2 million as of December 31, 2013, as compared to the carrying amount of $1,470.6 million as of December 31, 2013.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Taxes	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note H — Income Taxes

	For various reasons, including the disproportionate increase in expenses with limited tax deductibility relative to the Company’s projected pre-tax results for the year ending December 31, 2014, the Company is currently unable to make a reliable estimate of its annual effective tax rate (“ETR”). As a result, the Company has utilized its actual ETR for the six months ended June 30, 2014. Utilizing this approach, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $10,551 for the six months ended June 30, 2014. Because the Company previously recorded an income tax benefit of $20,287 during the three months ended March 31, 2014, income tax expense of $9,736 was recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2014. The income tax provision for the three months ended June 30, 2014 includes a valuation allowance of $4,988 for previously generated state net operating loss benefits specific to ExpressJet that are scheduled to expire before the benefits are anticipated to be utilized.

Legal_Matters

Legal Matters	6 Months Ended
Legal Matters	Jun. 30, 2014
Legal Matters	'
Legal Matters	'
	Note I — Legal Matters

	The Company is subject to certain legal actions which it considers routine to its business activities. As of June 30, 2014, management believed, after consultation with legal counsel, that the ultimate outcome of such legal matters was not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, liquidity or results of operations. However, the following is a significant outstanding legal matter.

	SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet v. Delta

	During the quarter ended December 31, 2007, Delta notified the Company, SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast of a dispute under the Delta Connection Agreements executed by Delta with SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast. The dispute relates to the allocation of liability for certain irregular operation (“IROP”) expenses paid by SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast to their passengers and vendors under certain situations. During the period between the execution of the Delta Connection Agreements in September 2005 and December 2007, SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast passed through to Delta IROP expenses that were paid pursuant to Delta’s policies, and Delta accepted and reimbursed those expenses. Delta now claims it is obligated to reimburse only a fraction of those IROP expenses. As a result, Delta withheld a combined total of approximately $25 million (pre-tax) from one of the weekly scheduled wire payments to SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast during December 2007. Since December 2007, Delta has continued to withhold payments from the weekly scheduled wire payments to SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast (now ExpressJet), and has disputed subsequent billings for IROP expenses. On February 1, 2008, SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast filed a Complaint in the Superior Court for Fulton County, Georgia (“Superior Court”) challenging Delta’s treatment of the matter and seeking recovery of the payments withheld by Delta and any future withholdings related to this issue. Delta filed an Answer to the SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast Complaint and a Counterclaim against SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast on March 24, 2008. Delta’s Counterclaim alleged that SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast breached the Delta Connection Agreements by invoicing Delta for IROP expenses that were paid pursuant to Delta’s policies, and claims only a portion of those expenses may be invoiced to Delta. Since July 1, 2008, the Company has not recognized revenue related to IROP expense reimbursements withheld by Delta because collection of those reimbursements is the subject of litigation and is not reasonably assured. As of June 30, 2014, the Company had recognized a cumulative total of $31.7 million of revenue associated with the funds withheld by Delta prior to July 1, 2008.

	During 2010, the Company and Delta began preliminary settlement discussions related to the IROP dispute. Notwithstanding the legal merits of the case, the Company offered to settle the claim for approximately $5.9 million less than the cumulative total of revenue recognized related to this matter. Those settlement discussions were not successful; however, as a result of the settlement offer, the Company wrote off $5.9 million of related receivables in 2010.

	After proceedings that included contested motions, document discovery, and depositions, Delta voluntarily dismissed its Counterclaim. Discovery in that action was not complete at the time of dismissal. On February 14, 2011, SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast voluntarily dismissed their claims in the Superior Court, and filed a new complaint (the “State Court Complaint”) in the Georgia State Court of Fulton County (the “State Court”). The claims continue to include breach of contract, breach of contract based on mutual departure, breach of contract based on voluntary payment, and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing. Delta moved for partial dismissal of the State Court Complaint, which motion was denied in its entirety.

	On August 4, 2014, the parties executed a confidential settlement agreement resolving all disputed issues in the State Court Complaint. The financial impact of the settlement approximated the amount accrued by the Company prior to the settlement agreement.

Special_charges

Special charges	6 Months Ended
Special charges	Jun. 30, 2014
Special charges	'
Special charges	'
	Note J — Special charges

	In connection with the acquisition of ExpressJet Delaware, the Company acquired an aircraft paint facility in Saltillo, Mexico, and recorded a foreign value added tax (VAT) asset attributed to the paint facility. The realizability of the VAT asset is dependent upon the Company’s future utilization of the facility. During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company wrote-off the VAT asset value of $2.5 million as the Company is no longer using the paint facility. Additionally, the Company is actively marketing the paint facility for sale and during the three months ended June 30, 2014, based on the Company’s estimated realizable value of the facility, the Company wrote down the value of the paint facility by $2.2 million.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncement	6 Months Ended
Recent Accounting Pronouncement	Jun. 30, 2014
Recent Accounting Pronouncement	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncement	'
	Note K — Recent Accounting Pronouncement

	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” Under the new standard, revenue is recognized at the time a good or service is transferred to a customer for the amount of consideration received for that specific good or service. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods, and early adoption is not permitted. Entities may use a full retrospective approach or report the cumulative effect as of the date of adoption. The Company’s management is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this standard will have on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Passenger_and_Ground_Handling_1

Passenger and Ground Handling Revenue (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Delta Connection Agreements	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Schedule of details of agreements with other airlines	'

	Agreement	Number of	Term / Termination	Pass through costs	Performance	Payment Structure
		aircraft under	Dates	or costs paid	Incentive
		contract		directly	Structure
				by major partner
	SkyWest Airlines	· CRJ 200 - 38	· The contract expires on an individual aircraft basis beginning in 2014	· Fuel	· No financial performance based incentives	· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract
	Delta Connection Agreement	· CRJ 700 - 19
		· CRJ 900 - 32	· The final aircraft expires in 2022	· Engine Maintenance

			· The weighted average remaining term of the aircraft under contract is 5.5 years	· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

			· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended	· Insurance

	ExpressJet Delta Connection	· CRJ 200 - 64	· The contract expires on an individual aircraft basis beginning in 2014	· Fuel	· Performance based financial incentives	· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract
	Agreement	· CRJ 700 - 41
		· CRJ 900 - 28	· The final aircraft expires in 2022	· Engine Maintenance

			· The weighted average remaining term of the aircraft under contract is 4.3 years	· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

			· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended	· Insurance

	SkyWest Airlines	· EMB 120 - 9	· Terminable upon 120 days’ notice	· None	· None	· Pro-rata sharing of the passenger fare revenue
	Prorate Agreement	· CRJ 200 - 10
United Express Agreements	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Schedule of details of agreements with other airlines	'

	Agreement	Number of	Term / Termination	Pass through costs	Performance	Payment Structure
		aircraft under	Dates	or costs paid	Incentive Structure
		contract		directly by major
				partner
	SkyWest Airlines	· CRJ 200 - 61	· The contract expires on an individual aircraft basis beginning in 2015	· Fuel	· Performance based incentives	· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract
	United Express Agreement	· CRJ 700 - 70
		· EMB 120 – 9	· The final aircraft expires in 2026	· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice
		· E175 – 8
			· The weighted average remaining term of the aircraft under contract is 3.8 years	· Insurance

			· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended

	Atlantic Southeast	· CRJ 200 - 14	· Terminates 2015	· Fuel	· Performance based incentives	· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract
	United Express Agreement
			· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended	· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

				· Insurance

	ExpressJet Delaware United Express Agreement	· ERJ 145 - 22	· Terminates 2015	· Fuel	· Performance based incentives	· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract

			· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended	· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

				· Insurance

	ExpressJet Delaware United Express Agreement	· ERJ 135 - 9	· The contract expires on an individual aircraft basis beginning in 2014	· Fuel	· Performance based incentives or penalties	· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract
		· ERJ 145 - 220
			· The final aircraft expires in 2020	· Engine Maintenance

			· The weighted average remaining term of the aircraft under contract is 3.8 years	· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

			· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended	· Insurance

	SkyWest Airlines United Express Prorate Agreement	· CRJ200 - 20	· Terminable upon 120 days’ notice	· None	· None	· Pro-rata sharing of the passenger fare revenue
		· EMB 120 - 27
Alaska Capacity Purchase Agreement	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Schedule of details of agreements with other airlines	'

	Agreement	Number of	Term / Termination	Pass through costs	Incentive Structure	Payment Structure
		aircraft under	Dates	or costs paid
		contract		directly by major
				partner
	SkyWest Airlines	· CRJ 700 - 9	· Terminates 2018	· Fuel	· Performance based incentives	· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract
	Capacity Purchase Agreement
			· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended	· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

				· Insurance
US Airways Express Agreement	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Schedule of details of agreements with other airlines	'

	Agreement	Number of	Term / Termination	Pass through costs	Incentive Structure	Payment Structure
		aircraft under	Dates	or costs paid
		contract		directly by major
				partner
	SkyWest Airlines US Airways Express Agreement	· CRJ 200 - 10	· Terminates 2015	· Fuel	· Performance based incentives	· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract
		· CRJ 900 - 4
			· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended	· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

				· Insurance

	SkyWest Airlines US Airways Express Prorate Agreement	· CRJ 200 - 1	· Terminable upon 120 days’ notice	· None	· None	· Pro-rata sharing of the passenger fare revenue
American Agreement	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Schedule of details of agreements with other airlines	'

	Agreement	Number of	Term / Termination	Pass through costs	Incentive Structure	Payment Structure
		aircraft under	Dates	or costs paid
		contract		directly by major
				partner
	SkyWest Airlines American Capacity Purchase Agreement	· CRJ 200 - 12	· Terminates 2016	· Fuel	· Performance based incentives	· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract

			· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended	· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

				· Insurance

	SkyWest Airlines American Prorate Agreement	· CRJ 200 - 4	· Terminable upon 120 days’ notice	· None	· None	· Pro-rata sharing of the passenger fare revenue




	ExpressJet American Capacity Purchase Agreement	· CRJ 200 - 11	· Terminates 2017	· Fuel	· Performance based incentives	· Rate per block hour, per departure and per aircraft under contract

			· Upon expiration, aircraft may be renewed or extended	· Landing fees, Station Rents, De-ice

				· Insurance

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-Based Compensation	'
Schedule of assumptions used and weighted average fair value for stock option grants	'

	Expected annual dividend rate	1.33		%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.5		%
	Average expected life (years)	5.8
	Expected volatility of common stock	0.427
	Forfeiture rate	0		%
	Weighted average fair value of option grants	$	4.41

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Common_Sha1

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	'
Schedule of net income (loss) per common share	'
	The calculation of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for Basic EPS and Diluted EPS for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share data) is as follows:

		Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
		(Unaudited)					(Unaudited)
	Numerator
	Net Income (loss)	$	(14,737	)	$	20,720	$	(37,624	)	$	23,955

	Denominator
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	51,183			51,881		51,310			51,822
	Effect of outstanding share-based awards	—			666		—			700
	Weighted average number of shares for diluted net income per common share	51,183			52,547		51,310			52,522

	Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.29	)	$	0.4	$	(0.73	)	$	0.46
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(0.29	)	$	0.39	$	(0.73	)	$	0.46

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	6 Months Ended
Segment Reporting (Tables)	Jun. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting	'
Schedule of Company's segment data	'
	The following represents the Company’s segment data for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands).

		Three months ended June 30, 2014
		SkyWest	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
		Airlines	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
	Operating revenues	475,501	340,599		474		816,574
	Operating expense	433,551	369,891		(112	)	803,330
	Depreciation and amortization expense	41,958	22,294		—		64,252
	Interest expense	10,661	4,743		734		16,138
	Segment profit (loss)(1)	31,289	(34,035	)	(148	)	(2,894	)
	Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill(2)	—	13,873		—		13,873
	Total assets (2)	2,688,143	1,591,698		—		4,279,841
	Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	234,986	7,374		—		242,360

		Three months ended June 30, 2013
		SkyWest	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
		Airlines	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
	Operating revenues	463,068	375,588		474		839,130
	Operating expense	411,917	374,431		2,227		788,575
	Depreciation and amortization expense	38,839	22,335		—		61,174
	Interest expense	11,227	5,362		937		17,526
	Segment profit (loss)(1)	39,924	(4,205	)	(2,690	)	33,029
	Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill(3)	—	16,123		—		16,123
	Total assets(3)	2,656,855	1,583,215		—		4,240,070
	Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	21,952	11,473		—		33,425


	(1) Segment profit (loss) is equal to operating income less interest expense
	(2) As of June 30 ,2014
	(3) As of June 30, 2013

	The following represents the Company’s segment data for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands).

		Six months ended June 30, 2014
		SkyWest	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
		Airlines	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
	Operating revenues	922,543	665,469		948		1,588,960
	Operating expense	859,193	744,317		(20	)	1,603,490
	Depreciation and amortization expense	81,958	44,609		—		126,567
	Interest expense	20,687	9,618		1,509		31,814
	Segment profit (loss)(1)	42,663	(88,466	)	(541	)	(46,344	)
	Identifiable intangible assets, excluding goodwill(2)	—	13,873		—		13,873
	Total assets(2)	2,688,143	1,591,698		—		4,279,841
	Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	282,842	14,666		—		297,508

		Six months ended June 30, 2013
		SkyWest	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
		Airlines	ExpressJet		Other		Consolidated
	Operating revenues	912,413	727,336		2,868		1,642,617
	Operating expense	826,683	746,174		3,642		1,576,499
	Depreciation and amortization expense	77,464	44,710		—		122,174
	Interest expense	22,723	10,825		1,943		35,491
	Segment profit (loss)(1)	63,007	(29,663	)	(2,717	)	30,627
	Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill(3)	—	16,123		—		16,123
	Total assets(3)	2,656,855	1,583,215		—		4,240,070
	Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	44,362	19,351		—		63,713


	(1) Segment profit (loss) is equal to operating income less interest expense
	(2) As of June 30, 2014
	(3) As of June 30, 2013

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies	'
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	'
	The following table summarizes future minimum rental payments required under operating leases that had initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of June 30, 2014 (in thousands):

	July through December 2014	$	151,855
	2015	342,342
	2016	267,269
	2017	197,603
	2018	153,301
	Thereafter	571,781
		$	1,684,151

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Measurements	'
Schedule of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (in thousands):

		Fair Value Measurements as of June 30, 2014
		Total		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3

	Marketable Securities
	Bonds and bond funds	$	384,800	$	—	$	384,800		$	—
	Asset backed securities	144		—		144			—
		384,944		—		384,944			—

	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	82,011		82,011		—			—
	Other Assets	2,265		—		—		(a)	2,265
	Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	$	469,220	$	82,011	$	384,944		$	2,265

		Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2013
		Total		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3

	Marketable Securities
	Bonds and bond funds	$	487,049	$	—	$	487,049		$	—
	Asset backed securities	190		—		190			—
		487,239		—		487,239			—

	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	182,855		182,855		—			—
	Other Assets	2,245		—		—		(a)	2,245
	Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	$	672,339	$	182,855	$	487,239		$	2,245


	(a) Comprises of auction rate securities which is reflected in “Other assets” in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets
Schedule of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs	'
	The following table presents the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) at June 30, 2014 (in thousands):

	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs

	(Level 3)

		Auction Rate
		Securities
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	2,245
	Total realized and unrealized gains or (losses)
	Included in earnings	—
	Included in other comprehensive income	20
	Transferred out	—
	Settlements	—
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	2,265

Passenger_and_Ground_Handling_2

Passenger and Ground Handling Revenue (Details)	6 Months Ended
Passenger and Ground Handling Revenue (Details)	Jun. 30, 2014
Delta Connection Agreements \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Term of agreement	'5 years 6 months
Delta Connection Agreements \| ExpressJet	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Term of agreement	'4 years 3 months 18 days
Delta Connection Agreements \| CRJ 200 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	38
Delta Connection Agreements \| CRJ 200 \| ExpressJet	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	64
Delta Connection Agreements \| CRJ700 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	19
Delta Connection Agreements \| CRJ700 \| ExpressJet	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	41
Delta Connection Agreements \| CRJ 900 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	32
Delta Connection Agreements \| CRJ 900 \| ExpressJet	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	28
United Express Agreements \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Term of agreement	'3 years 9 months 18 days
United Express Agreements \| ExpressJet	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Term of agreement	'3 years 9 months 18 days
United Express Agreements \| CRJ 200 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	61
United Express Agreements \| CRJ 200 \| Atlantic Southeast Airlines,Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	14
United Express Agreements \| CRJ700 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	70
United Express Agreements \| EMB 120 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	9
United Express Agreements \| E175 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	8
United Express Agreements \| ERJ145 \| ExpressJet	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	22
United Express Agreements \| ERJ135 \| ExpressJet	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	9
United Express Agreements \| ERJ145 one \| ExpressJet	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	220
Prorate Agreement \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Notice period for termination of agreement	'120 days
Prorate Agreement \| CRJ 200 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	10
Prorate Agreement \| EMB 120 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	9
United Express Prorate Agreement \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Notice period for termination of agreement	'120 days
United Express Prorate Agreement \| CRJ 200 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	20
United Express Prorate Agreement \| EMB 120 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	27
Alaska Capacity Purchase Agreement \| CRJ700 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	9
US Airways Express Agreement \| CRJ 200 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	10
US Airways Express Agreement \| CRJ 900 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	4
US Airways Express Prorate Agreement \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Notice period for termination of agreement	'120 days
US Airways Express Prorate Agreement \| CRJ 200 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	1
American Capacity Purchase Agreement \| CRJ 200 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	12
American Capacity Purchase Agreement \| CRJ 200 \| ExpressJet	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	11
American Prorate Agreement \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Notice period for termination of agreement	'120 days
American Prorate Agreement \| CRJ 200 \| SkyWest Airlines, Inc.	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft under contract	4

ShareBased_Compensation_Detail

Share-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Share-Based Compensation	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation expense	$1.10	$1.10	$2.80	$2.40
Stock options	'	'	'	'
Assumptions used to determine value of the shares purchased under the stock purchase plan using Black-Scholes option pricing model	'	'	'	'
Expected annual dividend rate (as a percent)	'	'	1.33%	'
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	'	'	1.50%	'
Average expected life	'	'	'5 years 9 months 18 days	'
Expected volatility of common stock (as a percent)	'	'	0.43%	'
Forfeiture rate (as a percent)	'	'	0.00%	'
Weighted average fair value of option grants (in dollars per share)	'	'	$4.41	'
Restricted Stock \| Directors	'	'	'	'
Stock Compensation	'	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	44,631	'
2010 Incentive Plan \| Stock options	'	'	'	'
Stock Compensation	'	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	248,008	'
2010 Incentive Plan \| Restricted Stock	'	'	'	'
Stock Compensation	'	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	305,212	'
Assumptions used to determine value of the shares purchased under the stock purchase plan using Black-Scholes option pricing model	'	'	'	'
Vesting period	'	'	'3 years	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	'	'	$12.10	'

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Common_Sha2

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share	'	'	'	'
Number of outstanding options not included in computation of Diluted EPS (in shares)	3,279,000	3,298,000	3,112,000	3,368,000
Numerator	'	'	'	'
Net Income (loss)	($14,737)	$20,720	($37,624)	$23,955
Denominator	'	'	'	'
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	51,183,000	51,881,000	51,310,000	51,822,000
Effect of outstanding share-based awards (in shares)	'	666,000	'	700,000
Weighted average number of shares for diluted net income per common share	51,183,000	52,547,000	51,310,000	52,522,000
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	($0.29)	$0.40	($0.73)	$0.46
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	($0.29)	$0.39	($0.73)	$0.46

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	segment	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting	'	'	'	'	'
Operating segments number	'	'	2	'	'
Number of operating subsidiaries representing operating segments	'	'	2	'	'
Segment Reporting	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	$816,574	$839,130	$1,588,960	$1,642,617	'
Operating expense	803,330	788,575	1,603,490	1,576,499	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	64,252	61,174	126,567	122,174	'
Interest expense	16,138	17,526	31,814	35,491	'
Segment profit (loss)	-2,894	33,029	-46,344	30,627	'
Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill	13,873	16,123	13,873	16,123	14,998
Total assets	4,279,841	4,240,070	4,279,841	4,240,070	4,233,219
Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	242,360	33,425	297,508	63,173	'
SkyWest	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	475,501	463,068	922,543	912,413	'
Operating expense	433,551	411,917	859,193	826,683	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	41,958	38,839	81,958	77,464	'
Interest expense	10,661	11,227	20,687	22,723	'
Segment profit (loss)	31,289	39,924	42,663	63,007	'
Total assets	2,688,143	2,656,855	2,688,143	2,656,855	'
Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	234,986	21,952	282,842	44,362	'
ExpressJet	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	340,599	375,588	665,469	727,336	'
Operating expense	369,891	374,431	744,317	746,174	'
Depreciation and amortization expense	22,294	22,335	44,609	44,710	'
Interest expense	4,743	5,362	9,618	10,825	'
Segment profit (loss)	-34,035	-4,205	-88,466	-29,663	'
Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill	13,873	16,123	13,873	16,123	'
Total assets	1,591,698	1,583,215	1,591,698	1,583,215	'
Capital expenditures (including non-cash)	7,374	11,473	14,666	19,351	'
Other	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	474	474	948	2,868	'
Operating expense	-112	2,227	-20	3,642	'
Interest expense	734	937	1,509	1,943	'
Segment profit (loss)	($148)	($2,690)	($541)	($2,717)	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
	aircraft
Commitments and Contingencies	'
Number of aircraft leased by the entity	554
Future minimum rental payments required under operating leases	'
July through December 2014	$151,855,000
2015	342,342,000
2016	267,269,000
2017	197,603,000
2018	153,301,000
Thereafter	571,781,000
Total	1,684,151,000
E175	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Number of aircraft delivered	8
Interim debt amount	187,400,000
E175 \| Forecast	'
Agreements with other airlines	'
Refund of initial down payments	$34,000,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Auction rate securities

Recurring

Fair value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Bonds and bond funds

Asset backed securities

Bonds and bond funds

Asset backed securities

Fair Value Measurements

Marketable securities

$384,944,000

$487,239,000

$384,944,000

$487,239,000

$384,800,000

$487,049,000

$144,000

$190,000

$384,944,000

$487,239,000

$384,800,000

$487,049,000

$144,000

$190,000

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

82,011,000

182,855,000

82,011,000

182,855,000

Other Assets

2,265,000

2,245,000

2,265,000

2,245,000

Total Assets Measured at Fair Value

469,220,000

672,339,000

82,011,000

182,855,000

384,944,000

487,239,000

2,265,000

2,245,000

Changes in assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (level 3)

Balance at the beginning of the period

2,245,000

Total realized and unrealized gains or (losses) Included in other comprehensive income

20,000

Balance at the end of the period

2,265,000

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value of long-term debt

1,605,700,000

1,509,200,000

Carrying amount of long-term debt

$1,569,700,000

$1,470,600,000

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Taxes	'	'	'	'	'
Income tax expense (benefit)	$9,736,000	($20,287,000)	$12,992,000	($10,551,000)	$15,121,000
Valuation allowance affecting the provision for income taxes	$4,988	'	'	'	'

Legal_Matters_Details

Legal Matters (Details) (SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet v. Delta, USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2007	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2014
SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet v. Delta	'	'	'
Legal Matters	'	'	'
Amount of receivables withheld from weekly scheduled wire payments to SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast	$25	'	'
Withheld receivables recognized as revenue by the entity	'	'	31.7
Amount that the settlement offered by the reporting entity was less than the cumulative amount of withheld receivables recognized as revenue by the reporting entity	'	5.9	'
Receivables written off by the entity	'	$5.90	'

Special_charges_Details

Special charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Special charges	'
Wrote-off value of the VAT asset	$2.50
Write down value of the paint facility	$2.20