v2.4.0.8
Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Sep. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2012
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue $ 223,782 $ 252,385 $ 226,205 $ 179,229 $ 216,228 $ 221,290 $ 222,480 $ 190,814 $ 881,601 $ 850,812 $ 660,549
Operating expenses                 (681,265) (597,956) (494,199)
Depreciation and amortization                 (79,655) (82,524) (72,877)
Interest expense                 (20,323) (20,651) (20,072)
Other, net                 1,136 3,263 3,901
Income tax expense                 (39,425) (59,792) (30,728)
Net income (loss) 13,004 35,605 19,149 (5,689)         62,069 93,152 46,574
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests                 (270)    
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 13,274 35,605 19,149 (5,689) 21,421 27,844 31,413 12,474 62,339 93,152 46,574
External Revenue
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                 881,601 850,812 660,549
Intersegment Revenue
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                         
Operating Segments | AMS
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                 800,711 822,023 630,143
Operating expenses                 (576,775) (543,410) (443,352)
Depreciation and amortization                 (73,180) (79,683) (70,518)
Interest expense                 (16,670) (20,138) (19,362)
Other, net                 1,209 3,122 3,568
Income tax expense                         
Net income (loss)                 135,295    
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests                 (318)    
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries                 135,613 181,914 100,479
Operating Segments | AMS | External Revenue
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                 800,711 822,023 630,143
Operating Segments | AMS | Intersegment Revenue
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                         
Operating Segments | Tourism
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                 56,599      
Operating expenses                 (46,226)      
Depreciation and amortization                 (2,960)      
Interest expense                 (1,044)      
Other, net                         
Income tax expense                         
Net income (loss)                 6,369    
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests                 48    
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries                 6,321      
Operating Segments | Tourism | External Revenue
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                 56,599      
Operating Segments | Tourism | Intersegment Revenue
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                         
Operating Segments | UR
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                 33,783 49,336 57,431
Operating expenses                 (32,654) (38,272) (42,954)
Depreciation and amortization                 (1,803) (1,385) (1,248)
Interest expense                    (1) (15)
Other, net                 (2)      
Income tax expense                         
Net income (loss)                 (676)    
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests                       
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries                 (676) 9,678 13,214
Operating Segments | UR | External Revenue
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                 24,195 28,365 30,384
Operating Segments | UR | Intersegment Revenue
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                 9,588 20,971 27,047
Corporate Activities
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                 96 424 22
Operating expenses                 (34,262) (32,462) (27,830)
Depreciation and amortization                 (1,712) (1,456) (1,111)
Interest expense                 (2,609) (512) (695)
Other, net                 (71) 141 333
Income tax expense                 (39,425) (59,792) (30,728)
Net income (loss)                 (77,983)    
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests                       
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries                 (77,983) (93,657) (60,009)
Corporate Activities | External Revenue
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                 96 424 22
Corporate Activities | Intersegment Revenue
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                         
Intersegment Eliminations
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                 (9,588) (20,971) (27,047)
Operating expenses                 8,652 16,188 19,937
Depreciation and amortization                         
Interest expense                         
Other, net                         
Income tax expense                         
Net income (loss)                 (936)    
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests                       
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries                 (936) (4,783) (7,110)
Intersegment Eliminations | External Revenue
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                         
Intersegment Eliminations | Intersegment Revenue
                      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]                      
Total revenue                 $ (9,588) $ (20,971) $ (27,047)