v2.4.0.8
Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue $ 223,136 $ 179,229
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization (178,703) (163,965)
Depreciation and amortization (20,516) (20,122)
Interest expense (5,529) (4,802)
Other income, net (26) 287
Income tax benefit (expense) (7,310) 3,684
Segment net income (loss) 11,052 (5,689)
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests 163  
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 10,889 (5,689)
External revenue
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue 223,136 179,229
Intersegment revenue
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue      
Operating Segments | AMS
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue 190,978 164,406
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization (142,247) (141,061)
Depreciation and amortization (17,912) (18,709)
Interest expense (4,196) (4,006)
Other income, net 387 254
Income tax benefit (expense)      
Segment net income (loss) 27,010 884
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests (48)  
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 27,058  
Operating Segments | AMS | External revenue
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue 190,978 164,406
Operating Segments | AMS | Intersegment revenue
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue      
Operating Segments | Tourism
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue 24,338 10,391
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization (20,011) (9,487)
Depreciation and amortization (1,564) (589)
Interest expense (622) (220)
Other income, net      
Income tax benefit (expense)      
Segment net income (loss) 2,141 95
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests 211  
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 1,930  
Operating Segments | Tourism | External revenue
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue 24,338 10,391
Operating Segments | Tourism | Intersegment revenue
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue      
Operating Segments | UR
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue 10,887 6,192
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization (9,510) (6,298)
Depreciation and amortization (538) (425)
Interest expense      
Other income, net      
Income tax benefit (expense)      
Segment net income (loss) 839 (531)
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests     
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 839  
Operating Segments | UR | External revenue
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue 7,820 4,421
Operating Segments | UR | Intersegment revenue
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue 3,067 1,771
Corporate Activities
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue    11
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization (9,511) (8,702)
Depreciation and amortization (502) (399)
Interest expense (711) (576)
Other income, net (413) 33
Income tax benefit (expense) (7,310) 3,684
Segment net income (loss) (18,447) (5,949)
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests     
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries (18,447)  
Corporate Activities | External revenue
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue    11
Corporate Activities | Intersegment revenue
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue      
Intersegment Eliminations
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue (3,067) (1,771)
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization 2,576 1,583
Depreciation and amortization      
Interest expense      
Other income, net      
Income tax benefit (expense)      
Segment net income (loss) (491) (188)
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests     
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries (491)  
Intersegment Eliminations | External revenue
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue      
Intersegment Eliminations | Intersegment revenue
    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]    
Total revenue $ (3,067) $ (1,771)