v2.4.0.8
Business Segment Information (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue $ 258,471 $ 226,205 $ 481,607 $ 405,434
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization (185,426) (169,886) (364,129) (333,851)
Depreciation and amortization (20,273) (19,887) (40,789) (40,009)
Interest expense (5,569) (5,177) (11,098) (9,979)
Other income, net 292 328 266 615
Income tax expense (18,571) (12,434) (25,881) (8,750)
Segment net income (loss) 28,924 19,149 39,976 13,460
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests 134   297  
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 28,790 19,149 39,679 13,460
External revenue
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 258,471 226,205 481,607 405,434
Intersegment revenue
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue            
Operating Segments | AMS
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 219,611 205,241 410,589 369,647
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization (144,416) (143,613) (286,663) (284,674)
Depreciation and amortization (17,502) (18,325) (35,414) (37,034)
Interest expense (4,061) (4,198) (8,257) (8,204)
Other income, net 426 289 813 543
Income tax expense            
Segment net income (loss) 54,058 39,394 81,068 40,278
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests (38)   (86)  
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 54,096   81,154  
Operating Segments | AMS | External revenue
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 219,611 205,241 410,589 369,647
Operating Segments | AMS | Intersegment revenue
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue            
Operating Segments | Tourism
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 31,430 15,992 55,768 26,383
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization (24,184) (13,932) (44,195) (23,419)
Depreciation and amortization (1,656) (729) (3,220) (1,318)
Interest expense (731) (273) (1,353) (493)
Other income, net 3    3   
Income tax expense            
Segment net income (loss) 4,862 1,058 7,003 1,153
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests 172   383  
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 4,690   6,620  
Operating Segments | Tourism | External revenue
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 31,430 15,992 55,768 26,383
Operating Segments | Tourism | Intersegment revenue
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue            
Operating Segments | UR
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 11,421 7,440 22,308 13,632
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization (10,457) (6,912) (19,967) (13,210)
Depreciation and amortization (597) (433) (1,135) (858)
Interest expense            
Other income, net            
Income tax expense            
Segment net income (loss) 367 95 1,206 (436)
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests          
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries 367   1,206  
Operating Segments | UR | External revenue
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 7,430 4,910 15,250 9,331
Operating Segments | UR | Intersegment revenue
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue 3,991 2,530 7,058 4,301
Corporate Activities
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue    62    73
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization (9,995) (7,878) (19,506) (16,580)
Depreciation and amortization (518) (400) (1,020) (799)
Interest expense (777) (706) (1,488) (1,282)
Other income, net (137) 39 (550) 72
Income tax expense (18,571) (12,434) (25,881) (8,750)
Segment net income (loss) (29,998) (21,317) (48,445) (27,266)
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests          
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries (29,998)   (48,445)  
Corporate Activities | External revenue
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue    62    73
Corporate Activities | Intersegment revenue
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue            
Intersegment Eliminations
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue (3,991) (2,530) (7,058) (4,301)
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation & amortization 3,626 2,449 6,202 4,032
Depreciation and amortization            
Interest expense            
Other income, net            
Income tax expense            
Segment net income (loss) (365) (81) (856) (269)
Less net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests          
Net income (loss) attributable to Air Methods Corporation and subsidiaries (365)   (856)  
Intersegment Eliminations | External revenue
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue            
Intersegment Eliminations | Intersegment revenue
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Total revenue $ (3,991) $ (2,530) $ (7,058) $ (4,301)