Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Stock Options, Common Stock and Warrants - Narrative (Details)

v3.3.1.900
Stock Options, Common Stock and Warrants - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 11, 2014
Jun. 17, 2014
Jul. 09, 2013
Jan. 31, 2013
Aug. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Oct. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Common shares issued in exchange for warrants (in shares) 12,682,755                  
Warrant to purchase convertible preferred stock (in shares) 4,227,187             3,957,280    
Warrant exercise price $ 11.50             $ 11.50    
Number of shares received in exchange for warrants 0.3333                  
Maximum number of warrants to be exchanged (in shares) 15,000,000                  
Gain (Loss) on Warrant Exchange                 $ 800  
Issuance of shares for working capital settlement         $ 300     $ 0 $ 345 $ 0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)   $ 0.0001           $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001  
Repurchase and retirement of common stock (in shares)                   103,000
Ownership percentage in subsidiary       86.00%            
Common Stock                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Shares issued in period (in shares)               1,337,760    
Repurchase and retirement of common stock (in shares)                   103,000
Common Stock Non-Voting                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Shares issued in period (in shares)       4,750,000            
Shares converted (in shares)   19,118,233                
Global Eagle Acquisition Company                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Exchanged for Global Eagle common stock (in shares)                   2,921,450
Common Stock                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Shares issued in period (in shares)       20,123,000   13,340,000 2,453,472     15,793,000
Price per share (in dollar per share)           $ 14.25       $ 14.25
Issuance of common stock           $ 190,100 $ 21,000     $ 1
Repurchase and retirement of common stock (in shares)                   103,000
Stock Options                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Shares issued (in shares)         28,161          
Exercise of Warrants                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Shares converted (in shares)                   898,082
Global Eagle Stock Option Plan | Former Officer                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Shares issued to former CEO (in shares)           103,977        
Equity Incentive Plan, 2013                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Number of grants available (in shares)           9,000,000       9,000,000
Equity Incentive Plan, 2013 | Stock Options                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Remaining stock-based awards available (in shares)               1,783,665    
Stock option term           5 years        
Equity Incentive Plan, 2013 | Stock Options | First Anniversary [Member]                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Percent of stock options vesting on the anniversary of commencement           25.00%        
Equity Incentive Plan, 2013 | Stock Options | After First Anniversary [Member]                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Vesting period           4 years        
Percent of stock options vesting on the anniversary of commencement           2.083%        
Equity Incentive Plan, 2013 | Board of Directors | Stock Options                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Stock option term           5 years        
Vesting period           2 years        
Row 44, Inc.                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Common shares issued in exchange for warrants (in shares)               257,058    
Warrant to purchase convertible preferred stock (in shares)               93,161    
PMG Stock Purchase                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Business acquisition, cash payment     $ 10,600             $ 10,600
Business acquisition, shares issued (in shares)     431,734             431,734
Business acquisition, liabilities assumed     $ 3,300             $ 3,300
PMG Stock Purchase | Global Eagle Entertainment Inc.                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Business acquisition, shares issued (in shares)                 75,000 151,420
Business acquisition, shares held in escrow (in shares)                   151,420
Escrow Deposit           $ 1,600       $ 1,600
AIA                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Ownership percentage in subsidiary       86.00%            
AIA | Common Stock Non-Voting                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Shares issued in period (in shares)       14,368,000