Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Common Stock, Stock-Based Awards and Warrants - Stock Options Activity (Details)

v3.8.0.1
Common Stock, Stock-Based Awards and Warrants - Stock Options Activity (Details) - Stock Options - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Twenty Thirteen Equity Incentive Plan [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value $ 0 $ 2,500,000 $ 1,700,000
Global Eagle Stock Option Plan      
Shares:      
Beginning Balance (in shares) 5,625    
Granted (in shares) 1,927    
Exercised (in shares) (26)    
Forfeited (in shares) (780)    
Ending Balance (in shares) 6,746 5,625  
Exercisable (in shares) 3,837    
Vested and expected to vest (in shares) 6,121    
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share):      
Beginning Balance (in dollars per share) $ 11.20    
Granted (in dollars per share) 8.34    
Exercised (in dollars per share) 9.87    
Forfeited (in dollars per share) 11.42    
Ending Balance (in dollars per share) 10.36 $ 11.20  
Exercisable (in dollars per share) 10.81    
Vested and expected to vest (in dollars per share) $ 10.45    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Term [Abstract]      
Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term 2 years 8 months 12 days 3 years 2 months 4 days  
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual term 1 year 9 months 26 days    
Vested and expected to vest, weighted average remaining contractual term 2 years 6 months 18 days    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]      
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value $ 59,000 $ 204,000  
Exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value 0    
Vested and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value $ 43,000