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, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
2013 Equity Incentive Plan      
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 $ 0 $ 2,500,000
Global Eagle Stock Option Plan      
Shares:      
Beginning Balance (in shares) 6,723    
Granted (in shares) 2,115    
Exercised (in shares) 0    
Forfeited (in shares) (1,761)    
Ending Balance (in shares) 7,077 6,723  
Exercisable (in shares) 4,794    
Vested and expected to vest (in shares) 7,077    
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share):      
Beginning Balance (in dollars per share) $ 10.37    
Granted (in dollars per share) 4.63    
Exercised (in dollars per share) 0.00    
Forfeited (in dollars per share) 9.95    
Ending Balance (in dollars per share) 8.76 $ 10.37  
Exercisable (in dollars per share) 9.92    
Vested and expected to vest (in dollars per share) $ 8.76    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Term [Abstract]      
Outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term 2 years 7 months 6 days 2 years 8 months 12 days  
Exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual term 1 year 6 months 29 days    
Vested and expected to vest, weighted average remaining contractual term 2 years 7 months 6 days    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]      
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value $ 0 $ 59,000  
Exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value 0    
Vested and expected to vest, aggregate intrinsic value $ 0