Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Common Stock, Stock-Based Awards and Warrants - Warrants Narrative (Details)

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Common Stock, Stock-Based Awards and Warrants - Warrants Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Jan. 31, 2013
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]            
Warrants authorized for repurchase, amount         $ 25,000,000.0  
Additional warrants authorized for repurchase, amount $ 20,000,000.0          
Amount available for warrants repurchases   $ 16,700,000        
Warrant to purchase convertible preferred stock (in shares)       3,957,280    
Common Stock            
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]            
Shares issued in period (in shares)       1,337,760    
Derivative            
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]            
Change in value   (400,000) $ (23,600,000) $ 11,900,000    
Level 1 | Derivative            
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]            
Change in value   0 (17,841,000)      
Level 2 | Derivative            
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]            
Change in value   $ (413,000) $ (5,802,000)      
Public Warrants | Level 1 | Global Eagle Warrants            
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]            
Warrants (in shares)   6,173,228 6,173,228      
Row 44 Warrants | Common stock warrants            
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]            
Warrants converted to warrants to purchase Global Eagle common stock (in shares)           21,062,500
Number of warrants (in shares)           721,897
Global Eagle Warrants            
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]            
Warrants converted to warrants to purchase Global Eagle common stock (in shares)   6,173,000 6,173,000