Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)

v2.4.0.8
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
segment
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Jan. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2013
Public Warrants
Dec. 31, 2012
Public Warrants
Dec. 31, 2013
Series C preferred warrants
Dec. 31, 2012
Series C preferred warrants
Dec. 31, 2011
Series C preferred warrants
Dec. 31, 2013
Minimum
Dec. 31, 2013
Maximum
Dec. 31, 2013
Computer software and ERP system
Dec. 31, 2013
Equipment
Minimum
Dec. 31, 2013
Equipment
Maximum
Dec. 31, 2013
Connectivity equipment
Dec. 31, 2013
Building and Building Improvements
Dec. 31, 2013
Domestic Deferred Tax Assets
Dec. 31, 2012
Domestic Deferred Tax Assets
Dec. 31, 2013
Foreign Deferred Tax Assets
Dec. 31, 2012
Foreign Deferred Tax Assets
Jan. 31, 2013
Row 44, Inc.
Dec. 31, 2013
AIA Purchase Agreement
Sep. 30, 2013
AIA Purchase Agreement
Jan. 31, 2013
AIA Purchase Agreement
Oct. 18, 2013
IFES Acquisition Corp Limited
Dec. 31, 2013
Prepaid and Other Current Assets
Dec. 31, 2013
Other Non-current Assets
Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory and Other Long-Term Assets
Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory and Other Long-Term Assets
Dec. 31, 2013
STC Fees
Dec. 31, 2012
STC Fees
Dec. 31, 2011
STC Fees
Dec. 31, 2013
Global Eagle Warrants
Dec. 31, 2013
Global Eagle Warrants
Public Warrants
Dec. 31, 2013
Common Stock
Basis of Presentation:                                                                      
Common stock, par value $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001   $ 0.0001                                 $ 0.0001                            
Principles of Consolidation:                                                                      
Ownership interest 18.00%                                                                    
Payment to acquire investment $ 1,500,000 $ 0 $ (7,000)                                                                
Revenue Recognition:                                                                      
Equipment Sales 26,494,000 57,845,000 30,455,000                                                     700,000 200,000 0      
Product Development:                                                                      
Capitalized software development costs 1,400,000 0 0                                                                
Restricted Cash:                                                                      
Letter of credit, period secured by cash                   1 year 3 years                                                
Restricted cash 3,300,000 0                                               1,000,000 2,500,000                
Inventory, net:                                                                      
Deferred equipment costs                                                       6,200,000 6,100,000            
Content Library:                                                                      
Useful life of licensed film rights 1 year 6 months                                                                    
Property, plant and equipment:                                                                      
Property, plant and equipment, useful life                       3 years 3 years 10 years 5 years 30 years                                      
Payments to acquire equipment 11,477,000 2,432,000 594,000                       5,300,000                                        
Property, plant and equipment, service life                             5 years                                        
Intangible Assets and Goodwill:                                                                      
Number of reportable segments 2                                                                    
Goodwill 52,345,000 0 0                                     35,385,000 39,217,000 39,217,000 12,117,000                    
Business acquisitions and supplemental pro forma information:                                                                      
Ownership percentage in subsidiary       86.00%                                   94.00%   86.00% 100.00%                    
Income Taxes:                                                                      
Valuation allowance 50,782,000 39,122,000 28,480,000                           48,900,000 39,100,000 1,900,000 0                              
Derivative Warrants:                                                                      
Warrants repurchased and retired         500,000                                                            
Class of Warrant or Right, Warrants Exchanged                                                                 2,921,450 2,900,000  
Warrants converted to common stock                                                                     900,000
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives $ (63,961,000) $ (3,576,000) $ 0   $ 64,000,000 $ 0 $ (100,000) $ (3,600,000) $ 0