Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring (Details) (Details)

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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring (Details) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Sep. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value
    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Earn-out liability $ 1,205 [1] $ 1,421 [2]
Total financial liabilities 46,366 72,991
Fair Value | EIM
    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Earn-out liability 1,100 1,400
Fair Value | Global Eagle Warrants
    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Warrants 45,161 [3] 71,570 [4]
Quotes Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)
    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Earn-out liability 0 [1] 0 [2]
Total financial liabilities 45,161 71,570
Quotes Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Public Warrants
    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Number of warrants 10,148,508 15,567,650
Quotes Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Global Eagle Warrants
    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Warrants 45,161 [3] 71,570 [4]
Quotes Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | Global Eagle Warrants | Public Warrants
    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Number of warrants 10,148,508  
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Earn-out liability 0 [1] 0 [2]
Total financial liabilities 0 0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Global Eagle Warrants
    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Warrants 0 [3] 0 [4]
Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Earn-out liability 1,205 [1] 1,421 [2]
Total financial liabilities 1,205 1,421
Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Global Eagle Warrants
    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Warrants $ 0 [3] $ 0 [4]
[1] Includes $1.1 million earn-out liability for EIM, a subsidiary of AIA assumed in the Business Combination.
[2] Includes $1.4 million earn-out liability for EIM, a subsidiary of AIA assumed in the Business Combination.
[3] Includes 10,148,508 public warrants.
[4] Includes 15,567,650 public warrants.