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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 aircraft | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2010
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Assets constructed for others | $ 621,000,000 luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers |  | $ 453,000,000 luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 938,000,000 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization |  | 867,000,000 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization | 844,000,000 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 700 (in units) | 56 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG700Aircraft | [1] |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 800 (in units) | 19 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG800Aircraft |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737NG (in units) | 35 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737NG |  |  |  |  |
Additional - 700 A/C (in units) | 20 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsAdditional700AC |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737MAX (in units) | 30 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737MxAircraft |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 738MAX (in units) | 170 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsMinimumQuantityRequiredfor800MxAircraft | [2] |  |  |  |
Options - 737MAX (in units) | 191 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737Mx |  |  |  |  |
Total | 521 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsTotal |  |  |  |  |
Aircraft |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Committed expenditures, 2015 | 836,000,000 us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnFirstAnniversary / us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis = luv_AircraftMember |  |  |  |  |
Committed expenditures, 2016 | 1,200,000,000 us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnSecondAnniversary / us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis = luv_AircraftMember |  |  |  |  |
Committed expenditures, 2017 | 1,200,000,000 us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnThirdAnniversary / us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis = luv_AircraftMember |  |  |  |  |
Committed expenditures, 2018 | 1,000,000,000 us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnFourthAnniversary / us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis = luv_AircraftMember |  |  |  |  |
Committed expenditures, 2019 | 1,100,000,000 us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnFifthAnniversary / us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis = luv_AircraftMember |  |  |  |  |
Committed expenditures, 2020 and beyond | 5,700,000,000 us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationDueAfterFiveYears / us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationByCategoryOfItemPurchasedAxis = luv_AircraftMember |  |  |  |  |
2015 |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 700 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG700Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearOneMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 800 (in units) | 19 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG800Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearOneMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737NG (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737NG / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearOneMember |  |  |  |  |
Additional - 700 A/C (in units) | 16 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsAdditional700AC / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearOneMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearOneMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 738MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsMinimumQuantityRequiredfor800MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearOneMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737Mx / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearOneMember |  |  |  |  |
Total | 35 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsTotal / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearOneMember |  |  |  |  |
2016 |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 700 (in units) | 31 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG700Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwoMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 800 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG800Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwoMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737NG (in units) | 11 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737NG / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwoMember |  |  |  |  |
Additional - 700 A/C (in units) | 4 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsAdditional700AC / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwoMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwoMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 738MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsMinimumQuantityRequiredfor800MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwoMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737Mx / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwoMember |  |  |  |  |
Total | 46 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsTotal / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwoMember |  |  |  |  |
2017 |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 700 (in units) | 15 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG700Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThreeMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 800 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG800Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThreeMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737NG (in units) | 12 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737NG / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThreeMember |  |  |  |  |
Additional - 700 A/C (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsAdditional700AC / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThreeMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThreeMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 738MAX (in units) | 14 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsMinimumQuantityRequiredfor800MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThreeMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737Mx / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThreeMember |  |  |  |  |
Total | 41 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsTotal / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThreeMember |  |  |  |  |
2018 |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 700 (in units) | 10 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG700Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFourMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 800 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG800Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFourMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737NG (in units) | 12 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737NG / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFourMember |  |  |  |  |
Additional - 700 A/C (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsAdditional700AC / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFourMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFourMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 738MAX (in units) | 13 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsMinimumQuantityRequiredfor800MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFourMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737Mx / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFourMember |  |  |  |  |
Total | 35 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsTotal / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFourMember |  |  |  |  |
2019 |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 700 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG700Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFiveMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 800 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG800Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFiveMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737NG (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737NG / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFiveMember |  |  |  |  |
Additional - 700 A/C (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsAdditional700AC / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFiveMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737MAX (in units) | 15 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFiveMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 738MAX (in units) | 10 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsMinimumQuantityRequiredfor800MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFiveMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737Mx / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFiveMember |  |  |  |  |
Total | 25 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsTotal / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearFiveMember |  |  |  |  |
2020 |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 700 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG700Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSixMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 800 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG800Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSixMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737NG (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737NG / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSixMember |  |  |  |  |
Additional - 700 A/C (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsAdditional700AC / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSixMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737MAX (in units) | 14 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSixMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 738MAX (in units) | 22 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsMinimumQuantityRequiredfor800MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSixMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737Mx / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSixMember |  |  |  |  |
Total | 36 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsTotal / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSixMember |  |  |  |  |
2021 |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 700 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG700Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSevenMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 800 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG800Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSevenMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737NG (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737NG / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSevenMember |  |  |  |  |
Additional - 700 A/C (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsAdditional700AC / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSevenMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737MAX (in units) | 1 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSevenMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 738MAX (in units) | 33 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsMinimumQuantityRequiredfor800MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSevenMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737MAX (in units) | 18 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737Mx / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSevenMember |  |  |  |  |
Total | 52 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsTotal / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearSevenMember |  |  |  |  |
2022 |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 700 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG700Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearEightMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 800 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG800Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearEightMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737NG (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737NG / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearEightMember |  |  |  |  |
Additional - 700 A/C (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsAdditional700AC / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearEightMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearEightMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 738MAX (in units) | 30 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsMinimumQuantityRequiredfor800MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearEightMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737MAX (in units) | 19 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737Mx / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearEightMember |  |  |  |  |
Total | 49 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsTotal / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearEightMember |  |  |  |  |
2023 |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 700 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG700Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearNineMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 800 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG800Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearNineMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737NG (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737NG / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearNineMember |  |  |  |  |
Additional - 700 A/C (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsAdditional700AC / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearNineMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearNineMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 738MAX (in units) | 24 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsMinimumQuantityRequiredfor800MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearNineMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737MAX (in units) | 23 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737Mx / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearNineMember |  |  |  |  |
Total | 47 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsTotal / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearNineMember |  |  |  |  |
2024 |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 700 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG700Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTenMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 800 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG800Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTenMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737NG (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737NG / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTenMember |  |  |  |  |
Additional - 700 A/C (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsAdditional700AC / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTenMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTenMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 738MAX (in units) | 24 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsMinimumQuantityRequiredfor800MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTenMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737MAX (in units) | 23 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737Mx / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTenMember |  |  |  |  |
Total | 47 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsTotal / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTenMember |  |  |  |  |
2025 |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 700 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG700Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearElevenMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 800 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG800Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearElevenMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737NG (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737NG / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearElevenMember |  |  |  |  |
Additional - 700 A/C (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsAdditional700AC / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearElevenMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearElevenMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 738MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsMinimumQuantityRequiredfor800MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearElevenMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737MAX (in units) | 36 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737Mx / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearElevenMember |  |  |  |  |
Total | 36 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsTotal / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearElevenMember |  |  |  |  |
2026 |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 700 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG700Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwelveMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 800 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG800Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwelveMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737NG (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737NG / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwelveMember |  |  |  |  |
Additional - 700 A/C (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsAdditional700AC / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwelveMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwelveMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 738MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsMinimumQuantityRequiredfor800MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwelveMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737MAX (in units) | 36 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737Mx / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwelveMember |  |  |  |  |
Total | 36 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsTotal / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearTwelveMember |  |  |  |  |
2027 |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 700 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG700Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThirteenMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737NG 800 (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737NG800Aircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThirteenMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737NG (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737NG / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThirteenMember |  |  |  |  |
Additional - 700 A/C (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsAdditional700AC / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThirteenMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 737MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentMinimumQuantityRequiredFor737MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThirteenMember |  |  |  |  |
Firm - 738MAX (in units) | 0 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsMinimumQuantityRequiredfor800MxAircraft / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThirteenMember |  |  |  |  |
Options - 737MAX (in units) | 36 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsOptions737Mx / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThirteenMember |  |  |  |  |
Total | 36 luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentsTotal / luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentByYearsAxis = luv_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTimePeriodYearThirteenMember |  |  |  |  |
LAX |  |  |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Expected total airport modernization project cost | 525,000,000 luv_ExpectedTotalCostOfAirportProject / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_LosAngelesWorldAirportMember |  |  |  |  |
Assets constructed for others | 52,000,000 luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_LosAngelesWorldAirportMember |  |  |  |  |
FLL |  |  |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Expected total airport modernization project cost | 295,000,000 luv_ExpectedTotalCostOfAirportProject / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_FortLauderdaleHollywoodInternationalAirportMember |  |  |  |  |
DAL |  |  |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Expected total airport modernization project cost | 519,000,000 luv_ExpectedTotalCostOfAirportProject / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember |  |  |  |  |
Municipal bonds issued |  |  |  |  | 146,000,000 luv_MunicipalBondsIssued / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember | 310,000,000 luv_MunicipalBondsIssued / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember
Number of gates with rights to occupy after completion | 16 luv_NumberofGateswithRightstoOccupyAfterCompletion / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember |  |  |  |  |
Assets constructed for others | 504,000,000 luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember |  |  |  |  |
Airport construction obligation | 501,000,000 luv_ObligationRelatedtoAssetsConstructedForOthers / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember |  |  |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 20,000,000 us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember |  |  |  |  |
Property, Plant, and Equipment Useful Life | 27 years |  |  |  |  |
Property Plant And Equipment Percentage Cost To Residual Value Minimum | 17.00%luv_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentPercentageCostToResidualValueMinimum / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember |  |  |  |  |
HOU |  |  |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Expected total airport modernization project cost | 156,000,000 luv_ExpectedTotalCostOfAirportProject / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_HOUMember |  |  |  |  |
Assets constructed for others | $ 64,000,000 luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_HOUMember |  |  |  |  |
B-737-800 |  |  |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Aircrafts Purchased | 33 luv_PropertyPlantandEquipmentNumberofAircraftPurchased / us-gaap_AircraftTypeAxis = us-gaap_B737800Member |  |  |  |  |
B-737-700 |  |  |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of Aircrafts Purchased | 11 luv_PropertyPlantandEquipmentNumberofAircraftPurchased / us-gaap_AircraftTypeAxis = us-gaap_B737700Member |  |  |  |  |
Number of aircrafts leased | 11 luv_PropertyPlantandEquipmentNumberofAircraftLeased / us-gaap_AircraftTypeAxis = us-gaap_B737700Member |  |  |  |  |
B737-300 |  |  |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of aircrafts retired from service | 3 luv_NumberofAircraftsRetiredfromService / us-gaap_AircraftTypeAxis = luv_B737300Member |  |  |  |  |
B737-500 |  |  |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of aircrafts retired from service | 2 luv_NumberofAircraftsRetiredfromService / us-gaap_AircraftTypeAxis = luv_B737500Member |  |  |  |  |
B-717-200 |  |  |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of aircrafts removed from active service | 66 luv_NumberofAircraftsRemovedfromActiveService / us-gaap_AircraftTypeAxis = us-gaap_B717200Member |  |  |  |  |
[1] | The Company has flexibility to substitute 737-800s in lieu of 737-700 firm orders.
[2] | The Company has flexibility to substitute MAX 7 in lieu of MAX 8 firm orders beginning in 2019.

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