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This element represents the value of the discount applied to the market value for shares available to participating employees under the employee stock purchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the discount off the market price for each purchase right under the employee stock purchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the percentage of market price at which shares may be issued to employees participating in the employee stock purchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	luv_
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- Definition

Percentage of PBRSUs to be granted

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

ROIC performance target for PBRSU, based upon a simple three year average.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Weighted average price of non-option equity instruments granted.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The total fair value of share-based award options for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The weighted average price at which option holders acquired shares when converting their stock options into shares under the plan during the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the remaining balance of shares originally authorized for issue under the employee stock purchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Weighted average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on stock options awarded under the plan during the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the weighted average fair value of each purchase right under the employee stock purchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section F

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- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

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- Definition

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

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- Definition

The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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- Definition

Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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- Definition

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

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- Definition

Weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were not exercised or put into effect as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event.

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- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

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-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1)

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- Definition

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

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-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)

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- Definition

The weighted average fair value of nonvested awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee who has not yet satisfied service or performance criteria necessary to gain title to proceeds from the sale of the award or underlying shares or units.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(2)

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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- Definition

The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to an equity-based award plan other than a stock (or unit) option plan for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(2)

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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- Definition

Period from grant date that an equity-based award expires, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Net number of non-option equity instruments granted to participants.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(1)

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- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of difference between fair value of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise price of vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable.

+ References

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- Definition

The weighted-average price as of the balance sheet date at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance on vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable under the stock option plan.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1)(iii)

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- Definition

Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Paragraph 2

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- Definition

Weighted average price of options that were either forfeited or expired.

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- Definition

The number of shares under options that were cancelled during the reporting period as a result of occurrence of a terminating event specified in contractual agreements pertaining to the stock option plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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- Definition

Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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- Definition

Number of options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested options.

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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- Definition

Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the stock option plan.

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Weighted average remaining contractual term for option awards outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

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Amount of difference between fair value of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise price of fully vested and expected to vest options that are exercisable.

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The number of exercisable share options (fully vested and expected to vest) that may be converted as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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As of the balance sheet date, the weighted-average exercise price (at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance) for exercisable stock options that are fully vested or expected to vest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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