XML 23 R55.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Financial Derivative Instruments - Fair Values by Balance Sheet Location (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset $ 1,360us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset [1] $ 503us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset [1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability 2,409us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability [1] 380us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability [1]
Designated as Hedging Instrument    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset 13us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1] 303us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability 704us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1] 78us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1]
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset 1,347us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1] 200us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability 1,705us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1] 302us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1]
Fuel derivatives | Accrued Liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value 68us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
0us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
Due To Third Parties For Settled Fuel Contracts 16luv_DueToThirdPartiesForSettledFuelContracts
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
0luv_DueToThirdPartiesForSettledFuelContracts
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
Fuel derivatives | Accounts And Other Receivables    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Receivable from third parties for settled fuel contracts - current 0luv_ReceivableFromThirdPartiesForSettledFuelContractsCurrent
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_AccountsAndOtherReceivablesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
57luv_ReceivableFromThirdPartiesForSettledFuelContractsCurrent
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_AccountsAndOtherReceivablesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
Fuel derivatives | Other Noncurrent Liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value 198us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
0us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
Fuel derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Prepaid expenses and other current assets    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_OtherAssetsCurrentMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1] 74us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_OtherAssetsCurrentMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_OtherAssetsCurrentMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1] 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_OtherAssetsCurrentMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1]
Fuel derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Assets    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1] 209us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1] 1us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1]
Fuel derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Noncurrent Liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1] 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability 643us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1] 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1]
Fuel derivatives | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Prepaid expenses and other current assets    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_OtherAssetsCurrentMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1] 175us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_OtherAssetsCurrentMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_OtherAssetsCurrentMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1] 182us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_OtherAssetsCurrentMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1]
Fuel derivatives | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Assets    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1] 16us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1] 99us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1]
Fuel derivatives | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Accrued Liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset 1,190us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1] 9us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability 1,432us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1] 21us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1]
Fuel derivatives | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Noncurrent Liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset 157us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1] 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability 273us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1] 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
[1]
Interest rate derivatives | Other Noncurrent Liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value 0us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
32us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Interest rate derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Assets    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset 13us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1] 20us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1] 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1]
Interest rate derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Noncurrent Liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1] 0us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability 61us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1] 77us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
[1]
Interest rate derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Liabilities    
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]    
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability $ 61us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
 
[1] Represents the position of each trade before consideration of offsetting positions with each counterparty and does not include the impact of cash collateral deposits provided to or received from counterparties. See discussion of credit risk and collateral following in this Note.