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Financial Derivative Instruments - Fair Values by Balance Sheet Location (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
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Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset | $ 1,244 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset | [1] | $ 1,360 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset | [1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | 2,367 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability | [1] | 2,409 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability | [1]
Designated as Hedging Instrument |  |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset | 7 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember | [1] | 13 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember | [1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | 622 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember | [1] | 704 us-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 | 1,237 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember | [1] | 1,347 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember | [1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | 1,745 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember | [1] | 1,705 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember | [1]
Fuel derivatives |  |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value | 283 us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember |  |  |
Fuel derivatives | Accrued Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value | 26 us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember |  | 68 us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember |
Fuel derivatives | Accounts Payable Balance Sheet Location [Member] |  |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Due To Third Parties For Settled Fuel Contracts | 0 luv_DueToThirdPartiesForSettledFuelContracts / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = luv_AccountsPayableBalanceSheetLocationMemberDomain / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember |  | 16 luv_DueToThirdPartiesForSettledFuelContracts / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = luv_AccountsPayableBalanceSheetLocationMemberDomain / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember |
Fuel derivatives | Other Noncurrent Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value | 257 us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember |  | 198 us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember |
Fuel derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Accrued Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset | 3 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember | [1] | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember | [1]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | 98 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember | [1] | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember / 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 | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember | [1] | 0 us-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 | 463 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember | [1] | 643 us-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 | Accrued Liabilities |  |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset | 1,028 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember | [1] | 1,190 us-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 | 1,315 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember | [1] | 1,432 us-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 | 209 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember | [1] | 157 us-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 | 430 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember | [1] | 273 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember | [1]
Interest rate derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Assets |  |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset | 4 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember | [1] | 13 us-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 | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember | [1] | 0 us-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 | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember | [1] | 0 us-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 | $ 61 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember | [1] | $ 61 us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember | [1]
[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.

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- Definition Amount due to third parties for settled fuel contracts as of the end of the period reported, recorded in Accrued liabilities on the balance sheet. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The aggregate fair value of assets that are already posted, at the end of the reporting period, as collateral for derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4H -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624258-113959 + Details
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- Definition Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Excludes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34720828&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624163-113959 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36459792&loc=SL20226000-175313 + Details
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- Definition Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities elected not to be offset. Excludes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34720828&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624163-113959 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36459792&loc=SL20226000-175313 + Details
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