XML 18 R37.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Assets constructed for others |  |  | $ 686 luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers | $ 621 luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers
Construction obligation |  |  | 595 luv_ConstructionObligationNoncurrent | 554 luv_ConstructionObligationNoncurrent
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Expected Cost Of Airport Project |  |  | 295 luv_TotalExpectedCostOfAirportProject / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_FortLauderdaleHollywoodInternationalAirportMember |
HOU |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Expected Cost Of Airport Project |  |  | 156 luv_TotalExpectedCostOfAirportProject / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_HOUMember |
Assets constructed for others |  |  | 87 luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_HOUMember |
Los Angeles World Airport |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Expected Cost Of Airport Project |  |  | 526 luv_TotalExpectedCostOfAirportProject / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_LosAngelesWorldAirportMember |
Assets constructed for others |  |  | 82 luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_LosAngelesWorldAirportMember |
DAL |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Expected Cost Of Airport Project |  |  | 519 luv_TotalExpectedCostOfAirportProject / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember |
Assets constructed for others |  |  | 514 luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember |
Municipal bonds issued | 146 luv_MunicipalBondsIssued / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember | 310 luv_MunicipalBondsIssued / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember |  |
Construction obligation |  |  | $ 510 luv_ConstructionObligationNoncurrent / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember |

X
- Details
Name: | luv_AirportProjectLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The aggregate costs related to airport construction projects recorded as an asset. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Construction Obligation, Noncurrent + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_ConstructionObligationNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Long-term debt securities issued by state, city or local governments or the agencies operated by state, city or local governments. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_MunicipalBondsIssued
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total expected cost of the airport modernization project for the city. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_TotalExpectedCostOfAirportProject
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | luv_AirportProjectAxis=luv_DALMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | luv_AirportProjectAxis=luv_FortLauderdaleHollywoodInternationalAirportMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | luv_AirportProjectAxis=luv_HOUMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | luv_AirportProjectAxis=luv_LosAngelesWorldAirportMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |