XML 33 R22.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

Financial Derivative Instruments Narrative (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2006
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Deferred Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge | $ 12,000,000 us-gaap_DeferredGainLossOnDiscontinuationOfInterestRateFairValueHedge |  |  |  |  |
Amount paid for purchases and sales of offsetting derivative instruments |  |  |  |  | 217,000,000 luv_Amountpaidforpurchasesandsalesofoffsettingderivativeinstruments |
Premiums paid for fuel derivative contracts | 26,000,000 us-gaap_GainLossOnComponentsExcludedFromAssessmentOfPriceRiskFairValueHedgeEffectiveness |  | 17,000,000 us-gaap_GainLossOnComponentsExcludedFromAssessmentOfPriceRiskFairValueHedgeEffectiveness |  |  |
Current Unrealized Net Gains (Losses) in OCI | (291,000,000)us-gaap_PriceRiskCashFlowHedgeUnrealizedGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12Months |  |  |  |  |
Maximum sum of derivatives of counterparty to be included in other (less than $20 million) | 20,000,000 luv_MaximumSumOfDerivativesOfCounterpartyToBeIncludedInOther |  |  |  |  |
Cash collateral provided as a percentage of derivative contract value (in hundredths) | 100.00%luv_CashCollateralPercentOfFairValueFuelDerivativesContracts |  |  |  |  |
5.75% Notes due 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Face Amount |  |  |  |  |  | 300,000,000 us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2016Member
Stated interest rate |  |  |  |  |  | 5.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2016Member
Fuel derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
GainLossOnDerivativeNetDueToLossOfHedgeAccounting | 11,000,000 luv_GainLossOnDerivativeNetDueToLossOfHedgeAccounting / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember |  |  |  |  |
Cash Flow Hedging |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net | (48,000,000)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember | [1] | (4,000,000)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember | [1] |  |
Cash Flow Hedging | Fuel derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net | (45,000,000)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember | [1],[2] | 0 us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember | [1],[2] |  |
Cash Flow Hedging | Interest rate derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net | $ (3,000,000)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember | [1],[2] | $ (4,000,000)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis = us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember | [1],[2] |  |
[1] | Amounts related to fuel derivative contracts and interest rate derivatives are included in Fuel and oil and Interest expense, respectively.
[2] | Net of tax

X
- Definition Amount paid for purchases and sales of offsetting derivative instruments + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_Amountpaidforpurchasesandsalesofoffsettingderivativeinstruments
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents percentage of cash collateral provided on the fair value of fuel derivative contracts when credit rating is non-investment grade. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_CashCollateralPercentOfFairValueFuelDerivativesContracts
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) in the fair value of derivatives recognized in the income statement due to loss of hedge accounting treatment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_GainLossOnDerivativeNetDueToLossOfHedgeAccounting
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Maximum sum of derivatives of a counterparty to be included in Other and no risk of the Company posting collateral. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_MaximumSumOfDerivativesOfCounterpartyToBeIncludedInOther
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount as of the balance sheet date of the unamortized adjustment to the carrying value of an interest-bearing hedged item made under an effective interest rate fair value hedge that is amortized upon discontinuation of the interest rate fair value hedge. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 25 -Section 35 -Paragraph 9 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6439857&loc=d3e75592-113984 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredGainLossOnDiscontinuationOfInterestRateFairValueHedge
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The effective portion of net gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624171-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4D -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624177-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net gain (loss) relating to components of the gain (loss) on price risk fair value hedging instruments excluded from the assessment of fair value hedge effectiveness. Recognized in earnings. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 25 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GainLossOnComponentsExcludedFromAssessmentOfPriceRiskFairValueHedgeEffectiveness
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The estimated net amount of unrealized gains or losses on price risk cash flow hedges as of the balance sheet date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next twelve months. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35736893&loc=d3e80748-113994 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PriceRiskCashFlowHedgeUnrealizedGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12Months
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2016Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis=us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |