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Supplemental Financial Information - Other Non-Current Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
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Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Postretirement obligation | $ 172 us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent |  | $ 169 us-gaap_PensionAndOtherPostretirementDefinedBenefitPlansLiabilitiesNoncurrent |
Non-current lease-related obligations | 183 luv_NoncurrentLeaseRelatedObligations |  | 193 luv_NoncurrentLeaseRelatedObligations |
Other deferred compensation | 164 us-gaap_OtherDeferredCompensationArrangementsLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent |  | 174 us-gaap_OtherDeferredCompensationArrangementsLiabilityClassifiedNoncurrent |
Deferred gains from sale and leaseback of aircraft | 51 us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDeferredGainNet |  | 53 us-gaap_SaleLeasebackTransactionDeferredGainNet |
Other | 37 us-gaap_OtherSundryLiabilitiesNoncurrent |  | 44 us-gaap_OtherSundryLiabilitiesNoncurrent |
Other noncurrent liabilities | 1,095 us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent |  | 1,255 us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent |
Other Noncurrent Liabilities |  |  |  |
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Liability derivative contracts, net | 488 luv_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateralTotal / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember |  | 622 luv_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateralTotal / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember |
Fuel derivatives | Other Noncurrent Liabilities |  |  |  |
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Liability derivative contracts, net | 427 luv_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateralTotal / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember | [1] | 561 luv_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateralTotal / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CommodityContractMember | [1]
Interest rate derivatives | Other Noncurrent Liabilities |  |  |  |
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Liability derivative contracts, net | $ 61 luv_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateralTotal / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember | [1] | $ 61 luv_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountOffsetAgainstCollateralTotal / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember | [1]
[1] | The net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities are reconciled to the individual line item amounts presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Note 5.

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- Definition Net fair value of 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, elected to be offset against a right to receive collateral. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This element represents a liability associated with the acquisition of an off-market lease when the terms of the lease are unfavorable to the market terms for the lease at the date of acquisition and for incentives for sublease transaction of aircraft. + References No definition available. + Details
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Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for deferred compensation arrangements payable after one year (or the operating cycle, if longer) other than those specified elsewhere in the taxonomy. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 24 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition Obligations not otherwise itemized or categorized in the footnotes to the financial statements that are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer), from the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 24 -Article 5 + Details
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- Definition This represents the noncurrent liability for underfunded plans recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement defined benefit plans. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.24) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2417-114920 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2410-114920 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21915240&loc=d3e1703-114919 + Details
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- Definition The portion of the gain that will be recorded as income or a reduction in rent expense in future periods less amounts recognized in the current period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 840 -SubTopic 40 -Section 35 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35688829&loc=d3e50609-112754 + Details
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