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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			$ 686luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers	$ 621luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers
Construction obligation			595luv_ConstructionObligationNoncurrent	554luv_ConstructionObligationNoncurrent
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Airport Project [Line Items]
Total Expected Cost Of Airport Project			295luv_TotalExpectedCostOfAirportProject / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_FortLauderdaleHollywoodInternationalAirportMember
HOU
Airport Project [Line Items]
Total Expected Cost Of Airport Project			156luv_TotalExpectedCostOfAirportProject / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_HOUMember
Assets constructed for others			87luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_HOUMember
Los Angeles World Airport
Airport Project [Line Items]
Total Expected Cost Of Airport Project			526luv_TotalExpectedCostOfAirportProject / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_LosAngelesWorldAirportMember
Assets constructed for others			82luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_LosAngelesWorldAirportMember
DAL
Airport Project [Line Items]
Total Expected Cost Of Airport Project			519luv_TotalExpectedCostOfAirportProject / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember
Assets constructed for others			514luv_AssetsConstructedForOthers / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember
Municipal bonds issued	146luv_MunicipalBondsIssued / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember	310luv_MunicipalBondsIssued / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember
Construction obligation			$ 510luv_ConstructionObligationNoncurrent / luv_AirportProjectAxis = luv_DALMember

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- Definition

The aggregate costs related to airport construction projects recorded as an asset.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Construction Obligation, Noncurrent

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No definition available.

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- 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.

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- Definition

The total expected cost of the airport modernization project for the city.

+ References

No definition available.

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