XML 17 R42.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Fair Value Instruments - Carrying and Estimated Fair Value of Debt (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2006
Mar. 31, 2015
5.75% Notes due 2016    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Stated interest rate 5.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2016Member
 
5.75% Notes due 2016 | Unsecured Debt    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Carrying amount of debt   $ 311us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Stated interest rate   5.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
5.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2016 | Convertible Debt    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Carrying amount of debt   113us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_ConvertibleDebtDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
Stated interest rate   5.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_ConvertibleDebtDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
5.125% Notes due 2017 | Unsecured Debt    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Carrying amount of debt   314us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Stated interest rate   5.125%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
French Credit Agreements due 2018 - 1.06% | Notes Payable to Banks    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Carrying amount of debt   36us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_CreditAgreementsDue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Stated interest rate   1.06%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_CreditAgreementsDue2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Fixed-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2018 - 7.02% | Notes Payable to Banks    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Carrying amount of debt   22us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_NotesPayableAircraftFixedRateThrough2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Stated interest rate   7.02%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_NotesPayableAircraftFixedRateThrough2018Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
2.75% Notes Due 2019 | Unsecured Debt    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Carrying amount of debt   305us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2019MemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Stated interest rate   2.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2019MemberMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Term Loan Agreement due 2019 - 6.315% | Notes Payable to Banks    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Carrying amount of debt   169us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_TermLoanAgreementDue05062019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Stated interest rate   6.315%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_TermLoanAgreementDue05062019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Term Loan Agreement due 2019 - 6.84% | Notes Payable to Banks    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Carrying amount of debt   67us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_TermLoanAgreementDue07012019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Stated interest rate   6.84%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_TermLoanAgreementDue07012019Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Term Loan Agreement due 2020 - 5.223% | Notes Payable to Banks    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Carrying amount of debt   362us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_TermLoanAgreementDue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Stated interest rate   5.223%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_TermLoanAgreementDue2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Floating-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2020 | Notes Payable to Banks    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Carrying amount of debt   288us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_NotesPayableAircraftFloatingRateThrough2020Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24% | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Carrying amount of debt   347us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_TotalPassThroughCertificatesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EnhancedEquipmentTrustCertificateMember
Stated interest rate   6.24%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_TotalPassThroughCertificatesMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EnhancedEquipmentTrustCertificateMember
7.375% Debentures due 2027 | Unsecured Debt    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Carrying amount of debt   134us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2027Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Stated interest rate   7.375%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2027Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Level 2 | 5.75% Notes due 2016 | Unsecured Debt    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value   334us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Level 2 | 5.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2016 | Convertible Debt    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value   330us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_ConvertibleDebtDue2016Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember
Level 2 | 5.125% Notes due 2017 | Unsecured Debt    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value   336us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2017Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Level 2 | 2.75% Notes Due 2019 | Unsecured Debt    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value   313us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2019MemberMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Level 2 | Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24% | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value   400us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_TotalPassThroughCertificatesMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_EnhancedEquipmentTrustCertificateMember
Level 2 | 7.375% Debentures due 2027 | Unsecured Debt    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Loans Payable, Fair Value   162us-gaap_LoansPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2027Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Level 3 | French Credit Agreements due 2018 - 1.06% | Notes Payable to Banks    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value   36us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_CreditAgreementsDue2018Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Level 3 | Fixed-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2018 - 7.02% | Notes Payable to Banks    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value   22us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_NotesPayableAircraftFixedRateThrough2018Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement due 2019 - 6.315% | Notes Payable to Banks    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Loans Payable, Fair Value   169us-gaap_LoansPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_TermLoanAgreementDue05062019Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement due 2019 - 6.84% | Notes Payable to Banks    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Loans Payable, Fair Value   73us-gaap_LoansPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_TermLoanAgreementDue07012019Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement due 2020 - 5.223% | Notes Payable to Banks    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Loans Payable, Fair Value   356us-gaap_LoansPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_TermLoanAgreementDue2020Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Level 3 | Floating-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2020 | Notes Payable to Banks    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Notes Payable, Fair Value   $ 282us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= luv_NotesPayableAircraftFloatingRateThrough2020Member
/ us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember