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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Jun. 30, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Assets constructed for others |  |  | $ 745 | $ 621
Construction obligation |  |  | 632 | $ 554
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Expected Cost Of Airport Project |  |  | 295 |
HOU |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Expected Cost Of Airport Project |  |  | 156 |
Assets constructed for others |  |  | 106 |
Los Angeles World Airport |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Expected Cost Of Airport Project |  |  | 526 |
Assets constructed for others |  |  | 110 |
Construction obligation |  |  | 110 |
DAL |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Assets constructed for others |  |  | 521 |
Municipal bonds issued | $ 146 | $ 310 |  |
Construction obligation |  |  | $ 515 |

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- Definition [Line Items] for Airport Project [Table] + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | luv_
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Balance Type: | na
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- 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
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- Definition Construction Obligation, Noncurrent + References No definition available. + Details
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Balance Type: | credit
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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. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
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- Definition The total expected cost of the airport modernization project for the city. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
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- Details
Name: | luv_AirportProjectAxis=luv_HOUMember
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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
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- Details
Name: | luv_AirportProjectAxis=luv_DALMember
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Balance Type: |
Period Type: |