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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Sep. 30, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Assets constructed for others |  |  | $ 823 | $ 621
Construction obligation |  |  | 684 | $ 554
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Expected Cost Of Airport Project |  |  | 295 |
Assets constructed for others |  |  | 17 |
HOU |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Expected Cost Of Airport Project |  |  | 156 |
Assets constructed for others |  |  | 128 |
Los Angeles World Airport |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total Expected Cost Of Airport Project |  |  | 526 |
Assets constructed for others |  |  | 151 |
Construction obligation |  |  | 151 |
DAL |  |  |  |
Airport Project [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Assets constructed for others |  |  | 527 |
Municipal bonds issued | $ 146 | $ 310 |  |
Construction obligation |  |  | $ 516 |

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- Definition [Line Items] for Airport Project [Table] + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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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
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Construction Obligation, Noncurrent + References No definition available. + Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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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
Period Type: | duration

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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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Namespace Prefix: | luv_
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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | luv_AirportProjectAxis=luv_HOUMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
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Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | luv_AirportProjectAxis=luv_LosAngelesWorldAirportMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | luv_AirportProjectAxis=luv_DALMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |