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Change In Accounting Estimate (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2015
Change in Accounting Estimate [Abstract] |  |
Change in Accounting Estimate Financial Effect on Passenger Revenue, Spoilage Estimate | $ 30 | $ 115
Change in accounting estimate, financial effect on net income, spoilage adjustment | $ 16 | $ 61
Change in accounting estimate,financial effect on earnings per share | $ 0.02 | $ 0.09

X
- Definition Represents the increase in passenger revenues resulting from the change in the spoilage estimate. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_ChangeinAccountingEstimateFinancialEffectonPassengerRevenueSpoilageEstimate
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the increase in earnings both basic and diluted per share, net of profit sharing and income taxes, due to the change in the spoilage estimate. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_Changeinaccountingestimatefinancialeffectonearningspershare
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the increase in net income, including the impact of profit sharing and income taxes, resulting from the change in the spoilage estimate. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_Changeinaccountingestimatefinancialeffectonnetincomespoilageadjustment
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration