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Change In Accounting Estimate (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Change in Accounting Estimate [Abstract]
Change in Accounting Estimate Financial Effect on Depreciation Expense, Depreciation Estimate	$ 31	$ 94
Change in Accounting Estimate, Financial Effect on Net Income, Depreciation Adjustment	$ (17)	$ (50)
Change in Accounting Estimate Financial Effect on Net Income Per Share	$ (0.03)	$ (0.08)
Change in Accounting Estimate Financial Effect on Net Income Per Share Diluted	$ (0.03)	$ (0.08)

X

- Definition

Represents the increase in depreciation expense resulting from the change in depreciation estimate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	luv_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Represents the decrease in net income, including the impact of profit sharing and taxes, resulting from the change in the depreciation estimate.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	luv_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Represents the decrease in earnings both basic and diluted per share, net of profit sharing and taxes, due to the change in the depreciation estimate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	luv_ChangeinAccountingEstimateFinancialEffectonNetIncomePerShareDepreciationEstimate
Namespace Prefix:	luv_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Change in Accounting Estimate Financial Effect on Net Income Per Share Diluted Depreciation Estimate

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	luv_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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