XML 76 R60.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.6.0.2

Fair Value Measurements Narrative (Details) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 Agreements
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] |
Debt agreements not publicly held | 8

X
- Definition Debt Instrument, Agreements Not Publicly Held + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_DebtInstrumentAgreementsNotPubliclyHeld
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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