XML 80 R64.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.6.0.2

Fair Value Instruments - Carrying and Estimated Fair Value of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Nov. 04, 2016	Oct. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Nov. 05, 2015	Nov. 06, 2014	Jul. 01, 2009	Apr. 29, 2009	May 06, 2008	Feb. 28, 2005	Feb. 28, 1997
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 3,410			$ 3,198
5.125% Notes due 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)										5.125%
5.125% Notes due 2017 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 301			309
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	5.125%
French Credit Agreements due 2018 - 2.23% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 14			25
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.23%
Fixed-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2018 - 7.03% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	7.03%
2.75% Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)						2.75%
2.75% Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2019 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 301			303
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.75%
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2019 - 6.315%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)								6.315%
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2019 - 6.315% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 106			143
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	6.315%
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2019 - 4.84%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)							4.84%
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2019 - 4.84% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 28			36
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	4.84%
2.65% Notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)					2.65%
2.65% Notes due 2020 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 492			494
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.65%
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2020 - 5.223%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)									5.223%
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2020 - 5.223% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 284			329
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	5.223%
Term Loan Agreement Due 2021 - 7.94% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 20			0
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	7.94%
Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24% | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 324			340
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	6.24%
Term Loan Agreement Due 2026 - 2.36%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)			2.36%
Term Loan Agreement Due 2026 - 2.36% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 215			0
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.36%
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2026 - 3.00%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)		3.00%
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2026 - 3.00% | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 300			0
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	3.00%
7.375% Debentures due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)											7.375%
7.375% Debentures due 2027 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 130			132
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	7.375%
Level 2 | 5.125% Notes due 2017 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	$ 303
Level 2 | 2.75% Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2019 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	306
Level 2 | 2.65% Notes due 2020 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	493
Level 2 | Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24% | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	362
Level 2 | Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2026 - 3.00% | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	284
Level 2 | 7.375% Debentures due 2027 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	156
Level 3 | French Credit Agreements due 2018 - 2.23% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	14
Level 3 | Fixed-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2018 - 7.03% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	8
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement payable through 2019 - 6.315% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	107
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement payable through 2019 - 4.84% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	29
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement payable through 2020 - 5.223% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	284
Level 3 | 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2020 | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	204
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement Due 2021 - 7.94% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	22
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement Due 2026 - 2.36% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	215
AirTran Airways | Fixed-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2018 - 7.03% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	8			17
AirTran Airways | 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2020 | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 206			$ 257

X

- Definition

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all debt, including all short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13,16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Fair value portion of contractual obligation to pay money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansPayableFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair value portion of notes payable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20,22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2017Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_CreditAgreementsDue2018Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_NotesPayableAircraftFixedRateThrough2018Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2019MemberMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_TermLoanAgreementDue05062019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_TermLoanAgreementDue07012019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_TermLoanAgreementDue2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_TermLoanAgreementDue2021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_TotalPassThroughCertificatesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_EnhancedEquipmentTrustCertificateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_TermLoanAgreementDue2026Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2026Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2027Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_NotesPayableAircraftFloatingRateThrough2020Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: