XML 37 R24.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.7.0.1

Financial Derivative Instruments - Fair Values by Balance Sheet Location (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Mar. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
--- | --- | ---
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset | [1] | $ 345 | $ 444
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | [1] | 712 | 805
Designated as Hedging Instrument |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset | [1] | 104 | 137
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | [1] | 427 | 491
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset | [1] | 241 | 307
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | [1] | 285 | 314
Fuel derivatives |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value |  | 263 |
Fuel derivatives | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Total Collateral Already Received Aggregate Fair Value |  | 2 | 4
Fuel derivatives | Accrued Liabilities |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Collateral Already Posted, Aggregate Fair Value |  | 270 | 311
Fuel derivatives | Accounts Payable |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Due To Third Parties For Settled Fuel Contracts |  | 55 | 75
Fuel derivatives | Other Assets |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Total Collateral Already Received Aggregate Fair Value |  | 5 | 6
Fuel derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset | [1] | 2 | 7
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability | [1] | 0 | 44
Fuel derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Accrued Liabilities |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset | [1] | 20 | 4
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | [1] | 402 | 412
Fuel derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Assets |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset | [1] | 82 | 126
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability | [1] | 0 | 0
Fuel derivatives | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset | [1] | 2 | 54
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability | [1] | 0 | 0
Fuel derivatives | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Accrued Liabilities |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset | [1] | 193 | 201
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | [1] | 234 | 262
Fuel derivatives | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Assets |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset | [1] | 46 | 52
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability | [1] | 46 | 52
Interest rate derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Noncurrent Liabilities |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset | [1] | 0 | 0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | [1] | 25 | 35
Interest rate derivatives | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Noncurrent Liabilities |  |  |
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset | [1] | 0 | 0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | [1] | $ 5 | $ 0
[1] | Represents the position of each trade before consideration of offsetting positions with each counterparty and does not include the impact of cash collateral deposits provided to or received from counterparties. See discussion of credit risk and collateral following in this Note.

X
- Definition Amount due to third parties for settled fuel contracts as of the end of the period reported, recorded in Accrued liabilities on the balance sheet. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_DueToThirdPartiesForSettledFuelContracts
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Total cash, current and noncurrent, that is already received, at the end of the reporting period, as collateral for derivative instruments. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_TotalCollateralAlreadyReceivedAggregateFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The aggregate fair value of assets that are already posted, at the end of the reporting period, as collateral for derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4H -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624258-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of liability associated with financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226003-175313 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624163-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Excludes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624163-113959 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226000-175313 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4D -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64830801&loc=SL51823488-111719 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities elected not to be offset. Excludes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4D -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64830801&loc=SL51823488-111719 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624163-113959 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226000-175313 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of asset associated with financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226003-175313 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624163-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
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_DerivativesFairValueLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_CommodityContractMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=luv_OtherAssetsCurrentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=luv_AccruedLiabilitiesBalanceSheetLocationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=luv_AccountsPayableBalanceSheetLocationMemberDomain
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |