XML 90 R74.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.10.0.1

Fair Value Instruments - Carrying and Estimated Fair Value of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 3,396	$ 3,693
French Credit Agreements due 2018 - 2.54%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	0	$ 1
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)		2.54%
Fixed-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2018 - 7.03%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)		7.03%
2.75% Unsecured Senior Notes Due November 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 300	$ 300
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.75%
2.75% Unsecured Senior Notes Due November 2019 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.75%
Term Loan Agreement payable through May 2019 - 6.315%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 23	66
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	6.315%
Term Loan Agreement payable through May 2019 - 6.315% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	6.315%
Term Loan Agreement payable through July 2019 - 4.84%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 10	19
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	4.84%
2.65% Notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 492	491
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.65%
2.65% Notes due 2020 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.65%
Term Loan Agreement payable through 2020 - 5.223%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 187	237
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]
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	5.223%
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2022 - 2.75%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 300	300
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	2.75%
Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24% | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 250	294
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	6.24%
Term Loan Agreement Due 2026 - 3.88%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 197	215
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	3.88%
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2026 - 3.00%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 300	300
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	3.00%
Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2027 - 3.45%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 300	300
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	3.45%
7.375% Debentures due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 125	127
Interest rate stated in the debt agreement (in hundredths)	7.375%
Level 2 | 2.75% Unsecured Senior Notes Due November 2019 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	$ 299
Level 2 | 2.65% Notes due 2020 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	486
Level 2 | Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2022 - 2.75% | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	293
Level 2 | Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24% | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	263
Level 2 | Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2026 - 3.00% | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	279
Level 2 | Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2027 - 3.45% | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	286
Level 2 | 7.375% Debentures due 2027 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	146
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement payable through May 2019 - 6.315% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	23
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement payable through July 2019 - 4.84% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	10
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement payable through 2020 - 5.223% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	187
Level 3 | 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2020 | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	67
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement Due 2026 - 3.88% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	197
AirTran Airways | Fixed-rate 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2018 - 7.03%
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	0	3
AirTran Airways | 737 Aircraft Notes payable through 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured Debt - Carrying Value	$ 67	$ 155

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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-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

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date, including the current and noncurrent portions, of collateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer). Such obligations include mortgage loans, chattel loans, and any other borrowings secured by assets of the borrower.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, carrying value as of the balance sheet date of uncollateralized debt obligations (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_CreditAgreementsDue2018Member
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_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember
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_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
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_UnsecuredSeniorNotesDue2022Domain
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_DebtInstrumentAxis=luv_Debenturesdue2027Domain
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:	srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis=srt_SubsidiariesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: