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Revenue - Air Traffic Liability Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2019 | Mar. 31, 2018
Air Traffic Liability Roll Forward |  |
ATL, beginning balance | $ 5,070 | $ 4,565
Current Period Sales | 5,704 | 5,407
Revenue amounts in beginning balance | (2,008) | (1,831)
Revenue from Current Period Sales | (2,752) | (2,711)
ATL, ending balance | $ 6,014 | $ 5,430

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- Definition Current Period Sales + References No definition available. + Details
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Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Air Traffic Liability - Revenue amounts in beginning balance + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Air Traffic Liability - Revenue from Current Period Sales + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition Air Traffic Liability Roll Forward + References No definition available. + Details
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Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Air Traffic Liability Total + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_AirTrafficLiabilityTotal
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant