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Revenue - Air Traffic Liability Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Air Traffic Liability Rollforward [Abstract] |  |
ATL, beginning balance | $ 5,070 | $ 4,565
Current Period Sales | 21,296 | 21,026
Revenue amounts in beginning balance | (3,816) | (3,479)
Revenue from Current Period Sales | (17,040) | (17,042)
ATL, ending balance | $ 5,510 | $ 5,070

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- Definition Current Period Sales + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
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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Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Air Traffic Liability - Revenue from Current Period Sales + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_AirTrafficLiabilityRevenuefromCurrentPeriodSales
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
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- Definition Air Traffic Liability Rollforward + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | luv_AirTrafficLiabilityRollforwardAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | luv_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
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