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Revenue - Air Traffic Liability Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019
Air Traffic Liability Roll Forward |  |
ATL, beginning balance | $ 5,510 | $ 5,070
Current Period Sales | 7,631 | 16,410
Revenue amounts in beginning balance | (2,126) | (3,160)
Revenue from Current Period Sales | (3,921) | (12,354)
ATL, ending balance | $ 7,094 | $ 5,966

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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