SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Other Assets [Abstract]
Derivative contracts	$ 102	$ 174
Intangible assets, net	296	296
Equity Securities	280	235
Prepaid Maintenance	258	119
Other	28	31
Other assets	$ 964	$ 855

Prepaid Maintenance

No definition available.

Name:	luv_PrepaidMaintenance
Namespace Prefix:	luv_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value, after the 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, expected to be settled after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147483466/210-20-50-3

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of investment in equity security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (FV-NI), classified as noncurrent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 825
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482736/825-10-45-1A

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFVNINoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph ((a)(1),(b))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482665/350-30-50-2

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482686/350-30-45-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAssetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of other miscellaneous assets expected to be realized or consumed after one year or normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAssetsMiscellaneousNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of noncurrent assets classified as other.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(17))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480566/210-10-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant