| Document and Entity Information | Oct. 23, 2024 |
| Cover [Abstract] | |
| Entity Registrant Name | SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO |
| Entity Address, State or Province | TX |
| Amendment Flag | true |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000092380 |
| Document Type | 8-K/A |
| Document Period End Date | Oct. 23, 2024 |
| Entity Incorporation State Country Code | TX |
| Entity File Number | 1-7259 |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 74-1563240 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | P. O. Box 36611 |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Dallas |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 75235-1611 |
| City Area Code | (214) |
| Local Phone Number | 792-4000 |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre Commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Security 12b Title | Common Stock ($1.00 par value) |
| Trading Symbol | LUV |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Amendment Description | As previously reported by Southwest Airlines Co. (the “Company”) in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 24, 2024 (the “Initial Form 8-K”), the Company announced that Pierre Breber, David Cush, Sarah Feinberg, David Grissen, Gregg Saretsky and Patricia Watson (the “New Directors”) were each appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), effective 11:59 p.m. Central Time on November 1, 2024. This Current Report on Form 8-K/A is being filed as an amendment to the Initial Form 8-K to report that, effective 11:59 p.m. Central Time on November 1, 2024, the Board made certain committee appointments of its New Directors. As a result, the committees of the Board consist of the following directors: |
