Southwest Airlines (LUV) 10-Q 27 Oct 20 2020 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Oct. 23, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	TX
Document Quarterly Report	true
Entity Registrant Name	SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
City Area Code	214
Local Phone Number	792-4000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000092380
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Entity File Number	1-7259
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		590,273,067
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Tax Identification Number	74-1563240
Entity Address, Address Line One	P.O. Box 36611
Entity Address, City or Town	Dallas,
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	75235-1611
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock ($1.00 par value)
Trading Symbol	LUV
Security Exchange Name	NYSE

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 12,109	$ 2,548
Short-term investments	2,453	1,524
Accounts and other receivables	897	1,086
Inventories of parts and supplies, at cost	426	529
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	248	287
Total current assets	16,133	5,974
Property and equipment, at cost:
Flight equipment	20,909	21,629
Ground property and equipment	6,005	5,672
Deposits on flight equipment purchase contracts	311	248
Assets constructed for others	274	164
Property and equipment, at cost	27,499	27,713
Less allowance for depreciation and amortization	11,443	10,688
Property and equipment, net	16,056	17,025
Goodwill	970	970
Operating lease right-of-use assets	1,767	1,349
Other assets	679	577
Total assets	35,605	25,895
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	980	1,574
Accrued liabilities	1,836	1,749
Current operating lease liabilities	316	353
Air traffic liability	3,952	4,457
Current maturities of long-term debt	720	819
Total current liabilities	7,804	8,952
Long-term debt less current maturities	10,135	1,846
Air traffic liability - noncurrent	3,142	1,053
Deferred income taxes	1,824	2,364
Construction obligation	274	164
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	1,424	978
Other noncurrent liabilities	1,233	706
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	888	808
Capital in excess of par value	4,175	1,581
Retained earnings	15,685	17,945
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(102)	(61)
Treasury stock, at cost	(10,877)	(10,441)
Total stockholders' equity	9,769	9,832
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 35,605	$ 25,895

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
OPERATING REVENUE:
Operating Revenue	$ 1,793	$ 5,639	$ 7,035	$ 16,698
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Salaries, wages, and benefits	1,678	2,002	5,245	6,046
Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net	(149)	0	(933)	0
Fuel and oil	379	1,090	1,507	3,242
Maintenance materials and repairs	185	313	597	916
Landing fees and airport rentals	308	345	922	1,036
Depreciation and amortization	315	308	940	906
Other operating expenses	488	762	1,405	2,260
Operating Costs and Expenses	3,204	4,820	9,683	14,406
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)	(1,411)	819	(2,648)	2,292
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
Interest expense	111	30	235	90
Capitalized interest	(11)	(10)	(23)	(27)
Interest income	(4)	(23)	(30)	(70)
Other (gains) losses, net	35	3	95	8
Total other expenses (income)	131	0	277	1
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(1,542)	819	(2,925)	2,291
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	(385)	160	(759)	504
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ (1,157)	$ 659	$ (2,166)	$ 1,787
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE, BASIC	$ (1.96)	$ 1.24	$ (3.89)	$ 3.30
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE, DILUTED	$ (1.96)	$ 1.23	$ (3.89)	$ 3.29
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	$ (1,129)	$ 566	$ (2,207)	$ 1,704
BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic	590	533	556	542
DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Diluted	590	534	556	543
Passenger
OPERATING REVENUE:
Operating Revenue	$ 1,454	$ 5,230	$ 6,003	$ 15,462
Freight
OPERATING REVENUE:
Operating Revenue	41	42	118	129
Other
OPERATING REVENUE:
Operating Revenue	$ 298	$ 367	$ 914	$ 1,107

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity Statement - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Treasury stock	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Retained earnings	Capital in excess of par value	Common Stock
Cumulative effect of new accounting standards	$ (55)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 55	$ 0	$ 0
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2018	9,853	(8,452)	20	15,967	1,510	808
Balance at beginning of period (Accounting Standards Update 2016-02) at Dec. 31, 2018	9,908	(8,452)	20	16,022	1,510	808
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Repurchase of common stock	(500)	(500)	0	0	0	0
Issuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plans	4	6	0	0	10	0
Share-based compensation	$ (13)	0	0	0	(13)	0
Cash dividends, per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.160
Cash dividends	$ (89)	0	0	(89)	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	463	0	76	387	0	0
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2019	9,791	(8,946)	96	16,320	1,513	808
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2018	9,853	(8,452)	20	15,967	1,510	808
Balance at beginning of period (Accounting Standards Update 2016-02) at Dec. 31, 2018	9,908	(8,452)	20	16,022	1,510	808
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,704
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2019	9,931	(9,893)	(63)	17,525	1,554	808
Balance at beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2019	9,791	(8,946)	96	16,320	1,513	808
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Repurchase of common stock	(450)	(450)	0	0	0	0
Issuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plans	10	2	0		8	0
Share-based compensation	$ (13)	0	0	0	(13)	0
Cash dividends, per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.180
Cash dividends	$ (99)	0	0	(99)	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	675	0	(66)	741	0	0
Balance at end of period at Jun. 30, 2019	9,940	(9,394)	30	16,962	1,534	808
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Repurchase of common stock	(500)	(500)	0	0	0	0
Issuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plans	9	1	0	0	8	0
Share-based compensation	$ (12)	0	0	0	(12)	0
Cash dividends, per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.180
Cash dividends	$ (96)	0	0	(96)	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	566	0	(93)	659	0	0
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2019	9,931	(9,893)	(63)	17,525	1,554	808
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2019	9,832	(10,441)	(61)	17,945	1,581	808
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Repurchase of common stock	(451)	(451)	0	0	0	0
Issuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plans	2	6	0	0	8	0
Share-based compensation	$ (9)	0	0	0	(9)	0
Cash dividends, per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.180
Cash dividends	$ (94)	0	0	(94)	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(219)	0	(125)	(94)	0	0
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2020	9,075	(10,886)	(186)	17,757	1,582	808
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2019	9,832	(10,441)	(61)	17,945	1,581	808
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Comprehensive income (loss)	(2,207)
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2020	9,769	(10,877)	(102)	15,685	4,175	888
Balance at beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2020	9,075	(10,886)	(186)	17,757	1,582	808
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	2,224	0	0	0	2,144	80
Issuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plans	13	5	0	0	8	0
Share-based compensation	(2)	0	0	0	(2)	0
Stock warrants	35	0	0	0	35	0
Equity feature of convertible notes, net of issuance costs	392	0	0	0	392	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(859)	0	56	(915)	0	0
Balance at end of period at Jun. 30, 2020	10,878	(10,881)	(130)	16,842	4,159	888
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common and treasury stock pursuant to Employee stock plans	13	4	0	0	9	0
Share-based compensation	(2)	0	0	0	(2)	0
Stock warrants	5	0	0	0	5	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(1,129)	0	28	(1,157)	0	0
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2020	$ 9,769	$ (10,877)	$ (102)	$ 15,685	$ 4,175	$ 888

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$ (1,157)	$ 659	$ (2,166)	$ 1,787
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	315	308	940	906
Unrealized/realized loss on fuel derivative instruments	17	0	25	0
Deferred income taxes	(298)	174	(528)	224
Gain on sale-leaseback transactions	0	0	(222)	0
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables	(123)	(88)	(60)	(292)
Other assets	84	79	366	195
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	26	106	(65)	(240)
Air traffic liability	216	(17)	1,584	897
Other liabilities	(106)	(87)	(312)	(210)
Cash collateral received from (provided to) derivative counterparties	(5)	0	2	0
Other, net	(19)	(43)	(95)	(104)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(1,050)	1,091	(531)	3,163
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(89)	(375)	(425)	(766)
Supplier Proceeds	0	0	428	0
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	0	0	815	0
Purchases of short-term investments	(1,536)	(529)	(3,881)	(1,329)
Proceeds from sales of short-term and other investments	1,191	545	2,956	1,648
Net cash used in investing activities	(434)	(359)	(107)	(447)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of common stock	0	0	2,294	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,125	0	5,622	0
Proceeds from term loan credit facility	0	0	3,683	0
Proceeds from revolving credit facility	0	0	1,000	0
Proceeds from convertible notes	0	0	2,300	0
Proceeds from Payroll Support Program loan and warrants	130	0	1,016	0
Proceeds from Employee stock plans	13	9	36	29
Repurchase of common stock	0	(500)	(451)	(1,450)
Payments of long-term debt and finance lease obligations	(59)	(70)	(295)	(245)
Payments of cash dividends	0	(96)	(188)	(372)
Payments of terminated interest rate derivative instruments	(31)	0	(31)	0
Capitalized Financing Items	44	0	(133)	0
Other, net	20	(33)	29	(44)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,242	(690)	10,199	(2,082)
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(242)	42	9,561	634
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	12,351	2,446	2,548	1,854
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	12,109	2,488	12,109	2,488
CASH PAYMENTS FOR:
Interest, net of amount capitalized	7	11	61	59
Income taxes	7	169	17	487
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Right-of-use assets acquired under operating leases	6	0	692	0
Assets Constructed for Others	35	28	110	73
364-Day Term Loan Credit Facility
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Repayment of Short-term Debt	0	0	(3,683)	0
Revolving Credit Facility
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments of revolving credit facility	$ 0	$ 0	$ (1,000)	$ 0

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	BASIS OF PRESENTATIONSouthwest Airlines Co. (the "Company" or "Southwest") operates Southwest Airlines, a major passenger airline that provides scheduled air transportation in the United States and near-international markets. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries.The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") for complete financial statements. The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the interim periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 include all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. This includes all normal and recurring adjustments and elimination of significant intercompany transactions. Financial results for the Company and airlines in general can be seasonal in nature. In many years, the Company's revenues, as well as its Operating income and Net income, have been better in its second and third fiscal quarters than in its first and fourth fiscal quarters. However, in 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company's results were not in line with such historical trends. See Note 2 for further information. Air travel is also significantly impacted by general economic conditions, the amount of disposable income available to consumers, unemployment levels, corporate travel budgets, extreme or severe weather and natural disasters, fears of terrorism or war, and other factors beyond the Company's control. These and other factors, such as the price of jet fuel in some periods, the nature of the Company's fuel hedging program, and the periodic volatility of commodities used by the Company for hedging jet fuel, have created, and may continue to create, significant volatility in the Company's financial results. See Note 4 for further information on fuel and the Company's hedging program. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future quarters or for the year ended December 31, 2020. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC

WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Worldwide Pandemic [Abstract]
Worldwide Pandemic	WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC As a result of the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, throughout the world, including into the United States, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization classified the virus as a pandemic. The speed with which the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have changed the U.S. economic landscape, outlook, and in particular the travel industry, has been swift and unexpected. The Company began to see a negative impact on bookings for future travel in late February 2020, which quickly accelerated during the remainder of first quarter and into second quarter, when trip cancellations outpaced new passenger bookings during the majority of March and April 2020. The Company began proactively canceling a significant portion of its scheduled flights in March, and continued making cancellations throughout second and third quarters, as the Company grounded a significant portion of its fleet and operated a significantly reduced portion of its previously scheduled capacity. The Company continued to experience significant negative impacts to passenger demand and bookings in third quarter 2020 due to the pandemic. Based on these events and the uncertainty they created, the Company immediately began to focus on its liquidity, including quickly and substantially enhancing its cash holdings. Since the beginning of 2020, the Company has raised a total of $18.9 billion, net of fees. On April 20, 2020, the Company entered into definitive documentation with the United States Department of Treasury (the "Treasury") with respect to funding support pursuant to the Payroll Support Program ("Payroll Support") under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act"). Payroll Support funds had to be used to pay employee wages and benefits through at least September 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has received five installments of Payroll Support from the CARES Act. The cumulative amounts received totaled $3.4 billion, including $1.6 billion received in April, $652 million received in both May and June, $326 million received in July 2020, and $94 million received in September 2020. As consideration for the Payroll Support, the Company issued a promissory note (the "Note") in favor of the Treasury and entered into a warrant agreement with the Treasury (the "Warrant Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue warrants (each, a "Warrant") to purchase common stock of the Company to the Treasury. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has provided a Note in the aggregate amount of $976 million and issued Warrants valued at a total of $40 million to purchase up to an aggregate of 2.7 million shares of the Company's common stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the Warrants. Pursuant to the terms of the Payroll Support Program agreement and the CARES Act, the Payroll Support funds could only be utilized to pay qualifying salaries, wages, and benefits, as defined in the CARES Act. As of September 30, 2020, excluding the $976 million Note and value allocated to the Warrants, all Payroll Support funds received have been allocated to reduce eligible costs in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The Note matures in full on April 19, 2030, and is subject to mandatory prepayment requirements in connection with certain change of control triggering events that may occur prior to its maturity. The Company has an option to prepay the Note at any time without premium or penalty. Amounts outstanding under the Note bear interest at a rate of 1.00 percent before April 20, 2025 and, afterwards, at a rate equal to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate or other benchmark replacement rate consistent with customary market conventions plus a margin of 2.00 percent. The Note contains customary representations and warranties and events of default. The Warrant Agreement sets out the Company’s obligations to issue Warrants in connection with disbursements of Payroll Support and to file a resale shelf registration statement for the Warrants and the underlying shares of common stock. The Company has also granted the Treasury certain demand underwritten offering and piggyback registration rights with respect to the Warrants and the underlying common stock. Each Warrant is exercisable at a strike price of $36.47 per share of common stock and will expire on the fifth anniversary of the issue date of such Warrant. The Warrants will be settled through net share settlement or net cash settlement, at the Company’s option. The Warrants include adjustments for below market issuances, payment of dividends, and other customary anti-dilution provisions. The Warrants do not have voting rights. In addition to obtaining financing under the CARES Act and accessing the capital markets, the Company believes it has made significant progress on bolstering its liquidity through efforts including aggressively evaluating all capital spending, discretionary spending, and non-essential costs for near-term cost reductions or deferrals; reducing the Company's published flight schedule; placing a significant number of aircraft in storage; implementing voluntary separation and time-off programs for Employees; suspending all hiring and non-contract salary increases; reducing named executive officer salaries and Board of Director cash retainer fees by 20 percent; and modifying vendor and supplier payment terms. The Company will continue evaluating the need for further flight schedule adjustments. To support physical-distancing, the Company is currently limiting the number of seats sold on each flight to allow for middle seats to remain open for Customers who are not traveling together through November 2020. On June 1, 2020, the Company announced Voluntary Separation Program 2020, a voluntary separation program that allowed eligible Employees the opportunity to voluntarily separate from the Company in exchange for severance, medical/dental coverage for a specified period of time, and travel privileges based on years of service. Virtually all of the Company’s Employees hired before June 1, 2020 were eligible to participate in Voluntary Separation Program 2020. Employees electing to participate in Voluntary Separation Program 2020 were required to notify the Company of their election no later than July 15, 2020--with the stipulation that all Employees electing to participate had a total of seven days from their date of initial election to rescind their election and remain employed by the Company. As determined after the deadline to rescind such election, a total of over 4,200 Employees elected to participate in Voluntary Separation Program 2020, consisting of the following breakdown among workgroups: 1,060 from Ground Operations and Provisioning, 725 Flight Attendants, 630 Pilots, 390 from Customer Support and Services, 185 from Maintenance, 90 from other Contract groups, and 1,140 Managerial and Administrative Employees. Voluntary Separation Program 2020 participants’ last day of work primarily fell between August 15, 2020 and September 30, 2020, as assigned by the Company based on the operational needs of particular work locations and departments, determined on an individual-by-individual basis. In conjunction with Voluntary Separation Program 2020, the Company also offered certain contract Employees the option to take voluntary Extended Emergency Time Off ("Extended ETO"), for periods between six and 18 months, with the exception of Pilots, who could elect to take Extended ETO for periods up to five years. Employees taking Extended ETO do not perform any work for the Company and are considered inactive while on leave, but do get paid a portion of their wages and continue to receive all associated benefits, as well as accrue service credit for all benefits. Contract employees who elected to take Extended ETO for periods between 12 and 18 months and had 10 or more years of service have been given the opportunity to convert to the Voluntary Separation Program 2020 beginning on September 1, 2020, until up to 90 days before the end of their respective Extended ETO term. The purpose of Voluntary Separation Program 2020 and Extended ETO is to maintain a suitable sized workforce to operate at reduced capacity relative to the Company's operations prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In accordance with the accounting guidance in ASC Topic 712 (Compensation — Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits), the Company accrued charges related to the special termination benefits described above upon Employees accepting Voluntary Separation Program 2020 or Extended ETO offers, which will be reduced as program benefits are paid. Costs incurred for Voluntary Separation Program 2020 and Extended ETO, which totaled $1.1 billion during third quarter 2020, are recorded as a component of Payroll support and voluntary Employee programs, net, in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Within that line item, these charges are netted against the allocation of the remainder of the Payroll Support Program funds utilized to fund salaries, wages, and benefits, which totaled $1.2 billion during third quarter 2020. The Company accrued expenses totaling $613 million for its Extended ETO program during third quarter 2020, consisting of future wages and benefits for the Employees that will not be working. The Company has accrued amounts up to 18 months for all Employees that elected Extended ETO, but did not include amounts related to Pilots for periods beyond February 2022, based on the uncertainty of its future capacity levels, and because it is not currently probable that such Employees will not be recalled to work beyond that timeframe. Therefore, future adjustments to the amounts accrued as of September 30, 2020, may become necessary at a later date. Refer to the following table for amounts accrued and amounts reduced related to Voluntary Separation Program 2020 and Extended ETO as of September 30, 2020. (in millions) Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Extended ETO Total Amounts accrued $ 307 $ — $ 307 Balance at June 30, 2020 307 — 307 Amounts accrued 485 613 1,098 Amounts reduced (173) (25) (198) Balance at September 30, 2020 (a) $ 619 $ 588 $ 1,207 (a) See Note 10 for the location of the Voluntary Separation Program 2020 and Extended ETO balances within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. In response to flight schedule adjustments due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of aircraft were taken out of the Company’s schedule beginning in late March, and placed in short-term storage, as well as some in a longer term storage program. As of September 30, 2020, 104 aircraft remained in long-term storage, including 34 Boeing MAX 737 aircraft. Given the current expectation that these aircraft have been placed in storage temporarily, the Company has continued to record depreciation expense associated with them. As a result of the events and impacts surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, including the Company's net loss incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, and the significant number of aircraft that have been placed in storage, the Company considered whether these conditions indicated that it was more likely than not that the Company’s $970 million in Goodwill and its $295 million in indefinite-lived intangible assets were impaired. Upon review, the Company determined that, based on the facts and circumstances in existence as of September 30, 2020, the fair values more likely than not exceeded book values of both its reporting unit and its indefinite-lived intangible assets and therefore, no quantitative test was required. In addition, the Company has assessed whether any impairment of its amortizable assets existed, and has determined that no charges were deemed necessary under applicable accounting standards as of September 30, 2020. The Company’s assumptions about future conditions important to its assessment of potential impairment of its amortizable assets, indefinite-lived intangible assets, and goodwill, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other ongoing impacts to its business, are subject to uncertainty, and the Company will continue to monitor these conditions in future periods as new information becomes available, and will update its analyses accordingly. The Company's income tax benefit recorded for the first nine months of 2020 was at a rate of 25.9 percent, which is higher than the first nine months of 2019 tax rate of 22.0 percent. The higher effective tax rate in 2020 reflects the anticipated benefit of carrying back full year 2020 projected net losses to claim tax refunds against previous cash taxes paid relating to tax years 2015 through 2019, some of which were at higher rates than the current year.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS On August 5, 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. This new standard reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock, enhances information transparency by making targeted improvements to the disclosures for convertible instruments and earnings-per-share (EPS) guidance, and amends the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity to reduce form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. Companies may elect early adoption for periods beginning no earlier than December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The FASB specified that an entity should adopt the guidance as of the beginning of its annual fiscal year. The Company is evaluating this new standard and plans to provide additional information about its expected impact on the Company's financial statements and disclosures at a future date. On December 18, 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This new standard eliminates certain exceptions in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740 related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. It also clarifies and simplifies other aspects of the accounting for income taxes. This standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted in any interim period within that year. The Company elected to early adopt this standard as of January 1, 2020. The most significant impact to the Company is the removal of a limit on the tax benefit recognized on pre-tax losses in interim periods. However, the early adoption as of January 1, 2020, did not have an impact on the Company's financial statements or disclosures for the first nine months of 2020. On August 29, 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software. This standard requires a customer in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract to follow the internal-use software guidance in ASC 350-40, Accounting for Internal-Use Software, to determine which implementation costs to (i) capitalize as assets and amortize over the term of the hosting arrangement or (ii) expense as incurred. This standard is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and the standard was adopted and applied prospectively by the Company as of January 1, 2020, but it did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements and disclosures. On August 28, 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement. This standard is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. This standard requires changes to the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements for certain Level 3 items, and specifies that some of the changes must be applied prospectively, while others should be applied retrospectively. The Company adopted the standard as of January 1, 2020, but it did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements or disclosures. See Note 9 for further information on the Company's fair value measurements. On January 26, 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new standard eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. An entity should recognize a goodwill impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. This standard is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and the standard was adopted and applied prospectively by the Company as of January 1, 2020, but it did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements and disclosures.

FINANCIAL DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENT

FINANCIAL DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
FINANCIAL DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS	(550)(b) (125) to (150) or >(550)(c) (c) N/A If credit rating is investment Cash is provided to CP >(100) >(50) (75) to (150) or >(550)(d) (125) to (150) or >(550)(d) >(40) >(65)(d) Cash is received from CP >0(d) >150(d) >250(d) >(125)(d) >100(d) >70(d) Cash can be pledged to (200) to (600)(e) N/A (150) to (550)(b) (150) to (550)(b) N/A N/A If credit rating is non-investment Cash is provided to CP (0) to (200) or >(600) (f) (0) to (150) or >(550) (0) to (150) or >(550) (f) (f) Cash is received from CP (f) (f) (f) (f) (f) (f) Cash can be pledged to (200) to (600) N/A (150) to (550) (150) to (550) N/A N/A (a) Individual counterparties with fair value of fuel derivatives < $9 million. (b) The Company has the option of providing cash or letters of credit as collateral. (c) The Company has the option to substitute letters of credit for 100 percent of cash collateral requirement. (d) Thresholds may vary based on changes in credit ratings within investment grade. (e) The Company has the option of providing cash as collateral. (f) Cash collateral is provided at 100 percent of fair value of fuel derivative contracts." id="sjs-B4">FINANCIAL DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS Fuel Contracts Airline operators are inherently dependent upon energy to operate and, therefore, are impacted by changes in jet fuel prices. Furthermore, jet fuel and oil typically represents one of the largest operating expenses for airlines. The Company endeavors to acquire jet fuel at the lowest possible cost and to reduce volatility in operating expenses through its fuel hedging program. Although the Company may periodically enter into jet fuel derivatives for short-term timeframes, because jet fuel is not widely traded on an organized futures exchange, there are limited opportunities to hedge directly in jet fuel for time horizons longer than approximately 24 months into the future. However, the Company has found that financial derivative instruments in other commodities, such as West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") crude oil, Brent crude oil, and refined products, such as heating oil and unleaded gasoline, can be useful in decreasing its exposure to jet fuel price volatility. The Company does not purchase or hold any financial derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company has used financial derivative instruments for both short-term and long-term timeframes, and primarily uses a mixture of purchased call options, collar structures (which include both a purchased call option and a sold put option), call spreads (which include a purchased call option and a sold call option), put spreads (which include a purchased put option and a sold put option), and fixed price swap agreements in its portfolio. Although the use of collar structures and swap agreements can reduce the overall cost of hedging, these instruments carry more risk than purchased call options in that the Company could end up in a liability position when the collar structure or swap agreement settles. With the use of purchased call options and call spreads, the Company cannot be in a liability position at settlement, but does not have coverage once market prices fall below the strike price of the purchased call option. For the purpose of evaluating its net cash spend for jet fuel and for forecasting its future estimated jet fuel expense, the Company evaluates its hedge volumes strictly from an "economic" standpoint and thus does not consider whether the hedges have qualified or will qualify for hedge accounting. The Company defines its "economic" hedge as the net volume of fuel derivative contracts held, including the impact of positions that have been offset through sold positions, regardless of whether those contracts qualify for hedge accounting. The level at which the Company is economically hedged for a particular period is also dependent on current market prices for that period, as well as the types of derivative instruments held and the strike prices of those instruments. For example, the Company may enter into "out-of-the-money" option contracts (including "catastrophic" protection), which may not generate intrinsic gains at settlement if market prices do not rise above the option strike price. Therefore, even though the Company may have an economic hedge in place for a particular period, that hedge may not produce any hedging gains at settlement and may even produce hedging losses depending on market prices, the types of instruments held, and the strike prices of those instruments. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company had fuel derivative instruments in place for up to 42 percent and 67 percent, respectively, of its fuel consumption. As of September 30, 2020, the Company also had fuel derivative instruments in place to provide coverage at varying price levels. The following table provides information about the Company’s volume of fuel hedging on an economic basis: Maximum fuel hedged as of September 30, 2020 Derivative underlying commodity type as of Period (by year) (gallons in millions) (a) September 30, 2020 Remainder of 2020 325 WTI crude oil, Brent crude oil, and Heating oil 2021 1,283 WTI crude oil and Brent crude oil 2022 1,220 WTI crude oil and Brent crude oil Beyond 2022 630 WTI crude oil and Brent crude oil (a) Due to the types of derivatives utilized by the Company and different price levels of those contracts, these volumes represent the maximum economic hedge in place and may vary significantly as market prices and the Company's flight schedule fluctuates. Upon proper qualification, the Company accounts for its fuel derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. All periodic changes in fair value of the derivatives designated as hedges are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") until the underlying jet fuel is consumed. See Note 5. The Company's results are subject to the possibility that the derivatives will no longer qualify for hedge accounting, in which case any change in the fair value of derivative instruments since the last reporting period would be recorded in Other (gains) losses, net, in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the period of the change; however, any amounts previously recorded to AOCI would remain there until such time as the original forecasted transaction occurs, at which time these amounts would be reclassified to Fuel and oil expense. Factors that have and may continue to lead to the loss of hedge accounting include: significant fluctuation in energy prices, significant weather events affecting refinery capacity and the production of refined products, and the volatility of the different types of products the Company uses in hedging. Increased volatility in these commodity markets for an extended period of time, especially if such volatility were to worsen, could cause the Company to lose hedge accounting altogether for the commodities used in its fuel hedging program, which would create further volatility in the Company’s GAAP financial results. However, even though derivatives may not qualify for hedge accounting, the Company continues to hold the instruments as management believes derivative instruments continue to afford the Company the opportunity to stabilize jet fuel costs. When the Company has sold derivative positions in order to effectively "close" or offset a derivative already held as part of its fuel derivative instrument portfolio, any subsequent changes in fair value of those positions are marked to market through earnings. Likewise, any changes in fair value of those positions that were offset by entering into the sold positions and were de-designated as hedges are concurrently marked to market through earnings. However, any changes in value related to hedges that were deferred as part of AOCI while designated as a hedge would remain until the originally forecasted transaction occurs. In a situation where it becomes probable that a fuel hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, any gains and/or losses that have been recorded to AOCI will be required to be immediately reclassified into earnings. During the first nine months of 2020, as a result of the drastic drop in demand for air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company's forecast for 2020 and 2021 fuel purchases and consumption was significantly reduced, causing the Company to be in an estimated "over–hedged" position for second, third, and fourth quarter 2020, and full year 2021. Therefore, the Company de–designated a portion of its fuel hedges related to these periods, and has reclassified approximately $22 million and $38 million in losses from AOCI into Other (gains) losses, net, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. The Company did not have any such situations occur during 2019. All cash flows associated with purchasing and selling fuel derivatives are classified as Other operating cash flows in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The following table presents the location of all assets and liabilities associated with the Company’s derivative instruments within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet: Asset derivatives Liability derivatives Balance Sheet Fair value at Fair value at Fair value at Fair value at (in millions) location 9/30/2020 12/31/2019 9/30/2020 12/31/2019 Derivatives designated as hedges (a) Fuel derivative contracts (gross) Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 4 $ 48 $ — $ — Fuel derivative contracts (gross) Other assets 101 62 — — Interest rate derivative contracts Other assets — 2 — — Interest rate derivative contracts Accrued liabilities — — — 5 Interest rate derivative contracts Other noncurrent liabilities — — 11 1 Total derivatives designated as hedges $ 105 $ 112 $ 11 $ 6 Derivatives not designated as hedges (a) Fuel derivative contracts (gross) Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 2 $ — $ — $ — Fuel derivative contracts (gross) Other assets 2 — — — Interest rate derivative contracts Accrued liabilities — — 28 — Total derivatives not designated as hedges $ 4 $ — $ 28 $ — Total derivatives $ 109 $ 112 $ 39 $ 6 (a) Represents the position of each trade before consideration of offsetting positions with each counterparty and does not include the impact of cash collateral deposits provided to or received from counterparties. See discussion of credit risk and collateral following in this Note. The following table presents the amounts recorded on the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet related to fair value hedges: Balance Sheet location of hedged item Carrying amount of the hedged liabilities Cumulative amount of fair value hedging adjustment included in the carrying amount of the hedged liabilities (a) September 30, September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Current maturities of long-term debt $ 500 $ 300 $ — $ 2 Long-term debt less current maturities — 501 18 18 $ 500 $ 801 $ 18 $ 20 (a) At September 30, 2020 and 2019, these amounts include the cumulative amount of fair value hedging adjustments remaining for which hedge accounting has been discontinued, of $18 million and $19 million, respectively. In addition, the Company had the following amounts associated with fuel derivative instruments and hedging activities in its unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet: Balance Sheet September 30, December 31, (in millions) location 2020 2019 Cash collateral deposits held from counterparties for fuel contracts - current Offset against Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 1 $ 10 Cash collateral deposits held from counterparties for fuel contracts - noncurrent Offset against Other assets 26 15 All of the Company's fuel derivative instruments and interest rate swaps are subject to agreements that follow the netting guidance in the applicable accounting standards for derivatives and hedging. The types of derivative instruments the Company has determined are subject to netting requirements in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet are those in which the Company pays or receives cash for transactions with the same counterparty and in the same currency via one net payment or receipt. For cash collateral held by the Company or provided to counterparties, the Company nets such amounts against the fair value of the Company's derivative portfolio by each counterparty. The Company has elected to utilize netting for both its fuel derivative instruments and interest rate swap agreements and also classifies such amounts as either current or noncurrent, based on the net fair value position with each of the Company's counterparties in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. If its fuel derivative instruments are in a net asset position with a counterparty, cash collateral amounts held are first netted against current outstanding derivative asset amounts associated with that counterparty until that balance is zero, and then any remainder is applied against the fair value of noncurrent outstanding derivative instruments. As of September 30, 2020, no cash collateral deposits were provided by or held by the Company based on its outstanding interest rate swap agreements. The Company has the following recognized financial assets and financial liabilities resulting from those transactions that meet the scope of the disclosure requirements as necessitated by applicable accounting guidance for balance sheet offsetting: Offsetting of derivative assets (in millions) (i) (ii) (iii) = (i) + (ii) (i) (ii) (iii) = (i) + (ii) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Description Balance Sheet location Gross amounts of recognized assets Gross amounts offset in the Balance Sheet Net amounts of assets presented in the Balance Sheet Gross amounts of recognized assets Gross amounts offset in the Balance Sheet Net amounts of assets presented in the Balance Sheet Fuel derivative contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 6 $ (1) $ 5 $ 48 $ (10) $ 38 Fuel derivative contracts Other assets $ 103 $ (26) $ 77 (a) $ 62 $ (15) $ 47 (a) Interest rate derivative contracts Other assets $ — $ — $ — (a) $ 2 $ — $ 2 (a) (a) The net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities are reconciled to the individual line item amounts presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Note 10. Offsetting of derivative liabilities (in millions) (i) (ii) (iii) = (i) + (ii) (i) (ii) (iii) = (i) + (ii) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Description Balance Sheet location Gross amounts of recognized liabilities Gross amounts offset in the Balance Sheet Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Balance Sheet Gross amounts of recognized liabilities Gross amounts offset in the Balance Sheet Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Balance Sheet Fuel derivative contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 1 $ (1) $ — $ 10 $ (10) $ — Fuel derivative contracts Other assets $ 26 $ (26) $ — (a) $ 15 $ (15) $ — (a) Interest rate derivative contracts Accrued liabilities $ 28 $ — $ 28 (a) $ 5 $ — $ 5 (a) Interest rate derivative contracts Other noncurrent liabilities $ 11 $ — $ 11 $ 1 $ — $ 1 (a) The net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities are reconciled to the individual line item amounts presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Note 10. The following tables present the impact of derivative instruments and their location within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019: Location and amount recognized in income on cash flow and fair value hedging relationships Three months ended September 30, 2020 Three months ended September 30, 2019 (in millions) Fuel and oil Other (gains)/losses, net Interest expense Fuel and oil Interest expense Total $ 18 $ 22 $ 2 $ 19 $ 8 Loss on cash flow hedging relationships: Commodity contracts: Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income 18 22 — 19 — Interest contracts: Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income — — — — 2 Impact of fair value hedging relationships: Interest contracts: Hedged items — — 4 — 6 Derivatives designated as hedging instruments — — (2) — — Location and amount recognized in income on cash flow and fair value hedging relationships Nine months ended September 30, 2020 Nine months ended September 30, 2019 (in millions) Fuel and oil Other (gains)/losses, net Interest expense Fuel and oil Interest expense Total $ 54 $ 38 $ 6 $ 28 $ 21 Loss on cash flow hedging relationships Commodity contracts: Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income 54 38 — 28 — Interest contracts: Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income — — 1 — 3 Impact of fair value hedging relationships: Interest contracts: Hedged items — — 11 — 17 Derivatives designated as hedging instruments — — (6) — 1 Derivatives designated and qualified in cash flow hedging relationships (Gain) loss recognized in AOCI on derivatives, net of tax Three months ended September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 Fuel derivative contracts $ 17 $ 95 Interest rate derivatives (3) 17 Total $ 14 $ 112 Derivatives designated and qualified in cash flow hedging relationships Loss recognized in AOCI on derivatives, net of tax Nine months ended September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 Fuel derivative contracts $ 91 $ 83 Interest rate derivatives 30 43 Total $ 121 $ 126 Derivatives not designated as hedges (Gain) loss recognized in income on derivatives Three months ended Location of (gain) loss recognized in income on derivatives September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 Fuel derivative contracts $ 1 $ — Other (gains) losses, net Interest rate derivatives (1) — Other (gains) losses, net Total $ — $ — Derivatives not designated as hedges Loss recognized in income on derivatives Nine months ended Location of loss recognized in income on derivatives September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 Fuel derivative contracts $ 2 $ — Other (gains) losses, net Interest rate derivatives 28 — Other (gains) losses, net Total $ 30 $ — The Company also recorded expense associated with premiums paid for fuel derivative contracts that settled/expired during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Fuel derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded to Fuel and oil expense. Fuel derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recorded to Other (gains) and losses, net. The following tables present the impact of premiums paid for fuel derivative contracts and their location within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) during the period the contract settles: Premium expense recognized in income on derivatives Three months ended Location of premium expense recognized in income on derivatives September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 Fuel derivative contracts designated as hedges $ 13 $ 20 Fuel and oil Fuel derivative contracts not designated as hedges $ 11 $ — Other (gains) losses, net Premium expense recognized in income on derivatives Nine months ended Location of premium expense recognized in income on derivatives September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 Fuel derivative contracts designated as hedges $ 51 $ 75 Fuel and oil Fuel derivative contracts not designated as hedges $ 22 $ — Other (gains) losses, net The fair values of the derivative instruments, depending on the type of instrument, were determined by the use of present value methods or option value models with assumptions about commodity prices based on those observed in underlying markets or provided by third parties. Included in the Company’s cumulative net unrealized losses from fuel hedges as of September 30, 2020, recorded in AOCI, were approximately $53 million in unrealized losses, net of taxes, which are expected to be realized in earnings during the twelve months subsequent to September 30, 2020. Interest Rate Swaps The Company is party to certain interest rate swap agreements that are accounted for as either fair value hedges or cash flow hedges, as defined in the applicable accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging. Several of the Company's interest rate swap agreements qualify for the "shortcut" method of accounting for hedges, which dictates that the hedges are assumed to be perfectly effective, and thus there is no ineffectiveness to be recorded in earnings. During first quarter 2019, the Company entered into 12 separate forward-starting interest rate swap agreements related to a series of 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft leases with deliveries originally scheduled between July 2019 and February 2020. These lease contracts exposed the Company to interest rate risk as the rental payments were subject to adjustment and would become fixed based on the 9-year swap rate at the time of delivery. The primary objective of these interest rate derivatives, which qualified as cash flow hedges, was to hedge the forecasted monthly rental payments. These swap agreements provided for a single payment at maturity based upon the change in the 9-year swap rate between the execution date and the termination date. All 12 swap agreements were terminated during third quarter 2019, resulting in $32 million being "frozen" in AOCI. As a result of the extenuating circumstances involving the MAX aircraft, which are outside the control of the Company, these amounts will be recognized in earnings when the original forecasted transaction occurs, which remains probable. During third quarter 2019, the Company entered into 12 separate forward-starting interest rate swap agreements, related to a series of 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft leases. The third quarter 2019 swaps contain similar terms as the third quarter 2019 terminated swaps discussed above, except that the related 737 MAX 8 deliveries were scheduled to occur between June 2020 and September 2020. During the first nine months of 2020, all 12 of the aircraft leases became no longer probable to be received within the scheduled delivery range. Therefore, the 12 associated swap agreements were de-designated and $14 million and $31 million were "frozen" in AOCI during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. These amounts will be recognized in earnings when the original forecasted transaction occurs, which continues to be probable. The mark-to-market changes for these swap agreements are now being recorded in earnings, resulting in a $1 million unrealized gain and a $28 million unrealized loss to Other (gains) and losses, net, in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. In addition, 6 of the 12 swap agreements were terminated on June 30, 2020, resulting in $31 million paid to the counterparty. The remaining 6 swap agreements were terminated on September 30, 2020, resulting in $28 million owed to the counterparty, which was recorded as an Accrued liability within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2020. For the Company’s interest rate swap agreements that do not qualify for the "shortcut" or "critical terms match" methods of accounting, ineffectiveness is assessed at each reporting period. If hedge accounting is achieved, all periodic changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps are recorded in AOCI. Credit Risk and Collateral Credit exposure related to fuel derivative instruments is represented by the fair value of contracts that are an asset to the Company at the reporting date. At such times, these outstanding instruments expose the Company to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements. However, the Company has not experienced any significant credit loss as a result of counterparty nonperformance in the past. To manage credit risk, the Company selects and periodically reviews counterparties based on credit ratings, limits its exposure with respect to each counterparty, and monitors the market position of the fuel hedging program and its relative market position with each counterparty. At September 30, 2020, the Company had agreements with all of its active counterparties containing early termination rights and/or bilateral collateral provisions whereby security is required if market risk exposure exceeds a specified threshold amount based on the counterparty credit rating. The Company also had agreements with counterparties in which cash deposits and letters of credit were required to be posted as collateral whenever the net fair value of derivatives associated with those counterparties exceeds specific thresholds. In certain cases, the Company has the ability to substitute among these different forms of collateral at its discretion. The following table provides the fair values of fuel derivatives, amounts posted as collateral, and applicable collateral posting threshold amounts as of September 30, 2020, at which such postings are triggered: Counterparty (CP) (in millions) A B C D E F Other (a) Total Fair value of fuel derivatives $ 24 $ 14 $ 28 $ 12 $ 11 $ 10 $ 10 $ 109 Cash collateral held from CP 27 — — — — — — 27 Letters of credit (LC) — — — — — — — — Option to substitute LC for cash N/A N/A (75) to (150) or >(550)(b) (125) to (150) or >(550)(c) (c) N/A If credit rating is investment Cash is provided to CP >(100) >(50) (75) to (150) or >(550)(d) (125) to (150) or >(550)(d) >(40) >(65)(d) Cash is received from CP >0(d) >150(d) >250(d) >(125)(d) >100(d) >70(d) Cash can be pledged to (200) to (600)(e) N/A (150) to (550)(b) (150) to (550)(b) N/A N/A If credit rating is non-investment Cash is provided to CP (0) to (200) or >(600) (f) (0) to (150) or >(550) (0) to (150) or >(550) (f) (f) Cash is received from CP (f) (f) (f) (f) (f) (f) Cash can be pledged to (200) to (600) N/A (150) to (550) (150) to (550) N/A N/A (a) Individual counterparties with fair value of fuel derivatives < $9 million. (b) The Company has the option of providing cash or letters of credit as collateral. (c) The Company has the option to substitute letters of credit for 100 percent of cash collateral requirement. (d) Thresholds may vary based on changes in credit ratings within investment grade. (e) The Company has the option of providing cash as collateral. (f) Cash collateral is provided at 100 percent of fair value of fuel derivative contracts.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in the fair value of certain financial derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments, and actuarial gains/losses arising from the Company’s postretirement benefit obligation. The differences between Net income (loss) and Comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows: Three months ended September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (1,157) $ 659 Unrealized gain (loss) on fuel derivative instruments, net of deferred taxes of $5 and $(24) 14 (80) Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate derivative instruments, net of deferred taxes of $— and $(5) 3 (15) Other, net of deferred taxes of $3 and $— 11 2 Total other comprehensive income (loss) $ 28 $ (93) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ (1,129) $ 566 Nine months ended September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (2,166) $ 1,787 Unrealized gain (loss) on fuel derivative instruments, net of deferred taxes of $(6) and $(18) (20) (61) Unrealized loss on interest rate derivative instruments, net of deferred taxes of $(9) and $(13) (29) (40) Other, net of deferred taxes of $2 and $4 8 18 Total other comprehensive loss $ (41) $ (83) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ (2,207) $ 1,704 A rollforward of the amounts included in AOCI is shown below for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020: (in millions) Fuel derivatives Interest rate derivatives Defined benefit plan items Other Deferred tax Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Balance at June 30, 2020 $ (170) $ (74) $ 20 $ 55 $ 39 $ (130) Changes in fair value (21) 3 — 14 1 (3) Reclassification to earnings 40 — — — (9) 31 Balance at September 30, 2020 $ (151) $ (71) $ 20 $ 69 $ 31 $ (102) (in millions) Fuel derivatives Interest rate derivatives Defined benefit plan items Other Deferred tax Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ (125) $ (33) $ 20 $ 59 $ 18 $ (61) Changes in fair value (118) (39) — 10 34 (113) Reclassification to earnings 92 1 — — (21) 72 Balance at September 30, 2020 $ (151) $ (71) $ 20 $ 69 $ 31 $ (102) The following tables illustrate the significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020: Three months ended September 30, 2020 (in millions) Amounts reclassified from AOCI Affected line item in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) AOCI components Unrealized loss on fuel derivative instruments $ 18 Fuel and oil expense 22 Other (gains) losses, net 9 Less: Tax expense Total reclassifications for the period $ 31 Net of tax Nine months ended September 30, 2020 (in millions) Amounts reclassified from AOCI Affected line item in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) AOCI components Unrealized loss on fuel derivative instruments $ 54 Fuel and oil expense 38 Other (gains) losses, net 21 Less: Tax expense $ 71 Net of tax Unrealized loss on interest rate derivative instruments $ 1 Interest expense — Less: Tax expense $ 1 Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period $ 72 Net of tax

REVENUE

REVENUE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
REVENUE	REVENUE Passenger Revenues Revenue is categorized by revenue source as the Company believes it best depicts the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flow. The following table provides the components of Passenger revenue recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Passenger non-loyalty $ 1,183 $ 4,400 $ 4,966 $ 13,126 Passenger loyalty - air transportation 205 657 747 1,814 Passenger ancillary sold separately 66 173 290 522 Total passenger revenues $ 1,454 $ 5,230 $ 6,003 $ 15,462 As of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the components of Air traffic liability and Air traffic liability - noncurrent, including contract liabilities based on tickets sold, unused funds available to the Customer, and loyalty points available for redemption, net of expected spoilage, within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows: Balance as of (in millions) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Air traffic liability - passenger travel and ancillary passenger services $ 2,907 $ 2,125 Air traffic liability - loyalty program 4,187 3,385 Total Air traffic liability $ 7,094 $ 5,510 Rollforwards of the Company's Air traffic liability - loyalty program for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows (in millions): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Air traffic liability - loyalty program - beginning balance $ 3,856 $ 3,289 $ 3,385 $ 3,011 Amounts deferred associated with points awarded 447 727 1,488 2,195 Revenue recognized from points redeemed - Passenger (205) (657) (747) (1,814) Revenue recognized from points redeemed - Other (16) (20) (44) (53) Unused funds converted to loyalty points 105 — 105 — Air traffic liability - loyalty program - ending balance $ 4,187 $ 3,339 $ 4,187 $ 3,339 Air traffic liability includes consideration received for ticket and loyalty related performance obligations which have not been satisfied as of a given date. Rollforwards of the amounts included in Air traffic liability as of September 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows (in millions): Air traffic liability Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 5,510 Current period sales (passenger travel, ancillary services, flight loyalty, and partner loyalty) 7,631 Revenue from amounts included in contract liability opening balances (2,126) Revenue from current period sales (3,921) Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 7,094 Air traffic liability Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 5,070 Current period sales (passenger travel, ancillary services, flight loyalty, and partner loyalty) 16,410 Revenue from amounts included in contract liability opening balances (3,160) Revenue from current period sales (12,354) Balance at September 30, 2019 $ 5,966 During the first and second quarters 2020, the Company experienced a significantly higher number of Customer-driven flight cancellations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. See Note 2 for further information. As a result, the amount of Customer travel funds held by the Company, net of spoilage, that can be redeemed for future travel as of September 30, 2020, far exceeds previous periods and represents approximately 27 percent of the total Air traffic liability balance at September 30, 2020, as compared to approximately 1 percent of the total Air traffic liability balance at December 31, 2019. In order to provide additional flexibility to Customers who hold these funds, the Company has significantly relaxed its previous policies with regards to the time period within which these funds can be redeemed, which is typically twelve months from the original date of purchase. For all Customer travel funds created or expired between March 1 and September 7, 2020 associated with flight cancellations, the Company has extended the expiration date to September 7, 2022. Further, as presented in the above tables, the Company announced in August 2020 that it will allow qualified travel funds to be converted to Rapid Rewards points through December 15, 2020. Despite the possibility that some of these travel funds may be redeemed beyond the following twelve-month period, the Company has continued to classify them as "current" in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as they remain a demand liability and the Company does not have sufficient data to enable it to accurately estimate the portion that will not be redeemed for travel in the subsequent twelve months. Spoilage estimates are based on the Company's Customers' historical travel behavior, as well as assumptions about the Customers' future travel behavior. Assumptions used to generate spoilage estimates can be impacted by several factors including, but not limited to: fare increases, fare sales, changes to the Company's ticketing policies, changes to the Company’s refund, exchange, and unused funds policies, seat availability, and economic factors. Given the unprecedented amount of 2020 Customer flight cancellations and the amount of travel funds provided, the Company expects additional variability in the amount of spoilage revenue recorded in future periods, as the estimates of the portion of sold tickets that will expire unused may differ from historical experience. The Company has a co-branded credit card agreement (the “Agreement”) with Chase Bank USA, N.A. (“Chase”), through which the Company sells loyalty points and certain marketing components, which consist of the use of the brand and access to Rapid Rewards Member lists, licensing and advertising elements, and the use of the Company’s resource team. In 2018, Chase and Southwest executed a multi-year extension of the Agreement, extending the decades-long relationship between the parties. The Company recognized revenue related to the marketing, advertising, and other travel-related benefits of the revenue associated with various loyalty partner agreements including, but not limited to, the Agreement with Chase, within Other operating revenues. For the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $282 million and $329 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $859 million and $984 million, respectively.

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE	NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (in millions, except per share amounts). Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 NUMERATOR: Net income (loss) $ (1,157) $ 659 $ (2,166) $ 1,787 DENOMINATOR: Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic 590 533 556 542 Dilutive effect of restricted stock units — 1 — 1 Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted 590 534 556 543 NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE: Basic $ (1.96) $ 1.24 $ (3.89) $ 3.30 Diluted $ (1.96) $ 1.23 $ (3.89) $ 3.29 Antidilutive amounts excluded from calculations: Convertible debt (a) 5 — 2 — Restricted stock units 1 — 1 — (a) See Note 8 for further information.

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

FINANCING ACTIVITIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	FINANCING ACTIVITIES Debt During February 2020, the Company issued $500 million senior unsecured notes due 2030. The notes bear interest at 2.625 percent. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 10 and August 10, beginning in 2020. On March 12, 2020, the Company entered into a new $1.0 billion 364-day term loan credit facility agreement (the “364-Day Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of lenders identified in the 364-Day Credit Agreement. The 364-Day Credit Agreement was drawn in full on the closing date. On March 30, 2020, the Company amended and restated the 364-Day Credit Agreement (the “Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of lenders identified in the Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Agreement to add additional term loan commitments of approximately $2.3 billion, add an uncommitted accordion increase provision to permit additional term loans in an aggregate amount not to exceed approximately $417 million, amend the pricing, amend certain covenants, add certain covenants, and provide for the grant of a security interest in certain aircraft and related assets. The Company drew approximately $2.3 billion under the Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Agreement on April 1, 2020. On April 24, 2020, the Company drew an additional $350 million under the $417 million accordion feature. The Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Agreement was originally set to mature in full on March 29, 2021. The outstanding Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Agreement balance was repaid in full in second quarter 2020, and the agreement has been terminated. Concurrently with entering into the Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Agreement on March 30, 2020, the Company also amended its existing $1.0 billion revolving credit facility expiring in August 2022 (the “Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement”) to (i) amend the pricing and fees, (ii) amend certain covenants and provisions, (iii) add certain covenants, and (iv) provide for the grant of a security interest in certain aircraft and related assets. In second quarter 2020, the Company repaid in full the $1.0 billion drawn on the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement and, as of September 30, 2020, there were no amounts outstanding under the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement. Generally, amounts outstanding under the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest at interest rates based on either the LIBOR rate (selected by the Company for designated interest periods) or the “alternate base rate” (being the highest of (1) the Wall Street Journal prime rate, (2) one-month adjusted LIBOR (one-month LIBOR plus a statutory reserve rate) plus 1 percent, and (3) the New York Fed Bank Rate, plus 0.5 percent). The underlying LIBOR rate is subject to a floor of 1 percent per annum and the “alternate base rate” is subject to a floor of 1 percent per annum. The Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default. The Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement is secured by a pool of aircraft and related assets, each with a minimum appraised value ratio requirement. Under the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, the Company is required to maintain, at all times after March 31, 2021, a specified ratio of (x) adjusted net income (before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and aircraft rental expense) less cash dividends to (y) interest and aircraft rental expense; and to maintain a minimum level of liquidity of $2.5 billion (defined as the aggregate amount available to be borrowed under the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement plus the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of the Company). The Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement is a series of short-term borrowings; at the end of each borrowing the Company must elect to roll the facility over into the next borrowing or pay down the facility. The Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement also has an accordion feature that would allow the Company, subject to, among other things, the procurement of incremental commitments, to increase the size of the facility to $1.5 billion. On May 1, 2020, the Company completed the public offering of $2.3 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.250% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (the “Convertible Notes”), which included the full exercise of the underwriters' option to buy an additional $300 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes bear interest at the rate of 1.25 percent per year and will mature on May 1, 2025. Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2020. Holders may convert their Convertible Notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding February 1, 2025, only under the following circumstances: (1) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2020 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130 percent of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; (2) during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98 percent of the product of the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; or (3) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events. On or after February 1, 2025, until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their notes at any time, regardless of the foregoing circumstances. As of September 30, 2020, conditions had not been met to convert. Upon conversion, the Company will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the Company’s election. The Company intends, however, to settle conversions by paying cash up to the principal amount, with any excess conversion value settled in shares of common stock. The initial conversion rate is 25.9909 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes (equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $38.48 per share of common stock). The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment in some events, but will not be adjusted for any accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, in the event of certain corporate events that occur prior to the maturity date, the Company will increase the conversion rate for a holder who elects to convert its Convertible Notes in connection with such a corporate event in certain circumstances. In the event of a “Fundamental Change,” as defined, the holders may require the Company to purchase for cash all or a portion of their notes at a purchase price equal to 100 percent of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. The Company may not redeem the notes at its option prior to the maturity date. Upon issuance, the Company bifurcated the Convertible Notes for accounting purposes between a liability component and an equity component utilizing applicable guidance. The liability component was determined by estimating the fair value of a hypothetical issuance of an identical offering excluding the conversion feature of the Convertible Notes, which has been estimated at $1.9 billion, and is reflected as a component of Long-term debt in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The effective interest rate of this liability was 5.2 percent. The equity component was calculated as the difference between the liability component and the face amount of the Convertible Notes, determined to be $403 million, and is classified within Additional paid in capital in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Convertible Notes proceeds are also shown within the financing activities section in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The amount of the equity component in the transaction also represents a discount on the liability portion of the Convertible Notes, and as such will be amortized as a non-cash component of interest expense over the 5-year term of the notes. The costs incurred in the issuance, including underwriters' discount, totaling $62 million, are classified as a cash outflow within the financing activities section in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, and will also be amortized to expense over the term of the notes. Issuance costs attributable to the equity component of $11 million were netted with the equity component in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity. Because the Company intends to settle conversions by paying cash up to the principal amount of the Convertible Notes, with any excess conversion value settled in shares of common stock, the Convertible Notes are being accounted for using the treasury stock method for the purposes of Net income (loss) per share. Using this method, the denominator will be affected when the average share price of the Company's common stock for a given period is greater than the conversion price of approximately $38.48 per share. The Convertible Notes stipulated that holders of the notes may not elect to convert their Convertible Notes to shares of common stock until after June 30, 2020, and therefore there was no dilutive impact related to the notes until July 1, 2020. As consideration for the Payroll Support funding, the Company agreed to issue Warrants to the Treasury to purchase the Company's common stock in connection with each disbursement of Payroll Support to the Company. The Company accounts for the Warrants using the treasury stock method. Using this method, the denominator will be affected when the average share price of the Company's common stock for a given period is greater than the warrant exercise price of $36.47 per share. While the Company is reporting a net loss, all potential shares are considered antidilutive and have no impact on Net income (loss) per share. On May 4, 2020, the Company issued $2.0 billion of unsecured notes, consisting of $750 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.750% Notes due 2023 (the “$750 million 2023 Notes”) and $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.250% Notes due 2025 (the “$1.25 billion 2025 Notes”). Interest on both the $750 million 2023 Notes and the $1.25 billion 2025 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 4 and November 4, beginning November 4, 2020. The proceeds from the $750 million 2023 Notes and $1.25 billion 2025 Notes were used to repay a portion of the outstanding Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Agreement balance. On June 8, 2020, the Company issued $1.8 billion of unsecured notes, consisting of $500 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.750% Notes due 2023 (the “$500 million 2023 Notes”) and $1.3 billion aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.125% Notes due 2027 (the “$1.3 billion 2027 Notes”). The $500 million 2023 Notes were offered as an additional issuance of the Company's 4.750% Notes due 2023 issued May 4, 2020. The $500 million 2023 Notes were issued at a premium and this amount has been included within Capitalized financing items in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Interest on both the $500 million 2023 Notes and the $1.3 billion 2027 Notes is payable semi-annually. Interest on the $500 million 2023 Notes is payable in arrears on May 4 and November 4, beginning November 4, 2020, and interest on the $1.3 billion 2027 Notes is payable in arrears on June 15 and December 15, beginning December 15, 2020. Approximately $1.7 billion combined proceeds of the $500 million 2023 Notes and the $1.3 billion 2027 Notes were used to repay the remaining outstanding Amended and Restated 364-Day Credit Agreement balance. In second quarter 2020, the Company, through special purpose entities, entered into agreements with a financing institution and trusts to borrow $192 million secured by six Boeing 737-800 aircraft. These borrowings, which were recorded as a financing transaction in the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, and as debt in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, bear interest at a rate equal to the 3 month LIBOR plus 1.4 percent, payable in quarterly installments through June 30, 2028. The special purpose entities were determined to be variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary, and therefore were consolidated in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. On July 31, 2020, the Company issued $1.0 billion of unsecured notes, consisting of $300 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.250% Notes due 2025 (the “$300 million 2025 Notes”) and $700 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.125% Notes due 2027 (the “$700 million 2027 Notes”). The $300 million 2025 Notes were offered as an additional issuance of the Company’s $1.25 billion 2025 Notes issued on May 4, 2020 and the $700 million 2027 Notes were offered as an additional issuance of the Company’s $1.3 billion 2027 Notes issued on June 8, 2020. Both the $300 million 2025 Notes and the $700 million 2027 Notes were issued at a premium and this amount has been included within Capitalized financing items in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Interest on the $300 million 2025 Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 4 and November 4, beginning November 4, 2020, and interest on the $700 million 2027 notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15, beginning December 15, 2020. In third quarter 2020, the Company entered into agreements with a financing institution to borrow $125 million ($121 million, net of fees) secured by four Boeing 737-800 aircraft. These borrowings, which were recorded as a financing transaction in the Company's unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, and as debt in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, bear interest at a rate equal to the 3 month LIBOR plus 1.4 percent, payable in quarterly installments through September 29, 2025. Other Financings Common Stock Issuance On May 1, 2020, the Company completed the public offering of 80.5 million shares of $1.00 par value common stock of the Company, which included the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional 10.5 million shares of common stock, at a public offering price of $28.50 per share. Sale-Leaseback of Aircraft In second quarter 2020, the Company entered into transactions with third parties, involving ten of the Company’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft and ten of the Company's Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft that qualified as sale-leaseback arrangements under applicable accounting guidance. The Company sold the ten 737-800 aircraft to a third party for $405 million, then immediately leased the aircraft back for approximately ten years. The Company sold the ten 737 MAX 8 aircraft to a third party for $410 million, then immediately leased the aircraft back for approximately 13 years. As such, the aircraft were de-recognized from Property and equipment at their remaining net book values. All of the leases from the sale-leasebacks are accounted for as operating leases, and thus are now reflected as part of the Company’s Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 sale-leaseback transactions resulted in a recognized gain of $153 million and $69 million, respectively, reflected within Other operating expenses, net in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. The 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 sale-leaseback transactions have increased the Company's future operating lease obligations by $18 million remaining in 2020, $71 million in each of the years from 2021 through 2025, and approximately $440 million thereafter. As of September 30, 2020, aggregate principal maturities of debt and finance leases (not including amounts associated with interest rate swap agreements, interest on finance leases, and amortization of purchase accounting adjustments) were $543 million for the remainder of 2020, $220 million in 2021, $524 million in 2022, $1.4 billion in 2023, $152 million in 2024, $4.0 billion in 2025, and $4.5 billion thereafter. Of the $543 million maturing in the remainder of 2020, the Company repaid its $500 million 2.65% Notes due 2020 on October 5, 2020.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Accounting standards pertaining to fair value measurements establish a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. As of September 30, 2020, the Company held certain items that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included cash equivalents, short-term investments (primarily treasury bills and certificates of deposit), interest rate derivative contracts, fuel derivative contracts, and available-for-sale securities. The majority of the Company’s short-term investments consist of instruments classified as Level 1. However, the Company has certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and time deposits that are classified as Level 2, due to the fact that the fair value for these instruments is determined utilizing observable inputs in non-active markets. Other available-for-sale securities primarily consist of investments associated with the Company’s excess benefit plan. The Company’s fuel and interest rate derivative instruments consist of over-the-counter contracts, which are not traded on a public exchange. Fuel derivative instruments currently consist solely of option contracts, whereas interest rate derivatives consist solely of swap agreements. See Note 4 for further information on the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. The fair values of swap contracts are determined based on inputs that are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets. Therefore, the Company has categorized these swap contracts as Level 2. The Company’s Treasury Department, which reports to the Chief Financial Officer, determines the value of option contracts utilizing an option pricing model based on inputs that are either readily available in public markets, can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets, or are provided by financial institutions that trade these contracts. The option pricing model used by the Company is an industry standard model for valuing options and is the same model used by the broker/dealer community (i.e., the Company’s counterparties). The inputs to this option pricing model are the option strike price, underlying price, risk free rate of interest, time to expiration, and volatility. Because certain inputs used to determine the fair value of option contracts are unobservable (principally implied volatility), the Company has categorized these option contracts as Level 3. Volatility information is obtained from external sources, but is analyzed by the Company for reasonableness and compared to similar information received from other external sources. The fair value of option contracts considers both the intrinsic value and any remaining time value associated with those derivatives that have not yet settled. The Company also considers counterparty credit risk and its own credit risk in its determination of all estimated fair values. To validate the reasonableness of the Company’s option pricing model, on a monthly basis, the Company compares its option valuations to third party valuations. If any significant differences were to be noted, they would be researched in order to determine the reason. However, historically, no significant differences have been noted. The Company has consistently applied these valuation techniques in all periods presented and believes it has obtained the most accurate information available for the types of derivative contracts it holds. Included in Other available-for-sale securities are the Company’s investments associated with its deferred compensation plans, which consist of mutual funds that are publicly traded and for which market prices are readily available. These plans are non-qualified deferred compensation plans designed to hold contributions in excess of limits established by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The distribution timing and payment amounts under these plans are made based on the participant’s distribution election and plan balance. Assets related to the funded portions of the deferred compensation plans are held in a rabbi trust, and the Company remains liable to these participants for the unfunded portion of the plans. The Company records changes in the fair value of the assets in the Company’s earnings. The following tables present the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019: Fair value measurements at reporting date using: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant other observable inputs Significant unobservable inputs Description September 30, 2020 (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets (in millions) Cash equivalents: Cash equivalents (a) $ 11,837 $ 11,837 $ — $ — Commercial paper 135 — 135 — Certificates of deposit 12 — 12 — Time deposits 125 — 125 — Short-term investments: Treasury bills 1,800 1,800 — — Certificates of deposit 103 — 103 — Time deposits 550 — 550 — Fuel derivatives: Option contracts (b) 109 — — 109 Other available-for-sale securities 228 228 — — Total assets $ 14,899 $ 13,865 $ 925 $ 109 Liabilities Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4) $ (39) $ — $ (39) $ — (a) Cash equivalents are primarily composed of money market investments. (b) In the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts are presented as an asset. See Note 4. Fair value measurements at reporting date using: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant other observable inputs Significant unobservable inputs Description December 31, 2019 (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets (in millions) Cash equivalents: Cash equivalents (a) $ 1,999 $ 1,999 $ — $ — Commercial paper 535 — 535 — Certificates of deposit 14 — 14 — Short-term investments: Treasury bills 1,196 1,196 — — Certificates of deposit 268 — 268 — Time deposits 60 — 60 — Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4) 2 — 2 — Fuel derivatives: Option contracts (b) 110 — — 110 Other available-for-sale securities 197 197 — — Total assets $ 4,381 $ 3,392 $ 879 $ 110 Liabilities Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4) $ (6) $ — $ (6) $ — (a) Cash equivalents are primarily composed of money market investments. (b) In the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts are presented as a net asset. See Note 4. The Company did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, or the year ended December 31, 2019. The following tables present the Company’s activity for items measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020: Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in millions) Fuel derivatives Balance at June 30, 2020 $ 107 Total gains (losses) for the period Included in earnings (23) (a) Included in other comprehensive income 1 Purchases 24 (b) Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 109 The amount of total losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2020 $ (21) (a) The amount of total losses for the period included in other comprehensive loss attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2020 $ (1) (a) Included in Other (gains) losses, net, within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss). (b) The purchase of fuel derivatives is recorded gross based on the structure of the derivative instrument and whether a contract with multiple derivatives was purchased as a single instrument or separate instruments. Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in millions) Fuel derivatives Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 110 Total losses for the period Included in earnings (40) (a) Included in other comprehensive income (79) Purchases 118 (b) Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 109 The amount of total losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2020 $ (29) (a) The amount of total losses for the period included in other comprehensive loss attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2020 $ (73) (a) Included in Other (gains) losses, net, within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss). (b) The purchase of fuel derivatives is recorded gross based on the structure of the derivative instrument and whether a contract with multiple derivatives was purchased as a single instrument or separate instruments. The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s derivative option contracts is implied volatility. Holding other inputs constant, an increase (decrease) in implied volatility would have resulted in a higher (lower) fair value measurement, respectively, for the Company’s derivative option contracts. The following table presents a range and weighted average of the unobservable inputs utilized in the fair value measurements of the Company’s fuel derivatives classified as Level 3 at September 30, 2020: Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements Valuation technique Unobservable input Period (by year) Range Weighted Average (a) Fuel derivatives Option model Implied volatility Fourth quarter 2020 27-47% 41 % 2021 29-44% 33 % 2022 26-30% 27 % Beyond 2022 23-26% 25 % (a) Implied volatility weighted by the notional amount (barrels of fuel) that will settle in respective period. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s short-term and long-term debt (including current maturities), as well as the applicable fair value hierarchy tier, at September 30, 2020, are presented in the table below. The fair values of the Company’s publicly held long-term debt are determined based on inputs that are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets; therefore, the Company has categorized these agreements as Level 2. Debt under four of the Company’s debt agreements is not publicly held. The Company has determined the estimated fair value of this debt to be Level 3, as certain inputs used to determine the fair value of these agreements are unobservable. The Company utilizes indicative pricing from counterparties and a discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of the Level 3 items. (in millions) Carrying value Estimated fair value Fair value level hierarchy 2.65% Notes due 2020 $ 500 $ 500 Level 2 2.75% Notes due 2022 300 308 Level 2 Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24% 137 140 Level 2 4.75% Notes due 2023 1,250 1,337 Level 2 1.25% Convertible Notes due 2025 1,927 3,013 Level 2 5.25% Notes due 2025 1,550 1,710 Level 2 Term Loan Agreement payable through 2025 - 1.62% 125 122 Level 3 3.00% Notes due 2026 300 301 Level 2 Term Loan Agreement payable through 2026 - 1.99% 169 162 Level 3 3.45% Notes due 2027 300 305 Level 2 5.125% Notes due 2027 2,000 2,183 Level 2 7.375% Debentures due 2027 120 142 Level 2 Term Loan Agreement payable through 2028 - 1.62% 190 179 Level 3 2.625% Notes due 2030 500 473 Level 2 1.000% Payroll Support Program Loan due 2030 976 811 Level 3

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMAT

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION	SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION (in millions) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Trade receivables $ 48 $ 53 Credit card receivables 46 112 Business partners and other suppliers 466 779 Income tax receivable 325 87 Other 12 55 Accounts and other receivables $ 897 $ 1,086 (in millions) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Derivative contracts $ 77 $ 49 Intangible assets, net 295 296 Other 307 232 Other assets $ 679 $ 577 (in millions) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Accounts payable trade $ 169 $ 304 Salaries payable 184 231 Taxes payable excluding income taxes 41 227 Aircraft maintenance payable 97 162 Fuel payable 49 129 Dividends payable — 93 Other payable 440 428 Accounts payable $ 980 $ 1,574 (in millions) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Extended Emergency Time Off $ 457 $ — Voluntary Separation Program 2020 242 — Profitsharing and savings plans 21 695 Vacation pay 418 434 Health 110 120 Workers compensation 158 166 Property and income taxes 75 79 Derivative contracts 28 5 Other 327 250 Accrued liabilities $ 1,836 $ 1,749 (in millions) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Extended Emergency Time Off $ 131 $ — Voluntary Separation Program 2020 377 — Postretirement obligation 339 288 Other deferred compensation 287 313 Other 99 105 Other noncurrent liabilities $ 1,233 $ 706 For further information on supplier receivables, see Note 12. For further information on fuel derivative and interest rate derivative contracts, see Note 4. Other Operating Expenses

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Los Angeles International Airport In October 2017, the Company executed a lease agreement with Los Angeles World Airports ("LAWA") (the "T1.5 Lease"). Under the T1.5 Lease, the Company is overseeing and managing the design, development, financing, construction, and commissioning of a passenger processing facility between Terminal 1 and 2 (the "Terminal 1.5 Project"). The Terminal 1.5 Project is expected to include ticketing, baggage claim, passenger screening, and a bus gate at a cost not to exceed $464 million for site improvements and non-proprietary improvements. Construction on the Terminal 1.5 Project began during third quarter 2017 and is estimated to be substantially completed in late 2020 or early 2021. The costs incurred to fund the Terminal 1.5 Project are included within Assets Constructed for Others ("ACFO") and all amounts that have been or will be reimbursed will be included within Construction obligation on the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Upon completion of any individual asset as part of the overall project, the asset and associated liability on the balance sheet are de-recognized in accordance with applicable accounting guidance. Funding for this project is primarily through the Regional Airports Improvement Corporation (the "RAIC"), which is a quasi-governmental special purpose entity that is acting as a conduit borrower under a syndicated credit facility provided by a group of lenders. A loan made under the credit facility for the Terminal 1.5 Project is being used to reimburse the Company for the site improvements and non-proprietary improvements of the Terminal 1.5 Project, and the outstanding loan will be repaid with the proceeds of LAWA’s payments to purchase completed construction phases. The Company guaranteed the obligation of the RAIC under the credit facility associated with the Terminal 1.5 Project. As of September 30, 2020, the Company's outstanding remaining guaranteed obligation under the credit facility for the Terminal 1.5 Project was $289 million. Construction costs recorded in ACFO for the Terminal 1.5 Project, which exclude costs associated with assets that were previously completed and placed into service, were $274 million and $164 million, as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively, as some costs have been recognized as assets are placed into service. Dallas Love Field During 2008, the City of Dallas approved the Love Field Modernization Project ("LFMP"), a project to reconstruct Dallas Love Field with modern, convenient air travel facilities. Pursuant to a Program Development Agreement with the City of Dallas and the Love Field Airport Modernization Corporation (or the "LFAMC," a Texas non-profit "local government corporation" established by the City of Dallas to act on the City of Dallas' behalf to facilitate the development of the LFMP), the Company managed this project. Major construction was effectively completed in 2014. During second quarter 2017, the City of Dallas approved using the remaining bond funds for additional terminal construction projects, which were effectively completed in 2018. Although the City of Dallas received commitments from various sources that helped to fund portions of the LFMP project, including the Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA"), the Transportation Security Administration, and the City of Dallas' Aviation Fund, the majority of the funds used were from the issuance of bonds. The Company guaranteed principal and interest payments on bonds issued by the LFAMC. As of September 30, 2020, $407 million of principal remained outstanding. The net present value of the future principal and interest payments associated with the bonds was $448 million as of September 30, 2020, and was reflected as part of the Company's operating lease right–of–use assets and lease obligations in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Contingencies The Company is from time to time subject to various legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business, including, but not limited to, examinations by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"). The Company's management does not expect that the outcome of any of its currently ongoing legal proceedings or the outcome of any adjustments presented by the IRS, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow.

BOEING 737 MAX AIRCRAFT GROUNDI

BOEING 737 MAX AIRCRAFT GROUNDING	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both [Abstract]
Boeing 737 Max Aircraft Grounding	BOEING 737 MAX AIRCRAFT GROUNDING On March 13, 2019, the FAA issued an emergency order for all U.S. airlines to ground all Boeing MAX aircraft. The Company immediately complied with the order and grounded all 34 MAX aircraft in its fleet. The Company will continue to monitor the situation and any potential future accounting implications that arise. The most significant financial impacts of this grounding to the Company thus far have been lost revenues, operating income, and operating cash flows, and delayed capital expenditures, directly associated with its grounded MAX fleet and other new aircraft that have not been able to be delivered. In July 2019, the Boeing Company announced a $4.9 billion after-tax charge for "potential concessions and other considerations to customers for disruptions related to the 737 MAX grounding." In January 2020, the Boeing Company announced an additional pre-tax charge of $2.6 billion related to "estimated potential concessions and other considerations to customers related to the 737 MAX grounding." During fourth quarter 2019, the Company entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Boeing to compensate Southwest for estimated financial damages incurred during 2019 related to the grounding of the MAX. The terms of the agreement are confidential, but are intended to provide for a substantial portion of the Company’s estimated financial damages associated with both the 34 MAX aircraft that were grounded as of March 13, 2019, as well as the 41 additional MAX aircraft the Company was scheduled to receive (28 owned MAX from Boeing and 13 leased MAX from third parties) from March 13, 2019 through December 31, 2019. In accordance with applicable accounting principles, the Company will account for substantially all of the proceeds received from Boeing as a reduction in cost basis spread across both the existing 31 owned MAX in the Company’s fleet, plus the Company’s future firm aircraft deliveries as of the date of the agreement. No material financial impacts of the agreement were realized in the Company’s earnings during the year ended December 31, 2019. A total of $428 million in proceeds received in cash from Boeing are reflected within Investing Activities in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the interim periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 include all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. This includes all normal and recurring adjustments and elimination of significant intercompany transactions. Financial results for the Company and airlines in general can be seasonal in nature. In many years, the Company's revenues, as well as its Operating income and Net income, have been better in its second and third fiscal quarters than in its first and fourth fiscal quarters. However, in 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company's results were not in line with such historical trends. See Note 2 for further information. Air travel is also significantly impacted by general economic conditions, the amount of disposable income available to consumers, unemployment levels, corporate travel budgets, extreme or severe weather and natural disasters, fears of terrorism or war, and other factors beyond the Company's control. These and other factors, such as the price of jet fuel in some periods, the nature of the Company's fuel hedging program, and the periodic volatility of commodities used by the Company for hedging jet fuel, have created, and may continue to create, significant volatility in the Company's financial results. See Note 4 for further information on fuel and the Company's hedging program. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future quarters or for the year ended December 31, 2020. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Derivatives	Upon proper qualification, the Company accounts for its fuel derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. All periodic changes in fair value of the derivatives designated as hedges are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") until the underlying jet fuel is consumed. See Note 5.The Company's results are subject to the possibility that the derivatives will no longer qualify for hedge accounting, in which case any change in the fair value of derivative instruments since the last reporting period would be recorded in Other (gains) losses, net, in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the period of the change; however, any amounts previously recorded to AOCI would remain there until such time as the original forecasted transaction occurs, at which time these amounts would be reclassified to Fuel and oil expense. Factors that have and may continue to lead to the loss of hedge accounting include: significant fluctuation in energy prices, significant weather events affecting refinery capacity and the production of refined products, and the volatility of the different types of products the Company uses in hedging. Increased volatility in these commodity markets for an extended period of time, especially if such volatility were to worsen, could cause the Company to lose hedge accounting altogether for the commodities used in its fuel hedging program, which would create further volatility in the Company’s GAAP financial results. However, even though derivatives may not qualify for hedge accounting, the Company continues to hold the instruments as management believes derivative instruments continue to afford the Company the opportunity to stabilize jet fuel costs. When the Company has sold derivative positions in order to effectively "close" or offset a derivative already held as part of its fuel derivative instrument portfolio, any subsequent changes in fair value of those positions are marked to market through earnings. Likewise, any changes in fair value of those positions that were offset by entering into the sold positions and were de-designated as hedges are concurrently marked to market through earnings. However, any changes in value related to hedges that were deferred as part of AOCI while designated as a hedge would remain until the originally forecasted transaction occurs. In a situation where it becomes probable that a fuel hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, any gains and/or losses that have been recorded to AOCI will be required to be immediately reclassified into earnings.The Company is party to certain interest rate swap agreements that are accounted for as either fair value hedges or cash flow hedges, as defined in the applicable accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging. Several of the Company's interest rate swap agreements qualify for the "shortcut" method of accounting for hedges, which dictates that the hedges are assumed to be perfectly effective, and thus there is no ineffectiveness to be recorded in earnings.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Accounting standards pertaining to fair value measurements establish a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. As of September 30, 2020, the Company held certain items that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included cash equivalents, short-term investments (primarily treasury bills and certificates of deposit), interest rate derivative contracts, fuel derivative contracts, and available-for-sale securities. The majority of the Company’s short-term investments consist of instruments classified as Level 1. However, the Company has certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and time deposits that are classified as Level 2, due to the fact that the fair value for these instruments is determined utilizing observable inputs in non-active markets. Other available-for-sale securities primarily consist of investments associated with the Company’s excess benefit plan. The Company’s fuel and interest rate derivative instruments consist of over-the-counter contracts, which are not traded on a public exchange. Fuel derivative instruments currently consist solely of option contracts, whereas
New Accounting Pronouncements	On August 5, 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. This new standard reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock, enhances information transparency by making targeted improvements to the disclosures for convertible instruments and earnings-per-share (EPS) guidance, and amends the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity to reduce form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. Companies may elect early adoption for periods beginning no earlier than December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The FASB specified that an entity should adopt the guidance as of the beginning of its annual fiscal year. The Company is evaluating this new standard and plans to provide additional information about its expected impact on the Company's financial statements and disclosures at a future date. On December 18, 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This new standard eliminates certain exceptions in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740 related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. It also clarifies and simplifies other aspects of the accounting for income taxes. This standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted in any interim period within that year. The Company elected to early adopt this standard as of January 1, 2020. The most significant impact to the Company is the removal of a limit on the tax benefit recognized on pre-tax losses in interim periods. However, the early adoption as of January 1, 2020, did not have an impact on the Company's financial statements or disclosures for the first nine months of 2020. On August 29, 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software. This standard requires a customer in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract to follow the internal-use software guidance in ASC 350-40, Accounting for Internal-Use Software, to determine which implementation costs to (i) capitalize as assets and amortize over the term of the hosting arrangement or (ii) expense as incurred. This standard is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and the standard was adopted and applied prospectively by the Company as of January 1, 2020, but it did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements and disclosures. On August 28, 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement. This standard is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. This standard requires changes to the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements for certain Level 3 items, and specifies that some of the changes must be applied prospectively, while others should be applied retrospectively. The Company adopted the standard as of January 1, 2020, but it did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements or disclosures. See Note 9 for further information on the Company's fair value measurements. On January 26, 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new standard eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. An entity should recognize a goodwill impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. This standard is effective for public business entities in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and the standard was adopted and applied prospectively by the Company as of January 1, 2020, but it did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements and disclosures.
Revenue Recognition	Spoilage estimates are based on the Company's Customers' historical travel behavior, as well as assumptions about the Customers' future travel behavior. Assumptions used to generate spoilage estimates can be impacted by several factors including, but not limited to: fare increases, fare sales, changes to the Company's ticketing policies, changes to the Company’s refund, exchange, and unused funds policies, seat availability, and economic factors. Given the unprecedented amount of 2020 Customer flight cancellations and the amount of travel funds provided, the Company expects additional variability in the amount of spoilage revenue recorded in future periods, as the estimates of the portion of sold tickets that will expire unused may differ from historical experience.The Company has a co-branded credit card agreement (the “Agreement”) with Chase Bank USA, N.A. (“Chase”), through which the Company sells loyalty points and certain marketing components, which consist of the use of the brand and access to Rapid Rewards Member lists, licensing and advertising elements, and the use of the Company’s resource team. In 2018, Chase and Southwest executed a multi-year extension of the Agreement, extending the decades-long relationship between the parties. The Company recognized revenue related to the marketing, advertising, and other travel-related benefits of the revenue associated with various loyalty partner agreements including, but not limited to, the Agreement with Chase, within Other operating revenues.
Convertible Debt Settlement	Because the Company intends to settle conversions by paying cash up to the principal amount of the Convertible Notes, with any excess conversion value settled in shares of common stock, the Convertible Notes are being accounted for using the treasury stock method for the purposes of Net income (loss) per share. Using this method, the denominator will be affected when the average share price of the Company's common stock for a given period is greater than the conversion price of approximately $38.48 per share. The Convertible Notes stipulated that holders of the notes may not elect to convert their Convertible Notes to shares of common stock until after June 30, 2020, and therefore there was no dilutive impact related to the notes until July 1, 2020. As consideration for the Payroll Support funding, the Company agreed to issue Warrants to the Treasury to purchase the Company's common stock in connection with each disbursement of Payroll Support to the Company. The Company accounts for the Warrants using the treasury stock method. Using this method, the denominator will be affected when the average share price of the Company's common stock for a given period is greater than the warrant exercise price of $36.47 per share. While the Company is reporting a net loss, all potential shares are considered antidilutive and have no impact on Net income (loss) per share.

WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC (Tables)

WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both [Abstract]
Voluntary Separation Program and Extended Emergency Time Off	Refer to the following table for amounts accrued and amounts reduced related to Voluntary Separation Program 2020 and Extended ETO as of September 30, 2020. (in millions) Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Extended ETO Total Amounts accrued $ 307 $ — $ 307 Balance at June 30, 2020 307 — 307 Amounts accrued 485 613 1,098 Amounts reduced (173) (25) (198) Balance at September 30, 2020 (a) $ 619 $ 588 $ 1,207

Financial Derivative Instrume_2

Financial Derivative Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Volume of Fuel Hedging	The following table provides information about the Company’s volume of fuel hedging on an economic basis: Maximum fuel hedged as of September 30, 2020 Derivative underlying commodity type as of Period (by year) (gallons in millions) (a) September 30, 2020 Remainder of 2020 325 WTI crude oil, Brent crude oil, and Heating oil 2021 1,283 WTI crude oil and Brent crude oil 2022 1,220 WTI crude oil and Brent crude oil Beyond 2022 630 WTI crude oil and Brent crude oil (a) Due to the types of derivatives utilized by the Company and different price levels of those contracts, these volumes represent the maximum economic hedge in place and may vary significantly as market prices and the Company's flight schedule fluctuates.
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	The following table presents the location of all assets and liabilities associated with the Company’s derivative instruments within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet: Asset derivatives Liability derivatives Balance Sheet Fair value at Fair value at Fair value at Fair value at (in millions) location 9/30/2020 12/31/2019 9/30/2020 12/31/2019 Derivatives designated as hedges (a) Fuel derivative contracts (gross) Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 4 $ 48 $ — $ — Fuel derivative contracts (gross) Other assets 101 62 — — Interest rate derivative contracts Other assets — 2 — — Interest rate derivative contracts Accrued liabilities — — — 5 Interest rate derivative contracts Other noncurrent liabilities — — 11 1 Total derivatives designated as hedges $ 105 $ 112 $ 11 $ 6 Derivatives not designated as hedges (a) Fuel derivative contracts (gross) Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 2 $ — $ — $ — Fuel derivative contracts (gross) Other assets 2 — — — Interest rate derivative contracts Accrued liabilities — — 28 — Total derivatives not designated as hedges $ 4 $ — $ 28 $ — Total derivatives $ 109 $ 112 $ 39 $ 6 (a) Represents the position of each trade before consideration of offsetting positions with each counterparty and does not include the impact of cash collateral deposits provided to or received from counterparties. See discussion of credit risk and collateral following in this Note.
Schedule of Derivative Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location	The following table presents the amounts recorded on the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet related to fair value hedges: Balance Sheet location of hedged item Carrying amount of the hedged liabilities Cumulative amount of fair value hedging adjustment included in the carrying amount of the hedged liabilities (a) September 30, September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Current maturities of long-term debt $ 500 $ 300 $ — $ 2 Long-term debt less current maturities — 501 18 18 $ 500 $ 801 $ 18 $ 20 (a) At September 30, 2020 and 2019, these amounts include the cumulative amount of fair value hedging adjustments remaining for which hedge accounting has been discontinued, of $18 million and $19 million, respectively.
Cash Collateral Deposits Due To or From Third Parties	In addition, the Company had the following amounts associated with fuel derivative instruments and hedging activities in its unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet: Balance Sheet September 30, December 31, (in millions) location 2020 2019 Cash collateral deposits held from counterparties for fuel contracts - current Offset against Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 1 $ 10 Cash collateral deposits held from counterparties for fuel contracts - noncurrent Offset against Other assets 26 15
Offsetting Assets	The Company has the following recognized financial assets and financial liabilities resulting from those transactions that meet the scope of the disclosure requirements as necessitated by applicable accounting guidance for balance sheet offsetting: Offsetting of derivative assets (in millions) (i) (ii) (iii) = (i) + (ii) (i) (ii) (iii) = (i) + (ii) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Description Balance Sheet location Gross amounts of recognized assets Gross amounts offset in the Balance Sheet Net amounts of assets presented in the Balance Sheet Gross amounts of recognized assets Gross amounts offset in the Balance Sheet Net amounts of assets presented in the Balance Sheet Fuel derivative contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 6 $ (1) $ 5 $ 48 $ (10) $ 38 Fuel derivative contracts Other assets $ 103 $ (26) $ 77 (a) $ 62 $ (15) $ 47 (a) Interest rate derivative contracts Other assets $ — $ — $ — (a) $ 2 $ — $ 2 (a) (a) The net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities are reconciled to the individual line item amounts presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Note 10.
Offsetting Liabilities	Offsetting of derivative liabilities (in millions) (i) (ii) (iii) = (i) + (ii) (i) (ii) (iii) = (i) + (ii) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Description Balance Sheet location Gross amounts of recognized liabilities Gross amounts offset in the Balance Sheet Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Balance Sheet Gross amounts of recognized liabilities Gross amounts offset in the Balance Sheet Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Balance Sheet Fuel derivative contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 1 $ (1) $ — $ 10 $ (10) $ — Fuel derivative contracts Other assets $ 26 $ (26) $ — (a) $ 15 $ (15) $ — (a) Interest rate derivative contracts Accrued liabilities $ 28 $ — $ 28 (a) $ 5 $ — $ 5 (a) Interest rate derivative contracts Other noncurrent liabilities $ 11 $ — $ 11 $ 1 $ — $ 1 (a) The net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities are reconciled to the individual line item amounts presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Note 10.
Schedule Of Derivative Instruments In Hedging Relationships Gain Loss In Statement Of Financial Performance	The following tables present the impact of derivative instruments and their location within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019: Location and amount recognized in income on cash flow and fair value hedging relationships Three months ended September 30, 2020 Three months ended September 30, 2019 (in millions) Fuel and oil Other (gains)/losses, net Interest expense Fuel and oil Interest expense Total $ 18 $ 22 $ 2 $ 19 $ 8 Loss on cash flow hedging relationships: Commodity contracts: Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income 18 22 — 19 — Interest contracts: Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income — — — — 2 Impact of fair value hedging relationships: Interest contracts: Hedged items — — 4 — 6 Derivatives designated as hedging instruments — — (2) — — Location and amount recognized in income on cash flow and fair value hedging relationships Nine months ended September 30, 2020 Nine months ended September 30, 2019 (in millions) Fuel and oil Other (gains)/losses, net Interest expense Fuel and oil Interest expense Total $ 54 $ 38 $ 6 $ 28 $ 21 Loss on cash flow hedging relationships Commodity contracts: Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income 54 38 — 28 — Interest contracts: Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income — — 1 — 3 Impact of fair value hedging relationships: Interest contracts: Hedged items — — 11 — 17 Derivatives designated as hedging instruments — — (6) — 1
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Derivatives designated and qualified in cash flow hedging relationships (Gain) loss recognized in AOCI on derivatives, net of tax Three months ended September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 Fuel derivative contracts $ 17 $ 95 Interest rate derivatives (3) 17 Total $ 14 $ 112 Derivatives designated and qualified in cash flow hedging relationships Loss recognized in AOCI on derivatives, net of tax Nine months ended September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 Fuel derivative contracts $ 91 $ 83 Interest rate derivatives 30 43 Total $ 121 $ 126
Derivatives Not in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Derivatives not designated as hedges (Gain) loss recognized in income on derivatives Three months ended Location of (gain) loss recognized in income on derivatives September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 Fuel derivative contracts $ 1 $ — Other (gains) losses, net Interest rate derivatives (1) — Other (gains) losses, net Total $ — $ — Derivatives not designated as hedges Loss recognized in income on derivatives Nine months ended Location of loss recognized in income on derivatives September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 Fuel derivative contracts $ 2 $ — Other (gains) losses, net Interest rate derivatives 28 — Other (gains) losses, net Total $ 30 $ —
Premiums Paid for Fuel Derivative Contracts	The following tables present the impact of premiums paid for fuel derivative contracts and their location within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) during the period the contract settles: Premium expense recognized in income on derivatives Three months ended Location of premium expense recognized in income on derivatives September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 Fuel derivative contracts designated as hedges $ 13 $ 20 Fuel and oil Fuel derivative contracts not designated as hedges $ 11 $ — Other (gains) losses, net Premium expense recognized in income on derivatives Nine months ended Location of premium expense recognized in income on derivatives September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 Fuel derivative contracts designated as hedges $ 51 $ 75 Fuel and oil Fuel derivative contracts not designated as hedges $ 22 $ — Other (gains) losses, net
Fair Values of Fuel Derivatives, Amounts Posted as Collateral, and Collateral Posting Threshold Amounts	The following table provides the fair values of fuel derivatives, amounts posted as collateral, and applicable collateral posting threshold amounts as of September 30, 2020, at which such postings are triggered: Counterparty (CP) (in millions) A B C D E F Other (a) Total Fair value of fuel derivatives $ 24 $ 14 $ 28 $ 12 $ 11 $ 10 $ 10 $ 109 Cash collateral held from CP 27 — — — — — — 27 Letters of credit (LC) — — — — — — — — Option to substitute LC for cash N/A N/A (75) to (150) or >(550)(b) (125) to (150) or >(550)(c) (c) N/A If credit rating is investment Cash is provided to CP >(100) >(50) (75) to (150) or >(550)(d) (125) to (150) or >(550)(d) >(40) >(65)(d) Cash is received from CP >0(d) >150(d) >250(d) >(125)(d) >100(d) >70(d) Cash can be pledged to (200) to (600)(e) N/A (150) to (550)(b) (150) to (550)(b) N/A N/A If credit rating is non-investment Cash is provided to CP (0) to (200) or >(600) (f) (0) to (150) or >(550) (0) to (150) or >(550) (f) (f) Cash is received from CP (f) (f) (f) (f) (f) (f) Cash can be pledged to (200) to (600) N/A (150) to (550) (150) to (550) N/A N/A (a) Individual counterparties with fair value of fuel derivatives < $9 million. (b) The Company has the option of providing cash or letters of credit as collateral. (c) The Company has the option to substitute letters of credit for 100 percent of cash collateral requirement. (d) Thresholds may vary based on changes in credit ratings within investment grade. (e) The Company has the option of providing cash as collateral. (f) Cash collateral is provided at 100 percent of fair value of fuel derivative contracts.

Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Ta

Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The differences between Net income (loss) and Comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows: Three months ended September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (1,157) $ 659 Unrealized gain (loss) on fuel derivative instruments, net of deferred taxes of $5 and $(24) 14 (80) Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate derivative instruments, net of deferred taxes of $— and $(5) 3 (15) Other, net of deferred taxes of $3 and $— 11 2 Total other comprehensive income (loss) $ 28 $ (93) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ (1,129) $ 566 Nine months ended September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 NET INCOME (LOSS) $ (2,166) $ 1,787 Unrealized gain (loss) on fuel derivative instruments, net of deferred taxes of $(6) and $(18) (20) (61) Unrealized loss on interest rate derivative instruments, net of deferred taxes of $(9) and $(13) (29) (40) Other, net of deferred taxes of $2 and $4 8 18 Total other comprehensive loss $ (41) $ (83) COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ (2,207) $ 1,704
Rollforward of the Amounts Included in AOCI, Net of Taxes	A rollforward of the amounts included in AOCI is shown below for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020: (in millions) Fuel derivatives Interest rate derivatives Defined benefit plan items Other Deferred tax Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Balance at June 30, 2020 $ (170) $ (74) $ 20 $ 55 $ 39 $ (130) Changes in fair value (21) 3 — 14 1 (3) Reclassification to earnings 40 — — — (9) 31 Balance at September 30, 2020 $ (151) $ (71) $ 20 $ 69 $ 31 $ (102) (in millions) Fuel derivatives Interest rate derivatives Defined benefit plan items Other Deferred tax Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Balance at December 31, 2019 $ (125) $ (33) $ 20 $ 59 $ 18 $ (61) Changes in fair value (118) (39) — 10 34 (113) Reclassification to earnings 92 1 — — (21) 72 Balance at September 30, 2020 $ (151) $ (71) $ 20 $ 69 $ 31 $ (102)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following tables illustrate the significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020: Three months ended September 30, 2020 (in millions) Amounts reclassified from AOCI Affected line item in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) AOCI components Unrealized loss on fuel derivative instruments $ 18 Fuel and oil expense 22 Other (gains) losses, net 9 Less: Tax expense Total reclassifications for the period $ 31 Net of tax Nine months ended September 30, 2020 (in millions) Amounts reclassified from AOCI Affected line item in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) AOCI components Unrealized loss on fuel derivative instruments $ 54 Fuel and oil expense 38 Other (gains) losses, net 21 Less: Tax expense $ 71 Net of tax Unrealized loss on interest rate derivative instruments $ 1 Interest expense — Less: Tax expense $ 1 Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period $ 72 Net of tax

Revenue (Tables)

Revenue (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Passenger Revenue	The following table provides the components of Passenger revenue recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, (in millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Passenger non-loyalty $ 1,183 $ 4,400 $ 4,966 $ 13,126 Passenger loyalty - air transportation 205 657 747 1,814 Passenger ancillary sold separately 66 173 290 522 Total passenger revenues $ 1,454 $ 5,230 $ 6,003 $ 15,462
Components of Air Traffic Liability	As of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the components of Air traffic liability and Air traffic liability - noncurrent, including contract liabilities based on tickets sold, unused funds available to the Customer, and loyalty points available for redemption, net of expected spoilage, within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows: Balance as of (in millions) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Air traffic liability - passenger travel and ancillary passenger services $ 2,907 $ 2,125 Air traffic liability - loyalty program 4,187 3,385 Total Air traffic liability $ 7,094 $ 5,510 Rollforwards of the Company's Air traffic liability - loyalty program for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows (in millions): Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 Air traffic liability - loyalty program - beginning balance $ 3,856 $ 3,289 $ 3,385 $ 3,011 Amounts deferred associated with points awarded 447 727 1,488 2,195 Revenue recognized from points redeemed - Passenger (205) (657) (747) (1,814) Revenue recognized from points redeemed - Other (16) (20) (44) (53) Unused funds converted to loyalty points 105 — 105 — Air traffic liability - loyalty program - ending balance $ 4,187 $ 3,339 $ 4,187 $ 3,339
Rollforward of Air Traffic Liability	Air traffic liability includes consideration received for ticket and loyalty related performance obligations which have not been satisfied as of a given date. Rollforwards of the amounts included in Air traffic liability as of September 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows (in millions): Air traffic liability Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 5,510 Current period sales (passenger travel, ancillary services, flight loyalty, and partner loyalty) 7,631 Revenue from amounts included in contract liability opening balances (2,126) Revenue from current period sales (3,921) Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 7,094 Air traffic liability Balance at December 31, 2018 $ 5,070 Current period sales (passenger travel, ancillary services, flight loyalty, and partner loyalty) 16,410 Revenue from amounts included in contract liability opening balances (3,160) Revenue from current period sales (12,354) Balance at September 30, 2019 $ 5,966

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Ta

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (in millions, except per share amounts). Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, 2020 2019 2020 2019 NUMERATOR: Net income (loss) $ (1,157) $ 659 $ (2,166) $ 1,787 DENOMINATOR: Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic 590 533 556 542 Dilutive effect of restricted stock units — 1 — 1 Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted 590 534 556 543 NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE: Basic $ (1.96) $ 1.24 $ (3.89) $ 3.30 Diluted $ (1.96) $ 1.23 $ (3.89) $ 3.29 Antidilutive amounts excluded from calculations: Convertible debt (a) 5 — 2 — Restricted stock units 1 — 1 — (a) See Note 8 for further information.

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	The following tables present the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019: Fair value measurements at reporting date using: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant other observable inputs Significant unobservable inputs Description September 30, 2020 (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets (in millions) Cash equivalents: Cash equivalents (a) $ 11,837 $ 11,837 $ — $ — Commercial paper 135 — 135 — Certificates of deposit 12 — 12 — Time deposits 125 — 125 — Short-term investments: Treasury bills 1,800 1,800 — — Certificates of deposit 103 — 103 — Time deposits 550 — 550 — Fuel derivatives: Option contracts (b) 109 — — 109 Other available-for-sale securities 228 228 — — Total assets $ 14,899 $ 13,865 $ 925 $ 109 Liabilities Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4) $ (39) $ — $ (39) $ — (a) Cash equivalents are primarily composed of money market investments. (b) In the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts are presented as an asset. See Note 4. Fair value measurements at reporting date using: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant other observable inputs Significant unobservable inputs Description December 31, 2019 (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets (in millions) Cash equivalents: Cash equivalents (a) $ 1,999 $ 1,999 $ — $ — Commercial paper 535 — 535 — Certificates of deposit 14 — 14 — Short-term investments: Treasury bills 1,196 1,196 — — Certificates of deposit 268 — 268 — Time deposits 60 — 60 — Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4) 2 — 2 — Fuel derivatives: Option contracts (b) 110 — — 110 Other available-for-sale securities 197 197 — — Total assets $ 4,381 $ 3,392 $ 879 $ 110 Liabilities Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4) $ (6) $ — $ (6) $ — (a) Cash equivalents are primarily composed of money market investments. (b) In the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts are presented as a net asset. See Note 4.
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	The following tables present the Company’s activity for items measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020: Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in millions) Fuel derivatives Balance at June 30, 2020 $ 107 Total gains (losses) for the period Included in earnings (23) (a) Included in other comprehensive income 1 Purchases 24 (b) Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 109 The amount of total losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2020 $ (21) (a) The amount of total losses for the period included in other comprehensive loss attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2020 $ (1) (a) Included in Other (gains) losses, net, within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss). (b) The purchase of fuel derivatives is recorded gross based on the structure of the derivative instrument and whether a contract with multiple derivatives was purchased as a single instrument or separate instruments. Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in millions) Fuel derivatives Balance at December 31, 2019 $ 110 Total losses for the period Included in earnings (40) (a) Included in other comprehensive income (79) Purchases 118 (b) Balance at September 30, 2020 $ 109 The amount of total losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2020 $ (29) (a) The amount of total losses for the period included in other comprehensive loss attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at September 30, 2020 $ (73) (a) Included in Other (gains) losses, net, within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss). (b) The purchase of fuel derivatives is recorded gross based on the structure of the derivative instrument and whether a contract with multiple derivatives was purchased as a single instrument or separate instruments.
Fair Value Valuation Techniques	The following table presents a range and weighted average of the unobservable inputs utilized in the fair value measurements of the Company’s fuel derivatives classified as Level 3 at September 30, 2020: Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements Valuation technique Unobservable input Period (by year) Range Weighted Average (a) Fuel derivatives Option model Implied volatility Fourth quarter 2020 27-47% 41 % 2021 29-44% 33 % 2022 26-30% 27 % Beyond 2022 23-26% 25 % (a) Implied volatility weighted by the notional amount (barrels of fuel) that will settle in respective period.
Fair value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s short-term and long-term debt (including current maturities), as well as the applicable fair value hierarchy tier, at September 30, 2020, are presented in the table below. The fair values of the Company’s publicly held long-term debt are determined based on inputs that are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets; therefore, the Company has categorized these agreements as Level 2. Debt under four of the Company’s debt agreements is not publicly held. The Company has determined the estimated fair value of this debt to be Level 3, as certain inputs used to determine the fair value of these agreements are unobservable. The Company utilizes indicative pricing from counterparties and a discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of the Level 3 items. (in millions) Carrying value Estimated fair value Fair value level hierarchy 2.65% Notes due 2020 $ 500 $ 500 Level 2 2.75% Notes due 2022 300 308 Level 2 Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24% 137 140 Level 2 4.75% Notes due 2023 1,250 1,337 Level 2 1.25% Convertible Notes due 2025 1,927 3,013 Level 2 5.25% Notes due 2025 1,550 1,710 Level 2 Term Loan Agreement payable through 2025 - 1.62% 125 122 Level 3 3.00% Notes due 2026 300 301 Level 2 Term Loan Agreement payable through 2026 - 1.99% 169 162 Level 3 3.45% Notes due 2027 300 305 Level 2 5.125% Notes due 2027 2,000 2,183 Level 2 7.375% Debentures due 2027 120 142 Level 2 Term Loan Agreement payable through 2028 - 1.62% 190 179 Level 3 2.625% Notes due 2030 500 473 Level 2 1.000% Payroll Support Program Loan due 2030 976 811 Level 3

Supplemental Financial Inform_2

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020
Table Text Block [Abstract]
Accounts and Other Receivables	(in millions) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Trade receivables $ 48 $ 53 Credit card receivables 46 112 Business partners and other suppliers 466 779 Income tax receivable 325 87 Other 12 55 Accounts and other receivables $ 897 $ 1,086
Other Assets	(in millions) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Derivative contracts $ 77 $ 49 Intangible assets, net 295 296 Other 307 232 Other assets $ 679 $ 577
Schedule of Accounts Payable	(in millions) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Accounts payable trade $ 169 $ 304 Salaries payable 184 231 Taxes payable excluding income taxes 41 227 Aircraft maintenance payable 97 162 Fuel payable 49 129 Dividends payable — 93 Other payable 440 428 Accounts payable $ 980 $ 1,574
Accrued Liabilities	(in millions) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Extended Emergency Time Off $ 457 $ — Voluntary Separation Program 2020 242 — Profitsharing and savings plans 21 695 Vacation pay 418 434 Health 110 120 Workers compensation 158 166 Property and income taxes 75 79 Derivative contracts 28 5 Other 327 250 Accrued liabilities $ 1,836 $ 1,749
Other Noncurrent Liabilities	(in millions) September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019 Extended Emergency Time Off $ 131 $ — Voluntary Separation Program 2020 377 — Postretirement obligation 339 288 Other deferred compensation 287 313 Other 99 105 Other noncurrent liabilities $ 1,233 $ 706

Worldwide Pandemic (Details)

Worldwide Pandemic (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		60 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)employeesshares	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)employeesshares	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Apr. 19, 2030	Jul. 30, 2020USD ($)	May 29, 2020USD ($)	Apr. 21, 2020USD ($)	Apr. 09, 2020$ / shares	Mar. 30, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Proceeds from term loan credit facility	$ 0		$ 0	$ 3,683	$ 0
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent				25.90%	22.00%
Proceeds from Payroll Support Program Grant	$ 3,400			$ 3,400
Cash Raised, Net of Fees				$ 18,900
Proceeds from Payroll Support Program Grant Received in April									$ 1,600
Proceeds from Payroll Support Program Grant Received in May								$ 652
Proceeds from Payroll Support Program Grant Received in June 2020		$ 652
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Participants | employees	4,200			4,200
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Accrual for Employees who Accepted through June 30, 2020		307
Proceeds from Payroll Support Program Grant Received in July 2020							$ 326
Proceeds from Payroll Support Program Grant Received in September 2020	$ 94			$ 94
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 and Extended Emergency Time Off Total Accrued	1,207	$ 307		$ 1,207
Extended Emergency Time Off Accrual for Employees who Accepted through September 30, 2020	$ 613
Number of Aircraft Grounded Under Emergency Order	34			34
Number of Aircraft in Long-Term Storage	104			104
Proceeds from Payroll Support Program Grant Allocated to Fund Salaries, Wages, and Benefits	$ 1,200
Costs Incurred for Voluntary Separation 2020 and Extended ETO	1,100
Goodwill	$ 970			$ 970								$ 970
Option to Convert to Voluntary Separation Program 2020 [Member]
Extended Emergency Time Off Period	12 months
Minimum
Extended Emergency Time Off Period	6 months
Maximum
Extended Emergency Time Off Period	18 months
Customer Support and Service [Member]
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Participants | employees	390			390
Ground Operations and Provisioning [Member]
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Participants | employees	1,060			1,060
Flight Attendants [Member]
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Participants | employees	725			725
Pilots [Member]
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Participants | employees	630			630
Pilots [Member] | Maximum
Extended Emergency Time Off Period	5 years
Contract groups [Member]
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Participants | employees	90			90
Managerial and Administrative [Member]
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Participants | employees	1,140			1,140
Maintenance [Member]
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Participants | employees	185			185
LUV Common Stock Warrants
Class of Warrant or Right, Outstanding | shares	2,700,000			2,700,000
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights | $ / shares										$ 36.47
Warrants and Rights Outstanding	$ 40			$ 40
Use Rights [Member]
Indefinite-Lived Domestic Slots and Routes	$ 295			$ 295
CARES Act Unsecured Loan | Unsecured Debt
Stated interest rate	1.00%			1.00%
Unsecured Debt | Forecast | Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate
Basis spread on variable rate (percent) April 21, 2025 and beyond						2.00%
1.0 Payroll Support Program Loan due 2030 | Unsecured Debt
Stated interest rate	1.00%			1.00%
Carrying amount of debt	$ 976			$ 976
Accordian Feature to Amended 364-Day Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Amended 364-Day Term Loan Credit Facility
Accordian Feature on Short-term Debt											$ 417

Worldwide Pandemic - Voluntary

Worldwide Pandemic - Voluntary Separation Program 2020 and Extended ETO (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Accrual for Employees who Accepted through June 30, 2020		$ 307
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Total Accrued	$ 619	307
Extended Emergency Time Off Accrual for Employees who Accepted through June 30, 2020		0
Extended Emergency Time Off Accrual for Employees who Accepted through September 30, 2020	613
Extended Emergency Time Off Reduction for Employees who Accepted through September 30, 2020	(25)
Emergency Extended Time Off Total Accrued	588	0
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 and Extended Emergency Time Off Accrual for Employees who Accepted through June 30, 2020		307
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 and Extended Emergency Time Off Reduction for Employees who Accepted through September 30, 2020	(198)
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 and Extended Emergency Time Off Total Accrued	1,207	$ 307
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Accrual for Employees who Accepted after June 30, 2020	485
Voluntary Separation Program 2020 Reduction for Employees who Accepted after June 30, 2020	$ (173)

Financial Derivative Instrume_3

Financial Derivative Instruments Narrative (Details) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 08, 2020USD ($)	May 04, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020Agreements
Derivative [Line Items]
Percentage of actual consumption hedged		42.00%			67.00%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 1,800	$ 2,000
Current Unrealized Net Losses in OCI		$ 53			$ 53
Maximum sum of derivatives of counterparty to be included in other (less than $8 million)		$ 9			$ 9
Cash Collateral Percent Of Fair Value Fuel Derivatives Contracts		100.00%			100.00%
Letter of Credit Percent of Collateral		100.00%			100.00%
Terminated Interest Rate Swap Liability		$ 28			$ 28
Payments of terminated interest rate derivative instruments		31		$ 0	31	$ 0
Fuel derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash collateral held (from) by CP		27			27
Interest rate swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Rate Derivative				12		12			12
Interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash collateral held (from) by CP		0			0
Discontinuation of Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Balance in AOCI			$ 32
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Fuel derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Loss on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring		22			38
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Discontinuation of Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Balance in AOCI		14			31
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments		(1)			28
Other Noncurrent Liabilities | Interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative contracts		11	1		11
Accrued Liabilities [Member] | Interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative contracts	[1]	$ 28	$ 5		$ 28
[1]	The net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities are reconciled to the individual line item amounts presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Note 10.

Financial Derivative Instrume_4

Financial Derivative Instruments - Fuel Hedging (Details) gal in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020gal	[1]
Remainder of Current Year
Volume of Fuel Hedging
Fuel Hedged (in gallons)	325
2021
Volume of Fuel Hedging
Fuel Hedged (in gallons)	1,283
2022
Volume of Fuel Hedging
Fuel Hedged (in gallons)	1,220
Beyond 2022
Volume of Fuel Hedging
Fuel Hedged (in gallons)	630
[1]	Due to the types of derivatives utilized by the Company and different price levels of those contracts, these volumes represent the maximum economic hedge in place and may vary significantly as market prices and the Company's flight schedule fluctuates.

Financial Derivative Instrume_5

Financial Derivative Instruments - Fair Values by Balance Sheet Location (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2020		Dec. 31, 2019
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset		$ 109		$ 112
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability		39		6
Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	[1]	105		112
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability		11		6
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset		4		0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability		28		0
Fuel derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	[1]	4		48
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability	[1]	0		0
Fuel derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	[1]	101		62
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability	[1]	0		0
Fuel derivatives | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	[1]	2		0
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability	[1]	0		0
Fuel derivatives | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	[1]	2		0
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability	[1]	0		0
Interest rate derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Accrued Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	[1]	0		0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	[1]	0		5
Interest rate derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	[1]	0		2
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Liability	[1]	0		0
Interest rate derivatives | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	[1]	0		0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	[1]	11		1
Interest rate derivatives | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Asset	[1]	0		0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability		$ 28	[1]	$ 0
[1]	Represents the position of each trade before consideration of offsetting positions with each counterparty and does not include the impact of cash collateral deposits provided to or received from counterparties. See discussion of credit risk and collateral following in this Note.

Financial Derivative Instrume_6

Financial Derivative Instruments - Carrying Amount of Fair Value Hedges (Details) - USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Derivative [Line Items]
Deferred Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge		$ 18,000,000	$ 19,000,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Amount of Hedged Item		500,000,000	801,000,000
Short-term Debt | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Amount of Hedged Item		500,000,000	300,000,000
Long-term Debt | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Amount of Hedged Item		0	501,000,000
Cumulative fair value adjustment [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Amount of Hedged Item	[1]	18,000,000	20,000,000
Cumulative fair value adjustment [Member] | Short-term Debt | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Amount of Hedged Item	[1]	0	2,000,000
Cumulative fair value adjustment [Member] | Long-term Debt | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Amount of Hedged Item	[1]	$ 18,000,000	$ 18,000,000
[1]	At September 30, 2020 and 2019, these amounts include the cumulative amount of fair value hedging adjustments remaining for which hedge accounting has been discontinued, of $18 million and $19 million, respectively.

Financial Derivative Instrume_7

Financial Derivative Instruments - Collateral by Balance Sheet Location (Details) - Fuel derivatives - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash collateral deposits held from CP for fuel contracts - current	$ 1	$ 10
Other Assets
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash collateral deposits held from CP for fuel contracts - non-current	$ 26	$ 15

Financial Derivative Instrume_8

Financial Derivative Instruments - Offsetting of Derivative Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]
Asset derivative contracts, net		$ 77	$ 49
Fuel derivatives | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized assets		6	48
Gross liability amounts offset in the Balance Sheet		(1)	(10)
Asset derivative contracts, net		5	38
Fuel derivatives | Other Assets
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized assets		103	62
Gross liability amounts offset in the Balance Sheet		(26)	(15)
Asset derivative contracts, net	[1]	77	47
Interest rate derivatives | Other Assets
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized assets		0	2
Gross liability amounts offset in the Balance Sheet		0	0
Asset derivative contracts, net	[1]	$ 0	$ 2
[1]	The net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities are reconciled to the individual line item amounts presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Note 10.

Financial Derivative Instrume_9

Financial Derivative Instruments - Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fuel derivatives | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Offsetting Liabilities [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities		$ 1	$ 10
Gross asset amounts offset in the Balance Sheet		(1)	(10)
Liability derivative contracts, net		0	0
Fuel derivatives | Other Assets
Offsetting Liabilities [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities		26	15
Gross asset amounts offset in the Balance Sheet		(26)	(15)
Liability derivative contracts, net	[1]	0	0
Interest rate derivatives | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Offsetting Liabilities [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities		28	5
Gross asset amounts offset in the Balance Sheet		0	0
Liability derivative contracts, net	[1]	28	5
Interest rate derivatives | Other Noncurrent Liabilities
Offsetting Liabilities [Line Items]
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities		11	1
Gross asset amounts offset in the Balance Sheet		0	0
Liability derivative contracts, net		$ 11	$ 1
[1]	The net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities are reconciled to the individual line item amounts presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Note 10.

Financial Derivative Instrum_10

Financial Derivative Instruments - Location and Amount Recognized in Income by Hedging Relationship (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Fuel
Derivative [Line Items]
(Gain) Loss on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax	$ 18	$ 19	$ 54	$ 28
Other (gains)/losses, net
Derivative [Line Items]
(Gain) Loss on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax	22		38
Interest Expense
Derivative [Line Items]
(Gain) Loss on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax	2	8	6	21
Cash Flow Hedging | Fuel | Fuel derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	18	19	54	28
Cash Flow Hedging | Fuel | Interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	0	0	0	0
Cash Flow Hedging | Other (gains)/losses, net | Fuel derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Loss on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring	22		38
Cash Flow Hedging | Other (gains)/losses, net | Interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	0		0
Cash Flow Hedging | Interest Expense | Fuel derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	0	0	0	0
Cash Flow Hedging | Interest Expense | Interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	0	2	1	3
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Fair Value Hedging | Fuel | Interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
(Gain) Loss on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax	0	0	0	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Fair Value Hedging | Other (gains)/losses, net | Interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
(Gain) Loss on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax	0		0
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Fair Value Hedging | Interest Expense | Interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
(Gain) Loss on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax	(2)	0	(6)	1
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Fuel derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Loss on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring	22		38
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Fair Value Hedging | Fuel | Interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Expense, Debt	0	0	0	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Fair Value Hedging | Other (gains)/losses, net | Interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Expense, Debt	0		0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Fair Value Hedging | Interest Expense | Interest rate derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest Expense, Debt	$ 4	$ 6	$ 11	$ 17

Financial Derivative Instrum_11

Financial Derivative Instruments - (Gain) Loss by Hedging Relationship (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
(Gain) loss recognized in AOCI on derivatives	$ 14	$ 112	$ 121	$ 126
Fuel derivatives | Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
(Gain) loss recognized in AOCI on derivatives	17	95	91	83
Interest rate derivatives | Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
(Gain) loss recognized in AOCI on derivatives	(3)	17	30	43
Interest rate derivatives | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
(Gain) Loss recognized in income on derivatives	0	0	30	0
Interest rate derivatives | Fuel derivatives | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
(Gain) Loss recognized in income on derivatives	1	0	2	0
Interest rate derivatives | Interest rate derivatives | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
(Gain) Loss recognized in income on derivatives	$ (1)	$ 0	$ 28	$ 0

Financial Derivative Instrum_12

Financial Derivative Instruments - Premiums for Fuel Derivative Contracts (Details) - Fuel derivatives - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Designated as Hedging Instrument | Operating Expense [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Premiums paid for fuel derivative contracts	$ 13	$ 20	$ 51	$ 75
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Other (gains)/losses, net
Derivative [Line Items]
Premiums paid for fuel derivative contracts	$ 11	$ 0	$ 22	$ 0

Financial Derivative Instrum_13

Financial Derivative Instruments - Fair Values of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted as Collateral (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Letter of Credit Percent of Collateral	100.00%
Cash Collateral Percent Of Fair Value Fuel Derivatives Contracts	100.00%
Fuel derivatives
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	$ 109
Cash collateral held (from) by CP	27
Letters of credit (LC)	0
Counterparty A | Fuel derivatives
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	24
Cash collateral held (from) by CP	27
Letters of credit (LC)	0
Counterparty B | Fuel derivatives
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	14
Cash collateral held (from) by CP	0
Letters of credit (LC)	0
Counterparty C | Fuel derivatives
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	28
Cash collateral held (from) by CP	0
Letters of credit (LC)	0
Counterparty D | Fuel derivatives
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	12
Cash collateral held (from) by CP	0
Letters of credit (LC)	0
Counterparty E | Fuel derivatives
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	11
Cash collateral held (from) by CP	0
Letters of credit (LC)	0
Counterparty F | Fuel derivatives
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	10
Cash collateral held (from) by CP	0
Letters of credit (LC)	0
Counterparty Other | Fuel derivatives
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	10	[1]
Cash collateral held (from) by CP	0	[1]
Letters of credit (LC)	0	[1]
Minimum | Counterparty A | Fuel derivatives
If credit rating is investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(100)
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP	0	[2]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash collateral is pledged to CP	(200)	[3]
If credit rating is non-investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	0
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 2	(600)
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP		[4]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash collateral is pledged to CP	(200)
Minimum | Counterparty B | Fuel derivatives
If credit rating is investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(50)
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP	150	[2]
If credit rating is non-investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1		[4]
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP		[4]
Minimum | Counterparty C | Fuel derivatives
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Option to substitute LC for cash Threshold 1	(75)	[5]
Option to substitute LC for cash Threshold 2	(550)	[5]
If credit rating is investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(75)	[2]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 2	(550)	[2]
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP	250	[2]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash collateral is pledged to CP	(150)	[5]
If credit rating is non-investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	0
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 2	(550)
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP		[4]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash collateral is pledged to CP	(150)
Minimum | Counterparty D | Fuel derivatives
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Option to substitute LC for cash Threshold 1	(125)	[6]
Option to substitute LC for cash Threshold 2	(550)	[6]
If credit rating is investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(125)	[2]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 2	(550)	[2]
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP	(125)	[2]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash collateral is pledged to CP	(150)	[5]
If credit rating is non-investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	0
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 2	(550)
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP		[4]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash collateral is pledged to CP	(150)
Minimum | Counterparty E | Fuel derivatives
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Option to substitute LC for cash Threshold 1		[6]
If credit rating is investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(40)
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP	100	[2]
If credit rating is non-investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1		[4]
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP		[4]
Minimum | Counterparty F | Fuel derivatives
If credit rating is investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(65)	[2]
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP	70	[2]
If credit rating is non-investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1		[4]
Fair value of fuel derivative level at which cash is received from CP		[4]
Maximum | Counterparty A | Fuel derivatives
If credit rating is investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash collateral is pledged to CP	(600)	[3]
If credit rating is non-investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(200)
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash collateral is pledged to CP	(600)
Maximum | Counterparty C | Fuel derivatives
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Option to substitute LC for cash Threshold 1	(150)	[5]
If credit rating is investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(150)	[2]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash collateral is pledged to CP	(550)	[5]
If credit rating is non-investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(150)
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash collateral is pledged to CP	(550)
Maximum | Counterparty D | Fuel derivatives
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Fuel Derivatives Amounts Posted As Collateral And Collateral Posting Thresholds [Line Items]
Option to substitute LC for cash Threshold 1	(150)	[6]
If credit rating is investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(150)	[2]
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash collateral is pledged to CP	(550)	[5]
If credit rating is non-investment grade, fair value of fuel derivative level at which:
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash is provided to CP Threshold 1	(150)
Fair value of fuel derivative levels at which cash collateral is pledged to CP	$ (550)
[1]	Individual counterparties with fair value of fuel derivatives < $9 million.
[2]	Thresholds may vary based on changes in credit ratings within investment grade.
[3]	The Company has the option of providing cash as collateral.
[4]	Cash collateral is provided at 100 percent of fair value of fuel derivative contracts.
[5]	The Company has the option of providing cash or letters of credit as collateral.
[6]	The Company has the option to substitute letters of credit for 100 percent of cash collateral requirement.

AOCI - Differences between Net

AOCI - Differences between Net Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (1,157)			$ 659			$ (2,166)	$ 1,787
Other, net of deferred taxes	11			2			8	18
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	28			(93)			(41)	(83)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(1,129)	$ (859)	$ (219)	566	$ 675	$ 463	(2,207)	1,704
Other deferred taxes	3			0			2	4
Fuel derivatives
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of deferred taxes	14			(80)			(20)	(61)
Derivative deferred taxes	5			(24)			(6)	(18)
Interest rate derivatives
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of deferred taxes	3			(15)			(29)	(40)
Derivative deferred taxes	$ 0			$ (5)			$ (9)	$ (13)

AOCI - Schedule of AOCI Compone

AOCI - Schedule of AOCI Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
Fuel derivatives
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ (170)	$ (125)
Changes in fair value	(21)	(118)
Ending Balance	(151)	(151)
Interest rate derivatives
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(74)	(33)
Changes in fair value	3	(39)
Reclassification to earnings	0	1
Ending Balance	(71)	(71)
Defined Benefit Plan Items
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	20	20
Changes in fair value	0	0
Reclassification to earnings	0	0
Ending Balance	20	20
Other comprehensive income (loss) other changes net of tax
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	55	59
Changes in fair value	14	10
Reclassification to earnings	0	0
Ending Balance	69	69
Deferred Tax
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	39	18
Changes in fair value	1	34
Reclassification to earnings	(9)	(21)
Ending Balance	31	31
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(130)	(61)
Changes in fair value	(3)	(113)
Reclassification to earnings	31	72
Ending Balance	(102)	(102)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Fuel derivatives
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Reclassification to earnings	$ 40	$ 92

AOCI - Reclassification out of

AOCI - Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Fuel and oil	$ 379	$ 1,090	$ 1,507	$ 3,242
Other (gains) losses, net	(35)	(3)	(95)	(8)
Less: Tax Expense	385	$ (160)	759	$ (504)
Interest rate derivatives
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassification to earnings	0		(1)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net of Tax	31		72
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Fuel derivatives
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Reclassification to earnings	(40)		(92)
Less: Tax Expense	(9)		(21)
Net of Tax			71
Fuel derivatives | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Fuel and oil	18		54
Other (gains) losses, net	$ 22		38
Interest rate derivatives | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Less: Tax Expense			0
Net of Tax			$ 1

Revenue - Passenger Revenue Bre

Revenue - Passenger Revenue Breakout (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	$ 1,793	$ 5,639	$ 7,035	$ 16,698
Passenger Revenue Non Loyalty
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	1,183	4,400	4,966	13,126
Passenger Loyalty Air Transportation
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	205	657	747	1,814
Passenger Ancillary Sold Separately
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	66	173	290	522
Passenger
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	$ 1,454	$ 5,230	$ 6,003	$ 15,462

Revenue - Air Traffic Liability

Revenue - Air Traffic Liability Breakout (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue [Abstract]
ATL - PAX Revenue and Ancillary PAX Services	$ 2,907	$ 2,125
AirTrafficLiabilityLoyaltyProgram	4,187	3,385
AirTrafficLiabilityTotal	$ 7,094	$ 5,510	$ 5,966	$ 5,070

Revenue - Air Traffic Liabili_2

Revenue - Air Traffic Liability - Loyalty Program Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Movement in Deferred Revenue
Air traffic liability - loyalty program - beginning balance	$ 3,856	$ 3,289	$ 3,385	$ 3,011
Amounts deferred associated with points awarded	447	727	1,488	2,195
Revenue recognized from points redeemed - Passenger	(205)	(657)	(747)	(1,814)
Revenue recognized from points redeemed - Other	(16)	(20)	(44)	(53)
Unused funds converted to loyalty points	105	0	105	0
Air traffic liability - loyalty program - ending balance	$ 4,187	$ 3,339	$ 4,187	$ 3,339

Revenue - Air Traffic Liabili_3

Revenue - Air Traffic Liability Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	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

Revenue - Additional Informatio

Revenue - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Residual Travel Funds	27.00%		27.00%		1.00%
Operating Revenue	$ 1,793	$ 5,639	$ 7,035	$ 16,698
Chase And Other Partner Agreements
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Operating Revenue	$ 282	$ 329	$ 859	$ 984

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (De

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
NUMERATOR:
Net income (loss)		$ (1,157)	$ 659	$ (2,166)	$ 1,787
DENOMINATOR:
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic		590	533	556	542
Dilutive effect of restricted stock units		0	1	0	1
Adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted		590	534	556	543
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:
Basic		$ (1.96)	$ 1.24	$ (3.89)	$ 3.30
Diluted		$ (1.96)	$ 1.23	$ (3.89)	$ 3.29
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Potentially dilutive amounts excluded from calculations		1	0	1	0
Convertible Debt Securities
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Potentially dilutive amounts excluded from calculations	[1]	5	0	2	0
[1]	See Note 8 for further information.

FINANCING ACTIVITIES (Details)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES (Details) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions	Oct. 05, 2020USD ($)	May 01, 2020USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)aircraft$ / shares	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)aircraft$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020USD ($)	Jun. 08, 2020USD ($)	May 04, 2020USD ($)	Apr. 24, 2020USD ($)	Apr. 09, 2020$ / shares	Apr. 01, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2020USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Required Minimum Liquidity Level at All Times After March 31, 2021			$ 2,500,000,000			$ 2,500,000,000
Remainder of 2020			543,000,000			543,000,000
2021			220,000,000			220,000,000
2022			524,000,000			524,000,000
2023			1,400,000,000			1,400,000,000
2024			152,000,000			152,000,000
2025			4,000,000,000			4,000,000,000
Beyond 2025			4,500,000,000			4,500,000,000
Shares Issued, Price Per Share | $ / shares		$ 28.50
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | shares		80.5
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share | $ / shares		$ 1
Gain on sale-leaseback transactions			0		$ 0	(222,000,000)	$ 0
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Equity Component of Convertible Debt				$ (392,000,000)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			1,125,000,000		0	5,622,000,000	0
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									$ 1,800,000,000	$ 2,000,000,000
Issuance of common stock			0		0	2,294,000,000	0
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions			0		$ 0	815,000,000	$ 0
LUV Common Stock Warrants
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Class of Warrant or Right, Exercise Price of Warrants or Rights | $ / shares												$ 36.47
Underwriters' Option [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | shares		10.5
2Q20 Saleleaseback of 10 737-800 and 10 737 MAX 8 aircraft [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Sale Leaseback Operating Lease Obligations - 2021			71,000,000			71,000,000
Sale Leaseback Operating Lease Obligations - 2022			71,000,000			71,000,000
Sale Leaseback Operating Lease Obligations - 2023			71,000,000			71,000,000
Sale Leaseback Operating Lease Obligations - 2024			71,000,000			71,000,000
Sale Leaseback Operating Lease Obligations - 2025			71,000,000			71,000,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Remainder of Fiscal Year			18,000,000			18,000,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter			$ 440,000,000			$ 440,000,000
B-737-800
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Description of Asset(s)			ten
Gain on sale-leaseback transactions			$ 153,000,000
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Lease Terms			ten years
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions			$ 405,000,000
B-737-7 MAX
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Description of Asset(s)			ten
Gain on sale-leaseback transactions			$ 69,000,000
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Lease Terms			13 years
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions			$ 410,000,000
2.625% Notes due 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			2.625%			2.625%
Unsecured Debt			$ 500,000,000			$ 500,000,000
Amended 364-Day Term Loan Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount													$ 2,300,000,000
1.250 Convertible Senior Notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		1.25%
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price | $ / shares			$ 38.48			$ 38.48
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Ratio			25.9909
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			100.00%
Convertible Debt Conversion Terms Percentage of Sales Price Exceeding Conversion Price			130.00%
Convertible Debt Conversion Terms Measurement Period Trading Price Threshold Percentage			98.00%
4.750 Unsecured Notes due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate									4.75%	4.75%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									$ 500,000,000	$ 750,000,000
5.250 Unsecured Notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate										5.25%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										$ 1,250,000,000
5.125 Unsecured Notes due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate									5.125%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									$ 1,300,000,000
4.750 Unsecured Notes due 2023 and 5.125 Unsecured Notes due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			$ 1,700,000,000
Secured Debt by Six Aircraft [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aircraft Subject to Secure Debt Transactions | aircraft			6			6
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 192,000,000			$ 192,000,000
364-Day Term Loan Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 1,000,000,000			$ 1,000,000,000
Secured Debt by Four Aircraft [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aircraft Subject to Secure Debt Transactions | aircraft			4			4
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 125,000,000			$ 125,000,000
Debt Instrument Net of fees			$ 121,000,000			$ 121,000,000
Secured Debt by Four Aircraft [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			1.40%			1.40%
Convertible Debt [Member] | 1.250 Convertible Senior Notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		1.25%
Debt Instrument Underwriters Option to Purchase		$ 300,000,000
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Equity Component of Convertible Debt			$ (11,000,000)
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage			5.20%			5.20%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 2,300,000,000	$ 1,900,000,000			$ 1,900,000,000
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component			(403,000,000)			(403,000,000)
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense			62,000,000			62,000,000
Carrying amount of debt			$ 1,927,000,000			$ 1,927,000,000
Unsecured Debt | 2.625% Notes due 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			2.625%			2.625%
Carrying amount of debt			$ 500,000,000			$ 500,000,000
Unsecured Debt | 1.250 Convertible Senior Notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			1.25%			1.25%
Unsecured Debt | 4.750 Unsecured Notes due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			4.75%			4.75%
Carrying amount of debt			$ 1,250,000,000			$ 1,250,000,000
Unsecured Debt | 5.250 Unsecured Notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			5.25%			5.25%
Carrying amount of debt			$ 1,550,000,000			$ 1,550,000,000		$ 300,000,000
Unsecured Debt | 5.125 Notes due 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			5.125%			5.125%
Carrying amount of debt			$ 2,000,000,000			$ 2,000,000,000		700,000,000
Unsecured Debt | 5.250 Unsecured Notes due 2025 and 5.125 Notes due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt								$ 1,000,000,000
Unsecured Debt | 2.65% Notes due 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			2.65%			2.65%
Carrying amount of debt			$ 500,000,000			$ 500,000,000
Unsecured Debt | 2.65% Notes due 2020 | Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.65%
Repayments of Senior Debt	$ 500,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 1,500,000,000			$ 1,500,000,000
Amended 364-Day Term Loan Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			1.00%			1.00%
Amended 364-Day Term Loan Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			1.00%			1.00%
Amended 364-Day Term Loan Credit Facility | New York Fed Bank Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			0.50%			0.50%
Amended 364-Day Term Loan Credit Facility | Base Rate [Member] | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			1.00%			1.00%
Accordian Feature to Amended 364-Day Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Amended 364-Day Term Loan Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accordian Feature on Short-term Debt														$ 417,000,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount											$ 350,000,000
Secured Debt by Six Aircraft [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			1.40%			1.40%
Existing Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity			$ 1,000,000,000			$ 1,000,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility, Fair Value Amount Outstanding			0			0
Existing Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | 364-Day Term Loan Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 1,000,000,000			$ 1,000,000,000

Fair Value Measurements Narrati

Fair Value Measurements Narrative (Details)	Sep. 30, 2020Loans
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt Agreements Not Publicly Held	4

Fair Value Measurements - Measu

Fair Value Measurements - Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fuel derivatives:
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset		$ 109,000,000	$ 112,000,000
Fuel derivatives:
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability		(39,000,000)	(6,000,000)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Assets
Treasury bills		1,800,000,000	1,196,000,000
Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4)			0
Fuel derivatives:
Other available for sale securities		228,000,000	197,000,000
Total assets		13,865,000,000	3,392,000,000
Liabilities
Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4)		0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Assets
Treasury bills		0	0
Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4)			2,000,000
Fuel derivatives:
Other available for sale securities		0	0
Total assets		925,000,000	879,000,000
Liabilities
Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4)		(39,000,000)	(6,000,000)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Treasury bills		0	0
Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4)			0
Fuel derivatives:
Other available for sale securities		0	0
Total assets		109,000,000	110,000,000
Liabilities
Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4)			0
Options Held | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Fuel derivatives:
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	[1]	0	0
Options Held | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Fuel derivatives:
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	[1]	0	0
Options Held | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Fuel derivatives:
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	[1]	109,000,000	110,000,000
Cash Equivalents | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Assets
Cash equivalents	[2]	11,837,000,000	1,999,000,000
Cash Equivalents | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Assets
Cash equivalents	[2]		0
Cash Equivalents | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Cash equivalents	[2]	0	0
Commercial Paper | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Assets
Cash equivalents		0	0
Commercial Paper | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Assets
Cash equivalents		135,000,000	535,000,000
Commercial Paper | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Cash equivalents		0	0
Certificates of Deposit | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Assets
Cash equivalents		0	0
Investments		0	0
Certificates of Deposit | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Assets
Cash equivalents		12,000,000	14,000,000
Investments		103,000,000	268,000,000
Certificates of Deposit | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Cash equivalents		0	0
Investments		0	0
Time Deposits | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Assets
Cash equivalents		0
Investments		0	0
Time Deposits | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Assets
Cash equivalents		125,000,000
Investments		550,000,000	60,000,000
Time Deposits | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Cash equivalents		0
Investments		0	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets
Treasury bills		1,800,000,000	1,196,000,000
Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4)			2,000,000
Fuel derivatives:
Other available for sale securities		228,000,000	197,000,000
Total assets		14,899,000,000	4,381,000,000
Liabilities
Interest rate derivatives (see Note 4)		(39,000,000)	(6,000,000)
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Options Held | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fuel derivatives:
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	[1]	109,000,000	110,000,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Cash Equivalents | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets
Cash equivalents	[2]	11,837,000,000	1,999,000,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Commercial Paper | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets
Cash equivalents		135,000,000	535,000,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Certificates of Deposit | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets
Cash equivalents		12,000,000	14,000,000
Investments		103,000,000	268,000,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Time Deposits | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets
Cash equivalents		125,000,000
Investments		$ 550,000,000	$ 60,000,000
[1]	In the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet amounts are presented as a net asset. See Note 4.
[2]	Cash equivalents are primarily composed of money market investments.

Fair Value Measurement - Fair V

Fair Value Measurement - Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis with Unobservable Inputs (Details) - Fuel derivatives - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Losses for the period included in earnings	[1]	$ (23)	$ (40)
Fair Value, Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Asset (Liability), Gain (Loss), OCI		1	(79)
Purchases	[2]	24	118
Ending Balance		109	109
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value				$ 107	$ 110
Commodity Option
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Fair Value, Asset, Recurring Basis, Still Held, Unrealized Gain (Loss)	[1]	(21)	(29)
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair Value, Asset, Recurring Basis, Still Held, Unrealized Gain (Loss), OCI		$ (1)	$ (73)
[1]	Included in Other (gains) losses, net, within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
[2]	The purchase of fuel derivatives is recorded gross based on the structure of the derivative instrument and whether a contract with multiple derivatives was purchased as a single instrument or separate instruments.

Fair Value Measurements - Quant

Fair Value Measurements - Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value (Details) - Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) - Fuel derivatives - Measurement Input, Option Volatility	Sep. 30, 2020
Minimum | Fourth quarter 2020
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Measurement Input	0.27
Minimum | 2021
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Measurement Input	0.29
Minimum | 2022
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Measurement Input	0.26
Minimum | Beyond 2022
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Measurement Input	0.23
Weighted Average | Fourth quarter 2020
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Measurement Input	0.41	[1]
Weighted Average | 2021
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Measurement Input	0.33	[1]
Weighted Average | 2022
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Measurement Input	0.27	[1]
Weighted Average | Beyond 2022
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Measurement Input	0.25	[1]
Maximum | Fourth quarter 2020
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Measurement Input	0.47
Maximum | 2021
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Measurement Input	0.44
Maximum | 2022
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Measurement Input	0.30
Maximum | Beyond 2022
Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Measurement Input	0.26
[1]	Implied volatility weighted by the notional amount (barrels of fuel) that will settle in respective period.

Fair Value Instruments - Carryi

Fair Value Instruments - Carrying and Estimated Fair Value of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020	Jun. 08, 2020	May 04, 2020	May 01, 2020
2.65% Notes due 2020 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 500
Stated interest rate	2.65%
2.75% Notes due 2022 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 300
Stated interest rate	2.75%
Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24% | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 137
Stated interest rate	6.24%
4.750 Unsecured Notes due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			4.75%	4.75%
4.750 Unsecured Notes due 2023 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 1,250
Stated interest rate	4.75%
1.250 Convertible Senior Notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate					1.25%
1.250 Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	1.25%
1.250 Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 | Convertible Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 1,927
Stated interest rate					1.25%
5.250 Unsecured Notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate				5.25%
5.250 Unsecured Notes due 2025 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 1,550	$ 300
Stated interest rate	5.25%
3.00% Notes due 2026 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 300
Stated interest rate	3.00%
Term Loan Agreement due 2026 - 1.99% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 169
Stated interest rate	1.99%
3.45% Notes due 2027 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	3.45%
5.125 Notes due 2027 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 2,000	$ 700
Stated interest rate	5.125%
7.375% Debentures due 2027 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 120
Stated interest rate	7.375%
1.71 Term Loan Agreement Payable through 2028 | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 190
2.625% Notes due 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	2.625%
2.625% Notes due 2030 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 500
Stated interest rate	2.625%
1.0 Payroll Support Program Loan due 2030 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 976
Stated interest rate	1.00%
3.45 Unsecured Senior Notes due 2027 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 300
Term Loan Agreement Due 2025 | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying amount of debt	$ 125
Stated interest rate	1.62%
Term Loan Agreement Due 2028 | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	1.62%
Level 2 | 2.65% Notes due 2020 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	$ 500
Level 2 | 2.75% Notes due 2022 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	308
Level 2 | Pass Through Certificates due 2022 - 6.24% | Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	140
Level 2 | 4.750 Unsecured Notes due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	1,337
Level 2 | 1.250 Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 | Convertible Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	3,013
Level 2 | 5.250 Unsecured Notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	1,710
Level 2 | 3.00% Notes due 2026 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	301
Level 2 | 5.125 Notes due 2027 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	2,183
Level 2 | 7.375% Debentures due 2027 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	142
Level 2 | 2.625% Notes due 2030 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	473
Level 2 | 3.45 Unsecured Senior Notes due 2027 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	305
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement due 2026 - 1.99% | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	162
Level 3 | 1.71 Term Loan Agreement Payable through 2028 | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	179
Level 3 | 1.0 Payroll Support Program Loan due 2030 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable, Fair Value	811
Level 3 | Term Loan Agreement Due 2025 | Notes Payable to Banks
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans Payable, Fair Value	$ 122
Notes Payable to Banks | 1.71 Term Loan Agreement Payable through 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	1.71%

Supplemental Financial Inform_3

Supplemental Financial Information - Accounts and Other Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts and Other Receivables [Abstract]
Trade receivables	$ 48	$ 53
Credit card receivables	46	112
Business partners and other suppliers	466	779
Income tax receivable	325	87
Other	12	55
Accounts and other receivables	$ 897	$ 1,086

Supplemental Financial Inform_4

Supplemental Financial Information - Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Other Assets [Abstract]
Derivative contracts		$ 77	$ 49
Intangible assets		295	296
Other		307	232
Other assets		679	577
Other Assets | Interest rate derivatives
Other Assets [Abstract]
Derivative contracts	[1]	$ 0	$ 2
[1]	The net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities are reconciled to the individual line item amounts presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Note 10.

Supplemental Financial Inform_5

Supplemental Financial Information - Accounts Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Supplemental Financial Information - Accounts Payable [Abstract]
Accounts payable trade	$ 169	$ 304
Salaries payable	184	231
Taxes payable	41	227
Aircraft maintenance payable	97	162
Fuel payable	49	129
Dividends Payable	0	93
Other payable	440	428
Accounts Payable, Current	$ 980	$ 1,574

Supplemental Financial Inform_6

Supplemental Financial Information - Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Extended Emergency Time Off		$ 457	$ 0
Voluntary Separation Program 2020		242	0
Profitsharing and savings plans		21	695
Vacation pay		418	434
Health		110	120
Workers compensation		158	166
Property and income taxes		75	79
Other		327	250
Accrued liabilities		1,836	1,749
Interest rate derivatives | Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Derivative contracts	[1]	$ 28	$ 5
[1]	The net amounts of derivative assets and liabilities are reconciled to the individual line item amounts presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in Note 10.

Supplemental Financial Inform_7

Supplemental Financial Information - Other Non-Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Extended Emergency Time Off	$ 131	$ 0
Voluntary Separation Program 2020	377	0
Postretirement obligation	339	288
Other deferred compensation	287	313
Other	99	105
Other noncurrent liabilities	$ 1,233	$ 706

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Airport Projects (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Assets constructed for others	$ 274	$ 164
LAX Terminal 1.5
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Outstanding remaining guaranteed obligation	289
Total Not to Exceed Cost Of Airport Project	464
LFMP Terminal
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Municipal bonds principal remaining	407
Net present value of principal remaining	$ 448

Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft Groun_2

Boeing 737 MAX Aircraft Grounding (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)aircraft	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020USD ($)aircraft	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Number of Aircraft Grounded Under Emergency Order	34		34
After-Tax Potential Concessions and Other Considerations Announced July 2019 | $	$ 4,900		$ 4,900
Pre-Tax Potential Concessions and Other Considerations Announced January 2020 | $	$ 2,600		$ 2,600
Number of Aircraft Not Delivered Due to Grounding Under Emergency Order	41		41
Supplier Proceeds | $	$ 0	$ 0	$ (428)	$ 0
Contract to Own Aircraft
Number of Aircraft Not Delivered Due to Grounding Under Emergency Order	28		28
Contract to Lease Aircraft
Number of Aircraft Not Delivered Due to Grounding Under Emergency Order	13		13
B-737-Max
Owned Assets, Number of Units	31		31