Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 58,536	$ 56,262	$ 115,267	$ 112,590
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	26,454	25,543	51,596	51,671
Selling, general and administrative	17,438	17,586	35,531	34,926
Depreciation and amortization	9,028	8,640	17,931	17,160
Loss on disposal of assets, net	14	128	33	152
Total operating expenses	52,934	51,897	105,091	103,909
Operating income	5,602	4,365	10,176	8,681
Other income and (expense):
Interest expense	(3,913)	(3,852)	(7,758)	(7,721)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(5,158)		(7,434)	(336)
Interest income	7	6	14	11
Total other income and (expense)	(9,064)	(3,846)	(15,178)	(8,046)
(Loss) income before income tax benefit (expense)	(3,462)	519	(5,002)	635
Income tax benefit (expense)	632	(236)	1,464	(299)
Net (loss) income	(2,830)	283	(3,538)	336
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(32)	(34)	(64)	(67)
Net (loss) income attributable to Alaska Communications	(2,798)	317	(3,474)	403
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Minimum pension liability adjustment	29	14	58	28
Income tax effect	(12)	(6)	(24)	(15)
Amortization of defined benefit plan loss	154	217	308	434
Income tax effect	(63)	(89)	(126)	(178)
Interest rate swap marked to fair value	131	(49)	156	(174)
Income tax effect	(54)	20	(65)	71
Reclassification to interest expense	24	26	49	53
Income tax effect	(10)	(11)	(20)	(22)
Total other comprehensive income	199	122	336	197
Total comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Alaska Communications	(2,599)	439	(3,138)	600
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(32)	(34)	(64)	(67)
Total other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(32)	(34)	(64)	(67)
Total comprehensive (loss) income	$ (2,631)	$ 405	$ (3,202)	$ 533
Net (loss) income per share attributable to Alaska Communications:
Basic and Diluted	$ (0.05)	$ 0.01	$ (0.07)	$ 0.01
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	52,341	51,231	52,177	50,986
Diluted	52,341	52,138	52,177	52,006