Note 11 - Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications	$ 3,442	$ (2,798)	$ 5,543	$ (3,474)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic shares (in shares)	53,111	52,341	52,897	52,177
Effect of stock-based compensation (in shares)	777		932
Diluted shares (in shares)	53,888	52,341	53,829	52,177
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ (0.05)	$ 0.10	$ (0.07)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.06	$ (0.05)	$ 0.10	$ (0.07)