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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications	$ 1,817	$ 320	$ 7,360	$ (3,154)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic shares (in shares)	53,184	52,434	52,994	52,159
Effect of stock-based compensation (in shares)	932	1,360	893
Diluted shares (in shares)	54,116	53,794	53,887	52,159
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.01	$ 0.14	$ (0.06)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.01	$ 0.14	$ (0.06)