Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	52,526
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par (in shares)	658
Purchases of common stock, $.01 par
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2018							53,184
Balance, beginning at Dec. 31, 2017	525		$ 158,969	$ (3,579)	$ (2,396)	$ 991	$ 154,510
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par	7		104
Balance, ending at Jun. 30, 2018	$ 532		159,230	6,902	(1,977)	959	165,646
Stock-based compensation			567
Surrender of shares to cover minimum withholding taxes on stock-based compensation			(410)
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications				5,543			5,543
Cumulative effect of new accounting principles adopted				4,938
Total comprehensive (loss) income					419		5,890
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest						(72)	$ (72)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest						40
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018	53,111
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par (in shares)	73
Purchases of common stock, $.01 par
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2018							53,184
Balance, beginning at Mar. 31, 2018	531		158,795	3,460	(2,090)	999	$ 161,695
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par	1		110
Balance, ending at Jun. 30, 2018	$ 532		159,230	6,902	(1,977)	959	165,646
Stock-based compensation			325
Surrender of shares to cover minimum withholding taxes on stock-based compensation
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications				3,442			3,442
Total comprehensive (loss) income					113		3,515
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest						(40)	$ (40)
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	53,268
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par (in shares)	625
Purchases of common stock, $.01 par	$ (119)	(205)
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019							53,774
Balance, beginning at Dec. 31, 2018	533		160,514	10,439	(2,675)	939	$ 169,750
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par	7		99
Balance, ending at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 540	(205)	160,654	10,701	(2,772)	886	169,804
Stock-based compensation			489
Surrender of shares to cover minimum withholding taxes on stock-based compensation			(448)
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications				262			262
Cumulative effect of new accounting principles adopted
Total comprehensive (loss) income					(97)		112
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest						(53)	$ (53)
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019	53,610
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par (in shares)	283
Purchases of common stock, $.01 par	$ (119)	(205)
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019							53,774
Balance, beginning at Mar. 31, 2019	536		160,704	10,666	(2,746)	905	$ 170,065
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par	4		102
Balance, ending at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 540	$ (205)	160,654	10,701	(2,772)	886	169,804
Stock-based compensation			(9)
Surrender of shares to cover minimum withholding taxes on stock-based compensation			$ (143)
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications				35			35
Cumulative effect of new accounting principles adopted
Total comprehensive (loss) income					$ (26)		(10)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest						(19)	$ (19)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest