Note 13 - 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, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications	$ 35	$ 3,442	$ 262	$ 5,543
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic shares (in shares)	53,799	53,111	53,591	52,897
Effect of stock-based compensation (in shares)	770	777	1,008	932
Diluted shares (in shares)	54,569	53,888	54,599	53,829
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0.06	$ 0	$ 0.10
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0.06	$ 0	$ 0.10