Changes in Capital (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 4,085,465us-gaap_PartnersCapital
Beginning balance	30,396
Beginning balance	4,115,861
Comprehensive income [Abstract]
Net income	142,744us-gaap_ProfitLoss	118,538us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive income, net of tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(12,275)	2,149
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	(173,075)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	(178,994)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
Purchases of AB Units	(11)	(229)
Ending balance	4,038,835us-gaap_PartnersCapital
Ending balance	31,807
Ending balance	4,070,642
Partners Capital Attributable to AB Unitholders [Member]
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	4,085,465	4,027,486
Comprehensive income [Abstract]
Net income	141,469	116,725
Other comprehensive income, net of tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gains on investments	308	289
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(12,208)	2,108
Changes in employee benefit related items	175	(833)
Comprehensive income	129,744	118,289
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	(173,075)	(178,994)
Capital contributions from affiliates	6,354	6,209
Purchases of AB Units		(229)
Compensation-related transactions	(9,642)	7,398
Other	(11)
Ending balance	4,038,835	3,980,159
Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities [Member]
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	30,396	42,240
Comprehensive income [Abstract]
Net income	1,275	1,813
Other comprehensive income, net of tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gains on investments	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(67)	41
Changes in employee benefit related items	0	0
Comprehensive income	1,208	1,854
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	0	0
Capital contributions from affiliates	0	0
Purchases of AB Units		0
Compensation-related transactions	0	0
Other	203
Ending balance	31,807	44,094
Total Capital [Member]
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	4,115,861	4,069,726
Comprehensive income [Abstract]
Net income	142,744	118,538
Other comprehensive income, net of tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gains on investments	308	289
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(12,275)	2,149
Changes in employee benefit related items	175	(833)
Comprehensive income	130,952	120,143
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	(173,075)	(178,994)
Capital contributions from affiliates	6,354	6,209
Purchases of AB Units		(229)
Compensation-related transactions	(9,642)	7,398
Other	192
Ending balance	$ 4,070,642	$ 4,024,253

The amount of receivables from affiliates during the period.

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of appreciation (loss) in value of unsold available-for-sale securities, attributable to parent entity. Excludes amounts related to other than temporary impairment (OTTI) loss.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of (increase) decrease in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss related to pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans, attributable to parent entity.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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- Definition

The amount of ownership interest of different classes of partners in limited partnership.

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- Definition

Total change in each class of partners' capital accounts during the year due to deferred compensation. Partners include general, limited and preferred partners.

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- Definition

Total of all Partners' Capital (deficit) items which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest).

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Amount of partners' capital (deficit), including portions attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

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This element represents movements included in the statement of changes in partners' capital which are not separately disclosed or provided for elsewhere in the taxonomy.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period.

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-Glossary Financing Activities

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Amount of cash outflow in the form of ordinary dividends to common shareholders of the parent entity.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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