Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Oct. 31, 2022
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2022
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	ARLINGTON ASSET INVESTMENT CORP.
Entity Central Index Key	0001209028
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-34374
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	VA
Entity Tax Identification Number	54-1873198
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		28,366,678
Entity Address, Address Line One	6862 Elm Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 320
Entity Address, City or Town	McLean
Entity Address, State or Province	VA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	22101
City Area Code	703
Local Phone Number	373-0200
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Class A Common
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Trading Symbol	AAIC
7.00% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	7.00% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Trading Symbol	AAIC PrB
8.250% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	8.250% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Trading Symbol	AAIC PrC
6.000% Senior Notes due 2026
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.000% Senior Notes due 2026
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Trading Symbol	AAIN
6.75% Senior Notes due 2025
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.75% Senior Notes due 2025
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Trading Symbol	AIC