Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 01, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings attributable to Moog and noncontrolling interest	$ 96,628	$ 140,410	$ 123,633
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(16,279)	27,460	(37,838)
Retirement liability adjustment	26,757	69,229	(54,184)
Change in accumulated income (loss) on derivatives	(121)	2,881	(1,304)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	10,357	99,570	(93,326)
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, reclassification from AOCIL to retained earnings	(47,077)	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	59,908	239,980	30,307
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	91	(870)	(3,112)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Moog	$ 59,817	$ 240,850	$ 33,419