Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings attributable to Moog and noncontrolling interest	$ 179,748	$ 96,628	$ 140,410
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation	71,926	71,231	71,363
Amortization	13,334	17,341	18,804
Deferred income taxes	(4,598)	30,613	10,758
Equity-based compensation expense	6,464	5,804	4,582
Other	4,239	34,455	17,898
Changes in assets and liabilities providing (using) cash:
Receivables	(82,818)	(67,621)	(44,558)
Inventories	(96,652)	(32,451)	(5,999)
Accounts payable	52,499	35,980	26,890
Customer advances	(14,432)	(10,998)	(7,054)
Accrued expenses	3,014	14,926	15,751
Accrued income taxes	6,749	4,227	(4,686)
Net pension and post retirement liabilities	27,329	(123,500)	(29,029)
Other assets and liabilities	14,621	25,772	2,650
Net cash provided by operating activities	181,423	102,407	217,780
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	(48,382)	(40,545)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(118,422)	(94,517)	(75,798)
Other investing transactions	2,702	1,257	6,820
Net cash (used) by investing activities	(115,720)	(141,642)	(109,523)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net short-term borrowings (repayments)	(3,653)	3,618	(1,280)
Proceeds from revolving lines of credit	971,658	568,550	255,622
Payments on revolving lines of credit	(998,726)	(678,660)	(305,512)
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	15,000	0
Payments on long-term debt	(411)	(25,922)	(168)
Payment of dividends	(34,857)	(17,889)	0
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock	5,268	4,560	3,797
Purchase of outstanding shares for treasury	(40,955)	(8,218)	(8,643)
Proceeds from sale of stock held by SECT	13,990	4,714	867
Purchase of stock held by SECT	(15,288)	(30,358)	(18,685)
Proceeds From Sale Of Stock Held By Supplemental Retirement Plan Trust	4,293	0	0
Purchase of stock held by SERP Trust	0	(55,000)	0
Other financing transactions	0	(1,964)	(1,656)
Net cash (used) by financing activities	(98,681)	(221,569)	(75,658)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(2,180)	1,541	10,433
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(35,158)	(259,263)	43,032
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	127,706	386,969	343,937
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	92,548	127,706	386,969
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Interest paid	38,864	36,689	33,801
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	36,474	34,214	44,205
Treasury shares issued as compensation	11,795	0	0
Equipment acquired through financing	$ 216	$ 297	$ 0