Noncontrolling Interest - Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest and noncontrolling equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Oct. 31, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) of Albany Safran Composites (ASC)	$ 27,609	$ 7,594
Net /income/(loss) of ASC available for common ownership	27,582	9,109
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	27	(1,515)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year	3,799
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	27	(1,515)
Noncontrolling interest, end of interim period	$ 3,616
Albany Safran Composites, LLC
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder	10.00%
Albany Safran Composites, LLC
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) of Albany Safran Composites (ASC)	$ 585	(14,849)
Less: Return attributable to the Company's preferred holding	318	302
Net /income/(loss) of ASC available for common ownership	267	(15,151)
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	27	(1,515)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year	3,799	4,006
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	27	(1,515)
Changes in other comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(210)	109
Noncontrolling interest, end of interim period	$ 3,616	$ 2,600
Safran | Albany Safran Composites, LLC
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%