Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	0000819793
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$ 734.9
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Common Class A [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	28.1
Common Class B [Member]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	3.2