Noncontrolling Interest - Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest and noncontrolling equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2020	Oct. 31, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) of Albany Safran Composites (ASC)	$ 31,440	$ 27,609	$ 32,449	$ 7,594	$ 59,050	$ 40,043
Net income/(loss) of ASC available for common ownership	31,397		32,354		58,980	41,463
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	43		95		70	(1,420)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year		3,799			3,799
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	43		95		70	(1,420)
Noncontrolling interest, end of interim period	$ 3,842				$ 3,842
Albany Safran Composites, LLC
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder	10.00%				10.00%
Albany Safran Composites, LLC
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) of Albany Safran Composites (ASC)					$ 1,343	(13,612)
Less: Return attributable to the Company's preferred holding					647	587
Net income/(loss) of ASC available for common ownership					696	(14,199)
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest					70	(1,420)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling interest, beginning of year		$ 3,799		$ 4,006	3,799	4,006
Net income/(loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest					70	(1,420)
Changes in other comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest					(27)	261
Noncontrolling interest, end of interim period	$ 3,842		$ 2,847		$ 3,842	$ 2,847
Safran | Albany Safran Composites, LLC
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of noncontrolling shareholder	10.00%		10.00%		10.00%	10.00%	10.00%