| Document And Entity Information | Nov. 13, 2023 |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Document Type | 8-K |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Document Period End Date | Nov. 13, 2023 |
| Entity Registrant Name | ARLINGTON ASSET INVESTMENT CORP. |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001209028 |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false |
| Securities Act File Number | 001-34374 |
| Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code | VA |
| Entity Tax Identification Number | 54-1873198 |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 6862 Elm Street |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | Suite 320 |
| Entity Address, City or Town | McLean |
| Entity Address, State or Province | VA |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 22101 |
| City Area Code | 703 |
| Local Phone Number | 373-0200 |
| Entity Information, Former Legal or Registered Name | N/A |
| Written Communications | false |
| Soliciting Material | false |
| Pre-commencement Tender Offer | false |
| Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer | false |
| Common Class A [Member] | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | Class A Common Stock |
| Trading Symbol | AAIC |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Seven Point Zero Zero Percent Series B Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 7.00% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | AAIC PrB |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Six Point Seventy Five Percentage Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Twenty Five [Member] | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 6.75% Senior Notes due 2025 |
| Trading Symbol | AIC |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Eight Point Two Fifty Percent Series C Fixed To Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 8.250% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock |
| Trading Symbol | AAIC PrC |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
| Six Point Zero Zero Zero Percentage Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Twenty Six [Member] | |
| Document Information [Line Items] | |
| Title of 12(b) Security | 6.000% Senior Notes due 2026 |
| Trading Symbol | AAIN |
| Security Exchange Name | NYSE |
