Segment Reporting - Geography (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Sep. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Sep. 30, 2015
Jun. 30, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)                      
Revenues $ 113,875 $ 110,076 $ 109,185 $ 107,226 $ 110,328 $ 108,202 $ 109,667 $ 98,750 $ 440,362 $ 426,947 $ 396,706
Operating expenses (60,118) (87,442) (60,037) (56,205) (56,736) (54,253) (53,795) (54,108) (263,802) (218,892) (221,226)
Net income                 229,208 124,120 106,993
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (10,459) (8,827) (9,383) (10,194) (10,569) (9,147) (10,935) (9,264) (38,863) (39,915) (32,842)
Net income attributable to CPA®:17 – Global 4,846 $ 58,218 $ 81,858 $ 45,423 21,133 $ 20,052 $ 28,440 $ 14,580 190,345 84,205 74,151
Long-lived assets 3,679,209       3,689,002       3,679,209 3,689,002  
Debt 2,072,001       1,994,608       2,072,001 1,994,608  
Texas                      
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)                      
Revenues                 67,860 63,933 58,167
Operating expenses                 (75,455) (42,934) (38,776)
Net income                 (11,730) 9,317 8,110
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests                 0 0 0
Net income attributable to CPA®:17 – Global                 (11,730) 9,317 8,110
Long-lived assets 282,519       338,710       282,519 338,710  
Debt 249,336       268,171       249,336 268,171  
Other Domestic                      
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)                      
Revenues                 255,939 249,961 224,101
Operating expenses                 (137,928) (132,637) (137,915)
Net income                 212,717 74,577 62,071
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests                 (37,580) (37,173) (32,094)
Net income attributable to CPA®:17 – Global                 175,137 37,404 29,977
Long-lived assets 2,232,192       2,187,513       2,232,192 2,187,513  
Debt 1,186,752       1,212,556       1,186,752 1,212,556  
International                      
Segment Reporting Information, Profit (Loss)                      
Revenues                 116,563 113,053 114,438
Operating expenses                 (50,419) (43,321) (44,535)
Net income                 28,221 40,226 36,812
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests                 (1,283) (2,742) (748)
Net income attributable to CPA®:17 – Global                 26,938 37,484 $ 36,064
Long-lived assets 1,164,498       1,162,779       1,164,498 1,162,779  
Debt $ 635,913       $ 513,881       $ 635,913 $ 513,881