We have presented a detailed study of twist-2 and twist-3 light-cone distribution amplitudes of 1 3 P 1 and 1 1 P 1 axial-vector mesons, based on QCD conformal partial wave expansion. Applying equations of motion, the twist-three two-parton light-cone distribution amplitudes can be expressed in terms of leading-twist and twist-three three-parton light-cone distribution amplitudes. The relevant G-parity invariant and violating parameters, containing the corrections due to the SU(3) breaking effects, are evaluated from the QCD sum rule method. The results for axial-vector decay constants of 1 3 P 1 states are presented. The values of tensor decay constants and Gegenbauer moments of the leading twist distribution amplitudes for 1 1 P 1 states are updated. Using Gell-Mann-Okubo mass formula, the mixing angle for the f 8 and f 1 of 1 3 P 1 states is θ3 P 1 ∼ 38 • , and that for h 8 and h 1 of 1 1 P 1 states is θ1 P 1 ∼ 10 • . The detailed properties for physical states f 1 (1285), f 1 (1420), h 1 (1170), and h 1 (1380) are given. Assuming the mixing angle between K 1A and K 1B to be θ K = 45 • or −45 • , we also give the detailed study for K 1 (1270) and K 1 (1400). Using the conformal partial wave expansion, we obtain the models for light-cone distribution amplitudes, containing contributions up to conformal spin 9/2. It is interesting to note that some distribution amplitudes have significant asymmetric behaviors, which should be phenomenologically attractive.