airline

American  

[air-lahyn] / ˈɛərˌlaɪn /

noun

1. Aeronautics.

   1. a system furnishing air transport, usually scheduled, between specified points.

   2. the airplanes, airports, etc., of such a system.

   3. Often airlines a company that owns or operates such a system.

2. a direct line; beeline.

3. an airhose used to pipe air to a deep-sea diver, pneumatic drill, etc.

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adjective

1. of or on an airline.

airline British  

/ ˈɛəˌlaɪn /

noun

1. 1. a system or organization that provides scheduled flights for passengers or cargo

   2. ( as modifier )

      an airline pilot

2. a hose or tube carrying air under pressure

3. a beeline

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Etymology

Origin of airline

First recorded in 1910–15; air ¹ + line ¹

Explanation

An airline is a company that owns and operates a fleet of planes. You might pick an airline for your trip to Hawaii based on who sells the least expensive tickets. The airline is the business that maintains airplanes for commercial and business travel. Some people have a strong preference for one airline over another — you may enjoy flying with the airline that provides homemade cookies to its passengers, for example. Baggage handlers, flight attendants, and pilots all work for an airline. The original, 1813 meaning of airline was quite different: "a straight line between two points on the earth's surface."

Example Sentences

If prices do drop, you can call the airline and have them rebook your flights at the lower fare and receive flight credit for the difference.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

However, most of that rise is due to higher energy prices or the effect on prices of services that are very energy intensive, such as airline flights.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

"And that doesn't matter if you are a legacy or low-cost airline."

From Barron's • Jun. 6, 2026

But the national airline sells the round-trip flight for a flat 90 euros that actually costs the government about 850 euros.

From Slate • Jun. 6, 2026

The next thing I remember is a uniformed woman lifting me into an airline seat and cinching a belt over my lap.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter