overflight

American  

[oh-ver-flahyt] / ˈoʊ vərˌflaɪt /

noun

1. an air flight that passes over a specific area, country, or territory.

   Overflights of foreign aircraft are closely monitored.

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overflight British  

/ ˈəʊvəˌflaɪt /

noun

1. the flight of an aircraft over a specific area or territory

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Etymology

Origin of overflight

1590–1600 as pertaining to the flight of birds; 1955–60 for current sense; over- + flight ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

overflight

According to records reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, three African nations—Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles—rescinded overflight permits they had previously approved for Lai’s chartered flight.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

The Pentagon chief said the move was also aimed at ensuring US "access, basing and overflight are clearly delineated and assured" after some European imposed restrictions on US forces during the Iran war.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te postponed an official trip to Eswatini -- the island's only diplomatic ally -- last week after "Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar unexpectedly and without prior notice revoked the charter's overflight permits".

From Barron's ● Apr. 26, 2026

The U.S. already enjoys access to bases and overflight rights there, while Denmark bears the cost of governance, infrastructure and social services.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 25, 2026

Frank Powers flew to an American air base at Peshawar, Pakistan, the jumping-off point for his twenty-eighth overflight.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

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