air-line

American  

[air-lahyn] / ˈɛərˌlaɪn /

adjective

1. straight; direct; traveling a direct route.

   Some railroads advertise air-line routes between stations.

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Etymology

Origin of air-line

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15

Example Sentences

They dread his competition in securing Government contracts, but would be delighted to see him use his unique experience in air transportation in an experimental air-line venture here.

From Time Magazine Archive

Over it a direct air-line course was possible.

From My Attainment of the Pole by Cook, Frederick A.

Upon a neighbouring hill, by air-line not over half a mile from their own, but almost twice that distance by the trail one must follow down and up the rugged slopes, were two figures.

From The Desert Valley by Gregory, Jackson

Battery No. 1, on the main-land, called the Redan, armed with six guns, was three thousand yards in an air-line above the point of the island.

From From Fort Henry to Corinth by Force, M. F. (Manning Ferguson)

It is seventy miles in an air-line from Stony Crossing to the fort.

From Raw Gold A Novel by Rowe, Clarence H. (Clarence Herbert)