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

Shipping and airline stocks were major decliners in Asia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Delta is the only U.S. airline that owns an oil refinery, helping the carrier hedge some of its fuel prices.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Delta is the only U.S. airline that owns an oil refinery, helping the carrier hedge some of its fuel prices.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

Buffett bought several airline stocks when the business became more rational, but Covid-19 convinced him the industry wasn’t worth the headache.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Aviation experts will tell you that Korean Air is now as safe as any airline in the world.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell