airline

American  

[air-lahyn] / ˈɛərˌlaɪn /

noun

• airlines
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• airlines
  plural

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

See Examples For:

airline airlines

Etihad, City's main sponsor since 2009, also said it was given no opportunity to engage in a process that now reflects "adversely on the airline".

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates-based airline said it "categorically rejects any finding, conclusion or implication that suggests the airline has ever been involved in improper commercial arrangements".

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

These points can be moved to participating airline and hotel loyalty programs, giving travelers more flexibility when they’re booking a trip.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026

For years, Khalwinder Singh Bhengura lived an unassuming life in Arlington, Texas, where the 69-year-old Indian immigrant works a graveyard shift preparing passenger meals for an airline catering company.

From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026

Indeed, the meal looked and tasted very much like airline food.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

It adds that the prime minister has instructed authorities to "ramp up security" on flights to Israel, regardless of whether they are operated by Israeli or non-Israeli airlines.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

Roughly 90% of MRO’s revenue comes from sales to U.S. customers, largely airlines.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

Jet-fuel prices are the highest they’ve been since the start of the U.S.-Iran war, leading airlines to eliminate some flight routes from their schedules to cut costs.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 28, 2026

The Federal Aviation Administration recommended flyers check with airlines about their flight status.

From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026

In commercial airlines, captains and first officers split the flying duties equally.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell