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

Airlines’ rules vary, leaving passengers to navigate different restrictions on their portable chargers from one airline to the next.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

While many are grieving Spirit now, the airline didn’t have the best reputation.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

Ryanair had yet to respond to an AFP request confirming the time at which the airline starts selling alcohol aboard its flights.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

Burke said authorities became aware of the group's return when airline tickets were booked hours earlier.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

As the geodesic is the shortest path between any two airports, this is the route an airline navigator will tell the pilot to fly along.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking