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

A combination would create by far the largest airline in the world, with over $120 billion in combined revenues prior to any required divestitures, the analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Due to the magnitude, Fitzgerald would expect opposition from state attorneys general and significant lobbying against the deal by the rest of the airline industry, assuming the federal government were to signal its blessing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

The U.S. airline industry could face an annual fuel-cost headwind of close to $40 billion, Deutsche Bank analysts warned last week, albeit hours before the cease-fire was agreed.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

A combined company would also have to integrate complex union seniority lists; harmonize a massive fleet, which comprises both Boeing and Airbus jets; and face a web of co-branded card programs offered by each airline.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

I knew exactly which direction I was going thanks to the GPS map displayed on the screen that popped out of the armrest of my airline seat.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman