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.

---

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

---

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

It bought its big airline stakes when the industry was in the midst of a record-long streak of profits.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Spain's former Socialist prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has been placed under investigation for influence peddling and crimes allegedly committed in connection with the bailout of a small airline, a court said Tuesday.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

“I was able to secure my client a $588 airline credit simply because I knew the fare had significantly decreased after purchase, due to a Google Flight alert,” she said.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

At the airport, airline staff will meet shuttles and transfer luggage.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

In fact, I am getting nostalgic about seven-hour airline delays.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich