flight deck

American  

noun

1. Navy. the upper deck of an aircraft carrier, constructed and equipped for the landing and takeoff of aircraft.

2. Aeronautics. (in certain aircraft) an elevated compartment containing the instruments and controls used by the pilot, copilot, and flight engineer to operate the aircraft.

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flight deck British  

noun

1. the crew compartment in an airliner Compare cockpit

2. the upper deck of an aircraft carrier from which aircraft take off and on which they land

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Etymology

Origin of flight deck

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

The center is also expected to have 20 planes and jets, including a Boeing 747, a mock flight deck and a pair of introductory films produced by J.J.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

Advances in technology over past decades have already reduced the number of people needed on the flight deck.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

Both aviators aboard the jet safely ejected and were rescued at sea by helicopter with minor injuries, and no one aboard the warship’s flight deck was harmed, the service said.

From Slate • May 8, 2025

They were dropped back into the sea by the ship's crew, who had gathered on the flight deck to watch.

From BBC • Sep. 28, 2024

Dutchy completes his technical training and aircraft carrier flight deck training, and after he’s been in San Diego for a month, he learns that soon he’ll be shipping out.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline