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

One photo published by the Pentagon shows a fighter plane preparing to launch from the flight deck of the Lincoln at an undisclosed location at sea.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

“Its flight deck layout appears to limit its ability to carry simultaneous aircraft launches and recoveries so it probably won’t be able to generate as many aircraft missions over a given period.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

HMS Prince of Wales, which docked in Singapore on Monday, is one of the UK Navy's largest ships with a flight deck large enough to fit three football pitches.

From BBC • Jun. 24, 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

Nately, sitting stiffly in the co-pilot’s seat, spied him through the corner of his eye as he stepped up on the flight deck behind Kid Sampson.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller