airplane vs aircraft

Both 'airplane' and 'aircraft' are correct terms used to refer to flying vehicles that are heavier than air. 'Airplane' is more commonly used in American English, while 'aircraft is a more general term that can refer to any type of flying vehicle, including helicopters and drones.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 776 views

airplane

This is a correct term commonly used to refer to a powered flying vehicle with fixed wings and a weight greater than that of the air it displaces.

You can use 'airplane' when referring to a specific type of flying vehicle with fixed wings, such as a commercial jet or a small private plane.

Examples:

I took an airplane to travel to Europe.
The airplane landed smoothly on the runway.

Alternatives:

plane
jet
airliner
airbus
cessna

aircraft

This is a correct term that is more general and can refer to any type of flying vehicle, including airplanes, helicopters, and drones.

You can use 'aircraft' when referring to any type of flying vehicle, regardless of whether it has fixed wings or not.

Examples:

The airport has a variety of aircraft on display.
Military aircraft are used for defense purposes.

Show examples from the web [+]

The survey programme shall include sample product surveys of aircraft.
Kavminvodyavia: aircraft Tupolev TU-154B registration RA-85494 and RA-85457.
My office received word of a downed aircraft.
We have another aircraft in our area.
Sources are reporting the aircraft displayed signs of distress...
Last transmission never mentioned a second aircraft.
All passengers died when the aircraft suffered turbulence.
Your aircraft slipped through a transcendental portal.
Convertible FSTDs shall have a separate qualification certificate for each aircraft type.
We transport aircraft ready, Reichsfuhrer.
Unidentified aircraft, you have entered Russian airspace.
No other aircraft were visibly near Flight 180.
If the identity of the aircraft operator is not known, the owner of the aircraft shall be regarded as the aircraft operator unless it proves which other person was the aircraft operator.
If it is decided to release the intercepted aircraft, the intercepting aircraft uses the Series 2 signals prescribed for intercepting aircraft.
Any type of aircraft container, aircraft pallet with a net, or aircraft pallet with a net over an igloo.
The aircraft type training organisation as specified in point 147.A.(e) must have access to the appropriate aircraft type.
For aircraft, indicate the flight number.
The aircraft weight and atmospheric state are also required inputs.
Standardised aircraft sound measurements are made 1,2 m above the ground surface.
No organisation other than the aircraft operators has information on emissions.

Alternatives:

flying machine
flying vehicle
aviation equipment
aerial vehicle
flying craft

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airplane vs aircraft

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