en English es español fr française it italiano de deutsche ja 日本語 pl polski cs česky sv svenska tr Türkçe nl Nederlands

"Aircraft" vs. "airplane": unpacking the nuances

Anwar Kareem 29/09/2024, 07:52
English.me team member
Aircraft and airplane. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both refer to vehicles designed to travel through the air.

What is different?

An "aircraft" is a broader term that encompasses all types of flying machines, while an "airplane" specifically refers to a powered fixed-wing aircraft.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for aircraft) and airplane

Examples of usage

Aircraft
  • The aircraft was inspected for any mechanical issues before takeoff.
  • Helicopters, drones, and jets are all different types of aircraft.
Airplane
  • The airplane taxied down the runway before taking off.
  • She booked a window seat on the airplane for her flight.