in flight

USAGE SUMMARY

"in flight" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is in the process of flying or is in the air. Example sentence: The passengers aboard the airplane watched a beautiful sunset in flight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

"I'm in flight again.

Independent

Denzel Washington in "Flight," 2012.

The New Yorker

In flight, they were majestic.

The New York Times

They were perpetually in flight.

The New Yorker

Loss of control in flight is rare.

The New York Times

"It's an impressive dragonfly in flight".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Perfect for in-flight hydration.

Independent

Even the in-flight snacks look appealing.

The New York Times - Books

Number two: in-flight personal-space awareness.

Independent

In-flight movie was 50 First Dates.

The Guardian - Opinion

IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT: Stories, by Helen Simpson.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in flight" to describe events, services, or conditions that occur specifically during a journey by aircraft. For example: "in flight entertainment" or "in flight meal."

Common error

Avoid using "on flight" as it's grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use with "flight" in this context is "in", indicating something happening within the duration of the flight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in flight" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying nouns or verbs to indicate something happening or existing during a flight. As Ludwig AI shows, this can describe services, experiences, or problems encountered during air travel.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

6%

Unknown/unmatched sources

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in flight" is a versatile phrase used to describe activities, services, or issues that occur while an aircraft is airborne. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. Remember to use "in flight", not "on flight", and consider alternatives like "during the flight" or "while airborne" for variety. The phrase commonly appears in reference to "in flight meals" and ""in flight entertainment"", making it an essential part of vocabulary related to air travel.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the air

General expression of being airborne, applicable to various flying objects.

while flying

Focuses on the action of flying, often used when describing the experience or process of being airborne.

during the flight

Focuses on the temporal aspect, emphasizing actions or events occurring specifically during the airborne period.

while airborne

Highlights the state of being in the air, suitable for describing conditions or activities during flight.

during air travel

Emphasizes the context of traveling by air, suitable for discussing services or regulations related to flights.

on the plane

Specifies location, referring to activities or conditions occurring directly on the aircraft.

aboard the aircraft

Formal and precise, indicating presence or activity within the airplane.

during aviation

Relates to activities or occurrences associated with the broader context of air transport.

during its trajectory

Emphasizes the path followed during flight, suitable for scientific or technical contexts.

while aloft

A more formal way to express being in the air, conveying a sense of elevation and distance.

FAQs

How can I use "in flight" in a sentence?

The phrase "in flight" describes something happening during a flight. For example, "The airline offers complimentary "in flight entertainment"" or "The pilot announced smooth conditions "for the remainder of the flight"".

What is a common phrase associated with "in flight"?

A frequent phrase is "in flight meal", referring to food served on an airplane during a journey.

What can I say instead of "in flight"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "during the flight", "while airborne", or "during air travel".

Is it correct to say "on flight" instead of "in flight"?

No, "on flight" is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition is "in". You should always say "in flight".