Definition
The movement of persons, property, or mail by aircraft for compensation or hire, or the operation of aircraft in furtherance of a business, when conducted as interstate, overseas, or foreign air commerce as defined in U.S. aviation law.
Plain English
Carrying people, cargo, or mail by aircraft as a paid commercial activity, or flying as part of running a business, when the flight crosses state lines, oceans, or international borders.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation regulations, airline and charter operations, and discussions about what kind of flying requires special approval or certification.
Why Pilots Care
Whether a flight counts as 'air transportation' determines which regulations apply, what kind of pilot certificate and medical are required, and what operating rules the flight must follow. Misclassifying a flight can mean operating illegally without the proper certificate.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as simply “anything that moves through the air.” In aviation use, it means carrying people, cargo, or mail by aircraft between places, often as a paid service.
Example Sentence 1
An airline operating scheduled flights between Los Angeles and New York is engaged in air transportation and must hold the appropriate operating certificate.
Example Sentence 2
Strict regulations govern air transportation of hazardous materials.