load factor

noun

: the percentage of available seats paid for and occupied in an aircraft

Examples of load factor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The load factor—the percentage of available seats an airline sells on its flights—hit a record level of 82.6 percent in January, marking an all-time high for the month, the International Air Transport Association noted in a February report. Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025 Even Emirates is flying to Israel from New York airports, although this require a 20-hour-plus journey through Dubai (DXB.) Unsurprisingly, as essentially the only game in town, El Al’s profit grew from $117 million in 2023 to $545 million in 2024, while load factor increased from 86% to 94%. Michael Goldstein, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 The November 2024 load factor —the percentage of available seats an airline sells on its flights—was reported to be at 83.4 percent, marking an all-time high for November. Soo Kim, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025 The November 2024 load factor—the percentage of available seats an airline sells on its flights—was reported to be at 83.4 percent, marking an all-time high for November, the IATA said. Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for load factor

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of load factor was in 1943

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Cite this Entry

“Load factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/load%20factor. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.

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