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aircrew member

aircrew member

3.4
A person who works on a plane during a flight
  • noun
  • /ˈɛrˌkruː ˈmɛmbər/
translation icon : miembro de la tripulación
  • As an experienced aircrew member, she was responsible for ensuring that all passengers followed safety procedures during takeoff.

Examples

  • The aircrew members in the room took their seats and restlessly murmured comments among themselves as Jarrel stepped up to the podium.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • He was there to give the welcoming speech to a new crop of aircrew members that were to begin an intensive three-week course on strategic air.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The aircrew member prepared for the flight by reviewing the safety protocols and checking their equipment.

  • The training program for aircrew members included simulations of emergency scenarios to enhance their preparedness.

Synonyms

pilot
vsaircrew member
2.9

A person who flies a plane or guides a ship safely

is the broader operational staff term covering many different aircraft roles
crew member
vsaircrew member
113 2.4

A person who works as part of a team on a ship, plane, or film set

is specific to operational staff serving during flights on aircraft
flight attendant
vsaircrew member
83 3.2

A person who looks after passengers on an airplane and keeps them safe and comfortable

is the broader category for all operational staff on aircraft, not only passenger service
stewardess
vsaircrew member
  • Archaic
62 4.6

A woman who works on an airplane and looks after passengers

is the neutral, modern term for that passenger service role
crewman
vsaircrew member
47 3.2

A person who works with others on a ship, aircraft, or vehicle

focuses on active operational staff during an aircraft flight rather than any team role
aviator
vsaircrew member
37 4.6

A person who flies a plane or other aircraft

is the broader term for operational staff on aircraft, not only those who fly
airman
vsaircrew member
28 3.5

A person who flies or helps fly planes in the air force

is the general term for any operational staff serving on aircraft during flight
flier
vsaircrew member
  • US
19 4.2

A person who flies an aircraft as its pilot

is the category for operational staff on aircraft, not only those who fly
copilot
vsaircrew member
16 3.3

A person who helps the main pilot fly an aircraft

is a broader operational term covering various aircraft staff roles
steward
vsaircrew member
  • UK
13 3.8

A person who serves and looks after passengers on a ship or plane

is the general operational staff category, covering more than passenger care
crewmember
vsaircrew member
10 3.2

A person who works with others on a ship or plane

is limited to operational staff on aircraft during actual flights
crewmate
vsaircrew member
10 2.8

A person who works with others on the same ship, plane, or spacecraft

is used for operational staff on aircraft during flights rather than companionship
wingman
vsaircrew member
  • Specialized
8 5.6

A pilot who flies behind the leader in formation to protect them

is the general operational staff term for aircraft roles, not formation-specific
hostess
vsaircrew member
  • Archaic
7 5.3

A woman who looks after passengers on an airplane

is the neutral and standard term used today for that job
flight engineer
vsaircrew member
  • Specialized
3 4.8

A crew member who checks and runs a plane's engines and systems during a trip

is one specialized operational role among many on aircraft
air hostess
vsaircrew member
  • Archaic
1 2.2

A woman who looks after passengers on a plane

is the gender-neutral, modern label for the same passenger care role
airplane pilot
vsaircrew member
  • US
1 3.2

A person who flies a plane and has a licence

is the wider category for operational staff on aircraft, not only licensed operators
aircrewman
vsaircrew member
5.8

A man who works on a plane as part of the flight crew

is the gender-neutral label for that same onboard operational role
aircrewwoman
vsaircrew member
7.0

A woman who is part of the crew on a plane or helicopter

is the gender-neutral label for that same onboard operational role
airwoman
vsaircrew member
6.0

A woman who works as a crew member on an airplane, often in the military

is the general gender-neutral way to name that aircraft operational role
crewwoman
vsaircrew member
4.8

A woman who works with others on a ship, plane, or film set

is the gender-neutral label for that onboard team role
air host
vsaircrew member
  • Archaic
4.2

A man who helps passengers on a plane and keeps them safe and comfortable

is the broad term for all operational staff on aircraft, not gendered

Surface Forms

Morphology

aircrew + member

The meaning 'a person who is part of the aircrew' is directly and compositionally derived from 'aircrew' (the team responsible for aircraft operation) + 'member' (a person in a group). This follows a common English noun+member pattern that is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Aircrew member comes from the words air, meaning where the plane flies, crew, a 'team' that works together, and member, one person of that team. So an aircrew member is a person from that team who works on the plane during a flight.