midflight

While still aloft

Midflight describes the middle portion of a flight or journey through the air—whether by aircraft, bird, or projectile.

It can mark a moment in time: The pilot made an announcement midflight.

Or it can capture something suspended in motion: The hawk changed direction midflight.

Also spelled mid-flight.

suspended

weightless

Having no heft

hoveringSuspended without support
airborneTraveling through air
aloftHigh in the air

soaring · gliding · floating · adrift · buoyant · coasting · cruising · sailing · drifting · untethered

aviation

altitude

Measured height above reference

cockpitPilot's control compartment
autopilotAutomated vehicle guidance system
airlinerLarge commercial passenger plane

fuselage · pressurization · intercom

aerodynamics

turbulence

Chaotic flow patterns

airspeedAircraft's atmospheric velocity
liftMechanism for vertical transport
dragResistance through fluid

thrust · tailwind · headwind · crosswind · jetstream · flaps · aileron · rudder · elevator · roll

journey

departure

Act of going away

arrivalAct of reaching destination
destinationIntended arrival point
originStarting point or source

halfway · progress · transit · passage · crossing · voyage · trajectory · itinerary · route · leg

interlude

pause

Temporary cessation of activity

intervalDuration between two points
limboState of uncertain waiting
in-betweenOccupying middle position

transition · respite · waiting · anticipation · downtime · reflection · boredom · restlessness · movie · nap

Opposites

phase of flight/journey

midflightpre-flight

Before aircraft departure

airborne vs. grounded state

midflighton the ground

In contact with earth

grounded · landed · earthbound · parked · stationary

Family

mid, flight, flying, flier, flies, midway, midpoint, midnight, midair

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G