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 International Air Transportation Association (IATA) reported that May saw a record load factor—the percentage of airline seats filled by paying passengers. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025 This pulled the group’s load factor down by 1.3% to 85.4%. John Choong, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025 Airlines are flying with record load factors, which means there are more passengers on each flight. Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 4 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Load factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/load%20factor. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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