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
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As a result, America’s utilities operate at an average load factor — the ratio of demand to peak capacity — of just 53%, according to a recent analysis from Duke University. Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026 Bookings for the July-to-September fourth quarter were 30% sold, easyJet's Jarvis said, while load factors, the portion of available seats filled by paying customers, were uncertain. Shashwat Awasthi, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026 The vehicle’s electric drive system can be monitored remotely and includes battery status and motor load factor. Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Feb. 2026 In November 2025, load factors reached a new record load factor of 83.7% according to Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026 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 2 May. 2026.

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