Aircraft vs. Seaplane — What's the Difference?

An aircraft is a vehicle or machine that is able to fly by gaining support from the air. It counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.

A seaplane is a powered fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing (alighting) on water. Seaplanes are usually divided into two categories based on their technological characteristics: floatplanes and flying boats; the latter are generally far larger and can carry far more.

An aeroplane, helicopter, or other machine capable of flight.

An airplane, such as a floatplane or a flying boat, designed for landing on and taking off from a body of water. Also called hydroplane.

A machine or device, such as an airplane, helicopter, glider, dirigible, or drone, capable of atmospheric flight.

Any aircraft capable of taking off from, and alighting on the surface of water.

A vehicle capable of atmospheric flight due to interaction with the air, such as buoyancy or lift

An airplane that can land on or take off from water;

Any vehicle, such as an airplane, helicopter, balloon, etc., for floating in, or flying through, the air.

Glide on the water in a hydroplane

A vehicle that can fly