A non-stop airplane journey often appears as a crossword puzzle clue, particularly in the New York Times crossword. Clues might range from literal descriptions, such as “non-stop journey,” to more evocative phrasing like “trip without layovers” or focusing on speed and efficiency, like “fastest route.” An example might be a four-letter answer like “HOP” for a short, direct flight.
This type of clue plays on the common understanding of air travel and its associated vocabulary. The varying difficulty in the clue’s phrasing allows crossword constructors to control the puzzle’s overall challenge. The appearance of such clues also reflects the pervasive nature of air travel in modern society. Historically, as commercial aviation became more prevalent, related terminology naturally found its way into popular culture, including word puzzles.