Airmail or mail

A blast from the past!

"Airmail" and "mail" are two terms that have been used to describe the delivery of letters and packages over long distances. Here's a brief history:

Mail: The term "mail" has been used since the 14th century to refer to the system of sending letters and packages through a network of post offices and postal routes. Mail was typically carried by horseback, stagecoach, or ship, and the journey could take weeks or even months.

Airmail: In the early 20th century, with the advent of airplanes, a new way of delivering mail was born. Airmail, also known as air mail, was introduced in 1918 by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to speed up the delivery of mail between cities. Airmail was initially used for high-priority mail, such as letters and packages that needed to be delivered quickly.

The main difference between airmail and mail is the mode of transportation. Airmail is delivered by airplane, while mail is delivered by land or sea. Airmail was significantly faster than traditional mail, with delivery times reduced from weeks to days or even hours.

In the 1960s and 1970s, airmail became the standard method of delivering mail, and the term "mail" began to refer to all forms of mail delivery, including airmail. Today, the USPS uses a combination of air and ground transportation to deliver mail and packages.

So, to answer your question, "airmail" is a specific type of mail delivery that uses airplanes, while "mail" is a broader term that encompasses all forms of mail delivery, including airmail.