Altair (Alpha Aquilae) is the brightest star in the constellation Aquila and the twelfth brightest star in the nighttime sky, at visual magnitude 0.77. It is an "A" type or white star located 17 light years away from Earth (about 99 trillion miles), one of the closest stars visible to the naked eye.The name "Altair" is Arabic for "the flyer"

In Star Trek, 2280s freighter could travel 19 periods from Altair to reach Gamma Hydra sector, Section 10. It is the primary of the Altair system. (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan).

A system wide war finally brought together the populations of Altair-IV and Altair-VI (TOS: "Amok Time"). The Federation attempted to help stabilize this peace by supporting the inauguration of a new president on Altair VI in 2267. It was believed this support would impress upon the Klingon Empire the might and prestige of the Federation. Three starships, including the USS Enterprise, were to rendezvous here for this historic occasion.

The 4th planet is also the home of a prestigious hospital (DS9: "Prophet Motive").

In the early 2360's, the starship USS Hood entered the system on a mission to Altair III. (TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint"). Planets of the Altair system exported Altair water and the champagne Altairian Grand Premier (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock; TNG: "Datalore"). Altarian encephalitis, referenced in TNG: "Future Imperfect" may have also originated from this system.

In reality, Altair is most notable for its extremely rapid rotation; by measuring the width of its spectral lines, it was determined that its equator does a complete rotation in about 6 hours (various other sources give 9 hours, or 10.4 hours). In comparison, our star, the Sun, requires a little more than 25 days for a complete rotation. As a result of its rapid rotation, Altair is oblate: its equatorial diameter is at least 14 percent greater than its polar diameter.

Altair, along with Beta Aquilae and Gamma Aquilae, form the well-known line of stars sometimes referred to as the shaft of Aquila.