The February 9, 2026, NYT Strands theme clue was “Frequent flyer.” The spangram is AIRPORTS, and the six theme words are PILOT, RUNWAY, TARMAC, LUGGAGE, SECURITY, and PASSPORT. This is puzzle #708 according to two dated guides.
Hints for the February 9 Strands puzzle
If you want a nudge before seeing the full solution, the theme clue is “Frequent flyer.” Parade offers the gentler hint “Cheers!” and gives these first-two-letter prompts, in answer order:
- PI
- RU
- TA
- LU
- SE
- PA
- AI (spangram)
These hints and the answer list appear in Parade’s February 9 guide.
Spangram and answers
Spangram
AIRPORTS is the eight-letter spangram. It runs horizontally across the fifth row, from the left side of the board to the right, according to TechRadar’s dated guide.
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Theme words
- PILOT
- RUNWAY
- TARMAC
- LUGGAGE
- SECURITY
- PASSPORT
Parade and TechRadar agree on this complete answer set. Both identify the puzzle as #708; a third-party archive lists the same date and solutions but labels it #878. See the archive entry.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How Strands hints work
Theme words fill the board without overlapping. The spangram describes the theme and connects two opposite sides; as the game instructions reproduced by Parade put it, “The spangram describes the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.” Finding three non-theme words earns a hint that reveals letters in a theme word.
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