Material academic omitted from transatlantic flight itinerary? (5)

I believe the answer is:

nylon

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'material' is the definition.
(I know that nylon is a type of material)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nylon that I've seen before include "Synthetic cloth" , "Man-made fibre" , "Plastic used for stockings" , "Fabric (originally from New York and London)" , "Man-made material" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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