A starliner was identified as a small transport which operated in Federation space. Starliners were easy prey, especially for ambitious warlords on non-aligned worlds. An unnamed starliner experienced such a fate in 2319 when Peretor Karnas seized command of the starship and ransomed the 63 people on board for weapons. (TNG: "Too Short a Season")

Starship types

attack cruiser • attack fighter • battle cruiser • battleship • bird-of-prey • cruiser • destroyer • dreadnought • escort vessel • explorer ship • flagship • freighter • frigate • garbage scow • heavy cruiser • hospital ship • interceptor • light cruiser • luxury liner • patrol ship • prison ship • raider • runabout • science vessel • scout ship • star cruiser • starliner • supply ship • survey ship • tanker • timeship • training vessel • transport ship • tug • warbird • warship