Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a lethal malignancy. There is mounting evidence indicating that lncRNAs are crucial players with dual roles as both biomarkers and regulators across various cancers. It was reported that LINC00941 plays a cancer-promoting role in NSCLC. However, its impact on tumour autophagy remains poorly understood. In this study, we developed a risk assessment model and identified an autophagy-related lncRNA LINC00941, which has independent predictive and early diagnostic potential. Using RT-qPCR analysis, we confirmed the upregulation of LINC00941 in tumour tissues and cell lines of human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Functional assays, such as CCK8, colony formation and xenograft models, demonstrated the cancer-promoting activity of LINC00941 both in vitro and in vivo. Further analysis using Western blotting analysis, mRFP-GFP-LC3 double fluorescence lentivirus vector and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed that the knockdown of LINC00941 triggered autophagy. These results indicate that knockdown of LINC00941 induces autophagy and impairs the proliferation of LUAD. Therefore, we propose LINC00941 as an independent biomarker for early diagnosis as well as a therapeutic target in LUAD.© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.