Plain English Meaning
The system of pre-defined highways in the sky that IFR aircraft fly along. Each route is drawn between navigation points and shown on charts, so pilots and controllers always know where the traffic is going.
Full Definition
The published network of established air routes (Victor airways below 18,000 feet MSL and Jet routes from 18,000 feet MSL up to FL450) defined by VOR radials or RNAV waypoints, used for IFR navigation between fixes and airports.
Context Anchor
Seen in missed approach and instrument flight planning discussions, especially when a must leave the missed approach path and toward another route or .