Plain English Meaning

The airspace over the open ocean. It is international, but a country's air traffic control still keeps planes safely apart inside it.

Full Definition

Airspace over the oceans of the world, considered international airspace, where separation of air traffic is provided to civil aircraft by the FAA or other designated air traffic control authority.

Context Anchor

You will see this term in flight planning, route clearances, and procedures for long overwater flights.

Derivation

“Oceanic” comes from “ocean,” meaning a large body of salt water. In aviation, it points to airspace over ocean areas, where aircraft may be from the stations normally used over land.