Plain English Meaning

Two or more runways at one airport that point in the same direction and run side by side. Letters like L, C, and R are added to the runway number so pilots and controllers know which one they mean.

Full Definition

Two or more runways at the same airport whose centerlines are parallel to each other. They are identified by the same runway number followed by a letter — L (left), C (center), or R (right) — to tell them apart, for example Runway 27L and Runway 27R.

Context Anchor

You will see this term on airport diagrams, runway signs, air traffic control clearances, and procedures at airports with more than one runway in the same direction.

Derivation

Parallel comes from Greek roots meaning “beside one another.” That the use: the runways lie beside each other and the same direction.