Question about Airways

[Speedbird1]

As a plane-spotter and a non-pilot, I am curious about the numerals used in naming various airways. For instance Airway J64. Does the "64" have any significance or is it just random numerals? I had thought that Airway J231 meant a 231 degree heading. What does the "J" mean? Thanks.

[T-Bird76]

I think your talking about the IATA code. This is the global standard for airline identification issued by the International Air Transport Association. These codes identify an airline in the reservation systems of company's world wide.

Most new airlines the codes often don’t represent the airlines name. Like B6 "jetBlue" or NK "Spirit" and then you have examples like the old America West code..."HP" which stood for Hawaiian Pacific, an airline that never got off the ground. This link should better explain the coding system.

http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/aircraft_o ... ding/index

[Speedbird1]

No, I got the Airways J64, J96 and J231 from the flight plan of todays' flight AAL 1 to LAX. These numerals are certainly not airline designator codes.

[moose135]

You are referring to the airway route system. There are three types of airways, based on the navigation aids used to define them. The two best know are defined by VOR points. VOR airways (also called "Victor Airways") are low altitude, below FL180. Jet Routes are FL180 through FL450.

From the FAA Airspace publication

Dual designation of ATS routes shall be avoided. All alpha-numeric ATS route identifications shall be assigned by Airspace and Rules as follows:

a. Identify ATS routes based on L/MF NAVAIDs by color names (e.g. Amber, Blue, Green, and Red) followed by a number designation.

1. Designate those routes extending east and west as Green or Red.
2. Designate those extending north and south as Amber or Blue.

b. Identify ATS routes based on VOR NAVAIDs as follows:

1. Route lettering shall be as follows:

(a) The letter "V" will prefix low altitude ATS routes below FL 180.
(b) The letter "J" will prefix high altitude ATS routes at FL 180 through FL 450.

2. Route numbering shall be as follows:

(a) Assign even numbers for those ATS routes extending east and west.
(b) Assign odd numbers for those ATS routes extending north and south.