How Do You Decode Standard Terminal Arrival Routes?

It’s critical for pilots to know altitude restrictions to avoid a bad situation on approach.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

JFK International Airport [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Altitudes displayed for IFR plate segments, such as "FL 180," denote the Minimum En Route Altitude (MEA) and should be flown if no specific ATC instruction is given.
Notations like "Expect FL 230" serve as a planning tool for pilots, indicating an anticipated clearance to that altitude and the need to prepare for descent or approach.
While "Expect" altitudes aid in preparation, pilots must always adhere to Air Traffic Control (ATC) instructions; in their absence, the MEA applies.

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Question: I’m confused about the altitudes shown on some IFR plates, such as the STAR [standard terminal arrival route] for the LENDY Eight Arrival [to John F. Kennedy International Airport/KJFK in New York].

In this example (above), I thought the altitudes shown for segments (like FL 180 between LVZ and JENNO) indicated the altitude you should fly—so 18,000 feet in this case. But then next to JENNO intersection it says “Expect FL 230.” So which is it? Should the segment be flown at 18,000 feet or 23,000 feet?