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What's the difference between a 'climb via' clearance and a 'climb and maintain' when you're flying a Standard Instrument Departure (SID)?

Climb Via The SID

When ATC issues you a "Climb Via" clearance, you're required to follow both the lateral and vertical navigation on the SID. That means you need to follow all altitude restrictions, follow the lateral path, and follow any speed restrictions along the SID.

For example, let's look at the RITAA Seven departure below.

If ATC instructs you to "climb via the RITAA Seven departure", you would be required to:

- Cross TTAPS at or below 4,000
- Cross BOTLL at or below 5,000
- Cross FLYZA at or above 7,000
- Cross WINEO at or above 9,000
- Cross RITAA at or above 10,000
- Continue climbing to the top altitude of 16,000, unless ATC instructs otherwise

Since there are no speed restrictions posted along the route, you could fly a speed of your choice, as long as you adhere to 250 knots below 10,000' MSL.

Climb And Maintain

So what happens if ATC clears you to join a SID, but doesn't give you a climb via?

In this case, you would adhere to the lateral route and speed restrictions (speeds are part of the lateral route), but you would maintain altitudes that ATC clears you to.

If ATC instructs you to "proceed direct TTAPS, join the RITAA Seven departure, climb and maintain 16,000'", you would be required to:

- Proceed direct TTAPS
- Join the lateral route of the RITAA Seven
- Adhere to any speed restrictions (there are none on this SID)
- Conduct an unrestricted climb to 16,000'
- You do not need to adhere to crossing restrictions at the fixes

Climb And Maintain Deletes Any Crossing Restrictions

Climb via means you need to navigate the procedure laterally and vertically, adhering to any speed restrictions and crossing restrictions along the route.

Climb and maintain means you need to navigate the procedure laterally. As long as you meet any published speed restrictions, you can climb as fast as you'd like

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