With the nav equipment that pilots have in there hands today they can fly direct to just about anywhere with their flight management systems. Planes such as the A320 which has a fly by wire system basically fly all on their FMS. Most likely this is done by NAV lock on the autopilot, but it can be hand flown if they just follow the heading to go direct given on the FMS.

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Most likely GPS.

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I was listening to my scanner earlier of LGA frequencies. About 5-10 minutes after take off a United flight to ORD was "cleared direct Dewit intersection". I looked up Dewit and it is located in Michigan. My question is how does an aircraft flying over NJ fly direct to an intersection all the way in Michigan? I didn't think that was possibe. What kind of navigation equipment is required and how is it this procedure executed? Thanks Much!