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In the general sense, a skyway can be considered to be a path between two points that is traversed without touching the ground. There are a few more specific meanings.

In an urban setting, a skyway or skywalk is an enclosed (or covered) bridge between two buildings. This protects pedestrians from precipitation and heat or cold. These skyways are usually owned by businesses, and are therefore not public spaces (compare with sidewalk). Skyways usually connect on the second or third floor, though they are sometimes much higher, like in the Petronas Towers (though this skyway is often referred to as a sky bridge). Sometimes the systems are administered through a quasi-public organization. The space in the buildings connected by skyways is often devoted to retail, so the system as a whole may operate as a shopping mall. Non-commercial areas with closely associated buldings, such as university campuses, can often have skyways and/or tunnels connecting buildings to avoid the elements.

Some cities have the equivalent of a skyway underground, and many locales have mixed subway/skyway systems; see underground city.

Some covered bridges (skyways) were ruined in the September 11th attacks, at the World Trade Center. Here is a photo of one of the ruined bridges. (Note: This particular bridge/ skyway survives and has been restored since 9/11.) Also see here.

1 List of cities with notable skyway/skywalk systems