Meaning and usage of the word flyover country in English

The phrase "flyover country" is a somewhat pejorative term used primarily in the United States to describe regions that are largely bypassed by air travelers flying between major coastal cities. The term itself is derived from the fact that most commercial aircraft flying between the East and West Coasts on transcontinental flights, as well as flights between New York and Chicago or New York and Atlanta, fly over the vast expanses of the Midwest and South known as the "heartland" at high altitudes instead of stopping or landing in these areas. The term has gained more widespread attention in recent years, particularly during political campaigns, as it has become a shorthand for referring to areas of the country that are considered less urbanized, less culturally influential, and less economically dynamic than coastal urban centers like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Some critics of the term have argued that it is misleading, as it fails to take into account the unique cultural and economic opportunities present in these often-overlooked regions.