Abstract. Fast gravity waves (GW) have an important impact on the momentum transfer between the middle and upper atmosphere. Experiments with a circulation model indicate a penetration of high phase speed GW into the thermosphere as well as an indirect propagation of planetary waves by the modulation GW of momentum fluxes into the thermosphere. Planetary wave characteristics derived from middle atmosphere SABER temperatures, GW potential energy and ionospheric GPS-TEC data at midlatitudes reveal a possible correspondence of PW signatures in the middle atmosphere and ionosphere in winter around solar maximum (2002–2005). In the case of the westward propagating 16-day wave with zonal wavenumber 1 a possible connection could be found in data analysis (November–December 2003) and model simulation. Accordingly, GW with high phase speeds might play an essential role in the transfer of PW and other meteorological disturbances up to the ionospheric F-region.