Citation X (C750)
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Chart Or Publication; Human Factors
While at cruise FL450 Washington Center gave us fly direct to DAVYS intersection. My FO (First Officer) and I thought we heard DVANY intersection. I then hit direct to DVANY and proceeded to fix. After a few minutes with an ATC frequency change the new controller questioned which fix we were flying to; in which we replied DVANY. He then gave us a heading and then back direct to DAVYS then our original route. No traffic conflicts that I was aware of occurred. Not verifying phonetic spelling of fix with ATC and the fact the two fixes sounded familiar. Confirm phonetic spelling of fixes with ATC before making changes to flight plan.
In cruise flight at 45;000 feet we were given a shortcut on the route. We had 2 similar sounding and spelling fixes on our flight plan. I was pilot monitoring and replied what we thought was the correct fix. This was on with Washington Center. He handed us over to the next Washington Center. 2 minutes or so since the original instruction was given the new controller gave us a crossing restriction for the other fix; we then learned our mistake and immediately sought to clarify with ATC. They put us on a heading and we fixed our mistake and ATC reissued our route and the rest of the flight was without issue. ATC mood seemed fine. DVANY and DAVYS are the 2 fixes in question having two fixes with similar spellings and not clarifying. As pilots always ask if not 100% sure especially if there is similar spellings with ATC instructions. Don't assume; verify.
Citation X flight crew reported confusion between fixes DVANY and DAVYS resulted in a heading deviation.