B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 415; Flight Crew Type 15000
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Crossing Restriction Not Met; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors
We were on the ZZZZZ5. The previous frequency gave us an altitude clearance to cross ZZZZZ at FL 240. In the descent; we were given a frequency change. Upon checking in; we gave our clearance limit to cross ZZZZZ at FL240. A little later; ATC gave us the clearance 'Descend to Flight Level 200.' The Pilot Monitoring read back 'Descend to FL 200.' Using VVMI; Pilot Flying verbalized 'Descend to FL 200;' as 200 was set in the MCP. Pilot Monitoring verified 200 in the MCP. To keep the aircraft from leveling off early; the Pilot Flying verbalized using the Altitude Intervention button to get rid of the altitude restrictions ZZZZZ FL 240; ZZZZZ1 FL 230; and ZZZZZ3 FL 220. Pilot Monitoring verified. Both Pilot Flying and Pilot Monitoring verified VNAV PATH. As we got closer to ZZZZZ; ATC queried if we were going to cross ZZZZZ at FL 240. Pilot Monitoring stated that 'Negative; we were given Descend to FL 200.' ATC stated that 'The descend to FL 200 was after ZZZZZ and to expedite to FL 200 for crossing traffic.' Pilot Flying expedited to FL200. We crossed ZZZZZ at FL 264. We landed at our destination without further incident. Using RRM and ABCD; we debriefed that we heard and read back 'Descend to FL 200.' Which deleted any previous altitude restrictions. We also discussed that we believed that the Controller may have intended for the ZZZZZ restriction; but did not used the terminology 'After ZZZZZ; descend to FL 200.'
B737-700 Captain reported a communications breakdown between flight crew and ATC which resulted in a crossing altitude misunderstanding due to a 'descend to' clearance.