Provided are a system and method for many-to-many layer 2 aggregation for SONET paths in a communications environment. In one example, the method includes receiving the data unit from either a layer 2 mapped data port or a SONET path, and classifying the data unit based on information within the data unit to identify which one of multiple logical flows is associated with the data unit. Each of the logical flows connects a data port with a SONET path and vice versa, and the data ports and SONET paths do not have a one-to-one correspondence. The data unit is directed to an outgoing SONET path associated with the logical flow if the data unit was received from the data port and to an outgoing data port associated with the logical flow if the data unit was received from a SONET path.