Flying can be an exhilarating experience, but for some passengers, turbulence can turn it into a nerve-wracking ordeal. If you’ve ever wondered which flight routes are prone to the most turbulence, insights from Turbli, a turbulence prediction website, shed light on the matter. Analyzing approximately 150,000 routes, Turbli has pinpointed the most turbulent flights of 2023 based on the “eddy dissipation rate,” a measure of turbulence intensity.
Top Turbulent Routes in the World
Topping the list is the 1,180-mile journey between Santiago, Chile, and Viru Viru International Airport in Bolivia. Following closely is the route between Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
In Japan and China, six of the most turbulent flight routes were domestic, many involving flights to or from Lanzhou, Chengdu, or Xianyang. Europe also features prominently, with Milan to Geneva ranking as the most turbulent in Europe and fifth globally, followed by Milan to Zurich in tenth place worldwide.
Why These Routes are Turbulent?
According to Ignacio Gallego Marcos, the founder of Turbli, routes over mountain ranges like the Andes or the Alps experience high turbulence due to mountain wave activity. Flights in Japan and China encounter significant turbulence due to high jet stream activity, consisting of strong winds blowing from west to east, about five to seven miles above the Earth’s surface.
Top 10 Most Turbulent Flight Routes
- Santiago (SCL) – Santa Cruz (VVI)
- Almaty (ALA) – Bishkek (FRU)
- Lanzhou (LHW) – Chengdu (CTU)
- Centrair (NGO) – Sendai (SDJ)
- Milan (MXP) – Geneva (GVA)
- Lanzhou (LHW) – Xianyang (XIY)
- Osaka (KIX) – Sendai (SDJ)
- Xianyang (XIY) – Chengdu (CTU)
- Zurich (ZRH) – Geneva (GVA)
- Milan (MXP) – Zurich (ZRH)
Conclusion
While turbulence is a common occurrence in air travel, certain routes are more prone to it due to factors like jet stream activity or mountainous terrain. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning your next trip, knowing about these routes can help you prepare for a potentially bumpy ride.
For the latest information, always consult your airline or a turbulence prediction service like Turbli. Safe travels!
