Top 10 Most Turbulent Flight Routes in the World

Flying can be an adventure, but for some, turbulence can make it a bumpy ride. If you’ve ever wondered which routes are the most turbulent, data from Turbli, a turbulence prediction website, offers some insights. Analyzing around 150,000 routes, Turbli has identified the most turbulent flights of 2023 based on the “eddy dissipation rate,” which measures turbulence intensity.

Top Turbulent Routes in the World

Leading 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 of these involve flights to or from Lanzhou, Chengdu, or Xianyang. Europe also features prominently with two routes: Milan to Geneva, which is the most turbulent in Europe and fifth in the world, and Milan to Zurich, ranked tenth globally.

Why These Routes are Turbulent?

According to Ignacio Gallego Marcos, Turbli’s founder, routes over mountain ranges like the Andes or the Alps experience high turbulence due to mountain wave activity. Meanwhile, flights in Japan and China encounter significant turbulence due to high jet stream activity. The jet stream consists of strong winds blowing from west to east, about five to seven miles above the Earth’s surface.

This pattern explains why certain airports frequently appear on these lists. For instance, Zurich features in five of Europe’s ten most turbulent routes, and Santiago appears in five of South America’s top ten.

Top 10 Most Turbulent Flight Routes

Here’s the complete list of the most turbulent flight routes worldwide according to Turbli:

1. Santiago (SCL) – Santa Cruz (VVI)
2. Almaty (ALA) – Bishkek (FRU)
3. Lanzhou (LHW) – Chengdu (CTU)
4. Centrair (NGO) – Sendai (SDJ)
5. Milan (MXP) – Geneva (GVA)
6. Lanzhou (LHW) – Xianyang (XIY)
7. Osaka (KIX) – Sendai (SDJ)
8. Xianyang (XIY) – Chengdu (CTU)
9. Zurich (ZRH) – Geneva (GVA)
10. Milan (MXP) – Zurich (ZRH)

Turbulence is a common part of air travel, but some routes are notably more turbulent than others. The most turbulent flight routes often traverse areas with significant jet stream activity or mountainous regions. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or planning your next trip, being aware of these routes can help you prepare for a potentially bumpy ride.

For the most up-to-date information, always check with your airline or a turbulence prediction service like Turbli. Safe travels!