Preparing for the worst could save your life
Turbulence is an irregular motion of the air resulting from eddies and vertical currents. Put more simply, turbulence is a change in the air around your plane.
There are several types of turbulence that can make your flight uneven and bumpy.
Wind shear is the change in wind direction and/or wind speed over a specific horizontal or vertical distance. Besides convection, shear is the second major source for turbulence and has been the sole or a contributing cause of many aircraft accidents.
Turbulence intensity is usually classed as light, moderate, severe, or extreme. Light turbulence momentarily causes slight changes in altitude and/or attitude or a slight bumpiness of up to 1 m (3 ft). Extreme turbulence can bump an aircraft 30 m (98 ft) or more.
The most obvious safety precaution to take against an encounter with turbulence is to wear your seat belt, even when the seat belt signs are turned off.
Depending on its severity, turbulence can cause injuries to passengers and crew on board. At the very least it can induce fear and anxiety among flyers.
If you suffer from a fear of flying and of turbulence, it may be worthwhile to see your doctor, as they may have some anxiety management techniques for you to try out when in the air. Alternatively, point out your concerns to the flight attendants. They'll be able to keep an eye on you should the aircraft encounter turbulence.
Very rarely can turbulence alone bring down an aircraft. According to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) data, there have been 38 turbulence-related deaths involving commercial airliners since 2009, and in almost all of these incidents the turbulence caused a fatal crash.
Sometimes it's unavoidable to fly through light and moderate turbulence. When a pilot does encounter a prolonged rough patch of air, they will often work to find a smoother flight path.
Wake turbulence is a disturbance in the atmosphere that forms behind an aircraft as it passes through the air. If another aircraft enters these vortices, it can cause it to roll dangerously. Wake turbulence is especially hazardous in the takeoff or landing phases of flight.
Turbulence is typically more severe in small planes because they weigh less.
Understanding what turbulence is and why it occurs can help lessen the alarm and dread many passengers feel when they experience the phenomenon.
Fortunately, most cases of turbulence translate as just a bumpy ride. But in more extreme episodes, pilots can lose control of the airplane and there can even be structural damage to the aircraft.
The Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR) is a common universal measure of turbulence. An airplane's weather radar can pick up weather systems sufficiently ahead to warn of precipitation and turbulence, allowing enough time for a pilot to change course if necessary.
Though turbulence is unpredictable in nature, there are some routes taken by commercial airlines that will almost certainly bring them into contact with the phenomenon.
Clear-air turbulence is defined as sudden severe turbulence occurring in cloudless regions that causes violent buffeting of aircraft. It's usually experienced at altitudes above 4,572 m (15,000 ft) MSL (mean sea level), and is one of the most dangerous forms of the phenomenon.
Thermal turbulence is a weather phenomenon defined as rising thermals of air generated by surface heating.
A temperature inversion is a layer of the atmosphere in which temperature increases with altitude. Strong wind shears often occur across temperature inversion layers, which can generate turbulence.
Mechanical turbulence occurs when the air near the surface of the Earth flows over obstructions, such as irregular terrain or buildings, causing disruption to normal horizontal air flow, resulting in eddies and other irregular air movements.
Frontal turbulence describes a cold air mass pushing up warm air, which causes an abrupt wind shift and therefore turbulence.
As the description suggests, mountain wave turbulence is turbulence generated by strong winds blowing across mountain ranges.
Severe turbulence is often experienced during a thunderstorm. In fact, rather than the risk of a lightning strike, the real danger of flying through weather like this is thunderstorm-level turbulence.
If, on the other hand, a pilot meets severe or extreme turbulence not forecasted, they will quickly climb or descend to a safe and smooth altitude.
While it can happen after dark, passengers flying at night are statistically less likely to experience turbulence. This is because winds are often weaker and thermal convection turbulence is less.
Passengers and crew are also likely to be injured by luggage falling out of overhead bins and hitting them on the head. And people can be hurt simply by stumbling or being tossed into their seats as the plane lurches and judders.
Babies and youngsters are especially at risk from in-flight turbulence. Currently, unrestrained children under two years old sharing a seat with their parents are exempt from wearing a seat belt. This anomaly was pointed out by the Association of Flight Attendants in a 2023 article in The Washington Post. The union is pressing for a rule change that would require all passengers, regardless of age, to occupy an airplane seat with a restraint.
The best seat on a plane to minimize the effects of turbulence is one that's located over the wings. These seats are close to the plane's center of lift and gravity. The worst place to seat, incidentally, is at the rear of the aircraft.
This popular transatlantic route regularly brings planes and passengers into contact with turbulence. In fact, you can expect approximately 10-20 minutes of bumpy flight on average. This is mainly due to the disruption from the jet stream, although most pilots will do their best to fly north or south around it.
Flying into certain airports located close to the equator can heighten the chances of meeting turbulence. Places like Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (pictured), Hong Kong International Airport, and Singapore Changi Airport are frequently lashed by thunderstorms, especially in certain seasons.
While it can never be fully predicted and avoided, there are some routes that are statistically better for turbulence. Flight paths that take you over large expanses of water (the jet stream notwithstanding) or areas of flat land are often less turbulent. And flying away from the equator pretty much guarantees a smoother flight.
Sources: (NPR) (NTSB) (CNN) (AFA) (The Washington Post) (Simple Flying)
See also: In-flight etiquette: rules of flying you should be following
According to the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), those most at risk from unannounced turbulence are flight attendants, especially during in-flight meal service.
Turbulence is a challenging weather phenomenon that can frighten even the most frequent of flyers. And while modern commercial airliners are fully equipped to withstand all types of turbulence, it can still be an uncomfortable and occasionally dangerous experience.
So, what exactly is turbulence, what causes it, and what measures can be taken to reduce its effects? Click through this gallery to find out.
Everything you need to know about airplane turbulence
Understanding the terrifying phenomenon
TRAVEL Flying
Turbulence is a challenging weather phenomenon that can frighten even the most frequent of flyers. And while modern commercial airliners are fully equipped to withstand all types of turbulence, it can still be an uncomfortable and occasionally dangerous experience.
So, what exactly is turbulence, what causes it, and what measures can be taken to reduce its effects? Click through this gallery to find out.