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What is turbulence, really? -

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.

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Turbulence explained -

There are several types of turbulence that can make your flight uneven and bumpy.

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Clean-air turbulence -

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.

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Thermal turbulence -

Thermal turbulence is a weather phenomenon defined as rising thermals of air generated by surface heating.

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Temperature inversion turbulence -

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.

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Mechanical 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.

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Frontal turbulence -

Frontal turbulence describes a cold air mass pushing up warm air, which causes an abrupt wind shift and therefore turbulence.

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Mountain wave turbulence -

As the description suggests, mountain wave turbulence is turbulence generated by strong winds blowing across mountain ranges.

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Thunderstorm turbulence -

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.

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Wind shear -

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.

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Wake turbulence -

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.

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Is turbulence worse in light aircraft? -

Turbulence is typically more severe in small planes because they weigh less.

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Turbulence levels -

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.

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How dangerous is turbulence? -

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.

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Turbulence-related accidents -

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.

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Dangers of air turbulence -

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.

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Risks from turbulence -

According to the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), those most at risk from unannounced turbulence are flight attendants, especially during in-flight meal service.

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Danger of injury -

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.

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How to cope with turbulence -

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.

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In-flight risk to infants -

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.

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Understanding turbulence -

Understanding what turbulence is and why it occurs can help lessen the alarm and dread many passengers feel when they experience the phenomenon.

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Be prepared -

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.

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What do pilots do during turbulence? -

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.

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Avoiding 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.

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Is turbulence less pronounced at night? -

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.

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Where can you sit to minimize the effects? -

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.

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How is turbulence measured and monitored? -

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.

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Worst flight routes for turbulence -

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.

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New York to London -

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.

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Flying close to the equator -

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.

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Best flight routes to avoid turbulence -

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

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