Understanding Turbulence: Everything You Need to Know for a Smoother Flight

Written By Joanna Teljeur

7 minutes read
Last Updated: November 19, 2024

Turbulence happens more than you think. The National Science Foundation found that in the U.S., pilots report moderate or greater turbulence on average about 65,000 per year. But even though it happens frequently, very few injuries result.

Between 2009 and 2023, only 37 passengers and 146 crew members were seriously injured because of it, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Unfortunately, these numbers may be on the rise as the effects of climate change continue to affect the atmosphere.

Understanding turbulence

Turbulence is the chaotic air flow that causes the bouncing, rocking, or shaking you feel onboard an aircraft.

Think of airflow in the sky as being like a river. If you put a raft in the river, it will flow calmly, but if you see a fallen tree in the river’s path, you’ll also find that the water gets rough around it. This turbulent water is similar to air turbulence, and the raft bounces in the water the same way a plane does in the air.

Turbulence can be attributed to anything from changes in atmospheric pressure, jet streams, various weather patterns, and topography, but not all rough air is the same. In fact, the way the it moves and the pressure and pattern it creates can be separated into several categories.

Image Credit: Weather.gov

Categories of turbulence

Clear Air Turbulence (CAT)

CAT turbulence is like deeper ocean currents that you can’t see, but you may feel in the form of resistance or sudden jolts. These air currents usually happen in higher altitudes above 15,000 feet and more oftenduring the winter. Pilots have no way of finding or seeing these air currents, which is why CAT can be so intense and surprising to passengers.

In May 2024, one passenger died and several others badly injured when a Singapore Airlines flight hit what was thought to be CAT, but it was later found that the aircraft had encountered a thunderstorm.

Isabel Smith, a meteorologist at the University of Reading said in an article for Afar Magazine, that clear air turbulence is “quite a dangerous type of turbulence to encounter because .. you can’t see it through onboard radar equipment . . . and it comes out of the blue. It can be quite sudden, and passengers, pilots, and crew don’t have enough time to prepare.”

Intensity: Usually only moderate, but can be the most dangerous when it is severe.

Convective Turbulence

When warm air rises, usually because of thunderstorms, it causes bubbling or churning the way water does when it boils. These happen the most during warmer months over landmasses. You are most likely to feel the aircraft bouncing up and down with some jarring movements.

Thunderstorms can be extremely dangerous, putting lots of extra stress on the aircraft, and in some cases, causing the pilot to lose control. The most severe turbulence isn’t only felt within the clouds but can also be felt up to 20 miles away from a severe thunderstorm and even beneath it which is why so many flights can be delayed or cancelled when storms are in the vicinity.

Fortunately, pilots and air traffic control can usually see these air patterns and avoid them.

Intensity: Mild to severe

Mechanical Turbulence

Think of a tree that has fallen into a river and the disruption it causes to the water flowing around it. This is what mechanical turbulence is like in the air when wind flows around buildings, mountains, or any other obstacle in its path.

Because it usually occurs closer to the ground, it can have a profound effect on take-off and landing. In the plane, you might feel swaying from side to side or erratic jolts and sudden bumps. Fortunately, mechanical turbulence is pretty predictable.

Intensity: Mild to moderate

Credit: Weather.gov

Mountain Wave Turbulence

As the name suggests, mountain wave turbulence is caused by air flowing over mountains, and it behaves very much like water over a submerged boulder. The larger the mountain range, the longer this turbulence will last. As such, it’s the longest lasting kind of turbulence and passengers might feel like they are on a roller coaster - dipping and swaying with wave-like motions.

Intensity: Mild to severe

Wake Turbulence

Wake turbulence is very similar to the wake (or waves) you see when a boat rips past at high speed. With a plane, these wakes are formed by wingtip vortices that make the air swirl and spiral behind it.

You’re not likely to be affected by this kind of turbulence unless you’re on a smaller plane during take off or landing. If you do feel it, it won’t last long, but it could be intense and feel like the plane is leaning or tilting.

Intensity: Mild to severe, but brief

Thermal Turbulence

When you fly over hot, flat areas like deserts or agricultural fields, you might experience thermal turbulence. On warm, sunny days, heat from the land rises the way warm water does in a whirlpool or hot springs, causing the aircraft to bounce a little. You might feel this gentle bouncing slit drops, but it is rarely dangerous or long lasting.

Intensity: Mild to moderate, brief

Is Turbulence Usually Dangerous?

While it can definitely be unnerving or downright terrifying, turbulence is not usually dangerous, particularly in commercial aircraft that are designed to withstand it. In some cases, severe turbulence can put so much pressure and strain on an aircraft that it can cause structural damage.

Injuries are pretty rare, and death caused by turbulence is even more unlikely. When passengers do sustain injuries, it’s usually because their seatbelt isn’t fastened, which is why so many more crew members are injured. They are more likely to be walking around the cabin when the plane is jolted or drops suddenly.

Can Pilots Avoid It?

Pilots work with other pilots and air traffic control in addition to using detailed weather maps and radar to detect and avoid areas and conditions that are likely to cause turbulence.

In a Global News article, analyst Geoffrey Thomas of AirlineRatings.com said,

Over the last 20 years, in particular, aircraft fitted with far more sophisticated radar called MultiScan … gives a really good picture of what the weather is like ahead. Also, airlines are now sharing data between aircraft of encounters with turbulence so everybody can be advised that’s on that same flight track.

3 Ways Minimise Your Chances of a Turbulent Flight

Turbulence might not be completely avoidable, but you can do a few things to minimise your chances of experiencing it.

1. Try to avoid the routes and airports with the most turbulence.
2. Choose seats over the wing or at the front of the plane as the most turbulence is felt at the back.
3. Book your flight in the morning or later in the evening. Turbulence is mostly experienced during the daytime.

If you do find yourself on a bumpy flight, remember that the best thing you can do to protect yourself is to keep your seatbelt fastened.

Did you know? If your flight was delayed, canceled or overbooked within the last 3 yearsYou could be eligible for up to €600 in compensation.Check Your Flight

The Most Turbulent Routes: North America & Europe

Turbulence is measured by eddy disposition rate (EDR). The higher the EDR, the worse the turbulence will be regardless of the size of the aircraft.

Airports with the Most Turbulence

Not surprisingly, some airports experience more frequent and higher intensity turbulence than others. The following table shows the most turbulent airports by continent according to data from Turbli.

In Summary

Turbulence is a very common and generally harmless aspect of flying. Planes are built to withstand the pressure, and pilots are trained to locate, avoid, and manage these sudden, erratic air patterns. When passengers are injured, it is usually mild and can be avoided by following the instructions from the crew and keeping your seatbelt fastened.

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