Updated November 4, 2026: This article has been updated with information about a new, free turbulence forecasting website called Turbcast. The original Turbcast iPhone app mentioned in an earlier version of this article is no longer available. The new website is a separate service and is not affiliated with the original app.
In December 2023, a video of severe turbulence on a flight to Hawaii went viral as dozens of passengers were injured. The incident understandably made many travelers nervous, including me, since I was flying to the islands a couple of weeks later. (Here’s my LAX-Maui trip report; I’m happy to say the flight was very smooth).
I’ve been getting questions from readers and friends about flying through turbulence and I can definitely relate as I used to be afraid to fly. And any time my plane hit turbulence, my fear exponentially got worse. Fortunately, I’ve come to realize that planes are safe even in severe turbulence, as long as passengers and crew have their seatbelts on. But I still don’t want to fly in it, nor do most people. Believe it or not, one of my good friends, shockingly enjoys a bumpy ride. To each their own, as they say.
But before I give you some info on how to find out if your flight is going to be turbulent, I thought I would share some comforting words from our resident pilot, Spencer, who works for a major commercial airline.
He says: “Pilots go to great lengths to ensure our passengers have an enjoyable experience on our airplane. One of the most perceptible ways we do that is by providing a smooth flight. Turbulence is something that no passenger likes to experience and pilots have many tools at their disposal to make their flight as smooth as possible.”
It’s also important to know that “airplanes are designed from the start to withstand the stress of the roughest air. Check out the video below from Airbus to see exactly how much stress a jetliner can handle.”
Where is turbulence most common?
Since turbulence has been on so many readers’ minds and for some time, I thought some of Spencer’s most popular questions would be appreciated. Such as: Where is turbulence most common? Spencer says: “Pretty much any airport and any airspace can contain turbulence depending on the weather conditions that exist at a given time. That may include gusty winds at the airport’s surface to thunderstorms and frontal systems along an airplane’s flight path. Pilots are notified of these conditions in advance so they may be avoided or mitigated. That being said, there are some geographic areas where pilots can regularly expect a rough ride. Flying into airports in mountainous areas, pilots can regularly expect to find turbulence. This is due to wind blown across the ground interacting with terrain features and causing turbulent air. Aircraft flying into airports like Las Vegas, Denver and Salt Lake City often experience turbulence during their initial climb and approaches to landing. It generally only lasts for a few minutes while the aircraft is close to the ground.”
How do pilots identify and avoid areas of turbulence?
Another popular question for Spencer: How do pilots identify and avoid areas of turbulence? Spencer says, “Turbulence is something that is unique to aviation. Unlike freeway driving, where potholes and bumps in the road are easily visible, determining areas of rough air is more challenging as they don’t always present themselves visibly to pilots. Nonetheless, pilots do have tools and experiential knowledge to prevent an inadvertent encounter with rough air. Pilots are capable of identifying areas of potential turbulence by using their knowledge of meteorology and weather patterns. One of the simplest ways we avoid turbulence is by avoiding areas with thunderstorms. Convective activity is associated with unstable air, as well as strong updrafts and downdrafts. This type of tumultuous atmosphere always leads to bumps. So pilots will make every effort to avoid them.
How to find out if your flight is going to be turbulent
Before I fly, I always look at the weather to see what to pack (obviously) but I also check to see if there’s going to be a storm or high winds. Usually, when there are high winds at your destination, you can bet that at least on descent, it will be bumpy. If you want to take it one step further, you can look at free turbulence forecast maps provided by TurbulenceForecast.com.
They have two:
–Turbulence Advisories
–Pilot Reports (PIREPs) of Turbulence
Turbulence Forecast also offers a personalized forecast 2-12 hours before your flight for $14.99. I’ve never done it but I’m sometimes tempted.
Turbcast: A free turbulence forecast for your flight
Here’s another option worth knowing about, especially if you’re a nervous flyer. I recently heard from Leon Davies, the founder of Turbcast.com, who alerted me that the original Turbcast iPhone app I had previously recommended is no longer available.
The good news is that there’s now a different service using the Turbcast name, and it offers free turbulence forecasts directly through its website. Unlike the old $1.99 iOS app, the new Turbcast doesn’t require you to download anything or create an account. You can search for a commercial flight using its flight number or departure and arrival airports.
Leon shared an example of a free turbulence forecast for New York’s JFK Airport to London Heathrow, one of the website’s most popular routes. The service uses aviation weather data to estimate where passengers might encounter turbulence along their journey.
For travelers who want more information, Turbcast also offers an optional paid briefing.
Leon shared a sample paid turbulence report, which includes a breakdown of the flight, estimated periods of smooth and bumpy air, a route map, a comfort rating and information about weather conditions near departure and arrival airports.
One feature I found particularly interesting is that Turbcast publishes information about how its forecasts compare with actual pilot reports.
On its forecast accuracy page, the company shares results from its forecast verification process, including instances when conditions were smoother or bumpier than predicted. It also identifies flights for which there weren’t enough pilot reports to make a comparison. I appreciate that kind of transparency because predicting turbulence is far from an exact science.
One important thing to remember: No turbulence forecast can guarantee a smooth flight. Weather conditions change, aircraft may take different routes or altitudes and unexpected turbulence can occur even when the forecast looks favorable.
I haven’t personally tested Turbcast on one of my flights yet, so I can’t vouch for its accuracy. However, it looks like an interesting tool for travelers who want a better idea of what to expect before boarding. And since the basic forecast is free, it’s worth checking out.
Overcoming turbulence fears
On a related note, since many people who worry about turbulence are also afraid to fly, I thought I would share this NBC News story by correspondent Jeff Rossen. He featured an unexpected trick that may help distract nervous flyers: writing your name with your non-dominant hand. The idea is that concentrating on an unfamiliar task can redirect your attention away from the bumps. It’s not a guaranteed solution, but some travelers might find it helpful.
What to do if you’re in the bathroom during severe turbulence
Jeff Rossen also did another investigative piece about staying safe when severe turbulence hits an airplane. One of the tips I took away is that if you’re in the bathroom when severe turbulence begins, you shouldn’t attempt to rush back to your seat while the aircraft is bouncing around. Instead, brace yourself securely until it’s safe to return to your seat and follow any instructions from the crew.
Fasten your seatbelt
It’s important to remember Spencer’s words: “Turbulence is something pilots and passengers alike would prefer to avoid. However, to enable travel to certain parts of the globe, airplanes must traverse areas where turbulence is common.”
His most important advice is simple: When the crew turns on the fasten seatbelt sign, take your seat and buckle up. Personally, I take that advice one step further. I always keep my seatbelt fastened whenever I’m seated, even if the sign is off. Turbulence forecasts can be helpful, especially for nervous flyers, but your seatbelt remains the single most important precaution you can take to protect yourself from unexpected bumps.
KEEP READING:
–8 Ways To Make Sure An Airline Doesn’t Lose Your Bag … And That You Don’t Get Robbed or Stalked
–The Trick For Getting Airport Luggage Carts for Free
–Airline Lost Your Luggage? Do This If You Want to Get Compensated
–Why Frequent Fliers Use Apple AirTags or Samsung SmartTags When They Travel
–An Airline Executive’s Number One Tip for Avoiding Lost Luggage When You Fly
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