Turbulence is an unavoidable reality of taking a flight, regardless of the distance or how long it takes to get to the destination. This inconvenience, felt at some point by every plane passenger, happens for many reasons. Several factors can cause turbulence, such as friction, pressure fronts, flying over mountain ranges, air temperature inconsistencies, and clouds from brewing storms. While some flights are smooth, many plane rides are extremely bumpy. In an analysis of more than 10,000 flights, Turbli, a turbulence forecast website, has now identified the world’s most turbulent flight routes.
Why turbulence happens
Turbulence during flights occurs due to irregular changes in the airflow around the plane, which can be caused by a variety of factors. A common cause is atmospheric pressure differences, where pockets of air move at varying speeds and directions. Jet streams, which are fast-moving air currents in the atmosphere, can also create turbulence when a plane crosses their boundaries.
Turbulence can also come from convective currents caused by weather conditions like thunderstorms, where rising warm air and descending cool air create instability. Flying over mountains may lead to turbulence as air is disrupted when it flows over rugged terrain. This is a common cause of extreme turbulence.
The most turbulent flight routes
According to Turbli, these are the world’s most turbulent flight routes.
Mendoza, Argentina (MDZ) to Santiago, Chile (SCL)
The flight from Mendoza, Argentina, to Santiago, Chile is the most turbulent flight in the world due to its course between the peaks and valleys of the great Andes Mountain range and its route over the Chilean coast. The mountain ranges, where there are often violent winds, combined with the warmer Chilean coastline, creates inconsistencies in temperature in the airspace above, contributing to the extreme turbulence often experienced on planes flying this route. One saving grace for passengers is that the flight is quite short.
Córdoba, Argentina (COR) to Santiago, Chile (SCL)
This flight also crosses the treacherous Andes and is frequently a bumpy ride. However, this journey is much longer, coming in at 410 miles compared to the 121 miles from MDZ to SCL. Overall, planes on this flight path experience less aggressive turbulence than the MDZ to SCL flight, but it is still extremely rough.
Mendoza, Argentina (MDZ) to Salta, Argentina (SLA)
South America is home to some of the bumpiest flights in the world, and this trip to Argentina’s south is no different. Though a domestic flight, it is one of the longest flights on the list, covering 584 miles. Like the MDZ – SCL and COR – SCL flights, this flight is so turbulent because of its proximity to the Andes. However, unlike these other two flights, turbulence between MDZ and SLA is caused by high-altitude weather systems that develop in the mountains and Argentina’s relatively high altitude.
Mendoza, Argentina (MDZ) to San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina (BRC)
Argentina’s extreme weather conditions means that many flights within the country experience severe turbulence. This flight is another victim of the Andes’ violent winds: the flightpath from MDZ to BRC runs right along the right side of the mountain range, which means the plane is receiving a constant beating from the weather.
Kathmandu, Nepal (KTM) to Lhasa, Tibet (LXA)
A flight traversing the other side of the world from the top four on this list, this flight crosses over the majestic Himalayas and even gives passengers a view of the infamous Mount Everest. Owing to violent winds and strong pressure systems in the world’s highest mountain range, this flight experiences intense turbulence.
Chengdu, China (CTU) to Lhasa, Tibet (LXA)
While this flight also lands in Lhasa, Tibet, the route’s turbulence has a different cause. While the KTM to LXA flight crosses the Himalayas directly, CTU to LXA flies over the Tibetan Plateau. Located in China and north of the Himalayas, this plateau is the largest piece of uplifted Earth’s crust on the planet. Jutting three miles upwards, it creates strong winds and strange weather patterns which can cause turbulence.
Santa Cruz, California (VVI) to Santiago, Chile (SCL)
One of the many flights on this list that land in Santiago, Chile, the VVI to SCL flight path covers diverse terrains. The ever-changing landscape below the plane affects the air pressure the aircraft flies through, creating fluctuations that cause intense turbulence. This flight, which traverses 1,184 miles, is the longest on Turbli’s list.
Kathmandu, Nepal (KTM) to Paro, Bhutan (PBH)
The Himalayas are notorious for causing problems for climbers and pilots alike. The quickest, but roughest, way to reach Paro from Kathmandu is by plane. The steepness of the mountain range throughout the flight path, along with the varying weather conditions of the Himalayas, combines for a consistently turbulent flight.
Chengdu, China (CTU) to Xining, China (XNN)
One of the few domestic flights on this list, this flight path is affected by what is going on below on the Earth’s surface. This route flies directly over the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, which rises sharply upwards, creating strong winds. There are also regular jet streams along the path, creating turbulence for aircraft passing through them.
San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina to Santiago, Chile
Turbulence during this flight is once again caused by the Andes mountains. Harsh winds and unpredictable weather patterns surrounding the peaks and valleys of the Andes range mean passengers on this route are in for a bumpy ride.
Bonus: The most dangerous airport, Tenzing Hillary, Nepal
The most dangerous airport in the world is located in Nepal. Tenzing Hillary Airport gains its notoriety from several factors. It is a small runway located at high altitude, which makes take-offs and landings particularly difficult, and the area also has very thin air. For many pilots, flying into this airport proves quite a challenge.