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Time of India
18-06-2025
- Time of India
Are flights really getting more turbulent — or is it just passenger anxiety?
Bumpy flights have long been a routine part of air travel , but recent studies and passenger experiences suggest that turbulence is becoming more frequent and more intense. While occasional jolts in the air are nothing new, the severity and unpredictability of these events are now raising fresh concerns among aviation experts and travellers alike. As global temperatures rise, scientists are observing shifts in atmospheric patterns that may be contributing to a noticeable increase in in-flight turbulence. Turbulence typically results from sudden changes in wind speed and direction, often intensified by geographic features like mountain ranges or atmospheric conditions such as jet streams. One particular form—clear-air turbulence (CAT)—has become a focus for researchers because it occurs at high altitudes in cloudless skies and cannot be detected by onboard radar systems. Recent climate models suggest that this type of turbulence is not only increasing but also becoming more severe. Wind shear, the leading cause of CAT, is growing stronger in many regions, particularly over the North Atlantic. Observations show that jet streams have become increasingly erratic since the 1970s. With climate change expected to amplify these trends, aviation analysts warn that turbulence levels could double or even triple over the coming decades. This is not only an issue of comfort—it has implications for flight safety , fuel efficiency, and aircraft maintenance. The Most Turbulent Flight Routes in 2024 (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Certain routes around the world are more turbulence-prone than others due to their proximity to mountain systems, jet streams, or weather instability. Based on 2024 data from which analysed over 10,000 flight paths, the following are among the most turbulent routes globally: Live Events Mendoza to Santiago (Argentina to Chile) This 196 km route over the Andes reports the highest turbulence, averaging 24.684 edr. Cordoba to Santiago (Argentina to Chile) A 660 km flight through mountainous terrain with average turbulence of 20.214 edr. Mendoza to Salta (Argentina) A 940 km domestic route affected by fluctuating air currents, averaging 19.825 edr. Kathmandu to Lhasa (Nepal to Tibet) A 571 km Himalayan journey with average turbulence of 18.817 edr. Chengdu to Lhasa (China) This 1,265 km route crosses high-altitude regions and records 18.644 edr. Santa Cruz to Santiago (Bolivia to Chile) At 1,905 km, this route sees turbulence averaging 18.598 edr due to the Andes. Kathmandu to Paro (Nepal to Bhutan) A short 402 km flight through steep terrain, averaging 18.563 edr. Nice to Geneva (France to Switzerland) A 299 km route over the Alps with a turbulence average of 16.065 edr. Durban to Johannesburg (South Africa) This 478 km inland route sees turbulence averaging 15.064 edr. Christchurch to Wellington (New Zealand) A 304 km crossing over the Cook Strait with average turbulence of 14.46 edr. Why Turbulence Is Expected to Get Worse As global temperatures rise, the structure of the atmosphere is shifting in ways that make air travel less stable. Research indicates that wind shear is intensifying, particularly over the North Atlantic where many long-haul flights operate. Increases in CAT are being directly linked to a warming planet, with models predicting significantly more turbulence at cruising altitudes in the coming decades. Beyond turbulence, warming oceans and air masses are leading to more powerful storms and tropical cyclones, increasing the risk of weather-related flight disruptions. Meanwhile, rising surface temperatures are affecting take-offs and landings—especially at high-elevation or coastal airports—due to reduced air density, which can limit aircraft lift. These developments underscore a new challenge in aviation planning. While turbulence rarely poses a safety threat to modern aircraft, it adds complexity to flight operations and can be physically risky for unbelted passengers and crew. Airlines and meteorological centres are increasingly working together to track, predict, and avoid turbulence zones, but climate-driven changes in wind patterns may make complete avoidance harder in future.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Buckle Up: These Are The Most Turbulent Airports In The US, According To Pilots And Data
If your last flight into Denver felt more like a rollercoaster than a smooth descent, you're not alone. According to a new ranking by aviation site Denver International Airport (DEN) tops the list of most turbulent major airports in the United States - and pilots say the ranking is well deserved. Coming in just behind Denver are Bozeman (BZN), Albuquerque (ABQ), Salt Lake City (SLC), and Jackson Hole (JAC) - all located in or near mountainous terrain known to stir up unpredictable, and at times downright bumpy, flying conditions. 'Denver hosts a whole set of challenges,' said Ryan Tseko, an experienced pilot who's flown everything from Cessnas to CRJ-700 jets. 'There's a lot of wind, a lot of weather, snow and rain and everything else.' Senior meteorologist Jonathan Belles notes that the city is located in what's known by experts as the Denver Convergence Vorticity Zone, an area where air comes together and spins, and sometimes produces tornadoes and landspouts. Add to that the city's sudden changes in elevation - flat terrain to the east and rising Rockies to the west - and you've got a perfect recipe for turbulent skies. 'When you're flying over those mountains,' explains Tseko from a pilot's perspective, 'All of that wind, all of that weather is riding up those ridges, and it actually is forcing that air up. And so when you're flying over the top of those mountains, that's where you're gonna get more turbulence compared to other flat areas.' And that's not all. 'Denver obviously is known as the 'Mile High City,' so it adds another component to it too, because your atmospheric pressure is a lot higher than if you're landing at sea level,' he points out. Tseko, who got his start flying at 17 and regularly flew 1,000 hours each year, calls turbulence the ultimate test for pilots. 'There's a lot of things you're managing already. You're managing the crew members, you're managing the flight attendants, you're managing the passengers, you're managing air traffic control,' he said. 'In wind, it just adds that one more component where it's a higher stress level.' He compares landing in turbulence to 'riding a mechanical bull,' where pilots are fighting to keep the aircraft steady, but wants passengers to know that a bumpy landing doesn't mean the pilot messed up. In fact, it often means they nailed it. 'If it's a really windy day, what happens is you're crabbing, you're coming in to land, you're pushing on the rudder, you're getting that airplane straight so it's down the center line,' he explains. 'But then actually, if the wind's coming out of the left, you actually want to tilt the airplane a little bit to the left and so your wing is into the wind. So if the pilot lands on the wheel that the wind is coming from, that means the pilot actually did a great job.' According to Tseko, turbulence is categorized into light, moderate, and severe: 'Light is pretty normal, you know, it's a few bumps, a few bounces.' 'When it gets to moderate, it's constant, you know, you're hitting multiple bumps, it's moving the airplane around more and more and more. People start to feel uncomfortable.' 'Severe is very rare. I've never encountered severe, and I hope most people have never encountered severe,' Tseko adds, 'It's actually a very dangerous situation and the airplane has to be inspected when you land.' Turbli used forecasting data from NOAA and the UK Met Office to compile their list, taking into account the highest measurements of turbulence during a plane's approach and descent (as opposed to during takeoff or landing, which can be affected by other factors). Denver International Airport (DEN) – Mile-high elevation, mountainous terrain, and fast-changing weather make this the bumpiest ride. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) – Nestled in Montana's mountain country, Bozeman often sees gusty winds and dramatic air currents. Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) – Hot air and surrounding desert terrain lead to strong updrafts and rough descents. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – Mountain winds and lake-effect weather create turbulence even on sunny days. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) – Located inside Grand Teton National Park, this scenic landing can be as rough as it is beautiful. So if you're flying into any of these destinations soon, brace yourself and trust your pilot. As Tseko puts it: 'Some of my best landings are in windy conditions because you're just Johnny-on-the-spot. You have to be on your game,' adding 'As a pilot, you just have to deal with it and manage it in the way that you were trained to do it.' lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities. MORE ON Expert Travel Hacks For Weather-Safe, Crowd Free Trips Here's How To Avoid Summer Flight Delays And The World's Best Connected Airport Is…
