The 10 Most Turbulent Air Routes in the World
For many nervous flyers, turbulence is the worst part of flying. One moment, you’re cruising comfortably at 35,000 feet, and the next moment, your drink is airborne. And while turbulence is rarely dangerous—modern aircraft and trained pilots will keep that in check—knowing which routes tend to be the bumpiest can help you brace yourself for the ride.
If you’re flying one of these routes soon, consider keeping your seatbelt fastened—just in case.
Chicago (ORD) – New York (JFK/LGA)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The windy city lives up to its name and can cause serious turbulence if you’re en route to New York from Chicago. The frequent storms can make it even worse, with O’Hare departures becoming a guaranteed rough ride. This route often feels more like a bumpy road trip than a flight.
Santiago (SCL) – San Carlos de Bariloche (BRC)
Credit: flickr
If you’re boarding this flight, get ready to deal with strong mountain wave turbulence, which can also cause sudden altitude drops. Winds whipping over the peaks create violent air currents that are difficult to dodge, even by the most professional pilots. If there’s anything good about this flight, it’s that the views are stunning. Just make sure to keep your eyes open through the shaking.
Bogotá (BOG) – Quito (UIO)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
This route experiences both thinner air and stronger mountain winds, which leads to a very turbulent flight between Bogotá and Quito. The descent into Quito is especially notorious—turbulence often kicks in minutes before landing for a rough final approach. Make sure to take precautions if you’re prone to motion sickness.
Nice (NCE) – Geneva (GVA)
Credit: flickr
The French and Swiss Alps are famous for their beauty—but also for their turbulent air currents. The winds through the valleys create strong downdrafts and can cause some truly shaky flights. If you’re nervous, avoid looking out the window—you might see the wing wobbling.
Chengdu (CTU) – Lhasa (LXA)
Credit: flickr
This flight takes passengers into the Tibetan Plateau, where thin air and high-altitude winds make turbulence unavoidable. At over 11,000 feet, Lhasa’s airport is one of the highest in the world, meaning rough landings and unpredictable approach conditions.
Denver (DEN) – Salt Lake City (SLC)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The journey between Denver and Salt Lake City is like experiencing two turbulence hotspots in one flight. This flight rarely goes smoothly, thanks to the Rocky Mountain turbulence on both ends. Denver’s notorious wind shear makes for a shaky departure, while Salt Lake City’s location near mountain ridges ensures an equally bumpy landing.
Tokyo (NRT) – Los Angeles (LAX)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Flights between Japan and the U.S. West Coast must contend with the powerful Pacific jet stream, which can cause sudden altitude drops. Turbulence is almost guaranteed, even though pilots often reroute to avoid the worst patches. The best part, however, is that a strong tailwind can cut an hour off the flight time.
Mendoza (MDZ) – Santiago (SCL)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
If we had to give the title of ‘king of turbulence’ to any route, this one would take the trophy home. Taking this route means you’re about to experience some of the worst turbulence in the world. The 122-mile trip over the Andes regularly experiences severe turbulence, with an EDR score of 24.684—the highest recorded.
New York (JFK) – London (LHR)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Flying across the Atlantic seems straightforward, but the North Atlantic jet stream has other plans. Winds can reach over 200 mph and send planes bouncing like cars on a pothole-filled road. However, you can count on a strong tailwind that can make the flight an hour shorter.
Las Vegas (LAS) – Salt Lake City (SLC)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Las Vegas’ scorching desert air combined with Utah’s Rocky Mountain turbulence—it’s the perfect recipe for a bumpy ride. As hot air rises and cool air rushes in, sudden updrafts can jolt planes mid-flight. The takeoff from Vegas is especially rough—like hitting turbulence before even reaching the clouds.
Hong Kong (HKG) – Taipei (TPE)
Credit: flickr
This route sits in the East Asian monsoon zone, so turbulence is a constant factor. Even when the skies are clear, wind shear near Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport makes for a wobbly landing. If you’re flying during typhoon season, just assume the seatbelt sign will be on the whole way.
Denver (DEN) – Jackson Hole (JAC)
Credit: flickr
Prepare for wild mountain winds if you’re flying into Jackson Hole. Air descending from the Rockies creates sudden downdrafts, which feel like an invisible hand pushing the plane down. The scenery is breathtaking, but good luck enjoying it while the plane bounces like a basketball.
Tokyo (HND) – Shanghai (PVG)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
This route flies straight through the subtropical jet stream, which indicates constant turbulence—especially in winter. The approach into Shanghai is another challenge, thanks to crosswinds off the East China Sea. If you’re holding a drink, keep a napkin handy—you’ll probably need it.
Los Angeles (LAX) – Honolulu (HNL)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Flying to paradise isn’t always smooth. The Pacific trade winds can turn this five-hour flight into a roller coaster, with turbulence often picking up two hours before landing. If you’re in the back of the plane, it’s even worse—just another reason to upgrade to business class.
Kathmandu (KTM) – Paro (PBH)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
At some point, we all knew that the capital city of Nepal would be on this list. This short flight between Nepal and Bhutan weaves through some of the world’s highest peaks. The narrow valleys create turbulent air currents, and Paro’s extreme landing conditions don’t help. Only a handful of pilots are certified to land here, which says everything you need to know.