The latest turbulence rankings have revealed the world’s most challenging airports and flight routes for 2024, with South America emerging as the epicenter of bumpy skies.
The rankings, compiled by turbulence forecasting website Turbli.com, analyzed data from 10,000 routes connecting 550 major airports globally. Using “eddy dissipation rates” (EDR), which measure turbulence intensity, the findings provide insight into where air travel gets the roughest.
The Bumpiest Routes
The world’s most turbulent flight route is the 121-mile journey from Mendoza International Airport in Argentina to Santiago, Chile. This short but rocky flight, nestled in the Andes, has an average EDR of 24.6, meaning passengers frequently encounter moderate turbulence.
Other South American routes dominate the list, including Cordoba to Santiago (EDR 20), Mendoza to Salta (EDR 19), and Mendoza to San Carlos de Bariloche. However, turbulence isn’t confined to this region. The fifth most turbulent route globally is the dramatic Kathmandu to Lhasa flight, which cuts through the Himalayas and boasts an EDR of 18.8.
In North America, Albuquerque to Denver (EDR 17.7) ranks as the most turbulent route, followed by Denver to Jackson Hole (EDR 17.4). Europe’s roughest route is Nice to Geneva (EDR 16), while Oceania’s bumpiest is the Christchurch to Wellington route in New Zealand, with an EDR of 14.
For long-haul flights, the Nairobi to Sepang (Malaysia) route ranks as the bumpiest, with an EDR of 15.5 across the 7,223-kilometer journey.
TOP 10 MOST TURBULENT ROUTES WORLDWIDE
- Mendoza (MDZ) – Santiago (SCL)
- Cordoba (COR) – Santiago
- Mendoza – Salta (SLA)
- Mendoza – San Carlos de Bariloche (BRC)
- Kathmandu (KTM) – Lhasa (LXA)
- Chengdu (CTU) – Lhasa
- Santa Cruz (VVI) – Santiago
- Kathmandu – Paro (PBH)
- Chengdu (CTU) – Xining (XNN)
- San Carlos de Bariloche (BRC) – Santiago
TOP 10 MOST TURBULENT ROUTES IN NORTH AMERICA
- Albuquerque (ABQ) – Denver (DEN)
- Denver – Jackson (JAC)
- Jackson – Salt Lake City (SLC)
- Denver – Salt Lake City
- Bozeman (BZN) – Denver
- Ontario (ONT) – San Diego (SAN)
- Boise (BOI) – Salt Lake City
- Bozeman (BZN) – Salt Lake City
- Las Vegas (LAS) – Reno (RNO)
- Las Vegas – Salt Lake City
TOP 10 MOST TURBULENT ROUTES IN EUROPE
- Nice (NCE) – Geneva (GVA)
- Nice (NCE) – Zurich (ZRH)
- Milan (MXP) – Zurich (ZRH)
- Ferno (MXP) – Lyon (LYS)
- Nice (NCE) – Basel (BSL)
- Geneva (GVA) – Zurich (ZRH)
- Alpes-Maritimes (NCE) – Lyon (LYS)
- Geneva (GVA) – Venezia (VCE)
- Lyon (MRS) – Zurich (ZRH)
- Venezia (VCE) – Zurich (ZRH)
TOP 10 MOST TURBULENT ROUTES IN OCEANIA
- Christchurch (CHC) – Wellington (WLG)
- Brisbane (BNE) – Sydney (SYD)
- Hobart (HBA) – Melbourne (MEL)
- Melbourne – Sydney
- Brisbane – Nadi (NAN)
- Auckland (AKL) – Nadi
- Avarua (RAR) – Papeete (PPT)
- Babelthuap Island (ROR) – Brisbane
- Nadi – Wellington
- Auckland – Wellington
The World’s Rockiest Airports
Airports are not exempt from turbulence either. Santiago in Chile is crowned the most turbulent airport worldwide, with an average EDR of 23. It’s followed closely by Mendoza (EDR 22), Salta (EDR 20), Kathmandu (EDR 18.6), and Lhasa (EDR 18.1).
In North America, Denver International Airport is the leader in turbulence (EDR 17.2), with other hotspots including Bozeman Yellowstone, Albuquerque, and Salt Lake City. Europe’s most turbulent airport is Turin (EDR 16.2), with Milan, Geneva, and Zurich also making the top 10.
TOP 10 MOST TURBULENT AIRPORTS WORLDWIDE
- Santiago
- Mendoza
- Salta
- Kathmandu
- Lhasa
- Paro
- Xining
- Denver
- Kabul
- Bozeman
TOP 10 MOST TURBULENT AIRPORTS IN NORTH AMERICA
- Denver
- Bozeman
- Albuquerque
- Salt Lake City
- Jackson
- Las Vegas
- Vancouver
- Reno
- Seattle
- Boise
TOP 10 MOST TURBULENT AIRPORTS IN EUROPE
- Turin
- Milan
- Geneva
- Bergamo
- Zurich
- Lyon
- Nice
- Basel
- Barcelona
- Verona
TOP 10 MOST TURBULENT AIRPORTS IN OCEANIA
- Christchurch
- Hobart
- Wellington
- Brisbane
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Adelaide
- Perth
- Auckland
- Nuku’alofa
Why Turbulence Is Increasing
Turbulence is becoming a growing concern for air travelers as global warming intensifies atmospheric instability. Research by the University of Reading shows severe turbulence has increased by 55% since 1979, making these rankings even more relevant for today’s jet-setters.
While turbulence can be uncomfortable, experts reassure that modern aircraft are built to withstand even severe turbulence. Pilots have several options to manage rough skies, such as adjusting altitude, reducing speed, or rerouting to avoid localized disturbances like thunderstorms.
Turbulence Safety: What Travelers Should Know
Though turbulence often feels alarming, it poses little risk to the structural safety of an aircraft. A long-haul Dreamliner captain explained, “Aircraft are designed to handle turbulence; it’s uncomfortable but not unsafe.”
Passengers, however, are advised to keep seatbelts fastened during flights, as unexpected jolts can lead to injuries.
For tips on avoiding turbulence, check out our guide to finding the Best Seat for a Smooth Flight and make your journey more comfortable.