Do you really know? Which flights are most likely to be hit by turbulence?
Jun 21, 2025
Curious about flight turbulence? Uncover the causes and patterns that make it unpredictable. Learn where turbulence is most common and how climate change may intensify it. Get practical tips for minimizing your chances of encountering bumpy skies. Perfect for nervous flyers seeking insight on how to navigate air travel confidently!
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What Causes Turbulence?
- Turbulence occurs due to air disturbances from weather, geography, and air mass collisions.
- It is common and mostly harmless despite sometimes causing significant shaking of planes.
Turbulence-Prone Flight Routes
- Some flight routes are more turbulence-prone, especially over mountainous regions.
- The most turbulent route is between Santiago, Chile, and Viru Viru, Bolivia, with several others in Japan, China, and Europe.
Climate Change Increases Turbulence
- Climate change is increasing turbulence by raising ocean and air temperatures.
- Severe turbulence in jet streams could double or triple in coming decades if warming continues.