
Turbulence ranking reveals surprising flight routes in North America
Turbulence ranking reveals surprising flight routes in North America
- Turbli analyzed nearly 10,000 flight routes worldwide based on turbulence measurements.
- The highest turbulence score in North America was recorded between Denver and Jackson Hole at 18.18.
- Turbulence levels are a regular part of air travel, highlighting the need for passenger awareness and safety.
Story
In 2025, a turbulence-tracking organization named Turbli analyzed nearly 10,000 flight routes worldwide, focusing on connecting over 550 major airports. This analysis utilized recorded flight tracks and turbulence forecast data to measure turbulence levels using the eddy dissipation rate (EDR), a standard aviation metric. The study listed routes according to their average turbulence scores, which are categorized from light to extreme. The report revealed that Denver International Airport to Jackson Hole Airport, spanning approximately 406 miles, topped the list for North America with an average turbulence score of 18.18, indicating light turbulence. Furthermore, Albuquerque International Sunport to Denver International Airport also recorded the same score, highlighting that both routes are equally turbulence-prone. Other routes like Jackson Hole Airport to Salt Lake City International Airport and Denver to Salt Lake City International Airport followed closely with average turbulence scores of 17.68 and 17.54, respectively, maintaining the light turbulence classification. Long-haul routes, such as Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport to Denver International Airport, also contributed to the findings with a score of 17.22 over a 524-mile journey. Notably, the analysis found that flight routes in Europe, Oceania, and Africa generally exhibited lower turbulence levels, although some short-haul routes still showed significant turbulence within their regions. The Federal Aviation Administration has highlighted that turbulence is a regular part of flying and is often unpredictable, advising passengers to keep their seat belts fastened during flights to prevent injuries during turbulence.