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 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 Turbli.com, which analysed over 10,000 flight paths, the following are among the most turbulent routes globally: 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.
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 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 Turbli.com, which analysed over 10,000 flight paths, the following are among the most turbulent routes globally: 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. Economic Times
