Understanding Turbulence
What turbulence is, why it happens, and why your flight is safe.
What Is Turbulence?
Turbulence is simply the aircraft moving through unsettled air. Think of it like driving on a bumpy road - your car shakes, but it is not in any danger. The same is true for aircraft. When an airplane encounters turbulence, it moves through pockets of air that are flowing in different directions or at different speeds.
While turbulence can feel alarming, it is important to know that commercial aircraft are engineered to handle far more stress than they will ever encounter in normal flight. Wings are designed to flex, and the aircraft structure can withstand forces many times greater than even severe turbulence produces.
Types of Turbulence
Clear Air Turbulence (CAT)
This is the most common type of turbulence at cruising altitude. It occurs near jet streams, which are fast-moving rivers of air high in the atmosphere. CAT is invisible because it happens in clear skies with no clouds, which is why pilots cannot see it coming. However, meteorologists track jet streams closely, and pilots are informed of areas where CAT is likely.
What this means for you: You might feel sudden bumps without any visible reason. This is completely normal and the aircraft is designed for it.
Convective Turbulence
This type occurs near thunderstorms and is caused by rapidly rising and falling columns of air. It is the most intense form of turbulence, but pilots and airlines actively avoid flying through thunderstorms using onboard weather radar.
What this means for you: If you see storms on Flight Chop along your route, know that pilots will navigate around them. You might fly a slightly longer path, but you will avoid the rough air.
Mountain Wave Turbulence
When wind flows over mountains, it can create waves in the air on the downwind side, similar to water flowing over rocks in a stream. This turbulence is predictable based on wind conditions and terrain.
What this means for you: If your flight passes over mountainous regions on windy days, you might experience rhythmic bumps. Pilots are trained to recognize and manage these conditions.
Wake Turbulence
All aircraft create spinning vortices of air behind them as they fly. Larger aircraft create larger vortices. Air traffic control manages spacing between aircraft specifically to avoid wake turbulence.
What this means for you: You rarely feel this thanks to careful air traffic control spacing. If you do, it is typically a brief jolt during takeoff or landing.
Turbulence Intensity Scale
On Flight Chop, turbulence reports from pilots are color-coded by intensity. Here is what each level means for your experience:
Light
(Yellow on the map)Minor bumps. Coffee in your cup might ripple slightly. You can walk around the cabin without difficulty. This is the most common level of turbulence.
Very common on most flights
Moderate
(Orange on the map)Definite bumps. Walking becomes difficult and unsecured items may move. Your seatbelt will keep you secure in your seat. Flight attendants typically pause service.
Occurs occasionally
Severe
(Red on the map)Strong bumps with sudden changes in altitude or attitude. Unsecured objects will be tossed about. The aircraft remains completely in control. This level is rare and usually brief.
Rare, and pilots actively avoid it
Extreme
(Dark Red on the map)Violent turbulence that makes aircraft control momentarily difficult. This is exceptionally rare and you are unlikely to ever experience it in your lifetime of flying.
Exceptionally rare
Why You Can Relax
- Aircraft are built for it: Wings can flex significantly without any structural concern. This flexibility is a feature, not a flaw.
- Pilots are trained extensively: Every commercial pilot has hundreds of hours of training specifically for handling turbulence and unusual conditions.
- Modern forecasting is excellent: Pilots receive detailed weather briefings before every flight and updates during flight from air traffic control and other pilots.
- Pilots share information: The PIREP reports you see on Flight Chop are the same reports pilots use. When one pilot reports turbulence, others can adjust their altitude or route.
- Injuries are preventable: The rare injuries that occur during turbulence are almost always to people who are not wearing their seatbelts. Keep yours fastened when seated.
The Bottom Line
Turbulence is uncomfortable, but it is not dangerous to your aircraft. Think of it as the aviation equivalent of waves on a boat - the motion can be unsettling, but the vessel is designed to handle it. The best thing you can do is keep your seatbelt fastened whenever you are seated, and remember that the bumps will pass.