Top 5 Turbulence-Prone Flights Every Traveller Should Know

Even seasoned travellers can find themselves gripping their armrests a little tighter during turbulence. If you’ve ever wondered which flight routes are most prone to bumpy rides, here are the top five most turbulent flight routes in 2025, based on average turbulence levels recorded in the ranking.

Also read:14 Tips & Tricks for Surviving Long-Haul Flights

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What Causes Turbulence?

Some of the bumpiest routes in the world share one thing in common: they traverse mountainous regions, where wind patterns and jet streams can create turbulent conditions.

Turbulence on these routes is primarily caused by:

• Mountainous Terrain:

  Airflows around mountain ranges like the Andes, Himalayas, and Rockies can create significant disturbances.

• Jet Streams:

  Fast-moving air currents at high altitudes are common near these regions.

• Rising Global Temperatures:

  Scientists note that warming climates may increase instances of clear-air turbulence, which is harder to predict and occurs without visual cues.

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Turbulence is measured by Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR). It quantifies the rate at which energy is transferred within turbulent airflows. The higher the EDR value, the more turbulent the conditions.

Top 5 Most Turbulent Flight Routes in 2025

According to Turbli's 2025 rankings, these five routes recorded the highest average turbulence levels among approximately 10,000 routes assessed worldwide.

1. Mendoza, Argentina (MDZ) – Santiago, Chile (SCL)

Average EDR: 22.983

Taking the top spot once again is the route between Mendoza and Santiago, which crosses the towering Andes Mountains.

Despite covering just 196 kilometres, the journey passes through a region known for strong winds and mountain-wave turbulence. With an average EDR of 22.983, it retained its position as the world's most turbulent flight route in 2025.

2. Xining, China (XNN) – Yinchuan, China (INC)

Average EDR: 18.935

Coming in second is the route between Xining and Yinchuan in north-western China.

Covering approximately 433 kilometres, this route passes through an area influenced by elevated terrain and shifting atmospheric conditions. Its average EDR of 18.935 makes it the most turbulent route in Asia for 2025.

3. Chengdu Tianfu, China (TFU) – Xining, China (XNN)

Average EDR: 18.758

Another Chinese route takes third place! Connecting Chengdu Tianfu International Airport with Xining, this journey covers approximately 724 kilometres.

The route travels across western China's varied terrain, where high-altitude winds and changing atmospheric conditions can contribute to turbulence.

4. Córdoba, Argentina (COR) – Santiago, Chile (SCL)

Average EDR: 18.643

South America returns to the list with the route connecting Córdoba, Argentina, and Santiago, Chile.

Spanning approximately 660 kilometres, this flight crosses the Andes region, where strong winds interacting with mountainous terrain can create particularly bumpy conditions.

With an average EDR of 18.643, it ranks as the fourth most turbulent flight route worldwide in 2025.

5. Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (VVI) – Santiago, Chile (SCL)

Average EDR: 18.330

Rounding out the top five is the route between Santa Cruz de la Sierra in Bolivia and Santiago, Chile.

At approximately 1,905 kilometres, this is the longest route in the top five. It crosses varied terrain and atmospheric conditions across South America, including areas influenced by the Andes.

With an average EDR of 18.330, it completes the list of the world's five most turbulent flight routes in 2025.

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Want to Know How Turbulent Your Flight Route Is?

Curious whether your usual flight route is among the bumpier ones?

For a route-by-route view, Turbulence Forecast ranks 9,845 flight routes by their estimated clear-air turbulence in 2025, using NOAA wind data.

The ranking allows travellers to compare routes using historical atmospheric data. However, it focuses on clear-air turbulence at cruising altitude, rather than all forms of turbulence experienced during an actual flight.

Actual conditions can also vary depending on the weather, flight path and altitude, so these rankings should be treated as a general reference rather than a prediction of what passengers will experience.

Tips for Travellers

If you’re travelling on one of these routes, here are some tips to make your flight as smooth as possible. Firstly, keep your seatbelt fastened. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends wearing your seatbelt at all times while seated. Secondly, choose your seats wisely. Seats over the wings typically experience less motion during turbulence. Thirdly, remember to relax and enjoy the ride. Pilots are trained to handle turbulence, and planes are built to withstand it.

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Also read: I Survived 24 Hours in Changi Airport: My Essential Tips for Crazy Flight Cancellations

Turbulence is just a small part of the journey. Whether you’re crossing the Andes, navigating the Rockies, or soaring over the Himalayas, the destination—and the incredible views along the way—are well worth the ride.