Turbulence hotspots: The world's bumpiest flight routes
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Feb 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 17
Airlines meticulously plan flight routes to ensure passenger safety and operational efficiency. Certain regions, however, present unique challenges that make them less favorable for air travel.
One such area is Tibet, a region often avoided by commercial flights due to its distinctive geographical and environmental characteristics.
Why airlines avoid flying over Tibet
The Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the «Roof of the World,» boasts an average elevation of approximately 14,800 feet. This high altitude poses significant challenges for aircraft, especially during emergency situations. In the event of cabin depressurization, pilots must descend to altitudes with sufficient oxygen levels for passengers. Over the towering peaks of Tibet, achieving a safe descent becomes problematic due to the lack of lower terrain.
Additionally, the region's mountainous landscape contributes to severe turbulence, known as «mountain waves,» which can make flights uncomfortable and potentially hazardous. The low temperatures prevalent at such altitudes also raise concerns about fuel freezing, further complicating flight operations.
Global turbulence hotspots
Turbulence is a common concern in various parts of the world, often influenced by geographical features and atmospheric conditions. Notable turbulence-prone areas include:
The Andes, South America
The Andes Mountains, stretching across seven South American countries, are known for their extreme elevation and unpredictable weather patterns.
Mountain wave turbulence – Similar to the Alps, strong winds interacting with the mountain range create dangerous updrafts and downdrafts.
Sudden weather shifts – The region is prone to rapidly changing weather conditions, increasing turbulence risks.
High-altitude jet streams – Strong winds at high altitudes frequently impact flights over the Andes.
Most affected flight routes in the Andes
Mendoza (MDZ) – Santiago (SCL): Known for severe turbulence due to the high peaks and strong winds between Argentina and Chile.
La Paz (LPB) – Cusco (CUZ): High-altitude turbulence is common on this route between Bolivia and Peru.
The Himalayas, Asia
The Himalayan range is the highest in the world, affecting flight paths over Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and northern India.
Extreme elevation – The towering peaks disrupt airflow, leading to dangerous turbulence.
Jet stream influence – Strong jet streams at high altitudes make flights bumpy.
Remote terrain – Emergency landings are challenging due to the lack of suitable locations.
Most affected flight routes in the Himalayas
Kathmandu (KTM) – Lhasa (LXA): Turbulence is frequent due to the mountainous topography.
Paro (PBH) – Delhi (DEL): Bhutan’s Paro Airport is notorious for its challenging landings.
Courchevel Airport, perched at 2,010 meters in the French Alps, is one of the world’s most dangerous airports. With a short 537-meter runway featuring an 18.5% gradient and no go-around option, only specially trained pilots can land here. The surrounding mountains create unpredictable turbulence, strong downdrafts, and sudden weather changes, making every approach a high-risk maneuver. Flying in the Alps is already challenging, but Courchevel takes it to an extreme.» Photo: Peter Robinett, Flickr CC BY 2.0
The Alps, Europe
The Alps present significant turbulence challenges for flights passing over or near the mountain range, which spans several countries, including France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and Germany.
Mountain wave turbulence – Strong winds hitting the Alps create powerful updrafts and downdrafts, leading to severe turbulence.
Jet streams & wind Shear – The region frequently experiences strong jet streams, which can result in sudden turbulence.
Rapid weather changes – The Alps have highly unpredictable weather, with storms forming quickly, leading to bumpy flights.
Foehn winds – These warm, dry winds, common in the Alps, can create severe turbulence as aircraft descend or climb.
Most affected flight routes
Zurich (ZRH) – Geneva (GVA): Flights passing over the Swiss Alps often experience turbulence.
Munich (MUC) – Milan (MXP): Affected by both jet streams and mountain wave turbulence.
Innsbruck Airport (INN): Known for rough landings due to the surrounding mountains.
Flights between Paris and Rome: Routes passing over the Alps can be turbulent depending on wind conditions.
New Zealand, Oceania
New Zealand’s rugged terrain and volatile weather patterns contribute to frequent turbulence, particularly around the Southern Alps.
Wind tunnels – The convergence of oceanic and mountain winds results in strong turbulence.
Sudden storms – The region’s unpredictable weather makes turbulence more common.
Mountain waves – High-altitude air currents interact with mountain peaks, creating significant instability.
Most affected flight routes
Christchurch (CHC) – Wellington (WLG): High turbulence is often reported due to the Cook Strait’s wind tunnel effect.
Queenstown (ZQN) – Auckland (AKL): Flights experience turbulence due to the mountainous descent into Queenstown.
The Rocky Mountains, North America
The Rocky Mountains stretch from Canada to the southwestern United States, affecting flights across the region.
Mountain wave turbulence – Strong winds create air currents that result in severe turbulence.
Cold fronts & jet Streams – The region experiences frequent weather changes that impact flights.
High Elevation – The thin air at high altitudes increases the likelihood of turbulence.
Most affected flight routes
Denver (DEN) – Salt Lake City (SLC): Frequent turbulence due to mountain airflows.
Calgary (YYC) – Vancouver (YVR): Weather patterns and elevation changes contribute to unstable air conditions.
Understanding these regions helps airlines develop strategies to mitigate turbulence-related challenges, ensuring passenger comfort and safety.
