How far do planes drop in turbulence?

Very rarely, turbulence can cause a change of a few hundred feet, but most times it is less than 100 feet.



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Ordinarily, this can be avoided by flight at higher altitudes. When the larger convection currents form cumulus clouds, the pilot will invariably find smooth air above the cloud level. Avoiding turbulence caused by convection currents by flying above the cloud level.

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By 2050, pilots around the world can expect to encounter at least twice as much severe clear-air turbulence, Williams found in his research. Clear-air turbulence is what caused a Lufthansa flight traveling from Texas to Germany to unexpectedly drop 1,000 feet this past week.

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At times like this, pilots will slow to a designated “turbulence penetration speed” to ensure high-speed buffet protection (don't ask) and prevent damage to the airframe. We can also request higher or lower altitudes, or ask for a revised routing.

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A poll taken on A Fly Guy's Cabin Crew Lounge, the largest network of airline staff on social media, revealed that most airline crew not only like turbulence, but they also enjoy it! That's a comforting thought to think about the next time you're worried when your plane starts shaking. '

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Routes with the most turbulence
  • New York to London. One of the most popular routes which experience turbulence is flying from New York to London (and also London to New York). ...
  • Seoul to Dallas. ...
  • Flying into certain airports near the equator. ...
  • Flying into Reno, Nevada. ...
  • London to South Africa.


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Turbulence, which causes planes to suddenly jolt while in flight, is considered a fairly normal occurrence and nothing to fear. The movement is caused by atmospheric pressure, jet streams, air around mountains, cold or warm weather fronts, or thunderstorms, according to The Federal Aviation Administration.

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Airplanes are designed to withstand rough conditions and it is rare for aircraft to incur structural damage because of turbulence. But turbulence can toss passengers and crew members around, potentially causing grave injuries.

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Turbulence, which causes planes to suddenly jolt while in flight, is considered a fairly normal occurrence and nothing to fear. The movement is caused by atmospheric pressure, jet streams, air around mountains, cold or warm weather fronts, or thunderstorms, according to The Federal Aviation Administration.

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From a practical point, no, a modern airliner will not lose a wing due to turbulence. Modern airlines are very tough and designed to withstand extreme turbulence. In theory, it might be possible. But to my knowledge, it has not happened to any jet airliner.

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While pilots can't actually see turbulence, they often know what is coming up, thanks to reports from other planes, weather reports, and radar equipment. However, clear air turbulence (severe turbulence occurring in cloudless areas) can sometimes catch pilots off guard.

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It's almost unheard of for turbulence to cause a crash, but it can lead to costly repairs for carriers. Usually, the damage is to cabin components like seats and overhead bins when luggage falls out or people hit them. Turbulence-related damage, delays and injuries cost airlines up to $500 million per year.

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Turbulence Forecast is a great website that shows you both domestic and international turbulence PIREPs (or Pilot Reports) and potential nuisance areas based on weather, etc. PIREPs are going to be the most accurate in my opinion as they are reported in real time by aircraft flying through that specific area.

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Usually the pilots will leave the autopilot engaged. In small airplanes with limited autopilots, it is better to fly manually, but with more sophisticated airplanes the autopilot is a valid option in turbulence. Severe turbulence is actually very rare.

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Pilots are capable of identifying areas of potential turbulence by using their knowledge of meteorology and weather patterns. One of the simplest ways we avoid turbulence is by avoiding areas with thunderstorms. Convective activity is associated with unstable air, as well as strong updrafts and downdrafts.

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How To Deal With Turbulence
  1. 1) Understand why turbulence occurs. ...
  2. 2) Know the facts and stats. ...
  3. 3) Buckle up. ...
  4. 4) Have faith in your pilot. ...
  5. 5) Breathing exercises. ...
  6. 6) Do an activity to put your mind elsewhere. ...
  7. 7) Sit in a seat that is good for avoiding turbulence. ...
  8. 8) Fly at times when turbulence is less severe.


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While the bumps might rock your flight, most turbulence isn't severe enough to prevent you from making a safe, smooth landing.

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Using weather radar
Most commercial aircraft now pack weather radar – from the Airbus A321 to the Boeing 777. Weather radar can pick up weather systems sufficiently ahead to warn of precipitation and turbulence, allowing the fast-moving aircraft to divert in time to equally protect the humans and the aircraft.

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The worst seats on an airplane for turbulence are the jump seats in the back of the plane, where the flight attendants sit, followed by the passenger seats towards the back of the aircraft.

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Turbulence is not usually a cause for concern. It's far more common to encounter low to moderate turbulence than the severe kind that throws heavy drink carts into the air.

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Ask any frequent flier in the United States, and they will likely point to Denver (and Salt Lake city) as a common place for a turbulent takeoff and landing. This is due to its proximity to the Rockies and to US highest peak: Mount Elbert's 4,400 m (14,000 ft).

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The worst seats on an airplane for turbulence are the jump seats in the back of the plane, where the flight attendants sit, followed by the passenger seats towards the back of the aircraft.

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