The World’s Most turbulent Flight Routes: Why Argentina Dominates the List
For many travelers,turbulence is the most nerve-wracking part of air travel. But for those flying certain routes, it’s almost guaranteed. According to a global study, five of the top 10 most turbulent flight routes in the world involve Argentine cities. This revelation comes from Turbli, a platform specializing in turbulence measurement, which has released its annual ranking for the fourth consecutive year.
The study analyzed approximately 10,000 routes connecting over 550 airports worldwide, using data from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the UK Met Office. Turbulence is measured using the eddy dissipation rate (EDR), which classifies it into five levels: light (0-20), moderate (20-40), strong (40-60), severe (60-80), and extreme (80-100). Seasonal variations, such as changes in winds, jet streams, and mountain waves, are also factored in.
The Top Turbulent Routes
Table of Contents
- Navigating Turbulence: An Expert Interview on the World’s Most Bumpy Flight Routes
- Understanding Turbulence: What Makes Some Routes Bumpier Than others?
- Argentina’s Turbulent routes: Why the Andes Are a Key Factor
- The World’s Most Turbulent Routes: A Closer Look
- Beyond Argentina: Other Turbulent Routes Around the World
- Preparing for Turbulence: Tips for Travelers
- Final Thoughts
The most turbulent route in the world for 2024 is the short but intense flight between Mendoza, Argentina (Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport) and Santiago, Chile (Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport). Despite being only 196 kilometers long, this route scored an average of 24,684 points due to the challenging crossing of the Andes Mountains.
In second place is the route from Córdoba, Argentina (Ambrosio Taravella Aeronautical Engineer International Airport) to Santiago, Chile, with an average turbulence score of 20,214. This 660-kilometer flight also requires navigating the Andes, making it another bumpy journey.Two domestic Argentine flights round out the top four.The route between Mendoza and Salta (General Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport) ranks third,with an average score of 19,825. While this 940-kilometer flight doesn’t cross the Andes, it’s affected by strong wind currents parallel to the mountain range. Fourth place goes to the route from Mendoza to San Carlos de Bariloche (Teniente Luis Candelaria International Airport), which scored 19,252 points over its 946-kilometer stretch.
The fifth most turbulent route is the flight between kathmandu, Nepal, and Lhasa, Tibet, which flies over the Himalayas near Mount Everest. This route scored 18,817 points, highlighting the challenges of navigating high-altitude mountain ranges.
Why Argentina Dominates the List
Argentina’s prominence in the rankings is no coincidence.The Andes Mountains, which stretch along the country’s western border, create significant turbulence due to their rugged terrain and strong wind currents. As planes navigate these peaks, they encounter mechanical turbulence caused by disrupted airflow.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a summary of the top five most turbulent flight routes in 2024:
| Rank | Route | Average EDR Score |
|———-|————————————|———————–|
| 1 | Mendoza, Argentina – Santiago, Chile | 24,684 |
| 2 | Córdoba, argentina – Santiago, Chile | 20,214 |
| 3 | Mendoza, Argentina – Salta, Argentina | 19,825 |
| 4 | Mendoza, Argentina – Bariloche, Argentina | 19,252 |
| 5 | Kathmandu, Nepal – Lhasa, Tibet | 18,817 |
final Thoughts
While turbulence is an unavoidable part of air travel, understanding which routes are most prone to it can definitely help travelers prepare. For those flying in or out of Argentina,especially over the Andes,buckling up and staying calm is key. As climate change continues to intensify wind patterns, turbulence may become even more common, making studies like Turbli’s increasingly valuable for both passengers and airlines.
For more insights into turbulence-prone routes, check out Turbli’s full report. safe travels!
For manny travelers, turbulence is an unavoidable and often unsettling part of air travel. But some routes are far bumpier than others,notably those involving Argentina. According to a recent study by Turbli, five of the top 10 most turbulent flight routes in the world involve argentine cities, with the Andes Mountains playing a critically important role. To better understand why these routes are so turbulent and what travelers can expect, we sat down with Dr. Sofia Alvarez,a meteorologist and turbulence expert,for an in-depth conversation.
Understanding Turbulence: What Makes Some Routes Bumpier Than others?
senior Editor: Dr. Alvarez, thank you for joining us. Let’s start with the basics. what exactly causes turbulence, and why are some routes more prone to it than others?
Dr. Sofia Alvarez: Thank you for having me. Turbulence is essentially irregular air movement caused by factors like atmospheric pressure changes, jet streams, and geographical features such as mountains. When air flows over or around these obstacles, it creates disruptions in the airflow, which we experience as turbulence. Routes that cross mountain ranges, like the Andes or the Himalayas, are particularly prone to this because of the mechanical turbulence generated by the terrain.
Senior Editor: That makes sense. So, it’s not just about weather conditions but also the physical landscape?
Dr. Sofia Alvarez: Exactly. Weather plays a role, especially seasonal changes in wind patterns, but the topography is a major factor. For example, the Andes create strong wind currents that disrupt airflow, making flights over or near them much bumpier.
Argentina’s Turbulent routes: Why the Andes Are a Key Factor
Senior Editor: The Turbli study highlights that five of the top 10 most turbulent routes involve Argentine cities. Why is Argentina so prominent in these rankings?
Dr.Sofia Alvarez: Argentina’s prominence is largely due to the Andes Mountains, which run along its western border. These mountains are not only massive but also create complex wind patterns. When planes fly over or near the Andes, they encounter mechanical turbulence caused by the disrupted airflow. This is why routes like Mendoza to Santiago or Córdoba to Santiago are so turbulent—they require navigating these challenging conditions.
Senior Editor: Are there specific times of the year when these routes are even bumpier?
Dr. Sofia Alvarez: Yes, seasonal variations play a role. During the winter months, jet streams tend to be stronger, which can increase turbulence.Additionally, mountain waves—oscillations in the atmosphere caused by airflow over mountains—are more pronounced during certain times of the year, adding to the bumpiness.
The World’s Most Turbulent Routes: A Closer Look
Senior Editor: Let’s talk about the specific routes. The Mendoza to Santiago route tops the list with an average EDR score of 24,684. What makes this route so intense?
Dr. Sofia Alvarez: This route is particularly challenging because it’s a short flight that crosses the Andes at a relatively low altitude. The combination of the mountain range’s rugged terrain and strong wind currents creates significant turbulence. Even though the flight is only 196 kilometers long, it’s one of the bumpiest in the world.
Senior editor: And what about the domestic routes within Argentina, like Mendoza to Salta or Mendoza to Bariloche? Why are they so turbulent?
Dr. sofia Alvarez: These routes are affected by the same wind currents that flow parallel to the Andes. Even though they don’t cross the mountains,the proximity to the range means they still experience strong turbulence. Additionally,the longer distances of these flights mean passengers are exposed to bumpy conditions for a longer period.
Beyond Argentina: Other Turbulent Routes Around the World
Senior Editor: The study also mentions the Kathmandu to Lhasa route as one of the most turbulent. What makes this route so challenging?
Dr. Sofia Alvarez: This route flies over the Himalayas, near Mount Everest, which is another high-altitude mountain range. The combination of high elevation and strong wind currents creates significant turbulence. It’s similar to the challenges faced in the Andes but with even more extreme altitudes.
Senior Editor: Are there other regions or routes that travelers should be aware of?
Dr. Sofia Alvarez: Absolutely. Routes over the Rocky Mountains in North America or the Alps in Europe can also be quite turbulent. However, the Andes and the Himalayas are particularly notorious because of their size and the intensity of the wind patterns they generate.
Preparing for Turbulence: Tips for Travelers
Senior Editor: For travelers who find themselves on these routes, what advice would you give to help them prepare for or cope with turbulence?
Dr. Sofia Alvarez: First and foremost, always keep your seatbelt fastened when seated, even if the seatbelt sign is off. Turbulence can be unpredictable, and this is the best way to stay safe. If you’re a nervous flyer, try to choose a seat over the wings, as this is the most stable part of the plane. And remember,turbulence is a normal part of flying—it’s uncomfortable but rarely hazardous.
Senior Editor: That’s great advice.do you think turbulence will become more common in the future due to climate change?
Dr. Sofia Alvarez: Unfortunately, yes. Climate change is intensifying wind patterns and making atmospheric conditions more unpredictable.This means we’re likely to see an increase in turbulence in the coming years. studies like Turbli’s will become even more vital for helping airlines and passengers prepare.
Final Thoughts
Senior Editor: Dr. Alvarez, thank you for sharing your expertise. It’s been fascinating to learn more about the science behind turbulence and why certain routes are so bumpy.
Dr. Sofia Alvarez: Thank you for having me. Safe travels to all your readers!
For more insights into turbulence-prone routes, check out Turbli’s full report.
