Based on data from Turbli analyzing 2023 flights, the most turbulent flight route in the world is between Santiago, Chile (SCL) and Santa Cruz, Bolivia (VVI).
According to the analysis, this route registered the highest average turbulence level, measured using the Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR), which quantifies the intensity of atmospheric turbulence. The Santiago to Santa Cruz route had an average turbulence EDR of 17.568.
Turbulence is a common phenomenon caused by various factors, including atmospheric pressure, jet streams, air around mountains, and thunderstorms. While often uncomfortable, severe turbulence causing injury is rare on commercial flights.
Here is a list of the top routes based on the same 2023 data provided by Turbli:
| # | Route | Avg. turbulence (edr) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santiago (SCL) - Santa Cruz (VVI) | 17.568 |
| 2 | Florianópolis (FLN) - Santiago (SCL) | 15.307 |
| 3 | Florianópolis (FLN) - Ciudad de la Costa (MVD) | 15.224 |
| 4 | Santiago (SCL) - Asunción (ASU) | 15.162 |
It is notable that many of the most turbulent routes, including the top one, are located in South America, often involving flights over the Andes mountain range, which can contribute to turbulence due to mountain wave activity.
Understanding typical turbulence levels on different routes can be helpful for travelers, although actual conditions vary daily based on real-time weather.
