These Are The Most Turbulent Flight Routes In The US

A new analysis has ranked the flight from Denver International Airport in Colorado to Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming as the most turbulence-prone route in the United States for 2025. According to a report by turbulence tracking site Turbli, the ranking is based on data from nearly 10,000 flight routes connecting more than 550 of the world’s largest airports. The study used the eddy dissipation rate (EDR), a standard measure of how rough the air is during a flight, to compare average turbulence levels worldwide.

The Denver to Jackson Hole route recorded an average turbulence score of 18.18, which falls within the “light” category on Turbli’s scale. The route from Albuquerque International Sunport in New Mexico to Denver International Airport also shares this turbulence score, making it another bumpy ride for travelers. Other routes with high turbulence scores include Jackson Hole to Salt Lake City, Denver to Salt Lake City, and Bozeman Yellowstone to Denver.

Turbli’s findings, which are available on their official website, show that most of the bumpiest flights in North America are located in the Rocky Mountain region. These routes are affected by mountain waves and rapid changes in wind patterns, which can cause sudden jolts even when the sky looks clear.

Globally, the most turbulent route was found to be from Mendoza, Argentina, to Santiago, Chile, with an average score of 22.98. Several of the world’s roughest flights pass over mountainous regions in South America and Asia. In comparison, routes in Europe, Oceania, and Africa generally reported lower average turbulence levels.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reminds passengers that turbulence is a normal part of flying and often happens without warning. The FAA advises keeping seat belts fastened whenever seated, noting that most injuries occur when passengers are not buckled in. Airlines and pilots use weather data and forecasting tools to avoid turbulence whenever possible, but bumpy rides can still happen, especially on routes through mountainous terrain.