The world’s most turbulent flight routes and worst airports for turbulence on approach and descent for 2025 have been revealed in Turbli’s annual ranking. The data comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Met Office, which are the information sources pilots draw on for flight planning. Here, Travel Tomorrow looks at the results for North America.
Explainer
Turbulence is caused by changes in atmospheric conditions, jet streams, and weather patterns, and can be influenced by mountainous terrain and structures over which air temperatures can vary radically, creating eddies and sudden air movement. As such, airports and routes in proximity to mountains feature prominently in the list.
| North American Airport | Avg. Turbulence (EDR) |
| 1. Denver | 17.91 |
| 2. Bozeman | 17.55 |
| 3. Albuquerque | 16.62 |
| 4. Salt Lake City | 16.56 |
| 5. Jackson | 16.39 |
| 6. Vancouver | 16.15 |
| 7. Las Vegas | 15.83 |
| 8. Seattle | 15.77 |
| 9. Reno | 15.59 |
| 10. Boise | 15.77 |
Turbli attributes an average “EDR” score to routes and airports. EDR stands for “Eddy Dissipation Rate” and describes how fast turbulence disappears. An EDR score between 0 and 20 should mean “light — smooth flight conditions”. A score of 20 to 40 means “moderate” turbulence, which could, for example, create “difficulty with walking and food services.” A score between 40 and 60 means “strong” turbulence that could cause passengers to need seat belts to stay in their seats. An EDR between 60 and 80 means “severe” turbulence and “violent and sudden changes in altitude.” A score from 80 to 100 would mean conditions so “extreme” that the “aircraft is practically impossible to control.”
For flyers who hate the idea of turbulence, it’s worth remembering that it is a natural phenomenon and today’s aircraft are designed to cope with it. Following crew instructions is important to remain safe in the air, and injuries from turbulence are very rare.
1. Denver — Jackson
The most turbulent route is between Denver, Colorado, and Jackson Hole in Wyoming, with an average EDR of 18.8. Denver is ranked the number one US airport for turbulence on approach and descent, and Jackson is ranked at number five. In fact, Denver features in four out of the top 10 most turbulent routes. The 653km route between Denver and Jackson overflies the Rocky Mountains, and Jackson Hole is south of the Grand Tetons.
2. Albuquerque — Denver
Southwards, Albuquerque to Denver is the second most turbulent route in the ranking. Albuquerque comes in third in terms of US airport turbulence. With an equal EDR rating to the number one route (18.18), this 561km flight path crosses the southern Rocky Mountains.
3. Jackson — Salt Lake City
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, appears again in third place. This time, it is the route to Salt Lake City in Utah, with an EDR score of 17.67. Salt Lake City is in a valley at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, close to the Great Salt Lake, and it serves as a gateway to skiing and outdoor recreation. Westerly winds hitting the Rocky Mountains generate unstable air, and in summer, there is convection from warm summer air flows, but passengers only need to bear it for 329km.
4. Denver — Salt Lake City
Both Denver and Salt Lake City feature again in the 629km fourth-place route, which has an EDR of 17.53.
5. Bozeman — Denver
The firth most turbulent route with an EDR of 17.22 is again between Denver and this time Bozeman, Montana, a hub for outdoor recreation, close to Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding Gallatin Valley. Bozeman is the second most turbulent US airport on approach and descent. The 843km flight path overflies both the Rocky Mountains and Yellowstone – mountainous terrain subject to geothermal activity.
