What You Need to Know About Turbulence on Airplanes

If you've ever flown through turbulence, you know the feeling: eyes squeezed shut, hands gripping the armrests, heart racing as the cabin jolts like a roller coaster in the sky.

Fatalities are rare, but not unheard of. In May, a 73-year-old man died when a flight from London to Singapore hit extreme turbulence. The pilots quickly dropped the plane’s altitude by 6,000 feet. Eighteen others were hospitalized, and 12 more were treated for injuries, Singapore Airlines reported. [1]

And that wasn’t an isolated case. In March 2023, severe turbulence on a Lufthansa flight from Texas to Frankfurt sent seven passengers to the hospital. A few months earlier, in December 2022, a Hawaiian Airlines flight encountered rough air just before landing in Honolulu, injuring around two dozen people, including a baby. [2]

With these incidents making headlines more often, many travelers are left wondering:

Is turbulence becoming more common, and more severe?

To find out, find out what turbulence really is, why it’s so hard to predict, and whether there’s reason to worry! 

What is turbulence, and what causes it?

So… What Is Turbulence, Really?

(And Why Does It Shake the Plane So Much?)

If you’ve flown even a few times, you probably know that stomach-dropping moment when the plane suddenly jerks or dips. That’s turbulence, and while it can feel terrifying, it’s a normal part of flying.

But what exactly causes it?

At its core, turbulence is just chaotic movement in the air, sudden shifts in wind direction or speed that jostle the aircraft. Most of the time, this happens when the plane flies through clouds, where updrafts and downdrafts are constantly in motion. While much of this turbulence is mild, it can get pretty rough in bigger clouds, especially in towering cumulonimbus clouds (the ones behind thunderstorms). These clouds are like vertical highways of unstable air, and flying through them can feel a lot like hitting potholes in the sky. Check out how to prevent ear pressure and headaches while traveling!

Clear-Air Turbulence: The Sneaky Kind

But not all turbulence is tied to clouds. There’s an invisible, and trickier, version known as clear-air turbulence. As the name suggests, there are no visual clues. No clouds, no storms, just calm skies… until suddenly, the plane starts shaking.

This kind of turbulence often forms near the jet stream — a powerful, narrow band of fast-moving air high up in the atmosphere, typically between 40,000 and 60,000 feet. Think of it like a high-speed river in the sky. The jet stream can flow at over 100 mph faster than the air around it. That speed difference creates friction at the edges, and that’s where clear-air turbulence happens.

What makes it so tricky? Unlike storm-related turbulence, pilots and weather radars can’t see clear-air turbulence coming. It’s always there, shifting and moving, and while pilots do their best to avoid it, sometimes it’s just unavoidable.

How dangerous is turbulence?

Let’s clear something up: turbulence might feel terrifying in the moment, like the plane is about to fall apart, but modern aircraft are built to handle it. In fact, it’s extremely unlikely that turbulence would ever cause a plane to crash.

That said, it’s not something pilots want to mess with either. Sudden, strong jolts can put strain on the aircraft’s structure over time. That’s why pilots slow the plane down and switch on the seatbelt sign when they expect rough air, it reduces the stress on both the aircraft and the people inside.

So Where’s the Real Risk?

The biggest danger during turbulence isn’t to the plane, it’s to the people. Severe turbulence can throw unbelted passengers or crew into the ceiling, seats, or even other people. And if food carts or loose items are involved, that can add to the chaos.

But here’s the reassuring part: injuries are very rare.

Still, it’s a good reminder: even when the seatbelt sign is off, keeping your seatbelt loosely fastened is a smart move.

What If Turbulence Delays Your Flight?

Sometimes turbulence, especially around busy airspace or bad weather, can lead to rerouted paths or even delays. If this happens, you might be eligible for delayed flight compensation, depending on the circumstances.

In the EU, for example, Regulation EC 261 protects passengers from unexpected delays and cancellations. If your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours, and the cause isn’t considered “extraordinary circumstances,” you could receive up to €600 in compensation. 

Important: turbulence due to weather often qualifies as an extraordinary circumstance (meaning compensation may not apply), but knock-on delays, poor airline planning, or crew issues related to turbulence might still qualify. It’s always worth checking. 

How is turbulence monitored and measured?

Turbulence is tough to predict. Meteorologists use a mix of algorithms, satellite data, and radar to flag areas where turbulence might occur — along with other conditions like wind speed, cold air, and storms.

Still, it’s not an exact science. “Turbulence is definitely one of the more challenging things to forecast,” says Jennifer Stroozas of the National Weather Service’s Aviation Weather Center. [3]

Pilots rely on these forecasts and air traffic control guidance to dodge rough air, often adjusting their altitude mid-flight. This can mean flying higher or lower than planned — and using more fuel to keep things smooth.

How do pilots handle turbulence?

Turbulence might feel chaotic from the cabin, but for pilots, it’s a well-managed part of the job, one they’re extensively trained to handle.

Before every flight, pilots review detailed weather briefings packed with data: wind speeds, jet stream positioning, thunderstorm activity, and potential turbulence zones. This allows them to plan optimal routes that avoid known hazards like convective storms or mountain wave turbulence.

But clear-air turbulence is trickier. It’s invisible to radar and can strike without warning. That’s why pilots rely heavily on reports from other aircraft ahead on the same route, a sort of real-time, sky-high traffic report that helps them anticipate and avoid rough patches.

Turbulence can’t always be avoided, but it’s constantly monitored, and always managed with safety in mind.

Curious about more extreme flight conditions? Check out our list of the Top 5 Most Dangerous Airports in the World! 

What can passengers do to stay safe during turbulence?

Turbulence can strike without warning, which is why the number one rule for passengers is simple: stay buckled up. Even when the seatbelt sign is off, it’s smart to keep your seatbelt fastened throughout the flight. Most turbulence-related injuries happen to people who aren’t strapped in. 

Avoid keeping heavy items, like laptops or bags, on your lap or loose around your seat. In sudden turbulence, unsecured objects can quickly turn into projectiles, posing serious risks to you and those around you.

What about babies on laps?

Children under 2 years old are currently allowed to sit on an adult’s lap, but many aviation safety experts argue that this practice is outdated and dangerous, especially as severe turbulence becomes more frequent. Flight attendants’ unions have long advocated for every child, regardless of age, to have their own seat with an approved child safety restraint.

Planning to fly while expecting? Read our guide on Flight Restrictions for Pregnant Women to stay informed and travel confidently.

Ultimately, the best thing you can do during turbulence, whether you're traveling alone or with children, is prepare in advance, stay secured, and follow the crew's instructions. 

Is turbulence becoming more frequent?

• Yes, evidence suggests it is. Some scientists believe that climate change is making turbulence more common, especially at cruising altitudes.
• A major study backs it up. Researchers at the University of Reading (UK) found that:
  • severe turbulence over the North Atlantic increased by 55% between 1979 and 2020. [4]
  • the rise is linked to stronger wind shear caused by warmer air at high altitudes, a result of carbon emissions.
• Busier skies also play a role:
  • more planes are flying now than ever before.
  • with crowded airspace, pilots have less flexibility to change routes or altitudes to avoid turbulent areas, due to strict separation rules.

Discover how to overcome the fear of flying!

While turbulence is a normal part of flying, it’s becoming more frequent, and occasionally more intense, due to climate change and increasingly crowded skies. The good news? Planes are built to handle it, and with proper precautions, passengers can stay safe. Staying informed, staying buckled, and following crew instructions make all the difference at 30,000 feet.

Sources:

[1] “Singapore Airlines Turbulence: Passengers on Fatal Flight Offered Compensation.” Sky News, Sky, 11 June 2024, news.sky.com/story/singapore-airlines-turbulence-company-offers-passengers-compensation-after-terror-flight-where-one-man-died-13151042. Accessed 25 July 2025.

[2] “Lufthansa Flight Diverted after Turbulence, 7 Hospitalized.” AP News, 2 Mar. 2023, apnews.com/article/lufthansa-flight-469-turbulence-dulles-1177e632a5aacac0c6b29c76206e4081. Accessed 25 July 2025.

[3] New. “What You Need to Know about Turbulence.” Oman Observer, 25 May 2024, www.omanobserver.om/article/1154174/world/asia/what-you-need-to-know-about-turbulence. Accessed 25 July 2025.

[4] Prosser, Mark C, et al. “Evidence for Large Increases in Clear‐Air Turbulence over the Past Four Decades.” Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 50, no. 11, 8 June 2023, agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023gl103814, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023gl103814. Accessed 25 July 2025.