Flight Turbulence and the World’s Safest Airlines

By Sean Lengell

Published 30 January 2024

Taking a flight between Nashville, Tennessee, and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina? This route has been ranked as having the most wind turbulence in North America, according to a recent analysis by Turbli, a specialized website that forecasts turbulence and evaluates wind, thunderstorms, and crosswinds during takeoff and landing. Following closely behind are routes from Charlotte to Pittsburgh, Denver to Puerto Vallarta, New York JFK to Raleigh-Durham, and Warwick, Rhode Island to Syracuse, N.Y.

Furthermore, when analyzing airport turbulence, Portland International Airport in Oregon tops the list, followed by Denver, Las Vegas, Vancouver, and Salt Lake City. On the international front, the route from Santiago, Chile, to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, experiences the highest turbulence, with Santiago’s airport being labeled the most turbulent international airport. However, there is good news for anxious flyers: modern aircraft are engineered to handle turbulence effectively, ensuring that serious injuries are extremely rare, with only 17 documented cases in 2022.

Recommendations for Safe Travel

For those seeking a reliable and safe airline, Air New Zealand has reclaimed its status as the world’s safest airline, according to a report from AirlineRatings.com. The top five safest airlines also include Australia’s Qantas, Virgin Australia, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways. Notably, Alaska Airlines stands out as the only U.S. airline within the top 10.

It’s important to note that safety issues generally stem from manufacturing problems related to aircraft or engines rather than operational shortcomings of the airline. Moreover, the proficiency with which a flight crew manages serious incidents is what distinguishes a reliable airline from its competitors. Exciting advancements in aviation technology, including the introduction of new aircraft models like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 and 777-9, are expected to enhance safety standards further in the coming years.