Whilst everyone loves a holiday and enjoys exploring new places, one thing that can unnerve travellers is flying, especially turbulence. A number of extreme examples have hit the headlines recently, with a British man dying after a suspected heart attack following heavy turbulence on a flight from London to Singapore in May 2024.
eSIM travel company Airalo has spoken exclusively with an Easyjet pilot to reveal everything travellers need to know when it comes to flying and coping with turbulence, especially at this time of year when the weather is at its worst.
Where is the worst place for turbulence?
When speaking to Airalo, EasyJet pilot Chris said: “When it comes to the worst areas for turbulence, Innsbruck, Austria, located in a valley, is notorious for severe turbulence. The strong winds in the area can reach speeds of up to 60mph.”
Innsbruck Airport is also infamous for severe turbulence, caused by strong winds funnelling through the narrow valleys between the towering mountains that surround it. These winds tumble over the rugged terrain, often creating mountain waves and in turn a highly turbulent landing experience.
In terms of journeys at a higher level, the worst journey is usually the Adriatic coast in the late summer and early winter due to the weather build-ups there.
When is the most turbulent season?
With regards to the times of year with the worst turbulence, November to March is when we tend to get the most storms and this makes it extremely turbulent. Similarly, any airport around the Alps at this time of year can be very turbulent as the terrain gives mountain waves.
How to avoid turbulence
If you want to avoid the turbulence on board, sit as close to the front as possible. Due to the centre of mass, the further back on the aircraft you sit, the more “movement” you will feel bouncing around.