What level do commercial jet aircraft fly to avoid turbulence?

Business jets generally fly at 41,000 – 50,000 feet where they are less susceptible to air pockets and severe turbulence, as well as a more direct route.

Has a commercial plane ever crashed from turbulence?

The well-known crash caused by turbulence was in 1966 when BOAC flight 811 was brought down by CAT and crashed near Mount Fuji, resulting in fatalities of 113 passengers and 11 crews. In the last four decades, not a single plane crash had been reported caused by turbulence.

Is there more turbulence flying over the ocean?

Some ocean flights, such as Transatlantic and North Atlantic flights, can be quite troublesome. However, oceans are also about as mountain-free and flat as it is possible to be. If the waters over a particular patch of ocean are calm, therefore, the flight has a better chance of being turbulence-free.

Where is turbulence most common?

Most often, turbulence is located on poleward side of cyclonic jet stream. Conversely, turbulence is often located on equatorward side of the anticyclonic jet stream.

Where is clear air turbulence strongest?

Any CAT is strongest on the cold side of the jet stream where the wind shear is greatest. In the vicinity of a jet stream, CAT can be encountered anywhere from 7,000 feet below to about 3,000 feet above the tropopause.

At what altitude do private jets fly?

A private jet can fly at a height of up to 45 000 ft, though most cruise at 41 000 ft. This is generally higher than an airline flight and allows for a more direct route – out of the most congested area of the sky. A private jet pilot will choose the optimum cruising altitude depending on the distance of the journey.

How do you keep calm during turbulence?

What To Do During Turbulence

1. Focus on your breathing: In moments of stress, it can be easy to hold your breath or accelerate your breathing.
2. Find a distraction: If it is difficult for you to stay calm during a time of turbulence, the best thing to do is distract yourself.

Which planes handle turbulence best?

The Best Seats On A Plane For Turbulence

• The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is one of the best planes to help curb the impact on turbulence for passengers.
• It can be a hard task to rest on a plane when there is turbulence, but putting some preparations in place could help.

What are some of the most turbulent transatlantic flights?

Some of the most turbulent transatlantic flights are the ones crossing the south Atlantic, from Europe/Africa to South America and back. There is practically constant convective activity on this route, the dreaded «pot-au-noir» made famous by the Aeropostale pilots who flew it in biplanes carrying mail between the 2 wars.

Is the New York-London flight doomed for a turbulent future?

One route in particular that seems to be doomed for a more turbulent future is New York-London (and vice-versa), thanks to acceleration of the jet stream and clear-air turbulence expected to result from it. Some routes are famously turbulent, but only during certain times of year.

Are some routes more or less turbulent than others?

With that said there are definitely routes which are known to be worse than others. Places where turbulence can be expected include: The tropical convergence zone. This is an area near the equator where trade winds from the northern and southern hemispheres meet.

Why don’t commercial planes fly over the Himalayas?

The most notorious of all these routes is L888 that travels over the Himalayas and is the only route I can think of that commercial aircraft rarely take because the potential for extreme turbulence is so high. As some answers have correctly stated; flights into and out of airports near mountain ranges are often turbulent.