Mendoza–Santiago Ranks Most Turbulent Flight Route
A Turbli report ranking more than 10,000 flights across 550 airports places the Andes crossing at the top of its turbulence list.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Air Travel
Live Poll
Would turbulence on a flight change whether you choose to travel by plane?
A Turbli report rated the 196-kilometer Mendoza–Santiago, Chile route as the most turbulent in the world after examining more than 10,000 flights and 550 airports. The route crosses the Andes, where the average flight lasts 60 minutes.
Why it matters
The ranking highlights how mountainous terrain can make an otherwise short flight physically rough for passengers. Pilots and airlines note that turbulence is a normal part of commercial aviation and that aircraft on this route are built to handle extreme conditions.
The Turbli analysis covered more than 10,000 flights and 550 airports, and the Mendoza–Santiago route spans 196 kilometers in about 60 minutes of average flight time. The report does not detail how the turbulence score was calculated or how it differs from other ranked routes.
The players
Turbli
Turbli is the aviation analytics source that produced the global turbulence ranking based on flight data from more than 10,000 flights.
The details
Irregular air currents, strong winds, and sudden shifts in atmospheric pressure converge over the Andes as flights cross the range. Cold and warm air masses create constant vertical movements that passengers feel inside the cabin.
Timeline
The Turbli turbulence ranking was published on November 7, 2026.
Travel Outlook
Turbli's survey of more than 10,000 flights and 550 airports places the Andes crossing at the top of its global turbulence ranking. The result points travelers toward mountain-crossing routes as a category where weather and terrain shape the in-flight experience more than distance does.
Travelers booking the Mendoza–Santiago route should expect rougher air over the Andes, even on a flight lasting about an hour. Choosing a seat over the wing and keeping seatbelts fastened during the flight can make the crossing more comfortable.
The takeaway
Turbulence on a short mountain crossing is a normal feature of flying rather than a sign of danger, and understanding why it happens can help travelers stay calm. Knowing which routes rank highest for rough air lets passengers plan for a bumpier trip.
Further reading
For more on how routes and conditions shape the flying experience, see Air Travel.
Source note: This article includes information reported by El Cronista.
Live Poll
Would turbulence on a flight change whether you choose to travel by plane?
