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AKL to MEL Turbulence Forecast

Is the Auckland to Melbourne flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
AKL
→
MEL
Auckland · Melbourne · 3h 20m
6
Turb Score
3h 20m
Duration
1,480 nm
Distance
36,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Light
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for AKL–MEL

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h3h 20m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the AKL–MEL route

The Auckland to Melbourne route spans the Pacific Ocean — one of the longest commercial flight paths in the world at 1,703 miles. The Pacific jet stream creates moderate turbulence, typically around 3–7 hours into the flight. The sheer length of the route means passengers experience varying conditions: calm stretches punctuated by bumpy patches.

The route is served by Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar on Boeing 787 · Airbus A320 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 36,000 feet over a distance of 1,703 miles (1,480 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Long flight — turbulence varies throughout. Wing seats significantly reduce motion.

Turbulence levels on AKL–MEL

What to expect at each phase of the flight

SmoothDeparture & arrival — climb and descent phases are generally calm
LightMinor bumps — drink stays in your cup, walking feels slightly unsteady
ModerateNoticeable bumps — stay seated with seatbelt on, service may pause
HeavyStrong jolts — unsecured items move, crew seated. Rare but possible

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Best time to fly AKL–MEL

Turbulence by month

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Rough

Best seat on AKL–MEL

Boeing 787-9

Front
Rows 1–20
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 21-32
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 33+
Rougher
Wing seats are over the center of gravity — least affected by turbulence.

What you'll see in the app

Full forecast, live map & seat recommendations

AKL to MEL turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

AKL → SYD
Auckland → Sydney
Light
MEL → SYD
Melbourne → Sydney
light-moderate
AKL → LAX
Auckland → Los Angeles
Light
See all transpacific flights →
All AKL routes→ All MEL routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Auckland to Melbourne flight turbulent?
The AKL–MEL route typically experiences light turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 6/100.
When is turbulence worst on AKL to MEL?
Long flight — turbulence varies throughout. Wing seats significantly reduce motion. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.
Which seat is smoothest on AKL to MEL?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 787-9 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 21-32. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from AKL to MEL?
The AKL to MEL flight takes approximately 3h 20m, covering 1,703 miles (1,480 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly AKL to MEL?
The main airlines operating this route are Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar, flying Boeing 787 · Airbus A320 aircraft.

Data Sources

Scores represent typical conditions. Actual turbulence varies daily. For real-time forecasts, use the Turbulence Forecast app. · About our data