ATL to MSY Turbulence Forecast

Is the Atlanta to New Orleans flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
ATL
MSY
Atlanta · New Orleans · 1h 37m
7
Turb Score
1h 37m
Duration
468 nm
Distance
33,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Moderate
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for ATL–MSY

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 37m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the ATL–MSY route

The Atlanta to New Orleans domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 539 miles at around 33,000 feet. Turbulence is most common when weather systems cross the Midwest or when the flight path skirts the Rocky Mountains. Short duration means any rough patches pass quickly.

The route is served by Delta, American, Spirit on Boeing 717 · CRJ-900 · Embraer 175 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 33,000 feet over a distance of 539 miles (468 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source.

Turbulence levels on ATL–MSY

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 ATL–MSY

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on ATL–MSY

Boeing 717-200

Front
Rows 1–8
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 9-17
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 18+
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

ATL to MSY turbulence forecast app
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Real-time turbulence map

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Atlanta to New Orleans flight turbulent?
The ATL–MSY route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 7/100.
When is turbulence worst on ATL to MSY?
Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.
Which seat is smoothest on ATL to MSY?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 717-200 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 9-17. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from ATL to MSY?
The ATL to MSY flight takes approximately 1h 37m, covering 539 miles (468 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly ATL to MSY?
The main airlines operating this route are Delta, American, Spirit, flying Boeing 717 · CRJ-900 · Embraer 175 aircraft.

Data Sources

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