When is the Atlanta to New Orleans route most turbulent?

See the monthly chart above for exact patterns. Transatlantic and mountain routes are typically roughest in winter (Dec–Mar). Tropical and Caribbean routes peak during monsoon season (Jul–Sep).

What aircraft operates the ATL to MSY route?

The ATL–MSY route is typically operated by Boeing 717 · CRJ-900 · Embraer 175. Airlines include Delta, American, Spirit.

Is turbulence on ATL to MSY dangerous?

No — turbulence on the ATL–MSY route is not dangerous to the aircraft. Modern commercial aircraft are built to withstand far more stress than any turbulence encountered. The main risk is to unbelted passengers. Always keep your seatbelt fastened when seated.

How can I check turbulence before my ATL to MSY flight?

Use the Turbulence Forecast app (iOS & Android) for real-time PIREPs, SIGMET alerts, and AI-powered forecasts for the ATL–MSY route. The app shows minute-by-minute turbulence timing for your specific flight date.

ATL to MSY Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Atlanta to New Orleans flight turbulent?

The ATL–MSY route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on ATL to MSY?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 717 · CRJ-900 · Embraer 175, that's rows 9-17. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from ATL to MSY?

The ATL to MSY flight takes approximately 1h 37m, covering 539 miles (468 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 33,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

ATL

→

MSY

Atlanta · New Orleans · 1h 37m

Turb Score

1h 37m

Duration

468 nm

Distance

33,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Moderate

Typical

⚠️ Moderate turbulence today

Get exact timing, altitude & best seat — free

Download free on the App Store ★★★★★ 4.8 · 20K+ reviews Get it on Google Play ★★★★★ 4.8 · 20K+ reviews

★★★★★ 4.8 · 20,000+ reviews · iOS & Android

Scan to get the full forecast ★★★★★ 4.8 · 20,000+ reviews · iOS & Android · Free

Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for ATL–MSY

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.

Atlanta to New Orleans Flight Time

How long is the flight from ATL to MSY?

1h 37m

Flight Time

539 mi

Distance

33,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 717

Aircraft

The Atlanta (ATL) to New Orleans (MSY) flight takes approximately 1h 37m, covering 539 miles (468 nautical miles) at 33,000 feet. The route is operated by Delta, American, Spirit. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

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

Get minute-by-minute timing for your specific flight

Download on the App Store ★★★★★ 4.8 · 20K+ reviews Get it on Google Play ★★★★★ 4.8 · 20K+ reviews

Best time to fly ATL–MSY

Turbulence by month

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

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

Salt Lake City → New Orleans

Severe

BWI → MSY

Baltimore → New Orleans

Smooth

See all us domestic flights →

Related guides

Learn more about flight turbulence

Turbulence Tracker

Track any flight in real time

→

Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

→

When Does Turbulence Happen?

Phases of flight explained

→

Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

→

Passenger Reports

Rough patch over the plains in May — drinks went everywhere on the row behind me. Probably 45 minutes of actual turbulence. Nothing dangerous but definitely uncomfortable.

Business traveler · May

Flew this in October expecting smooth skies based on past experience, but it was noticeably bumpier than usual. About an hour of moderate chop. Seatbelt sign basically stayed on.

Regular traveler · October

This was genuinely difficult for me. Real bumps for a long stretch on descent, seatbelt sign on for what felt like forever. The flight attendants were calm which helped. Got through it.

Nervous flyer · January

All ATL routes→ All MSY routes→

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

PIREP — Pilot reports (PIREPs) submitted via FAA/ICAO systems, aggregated over 12+ months of historical data
SIGMET / AIRMET — Significant Meteorological Information bulletins from NOAA Aviation Weather Center
EDR data — Eddy Dissipation Rate measurements from commercial aircraft (ADS-B derived turbulence intensity)
Seasonal patterns — 5-year rolling averages of turbulence frequency and intensity by month for this route

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