BOI to LAX Turbulence Forecast
Is the Boise to Los Angeles flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.
Boise · Los Angeles · 1h 50m
⚠️ Light turbulence today
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Typical turbulence along the route
Historical average pattern for BOI–LAX
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 50m
About the BOI–LAX route
The Boise to Los Angeles route crosses the Rocky Mountains — one of the most turbulent regions in North America. Mountain wave turbulence occurs when strong winds blow over mountain peaks, creating powerful invisible waves that extend to cruise altitude. The worst turbulence typically occurs in the first 30–60 minutes when the aircraft is climbing over the range.
The route is served by Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines on Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 · Airbus A321 aircraft,
with flights typically cruising at 35,000 feet over a distance of 676 miles (587 nautical miles).
💡 Tip: Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy.
Boise to Los Angeles Flight Time
How long is the flight from BOI to LAX?
35,000 ft
Cruising Altitude
The Boise (BOI) to Los Angeles (LAX) flight takes approximately 1h 50m,
covering 676 miles (587 nautical miles) at 35,000 feet.
The route is operated by Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines.
Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.
Turbulence levels on BOI–LAX
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
Best time to fly BOI–LAX
Turbulence by month
Best seat on BOI–LAX
Boeing 737
✓ Wing
Rows 12–20
Smoothest
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
Related guides
Learn more about flight turbulence
Passenger Reports
A few bumpy patches on the climb out, lasted maybe half an hour total. Drink service was paused briefly. Not unusual for this time of year.
Frequent flyer · May
There was some noticeable movement crossing the Rockies that made me grip the armrest. My seatmate (clearly a regular) didn't even look up from their book. Perspective.
First-time flyer · October
Kids barely noticed the turbulence — just some mild bumps crossing the Rockies. Seatbelt sign was on and off a couple times. Nothing dramatic.
Parent traveling with kids · March
Frequently asked questions
Is the Boise to Los Angeles flight turbulent?
The BOI–LAX route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 34/100.
When is turbulence worst on BOI to LAX?
Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.
Which seat is smoothest on BOI to LAX?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 12–20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from BOI to LAX?
The BOI to LAX flight takes approximately 1h 50m, covering 676 miles (587 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly BOI to LAX?
The main airlines operating this route are Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 · Airbus A321 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