BOI to SEA Turbulence Forecast
Is the Boise to Seattle flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.
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Typical turbulence along the route
Historical average pattern for BOI–SEA
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 35m
About the BOI–SEA route
The Boise to Seattle 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 Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines on Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 · Embraer E175 aircraft,
with flights typically cruising at 32,000 feet over a distance of 399 miles (347 nautical miles).
💡 Tip: Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy.
Boise to Seattle Flight Time
How long is the flight from BOI to SEA?
32,000 ft
Cruising Altitude
The Boise (BOI) to Seattle (SEA) flight takes approximately 1h 35m,
covering 399 miles (347 nautical miles) at 32,000 feet.
The route is operated by Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines.
Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.
Turbulence levels on BOI–SEA
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–SEA
Turbulence by month
Best seat on BOI–SEA
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
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Related guides
Learn more about flight turbulence
Passenger Reports
Kids barely noticed the turbulence — just some mild bumps over the Front Range. Seatbelt sign was on and off a couple times. Nothing dramatic.
Parent traveling with kids · May
The 1h 35m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.
Leisure traveler · August
Some light chop on the climb out — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in March.
Regular traveler · March
Frequently asked questions
Is the Boise to Seattle flight turbulent?
The BOI–SEA route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 31/100.
When is turbulence worst on BOI to SEA?
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 SEA?
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 SEA?
The BOI to SEA flight takes approximately 1h 35m, covering 399 miles (347 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly BOI to SEA?
The main airlines operating this route are Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 · Embraer E175 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