When is the Boise to Salt Lake City 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 BOI to SLC route?

The BOI–SLC route is typically operated by Embraer 175 · Boeing 737. Airlines include Delta, United, Alaska.

Is turbulence on BOI to SLC dangerous?

No — turbulence on the BOI–SLC 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 BOI to SLC flight?

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

BOI to SLC Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Boise to Salt Lake City flight turbulent?

The BOI–SLC route typically experiences moderate turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on BOI to SLC?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Embraer 175 · Boeing 737, that's rows 12-18. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Is the Boise to Salt Lake City flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

BOI

→

SLC

Boise · Salt Lake City · 1h

7.5

Turb Score

Duration

293 nm

Distance

28,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

moderate

Typical

⚠️ moderate turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for BOI–SLC

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the BOI–SLC route

The Boise to Salt Lake City 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 Delta, United, Alaska on Embraer 175 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 28,000 feet over a distance of 337 miles (293 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy.

Boise to Salt Lake City Flight Time

How long is the flight from BOI to SLC?

Flight Time

337 mi

Distance

28,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Embraer 175

Aircraft

The Boise (BOI) to Salt Lake City (SLC) flight takes approximately 1h, covering 337 miles (293 nautical miles) at 28,000 feet. The route is operated by Delta, United, Alaska. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on BOI–SLC

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

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Best time to fly BOI–SLC

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on BOI–SLC

Embraer 175

Front

Rows 1–11

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 12-18

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 19+

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

FLL → SLC

Fort Lauderdale → Salt Lake City

Severe

PDX → SLC

Portland → Salt Lake City

Severe

STL → SLC

St. Louis → Salt Lake City

Severe

See all mountain routes →

Related guides

Learn more about flight turbulence

Turbulence Tracker

Track any flight in real time

→

Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

→

Mountain Turbulence

Why mountain routes are the bumpiest

→

Severe Turbulence

What it feels like and how to prepare

→

Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

→

Passenger Reports

There was some noticeable movement on the climb out that made me grip the armrest. My seatmate (clearly a regular) didn't even look up from their book. Perspective.

First-time flyer · March

Flew Boise–Salt Lake City in January, had some light turbulence in the middle portion of the flight. Brief and nothing concerning. This route is usually fine.

Business traveler · January

Some light chop crossing the Rockies — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in July.

Regular traveler · July

All BOI routes→ All SLC routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Boise to Salt Lake City flight turbulent?

The BOI–SLC route typically experiences moderate turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 7.5/100.

When is turbulence worst on BOI to SLC?

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 SLC?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Embraer 175 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 12-18. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from BOI to SLC?

The BOI to SLC flight takes approximately 1h, covering 337 miles (293 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly BOI to SLC?

The main airlines operating this route are Delta, United, Alaska, flying Embraer 175 · Boeing 737 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