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BUE to SCL Turbulence Forecast

Is the Buenos Aires to Santiago flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
BUE
→
SCL
Buenos Aires · Santiago · 2h 30m
11.2
Turb Score
2h 30m
Duration
963 nm
Distance
37,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
severe
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for BUE–SCL

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 30m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the BUE–SCL route

The Buenos Aires to Santiago 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 LATAM, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Sky Airline on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 1,108 miles (963 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on BUE–SCL

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 BUE–SCL

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on BUE–SCL

Airbus A320

Front
Rows 1–13
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 14-20
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 21+
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

BUE to SCL turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Buenos Aires to Santiago flight turbulent?
The BUE–SCL route typically experiences severe turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 11.2/100.
When is turbulence worst on BUE to SCL?
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 BUE to SCL?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A320 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 14-20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from BUE to SCL?
The BUE to SCL flight takes approximately 2h 30m, covering 1,108 miles (963 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly BUE to SCL?
The main airlines operating this route are LATAM, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Sky Airline, flying Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft.