CAN to LHR Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Guangzhou to London flight turbulent?

The CAN–LHR route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on CAN to LHR?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a 228, that's rows 20-30. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from CAN to LHR?

The CAN to LHR flight takes approximately 12h 30min.

Is the Guangzhou to London flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

CAN

→

LHR

Guangzhou · London · 12h 30min

Turb Score

12h 30min

Duration

5,437 nm

Distance

38,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Moderate

Typical

⚠️ Moderate turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for CAN–LHR

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h12h 30min

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the CAN–LHR route

The Guangzhou to London route crosses the North Atlantic, where the jet stream is the primary source of turbulence. Flying at 38,000 feet, the aircraft encounters the strongest bumps roughly 2–5 hours into the flight. This is clear-air turbulence — no clouds, no visual warning — which makes a pre-flight forecast especially valuable.

The route is served by China Southern, British Airways on B · o · e · i · n · g · · 7 · 8 · 7 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 38,000 feet over a distance of 6,256 miles (5,437 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Turbulence peaks mid-flight over the Atlantic. First and last hour are usually smooth.

Turbulence levels on CAN–LHR

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 CAN–LHR

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on CAN–LHR

228

Front

Rows 1–19

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 20-30

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 31+

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

See all transatlantic flights →

Passenger Reports

The crossing the Rockies section was legitimately rough. I was holding on to the armrests. Lasted maybe 40 minutes. One of the flight attendants had to sit down. Not a fun 12h 30min flight but we landed fine.

Solo traveler · January

Flew this in July 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 · July

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

Business traveler · May

All CAN routes→ All LHR routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Guangzhou to London flight turbulent?

The CAN–LHR route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 5/100.

When is turbulence worst on CAN to LHR?

Turbulence peaks mid-flight over the Atlantic. First and last hour are usually smooth. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on CAN to LHR?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a 228 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 20-30. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from CAN to LHR?

The CAN to LHR flight takes approximately 12h 30min, covering 6,256 miles (5,437 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly CAN to LHR?

The main airlines operating this route are China Southern, British Airways, flying B · o · e · i · n · g · · 7 · 8 · 7 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