CMB to DXB Turbulence Forecast
Is the Colombo to Dubai flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.
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Typical turbulence along the route
Historical average pattern for CMB–DXB
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h3h 50m
About the CMB–DXB route
The Colombo to Dubai route heads southeast over Europe and the Middle East, covering 1,818 miles at 37,000 feet. This corridor is generally smooth — turbulence is most common over the Alps and occasionally over the Zagros Mountains in Iran. The approach into Dubai crosses dry, stable desert air which is typically calm.
The route is served by Emirates, SriLankan Airlines, flydubai on Airbus A330 · Boeing 777 aircraft,
with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 1,818 miles (1,580 nautical miles).
💡 Tip: Generally smooth. Mountain ranges over Europe/Iran can cause brief turbulence.
Colombo to Dubai Flight Time
How long is the flight from CMB to DXB?
37,000 ft
Cruising Altitude
The Colombo (CMB) to Dubai (DXB) flight takes approximately 3h 50m,
covering 1,818 miles (1,580 nautical miles) at 37,000 feet.
The route is operated by Emirates, SriLankan Airlines, flydubai.
Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.
Turbulence levels on CMB–DXB
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 CMB–DXB
Turbulence by month
Best seat on CMB–DXB
Airbus A330-300
✓ Wing
Rows 21-32
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
The 3h 50m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.
Leisure traveler · January
Some light chop mid-flight — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in September.
Regular traveler · September
Kids barely noticed the turbulence — just some mild bumps crossing the Zagros. Seatbelt sign was on and off a couple times. Nothing dramatic.
Parent traveling with kids · January
Frequently asked questions
Is the Colombo to Dubai flight turbulent?
The CMB–DXB route typically experiences light turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 4/100.
When is turbulence worst on CMB to DXB?
Generally smooth. Mountain ranges over Europe/Iran can cause brief turbulence. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.
Which seat is smoothest on CMB to DXB?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A330-300 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 21-32. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from CMB to DXB?
The CMB to DXB flight takes approximately 3h 50m, covering 1,818 miles (1,580 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly CMB to DXB?
The main airlines operating this route are Emirates, SriLankan Airlines, flydubai, flying Airbus A330 · Boeing 777 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