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CMH to PHX Turbulence Forecast

Is the Columbus to Phoenix flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
CMH
→
PHX
Columbus · Phoenix · 3h 45m
44
Turb Score
3h 45m
Duration
1,589 nm
Distance
38,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Light
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for CMH–PHX

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h3h 45m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the CMH–PHX route

The Columbus to Phoenix domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 1,828 miles at around 38,000 feet. Turbulence is most common when weather systems cross the Midwest or when the flight path skirts the Rocky Mountains. Short duration means any rough patches pass quickly.

The route is served by Southwest, Frontier on Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 38,000 feet over a distance of 1,828 miles (1,589 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source.

Turbulence levels on CMH–PHX

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 CMH–PHX

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on CMH–PHX

Boeing 737 (186 seats)

Front
Rows 1–13
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 14–22
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 23+
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

CMH to PHX turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

IND → PHX
Indianapolis → Phoenix
Light
See all us domestic flights →

Passenger Reports

Some light chop over the mountains — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in April.
Regular traveler · April
Kids barely noticed the turbulence — just some mild bumps on descent. Seatbelt sign was on and off a couple times. Nothing dramatic.
Parent traveling with kids · November
The 3h 45m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.
Leisure traveler · July
All CMH routes→ All PHX routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Columbus to Phoenix flight turbulent?
The CMH–PHX route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 44/100.
When is turbulence worst on CMH to PHX?
Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.
Which seat is smoothest on CMH to PHX?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (186 seats) (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 14–22. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from CMH to PHX?
The CMH to PHX flight takes approximately 3h 45m, covering 1,828 miles (1,589 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly CMH to PHX?
The main airlines operating this route are Southwest, Frontier, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft.

Data Sources

Scores represent typical conditions. Actual turbulence varies daily. For real-time forecasts, use the Turbulence Forecast app. · About our data