When is the Denver to San Antonio route most turbulent?

Check the monthly chart for exact patterns. Transatlantic and mountain routes are typically roughest in winter (Dec–Mar). Tropical routes peak during monsoon season.

DEN to SAT Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Denver to San Antonio flight turbulent?

The DEN–SAT route typically experiences moderate turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on DEN to SAT?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A320 · Boeing 737, that's rows 10–20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from DEN to SAT?

The DEN to SAT flight takes approximately 2h 10m, covering 795 miles at 33,000 feet.

Is the Denver to San Antonio flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

DEN

→

SAT

Denver · San Antonio · 2h 10m

63.4

Turb Score

2h 10m

Duration

691 nm

Distance

33,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Moderate

Typical

⚠️ Moderate turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for DEN–SAT

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 10m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the DEN–SAT route

The Denver to San Antonio 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 United, American Airlines, Delta on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 33,000 feet over a distance of 795 miles (691 nautical miles).

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

Denver to San Antonio Flight Time

How long is the flight from DEN to SAT?

2h 10m

Flight Time

795 mi

Distance

33,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The Denver (DEN) to San Antonio (SAT) flight takes approximately 2h 10m, covering 795 miles (691 nautical miles) at 33,000 feet. The route is operated by United, American Airlines, Delta. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on DEN–SAT

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 DEN–SAT

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on DEN–SAT

Airbus A320

Front

Rows 1–9

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 10–20

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

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Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

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Mountain Turbulence

Why mountain routes are the bumpiest

→

Severe Turbulence

What it feels like and how to prepare

→

Is Turbulence Dangerous?

What the safety data shows

→

Passenger Reports

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

Business traveler · May

This was genuinely difficult for me. Real bumps for a long stretch over the Front Range, seatbelt sign on for what felt like forever. The flight attendants were calm which helped. Got through it.

Nervous flyer · September

More turbulent than I expected. The crossing the Rockies section was pretty rough — overhead bins rattling, some gasps from other passengers. Died down before landing.

Leisure traveler · April

All DEN routes→ All SAT routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Denver to San Antonio flight turbulent?

The DEN–SAT route typically experiences moderate turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 63.4/100.

When is turbulence worst on DEN to SAT?

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 DEN to SAT?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A320 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 10–20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from DEN to SAT?

The DEN to SAT flight takes approximately 2h 10m, covering 795 miles (691 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly DEN to SAT?

The main airlines operating this route are United, American Airlines, Delta, flying Airbus A320 · 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