When is the Dallas to Albuquerque route most turbulent?

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

What aircraft operates the DFW to ABQ route?

The DFW–ABQ route is typically operated by Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 · Embraer E175. Airlines include American Airlines, Southwest Airlines.

Is turbulence on DFW to ABQ dangerous?

No — turbulence on the DFW–ABQ route is not dangerous to the aircraft. Modern commercial aircraft are built to withstand far more stress than any turbulence encountered. The main risk is to unbelted passengers. Always keep your seatbelt fastened when seated.

How can I check turbulence before my DFW to ABQ flight?

Use the Turbulence Forecast app (iOS & Android) for real-time PIREPs, SIGMET alerts, and AI-powered forecasts for the DFW–ABQ route. The app shows minute-by-minute turbulence timing for your specific flight date.

DFW to ABQ Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Dallas to Albuquerque flight turbulent?

The DFW–ABQ route typically experiences smooth turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on DFW to ABQ?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 · Embraer E175, that's rows 12–20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from DFW to ABQ?

The DFW to ABQ flight takes approximately 1h 40m, covering 567 miles (493 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet.

Is the Dallas to Albuquerque flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

DFW

→

ABQ

Dallas · Albuquerque · 1h 40m

Turb Score

1h 40m

Duration

493 nm

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Smooth

Typical

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for DFW–ABQ

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 40m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the DFW–ABQ route

The Dallas to Albuquerque 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 American Airlines, Southwest Airlines on Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 · Embraer E175 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 35,000 feet over a distance of 567 miles (493 nautical miles).

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

Dallas to Albuquerque Flight Time

How long is the flight from DFW to ABQ?

1h 40m

Flight Time

567 mi

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 737

Aircraft

The Dallas (DFW) to Albuquerque (ABQ) flight takes approximately 1h 40m, covering 567 miles (493 nautical miles) at 35,000 feet. The route is operated by American Airlines, Southwest Airlines. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on DFW–ABQ

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 DFW–ABQ

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on DFW–ABQ

Boeing 737

Front

Rows 1–11

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 12–20

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

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

Salt Lake City → Los Angeles

Light

PHX → LAX

Phoenix → Los Angeles

See all mountain routes →

Related guides

Learn more about flight turbulence

Turbulence Tracker

Track any flight in real time

→

Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

→

Mountain Turbulence

Why mountain routes are the bumpiest

→

Severe Turbulence

What it feels like and how to prepare

→

Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

→

Passenger Reports

I always expect the worst on longer flights but this one surprised me. Very little turbulence, only a few small bumps on descent. Manageable even for me.

Nervous flyer · May

Totally smooth October flight. The seatbelt sign came on once briefly over the Front Range but nothing actually happened. Great trip.

Leisure traveler · October

Did Dallas to Albuquerque last March and it was genuinely one of the smoothest long-haul flights I've had. Barely any movement the whole way.

Frequent flyer · March

All DFW routes→ All ABQ routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Dallas to Albuquerque flight turbulent?

The DFW–ABQ route typically experiences smooth turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 28/100.

When is turbulence worst on DFW to ABQ?

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 DFW to ABQ?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 12–20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from DFW to ABQ?

The DFW to ABQ flight takes approximately 1h 40m, covering 567 miles (493 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly DFW to ABQ?

The main airlines operating this route are American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 · Embraer E175 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