DFW to MSY Turbulence Forecast
Is the Dallas to New Orleans flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.
Dallas · New Orleans · 1h 42m
⚠️ Moderate turbulence today
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Typical turbulence along the route
Historical average pattern for DFW–MSY
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 42m
About the DFW–MSY route
The Dallas to New Orleans domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 514 miles at around 33,000 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 American, Southwest on CRJ-900 · Embraer 175 · Airbus A319 aircraft,
with flights typically cruising at 33,000 feet over a distance of 514 miles (447 nautical miles).
💡 Tip: Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source.
Dallas to New Orleans Flight Time
How long is the flight from DFW to MSY?
33,000 ft
Cruising Altitude
The Dallas (DFW) to New Orleans (MSY) flight takes approximately 1h 42m,
covering 514 miles (447 nautical miles) at 33,000 feet.
The route is operated by American, Southwest.
Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.
Turbulence levels on DFW–MSY
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 DFW–MSY
Turbulence by month
Best seat on DFW–MSY
Airbus A319
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
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 · May
Flew this in October 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 · October
The on descent 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 1h 42m flight but we landed fine.
Solo traveler · January
Frequently asked questions
Is the Dallas to New Orleans flight turbulent?
The DFW–MSY route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 7/100.
When is turbulence worst on DFW to MSY?
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 DFW to MSY?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A319 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 9-17. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from DFW to MSY?
The DFW to MSY flight takes approximately 1h 42m, covering 514 miles (447 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly DFW to MSY?
The main airlines operating this route are American, Southwest, flying CRJ-900 · Embraer 175 · Airbus A319 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