When is the Detroit to Bangkok 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.

DTW to BKK Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Detroit to Bangkok flight turbulent?

The DTW–BKK route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on DTW to BKK?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 777-300ER · Boeing 787-9, that's rows 22–42. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from DTW to BKK?

The DTW to BKK flight takes approximately 16h 45m, covering 8,565 miles at 37,000 feet.

Is the Detroit to Bangkok flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

DTW

→

BKK

Detroit · Bangkok · 16h 45m

38.0

Turb Score

16h 45m

Duration

7,443 nm

Distance

37,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

⚠️ Light turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for DTW–BKK

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h16h 45m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the DTW–BKK route

The Detroit to Bangkok route spans the Pacific Ocean — one of the longest commercial flight paths in the world at 8,565 miles. The Pacific jet stream creates moderate turbulence, typically around 3–7 hours into the flight. The sheer length of the route means passengers experience varying conditions: calm stretches punctuated by bumpy patches.

The route is served by United, American Airlines, Delta on Boeing 777-300ER · Boeing 787-9 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 8,565 miles (7,443 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Long flight — turbulence varies throughout. Wing seats significantly reduce motion.

Detroit to Bangkok Flight Time

How long is the flight from DTW to BKK?

16h 45m

Flight Time

8,565 mi

Distance

37,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 777-300ER

Aircraft

The Detroit (DTW) to Bangkok (BKK) flight takes approximately 16h 45m, covering 8,565 miles (7,443 nautical miles) at 37,000 feet. The route is operated by United, American Airlines, Delta. Return flights (BKK to DTW) take a similar time, though westbound transatlantic and transpacific routes are typically 30–60 minutes longer due to headwinds.

Turbulence levels on DTW–BKK

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 DTW–BKK

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on DTW–BKK

Boeing 777-300ER

Front

Rows 1–21

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 22–42

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 43+

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

DTW → LAX

Detroit → Los Angeles

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Passenger Reports

There was some noticeable movement over the Pacific that made me grip the armrest. My seatmate (clearly a regular) didn't even look up from their book. Perspective.

First-time flyer · April

Kids barely noticed the turbulence — just some mild bumps somewhere over the ocean. Seatbelt sign was on and off a couple times. Nothing dramatic.

Parent traveling with kids · December

Flew Detroit–Bangkok in January, had some light turbulence in the middle portion of the flight. Brief and nothing concerning. This route is usually fine.

Business traveler · January

All DTW routes→ All BKK routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Detroit to Bangkok flight turbulent?

The DTW–BKK route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 38.0/100.

When is turbulence worst on DTW to BKK?

Long flight — turbulence varies throughout. Wing seats significantly reduce motion. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on DTW to BKK?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 777-300ER (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 22–42. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from DTW to BKK?

The DTW to BKK flight takes approximately 16h 45m, covering 8,565 miles (7,443 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly DTW to BKK?

The main airlines operating this route are United, American Airlines, Delta, flying Boeing 777-300ER · Boeing 787-9 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