When is the Detroit to Phuket 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 HKT Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Detroit to Phuket flight turbulent?

The DTW–HKT route typically experiences light turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on DTW to HKT?

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 HKT?

The DTW to HKT flight takes approximately 17h 30m, covering 8,959 miles at 37,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

DTW

→

HKT

Detroit · Phuket · 17h 30m

41.4

Turb Score

17h 30m

Duration

7,785 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–HKT

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h17h 30m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the DTW–HKT route

The Detroit to Phuket route spans the Pacific Ocean — one of the longest commercial flight paths in the world at 8,959 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 8,959 miles (7,785 nautical miles).

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

Detroit to Phuket Flight Time

How long is the flight from DTW to HKT?

17h 30m

Flight Time

8,959 mi

Distance

37,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 777-300ER

Aircraft

The Detroit (DTW) to Phuket (HKT) flight takes approximately 17h 30m, covering 8,959 miles (7,785 nautical miles) at 37,000 feet. The route is operated by United, American Airlines, Delta. Return flights (HKT 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–HKT

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–HKT

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on DTW–HKT

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

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Detroit → Los Angeles

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Passenger Reports

A few bumpy patches over the North Pacific, lasted maybe half an hour total. Drink service was paused briefly. Not unusual for this time of year.

Frequent flyer · April

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

First-time flyer · March

Flew Detroit–Phuket 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 HKT routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Detroit to Phuket flight turbulent?

The DTW–HKT route typically experiences light turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 41.4/100.

When is turbulence worst on DTW to HKT?

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 HKT?

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 HKT?

The DTW to HKT flight takes approximately 17h 30m, covering 8,959 miles (7,785 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly DTW to HKT?

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