DTW to PBI Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Detroit to West Palm Beach flight turbulent?

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

Q: Which seat is smoothest on DTW to PBI?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (186 seats), that's rows 14–22. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

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

The DTW to PBI flight takes approximately 2h 45m.

Is the Detroit to West Palm Beach flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

DTW

→

PBI

Detroit · West Palm Beach · 2h 45m

Turb Score

2h 45m

Duration

1,109 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–PBI

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 45m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the DTW–PBI route

The Detroit to West Palm Beach domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 1,276 miles at around 37,000 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 Delta on Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 1,276 miles (1,109 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source.

Turbulence levels on DTW–PBI

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–PBI

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on DTW–PBI

Boeing 737 (186 seats)

Front

Rows 1–13

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 14–22

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 23+

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 → FLL

Detroit → Fort Lauderdale

Light

ORD → PBI

Chicago → West Palm Beach

Light

See all us domestic flights →

Passenger Reports

A few bumpy patches crossing the Rockies, 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 over the mountains that made me grip the armrest. My seatmate (clearly a regular) didn't even look up from their book. Perspective.

First-time flyer · April

Some light chop over the mountains — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in July.

Regular traveler · July

All DTW routes→ All PBI routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Detroit to West Palm Beach flight turbulent?

The DTW–PBI route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 34/100.

When is turbulence worst on DTW to PBI?

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 DTW to PBI?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (186 seats) (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 14–22. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from DTW to PBI?

The DTW to PBI flight takes approximately 2h 45m, covering 1,276 miles (1,109 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly DTW to PBI?

The main airlines operating this route are Delta, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 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