When is the Detroit to Phnom Penh 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 PNH Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Detroit to Phnom Penh flight turbulent?

The DTW–PNH route typically experiences light turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on DTW to PNH?

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 PNH?

The DTW to PNH flight takes approximately 17h 00m, covering 8,686 miles at 37,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

DTW

→

PNH

Detroit · Phnom Penh · 17h 00m

36.2

Turb Score

17h 00m

Duration

7,548 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–PNH

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h17h 00m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the DTW–PNH route

The Detroit to Phnom Penh route spans the Pacific Ocean — one of the longest commercial flight paths in the world at 8,686 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 8,686 miles (7,548 nautical miles).

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

Detroit to Phnom Penh Flight Time

How long is the flight from DTW to PNH?

17h 00m

Flight Time

8,686 mi

Distance

37,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 777-300ER

Aircraft

The Detroit (DTW) to Phnom Penh (PNH) flight takes approximately 17h 00m, covering 8,686 miles (7,548 nautical miles) at 37,000 feet. The route is operated by United, American Airlines, Delta. Return flights (PNH 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–PNH

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–PNH

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on DTW–PNH

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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Passenger Reports

Some light chop mid-Pacific — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in April.

Regular traveler · April

Kids barely noticed the turbulence — just some mild bumps mid-Pacific. Seatbelt sign was on and off a couple times. Nothing dramatic.

Parent traveling with kids · May

Flew Detroit–Phnom Penh 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 PNH routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Detroit to Phnom Penh flight turbulent?

The DTW–PNH route typically experiences light turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 36.2/100.

When is turbulence worst on DTW to PNH?

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 PNH?

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 PNH?

The DTW to PNH flight takes approximately 17h 00m, covering 8,686 miles (7,548 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly DTW to PNH?

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