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GVA to ZRH Turbulence Forecast

Is the Geneva to Zurich flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
GVA
→
ZRH
Geneva · Zurich · 0h 45m
15.2
Turb Score
0h 45m
Duration
131 nm
Distance
20,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
extreme
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for GVA–ZRH

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h0h 45m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the GVA–ZRH route

The Geneva to Zurich route crosses the Rocky Mountains — one of the most turbulent regions in North America. Mountain wave turbulence occurs when strong winds blow over mountain peaks, creating powerful invisible waves that extend to cruise altitude. The worst turbulence typically occurs in the first 30–60 minutes when the aircraft is climbing over the range.

The route is served by Swiss on Embraer 190 · ATR 72 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 20,000 feet over a distance of 151 miles (131 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy.

Turbulence levels on GVA–ZRH

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 GVA–ZRH

Turbulence by month

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Rough

Best seat on GVA–ZRH

Embraer 190

Front
Rows 1–11
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 12-18
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 19+
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

GVA to ZRH turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

GVA → MXP
Geneva → Milan
extreme
MXP → ZRH
Milan → Zurich
extreme
ZRH → FRA
Zurich → Frankfurt
Light
See all mountain routes →
All GVA routes→ All ZRH routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Geneva to Zurich flight turbulent?
The GVA–ZRH route typically experiences extreme turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 15.2/100.
When is turbulence worst on GVA to ZRH?
Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.
Which seat is smoothest on GVA to ZRH?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Embraer 190 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 12-18. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from GVA to ZRH?
The GVA to ZRH flight takes approximately 0h 45m, covering 151 miles (131 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly GVA to ZRH?
The main airlines operating this route are Swiss, flying Embraer 190 · ATR 72 aircraft.