HND to CTS Turbulence Forecast
Is the Tokyo to Sapporo flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.
⚠️ Light turbulence today
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Typical turbulence along the route
Historical average pattern for HND–CTS
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 30m
About the HND–CTS route
The Tokyo to Sapporo domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 525 miles at around 33,000 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 ANA, JAL, Air Do on Boeing 737 · ATR 72 aircraft,
with flights typically cruising at 33,000 feet over a distance of 525 miles (456 nautical miles).
💡 Tip: Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source.
Turbulence levels on HND–CTS
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
Best time to fly HND–CTS
Turbulence by month
Best seat on HND–CTS
Boeing 737 (186 seats)
✓ Wing
Rows 14–22
Smoothest
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
Passenger Reports
Some light chop over the mountains — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in March.
Regular traveler · March
The 1h 30m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.
Leisure traveler · October
A few bumpy patches over the mountains, lasted maybe half an hour total. Drink service was paused briefly. Not unusual for this time of year.
Frequent flyer · January
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tokyo to Sapporo flight turbulent?
The HND–CTS route typically experiences light turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 14/100.
When is turbulence worst on HND to CTS?
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 HND to CTS?
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 HND to CTS?
The HND to CTS flight takes approximately 1h 30m, covering 525 miles (456 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly HND to CTS?
The main airlines operating this route are ANA, JAL, Air Do, flying Boeing 737 · ATR 72 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