When is the Houston to Austin route most turbulent?

See the monthly chart above for exact patterns. Transatlantic and mountain routes are typically roughest in winter (Dec–Mar). Tropical and Caribbean routes peak during monsoon season (Jul–Sep).

What aircraft operates the HOU to AUS route?

The HOU–AUS route is typically operated by Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 · Embraer E175. Airlines include Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines.

Is turbulence on HOU to AUS dangerous?

No — turbulence on the HOU–AUS route is not dangerous to the aircraft. Modern commercial aircraft are built to withstand far more stress than any turbulence encountered. The main risk is to unbelted passengers. Always keep your seatbelt fastened when seated.

How can I check turbulence before my HOU to AUS flight?

Use the Turbulence Forecast app (iOS & Android) for real-time PIREPs, SIGMET alerts, and AI-powered forecasts for the HOU–AUS route. The app shows minute-by-minute turbulence timing for your specific flight date.

HOU to AUS Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Houston to Austin flight turbulent?

The HOU–AUS route typically experiences smooth turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on HOU to AUS?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 · Embraer E175, that's rows 12–20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from HOU to AUS?

The HOU to AUS flight takes approximately 1h 5m, covering 148 miles (129 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 32,000 feet.

Is the Houston to Austin flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

HOU

→

AUS

Houston · Austin · 1h 5m

Turb Score

1h 5m

Duration

129 nm

Distance

32,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Smooth

Typical

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for HOU–AUS

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 5m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the HOU–AUS route

The Houston to Austin domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 148 miles at around 32,000 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 Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines on Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 · Embraer E175 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 32,000 feet over a distance of 148 miles (129 nautical miles).

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

Houston to Austin Flight Time

How long is the flight from HOU to AUS?

1h 5m

Flight Time

148 mi

Distance

32,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 737

Aircraft

The Houston (HOU) to Austin (AUS) flight takes approximately 1h 5m, covering 148 miles (129 nautical miles) at 32,000 feet. The route is operated by Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on HOU–AUS

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 HOU–AUS

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on HOU–AUS

Boeing 737

Front

Rows 1–11

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 12–20

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 21+

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

IAH → LAX

Houston → Los Angeles

San Antonio → Los Angeles

See all us domestic flights →

Related guides

Learn more about flight turbulence

Turbulence Tracker

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Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

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When Does Turbulence Happen?

Phases of flight explained

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

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Passenger Reports

Fly this route pretty regularly for work. Most of the time it's smooth — July was completely fine, not a bump worth mentioning.

Business traveler · July

I always expect the worst on longer flights but this one surprised me. Very little turbulence, only a few small bumps on descent. Manageable even for me.

Nervous flyer · January

Did Houston to Austin last January and it was genuinely one of the smoothest long-haul flights I've had. Barely any movement the whole way.

Frequent flyer · January

All HOU routes→ All AUS routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Houston to Austin flight turbulent?

The HOU–AUS route typically experiences smooth turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 28/100.

When is turbulence worst on HOU to AUS?

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 HOU to AUS?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 12–20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from HOU to AUS?

The HOU to AUS flight takes approximately 1h 5m, covering 148 miles (129 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly HOU to AUS?

The main airlines operating this route are Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 · Embraer E175 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