When is the Washington DC 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.

IAD to PNH Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Washington DC to Phnom Penh flight turbulent?

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

Q: Which seat is smoothest on IAD 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 IAD to PNH?

The IAD to PNH flight takes approximately 17h 25m, covering 8,945 miles at 37,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

IAD

→

PNH

Washington DC · Phnom Penh · 17h 25m

33.0

Turb Score

17h 25m

Duration

7,773 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 IAD–PNH

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h17h 25m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the IAD–PNH route

The Washington DC to Phnom Penh route spans the Pacific Ocean — one of the longest commercial flight paths in the world at 8,945 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 8,945 miles (7,773 nautical miles).

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

Washington DC to Phnom Penh Flight Time

How long is the flight from IAD to PNH?

17h 25m

Flight Time

8,945 mi

Distance

37,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 777-300ER

Aircraft

The Washington DC (IAD) to Phnom Penh (PNH) flight takes approximately 17h 25m, covering 8,945 miles (7,773 nautical miles) at 37,000 feet. The route is operated by United, American Airlines, Delta. Return flights (PNH to IAD) take a similar time, though westbound transatlantic and transpacific routes are typically 30–60 minutes longer due to headwinds.

Turbulence levels on IAD–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 IAD–PNH

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on IAD–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

Other popular routes with turbulence data

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Washington DC → London

Moderate

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Passenger Reports

Flew Washington DC–Phnom Penh in April, had some light turbulence in the middle portion of the flight. Brief and nothing concerning. This route is usually fine.

Business traveler · April

A few bumpy patches over the North Pacific, lasted maybe half an hour total. Drink service was paused briefly. Not unusual for this time of year.

Frequent flyer · May

There was some noticeable movement crossing the dateline that made me grip the armrest. My seatmate (clearly a regular) didn't even look up from their book. Perspective.

First-time flyer · January

All IAD routes→ All PNH routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Washington DC to Phnom Penh flight turbulent?

The IAD–PNH route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 33.0/100.

When is turbulence worst on IAD 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 IAD 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 IAD to PNH?

The IAD to PNH flight takes approximately 17h 25m, covering 8,945 miles (7,773 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly IAD 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