When is the Houston to Austin 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.

IAH to AUS Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Houston to Austin flight turbulent?

The IAH–AUS route typically experiences smooth turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on IAH to AUS?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A320 · Boeing 737, that's rows 10–20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

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

The IAH to AUS flight takes approximately 1h 00m, covering 140 miles at 29,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

IAH

→

AUS

Houston · Austin · 1h 00m

12.9

Turb Score

1h 00m

Duration

122 nm

Distance

29,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Smooth

Typical

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for IAH–AUS

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 00m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the IAH–AUS route

The Houston to Austin domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 140 miles at around 29,000 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, United, American Airlines on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 29,000 feet over a distance of 140 miles (122 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 IAH to AUS?

1h 00m

Flight Time

140 mi

Distance

29,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The Houston (IAH) to Austin (AUS) flight takes approximately 1h 00m, covering 140 miles (122 nautical miles) at 29,000 feet. The route is operated by Southwest, United, American Airlines. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on IAH–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 IAH–AUS

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on IAH–AUS

Airbus A320

Front

Rows 1–9

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 10–20

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

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When Does Turbulence Happen?

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

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Passenger Reports

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

Was nervous about this flight but honestly didn't need to be. Smooth the whole way, the 1h 00m went by fast.

First-time passenger · September

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

Business traveler · January

All IAH routes→ All AUS routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Houston to Austin flight turbulent?

The IAH–AUS route typically experiences smooth turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 12.9/100.

When is turbulence worst on IAH 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 IAH to AUS?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A320 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 10–20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from IAH to AUS?

The IAH to AUS flight takes approximately 1h 00m, covering 140 miles (122 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly IAH to AUS?

The main airlines operating this route are Southwest, United, American Airlines, flying Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 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