ICN to SYD Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Seoul to Sydney flight turbulent?

The ICN–SYD route typically experiences moderate turbulence. Moderate turbulence expected — fasten seatbelt when seated.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on ICN to SYD?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 787 (296 seats), that's rows 26–38. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from ICN to SYD?

The ICN to SYD flight takes approximately 10h 0m.

Is the Seoul to Sydney flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

ICN

→

SYD

Seoul · Sydney · 10h 0m

Turb Score

10h 0m

Duration

4,418 nm

Distance

38,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Moderate

Typical

⚠️ Moderate turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for ICN–SYD

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h10h 0m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the ICN–SYD route

The Seoul to Sydney route crosses the North Atlantic, where the jet stream is the primary source of turbulence. Flying at 38,000 feet, the aircraft encounters the strongest bumps roughly 2–5 hours into the flight. This is clear-air turbulence — no clouds, no visual warning — which makes a pre-flight forecast especially valuable.

The route is served by Korean Air, Qantas, Asiana on Boeing 787 · Airbus A380 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 38,000 feet over a distance of 5,085 miles (4,418 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Turbulence peaks mid-flight over the Atlantic. First and last hour are usually smooth.

Turbulence levels on ICN–SYD

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 ICN–SYD

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on ICN–SYD

Boeing 787 (296 seats)

Front

Rows 1–25

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 26–38

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 39+

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

See all transatlantic flights →

Passenger Reports

Rough patch mid-flight in November — drinks went everywhere on the row behind me. Probably 45 minutes of actual turbulence. Nothing dangerous but definitely uncomfortable.

Business traveler · November

More turbulent than I expected. The crossing the Himalayas section was pretty rough — overhead bins rattling, some gasps from other passengers. Died down before landing.

Leisure traveler · March

Moderate turbulence over the subcontinent — the kind where you're glad you kept your seatbelt on. Lasted about 30-40 minutes, then smoothed out. I've had worse on transatlantic routes.

Frequent flyer · July

All ICN routes→ All SYD routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Seoul to Sydney flight turbulent?

The ICN–SYD route typically experiences moderate turbulence. Moderate turbulence expected — fasten seatbelt when seated. The turbulence score for this route is 54/100.

When is turbulence worst on ICN to SYD?

Turbulence peaks mid-flight over the Atlantic. First and last hour are usually smooth. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on ICN to SYD?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 787 (296 seats) (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 26–38. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from ICN to SYD?

The ICN to SYD flight takes approximately 10h 0m, covering 5,085 miles (4,418 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly ICN to SYD?

The main airlines operating this route are Korean Air, Qantas, Asiana, flying Boeing 787 · Airbus A380 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