When is the New York to Edinburgh 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 JFK to EDI route?

The JFK–EDI route is typically operated by Airbus A321XLR · Boeing 787. Airlines include American Airlines, Delta, United, Norse Atlantic.

Is turbulence on JFK to EDI dangerous?

No — turbulence on the JFK–EDI 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 JFK to EDI flight?

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

JFK to EDI Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the New York to Edinburgh flight turbulent?

The JFK–EDI route typically experiences heavy turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on JFK to EDI?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A321XLR · Boeing 787, that's rows 21-32. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from JFK to EDI?

The JFK to EDI flight takes approximately 7h 20m, covering 3,914 miles (3,400 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 39,000 feet.

Is the New York to Edinburgh flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

JFK

→

EDI

New York · Edinburgh · 7h 20m

Turb Score

7h 20m

Duration

3,400 nm

Distance

39,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Heavy

Typical

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for JFK–EDI

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h7h 20m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the JFK–EDI route

The New York to Edinburgh route crosses the North Atlantic, where the jet stream is the primary source of turbulence. Flying at 39,000 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 American Airlines, Delta, United, Norse Atlantic on Airbus A321XLR · Boeing 787 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 39,000 feet over a distance of 3,914 miles (3,400 nautical miles).

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

New York to Edinburgh Flight Time

How long is the flight from JFK to EDI?

7h 20m

Flight Time

3,914 mi

Distance

39,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A321XLR

Aircraft

The New York (JFK) to Edinburgh (EDI) flight takes approximately 7h 20m, covering 3,914 miles (3,400 nautical miles) at 39,000 feet. The route is operated by American Airlines, Delta, United, Norse Atlantic. Return flights (EDI to JFK) take a similar time, though westbound transatlantic and transpacific routes are typically 30–60 minutes longer due to headwinds.

Turbulence levels on JFK–EDI

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 JFK–EDI

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on JFK–EDI

Boeing 787-9

Front

Rows 1–20

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 21-32

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 33+

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 →

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Turbulence Tracker

Track any flight in real time

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Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

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Clear-Air Turbulence

The invisible rough air that's increasing

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Turbulence in 2025

Is turbulence getting worse?

→

Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

→

Passenger Reports

I had no idea this route was known for turbulence. Things got terrifying crossing the jet stream — massive drops, the whole plane groaning. Nobody was hurt but I've never seen flight attendants look that focused. Would have been nice to know in advance.

First-time passenger · January

Laptop stayed closed the whole flight — over the North Atlantic the plane was bouncing around badly, things flying off trays. Probably 90 minutes of rough air. Not the route I'd pick for a first flight.

Business traveler · May

I was not prepared for how rough this was. mid-Atlantic the plane was lurching around pretty badly. A flight attendant told us it was 'expected for this route' which honestly made it worse. We landed fine but I needed a minute.

Nervous flyer · April

All JFK routes→ All EDI routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the New York to Edinburgh flight turbulent?

The JFK–EDI route typically experiences heavy turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 17/100.

When is turbulence worst on JFK to EDI?

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 JFK to EDI?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 787-9 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 21-32. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from JFK to EDI?

The JFK to EDI flight takes approximately 7h 20m, covering 3,914 miles (3,400 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly JFK to EDI?

The main airlines operating this route are American Airlines, Delta, United, Norse Atlantic, flying Airbus A321XLR · Boeing 787 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