JFK to SCL Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the New York to Santiago flight turbulent?

The JFK–SCL route typically experiences light turbulence. Moderate turbulence expected — fasten seatbelt when seated.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on JFK to SCL?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 787 (296 seats), that's rows 20–33. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

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

The JFK to SCL flight takes approximately 13h 0m.

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

Live forecast

JFK

→

SCL

New York · Santiago · 13h 0m

Turb Score

13h 0m

Duration

5,568 nm

Distance

39,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

⚠️ Light turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for JFK–SCL

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h13h 0m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the JFK–SCL route

The New York to Santiago 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 LATAM, American on Boeing 787 · Boeing 777 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 39,000 feet over a distance of 6,407 miles (5,568 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on JFK–SCL

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–SCL

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on JFK–SCL

Boeing 787 (296 seats)

Front

Rows 1–19

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 20–33

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 34+

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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New York → Buenos Aires

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Passenger Reports

Some light chop over the North Atlantic — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in November.

Regular traveler · November

Flew New York–Santiago in March, had some light turbulence in the middle portion of the flight. Brief and nothing concerning. This route is usually fine.

Business traveler · March

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

Frequent flyer · July

All JFK routes→ All SCL routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the New York to Santiago flight turbulent?

The JFK–SCL route typically experiences light turbulence. Moderate turbulence expected — fasten seatbelt when seated. The turbulence score for this route is 58/100.

When is turbulence worst on JFK to SCL?

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 SCL?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 787 (296 seats) (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 20–33. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from JFK to SCL?

The JFK to SCL flight takes approximately 13h 0m, covering 6,407 miles (5,568 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly JFK to SCL?

The main airlines operating this route are LATAM, American, flying Boeing 787 · Boeing 777 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