JFK to WAW Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the New York to Warsaw flight turbulent?

The JFK–WAW route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on JFK to WAW?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a 252, that's rows 18-28. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

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

The JFK to WAW flight takes approximately 9h 0min.

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

Live forecast

JFK

→

WAW

New York · Warsaw · 9h 0min

Turb Score

9h 0min

Duration

4,288 nm

Distance

37,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Moderate

Typical

⚠️ Moderate turbulence today

Get exact timing, altitude & best seat — free

Download free on the App Store

★★★★★ 4.8 · Free · No sign-up

Scan to get the full forecast ★★★★★ 4.8 · Free on the App Store · No sign-up

Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for JFK–WAW

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h9h 0min

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the JFK–WAW route

The New York to Warsaw route crosses the North Atlantic, where the jet stream is the primary source of turbulence. Flying at 37,000 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 LOT Polish Airlines on B · o · e · i · n · g · · 7 · 8 · 7 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 4,937 miles (4,288 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on JFK–WAW

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

Get minute-by-minute timing for your specific flight

Download on the App Store — Free

Best time to fly JFK–WAW

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on JFK–WAW

252

Front

Rows 1–17

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 18-28

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 29+

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-Atlantic in January — drinks went everywhere on the row behind me. Probably 45 minutes of actual turbulence. Nothing dangerous but definitely uncomfortable.

Business traveler · January

Flew this in September expecting smooth skies based on past experience, but it was noticeably bumpier than usual. About an hour of moderate chop. Seatbelt sign basically stayed on.

Regular traveler · September

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

Leisure traveler · June

All JFK routes→ All WAW routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the New York to Warsaw flight turbulent?

The JFK–WAW route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 7/100.

When is turbulence worst on JFK to WAW?

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 WAW?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a 252 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 18-28. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from JFK to WAW?

The JFK to WAW flight takes approximately 9h 0min, covering 4,937 miles (4,288 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly JFK to WAW?

The main airlines operating this route are LOT Polish Airlines, flying B · o · e · i · n · g · · 7 · 8 · 7 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