When is the Las Vegas to Salt Lake City 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 LAS to SLC route?

The LAS–SLC route is typically operated by Boeing 737 · Embraer 175. Airlines include Southwest, Delta, United.

Is turbulence on LAS to SLC dangerous?

No — turbulence on the LAS–SLC 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 LAS to SLC flight?

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

LAS to SLC Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Las Vegas to Salt Lake City flight turbulent?

The LAS–SLC route typically experiences moderate turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on LAS to SLC?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 737 · Embraer 175, that's rows 15-22. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from LAS to SLC?

The LAS to SLC flight takes approximately 1h 15m, covering 423 miles (368 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 28,000 feet.

Is the Las Vegas to Salt Lake City flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

LAS

→

SLC

Las Vegas · Salt Lake City · 1h 15m

7.8

Turb Score

1h 15m

Duration

368 nm

Distance

28,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

moderate

Typical

⚠️ moderate turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LAS–SLC

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 15m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the LAS–SLC route

The Las Vegas to Salt Lake City route crosses the Rocky Mountains — one of the most turbulent regions in North America. Mountain wave turbulence occurs when strong winds blow over mountain peaks, creating powerful invisible waves that extend to cruise altitude. The worst turbulence typically occurs in the first 30–60 minutes when the aircraft is climbing over the range.

The route is served by Southwest, Delta, United on Boeing 737 · Embraer 175 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 28,000 feet over a distance of 423 miles (368 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy.

Las Vegas to Salt Lake City Flight Time

How long is the flight from LAS to SLC?

1h 15m

Flight Time

423 mi

Distance

28,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 737

Aircraft

The Las Vegas (LAS) to Salt Lake City (SLC) flight takes approximately 1h 15m, covering 423 miles (368 nautical miles) at 28,000 feet. The route is operated by Southwest, Delta, United. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on LAS–SLC

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

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Best time to fly LAS–SLC

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on LAS–SLC

Boeing 737

Front

Rows 1–14

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 15-22

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 23+

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

Las Vegas → Milwaukee

Light

FLL → SLC

Fort Lauderdale → Salt Lake City

Severe

PDX → SLC

Portland → Salt Lake City

Severe

STL → SLC

St. Louis → Salt Lake City

Severe

See all mountain routes →

Related guides

Learn more about flight turbulence

Turbulence Tracker

Track any flight in real time

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Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

→

Mountain Turbulence

Why mountain routes are the bumpiest

→

Severe Turbulence

What it feels like and how to prepare

→

Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

→

Passenger Reports

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

Frequent flyer · March

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

Regular traveler · February

Kids barely noticed the turbulence — just some mild bumps on the climb out. Seatbelt sign was on and off a couple times. Nothing dramatic.

Parent traveling with kids · July

All LAS routes→ All SLC routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Las Vegas to Salt Lake City flight turbulent?

The LAS–SLC route typically experiences moderate turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 7.8/100.

When is turbulence worst on LAS to SLC?

Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on LAS to SLC?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 15-22. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from LAS to SLC?

The LAS to SLC flight takes approximately 1h 15m, covering 423 miles (368 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly LAS to SLC?

The main airlines operating this route are Southwest, Delta, United, flying Boeing 737 · Embraer 175 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