LAX to BUF Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Los Angeles to Buffalo flight turbulent?

The LAX–BUF route typically experiences light turbulence. Moderate turbulence expected — fasten seatbelt when seated.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on LAX to BUF?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (186 seats), that's rows 14–22. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from LAX to BUF?

The LAX to BUF flight takes approximately 5h 50m.

Is the Los Angeles to Buffalo flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

LAX

→

BUF

Los Angeles · Buffalo · 5h 50m

Turb Score

5h 50m

Duration

2,382 nm

Distance

38,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

⚠️ Light turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LAX–BUF

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h5h 50m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the LAX–BUF route

The Los Angeles to Buffalo domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 2,741 miles at around 38,000 feet. Turbulence is most common when weather systems cross the Midwest or when the flight path skirts the Rocky Mountains. Short duration means any rough patches pass quickly.

The route is served by Southwest, JetBlue on Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 38,000 feet over a distance of 2,741 miles (2,382 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source.

Turbulence levels on LAX–BUF

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 LAX–BUF

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on LAX–BUF

Boeing 737 (186 seats)

Front

Rows 1–13

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 14–22

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

DEN → BUF

Denver → Buffalo

Light

See all us domestic flights →

Passenger Reports

There was some noticeable movement over the mountains that made me grip the armrest. My seatmate (clearly a regular) didn't even look up from their book. Perspective.

First-time flyer · November

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

Parent traveling with kids · July

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

Frequent flyer · July

All LAX routes→ All BUF routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Los Angeles to Buffalo flight turbulent?

The LAX–BUF route typically experiences light turbulence. Moderate turbulence expected — fasten seatbelt when seated. The turbulence score for this route is 50/100.

When is turbulence worst on LAX to BUF?

Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on LAX to BUF?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (186 seats) (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 14–22. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from LAX to BUF?

The LAX to BUF flight takes approximately 5h 50m, covering 2,741 miles (2,382 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly LAX to BUF?

The main airlines operating this route are Southwest, JetBlue, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 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