LAX to CTU Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Los Angeles to Chengdu flight turbulent?

The LAX–CTU route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on LAX to CTU?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a 228, that's rows 20-30. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

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

The LAX to CTU flight takes approximately 12h 30min.

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

Live forecast

LAX

→

CTU

Los Angeles · Chengdu · 12h 30min

Turb Score

12h 30min

Duration

5,840 nm

Distance

37,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Moderate

Typical

⚠️ Moderate turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LAX–CTU

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h12h 30min

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the LAX–CTU route

The Los Angeles to Chengdu route spans the Pacific Ocean — one of the longest commercial flight paths in the world at 6,722 miles. The Pacific jet stream creates moderate turbulence, typically around 3–7 hours into the flight. The sheer length of the route means passengers experience varying conditions: calm stretches punctuated by bumpy patches.

The route is served by Air China, Sichuan Airlines on B · o · e · i · n · g · · 7 · 8 · 7 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 6,722 miles (5,840 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Long flight — turbulence varies throughout. Wing seats significantly reduce motion.

Turbulence levels on LAX–CTU

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–CTU

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on LAX–CTU

228

Front

Rows 1–19

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 20-30

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 31+

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

LAX → PEK

Los Angeles → Beijing

Moderate

LAX → CAN

Los Angeles → Guangzhou

Chengdu → Los Angeles

Moderate

See all transpacific flights →

Passenger Reports

More turbulent than I expected. The mid-Pacific section was pretty rough — overhead bins rattling, some gasps from other passengers. Died down before landing.

Leisure traveler · January

Flew this in June 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 · June

Moderate turbulence somewhere over the ocean — the kind where you're glad you kept your seatbelt on. Lasted about 30-40 minutes, then smoothed out. I've had worse on transatlantic routes.

Frequent flyer · May

All LAX routes→ All CTU routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Los Angeles to Chengdu flight turbulent?

The LAX–CTU route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 5/100.

When is turbulence worst on LAX to CTU?

Long flight — turbulence varies throughout. Wing seats significantly reduce motion. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on LAX to CTU?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a 228 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 20-30. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from LAX to CTU?

The LAX to CTU flight takes approximately 12h 30min, covering 6,722 miles (5,840 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly LAX to CTU?

The main airlines operating this route are Air China, Sichuan 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