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LAX to LAS Turbulence Forecast

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

Live forecast
LAX
→
LAS
Los Angeles · Las Vegas · 1h 5m
32
Turb Score
1h 5m
Duration
205 nm
Distance
22,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Smooth
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LAX–LAS

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 5m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the LAX–LAS route

The Los Angeles to Las Vegas 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 Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines on Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 22,000 feet over a distance of 236 miles (205 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on LAX–LAS

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–LAS

Turbulence by month

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Rough

Best seat on LAX–LAS

Boeing 737

Front
Rows 1–7
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 8–14
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 15+
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

LAX to LAS turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

LAS → LAX
Las Vegas → Los Angeles
Smooth
LAX → SFO
Los Angeles → San Francisco
Light
LAX → PHX
Los Angeles → Phoenix
Light
LAX → JFK
Los Angeles → New York
Light
SEA → LAX
Seattle → Los Angeles
Light
DEN → LAX
Denver → Los Angeles
Moderate
See all mountain routes →
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Frequently asked questions

Is the Los Angeles to Las Vegas flight turbulent?
The LAX–LAS route typically experiences smooth turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 32/100.
When is turbulence worst on LAX to LAS?
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 LAX to LAS?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 8–14. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from LAX to LAS?
The LAX to LAS flight takes approximately 1h 5m, covering 236 miles (205 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly LAX to LAS?
The main airlines operating this route are Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft.