When is the New York to Houston 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 LGA to IAH route?

The LGA–IAH route is typically operated by Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 · Boeing 767. Airlines include United, Delta.

Is turbulence on LGA to IAH dangerous?

No — turbulence on the LGA–IAH 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 LGA to IAH flight?

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

LGA to IAH Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the New York to Houston flight turbulent?

The LGA–IAH route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on LGA to IAH?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 · Boeing 767, that's rows 13-22. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from LGA to IAH?

The LGA to IAH flight takes approximately 3h 45m, covering 1,631 miles (1,417 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 37,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

LGA

→

IAH

New York · Houston · 3h 45m

Turb Score

3h 45m

Duration

1,417 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 LGA–IAH

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h3h 45m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the LGA–IAH route

The New York to Houston domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 1,631 miles at around 37,000 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 United, Delta on Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 · Boeing 767 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 1,631 miles (1,417 nautical miles).

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

New York to Houston Flight Time

How long is the flight from LGA to IAH?

3h 45m

Flight Time

1,631 mi

Distance

37,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 737

Aircraft

The New York (LGA) to Houston (IAH) flight takes approximately 3h 45m, covering 1,631 miles (1,417 nautical miles) at 37,000 feet. The route is operated by United, Delta. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on LGA–IAH

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 LGA–IAH

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on LGA–IAH

Boeing 737-800

Front

Rows 1–12

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 13-22

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

LGA → SLC

New York → Salt Lake City

Moderate

LGA → FLL

New York → Fort Lauderdale

Salt Lake City → Houston

Los Angeles → Houston

Light

See all us domestic flights →

Related guides

Learn more about flight turbulence

Turbulence Tracker

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Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

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When Does Turbulence Happen?

Phases of flight explained

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

→

Passenger Reports

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

Leisure traveler · May

Rough patch on descent in April — drinks went everywhere on the row behind me. Probably 45 minutes of actual turbulence. Nothing dangerous but definitely uncomfortable.

Business traveler · April

Moderate turbulence over the Midwest — 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 · January

All LGA routes→ All IAH routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the New York to Houston flight turbulent?

The LGA–IAH route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 9/100.

When is turbulence worst on LGA to IAH?

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 LGA to IAH?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737-800 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 13-22. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from LGA to IAH?

The LGA to IAH flight takes approximately 3h 45m, covering 1,631 miles (1,417 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly LGA to IAH?

The main airlines operating this route are United, Delta, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 · Boeing 767 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