When is the New York to New York route most turbulent?

Check the monthly chart for exact patterns. Transatlantic and mountain routes are typically roughest in winter (Dec–Mar). Tropical routes peak during monsoon season.

LGA to JFK Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the New York to New York flight turbulent?

The LGA–JFK route typically experiences smooth turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on LGA to JFK?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A320 · Boeing 737, that's rows 10–20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

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

The LGA to JFK flight takes approximately 0h 45m, covering 11 miles at 29,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

LGA

→

JFK

New York · New York · 0h 45m

10.8

Turb Score

0h 45m

Duration

9 nm

Distance

29,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Smooth

Typical

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LGA–JFK

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h0h 45m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the LGA–JFK route

The New York to New York domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 11 miles at around 29,000 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, United, American Airlines on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 29,000 feet over a distance of 11 miles (9 nautical miles).

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

New York to New York Flight Time

How long is the flight from LGA to JFK?

0h 45m

Flight Time

11 mi

Distance

29,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The New York (LGA) to New York (JFK) flight takes approximately 0h 45m, covering 11 miles (9 nautical miles) at 29,000 feet. The route is operated by Southwest, United, American Airlines. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on LGA–JFK

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–JFK

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on LGA–JFK

Airbus A320

Front

Rows 1–9

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 10–20

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 21+

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

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When Does Turbulence Happen?

Phases of flight explained

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

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Passenger Reports

Did New York to New York last January and it was genuinely one of the smoothest long-haul flights I've had. Barely any movement the whole way.

Frequent flyer · January

Was nervous about this flight but honestly didn't need to be. Smooth the whole way, the 0h 45m went by fast.

First-time passenger · October

Totally smooth January flight. The seatbelt sign came on once briefly over the plains but nothing actually happened. Great trip.

Leisure traveler · January

All LGA routes→ All JFK routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the New York to New York flight turbulent?

The LGA–JFK route typically experiences smooth turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 10.8/100.

When is turbulence worst on LGA to JFK?

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 JFK?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A320 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 10–20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from LGA to JFK?

The LGA to JFK flight takes approximately 0h 45m, covering 11 miles (9 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly LGA to JFK?

The main airlines operating this route are Southwest, United, American Airlines, flying Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 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