When is the London Gatwick to Chania 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 LGW to CHQ route?

The LGW–CHQ route is typically operated by Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 · Airbus A321. Airlines include easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Jet2, Aegean.

Is turbulence on LGW to CHQ dangerous?

No — turbulence on the LGW–CHQ 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 LGW to CHQ flight?

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

LGW to CHQ Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the London Gatwick to Chania flight turbulent?

The LGW–CHQ route typically experiences light turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on LGW to CHQ?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 · Airbus A321, that's rows 10-20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from LGW to CHQ?

The LGW to CHQ flight takes approximately 3h 05m, covering 1,617 miles (1,405 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet.

Is the London Gatwick to Chania flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

LGW

→

CHQ

London Gatwick · Chania · 3h 05m

Turb Score

3h 05m

Duration

1,405 nm

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LGW–CHQ

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h3h 05m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the LGW–CHQ route

The London Gatwick to Chania route is a short European hop covering just 1,617 miles — one of the smoothest types of flights available. At cruising altitude of around 35,000 feet, the aircraft rarely encounters significant turbulence. Rough weather in northern Europe during winter can occasionally cause bumps during climb or descent.

The route is served by easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Jet2, Aegean on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 · Airbus A321 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 35,000 feet over a distance of 1,617 miles (1,405 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Very short and smooth. Any turbulence is brief during climb/descent.

London Gatwick to Chania Flight Time

How long is the flight from LGW to CHQ?

3h 05m

Flight Time

1,617 mi

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The London Gatwick (LGW) to Chania (CHQ) flight takes approximately 3h 05m, covering 1,617 miles (1,405 nautical miles) at 35,000 feet. The route is operated by easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Jet2, Aegean. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on LGW–CHQ

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

Get minute-by-minute timing for your specific flight

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Best time to fly LGW–CHQ

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on LGW–CHQ

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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Other popular routes with turbulence data

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Turbulence Tracker

Track any flight in real time

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Best Seat Guide

Which rows feel turbulence least

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

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Passenger Reports

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

Parent traveling with kids · March

Flew London Gatwick–Chania in March, had some light turbulence in the middle portion of the flight. Brief and nothing concerning. This route is usually fine.

Business traveler · March

Some light chop on descent — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in January.

Regular traveler · January

All LGW routes→ All CHQ routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the London Gatwick to Chania flight turbulent?

The LGW–CHQ route typically experiences light turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 2/100.

When is turbulence worst on LGW to CHQ?

Very short and smooth. Any turbulence is brief during climb/descent. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on LGW to CHQ?

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 LGW to CHQ?

The LGW to CHQ flight takes approximately 3h 05m, covering 1,617 miles (1,405 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly LGW to CHQ?

The main airlines operating this route are easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Jet2, Aegean, flying Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 · Airbus A321 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