LGW to PDL Turbulence Forecast
Is the London Gatwick to Ponta Delgada flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.
London Gatwick · Ponta Delgada · 3h
⚠️ Moderate turbulence today
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Typical turbulence along the route
Historical average pattern for LGW–PDL
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h3h
About the LGW–PDL route
The London Gatwick to Ponta Delgada route is a short European hop covering just 1,549 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 SATA/Azores Airlines, Ryanair, TAP on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft,
with flights typically cruising at 35,000 feet over a distance of 1,549 miles (1,346 nautical miles).
💡 Tip: Very short and smooth. Any turbulence is brief during climb/descent.
London Gatwick to Ponta Delgada Flight Time
How long is the flight from LGW to PDL?
35,000 ft
Cruising Altitude
The London Gatwick (LGW) to Ponta Delgada (PDL) flight takes approximately 3h,
covering 1,549 miles (1,346 nautical miles) at 35,000 feet.
The route is operated by SATA/Azores Airlines, Ryanair, TAP.
Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.
Turbulence levels on LGW–PDL
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
Best time to fly LGW–PDL
Turbulence by month
Best seat on LGW–PDL
Airbus A320
✓ Wing
Rows 10-20
Smoothest
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
Related guides
Learn more about flight turbulence
Passenger Reports
Rough patch near the coast in February — drinks went everywhere on the row behind me. Probably 45 minutes of actual turbulence. Nothing dangerous but definitely uncomfortable.
Business traveler · February
Flew this in January 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 · January
Moderate turbulence crossing northern Europe — 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
Frequently asked questions
Is the London Gatwick to Ponta Delgada flight turbulent?
The LGW–PDL route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 4/100.
When is turbulence worst on LGW to PDL?
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 PDL?
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 PDL?
The LGW to PDL flight takes approximately 3h, covering 1,549 miles (1,346 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly LGW to PDL?
The main airlines operating this route are SATA/Azores Airlines, Ryanair, TAP, 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
