Home› Routes› Middle East Flights› LHR → CPT

LHR to CPT Turbulence Forecast

Is the London to Cape Town flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
LHR
→
CPT
London · Cape Town · 11h 30m
46
Turb Score
11h 30m
Duration
5,997 nm
Distance
39,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Light
Typical
Turbulence Forecast app — LHR to CPT
⚠️ Light turbulence today
Get exact timing, altitude & best seat — free
Download free on the App Store
★★★★★ 4.8 · Free · No sign-up
Scan to download Turbulence Forecast
Scan to get the full forecast ★★★★★ 4.8 · Free on the App Store · No sign-up

Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LHR–CPT

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h11h 30m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the LHR–CPT route

The London to Cape Town route heads southeast over Europe and the Middle East, covering 6,900 miles at 39,000 feet. This corridor is generally smooth — turbulence is most common over the Alps and occasionally over the Zagros Mountains in Iran. The approach into Dubai crosses dry, stable desert air which is typically calm.

The route is served by British Airways, South African Airways on Boeing 777 · Boeing 787 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 39,000 feet over a distance of 6,900 miles (5,997 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Generally smooth. Mountain ranges over Europe/Iran can cause brief turbulence.

Turbulence levels on LHR–CPT

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

Download on the App Store — Free

Best time to fly LHR–CPT

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on LHR–CPT

Boeing 777

Front
Rows 1–21
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 22–40
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 41+
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

LHR to CPT turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

CPT → LHR
Cape Town → London
Light
LHR → JNB
London → Johannesburg
Light
LHR → DXB
London → Dubai
Light
JNB → LHR
Johannesburg → London
Light
JFK → JNB
New York → Johannesburg
Light
LHR → NBO
London → Nairobi
Light
See all middle east flights →
All LHR routes→ All CPT routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the London to Cape Town flight turbulent?
The LHR–CPT route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 46/100.
When is turbulence worst on LHR to CPT?
Generally smooth. Mountain ranges over Europe/Iran can cause brief turbulence. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.
Which seat is smoothest on LHR to CPT?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 777 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 22–40. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from LHR to CPT?
The LHR to CPT flight takes approximately 11h 30m, covering 6,900 miles (5,997 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly LHR to CPT?
The main airlines operating this route are British Airways, South African Airways, flying Boeing 777 · Boeing 787 aircraft.