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LHR to IST Turbulence Forecast

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

Live forecast
LHR
→
IST
London · Istanbul · 3h 40m
36
Turb Score
3h 40m
Duration
1,348 nm
Distance
34,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Light
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LHR–IST

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h3h 40m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the LHR–IST route

The London to Istanbul route is a short European hop covering just 1,551 miles — one of the smoothest types of flights available. At cruising altitude of around 34,000 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 Turkish Airlines, British Airways on Airbus A320 · Airbus A330 · Boeing 787 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 34,000 feet over a distance of 1,551 miles (1,348 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on LHR–IST

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 LHR–IST

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on LHR–IST

Airbus A321

Front
Rows 1–15
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 16–26
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 27+
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 IST turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

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London → Athens
Light
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London → Rome
Light
LHR → DXB
London → Dubai
Light
LHR → BCN
London → Barcelona
Light
LHR → MAD
London → Madrid
Light
See all european flights →
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Frequently asked questions

Is the London to Istanbul flight turbulent?
The LHR–IST route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 36/100.
When is turbulence worst on LHR to IST?
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 LHR to IST?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A321 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 16–26. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from LHR to IST?
The LHR to IST flight takes approximately 3h 40m, covering 1,551 miles (1,348 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly LHR to IST?
The main airlines operating this route are Turkish Airlines, British Airways, flying Airbus A320 · Airbus A330 · Boeing 787 aircraft.