LHR to MLE Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the London to Malé flight turbulent?

The LHR–MLE route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on LHR to MLE?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 787-9, that's rows 21-32. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from LHR to MLE?

The LHR to MLE flight takes approximately 9h 45m.

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

Live forecast

LHR

→

MLE

London · Malé · 9h 45m

Turb Score

9h 45m

Duration

5,270 nm

Distance

39,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Moderate

Typical

⚠️ Moderate turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LHR–MLE

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h9h 45m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the LHR–MLE route

The London to Malé route heads southeast over Europe and the Middle East, covering 6,064 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, Virgin Atlantic, Maldivian on Boeing 787 · Airbus A350 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 39,000 feet over a distance of 6,064 miles (5,270 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on LHR–MLE

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–MLE

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on LHR–MLE

Boeing 787-9

Front

Rows 1–20

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 21-32

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 33+

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

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

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Frequently asked questions

Is the London to Malé flight turbulent?

The LHR–MLE route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 10/100.

When is turbulence worst on LHR to MLE?

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 MLE?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 787-9 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 21-32. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from LHR to MLE?

The LHR to MLE flight takes approximately 9h 45m, covering 6,064 miles (5,270 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly LHR to MLE?

The main airlines operating this route are British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Maldivian, flying Boeing 787 · Airbus A350 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