When is the London to Townsville 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 LHR to TSV route?

The LHR–TSV route is typically operated by Boeing 717 · Airbus A320. Airlines include Qantas, Virgin Australia.

Is turbulence on LHR to TSV dangerous?

No — turbulence on the LHR–TSV 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 LHR to TSV flight?

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

LHR to TSV Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the London to Townsville flight turbulent?

The LHR–TSV route typically experiences light-to-moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on LHR to TSV?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 717 · Airbus A320, that's rows 10-20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

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

The LHR to TSV flight takes approximately 18h 30m, covering 9,589 miles (8,333 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

LHR

→

TSV

London · Townsville · 18h 30m

Turb Score

18h 30m

Duration

8,333 nm

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light-to-Moderate

Typical

⚠️ Light-to-Moderate turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for LHR–TSV

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h18h 30m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the LHR–TSV route

The London to Townsville route crosses the North Atlantic, where the jet stream is the primary source of turbulence. Flying at 35,000 feet, the aircraft encounters the strongest bumps roughly 2–5 hours into the flight. This is clear-air turbulence — no clouds, no visual warning — which makes a pre-flight forecast especially valuable.

The route is served by Qantas, Virgin Australia on Boeing 717 · Airbus A320 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 35,000 feet over a distance of 9,589 miles (8,333 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Turbulence peaks mid-flight over the Atlantic. First and last hour are usually smooth.

London to Townsville Flight Time

How long is the flight from LHR to TSV?

18h 30m

Flight Time

9,589 mi

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 717

Aircraft

The London (LHR) to Townsville (TSV) flight takes approximately 18h 30m, covering 9,589 miles (8,333 nautical miles) at 35,000 feet. The route is operated by Qantas, Virgin Australia. Return flights (TSV to LHR) take a similar time, though westbound transatlantic and transpacific routes are typically 30–60 minutes longer due to headwinds.

Turbulence levels on LHR–TSV

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 LHR–TSV

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on LHR–TSV

Boeing 717

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

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

Melbourne → Townsville

See all transatlantic flights →

Related guides

Learn more about flight turbulence

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

The 18h 30m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.

Leisure traveler · January

Flew London–Townsville 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

A few bumpy patches over the plains, lasted maybe half an hour total. Drink service was paused briefly. Not unusual for this time of year.

Frequent flyer · January

All LHR routes→ All TSV routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the London to Townsville flight turbulent?

The LHR–TSV route typically experiences light-to-moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 3/100.

When is turbulence worst on LHR to TSV?

Turbulence peaks mid-flight over the Atlantic. First and last hour are usually smooth. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on LHR to TSV?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 717 (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 LHR to TSV?

The LHR to TSV flight takes approximately 18h 30m, covering 9,589 miles (8,333 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly LHR to TSV?

The main airlines operating this route are Qantas, Virgin Australia, flying Boeing 717 · Airbus A320 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