MAD to PDL Turbulence Forecast
Is the Madrid to Ponta Delgada flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.
Madrid · Ponta Delgada · 2h 20m
⚠️ Moderate turbulence today
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Typical turbulence along the route
Historical average pattern for MAD–PDL
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 20m
About the MAD–PDL route
The Madrid to Ponta Delgada route is a short European hop covering just 1,198 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 1,198 miles (1,041 nautical miles).
💡 Tip: Very short and smooth. Any turbulence is brief during climb/descent.
Madrid to Ponta Delgada Flight Time
How long is the flight from MAD to PDL?
35,000 ft
Cruising Altitude
The Madrid (MAD) to Ponta Delgada (PDL) flight takes approximately 2h 20m,
covering 1,198 miles (1,041 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 MAD–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 MAD–PDL
Turbulence by month
Best seat on MAD–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
This was genuinely difficult for me. Real bumps for a long stretch near the coast, seatbelt sign on for what felt like forever. The flight attendants were calm which helped. Got through it.
Nervous flyer · February
The crossing northern Europe section was legitimately rough. I was holding on to the armrests. Lasted maybe 40 minutes. One of the flight attendants had to sit down. Not a fun 2h 20m flight but we landed fine.
Solo traveler · February
Moderate turbulence on descent — 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 Madrid to Ponta Delgada flight turbulent?
The MAD–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 MAD 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 MAD 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 MAD to PDL?
The MAD to PDL flight takes approximately 2h 20m, covering 1,198 miles (1,041 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly MAD 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
