When is the New Orleans to Kansas City route most turbulent?

Check the monthly chart for exact patterns. Transatlantic and mountain routes are typically roughest in winter (Dec–Mar). Tropical routes peak during monsoon season.

MSY to MCI Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the New Orleans to Kansas City flight turbulent?

The MSY–MCI route typically experiences smooth turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on MSY to MCI?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A320 · Boeing 737, that's rows 10–20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from MSY to MCI?

The MSY to MCI flight takes approximately 2h 00m, covering 691 miles at 33,000 feet.

Is the New Orleans to Kansas City flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

MSY

→

MCI

New Orleans · Kansas City · 2h 00m

14.3

Turb Score

2h 00m

Duration

600 nm

Distance

33,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Smooth

Typical

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for MSY–MCI

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 00m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the MSY–MCI route

The New Orleans to Kansas City domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 691 miles at around 33,000 feet. Turbulence is most common when weather systems cross the Midwest or when the flight path skirts the Rocky Mountains. Short duration means any rough patches pass quickly.

The route is served by United, American Airlines, Delta on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 33,000 feet over a distance of 691 miles (600 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source.

New Orleans to Kansas City Flight Time

How long is the flight from MSY to MCI?

2h 00m

Flight Time

691 mi

Distance

33,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The New Orleans (MSY) to Kansas City (MCI) flight takes approximately 2h 00m, covering 691 miles (600 nautical miles) at 33,000 feet. The route is operated by United, American Airlines, Delta. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on MSY–MCI

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 MSY–MCI

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on MSY–MCI

Airbus A320

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

MCI → MSY

Kansas City → New Orleans

Smooth

MSY → ATL

New Orleans → Atlanta

Moderate

MSY → IAH

New Orleans → Houston

See all us domestic flights →

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Best Seat Guide

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When Does Turbulence Happen?

Phases of flight explained

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

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Passenger Reports

Was nervous about this flight but honestly didn't need to be. Smooth the whole way, the 2h 00m went by fast.

First-time passenger · January

Did New Orleans to Kansas City last July and it was genuinely one of the smoothest long-haul flights I've had. Barely any movement the whole way.

Frequent flyer · July

Totally smooth January flight. The seatbelt sign came on once briefly over the Midwest but nothing actually happened. Great trip.

Leisure traveler · January

All MSY routes→ All MCI routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the New Orleans to Kansas City flight turbulent?

The MSY–MCI route typically experiences smooth turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 14.3/100.

When is turbulence worst on MSY to MCI?

Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on MSY to MCI?

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 MSY to MCI?

The MSY to MCI flight takes approximately 2h 00m, covering 691 miles (600 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly MSY to MCI?

The main airlines operating this route are United, American Airlines, Delta, 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