PBI to DTW Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the West Palm Beach to Detroit flight turbulent?

The PBI–DTW route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on PBI to DTW?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (186 seats), that's rows 14–22. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from PBI to DTW?

The PBI to DTW flight takes approximately 2h 45m.

Is the West Palm Beach to Detroit flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

PBI

→

DTW

West Palm Beach · Detroit · 2h 45m

Turb Score

2h 45m

Duration

1,109 nm

Distance

37,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

⚠️ Light turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for PBI–DTW

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 45m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the PBI–DTW route

The West Palm Beach to Detroit domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 1,276 miles at around 37,000 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 Delta on Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 1,276 miles (1,109 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on PBI–DTW

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 PBI–DTW

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on PBI–DTW

Boeing 737 (186 seats)

Front

Rows 1–13

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 14–22

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 23+

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

FLL → DTW

Fort Lauderdale → Detroit

Light

PBI → ORD

West Palm Beach → Chicago

Light

See all us domestic flights →

Passenger Reports

The 2h 45m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.

Leisure traveler · April

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

Frequent flyer · March

Kids barely noticed the turbulence — just some mild bumps crossing the Rockies. Seatbelt sign was on and off a couple times. Nothing dramatic.

Parent traveling with kids · July

All PBI routes→ All DTW routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the West Palm Beach to Detroit flight turbulent?

The PBI–DTW route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 34/100.

When is turbulence worst on PBI to DTW?

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 PBI to DTW?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (186 seats) (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 14–22. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from PBI to DTW?

The PBI to DTW flight takes approximately 2h 45m, covering 1,276 miles (1,109 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly PBI to DTW?

The main airlines operating this route are Delta, flying Boeing 737 · 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