When is the Ponta Delgada to London 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 PDL to LGW route?

The PDL–LGW route is typically operated by Airbus A320 · Boeing 737. Airlines include SATA, Ryanair, TAP, LATAM.

Is turbulence on PDL to LGW dangerous?

No — turbulence on the PDL–LGW 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 PDL to LGW flight?

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

PDL to LGW Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Ponta Delgada to London flight turbulent?

The PDL–LGW route typically experiences light turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on PDL to LGW?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A320 · Boeing 737, that's rows 14–22. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from PDL to LGW?

The PDL to LGW flight takes approximately 3h 45m, covering 1,933 miles (1,680 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 37,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

PDL

→

LGW

Ponta Delgada · London · 3h 45m

Turb Score

3h 45m

Duration

1,680 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 PDL–LGW

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h3h 45m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the PDL–LGW route

The Ponta Delgada to London route crosses the North Atlantic, where the jet stream is the primary source of turbulence. Flying at 37,000 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 SATA, Ryanair, TAP, LATAM on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 1,933 miles (1,680 nautical miles).

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

Ponta Delgada to London Flight Time

How long is the flight from PDL to LGW?

3h 45m

Flight Time

1,933 mi

Distance

37,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The Ponta Delgada (PDL) to London (LGW) flight takes approximately 3h 45m, covering 1,933 miles (1,680 nautical miles) at 37,000 feet. The route is operated by SATA, Ryanair, TAP, LATAM. Return flights (LGW to PDL) take a similar time, though westbound transatlantic and transpacific routes are typically 30–60 minutes longer due to headwinds.

Turbulence levels on PDL–LGW

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 PDL–LGW

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on PDL–LGW

Airbus A320

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

PDL → GRU

Ponta Delgada → São Paulo

Moderate

PDL → GIG

Ponta Delgada → Rio de Janeiro

Moderate

PDL → LAD

Ponta Delgada → Luanda

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

→

Passenger Reports

Some light chop crossing the Rockies — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in January.

Regular traveler · January

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 · June

There was some noticeable movement over the plains that made me grip the armrest. My seatmate (clearly a regular) didn't even look up from their book. Perspective.

First-time flyer · January

All PDL routes→ All LGW routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ponta Delgada to London flight turbulent?

The PDL–LGW route typically experiences light turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 18/100.

When is turbulence worst on PDL to LGW?

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 PDL to LGW?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A320 (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 PDL to LGW?

The PDL to LGW flight takes approximately 3h 45m, covering 1,933 miles (1,680 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly PDL to LGW?

The main airlines operating this route are SATA, Ryanair, TAP, LATAM, 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