PEK to CTS Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Beijing to Sapporo flight turbulent?

The PEK–CTS route typically experiences light turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on PEK to CTS?

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 PEK to CTS?

The PEK to CTS flight takes approximately 3h 50m.

Is the Beijing to Sapporo flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

PEK

→

CTS

Beijing · Sapporo · 3h 50m

Turb Score

3h 50m

Duration

1,322 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 PEK–CTS

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h3h 50m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the PEK–CTS route

The Beijing to Sapporo 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 Air China, ANA on Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 1,521 miles (1,322 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on PEK–CTS

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 PEK–CTS

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on PEK–CTS

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

See all transatlantic flights →

Passenger Reports

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

Parent traveling with kids · April

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

Frequent flyer · January

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

First-time flyer · July

All PEK routes→ All CTS routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Beijing to Sapporo flight turbulent?

The PEK–CTS route typically experiences light turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 28/100.

When is turbulence worst on PEK to CTS?

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 PEK to CTS?

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 PEK to CTS?

The PEK to CTS flight takes approximately 3h 50m, covering 1,521 miles (1,322 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly PEK to CTS?

The main airlines operating this route are Air China, ANA, flying 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