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PHL to ORD Turbulence Forecast

Is the Philadelphia to Chicago flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast
PHL
→
ORD
Philadelphia · Chicago · 2h 20m
5.4
Turb Score
2h 20m
Duration
678 nm
Distance
35,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
light-moderate
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for PHL–ORD

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 20m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the PHL–ORD route

The Philadelphia to Chicago domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 780 miles at around 35,000 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 American, United on Embraer 175 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 35,000 feet over a distance of 780 miles (678 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on PHL–ORD

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 PHL–ORD

Turbulence by month

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Rough

Best seat on PHL–ORD

Embraer 175

Front
Rows 1–11
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 12-18
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 19+
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

PHL to ORD turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

ORD → JFK
Chicago → New York
Light
PHL → LAX
Philadelphia → Los Angeles
Light
JFK → ORD
New York → Chicago
Light
See all us domestic flights →
All PHL routes→ All ORD routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Philadelphia to Chicago flight turbulent?
The PHL–ORD route typically experiences light-moderate turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 5.4/100.
When is turbulence worst on PHL to ORD?
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 PHL to ORD?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Embraer 175 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 12-18. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from PHL to ORD?
The PHL to ORD flight takes approximately 2h 20m, covering 780 miles (678 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly PHL to ORD?
The main airlines operating this route are American, United, flying Embraer 175 · Boeing 737 aircraft.