When is the Phoenix to Los Angeles 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.

PHX to LAX Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Phoenix to Los Angeles flight turbulent?

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

Q: Which seat is smoothest on PHX to LAX?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 737 · Airbus A320, that's rows 8–14. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from PHX to LAX?

The PHX to LAX flight takes approximately 1h 15m, covering 370 miles at 25,000 feet.

Is the Phoenix to Los Angeles flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

PHX

→

LAX

Phoenix · Los Angeles · 1h 15m

Turb Score

1h 15m

Duration

322 nm

Distance

25,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

⚠️ Light turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for PHX–LAX

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h1h 15m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the PHX–LAX route

The Phoenix to Los Angeles route crosses the Rocky Mountains — one of the most turbulent regions in North America. Mountain wave turbulence occurs when strong winds blow over mountain peaks, creating powerful invisible waves that extend to cruise altitude. The worst turbulence typically occurs in the first 30–60 minutes when the aircraft is climbing over the range.

The route is served by American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines on Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 25,000 feet over a distance of 370 miles (322 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy.

Phoenix to Los Angeles Flight Time

How long is the flight from PHX to LAX?

1h 15m

Flight Time

370 mi

Distance

25,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 737

Aircraft

The Phoenix (PHX) to Los Angeles (LAX) flight takes approximately 1h 15m, covering 370 miles (322 nautical miles) at 25,000 feet. The route is operated by American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on PHX–LAX

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 PHX–LAX

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on PHX–LAX

Boeing 737

Front

Rows 1–7

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 8–14

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 15+

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

LAX → PHX

Los Angeles → Phoenix

Las Vegas → Los Angeles

Smooth

LAX → JFK

Los Angeles → New York

Chicago → Los Angeles

Light

See all mountain routes →

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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Mountain Turbulence

Why mountain routes are the bumpiest

→

Severe Turbulence

What it feels like and how to prepare

→

Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

→

Passenger Reports

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

Frequent flyer · June

The 1h 15m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.

Leisure traveler · March

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

Parent traveling with kids · April

All PHX routes→ All LAX routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Phoenix to Los Angeles flight turbulent?

The PHX–LAX route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 40/100.

When is turbulence worst on PHX to LAX?

Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on PHX to LAX?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 8–14. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from PHX to LAX?

The PHX to LAX flight takes approximately 1h 15m, covering 370 miles (322 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly PHX to LAX?

The main airlines operating this route are American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, 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