When is the Shanghai to Seoul 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.

PVG to ICN Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Shanghai to Seoul flight turbulent?

The PVG–ICN route typically experiences light turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on PVG to ICN?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A321 · Boeing 737, that's rows 18–30. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from PVG to ICN?

The PVG to ICN flight takes approximately 2h 0m, covering 626 miles at 37,000 feet.

Is the Shanghai to Seoul flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

PVG

→

ICN

Shanghai · Seoul · 2h 0m

Turb Score

2h 0m

Duration

544 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 PVG–ICN

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 0m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the PVG–ICN route

The Shanghai to Seoul 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 Korean Air, China Eastern, Asiana on Airbus A321 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 626 miles (544 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on PVG–ICN

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 PVG–ICN

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on PVG–ICN

Airbus A321 (220 seats)

Front

Rows 1–17

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 18–30

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 31+

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

ICN → PVG

Seoul → Shanghai

Light

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 · January

The 2h 0m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.

Leisure traveler · October

Flew Shanghai–Seoul in April, had some light turbulence in the middle portion of the flight. Brief and nothing concerning. This route is usually fine.

Business traveler · April

All PVG routes→ All ICN routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Shanghai to Seoul flight turbulent?

The PVG–ICN 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 PVG to ICN?

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 PVG to ICN?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A321 (220 seats) (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 18–30. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from PVG to ICN?

The PVG to ICN flight takes approximately 2h 0m, covering 626 miles (544 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly PVG to ICN?

The main airlines operating this route are Korean Air, China Eastern, Asiana, flying Airbus A321 · 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