When is the Puerto Vallarta to Houston 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 PVR to HOU route?

The PVR–HOU route is typically operated by Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 · Airbus A321. Airlines include Southwest Airlines.

Is turbulence on PVR to HOU dangerous?

No — turbulence on the PVR–HOU 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 PVR to HOU flight?

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

PVR to HOU Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Puerto Vallarta to Houston flight turbulent?

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

Q: Which seat is smoothest on PVR to HOU?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 · Airbus A321, that's rows 12–20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from PVR to HOU?

The PVR to HOU flight takes approximately 2h 15m, covering 878 miles (763 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet.

Is the Puerto Vallarta to Houston flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

PVR

→

HOU

Puerto Vallarta · Houston · 2h 15m

Turb Score

2h 15m

Duration

763 nm

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

⚠️ Light turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for PVR–HOU

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 15m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the PVR–HOU route

The Puerto Vallarta to Houston route is one of the most popular leisure routes in North America, covering 878 miles over warm Caribbean waters. Turbulence is generally light — the main exception is tropical convective activity (thunderstorm-related turbulence) during hurricane season (June–November). Pilots typically route around storm cells when possible.

The route is served by Southwest Airlines on Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 · Airbus A321 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 35,000 feet over a distance of 878 miles (763 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Mostly smooth. Hurricane season (Jun–Nov) can bring convective turbulence.

Puerto Vallarta to Houston Flight Time

How long is the flight from PVR to HOU?

2h 15m

Flight Time

878 mi

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 737

Aircraft

The Puerto Vallarta (PVR) to Houston (HOU) flight takes approximately 2h 15m, covering 878 miles (763 nautical miles) at 35,000 feet. The route is operated by Southwest Airlines. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on PVR–HOU

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 PVR–HOU

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on PVR–HOU

Boeing 737

Front

Rows 1–11

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 12–20

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 21+

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

PVR → ORD

Puerto Vallarta → Chicago

Puerto Vallarta → Denver

Severe

HOU → LAX

Houston → Los Angeles

Moderate

See all caribbean 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

→

When Does Turbulence Happen?

Phases of flight explained

→

Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

→

Passenger Reports

The 2h 15m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.

Leisure traveler · June

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

Frequent flyer · May

There was some noticeable movement near the coast 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 PVR routes→ All HOU routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Puerto Vallarta to Houston flight turbulent?

The PVR–HOU route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 33/100.

When is turbulence worst on PVR to HOU?

Mostly smooth. Hurricane season (Jun–Nov) can bring convective turbulence. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on PVR to HOU?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 12–20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from PVR to HOU?

The PVR to HOU flight takes approximately 2h 15m, covering 878 miles (763 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly PVR to HOU?

The main airlines operating this route are Southwest Airlines, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 · Airbus A321 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