When is the Seattle to Houston 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.

SEA to IAH Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Seattle to Houston flight turbulent?

The SEA–IAH route typically experiences smooth turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on SEA to IAH?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A320 · Boeing 737, that's rows 10–20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from SEA to IAH?

The SEA to IAH flight takes approximately 4h 10m, covering 1,872 miles at 35,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

SEA

→

IAH

Seattle · Houston · 4h 10m

15.8

Turb Score

4h 10m

Duration

1,627 nm

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Smooth

Typical

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SEA–IAH

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h4h 10m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the SEA–IAH route

The Seattle to Houston domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 1,872 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 United, American Airlines, Delta on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 35,000 feet over a distance of 1,872 miles (1,627 nautical miles).

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

Seattle to Houston Flight Time

How long is the flight from SEA to IAH?

4h 10m

Flight Time

1,872 mi

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The Seattle (SEA) to Houston (IAH) flight takes approximately 4h 10m, covering 1,872 miles (1,627 nautical miles) at 35,000 feet. The route is operated by United, American Airlines, Delta. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on SEA–IAH

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 SEA–IAH

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on SEA–IAH

Airbus A320

Front

Rows 1–9

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 10–20

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 21+

Rougher

Wing seats are over the center of gravity — least affected by turbulence.

What you'll see in the app

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When Does Turbulence Happen?

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

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Passenger Reports

I always expect the worst on longer flights but this one surprised me. Very little turbulence, only a few small bumps on descent. Manageable even for me.

Nervous flyer · January

Fly this route pretty regularly for work. Most of the time it's smooth — December was completely fine, not a bump worth mentioning.

Business traveler · December

Did Seattle to Houston last January and it was genuinely one of the smoothest long-haul flights I've had. Barely any movement the whole way.

Frequent flyer · January

All SEA routes→ All IAH routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Seattle to Houston flight turbulent?

The SEA–IAH route typically experiences smooth turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 15.8/100.

When is turbulence worst on SEA to IAH?

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 SEA to IAH?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A320 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 10–20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from SEA to IAH?

The SEA to IAH flight takes approximately 4h 10m, covering 1,872 miles (1,627 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly SEA to IAH?

The main airlines operating this route are United, American Airlines, Delta, flying Airbus A320 · 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