When is the Seattle to New York 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 JFK Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Seattle to New York flight turbulent?

The SEA–JFK route typically experiences light turbulence. Moderate turbulence expected — fasten seatbelt when seated.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on SEA to JFK?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 737 · Airbus A321, that's rows 12–22. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

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

The SEA to JFK flight takes approximately 5h 20m, covering 2,422 miles at 36,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

SEA

→

JFK

Seattle · New York · 5h 20m

Turb Score

5h 20m

Duration

2,104 nm

Distance

36,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

⚠️ Light turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SEA–JFK

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h5h 20m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the SEA–JFK route

The Seattle to New York domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 2,422 miles at around 36,000 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 Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines on Boeing 737 · Airbus A321 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 36,000 feet over a distance of 2,422 miles (2,104 nautical miles).

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

Seattle to New York Flight Time

How long is the flight from SEA to JFK?

5h 20m

Flight Time

2,422 mi

Distance

36,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 737

Aircraft

The Seattle (SEA) to New York (JFK) flight takes approximately 5h 20m, covering 2,422 miles (2,104 nautical miles) at 36,000 feet. The route is operated by Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on SEA–JFK

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–JFK

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on SEA–JFK

Boeing 737

Front

Rows 1–11

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 12–22

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 23+

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

Seattle → Los Angeles

Light

LAX → JFK

Los Angeles → New York

New York → San Francisco

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When Does Turbulence Happen?

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

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Passenger Reports

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

Parent traveling with kids · April

Some light chop crossing the Rockies — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in April.

Regular traveler · April

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

Frequent flyer · January

All SEA routes→ All JFK routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Seattle to New York flight turbulent?

The SEA–JFK route typically experiences light turbulence. Moderate turbulence expected — fasten seatbelt when seated. The turbulence score for this route is 52/100.

When is turbulence worst on SEA to JFK?

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 JFK?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 12–22. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from SEA to JFK?

The SEA to JFK flight takes approximately 5h 20m, covering 2,422 miles (2,104 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly SEA to JFK?

The main airlines operating this route are Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, flying Boeing 737 · 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