When is the Seattle 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.

SEA to LAX Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Seattle to Los Angeles flight turbulent?

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

Q: Which seat is smoothest on SEA to LAX?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 737 · Airbus A320, that's rows 10–18. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

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

The SEA to LAX flight takes approximately 2h 45m, covering 1,098 miles at 33,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

SEA

→

LAX

Seattle · Los Angeles · 2h 45m

Turb Score

2h 45m

Duration

954 nm

Distance

33,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

⚠️ Light turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SEA–LAX

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 45m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the SEA–LAX route

The Seattle 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 Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines on Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 33,000 feet over a distance of 1,098 miles (954 nautical miles).

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

Seattle to Los Angeles Flight Time

How long is the flight from SEA to LAX?

2h 45m

Flight Time

1,098 mi

Distance

33,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 737

Aircraft

The Seattle (SEA) to Los Angeles (LAX) flight takes approximately 2h 45m, covering 1,098 miles (954 nautical miles) at 33,000 feet. The route is operated by Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on SEA–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 SEA–LAX

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on SEA–LAX

Boeing 737

Front

Rows 1–9

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 10–18

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 19+

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 → SFO

Los Angeles → San Francisco

Light

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

Flew Seattle–Los Angeles in May, had some light turbulence in the middle portion of the flight. Brief and nothing concerning. This route is usually fine.

Business traveler · May

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

Frequent flyer · September

The 2h 45m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.

Leisure traveler · March

All SEA routes→ All LAX routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Seattle to Los Angeles flight turbulent?

The SEA–LAX route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 45/100.

When is turbulence worst on SEA 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 SEA to LAX?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 10–18. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from SEA to LAX?

The SEA to LAX flight takes approximately 2h 45m, covering 1,098 miles (954 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly SEA to LAX?

The main airlines operating this route are Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, 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