When is the San Francisco to Auckland 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 SFO to AKL route?

The SFO–AKL route is typically operated by Boeing 787 · Boeing 777. Airlines include Air New Zealand, United Airlines.

Is turbulence on SFO to AKL dangerous?

No — turbulence on the SFO–AKL 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 SFO to AKL flight?

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

SFO to AKL Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the San Francisco to Auckland flight turbulent?

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

Q: Which seat is smoothest on SFO to AKL?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 787 · Boeing 777, that's rows 20–36. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: How long is the flight from SFO to AKL?

The SFO to AKL flight takes approximately 11h 15m, covering 6,466 miles (5,620 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 39,000 feet.

Is the San Francisco to Auckland flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

SFO

→

AKL

San Francisco · Auckland · 11h 15m

Turb Score

11h 15m

Duration

5,620 nm

Distance

39,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

⚠️ Light turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SFO–AKL

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h11h 15m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the SFO–AKL route

The San Francisco to Auckland route spans the Pacific Ocean — one of the longest commercial flight paths in the world at 6,466 miles. The Pacific jet stream creates moderate turbulence, typically around 3–7 hours into the flight. The sheer length of the route means passengers experience varying conditions: calm stretches punctuated by bumpy patches.

The route is served by Air New Zealand, United Airlines on Boeing 787 · Boeing 777 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 39,000 feet over a distance of 6,466 miles (5,620 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Long flight — turbulence varies throughout. Wing seats significantly reduce motion.

San Francisco to Auckland Flight Time

How long is the flight from SFO to AKL?

11h 15m

Flight Time

6,466 mi

Distance

39,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 787

Aircraft

The San Francisco (SFO) to Auckland (AKL) flight takes approximately 11h 15m, covering 6,466 miles (5,620 nautical miles) at 39,000 feet. The route is operated by Air New Zealand, United Airlines. Return flights (AKL to SFO) take a similar time, though westbound transatlantic and transpacific routes are typically 30–60 minutes longer due to headwinds.

Turbulence levels on SFO–AKL

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 SFO–AKL

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on SFO–AKL

Boeing 787

Front

Rows 1–19

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 20–36

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 37+

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

AKL → SFO

Auckland → San Francisco

Light

SFO → NRT

San Francisco → Tokyo

Moderate

SFO → ICN

San Francisco → Seoul

Moderate

AKL → LAX

Auckland → Los Angeles

Light

LAX → AKL

Los Angeles → Auckland

See all transpacific 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

→

Clear-Air Turbulence

The invisible rough air that's increasing

→

Turbulence in 2025

Is turbulence getting worse?

→

Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

→

Passenger Reports

There was some noticeable movement over the North Pacific that made me grip the armrest. My seatmate (clearly a regular) didn't even look up from their book. Perspective.

First-time flyer · January

The 11h 15m flight had some light shaking around the halfway point. Nothing spilled, nobody panicked. Just normal flying.

Leisure traveler · April

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

Parent traveling with kids · March

All SFO routes→ All AKL routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the San Francisco to Auckland flight turbulent?

The SFO–AKL route typically experiences light turbulence. Light turbulence may occur — mostly smooth with occasional bumps. The turbulence score for this route is 48/100.

When is turbulence worst on SFO to AKL?

Long flight — turbulence varies throughout. Wing seats significantly reduce motion. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on SFO to AKL?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 787 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 20–36. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from SFO to AKL?

The SFO to AKL flight takes approximately 11h 15m, covering 6,466 miles (5,620 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly SFO to AKL?

The main airlines operating this route are Air New Zealand, United Airlines, flying Boeing 787 · Boeing 777 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