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SFO to AUS Turbulence Forecast

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

Live forecast
SFO
→
AUS
San Francisco · Austin · 3h 17m
5.8
Turb Score
3h 17m
Duration
1,504 nm
Distance
37,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
light-moderate
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SFO–AUS

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h3h 17m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the SFO–AUS route

The San Francisco to Austin domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 1,731 miles at around 37,000 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 Southwest, United, American on Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 37,000 feet over a distance of 1,731 miles (1,504 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on SFO–AUS

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 SFO–AUS

Turbulence by month

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Rough

Best seat on SFO–AUS

Boeing 737

Front
Rows 1–14
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 15-22
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

SFO to AUS turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

AUS → SFO
Austin → San Francisco
light-moderate
LAX → AUS
Los Angeles → Austin
light-moderate
LAX → SFO
Los Angeles → San Francisco
Light
ORD → AUS
Chicago → Austin
light-moderate
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Frequently asked questions

Is the San Francisco to Austin flight turbulent?
The SFO–AUS route typically experiences light-moderate turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 5.8/100.
When is turbulence worst on SFO to AUS?
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 SFO to AUS?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 15-22. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from SFO to AUS?
The SFO to AUS flight takes approximately 3h 17m, covering 1,731 miles (1,504 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly SFO to AUS?
The main airlines operating this route are Southwest, United, American, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A319 aircraft.

Data Sources

Scores represent typical conditions. Actual turbulence varies daily. For real-time forecasts, use the Turbulence Forecast app. · About our data