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SFO to HKG Turbulence Forecast

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

Live forecast
SFO
→
HKG
San Francisco · Hong Kong · 14h 0m
55
Turb Score
14h 0m
Duration
6,897 nm
Distance
39,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Light
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SFO–HKG

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h14h 0m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the SFO–HKG route

The San Francisco to Hong Kong route spans the Pacific Ocean — one of the longest commercial flight paths in the world at 7,938 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 Cathay Pacific, United Airlines on Airbus A350 · Boeing 777 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 39,000 feet over a distance of 7,938 miles (6,897 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on SFO–HKG

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–HKG

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on SFO–HKG

Airbus A350

Front
Rows 1–23
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 24–40
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 41+
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 HKG turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

LAX → HKG
Los Angeles → Hong Kong
Moderate
JFK → HKG
New York → Hong Kong
Light
SFO → NRT
San Francisco → Tokyo
Moderate
SFO → ICN
San Francisco → Seoul
Moderate
LAX → SIN
Los Angeles → Singapore
Light
SFO → CDG
San Francisco → Paris
Light
See all transpacific flights →
All SFO routes→ All HKG routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the San Francisco to Hong Kong flight turbulent?
The SFO–HKG route typically experiences light turbulence. Moderate turbulence expected — fasten seatbelt when seated. The turbulence score for this route is 55/100.
When is turbulence worst on SFO to HKG?
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 HKG?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A350 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 24–40. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from SFO to HKG?
The SFO to HKG flight takes approximately 14h 0m, covering 7,938 miles (6,897 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly SFO to HKG?
The main airlines operating this route are Cathay Pacific, United Airlines, flying Airbus A350 · Boeing 777 aircraft.