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SFO to HND Turbulence Forecast

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

Live forecast
SFO
→
HND
San Francisco · Tokyo · 8h 50m
10
Turb Score
8h 50m
Duration
5,130 nm
Distance
40,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Moderate
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SFO–HND

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h8h 50m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the SFO–HND route

The San Francisco to Tokyo route spans the Pacific Ocean — one of the longest commercial flight paths in the world at 5,904 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 Japan Airlines, ANA, United on Boeing 787 · Airbus A350 · Boeing 777 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 40,000 feet over a distance of 5,904 miles (5,130 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on SFO–HND

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–HND

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on SFO–HND

Boeing 787-9

Front
Rows 1–20
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 21-32
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 33+
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 HND turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

HND → SFO
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Moderate
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Moderate
LAX → HND
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LHR → HND
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All SFO routes→ All HND routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the San Francisco to Tokyo flight turbulent?
The SFO–HND route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 10/100.
When is turbulence worst on SFO to HND?
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 HND?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 787-9 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 21-32. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from SFO to HND?
The SFO to HND flight takes approximately 8h 50m, covering 5,904 miles (5,130 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly SFO to HND?
The main airlines operating this route are Japan Airlines, ANA, United, flying Boeing 787 · Airbus A350 · Boeing 777 aircraft.

Data Sources

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