When is the San Francisco to Tokyo 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 HND route?

The SFO–HND route is typically operated by Boeing 787 · Airbus A350 · Boeing 777. Airlines include Japan Airlines, ANA, United.

Is turbulence on SFO to HND dangerous?

No — turbulence on the SFO–HND 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 HND flight?

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

SFO to HND Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the San Francisco to Tokyo flight turbulent?

The SFO–HND route typically experiences moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on SFO to HND?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 787 · Airbus A350 · Boeing 777, that's rows 21-32. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

Q: 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) at a cruising altitude of 40,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

SFO

→

HND

San Francisco · Tokyo · 8h 50m

Turb Score

8h 50m

Duration

5,130 nm

Distance

40,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Moderate

Typical

⚠️ Moderate turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SFO–HND

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.

San Francisco to Tokyo Flight Time

How long is the flight from SFO to HND?

8h 50m

Flight Time

5,904 mi

Distance

40,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 787

Aircraft

The San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo (HND) flight takes approximately 8h 50m, covering 5,904 miles (5,130 nautical miles) at 40,000 feet. The route is operated by Japan Airlines, ANA, United. Return flights (HND 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–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

Get minute-by-minute timing for your specific flight

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Best time to fly SFO–HND

Turbulence by month

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

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

SFO → NRT

San Francisco → Tokyo

Moderate

SFO → CPH

San Francisco → Copenhagen

Moderate

SFO → BCN

San Francisco → Barcelona

Moderate

YVR → HND

Vancouver → Tokyo Haneda

See all transpacific flights →

Related guides

Learn more about flight turbulence

Turbulence Tracker

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Best Seat Guide

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Clear-Air Turbulence

The invisible rough air that's increasing

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Turbulence in 2025

Is turbulence getting worse?

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

→

Passenger Reports

Moderate turbulence crossing the dateline — the kind where you're glad you kept your seatbelt on. Lasted about 30-40 minutes, then smoothed out. I've had worse on transatlantic routes.

Frequent flyer · January

More turbulent than I expected. The mid-Pacific section was pretty rough — overhead bins rattling, some gasps from other passengers. Died down before landing.

Leisure traveler · June

Flew this in July expecting smooth skies based on past experience, but it was noticeably bumpier than usual. About an hour of moderate chop. Seatbelt sign basically stayed on.

Regular traveler · July

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

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