When is the San Francisco to Langkawi 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 LGK route?

The SFO–LGK route is typically operated by Airbus A320 · ATR 72 · Boeing 737. Airlines include AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly.

Is turbulence on SFO to LGK dangerous?

No — turbulence on the SFO–LGK 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 LGK flight?

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

SFO to LGK Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the San Francisco to Langkawi flight turbulent?

The SFO–LGK route typically experiences light-to-moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on SFO to LGK?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A320 · ATR 72 · Boeing 737, that's rows 10-20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft where turbulence is felt most.

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

The SFO to LGK flight takes approximately 16h 10m, covering 8,368 miles (7,272 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

SFO

→

LGK

San Francisco · Langkawi · 16h 10m

Turb Score

16h 10m

Duration

7,272 nm

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light-to-Moderate

Typical

⚠️ Light-to-Moderate turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SFO–LGK

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h16h 10m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the SFO–LGK route

The San Francisco to Langkawi route crosses the North Atlantic, where the jet stream is the primary source of turbulence. Flying at 35,000 feet, the aircraft encounters the strongest bumps roughly 2–5 hours into the flight. This is clear-air turbulence — no clouds, no visual warning — which makes a pre-flight forecast especially valuable.

The route is served by AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly on Airbus A320 · ATR 72 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 35,000 feet over a distance of 8,368 miles (7,272 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Turbulence peaks mid-flight over the Atlantic. First and last hour are usually smooth.

San Francisco to Langkawi Flight Time

How long is the flight from SFO to LGK?

16h 10m

Flight Time

8,368 mi

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The San Francisco (SFO) to Langkawi (LGK) flight takes approximately 16h 10m, covering 8,368 miles (7,272 nautical miles) at 35,000 feet. The route is operated by AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly. Return flights (LGK 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–LGK

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–LGK

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on SFO–LGK

Airbus A320

Front

Rows 1–9

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 10-20

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 21+

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

Los Angeles → Langkawi

See all transatlantic 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

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

→

Passenger Reports

Flew San Francisco–Langkawi in January, had some light turbulence in the middle portion of the flight. Brief and nothing concerning. This route is usually fine.

Business traveler · January

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

Parent traveling with kids · November

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

First-time flyer · January

All SFO routes→ All LGK routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the San Francisco to Langkawi flight turbulent?

The SFO–LGK route typically experiences light-to-moderate turbulence. A very smooth flight with minimal turbulence expected. The turbulence score for this route is 3/100.

When is turbulence worst on SFO to LGK?

Turbulence peaks mid-flight over the Atlantic. First and last hour are usually smooth. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on SFO to LGK?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A320 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 10-20. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from SFO to LGK?

The SFO to LGK flight takes approximately 16h 10m, covering 8,368 miles (7,272 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly SFO to LGK?

The main airlines operating this route are AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, flying Airbus A320 · ATR 72 · Boeing 737 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