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SFO to MEL Turbulence Forecast

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

Live forecast
SFO
→
MEL
San Francisco · Melbourne · 17h 30m
52
Turb Score
17h 30m
Duration
7,831 nm
Distance
39,000 ft
Cruise Alt.
Light
Typical
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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SFO–MEL

Smooth Light Moderate
0h1h2h3h4h5h6h17h 30m
Smooth
Light
Moderate
Heavy

About the SFO–MEL route

The San Francisco to Melbourne route spans the Pacific Ocean — one of the longest commercial flight paths in the world at 9,011 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 Qantas, United Airlines on Boeing 787 · Airbus A350 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 39,000 feet over a distance of 9,011 miles (7,831 nautical miles).

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

Turbulence levels on SFO–MEL

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–MEL

Turbulence by month

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

Best seat on SFO–MEL

Boeing 787

Front
Rows 1–19
Light
✓ Wing
Rows 20–35
Smoothest
Rear
Rows 36+
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 MEL turbulence forecast app
Flight turbulence tracker
Real-time turbulence map

Similar routes

Other popular routes with turbulence data

LAX → MEL
Los Angeles → Melbourne
Light
SFO → SYD
San Francisco → Sydney
Light
LAX → SYD
Los Angeles → Sydney
Light
SFO → NRT
San Francisco → Tokyo
Moderate
SFO → HNL
San Francisco → Honolulu
Light
LAX → SIN
Los Angeles → Singapore
Light
See all transpacific flights →
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Frequently asked questions

Is the San Francisco to Melbourne flight turbulent?
The SFO–MEL route typically experiences light turbulence. Moderate turbulence expected — fasten seatbelt when seated. The turbulence score for this route is 52/100.
When is turbulence worst on SFO to MEL?
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 MEL?
Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 787 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 20–35. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.
How long is the flight from SFO to MEL?
The SFO to MEL flight takes approximately 17h 30m, covering 9,011 miles (7,831 nautical miles).
Which airlines fly SFO to MEL?
The main airlines operating this route are Qantas, United Airlines, flying Boeing 787 · Airbus A350 aircraft.