When is the San Francisco to Nadi 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 NAN route?

The SFO–NAN route is typically operated by Airbus A330 · Boeing 737. Airlines include Fiji Airways, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand.

Is turbulence on SFO to NAN dangerous?

No — turbulence on the SFO–NAN 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 NAN flight?

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

SFO to NAN Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the San Francisco to Nadi flight turbulent?

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

Q: Which seat is smoothest on SFO to NAN?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A330 · 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 NAN?

The SFO to NAN flight takes approximately 10h 35m, covering 5,466 miles (4,750 nautical miles) at a cruising altitude of 35,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

SFO

→

NAN

San Francisco · Nadi · 10h 35m

Turb Score

10h 35m

Duration

4,750 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–NAN

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h10h 35m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the SFO–NAN route

The San Francisco to Nadi route spans the Pacific Ocean — one of the longest commercial flight paths in the world at 5,466 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 Fiji Airways, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand on Airbus A330 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 35,000 feet over a distance of 5,466 miles (4,750 nautical miles).

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

San Francisco to Nadi Flight Time

How long is the flight from SFO to NAN?

10h 35m

Flight Time

5,466 mi

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A330

Aircraft

The San Francisco (SFO) to Nadi (NAN) flight takes approximately 10h 35m, covering 5,466 miles (4,750 nautical miles) at 35,000 feet. The route is operated by Fiji Airways, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand. Return flights (NAN 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–NAN

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–NAN

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on SFO–NAN

Airbus A330

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

See all transpacific flights →

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Turbulence in 2025

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

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Passenger Reports

Some light chop over the North Pacific — seatbelt sign came on for maybe 20 minutes but nothing to worry about. Typical for this route in January.

Regular traveler · January

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

Parent traveling with kids · December

Flew San Francisco–Nadi 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

All SFO routes→ All NAN routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the San Francisco to Nadi flight turbulent?

The SFO–NAN 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 NAN?

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 NAN?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Airbus A330 (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 NAN?

The SFO to NAN flight takes approximately 10h 35m, covering 5,466 miles (4,750 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly SFO to NAN?

The main airlines operating this route are Fiji Airways, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, flying Airbus A330 · 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