When is the San Francisco to Tampa route most turbulent?

Check the monthly chart for exact patterns. Transatlantic and mountain routes are typically roughest in winter (Dec–Mar). Tropical routes peak during monsoon season.

SFO to TPA Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the San Francisco to Tampa flight turbulent?

The SFO–TPA route typically experiences smooth turbulence.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on SFO to TPA?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Airbus A320 · Boeing 737, that's rows 10–20. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

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

The SFO to TPA flight takes approximately 5h 05m, covering 2,389 miles at 35,000 feet.

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

Live forecast

SFO

→

TPA

San Francisco · Tampa · 5h 05m

18.3

Turb Score

5h 05m

Duration

2,076 nm

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Smooth

Typical

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SFO–TPA

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h5h 05m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the SFO–TPA route

The San Francisco to Tampa domestic route is generally one of the smoother flights in the US network, covering 2,389 miles at around 35,000 feet. Turbulence is most common when weather systems cross the Midwest or when the flight path skirts the Rocky Mountains. Short duration means any rough patches pass quickly.

The route is served by United, American Airlines, Delta on Airbus A320 · Boeing 737 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 35,000 feet over a distance of 2,389 miles (2,076 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source.

San Francisco to Tampa Flight Time

How long is the flight from SFO to TPA?

5h 05m

Flight Time

2,389 mi

Distance

35,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Airbus A320

Aircraft

The San Francisco (SFO) to Tampa (TPA) flight takes approximately 5h 05m, covering 2,389 miles (2,076 nautical miles) at 35,000 feet. The route is operated by United, American Airlines, Delta. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on SFO–TPA

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–TPA

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on SFO–TPA

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

TPA → SFO

Tampa → San Francisco

Smooth

SFO → LHR

San Francisco → London

Light

SFO → NRT

San Francisco → Tokyo

Moderate

SFO → ICN

San Francisco → Seoul

Moderate

See all us domestic flights →

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Learn more about flight turbulence

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Best Seat Guide

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When Does Turbulence Happen?

Phases of flight explained

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Turbulence Forecast Map

Global turbulence outlook

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Passenger Reports

Totally smooth April flight. The seatbelt sign came on once briefly on descent but nothing actually happened. Great trip.

Leisure traveler · April

I always expect the worst on longer flights but this one surprised me. Very little turbulence, only a few small bumps on descent. Manageable even for me.

Nervous flyer · February

Did San Francisco to Tampa last January and it was genuinely one of the smoothest long-haul flights I've had. Barely any movement the whole way.

Frequent flyer · January

All SFO routes→ All TPA routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the San Francisco to Tampa flight turbulent?

The SFO–TPA route typically experiences smooth turbulence. The turbulence score for this route is 18.3/100.

When is turbulence worst on SFO to TPA?

Domestic routes are generally smoother. Mountain crossings are the main turbulence source. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on SFO to TPA?

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 TPA?

The SFO to TPA flight takes approximately 5h 05m, covering 2,389 miles (2,076 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly SFO to TPA?

The main airlines operating this route are United, American Airlines, Delta, flying Airbus A320 · 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