When is the Salt Lake City to Los Angeles 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.

SLC to LAX Turbulence Forecast

Q: Is the Salt Lake City to Los Angeles flight turbulent?

The SLC–LAX route typically experiences light turbulence. Moderate turbulence expected — fasten seatbelt when seated.

Q: Which seat is smoothest on SLC to LAX?

Wing seats are smoothest. On a Boeing 737 · Airbus A320, that's rows 10–18. Avoid the rear of the aircraft.

Q: How long is the flight from SLC to LAX?

The SLC to LAX flight takes approximately 2h 0m, covering 590 miles at 30,000 feet.

Is the Salt Lake City to Los Angeles flight turbulent? Live forecast & historical patterns.

Live forecast

SLC

→

LAX

Salt Lake City · Los Angeles · 2h 0m

Turb Score

2h 0m

Duration

513 nm

Distance

30,000 ft

Cruise Alt.

Light

Typical

⚠️ Light turbulence today

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Typical turbulence along the route

Historical average pattern for SLC–LAX

0h1h2h3h4h5h6h2h 0m

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Heavy

About the SLC–LAX route

The Salt Lake City to Los Angeles route crosses the Rocky Mountains — one of the most turbulent regions in North America. Mountain wave turbulence occurs when strong winds blow over mountain peaks, creating powerful invisible waves that extend to cruise altitude. The worst turbulence typically occurs in the first 30–60 minutes when the aircraft is climbing over the range.

The route is served by Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines on Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 aircraft, with flights typically cruising at 30,000 feet over a distance of 590 miles (513 nautical miles).

💡 Tip: Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy.

Salt Lake City to Los Angeles Flight Time

How long is the flight from SLC to LAX?

2h 0m

Flight Time

590 mi

Distance

30,000 ft

Cruising Altitude

Boeing 737

Aircraft

The Salt Lake City (SLC) to Los Angeles (LAX) flight takes approximately 2h 0m, covering 590 miles (513 nautical miles) at 30,000 feet. The route is operated by Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines. Actual flight time may vary by 10–20 minutes depending on wind conditions and routing.

Turbulence levels on SLC–LAX

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 SLC–LAX

Turbulence by month

Smooth

Light

Moderate

Rough

Best seat on SLC–LAX

Boeing 737

Front

Rows 1–9

Light

✓ Wing

Rows 10–18

Smoothest

Rear

Rows 19+

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

LAX → SLC

Los Angeles → Salt Lake City

Los Angeles → Phoenix

Light

SEA → LAX

Seattle → Los Angeles

Light

LAX → LAS

Los Angeles → Las Vegas

Smooth

DEN → SFO

Denver → San Francisco

Light

See all mountain routes →

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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Mountain Turbulence

Why mountain routes are the bumpiest

→

Severe Turbulence

What it feels like and how to prepare

→

Is Turbulence Dangerous?

What the safety data shows

→

Passenger Reports

A few bumpy patches crossing the Rockies, lasted maybe half an hour total. Drink service was paused briefly. Not unusual for this time of year.

Frequent flyer · June

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

First-time flyer · June

Flew Salt Lake City–Los Angeles in April, had some light turbulence in the middle portion of the flight. Brief and nothing concerning. This route is usually fine.

Business traveler · April

All SLC routes→ All LAX routes→

Frequently asked questions

Is the Salt Lake City to Los Angeles flight turbulent?

The SLC–LAX 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 SLC to LAX?

Mountain wave turbulence hits early. If flying over Rockies, expect the first hour to be bumpy. Check the turbulence chart above for the typical pattern along this specific route.

Which seat is smoothest on SLC to LAX?

Wing seats are always the smoothest. On a Boeing 737 (the most common aircraft on this route), that's rows 10–18. Avoid the very rear of the aircraft — it amplifies turbulence motion.

How long is the flight from SLC to LAX?

The SLC to LAX flight takes approximately 2h 0m, covering 590 miles (513 nautical miles).

Which airlines fly SLC to LAX?

The main airlines operating this route are Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, flying Boeing 737 · Airbus A320 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